Pets Magazine August 2016

AUGUST, 2016

ZOE APPLEYARD-LEY & THE ROCKSTER

YOUR PET’S

SOPHIE’S CHOICES: TOP PRODUCT PICKS FOR YOU & YOUR PET

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STARS BY CELEBRITY ASTROLOGER RUSSELL GRANT AND MUCH MORE INSIDE...

ARIES

CANCER

March 21st - April 20th

It's a good time to withdraw for a spell and retreat to a private corner. Don't be concerned; after a brief period on your own you'll be recharged and ready to join the flow of life again. It's not that you're brooding, although you are known to entertain such a mood from time to time, it's just you require more solitude than others and enjoy the peacefulness of a quiet spot where you can muse and travel through a maze of dreamscapes.

June 22nd - July 23rd

GEMINI May 22nd - June 21st

If you get to feeling jumpy, there's probably good cause.

TAURUS You may not be entirely April 21st - May 21st comfortable with the attention being paid you by a strange Your creative spirit soars and visitor or by the flurry of you'll be exploring a variety of activity in the house. Someone avenues that will allow you seems to be hatching some express yourself artfully. secret plan. If youngsters are Painting has a unique appeal as involved, you have reason to be you can possibly step your way concerned; often the things onto colours and strategically they think of doing are ill place these on canvas, but advised and can result in beware of your footing as going trouble of one kind or another. out of bounds could land you in Alert wiser members of the a heap of trouble! Ever the family if you suspect problems eccentric, you'll surely find your developing. singular style and a way to present it!

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You're in for a trying month ahead, but with the right approach you can avoid some suffering; being more flexible or amenable to your companion's wishes is a good beginning. The more you cling to your own way of doing things, the more likely you'll end up in good behaviour training. Though it's not easy to change your mind once you've made it up; be open to the ideas being presented to you and find the good in them.

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LEO July 24th - August 23rd

If the one who hurt your feelings wants to make peace, you'll do both them and yourself a favour to accept the overture. It's not easy for someone who did wrong to own up to it and offer an apology, so recognise what it took to get there and be glad the stress at home is ending. Once you all come to terms, you can get on with happier activities, and that will surely be a nice change of pace after a recent stretch of upsets.

VIRGO August 24th September 23rd

As peacefully as the month begins, before too many days have passed you or someone else at home will be starting a ruckus.

Whether in an emotional or physical tug of war, you can expect several opponents to have it out, though happily, this will end almost as quickly as it began. Perhaps holiday spirits are at odds over seasonal plans or someone's feelings are hurt at being left off an invitation list. These events can wisely be turned into an opportunity for future peaceful interactions!

is nothing strange. No one can argue that listening to the sound of a bubbling river isn't calming or hearing children

have to see. When one such person pops in for the day, don't be alarmed. They'll be in and out before you can rearrange all your treasures. To balance your social equation you'll get a lovely surprise when you stumble across the open pages of another visitor's notebook and discover you've been written about in the most flattering terms.

How sweet!

laugh as they splash in puddles outdoors lifts the spirit. The strong sub-conscious connection you have with water SAGITTARIUS makes it a meaningful element November 23rd in your life. As you dip your December 21st tongue in a cool bowl of water find your reflection looking Not all changes in the house are back at you! to your liking, especially when they involve the presence of a newcomer you fear may replace you as number one. Tensions are softened when new items of LIBRA furniture are brought in and SCORPIO September 24th October 24th - November 22nd you discover one that's the October 23rd most comfortable thing you've Most of your companion's ever experienced. Rest assured You never tire of contemplating relatives are a pleasure to be no one can take your place in the delights of water so the fact with, but there are one or two the affections of those you live you spend time in this pursuit you'd be just as happy not to with; there's love enough for all

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who live under your roof. Get cosy on the new cushion and think it over.

CAPRICORN December 22nd January 20th

Unfortunately it's another turbulent month. Relationships are important right now and yours aren't exactly brimming with good cheer. Your attempts to give people an extra warm welcome when they come into your home are met with indifference. Concentrate on making your surroundings more beautiful until this glum period passes. Go out and visit one of your favourite spots and focus on its beauty.

