9 minute read
Pets
Do you have a pet?
Until a couple of years ago I had a cat, the strangest of creatures – alternately affectionate and aloof, even vicious, and you could never tell which mood she’d be in at any given moment! She hated pet carriers with a passion, as many a claw inflicted wound to my hands and arms (even my back once!) would attest. Trips to the vets, or house moving, were a nightmare of the highest order.
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Sadly she ‘crossed the rainbow bridge’ on New Year’s Day 2018, completely out of the blue. I came downstairs (slightly the worse for wear after a New Year’s Eve party) and found her lying on the kitchen floor – unmoving apart from a slight rise and fall of her chest. Picking her up, I moved to a chair and, as I cradled her like a baby, she drew her last breath. It felt as if she had waited to say goodbye to me.
Our pets squirm their way into our hearts and when they leave us, they leave a massive hole, we miss their antics and silly habits. Even the things that made us cross; like refusing to eat anything out of a tin in the case of Gabby cat; become endearing foibles when we look back at them.
We (my other half and I) would love to welcome another fur baby into our home, BUT we currently live in a private rental that doesn’t allow pets, as so many rentals don’t for some reason. So we will have to make do for now with the antics of our neighbours various pets; at least seven dogs and a horse at the last count; and watching the sparrows, blue tits and other small birds which visit us daily to eat from the feeders my other half keeps well topped up with seeds.
One day we will have a dog, he wants a mahoosive one – a Malamute to be precise! I would prefer something smaller that sheds less hair and requires less grooming – I’m sure we’ll find a compromise eventually.
Our pets give us so much unconditional love but there are so many other ‘hidden’ benefits too. A quick search online gave me these facts from the “Centers for Disease Control” in the USA:
Some of the benefits of having a pet include:
✔ Decreased blood pressure
✔ Decreased cholesterol levels
✔ Decreased triglyceride levels
✔ Decreased feelings of loneliness
✔ Increased opportunities for exercise and outdoor activities
✔ Increased opportunities for socialisation
Perhaps I need to move again, to somewhere that will allow animals, it seems such a shame to miss out on all those health benefits doesn’t it?
These articles are researched and written by Laura Billingham, a local content writer and author. Laura moved the Peak District several years ago to pursue her passion for writing.
To find out more visit www.landgassociates. co.uk or contact Laura on 07736 351341
Rafa, Flake & Mitzy
Rafa turns 12 this month and as such has adopted the position of ‘wise, elder statesmen’. His responsibilities include monitoring everyone’s eating habits and making sure they don’t leave anything tasty in the bins. Flake is about 4 years old. About, because he was rescued. His responsibilities include greeting everyone who comes to the office and collecting cuddles. Finally, there is Mitzy, our cat. She always finds a nice place to sleep and is far too busy to do any work.
Emily & Liam, The Voice Owners
George & Penelope
Meet My Pets I have two beautiful cats, brother and sister George and Penelope, my indoor little babies. George is the Ginger, Penelope is the black-white, they are almost two years old. They spend most of the day fast asleep, but when they are awake you can either find them in the bath pushing the taps on to splash the water or standing in the water bowl! These two absolutely love nothing more than being wet or chasing each other around the house and play fighting. Danielle, The Voice Team
George
Name:George, Breed: Frug, Born: Oct 2020
We welcomed George to our Family and we think he has fitted in super! He is really playful, full of life and has lots of character... such as chewing things that are not his! Daisy, Tinker, Nell, Freddie & Gizmo
Nell & Freddie – Nell is nearly 13 and is so kind which shows in this photo with Freddie who is 10 and is the cuddlier out of the cats. Gizmo is nearly 11, he is so majestic and he knows it. He sleeps for about 23 hours a day and he’s a mummy’s boy. Tinker the Springer is 20 months old and a real Tinker. He may look cute but he’s on fire! He loves everyone, especially delivery people, he tries to go with them. Daisey is Gizmos sister and Freddie’s half-sister. She is in charge of all the animals except Tinker, which is why she just has to use her claws to sort him out but he doesn’t retaliate he just keeps on wagging. Jude, The Voice Team
Bailey Boo
Bailey is my funny, loopy, crazy rescue English Springer Spaniel. He is 2.5 years old but acts like a puppy. He answers to many names like Bailey Boo, Boopy, Boopise Lou, Pudding, Fat Pudding, Bubba, Sir Boopsalot and a few others that cannot be repeated in print! He loves his ball and would do anything for it, so much so we have to be careful near any big drops when we are out walking. He also has a maddening habit of thinking he is helping with the washing by walking around with our socks with his tail wagging!!! But he is a very good cuddler!!!! Lisa, The Artliff Team
Paul, The Voice Team
Slinky & Oreo
Slinky is our dachshund puppy (think Toy Story!). Slinky is playful and loves nothing more than chewing our socks! He is now getting used to walks, although he never wants to leave the house! He is also a foodie and sits like a meerkat when he wants a treat! .....Oreo is our 4 year old cat, he loves food, sleep and spends his days laying around the house avoiding the dog (they’re not best friends yet!) Caper, Poppy & Ruby
This is Caper, Ruby and Poppy the Blackwell Bog Snorkeling team. Poppy might be little but she is Maggi, The Voice Team in charge of finding the best mud. The team are fuelled by cocktail sausages and cheese whenever possible.
Maggi, The Voice Team
Neil is a Vegan, he doesn’t own any pets but he also doesn’t eat them!
FOOD & RETAIL Sutton Heritage Society Sutton Heritage Society are kindly donating their page to help find missing dogs. Even if you can’t help with this dog please visit www.doglost.co.uk, which has a register of lost and found dogs.
Pippa went missing on November 8th 2020. She is small, timid, and a therapy dog for Luke. Luke is autistic and PIPPA was his comfort friend. Pip pips as we call her was inseparable from Luke. She helped him manage his autism and anxiety. Pippa had a calming effect on him. Luke has gone downhill since Pips has gone. He is heartbroken and simply doesn’t understand how someone could keep her. Pippa is such an important part of our lives Daily tasks which are normal to you and I are so hard for him, but Pippa would nudge him on. She slept with him giving him the comfort he needs at night. Pips was his cuddle buddy and friend.
Since going missing, Pippa has grown a network of supporters online. In the search for my son’s pooch, we have had kind gestures and messages from all over the UK I feel exhausted by the ordeal and had to keep a lot of information away from Luke.
Along with many friends and family we searched around a five-mile radius of where she went from. We’ve had drones out too. Posters are everywhere I’ve been talking to local postmen/police and vets
Luke is so lost without her, that he has kindly been offered a puppy, but he says no.
He is positive Pippa is coming home
I’m lost without her too, she is so naughty and mischievous, and made us both laugh. We would play piggy in the middle with a sensory ball and Pips loved this game. Its breaking my heart.
She is still missing, now believed to be Stolen from Newark
By Sheila Sims
Health & Beauty
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