AUGUST 2020, FREE
Summer
Invasion: How to tackle LOCKDOWN PUPS: Leaving Mum Too Young
fleas
PLUS Do You Sleep With Your PUP? Divorce & Pet Custody Plus One Artist Profiled & more inside Vet
LOCKDOWN PUPS: Leaving Mum Too Young One in four people acquired their puppies before the advised age of eight weeks old, according to new findings from Dogs Trust’s pioneering dog welfare study ‘Generation Pup’. The ‘cohort’ study follows a generation of puppies over the course of their lifetime, to investigate how factors such as environment, social interaction, diet and exercise can impact their development in later life. Early findings from 1,844 dogs that had been recruited to the study revealed that 25% of dog owners got their
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pups before eight weeks of age, contrary to current advice that puppies should not leave their mothers before eight weeks of age. The results from this study have been published this week in the peer-reviewed Vet Record. The study also found that 8% of puppies were acquired without the owner having seen them alongside their mothers, which is also against the advice of UK veterinary organisations and dog welfare charities such as Dogs Trust. Dogs Trust’s Director of Canine Behaviour and Research, Dr Rachel Casey said:
“The recommendation that puppies spend at least eight weeks with their mothers before going off to their new homes is not always followed, as has been shown in this study. “Through the Generation Pup study, we can investigate the impact that a range of factors including acquisition before eight weeks of age has on the long-term development of puppies. “Generation Pup is providing us with huge insights into the early stages of life for puppies and will help us understand how to better advise people who want to get a puppy
responsibly and make the best decisions for their long term health and behaviour. “The more puppies that are signed up to the study, the more we will discover about our four legged friends – if you want to sign your puppy up to be one of 10,000 that we will be following, please visit the website.)”
a new puppy. The greater the number of dogs, and the range of breeds that take part, the more we can do to improve dogs’ lives.” To take part in the Generation Pup study, puppies need to be under 16 weeks of age, and registered with owners living in the UK or Republic of Ireland.
For more information visit Professor Toby Knowles, at the Bristol Veterinary School www.generationpup.ac.uk and a member of the Generation Pup team, added:
“We’re excited to be able to work with Dogs Trust as part of this ground-breaking study. These are the first of many more insightful findings that we hope will be revealed from Generation Pup. “We echo the call from Dogs Trust for dog owners to consider joining the study if they have or are soon to get
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It’s a Scorcher And The Fleas Are Out in Force…
As the UK has been
the perfect breeding ground for
stimulated into growth by the
experiencing sweltering
the parasites to thrive.
warm weather.
temperatures of up to 27°C (77F)
Dr Karlien Heyrman, Head of Pets “In this current climate, our for Pets at Home, explained: “As
homes have become a sanctuary
exercise limitations have been
for both work and play and the
lifted and we’re enjoying longer
last thing pet owners need is a flea
weather could leave homes at
periods of time outdoors with our
infestation in the environment
risk of a flea infestation.
pets, the risk of flea eggs being
where they are spending the
carried into our homes from our
majority of their time. If left
Pets at Home is urging pet owners
dogs and cats is high. Couple this
untreated, long term flea
to regularly check their pets and
with the heatwave and pet owners
infestations can cause real
homes for fleas, as the hot and
could have a problem on their
suffering for pets - including dogs,
humid weather conditions create
hands as hidden eggs can be
cats and small furries.
in recent weeks, pet owners have been warned that the hot
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(ideally one that includes an Insect Growth Regulator (IGR)) but be careful using the spray near fish tanks as many are toxic to fish. Follow the on-pack instructions and ensure you cover any fish tanks with a blanket before using
“Repeated bites can be uncomfortable and itchy for an animal, sometimes resulting in hair loss or a secondary skin infection. Fleas may also bite humans so seeking regular preventative treatment is a sensible precaution for all pet owners.” The warmer the weather, the faster flea eggs develop into adults. In cool 13°C temperatures, this will take 140 days but when temperatures hit over 27°C, flea eggs become reproducing adults in as little as 22 days - with fleas laying up to 50 eggs per day in these conditions. The population of fleas has grown rapidly in recent years due to warm but damp UK summers, creating the perfect breeding ground for fleas. This weather
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means the risk of an infestation is bigger than ever. Fleas don’t just live on the pets themselves but also on bedding and other soft furnishings around the house. It is important for pet owners to ensure pet bedding is washed regularly and pets are checked for fleas and bites. To prevent and treat fleas, Pets at Home has advised all pet owners to: • Regularly treat all cats and dogs in the household with a preventative flea treatment throughout the year • Check pet’s coat for fleas or flea droppings – brown or black spots • Treat homes, work places and cars with a household flea spray
•Check the label of your pet bedding and wash regularly at the temperature shown • Clean furniture to help destroy fleas at the egg, larval or adult stage of their life cycle • Vigorously vacuum carpets, floorboards and skirting boards • Throw away the vacuum cleaner dustbag or empty the canister after each clean
To help prevent the onset of fleas, Pets at Home offers a pet protection pack, which is tailored to your pet’s needs, providing effective flea, tick and worm treatments delivered FREE through your letterbox every month.
