Pets Corner

Halloween & Fireworks

Pets Corner with Leonie St Clair | www.londondogstraining.co.uk

Many of London’s Lockdown pets are having a hard time adjusting as the city returns to a new normal. The noises and events associated with everyday hustle and bustle have taken a toll on young animals experiencing many of these things for the first time. The hardest time will soon be upon us. Please do not underestimate the potentially negative impact of Halloween and the long fireworks season. For those of you with lockdown puppies or rescues please consider how sensitive your pet is to novelty or noise and have a plan. Top of the list has to be the good will of your neighbours. Let them know you have a dog or cat and ask them to tell you when and if garden fireworks are on the cards. We can all prepare for organised events, but it is the startling effect of sudden bangs and swooshes from neighbouring gardens that may cause most damage. Not all pets are scared of fireworks, some seem to get used to them. However, where young animals are concerned it is best to assume the worst and stay safe. Very old animals with failing senses can also get a sudden fright where once familiar sights and sounds suddenly become unfamiliar and scary. Again, don’t take any chances. Keep your elderly pet safe with these simple tips. Ensure dogs and cats are shut in the house before dusk. Feed early and get pets out early to urinate and defecate. If your dog goes ballistic at door noises put a polite notice up at your front door or gate at

Halloween, explaining and asking people/children not to knock. Alternatively, switch off lights visible from the street and make out you are not home. Cat flaps should be locked. Cats may need a litter tray to see them through the night. Do not walk your dog when there are fireworks about. Make the morning walk the big one of the day and aim to provide indoor entertainment in the evening. Unless they are clearly terrified, playing with your pet, whether cat or dog, is a great way to build positive associations with firework sounds. Make the games rambunctious, play tuggy with the dog, get the cat to chase a toy on a string.

Running around counters anxiety. Aim to block out disturbing visual stimuli, whether children dressed up as ghouls or flashes from fireworks. Close curtains and blinds. Turn the house lights up bright. Create a sound wall by turning up radios and TV’s, loud. Washing machines are also a great way to block noise from outside. If your pet is anxious, he can of course lie beside you to help him feel secure. However, stay calm, no matter how anxious your pet is. If he wants to hide, let him. It is a good idea to create a covered, dark den at the core of the house, where your pet can hide if they want. Owners that have crate trained their dog or pup will be ahead of the game. Deep, cardboard boxes are also great temporary dens. Deaden firework noise by covering the den with a heavy blanket. Get your pet used to the den now. Fill it with treats and toys, to make it a desirable, safe space. If you know your pet is noise phobic or anxious speak to your vet about calming remedies and/or medication. Don’t delay. Those who feel their pet may have a problem can speak to their vet and behaviourist about treatment. Many pets can be taught over time that firework sounds are non-threatening.

Wednesdays 6, 13, 20 & 27 October: Zoom Portraiture @ Dulwich Art Group & School

2pm - 5pm. This is now a hybrid session with 15 artists allowed into the studio and also cameras for artists attending through Zoom. Paint a clothed model with a focus on the portrait over two three-hour sessions. We give you a wide view and a closer portrait view so you can work out the framing for yourself. The model will at times be engaged in conversation in order to bring some animation to the face.

www.dulwichartgroup.co.uk

Thursdays 7, 14, 21 & 28

Adventurers (online meeting)

6.30am-8.30am. Are you looking to grow your business? We have kept £9.4million in the local economy this year alone. We’ve changed the way the world does business... now it is Dulwich’s turn. Contact Hayley on 07843 989728 for more information.

