Pets Magazine May 2016

May, 2016

SOPHIE’S CHOICES: Three pages of Top Product Picks!

Cover Stars: Sarah Baxter & her Ted

How to keep goldfish

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AND MUCH MORE INSIDE...

SOPHIE’S CHOICES Top product picks by our in-house reviewer Sophie, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Best of British Gourmet Hamper A lovely selection of high-end and very scrumptious products. This range of hampers would be a great gift for the pampered pooch in your life. They also do a lovely selection of pet treats.

Hampers at £45. www.theartisanpetdeli.com.

WONDERBOO dog food We love tasty WONDERBOO dog food! This is a premium, health-focused Swedish dog food brand that has just launched in the UK this spring. Each packet contains only natural, un-processed, Swedish, ingredients – including Swedish Ox, Cod and rumen – rumen is known as the “secret ingredient” for canine professionals and harks back to dog’s ancestral wolves way of eating. Each pack air dried instead of baked to lock in all the goodness from these premium ingredients. Each packet, which comes in a range of pastel colours, looks gorgeous too!

From £2 per pack. www.wonderboo.com.

More Sophie’s Choices on P13 - 14 !

PS! We adore Sophie’s beautiful pastel portrait above! It is by Amanda Stuart of Edie & Reggie.

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Our Reader Photo of The Month

Catherine Sherill’s cute Collie Flossie who is pictured in Fort Worth, Texas. Flossie is surrounded by beautiful bluebonnet flowers for which the US state is renowned

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MY Pet Our cover star this month is Sarah Baxter, a blogger and creator of TWILIGHT BARK UK; a blog dedicated to discovering the very best in the dog world. Sarah has made it her mission to travel the UK visiting dog charities and events, carefully finding the latest upcoming producers of dog products and ultimately exploring the UK’s relationship and love of dogs; something she is extremely passionate about. Everything she writes about is experienced firsthand by Sarah or her dog Ted. WHAT BREED IS TED & WHY DID YOU CHOOSE HIM? Ted is a Miniature Smooth-haired Dachshund.

He is my first ‘small dog’ having grown up with larger breeds such as Golden Retrievers and a Labrador cross. I still love larger dogs but I have been obsessed with Dachshunds for as long as I can remember! Dachshunds may be small in stature but they are BIG personalities, which I adore. As Ted is my first dog ‘on my own’ rather than as part of my family, it was a perfect opportunity to turn my admiration from afar into a permanent part of my life. It wasn't a decision I made

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lightly though and I did a lot of research before Ted became a part of my life (and it was the best decision I ever made!)

HOW LONG HAVE YOU HAD TED? I have had Ted since he was 11 weeks old (having met him twice before I eventually picked him up). He’s 5 years old next month although where the time has gone, I truly don’t know!

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DOES TED COME TO WORK WITH YOU?

brilliant daycare. They looked after Ted in their own home a short distance from mine, with As a blogger, I’m lucky I mostly only a few other small dogs and work from home, so Ted has he loved going there, which was me all to himself for most of the a huge comfort. I’m passionate time, which he absolutely loves about and fully support dogs in - although it does mean I get in the workplace environment trouble with him when I’ve where possible, as I feel dogs been interviewing people and their dogs or visiting a dog charity and I come home smelling of them!

Prior to this, Ted was originally meant to join me when I worked in London, but due to an unexpected change in circumstance at work, Ted then went to ‘doggy daycare’ for a number of years.

It crippled me financially and wasn’t the life I envisaged for him, but I wasn’t going to let this unexpected change prevent him from being in my life; in fact it never crossed my mind!

After a lot of research finding someone I felt comfortable leaving him with during office hours, I was fortunate to find a

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calmness when stressed, as well as inspiration!

WHAT DIFFERENCE DOES TED MAKE TO YOUR LIFE?

bring so many benefits there.