Let Sleeping Dogs Lie!
Let's be honest, do you let your pet sleep on, or even in, your bed with you? Many people do,
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despite ‘best’ first intentions when getting a new dog…
By MARIE CARTER-ROBB Let's be honest, do you let your pet sleep
Sophie has been joined by rescue Cavalier Nell and three-year old Rufus.
on, or even in, your bed with you? On But, returning now to Sophie, who I feel average 25% of people in the UK have gradually broke down my reservations about having dogs sleeping on my bed. Trailblazer allowed their pet to share their bed at one Sophie wasn't allowed on the sofa but could be time or another, while one-in-six said they on the leather armchair and she also wasn't would always allow it, ďŹ gures from an ICM allowed upstairs in the bedroom. Throughout poll suggest. I have a confession to make: I her puppyhood, she had her bed downstairs and do, and have done for the past several she seemed to grow used to it. But, Sophie, being intrinsically a pack animal, wanted to years since Sophie, my calm and sleep with her 'family'. And so, once she got past wonderful Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, her puppy stages of hyperactivity and was was seven months old. Now aged 12, properly house-trained, she was allowed
on my bed. She had won! My bed has become her bed. My husband has a minor allergy to fur and so will not sleep with her on the bed, which means that he never stays over at my house. It would be too disruptive to boot Sophie out of the bedroom after, after all! Do I feel guilty? Well, perhaps a little. But I love her and her doggy family on my bed, and find sleep more difficult if they are not there.
Dogs must inhabit a similar dreamscape to us as they are sometimes active and emit a mellow bark in their sleeping state.
Chasing a shadowy rabbit across a darkening landscape or finding themselves staring into the jet eyes of a cat, their dreams must vary like ours between pleasant and nightmarish. Earplugs do help to drown out any dreamy barking from Sophie and she is much quieter Many polls, including one by Associated than most people! Professional Sleep Societies, suggest that letting dogs and cats sleep on your bed can lead to a Even celebrities have been known to sleep with disturbed night's sleep. Many dogs are their their pets. BBC broadcaster Andrew Neil owners' alarm clocks and cats scratch leaving confesses that he and his girlfriend, Swedish IT the potential for people to suffer minor injuries engineer Susan Nilsson, share their bed with while they slumber. However, Sophie is bliss in their two-year-old white retriever, Molly. The that she will rise when I do and will never late Brian Sewell even wrote a book called intentionally wake me. At any rate, this only 'Sleeping With Dogs' about the 17 canines who'd happens when she is having a particularly kept him company in his slumber over 80 years. animated or noisy dream.
We conducted a Twitter poll threatening heart and digestive scratched, either accidentally or asking firstly whether they slept system disorders. purposefully, if we choose to with their pets. It found that share our bed with a feline. 56% of people sleep with their Cat-scratch disease is another p e t s o n t h e b e d . I a l s o problem. It can come from Dogs, on the other hand, are conducted a straw poll of usually well ten people. Seven of the pet behaved and will owners happily slept with M o s t o f u s c a n s l e e p love to snuggle up their pet(s). The final three to their human soundly in the knowledge were adamant that a pet's pack member, even place was not on their bed. if they do get a that we're highly unlikely to They cited nocturnal little animated disturbance as the main catch disease from our pets while chasing a reason followed by 'germs'. shadowy rabbit or While it's certainly true that fox through their being licked by infected cats, there have been cases of pets dreamscapes‌ and can cause lethal damage to causing infections in people, the liver, kidney or spleen. A the chances are minimal for nine-year-old boy from Arizona animal lovers in the UK. even caught the plague due to sleeping with his flea-infested But sleeping with your pet is cat, according to one report. not without risks. Among the more serious medical problems However, most of us can sleep animal lovers risk by snuggling soundly in the knowledge that up to their pets are 'chagas we're highly unlikely to catch disease', which is endemic in disease from our pets. We're South and Central America and more likely to get woken up in which can cause lifethe wee small hours or
Pet Custody: Who Gets The Dog?
