November 2020, FREE
MY PET: TV Vet JOE INGLIS and his dog Pip
DOG EXPERT: why you shouldn’t give your boy the snip! Beautiful Creatures: animal artist Vet Michelle Pearson Cooper
O
MyPet
ur My Pet star this month are former TV Vet
Joe Inglis and his gorgeous pooch Pip. Joe is a vet and pet nutrition expert who is well-known for his appearances on The One Show and ITV's This Morning as well as starring in the longrunning BBC series Vets in Practice. He lives and works in the Cotswolds with his family, dog Pip, t h re e c a t s a n d t w o chickens. Joe is on a mission to improve the diets of canines everywhere with a new
Puppy Pip with Joe Inglis
online platform devoted to healthy eating called VetChef. VetChef’s AI-powered uses Dr. Joe’s expertise in nutrition to help solve dogs’ dietary problems by creating bespoke
menu plans. More of that later, including a fantastic recipe for your pooch, but now we’re excited to meet Joe and his gorgeous pup Pip!
So, Joe, tell us about Pip?
their extreme physical features Our family life has changed
Pip is a cross breed - her mum
and genetic inbreeding. Â
was a Yorkiepoo (Yorkshire
massively for the better since her arrival - she's such a
Terrier x Poodle) who went
Does Pip come with you
bundle of energy and love, it's
missing for five days and came
to work?
impossible to be grumpy or
back pregnant so nobody
At the moment, I mainly work
knows who her father is. Given the shape of her ears, I think it's possible her dad was a German Shepherd or maybe
from home, developing the VetChef app and working on
as I much prefer mixed breed
of spending all day with her while I'm working - and she
add them to the system!
seen in purebred dogs with
garden with the children!
Do you take doggiefriendly holidays with Pip? Yes. This summer we've been on a road trip around France
dogs - they don't tend to suffer from the same health problems
your nose or racing around the
recipes, so I have the pleasure
a collie but we'll never know for gets stuck in as well, testing sure. Her lack of pedigree is out different recipes before I definitely not an issue for me
miserable when she's licking
What difference does Pip make to your life?
and Italy, and Pip's been a wonderful traveller. She seems happy with long car journeys,
and loves exploring new places - and new food. I've been cooking up some recipes for her on our travels inspired by the local cuisine - she just had a very French dinner of steak hache, tripe, green beans and potatoes.
Do you take Pip with you to restaurants and pubs? Yes, and she's generally been good, although she does have a habit of getting her lead incredibly tangled around the table and chair legs when we sit outside to eat in a cafe or restaurant.
What are Pip's favourite things in the world? Food, her rope toy, and anything that moves that she can chase!
which is coming on pretty well. poor diet and excessive weight She's very obedient, when she
are leading causes of many
wants to be - it's just the times
preventable health issues,
when she doesn't want to be
ranging from diabetes to
that we've got to work on now!
cancer. So I'm passionate about helping pet parents to improve
Does Pip have any tricks or special character traits? Thankfully she's moving out of her ankle-biting phase, which was quite painful, especially for our young children, and we're working on her training
the diet and fitness of their
Is there anything you feel
pets, and I think the best way
strongly about regarding
to do this is by making it as
pet welfare? For me the biggest issues for our pets nowadays are diet and obesity. Just as with people,
easy as possible for owners to feed fresh, homemade meals that are nutritionally designed specifically for their pet's individual needs.
Joe continues: “I've spent the last six months developing the VetChef system which creates bespoke recipes for dogs, and I'm really excited about how this can help to improve the diet of dogs around the world. It's totally free, and being used by more and more dogs from across the world every day.” To find out more and get your dog’s free recipes, visit www.vetchef.co.uk. You can also follow Joe on Instagram @thevetchef and on twitter @vethchef.
Sample Recipe: Beef, Pasta & Broccoli
Ingredients: •
250g Beef (stewing steak or similar)
•
150g Pasta (any shape, dried)
•
75g Broccoli
•
15g Vegetable oil
•
4g VetChef PureCal Seasoning
•
1g Fresh Rosemary (optional)
This simple recipe combines fresh and tasty beef with pasta and broccoli for a great all-rounder meal suitable for dogs of all ages.
Directions Dice the beef and broccoli. Place all the ingredients in a saucepan and cover with water. Bring to the boil and then turn down the heat and simmer gently for around 15 minutes, stirring regularly. Remove from the heat once the pasta is cooked, drain away any excess water and allow to cool completely before serving.
Top Dog Listener: Why Canine Castration is Wrong! Tony Knight, an internationally-acclaimed Dog Listener and trainer, on why you shouldn’t get your
Vet
male dog neutered…
Tony Knight, an internationallyacclaimed Dog Listener and trainer, on why you shouldn’t get your male dog neutered…
“Dogs ask us questions every day to see who they can trust...”