I owe what I’m doing today to Ted. He inspired me to follow my passion of dogs to create TWILIGHT BARK UK. After a few health issues and a number of hospital visits last year, which made me reevaluate my life, my original idea was for us to take time out last summer to be with each other, to travel around and attend dog friendly events and attractions and write a bit about it; but what we’ve created is something which has just grown and grown and enabled us see TWILIGHT BARK UK blossom and cover all sorts of dog topics.

Employers are starting to wake up to this fact and hopefully more and more will over time. I absolutely love having Ted with me when blogging as he brings

We’ve met some incredible people along the way and Ted is a big part of this. He’s with me at every twist and turn where possible.

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DO YOU DO PET FRIENDLY HOLIDAYS? This was part of the original plan for TWILIGHT BARK UK although we didn't get that far as the blog took off in a way I couldn’t have dreamed of!

There’s been a lot of hard work but no holidays yet! I definitely want to explore what the UK has to offer dog owners in terms of holidays though, so as we’re edging closer to summer, definitely expect us to be on the road and covering this for our blog. Even in just the last few months since we started, it is clear to see how the UK is fully embracing the culture of taking your dog to as many places as possible, including on holiday.

WHAT ARE TED’S FAVOURITE THINGS IN THE WORLD? Ted has a large cuddly sheep, almost the same size as him, which he drags around the

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house and adores. At least once everyday he will ‘clamp’ on ‘sheepy’ to send himself to sleep. When feeling playful and despite having lots of toy

I ever fancy some myself, as it means Ted also has to have some afterwards. If he hears even the slightest crack of an egg, he appears as if by magic!

Without sounding biased, Ted is also a real mummy’s boy, so I would have to say I’m probably one of his favourite things too! Ted loves nothing more than being cuddled by me and if I sit down for even a second, he’s there ready for a cuddle! If we’re out walking and he’s off the lead, you’ll rarely find him far away from my side - unless he detects something he probably shouldn’t be eating!

DOES TED HAVE ANY SPECIAL TRICKS?

Ted doesn’t have any tricks per se, but his personality is more than options, there’s only one toy on Ted’s mind when he has a glint enough! He can provide a look of the eye and I will know in his eye; his small rope toy exactly what he’s saying. I love tiger from Spoilt Little Puppy this communication between us which is his ‘go to’ toy for and shows the bond we have. If playtime! he really wants to make his point though, he does a move Ted, like most dachshunds, is a which I call ‘The Michael real ‘foodie’ which I have to be Jackson’ as he will moonwalk careful with as his weight can and make one of his fluctuate very quickly. When Dachshund high pitched it’s a special occasion, his sounds when he really wants to absolute favourite is scrambled be heard! egg! He can’t get enough of it, which is slightly problematic if Pets Magazine

Remembering...

Our Beloved Pets Memories: TV vet Emma Milne and her dogs Pan and Badger

PET REMEMBRANCE DAY, a national day set up for people to remember deceased pets is backing a charity that finds ‘forever homes’ for older dogs.

On national Pet Remembrance Day (Tuesday July 5), pet lovers are being asked to dig deep and pledge support to The Oldies Club, a national charity, which rehomes dogs aged seven and over.

Pet Remembrance Day, which launched in 2015, is the inspiration of Pets Magazine and Arty Lobster , a company that specializes in 3D pet sculptures.

Pet Remembrance Day, or #PetRemembranceDay on social media, provides a valuable

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opportunity for people to celebrate the lives of departed pets and the increasing number of ways in which we can commemorate them.

money for an important pet charity.

“Grieving for a pet is gradually becoming widely accepted, and acceptable, but many people still Marie Carter, Editor & Publisher don’t understand that for many of Pets Magazine said: “Last year, pet owners, dogs and cats in we held the UK’s first-ever particular, are now regarded as National Pet Remembrance Day family members. National Pet and we were delighted that the Remembrance Day helps people day really captured peoples’ to remember beloved companion hearts and imaginations. animals.”