AQUARIUS January 21st February 19th

Rising to the occasion isn't always for you, especially on a lazy day, but currently you seem better able to take care of a few household tasks that had previously befuddled you. A healthy dose of reassurance

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from your housemates goes a long way toward making you feel more confident and appreciated, as do a series of treats or rewards for a job well done. Enjoy each compliment and gratefully accept any goodies that are offered; you've certainly earned them!

PISCES February 20th March 20th

If you go through the month finding fault with things it could effect your digestive system; you may have heard humans talking about experiencing a nervous stomach; continuing in a fretful mood could bring such a condition on you! Are you worried about changes to your routine due to the arrival of guests, or are you wound up for some other reason? Whatever it is, be kind to yourself and just eat plain foods for the time being; you can always feast when you're feeling better.

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Russell Grant’s Pet Horoscope is sponsored by The Dog Treat Company, renowned for producing delicious and ethically sourced dog treats.

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Advertorial

How the ‘Healthy Pet Club’ helped Dolly & Dave also had the benefit of making Dolly is an eight year old further savings on her routine English Springer Spaniel, both treatment, check-ups and her and her brother Dave, also a vaccinations including Kennel Springer, belong to Lynda Dunn Cough. Dave was re-homed and her husband, Roger. They with Mr and Mrs Dunn when he have had Dolly since she was a was approximately 4 years old. puppy, but unfortunately in About 6 weeks after he joined 2011 she was diagnosed with the family, he started to show osteoarthritis. signs of not being well and he lost a quarter of his body Treating the condition involved weight. regular injections of Cartrophen along with Cosequin tablets, Luckily, Dave had been signed which would have cost the up to the Healthy Pet Club as Dunns’ a fortune had they not soon as he was adopted. This been members of the ‘Healthy was a good thing too as he was Pet Club’. eventually diagnosed by their The couple have not only saved money on Dolly’s injections and daily medication, but they have

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vet with whipworm and successfully treated.

Lynda explained: “We are now Pets Magazine

obviously very concerned about the risk of reinfection, and the peace of mind we gain from knowing that we are saving on regular flea and worming treatment and check-ups is priceless.

Unfortunately, he has also been diagnosed with osteoarthritis so our medications will be increasing as a result.

“Being a member of the Healthy Pet Club is so worthwhile, especially if you have a dog or cat with a chronic condition that needs regular medication.

“Knowing that we are saving on the various treatments and check-ups gives us peace of mind. I can’t even begin to estimate how much we have saved, but needless to say, it’s a lot!”

To find out more about the Healthy Pet Club, visit: www.thehealthypetclub.co.uk/

MY Pet Our cover star this month is Zoe Appleyard-Ley, a former city high flier, who while on honeymoon with her new husband Sven Ley, scion of the Escada fashion brand, rescued ‘The Rockster’, a homeless and neglected dog in Naples. The Rockster inspired Zoe to create a food that not only would he love eating, but harnessed the natural powers of nutrient rich ‘superfoods’ in specific formulas and sufficient quantities, to restore his wellbeing and potentially extend his life. Zoe has since set up Rockster, Lifeenhancing Superfood, to bring the benefits of her canine nutrition ethos to all dogs.

WHAT BREED IS THE ROCKSTER & WHY DID YOU CHOOSE HIM?

had us smitten with his complete and utter helplessness and “don’t leave me” expression.

That day changed our lives forever. In reality The Rockster is truly a one off, and no-one has it was him who rescued us. ever been able to say what breeds are in there!

Possibly a bit of collie, terrier, dalmatian and blue heeler with a bit a jack Russell? We didn’t HOW LONG HAVE YOU HAD THE set out to choose a dog – he entered our world ROCKSTER? during our honeymoon when we found him dying on the steps of “La Conca del Sogno” We’ve had The Rockster for 12 years. south of Naples. He needed us so badly and

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DOES THE ROCKSTER COME TO WORK WITH YOU? It’s safe to say he never leaves our side, and we now officially work for and with The R in his office.

captivated and entertained my children and their nursery school friends and The R was in reality the bond that saw Sven and I make it through the toughest of times. I cannot imagine what life would have been like without him.