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Both divorce enquiries and pet ownership are on the rise thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown. The affection felt for a dog, cat or other companion is a concept that can often be underestimated but battles over pet custody can cause serious conflict between couples. PAUL LANCASTER, Partner and Family Law Expert at Blacks Solicitors LLP offers his advice below to couples in the middle of a pet custody dispute. Both divorce enquiries1 and pet ownership2 are on the rise thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown. While
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it’s usually children that are prioritised, divorce can often significantly impact any pets involved and lead to heated arguments over ownership.
who purchased the pet originally. This is disputed by many couples due to the emotional attachment that is formed for the animal, so it’s advised that an agreement be The affection felt for a dog, cat made privately before it comes o r o t h e r c o m p a n i o n i s a to settling pet disputes in court. concept that can often be underestimated, especially Prenuptial agreement when it comes to divorce. C o u p l e s s h o u l d c o n s i d e r Battles over pet custody are signing a prenuptial agreement becoming increasingly common to state who the pet will live and can cause serious conflict with, along with who will care between estranged couples. for the pet and be held Paul Lancaster, Partner and financially responsible should Family Law Expert at Blacks the relationship break down at Solicitors LLP offers his advice a later stage. to couples in the middle of a pet custody dispute. Whilst in reality a pet is a living being and often regarded like a Unfortunately, when it comes child of the family, in law it’s to divorce pet custody is usually treated the same as any other resolved by simply identifying ‘asset’ meaning there’s no the legal owner as the person reason why a prenup can’t be
effective. Mediation
arbitration is an alternative option whereby an independent decision maker would decide who gets custody of the pet. The decision would ultimately be based on what is best for the animal, taking into account living situations and lifestyle habits.
Legally, there’s no Act that protects the rights of a pet when couples divorce. This means that if matters were taken to court, the judge would not be able to make orders to decide who the animal should live with or how often the other At a time when emotions are heightened, a pet can seem like party can see them. one of the few constant features In the first instance couples of a significant and uncertain should opt for mediation rather chapter in someone’s life. than court involvement. This However it’s always important allows the couple a free forum to remember that the animal to discuss both sides and come will be aware of any stress and to an agreement that’ll be arguments, and their welfare recorded in a legal document should be prioritised above ownership. and signed accordingly. If you’re looking for advice If a couple can’t come to an relating to pet custody, or any agreement through mediation, other matter of family law,
Arbitration
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please contact Paul Lancaster on PLancaster@LawBlacks.com. Source 1: https:// www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ 2020/06/02/divorceinquiries-42pc-since-coronaviruslockdown/ Source 2: https:// www.globaldata.com/rise-in-ukpet-owners-during-lockdown-arare-opportunity-for-insurers/
Beautiful Creatures
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PAULA COLLEWIJN is an Equine Artist, born in 1978, the Chinese Year of The Horse. She specialises in painting and drawing horses, cats, dogs and wildlife and she often works in a 17th century Baroque style, which renders her subjects beautifully and majestically. We’re delighted to be able to showcase a selection of this important Dutch ©Paula Collewijn artist’s work.
‘Tommy’ ©Paula Collewijn
Paula explains: “The main emphasis of my collection of Free Expression Artwork is to bring the best of every animal on canvas, the soul and body together, with a strong expression. I am inspired by the work of the old masters, they do fascinate me; Michelangelo, Rembrandt and Theodore Géricault. “The title which I give to describe my work is ~ Souls of Art ~ ; in other words Animals are Art to me, with a profound soul. I give each work its own title and sometimes a poem which is inspired by the character of the animal and my emotions during the design of the painting. “I make paintings by assignment in a 17th Century painting technique. The technique gives an authentic characteristic to the work, a portrait with history. The final result is derived by building various layer upon layer of paint which in the end becomes a " live " realistic portrait on canvas. Painted so realistically that each muscle appears to be touchable. The eyes are the mirror of the soul and here I apply intense expression.”
©Paula Collewijn
‘We hold our breath, before us the morning mist behind us the forest and in the distance the stables... ‘At the horizon the first morning glow, a shudder passes through us and I feel his explosive power... ‘At such a moment I feel one with nature and my horse, my noble friend... ‘For me the symbol of freedom and grace.’
©Paula Collewijn
Paula is accepting commissions in a variety of techniques including graphite, acrylic and oil paint and in her free expression style. For more information, please visit: www.paulacollewijn.nl