Speaking as a male, I admit that I have a soft spot (well, two really) for my own “equipment; men will wince in empathy should they hear a story about some poor chap whose “poor chap” was involved in some kind of painful accident. dog trainer (and not
many years ago that
Maybe their legs so they can’t
(and definitely not removed).
run after anyone? My own old fellow, Kez (I am
“Castration is not
as a male of the to the conclusion
body that should be treated
Don’t get me wrong, castration referring to my dog here) was
That said, it is as a
species) that I came
what should we cut off them?
all it is cracked up
castration is not all it is cracked up to be. However, it is still often the first course of action when dealing with aggression in male dogs. Too many vets propose this procedure as the cure-all (which comes at a price of course). I have met many aggressive female dogs in all my years as a Dog Listener –
to be....” for health reasons or to avoid unwanted puppies is definitely recommended in the first case (and begrudgingly in the second, although intelligent control from dog owners is preferable). When it comes to dealing with aggressive behaviour though, there is a
an entire male and the most chilled out individual you could have hoped to meet. A very large part (I promise you I am not making these puns on purpose!) of the reason
for his calm demeanour was the way I interacted with him to show him that he could relax and trust me with the big decisions. Dogs ask us questions every day to see who they can trust, so when Kez asked, I made sure to give him
completely different part of the the right answer.
Kez asked, I made sure to give
drop, leaving them prone to
him the right answer. That way, feeling vulnerable.
concentrate on the other end of the body. Using the way they
I avoided him
think is the key to
taking on the role
success. Calm and
himself, which
positive
could have led to
communication in
bigger problems.
their language shows them that
In nearly every case
you are capable of
of dog aggression,
looking after
there is a big dose
everyone, allowing
of panic added. This does not come from
Female dogs can be aggressive too...
any appendage; If you have ever had to go to
mind that it is responsible for
work or look after your
the safety of its family in a
children while feeling unwell, I
world that it does not
am willing to bet that you may
understand. That panic that can understandably
“Many vets now realise that castration for
be seen as aggressive. Once again, we know
aggression problems
that there are females that can also have these aggressive tendencies,
clearly does not work.”
but there is not an equivalent, arbitrary, medical procedure for them. What can make the situation worse for a male that has been given the chop is that they may still have the responsibility of looking after everyone, only now they are constantly feeling out of sorts. The levels of testosterone take a massive
responsibility and relax.
rather the belief in a dog’s
can lead to reactions
them to relinquish
have been more easily irritated… On so many occasions, I have been asked to work with highly strung dogs that have previously been castrated, only for their behaviour to remain unchanged or even worsen. My approach to solving dog aggression is to
Thankfully, not every veterinarian is still stuck in the old-fashioned practice of slicing off a mutt’s nuts. There are plenty of professionals out there who have realised that castration for aggression problems clearly does not work. They also know that there are ways to help solve this problem that do not require drugs, force, pain or surgery. When it comes to helping your dog to be happy and calm, I guess the ball is in your court… To find out more, visit: www.tonyknightdoglistener.
Vets Concern Over Covid Health Crisis For Pets Rising numbers of veterinary practices are offering telemedicine and digital consultations to encourage pet owners to keep up with routine animal healthcare despite restrictions. Veterinarians have warned of a resurgence of preventable diseases among domestic animals after one in four pet owners said they had delayed or missed appointments because of the Covid-19 pandemic. More than one in 10 cats and dogs had missed routine treatment or care, such as
primary vaccines, as a result, according to a poll of more than 3,200 owners across four countries.
The survey, commissioned by the global animal health association Health for Animals in partnership with leading animal health marketing and communications consultancy Pegasus, revealed safety fears around the risk of
Covid-19 outside personal “social bubbles” were the primary driver despite a growing number of veterinarians offering remote consultations. “These survey results reveal yet more worrying, secondary impacts of the pandemic, with pet owners reluctant to visit a veterinarian and animal health suffering as a result,” said Dr Simon Doherty, Senior Lecturer in Animal Health & Welfare, Queen’s University Belfast, and former president of the British Veterinary Association. “The reality is that veterinarians and veterinary services have been recognised as essential throughout the pandemic because animal health is a core element of public health. “If pets are not receiving routine healthcare including vaccination, we could see an
increase in preventable diseases and other health issues.” Almost half (47 per cent) of pet owners surveyed said their veterinarian offered digital or remote appointments, an increase from 20 per cent before the pandemic. Just one per cent of pet owners said their veterinarian had not adopted special precautions in response to Covid-19, with social distancing requirements being the most reported inperson change. “The veterinary industry has seen rapid technological transformation during the Covid-19 pandemic, which is a positive, but animal care providers, businesses and pet owners are learning to adjust,” said Luke Hopkins, of Pegasus, an Ashfield company, part of UDG Healthcare. “From ensuring pet owners are aware of new veterinary services or practice opening hours, to educating on the importance of preventative health, clear communication is more important than ever in helping preserve animal health and wellbeing during this pandemic.”
Of the pet owners who used veterinary telemedicine during the pandemic, three quarters were satisfied or extremely satisfied with the service, with more than a third reporting it reduces the waiting time to speak to a veterinarian.
