Pets Magazine February 2021

FEBRUARY 2021, FREE

Beautiful Creatures We meet an amazing pet portrait artist

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Cavaliers’ Choices

Beautiful Creatures…

CLARE PARKES is a hugely talented pet portrait and wildlife artist.

Pictured is Pets Magazine’s very own Rufus, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. We showcase Rufus and some of Clare’s other work and she also talks to us about her inspirations and reveals art tips for budding

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artists.

CLARE PARKES is a hugely talented pet and wildlife artist. Pictured is Pets Magazine’s very own Rufus, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. We think he looks amazing, don’t you? Here we take an exciting look at some of Clare’s work and she also talks to us about her inspirations and gives some tips for budding artists.

Tell us a bit about yourself. How did you gets started as a pet artist?

I am a self-taught pet portrait and wildlife artist specialising in pastels.

Growing up in Hertfordshire I've been lucky enough to be surrounded by beautiful countryside and wildlife, I've always loved animals and I feel really lucky that I get to combine this with my love of art.

a dream of mine to have my work displayed in gallery.

I work predominantly in pastel pastels because they allow me to achieve a high level of detail by I discovered my love of drawing whilst on building up lots of delicate layers. I love being maternity leave four years ago, and it has able to capture the little individual quirks and become a huge passion of mine. I have spent the personality of each animal. last thirteen years working as a wax figure painter at Madame Tussauds in London, and that's where I discovered my love of realism and Where do you take your inspiration from? detail. I started by putting my work on social

media, drawing stock images of dogs so I could I've always loved art, animals and wildlife, so I develop my skills, I then branched off into take a lot of inspiration from being surrounded wildlife, and was extremely fortunate to have my by nature. work selected for the Wildlife Artist of the Year exhibition in 2019 and 2020. It has always been

I also take a lot of inspiration from my peers, Alex Fleming, Danielle Fisher and Sophie Fois to name just a few, they are the reason I discovered animal portraiture.

Do you have any pets yourself?

I don't have a pet at the moment! I've just moved and would like to get a pet once lockdown is over and my life is a little more normal! I used to have a rabbit called Button.

Is pet portraiture the favourite part of your work?

If so, why?

I adore the pet portrait side of my work, being able to capture the personality of each pet, and then seeing the owners reaction when I give them their portrait makes me so happy, it's an absolute privilege to be trusted to capture peoples beloved pets.

What are your favourite places and subjects to paint?

'Golden Gaze’ (above) is a pastel pencil portrait, I really enjoy playing with light and shadow, and love the the works of Caravaggio for his use of chiaroscuro (contrast between light and dark)

Aside from pets, which brings me a lot of joy, I love challenging myself with a detailed wildlife piece. I'm currently working on a snake one scale at a time!

Any brief tips for the amateur pet artist?

it in, or sometimes on the train to work. Also, being visible on social media helps, put your work out there and also try and advertise locally on Facebook groups, there's a lot of support from lovely people on social media for artists.

I would say just practise, every spare second you To find out more about Clare’s work, get. I juggle it with working full time and being a visit: mum, and tend to draw through the night to fit http://www.clareparkesportraits.com/

‘Into The Darkness’ (above) was shortlist for the DSWF Wildlife Artist of the Year award last year, and got a Highly Commended from the judges.

‘Wolf By Moonlight’ was a pastel piece I completed last year. I'm really drawn to black backgrounds because they lend themselves so well to playing with light and shadow, and really makes the image the sole focus.

This horse portrait is one of my rst ever pastel portraits, I love drawing leather and de nitely want to draw more horses in the future!

‘Zavvi’, left, is probably one of my favourite commissions, the eyes are so striking, he was such a

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beautiful cat to draw!

Spot the di erence?

We absolutely love Clare’s pastel portrait of Rufus, the three old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, and the youngest member of Team Pets Mag. Clare has captured Rufus’s cheeky chap character perfectly, showing o the vitality in his eyes.

We would be hard pressed to tear this apart from a photo, as it’s so incredibly life-life! Love, love, love!

If you’d like a pet portrait like Rufus’s, visit: https:// www.clareparkesportraits.com Or: https://www.instagram.com/ clareparkesportraits/

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Email: clareparkesportraits@gmail.com

In the US, 'Pet Trusts' are now mainstream, but the concept of having a legally binding document to care for our pets after our

Vetdeaths is worryingly not one that's commonplace in the UK...

Remembering to include a precious pet in your will could be the best decision

By MARIE CARTER-ROBB

In the US, so-called 'Pet Trusts' are now mainstream, but the concept of having a legally binding document to care for our pets after our deaths is not one that's commonplace in the UK.

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Worryingly, people over 60 are the least likely to make speci c provisions for their pets, according to research by over-50s specialist rm Saga.

But what happens if family or friends decide that taking on a pet is too much for them?

The average lifetime cost of owning a dog is estimated at ÂŁ17,000 according to a recent survey, and almost a quarter of people who inherit a dog would re-home it or have it put down.

No exact stats are available for the percentage who would consider euthanasia, but the very fact that some people do means the stakes are so high that it's vital pet owners make proper provision for their pets.

As well as wills, there is something called a 'discretionary trust' which gifts a set amount of money to the trustee, the new owner, which expires upon the death of the pet. Any money left over would then be given to a named

bene ciary, who could be the original trustee It's certainly worth thinking about and planning for the kinds of bills that the average pet will accrue during its lifetime and making set provision for these. Think about vets bills, pet insurance (if applicable), food, medical history, and dietary requirements. Cats Protection has very helpfully produced a list of useful that can help pet owners. It's a useful checklist that will help anyone worrying about what to do if their pets are likely to outlive them.