WHAT ARE THE ROCKSTER’S FAVOURITE THINGS IN THE WORLD? His favourite place is the mountains, so we end up there even in the summer. He’s known by most villagers in St Moritz and people say hi to him on the street. For the first seven years we lived in various places as in those days it was easier to bring a nuclear weapon to the UK than a dog!

WHAT DIFFERENCE DOES THE ROCKSTER MAKE TO YOUR LIFE?

DO YOU DO PET FRIENDLY HOLIDAYS?

We’ve never known family life without The Rockster as he rescued us right back even on our honeymoon. He’s been our rock through thick and thin, always there with his paw and look of pure uncomplicated love. His hilarious adventures

Of course – he’s even been driven to Greece as we will not put him in the hold of a plane As a result he lived on Lake (ever since his crate was Como, Salzburg and Munich, mislabelled freight for China all of which he loves going and I ended up finding him in back to. the cargo hanger of Munich airport 10 years ago).

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DO YOU TAKE THE ROCKSTER WITH YOU TO PUBS & RESTAURANTS? Yes! If a hotel or restaurant does not take dogs, we don’t go. Indeed in the old days, The Rockster became a master of taking himself to his favourite restaurants while we would be searching parks and fields for him.

anywhere we can go he goes to, so he developed the knack of knocking on doors with his paw – and is remarkably good at opening doors.

WHAT ARE THE ROCKSTER’S FAVOURITE THNGS IN THE WORLD? Simple. His family and his superfood.

owners take is what they feed their animal and that many people have no idea what is really in the food they are being sold as ‘natural’.

Reading a dog food label is a science few of us has been taught. How is the food really made? What parts of the animal are used? What chemicals and antibiotics are in those ingredients and are the amounts of salmon oil and other “health foods” really going to make a difference or are they just marketing gimmicks? The average life expectancy of dogs has decreased whilst incidences of cancer and allergies in dogs is increasing at alarming rates.

We all want to do the best by DOES THE our four-legged friends and ROCKSTER HAVE home cooking is not ANY SPECIAL TRICKS? necessarily doing right by He acts like a true Neapolitan with other dogs, and is fearless them nutritionally even if you The R has this extraordinary have the time to do the even if they are way bigger ability to cock his head from research and source the many than him. We call it the side to side with his ears up Neapolitan circle ritual, and it different ingredients. It is sad and you feel he is having a to see loving pet owners who never fails to end up in the conversation with you using buy expensive jackets and other dog loving him! his eyes. History has proved accessories yet feed food that his instinct on people far better contains sanitised waste than mine – he’s even been materials and meat paste IS THERE ANYTHING YOU known to cock his leg and pee made from parts of the animal FEEL STRONGLY ABOUT on the feet of some of the more REGARDING ANIMAL you would never knowingly unsavoury characters we’ve all WELFARE? feed your dog. Luxury is met on the way (much to our increasingly what we put into children’s delight!). He I feel so strongly that the single our bodies, rather than what automatically assumes goes on the outside. most important decision pet

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Capturing the essence of the animal...

We meet pet portrait artist HANNAH JOHNSON. Hannah specialises in drawing dogs in soft pastels that show every bit of their individual characters. The Oxfordshire based artist also draws horses, cats, rabbits and wildlife – or, as she says, ‘just about every living creature on the planet.’

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When HANNAH JOHNSON was younger if she wasn’t making friends with animals or playing with them, she drew them. If a teacher set a story writing task, she loved to draw illustrations to go with it. And as Hannah grew, so, simultaneously, did her love for animals and art.

Cassie (Border Collie x Greyhound) and Rodney (Greyhound x Saluki) both drawn in pastel pencils

beauty that still inspires me today!

Do you have any pets yourself?