Covid-19 despite only a handful of pets worldwide falling ill with the disease, all of which were instances of human-toanimal transfer. “For many people, pets have provided much needed respite and comfort during the pandemic and its lockdowns. But owners also have a responsibility to make sure the pandemic does not negatively impact animals and their health,” said Dr. MarieJosé Enders-Slegers, President, International Association of HumanAnimal Interaction More than one in five said digital or remote consultations Organisations. meant veterinarians could “It is especially important that dedicate more time to the appointment. More than 60 per anyone who has adopted an animal during the pandemic cent agreed, to some extent, that they would be more likely seeks and follows veterinary advice to give young animals to contact their veterinarian if the best possible start in life they could do so virtually. and continues doing so after the pandemic.” “Pet owners need not compromise on the health of their dogs and cats. Regular check-ups with a veterinarian are the cornerstone of good pet health.” As well as common illnesses, around a third (32 per cent) of pet owners said they were concerned or very concerned about their animal catching
“Owners have a
responsibility to make
sure the pandemic does not negatively impact
animals and their health.”
Beautiful Creatures
Vet
‘Wizard’, Oil on panel, 40 x 40cm Michelle Pearson Cooper
A
cclaimed animal artist Michelle Pearson Cooper was until lockdown 2.0 struck again, exhibiting her wonderful artwork, ‘Reigning Cats and Dogs: Studies, Sketches and Portraits of Creatures Great and Small, Especially Cats and Canines, Depicted with Affection and Exactitude’ at The Osborne Studio Gallery in London. In lieu, we e-meet this amazingly talented artist with a keen eye for the beauty and
quirks of our favourite companion animals who shares some of her work and insights into her creative process. Her full exhibition is also online at: http://www.osg.uk.com.
Fifteen solo shows followed, from her first in 1979 at Charles Young Gallery in Old Bond Street to La Galleria, Pall Mall, in 2016. Invited to exhibit in Palm Beach, Florida, in 1994, dog portraits in charcoal, watercolour and oils beguiled
Michelle Pearson Cooper (born glitzy collectors with its 1957) won an art scholarship to refreshing lack of sentiment. Millfield School, continued her
Everything sold in hours .
art studies in Florence with ‘la
International commissions
Signorina’ Nerina Simi (1890 –
swiftly followed.
1987) described by Pietro
Annigoni, as the ‘ greatest art
She writes: ‘I love animals. I
teacher of the
20th
century’
try to capture their character,
venerated by generations of
not rob them of dignity, nor
pupils.
turn them into humans. My
Bee Witched, oil on paper, 30 x 40cm pictures were sought after as
Michelle triumphed early in
Prince Sadruddin Aga Khan,
an antidote to the maddeningly her career with the sale of a
the Marquis of Blandford,
popular Victorian dog
40x50in oil on canvas (Waiting
Harry Hyams builder of
portraiture with its saccharine
for the Houbara) to His Royal
Centrepoint, industrialist Lord
human emotions.’
Highness The King of Bahrein.
Hanson, among many others,
This picture shows a group of
commissioned portraits of all
Michelle Pearson Cooper has
Saluki and a falcon in the
their dogs. Powerful art
won acclaim around the world
desert. The King
patron Lord Palumbo, former
for her animal portraiture.
commissioned 16 more
Chairman of the Arts Council
The rich and grand tend to be
works. .
of Great Britain, noted the
devoted to their animals, who
‘sensitivity and perception’ in
could be called ‘reigning
Royal couturier Bruce Oldfield
Michelle’s ‘economy of line’.
princes’ in their lives. .
has a larger than life portrait of
‘Babe’ his adored Ridgeback.
French Bulldog, oil on canvas, 50 x 76cm Michelle Pearson Cooper, wife,
“I take my inspiration from my
mother and lover of her two dogs, lives in an Oxfordshire farmhouse, described by writer Victoria Mather, as ‘full of laughter’. She painted a portrait of Victoria’s Peke. Her own dogs are ‘Wizard’ lurcher Saluki, Deerhound cross, 9 years old, and described as ‘very FAST’ and Labrador ‘Kilo’ because the breeder asked for £1000 after they had fallen in love with him.
everyday experiences, observations
and travels…I have always had a natural empathy with all animals domestic and wild. I have two dogs, a perfectly behaved yellow Labrador and a cheeky deerhound/ saluki cross lurcher.”
Let it Bee, oil on paper, 40 x 50cm
“My naughty lurcher is a perfect artist’s dog as he will lie in my studio all day on an old sofa and not move or interrupt my concentration, but at the end of the day, when the good painting light has gone, they’re fed and then walked, he particularly, is a joy to watch run. Whether after a rabbit, hare, muntjac or deer, he will always return, having had a good run, as it is in their DNA, being a sight hound, to chase, you have to have an understanding of the breed and be in control as their owner, to avoid a fatality in the surrounding wildlife…”
Watching your every Move, oil on gessoed panel, 46 x 46cm
“I enjoy the challenge to capture the likeness of a domestic animal such as a dog and that of a large wild lion or leopard, equally, but the magic ingredient is to be able to give it life…and keep practising, your next painting should always be better than your last!”