Hundreds of people shared their feelings, memories and photos of Lars Andersen, Managing their departed pets on social Director of Arty Lobster, who comedia. founded the day, says: “Pets are “It is clearly a day that people have been waiting for and it just seemed right that this year we combine it with helping to raise Pets Magazine

increasingly regarded as members of our family, and we do not remember them as we should.

“Pet cremations in the UK are still a slowly growing market and pet memorials tend to be very ‘samey’ with the best you can hope for being an urn featuring the pet’s name.

“Pet Remembrance Day is proud to support The Oldies Club, which is a wonderful charity that makes a huge difference to the lives of our beloved companion animals.”

Olive Armstrong, The Oldies Club, explains: “Our pets are members of our families too, and to dedicate a special day to remember them is a great idea.

“At The Oldies club, we have so many older dogs desperately in need of new forever homes in which to see out their final years.

How You Can Get Involved: Pets Magazine and Arty Lobster have come up with several ways in which people can remember deceased pets on National Pet Remembrance Day, including: • Give to The Oldies Club and help to support an older dog.

• Take part in a Twitter Chat to share stories and experiences and win a 3D sculpture of a beloved pet.

• A memorial service in a place where the pet liked to walk or play.

• A memento mori such as a sculpture of the pet • A living memorial by planting a tree or flowerbed • A pet portrait featuring the pet or their image printed on a coaster or other accessory • A scrapbook, blog or social media channel, with photos and other reminders of the pet.

• A poem about the pet Other ideas include:

• Keeping the pet’s favorite toy, collar or blanket “Older dogs can be the most loving and special dogs and • Volunteering at an animal rescue centre in remembrance of the pet they crave love and a nice spot in a warm home to angle. One of the hardest things “Events like Pet Remembrance snooze. We have so many people for any vet is helping owners Day are hugely important to who have adopted an older dog through the most difficult times of bring people together through and say they would definitely do their lives but it is also our most shared anguish and unite them to so again, as they have had such a important job. Having had to help them remember the great good experience with the dog. We make the decision to end my own times with their pets rather than are also looking for people who pets’ lives as well as those of my just the final moments.” would like to foster an older dog, clients’ pets I completely so please do get in touch with us understand the incredible sense of To donate to The Oldies Club, via our website if you can help.” guilt and the mix of other please visit: https:// emotions we all go through.” www.justgiving.com/oldies/ Celebrities including TV vet donate Emma Milne are already lining up Emma adds: “For me, like to support the day. everyone else, animals are part of the family. My ‘boys’, Pan and Emma explains: “As a vet and a Badger, were with me for 15 pet owner, I have experienced the years through thick and thin and devastation of pet loss from every their loss utterly crushed me.

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How To Keep Goldfish

Many people think that keeping goldfish as pets is easy. But goldfish, or rather their upkeep, can be one of the most demanding hobbies. Not only must goldfish owners know what a nitrogen cycle is, but they should also be prepared to invest in a suitable home for their new pet.

Traditional goldfish bowls are no longer acceptable homes for pets that can live for over a decade.

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ALEXANDER S. HOWSON of www.TheFishChamber.com writes for Pets Magazine on the importance of getting the balance right.

He provides some tips on understanding the nitrogen cycle and what to feed your new pet to stop him becoming sick.

fish is wrong. In fact the only difference is the tank’s temperature. When keeping goldfish there are quite a few things to consider, such as tank size, filters, food and decorations.

Goldfish are big fish and big fish produce a lot of ammonia, which is the chemical that The ‘age of the bowl’ is over and comes from fish waste and it’s time to start taking goldfish respiration. Ammonia is care seriously. extremely harmful to fish and is the reason why most goldfish The myth that cold water fish only live two to three years such as goldfish are easier to when in reality they can easily keep than tropical freshwater reach fifteen years of age.

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Luckily, most tanks now have and it’s why filters aren’t an filters which act as a home for option but a necessity. bacteria which turns this ammonia into nitrite which is still harmful but not as much as ammonia.