Now 22 years old and a full time artist, being commissioned to draw people’s pets, and drawing wildlife every Millie the Lurcher is beautifully rendered in soft pastels day, is a dream come true for Hannah. We meet some of Where do you take your her recent subjects inspiration from? including Pets Magazine office dog Milly, and My love of dogs and horses discover Hannah’s originally sparked my interest, inspirations... and it is their sheer natural

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Yes, a 4-year-old rescue Border Collie called Luna, and a 1-year-old Border Collie who came from working parents called Aurora. In my spare time we like to do lots of trick training and agility together!

Is pet photography or art the favourite part of your work?

I thoroughly enjoy going to take photos of people’s pets to work from as it means I get to meet them! My favourite part of my work is definitely drawing the animals and trying my upmost to capture

Odin is a German Shepherd puppy drawn in soft pastels and pastel pencils.

favourite mediums to work in are soft pastel and pastel pencil, which I have done a lot of research into – i.e. finding the best blocks, pencils, paper and techniques.

Always remember though that what works for others may not

What are your favourite places and subjects to draw?

necessarily work for you.

Personally I prefer softer, almost buttery, pastels for backgrounds and base colours, and slightly harder pencils for fur-line and other details. Also the majority of a dog’s character is captured in their eyes, but also in their facial expression – from the positive comments that I have received, people always say that character is what they look for the most.

To find out more about Hannah’s work, please visit: www.facebook.com/ hannahjohnsonpetport raits

Dogs are, and will always be top of my list of my favourite subjects to draw. Especially breeds with long fur – I love a bit of a challenge! I am also very much a sucker for Border Collie’s as they are my favourite breed, and I love the variations of size, shape and colour that they come in.

Any tips for the amateur pet artist?

My advice would be experiment until you find what works for you! My

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Blackbird is an award winning piece; a Working Cocker Spaniel drawn in pastel pencils.

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Television presenter TESS DALY talks about the devastating loss of her Golden Retriever Sam to Lungworm...

Click this link to watch the video or click the video below.

LARS ANDERSEN, MD of Arty Lobster On 3D Pet Sculptures Click this link to watch the video or click the video below.

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Dogs Days of Summer...

Retired vet and author of Pets Aplenty MALCOLM D. WELSHMAN on why there’s nothing quite like watching dogs running along beaches this summer. Here’s how to create the perfect day at the seaside with your pooch.

At this time of Some ban dogs year it can be throughout the spring great fun to be and summer, from on the beach.

May to September, And have your while on others dogs pooch join you are banned all the as well. But to year round. There are ensure your dog-friendly beaches mutt doesn’t listed on the Nearest Malcolm and Dora become an Beach website unruly canine complete with a map. there are a few points to bear in There are 351 beaches that mind. Many popular beaches allow dogs and 450 that have and resorts have restrictions on dog restrictions. whether you can use them.

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Dogs such as spaniels and Labradors adore water and are good swimmers. And certainly if you were to put any dog into water it would instinctively do a doggy paddle. But not all dogs have the necessary conformation to be able to swim properly. The brachycephalic breeds – those with squashed faces and muzzles such as Pekingese and Pugs, find it difficult to keep their noses above the waves and be able to breathe in

sufficient oxygen. Some dogs will be happy to paddle while others will avoid the water entirely. If your dog does decide to take a dip, you’ll need to check the details of tides and the currents in the area you visit and make sure there are no rip tides which could drag your pooch out to sea.

One major consideration in taking your dog to the beach is to ensure you clean up after him.

You’ll need to bag up any poop and dispose of it in appropriate dog waste-bins. Dogfriendly beaches will have plenty of them. But you may have to take your bags home with you for disposal. If you don’t do the decent thing and just chuck it on the ground, you could face a fine. There’s a special PoopScoop by-law that makes it illegal not to clean up after your dog and this applies to all beaches and promenades all year round.

It’s a good idea to look out for poop bins before you go on

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your walk. However you can certainly won’t be popular if use ordinary bins if there isn’t a you allow that to happen. special poop bin nearby.

Plenty’s discarded on beaches which can be a temptation for Promenades can be busy, mutts to woof down. Keep them bustling with people, so it away from food items such as might be sensible to keep your dropped ice creams, unwanted dog on a lead in such areas chips and other inappropriate seaside snacks.