Thursday 7 October until Thursday 25 November: Raise the Roof Choir Autumn Term

7pm-9pm. Raise the Roof is a fun and inclusive Natural VoiceCommunity Choir, based at the Carnegie Community Hub in Herne Hill. We sing foot-stomping, spine-tingling, genredefying, endorphin-raising songs in glorious a cappella vocal harmony – songs of passion, reflection, celebration and community from all over the world and across time – from folk to funk and doo-wop to hip-hop! Raise the Roof is a Natural Voice Choir and all are welcome. There are no auditions, we learn by ear and sing from the soles of our feet! We are led by choral composer Kirsty Martin.

https://www.raisetheroofchoir.org/

The Carnegie Community Hub, Carnegie Library 192 Herne Hill Road, SE24 0AG

Thursdays 7, 14, 21 & 28 October: Dulwich Folk Dance Club (Country Dancing)

8pm-10pm. Yes! We’re back. Ready to celebrate our double vaccinations and the joy of life. Come join us and make new friends. St Barnabas Parish Hall, Gilkes Place, Dulwich Village SE21 7BT.

Wendy 020 8769 9832 John 020 8693 2873 / johnhblase@aol.com

Friday 8 – Sunday 17 October: Streatham Festival 2021

Streatham Festival 2021 - brings you a wide variety of events that include live music, literature, theatre, stand-up comedy, creative workshops, walks, talks, and bit of a song and dance. https://streathamfestival.com/

Can you add in Herne Hill Music Festival 8-17th October

TICKETS ARE NOW ON SALE. Buy them on-line at: https://hernehillfestival.org. Tickets will also be vailable on-the-door if the event is not sold out. We advise that you check with the venues to see if they have any Covid rules in place.

Monday 11 October: Dulwich WI Monthly Meeting

7pm-9pm. We meet on the second Monday of each month at Fifty Seven, 57 North Cross Road, East Dulwich, SE22. https://dulwichwi.com. 8pm-9pm. The Arts Society Dulwich evening lecture at JAGS Sixth Form Centre. Guests welcome, £10 at the door, no booking required. During the 12th century Palermo became the most intellectually active and artistically eclectic centre in Europe; the great cathedrals of Cefalù and Monreale, the Palatine Chapel of the Norman Palace and the church of Santa Maria dell’Ammiraglio were witness to a brilliant fusion of Norman, Arab and Byzantine art and architecture.

https://www.theartssocietydulwich.org.uk/ programme/lectures.

James Allen’s Girls’ School Sixth Form Centre

Thursday 14 October: Ottolenghi Test Kitchen: Shelf Love by Yotam Ottolenghi & Noor Murad

7.30pm-8.30pm Join Village Books and Alleyn’s School Enterprises for an evening with bestselling author Yotam Ottolength and Noor Murad to celebrate the publication of the first book in a new series Ottolenghi Test Kitchen: Shelf Love. Yotam and Noor will be demonstrating recipes from the book while chatting to author and journalist Felicity Cloake. This event is in partnership with Alleyn’s School Enterprises.

https://mct.alleyns.org.uk/wazzon.aspx.

MCT at Alleyn’s School, Alleyn’s School, Townley Road, East Dulwich SE22 8SU

Thursday 14 October: The Jewel in the Crown: the Arabs and Normans

Saturday 16 October: Climate Change Coffee Morning

10am-1pm. There will be Refreshments & a Cake Stall on sale. You can buy a small garden bulb to plant at home. There will be some activity stalls too. From the 16th of October the Fair Trade Centre will be re-opening on Saturdays again. The Fair Trade Centre, 263 Barry Road, SE22 0JT.

Saturday 16 October: Rocking for Refugees

7.30pm-11.30pm. Herne Hill Welcomes Refugees is a community group, organising and fundraising to resettle refugee families locally, via the government’s Community Sponsorship scheme. Join them for a night of funk, soul, rock and blues, as local band Talking Strawberries perform to raise enough money to support refugee families coming to the area. Talking Strawberries have been playing across London and the South East since 2005 and are London’s only English, Irish, Kiwi and Scottish covers band with three legendary vocalists. It will be a fun night, and you will be helping to making a huge difference to a refugee family’s life. This is also a Herne Hill Music Festival event. #HHWRRocks2021 Tickets: Earlybird £10, General £12/£8 (concessions). £15 on the door. Off the Cuff, Arch 645, 301-303 Railton Road SE24 0JN

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