Fancy goldfish such as panda moors and fantails shouldn’t be Even more bacteria in the filter kept in anything smaller than then 75 litres converts “Common goldfish aren’t with 20 this nitrite litres considered indoor fish to a less more with toxic each fish anymore..” chemical added. called nitrate. Nitrate is only bad in Common goldfish aren’t high doses but it can be considered indoor fish anymore removed in bi-weekly water because of their fast swimming changes. nature and their eventual size.

If cared for well, common This process is collectively goldfish can grow to be in known as the nitrogen cycle excess of 10 inches long. In

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larger tanks fancy goldfish can be kept with other fish, weather loaches or coldwater tetras.

Keeping em’ fed When feeding goldfish, flakes aren’t an option because when goldfish gulp them in they also take in air which can lead to buoyancy problems. Instead, look for a nutritious sinking goldfish pellet.

Pellets often provide better nutrition than flakes because there cooked at lower temperature during the manufacturing process. This means that less essential nutrients are burnt up.

• Dechlorinators can be bought from your local pet shop.

These remove all the chlorine in the water which kills your beneficial bacteria in the filter • After doing this gently wash the muck off your filter sponge in the old water you’ve already removed from the tank.

This will ensure that you goldfish stay happy and healthy for a long time!

Regular maintenance Because goldfish produce a lot waste, your filter will be working hard converting the ammonia and nitrite into the lesser harmful nitrate. This needs to be taken out of the aquarium once a week by performing a water change of around 20% of the tank water.

Here’s how to do it: • Remove the water and replace it with dechlorinated tap water

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Fishy Facts: • Goldfish can't close their eyes. This makes sleeping a little different as they sleep with their eyes open usually at the bottom of the water.

• Goldfish have been pets for over 1,000 years, dating all the way back to ancient china.

• The world's oldest goldfish lived to be 43 years old and his owner won him at a town fair.

• Goldfish grow to the size of their tank. If they are kept in a small tank they will not grow and this is actually stunting their growth. Whereas if they are kept in a large tank they can grow as big as 1 foot. They will thrive better in a larger space.

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SOPHIE’S CHOICES More top product picks by our in-house reviewer Sophie, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Wiley's Finest Fish Oil products The high grade fish oil products which come in a range of varieties including orange burst liquid and mini gels are packed full of goodness. They are great for joint conditions and healthy cardiovascular systems. Suitable both for you and your dog.

From around £15.99. www.wileysfinest.co.uk.

3D Pet Sculptures London-based Arty Lobster creates the hi-tech sculptures from around ten pictures of a dog or another pet which the owner uploads to the company’s website.

Most of Arty Lobster’s pet sculptures are made from full colour sandstone material and there are bronze and porcelain versions too. After creating a full colour computer model, they 3D print the pet in full colour using an advanced 3D printer. The result is a statue that shows off the pet in glorious full colour.

Customers can have the full colour sculpture in either standard and large sizes. The standard size is 14 cm (c. 5.5 inches) tall when sitting (or long when standing), while the large sculpture is about 20 cm (almost 8 inches) tall.

From £140. www.artylobster.com.

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Cheshire & Wain Cat Collar A lovely stylish selection of collars and catnip toys inspired by Alice in Wonderland. We’re sure your feline will look the cat’s pyjamas when he sees himself in the looking glass. £50. www.cheshireandwain.com.

Nutritious (& patriotic!) treats The Dog Treat Company makes delicious handmade treats for canines that are packed full of goodies and flavours that all dogs adore. All the treats are handmade from freerange liver and eggs and non-GMO/ irradiated herbs. There is also a special Corgi themed treat tin. £14. www.thedogtreatcompany.co.uk

Cotswold RAW dog food Cotswold RAW is an independent, family run, company producing high quality Biological Appropriate Raw Food (BARF) for dogs. The food is nutritious and tasty and comes in a range of meats. We particularly loved the sausage selection.

From around £2.75 per pack. www.cotswoldraw.com

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