Then there’s the detritus washed ashore - plastic containers, lumps of palm oil from tankers, decaying marine life such as jellyfish and dead birds and fish.

Strands of dried seaweed can be lethal as they swell up once eaten and cause severe digestive disorders.

If the weather’s hot then you’ll need to provide some shade and a resting place for your dog out of the sun. Dogs don’t sweat. They pant to remove body heat. They especially if they’re likely to get can easily become overheated over-excited, dash about and and dehydrated. Make sure you run off. And on the beach, have a good supply of drinking make sure your dog’s not guilty water and a suitable bowl. of careering through family groups having a picnic. You Pets Magazine

In bright ID tag on his collar even sunshine you if micro-chipped. may need to Saltwater can be apply sunscreen irritating to the skin to sensitive areas especially if left to dry on of your dog’s the coat. So if possible, exposed skin. wash your dog’s legs The eyes and down with fresh water pink noses and and dry them before the skin of white going home. If the dog short-haired has been swimming then Short-haired dogs like Dalmatians may need sunscreen dogs like it’s best to bathe him Dalmatians, once home with a suitable limpets. It’s sensible to have a Staffordshires and Boxers are shampoo to remove sand, salt first aid- kit in the car just in particularly prone. and sea pollutants. case of a cut paw.

You may think that the list of do’s and don’ts to taking your dog to the seaside is too much.

Maybe better to leave your pooch at home. Not a bit of it. Just be aware of that list so that both you and your pooch will enjoy the trip to the beach in leaps and bounds.

Malcolm D. Welshman is And watch out for sharp shells... author of Pets Aplenty published Then there’s the dangers from It’s surprising how a dog can objects hidden in the sand just get disorientated by the glare of by Austin Macauley under the surface, such a sharp the sun, the rush of the waves, Publishers 0207 038 shells and glass. If you find the noise of people enjoying a 8312 at £7.99 Kindle areas particularly littered with splash in the sea, the version £0.97 such debris it’s better to move distraction of new and alluring www.malcolmwelshma on. Tide pools in rocky areas smells. Then suddenly your can also be a hazard. Wet rocks pooch become deaf to your calls n.co.uk. are extremely slippery and razor sharp from barnacles and

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and can get lost. So make sure your dog has an easily readable Pets Magazine

SOPHIE’S CHOICES Premium pet products, destinations & activities for you & your pet chosen by Sophie, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, assisted by Marie.

My Purrfect Gift Box My Purrfect Gift Box is the UK's only style box for people who love cats. While there are many subscription / giftboxes out there for pets, the company curates boxes just for the cat lover and include items such as home decor, fashion accessories, jewelry, stationery, artwork, books and much more. Many of the items come from cat loving artisans around the world and they try to feature UK made products. Subscribers can add optional gifts for kitty too! We loved the giftbox and wished there was such a gift box for dog lovers too.

This is a MUST for all cat lovers and it’s also a great gift idea for cat ladies. www.mypurrfectgiftbox.com

Rockster Superfood for Dogs Every ingredient used in Rockster ‘is the best money can buy’. Even the salmon oil the company uses is human ‘pharmaceutical grade’ eliminating odours and tripling its Omega 3 EPA & DHA levels.

Rockster contains over 80% of not just human-grade, but certified bio-organic meat free from any exposure to pesticides, antibiotics and chemicals. And it’s also, as we discovered, super tasty for dogs! www.therockster.com

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Bowsoz Harris Tweed Designer Dog Wear We absolutely love these beautiful dog collars, harnesses and other accessories from Scottish company Bowzos. We particularly love their extremely smart waistcoats, which are perfect for a smart occasion you might be attending with your pooch. Be prepared for admiring glances wherever you go with your dog! www.bowzos.co.uk

Urban Pup Urban Pup produces an extensive range of cleverly designed harnesses, collars and other accessories which are perfect for the stylish dog about town.

We loved this ‘Burberry-style’ check harness that is sure to make your pooch stand out from the doggy pack! www.urbanpup.com

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