Even if you're t and healthy, it doesn't hurt to take a look, and,

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if you have a will already, to Pets, particularly dogs, are consider setting aside provision sentient creatures and will for a pet. struggle with the loss of their owner. The difference between The RSPCA also offers a free Pet Trusts and discretionary service to pet owners which trusts is that the former has no nds a new home for a pet after human bene ciary. In theory, the owner dies: http:// unscrupulous trustees could www.homeforlife.org.uk spend money left to them in a discretionary trust on other We're a nation of animal lovers items. but many people die and leave no provision for their pets. How Pet trusts are much tighter and many times have you seen trustees are held much more to rescue centres seeking new account for how they spend the homes for pets whose owners money left to the pet. In the US, have died? lawyers with a specialism in 'pet law' are increasingly There is an organisation for mainstream. The typical older pets called The Oldies amount set aside in a pet trust Club. There are lots of dear is around $25,000. older dogs whose beloved owners have died and left their There are some interesting pets with no provision. cases at the top end. In 1993, tobacco heiress Doris Duke left

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$100,000 to her dog Rodeo, a Shar-Pei. A will written by actress Betty White is reported to have left all of her $5 million estate to her pets.

Dusty Spring eld's 1999 will speci ed that a bequest for her cat Nicholas be spent on a lifetime supply of his favourite meal of imported baby food.

These are, of course, extreme examples, but the point should not be lost that it's so very important to make speci c provision for pets. This should particularly be the case if the pet is older or has a medical condition(s) that will make it more dif cult for them to be rehomed if the pet owner dies rst

Is Your Dog BARKING MAD?

Hannah Inskip BVetMed MRCVS GPCertSAM is a vet working in a companion animal practice in the West Midlands. She explains

how to tackle problem barking.

Wolves howl, domesticated dogs bark.

Hannah Inskip BVetMed

When dogs were rst domesticated barking was seen as MRCVS GPCertSAM is a vet a positive feature of canine behaviour. Being working working in a companion animal practice in the West companions, whether used for guarding, hunting or herding, the Midlands. She explains how ability to bark was very useful. In to tackle problem barking. recent times our reasons for keeping dogs have changed from keeping them primarily as working The ability to bark is vital for dogs dogs to being kept mainly as to be able to communicate, both companion animals. With many of with each other, and with us as us living in close proximity to our their owners. Anyone who owns a neighbours, barking can be a dog will recognise that each dog nuisance has several different sounding barks , all meaning different Excessive barking from our canine things. There's the warning bark, companions has led to a to tell you there are "intruders" on worldwide increase in a procedure the property, the play bark, and called devocalisation or debarking. the "I want" bark to tell you he This is a procedure that involves wants to be let out removing tissue from the vocal

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cords of dogs, so that their bark is

greatly reduced in volume. It is illegal in the UK but still happens elsewhere in the world. Dogs that have had the surgery wake up from the anaesthetic with a very sore throat and unable to communicate properly, leading to frustration. By stripping the dogs of their ability to warn us if we're doing something they don't like by vocalising, they are likely to turn to biting much sooner than they usually would.

So it's clear that debarking isn't the answer. But this doesn't mean that we have to accept nuisance barking as part of life. Dogs can be taught that it is not acceptable to bark to excess, or in certain situations, in order to enjoy a harmonious partnership with their owners.

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Collars that emit a spray under the chin of the dog can also be used in this circumstance.

Careful use is required to make sure the dog doesn't become scared of having the Distraction techniques can work e ectively collar put on.

As soon as you have the As with all behavioural issues, be interrupted and the dog asked dogs attention, ask him to perform prevention is better than cure. to perform a more appropriate a different behaviour. This could behaviour. For example a puppy be picking up a toy to play with, or The aim is to ensure the dog that barks at people approaching going to his bed for a particularly knows that barking isn't the way to the house should be interrupted tasty treat, reserved for use in this get what he wants. as soon as his ears prick, ideally circumstance only. If repeated before he even starts barking. with consistency then your dog will If an owner is vigilant when they rst take ownership of a dog then The interruption should be a short, soon be running to his bed or to get his toy as soon as he hears as soon as that dog starts to bark sharp stimulus that gets his someone approaching the door. inappropriately the behaviour can attention - a loud, high pitched

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whistle for example. If your dog doesn't respond to sound a spray of water can be used as long as the dog doesn't show any fear of the water.

Remember this is just to interrupt the behaviour, not to scare the dog.

Barking can be symptomatic of conditions such as separation anxiety

Which behaviour you ask him to perform will depend on your dog and what motivates him. The immediate nature of the reward is very important and it needs to be more rewarding to the dog than barking itself.

Barking can be symptomatic of a more complex behaviour problem such as separation-related anxiety, noise phobias or generalised anxiety. Guidance from a vet or an accredited behaviourist may be required.

Barking is fun in its own right to dogs, so if left unchecked reinforces the behaviour just because of the fact the dog is having fun whilst doing it.

Whilst barking is irritating to us humans who have to listen to it, it is important to remember that our dogs are trying to communicate with us, and anything that opens up the lines of communication between canines and humans has to be a good thing. Careful management is required in some dogs to ensure that barking doesn’t become excessive, but surgery is not the answer

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Additionally, often what the dog wants will happen if he barks long enough just by circumstance - the postman will walk past the house for example. This happening just a few times will undo all the progress you've made by interrupting the behaviour.

Consistency is the key

Hannah Inskip BVetMed MRCVS GPCertSAM is a vet

working in a companion animal practice in the West Midlands. She has a strong interest in canine behaviour and enjoys walking her shih tzu, Noodle.

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