ISSUE #9 DECEMBER 2010 FREE TO SUBSCRIBE
BARKING MAD ~ CATS MEOW~ FEATHERED FRIENDS ~ KIDS PAGE PET PAPARAZZI ~ FEATURE ARTICLE ~ PET GOURMET ~ Q & A
COVER ART
All AWL animals are de sexed, micro chipped, vaccinated, wormed, flea treated, health and sociability checked. In addition to this, our ani“Mr. Beefy” mals have a 10 day health guarantee (covering any illness arising as a result of having been in our care), and a 21 Proud Supporter of AWL Gold Coast day ‘settling-in warranty’. They also offer the Friends For Life dog training Rocky (Tag 206773 ) is one of our program for new owners. Golden Oldies at 10 years of age, but he isn’t ready for any retirement just yet! Oakey ( Tag 901193) is a delightful 8 He loves his long walks on the beach year old cat. A little shy she would best and playtime with his humans. He is suit a feline-free, quiet and stress-free very young at heart with heaps of love home. She is affectionate and loves a to offer his new owner or family. He can good massage. She can be adopted be adopted for $80. from AWL for $70. --------> Rosie (tag 206837) is a 14 month old Border Collie cross Cattle dog. She is a high energy, very playful and fun companion. She needs a large yard to meet her needs. She gets along well with other dogs and cats. she’s a gorgeous girl with a big smile and a heap of love, charm and loyalty to offer her new friend for life. She can be adopted for $220.
Blake (tag 207035) is a very smoochy 7 year old boy. He has incredibly handsome & always appears to be smiling. Blake loves to cuddle and interact with his human companions. He can be adopted for $70 .
Sunny (Tag 209142) is a beautiful natured 6 year old Greyhound that arrived as a stray. Sunny’s disposition is happy and extremely playful for his breed. Sunny would be a wonderful addition for an only pet family, great for children. He can be adopted for $170. The AWL Qld does not receive Government funding for its welfare work and is therefore reliant on volunteers and the community’s generosity. With the average cost being $400 per animal we rehome, the AWL Qld runs at a large loss when rehoming our animals.
http://www.awlqld.com.au/ Phone: 07 5509 9000
Contributors:
Animal Welfare League Gold Coast RSPCA Pet Peoples Place David B Webber - Parrot Expert. Cipla Animal Health Pet Poisons Helpline
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Piltalnga Kennels - Maremma Breeders Lee Dobbins - Aquaculture Brigit Hulsing - Cat behavioural expert Terry King - Maine Coon Enthusiast The Queensland Department Of Community Safety.
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Disclaimer Notice: The information, images and graphic design (artwork) contained on this web site is owned by Pet Scene Magazine and/ or the original authors where applicable. Information contained in any of the articles is not necessarily the direct opinion of Pet Scene Magazine and, where applicable, does not take the place of a consultation with a qualified and competent veterinarian. Veterinarian advice must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each patient. Pet Scene Magazine tries to provide quality information but we make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained herein.
WELCOME TO PET SCENE MAGAZINE Australia’s hottest resource in the pet industry. We’re going to be doing a lot of exciting things here at Pet Scene Magazine and we are thrilled to bring you on board. Pet Scene is Australia’s own online publication dedicated to bringing you a quality monthly magazine available FREE right across the nation. We pride ourselves on promoting responsible pet ownership, education and community awareness. Jam packed with informative articles and professional advice, Pet Scene Magazine will have you up to date on all the latest news and information for your best friend.
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Contents: Contributors...................................................................................2 Welcome........................................................................................3 Holiday Hazards............................................................................6 Tis’ The Season To Be Mindful Holidaying with Dogs.....................................................................8 Book Giveaway Pet Gourmet.................................................................................10 Christmas Treats Kids Corner...................................................................................11 Feathered Friends........................................................................12 Teaching your Parrot to talk: part 2. Pet Paparazzi...............................................................................14 New treatment for Equine ulcers released in Australia.................16
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RSPCA’s Project Guardian Angel..................................................18 Christmas Appeal. Christmas Book Reviews- Stocking Stuffers.................................20 The Night Before Christmas & The A-Z of Unfortunate Dogs. Ask Mr. Beefy Q & A.......................................................................21 Barking Mad..................................................................................22 The Maremma Sheepdog 7 Tips for choosing Aquarium Fish................................................24
How to go about choosing a cat breed that suits you?.................26 Prepare Your Pet Emergency Plan...............................................28 The Cats Meow.............................................................................30 The Maine Coon Christmas Pet Humour..................................................................32
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“
Holiday “Tis the season
Pet Poison Helpline Warns of Holiday Toxins Minneapolis, Minnesota
As the holiday season gets into full swing, the danger posed to our pets by holiday foods, plants and decorations is being highlighted by the Pet Poison Helpline. Holiday decorations and ornaments such as bubble lights, tinsel, snow globes and liquid potpourri can be dangerous to cats and dogs. Bubble lights may contain poisonous liquid chemicals which are released when chewed, including methylene chloride which can lead to pneumonia and irritation to the eyes, skin and gastrointestinal tract. Some imported snow globes can be made using antifreeze, and as little as one teaspoon can be fatal to dogs and cats. Affected animals may appear to be drunk or uncoordinated, and have excessive thirst. Even though such signs can seem to improve in the first 12 hours, crystals develop in the kidneys during this time, resulting in acute kidney failure. All cats seem to enjoy playing with tinsel, but what would happen if your cat accidentally or intentionally ingests some? Tinsel does not pose a poisoning risk but can cause severe damage to a cat’s intestinal tract if swallowed. And if you like to make your home feel more inviting by warming aromatic scented oils or liquid potpourri, you should be aware that even a few licks can result in severe chemical burns, fever and difficulty breathing in cats. Many people give flower bouquets and plants as Christmas gifts. Although poinsettia plants have a bad reputation, they are in fact only mildly toxic. Far more dangerous are lilies, holly and mistletoe. Holly berries and mistletoe can be toxic to cats and dogs, and can cause gastrointestinal upset and even heart arrhythmias if ingested.
said Dr. Ahna Brutlag , assistant direct of Pet Poison Helpline. “The ingestion of one to two leaves or flower petals is enough to cause sudden kidney failure in cats.” And finally, many of the foods that we humans like to indulge in over the holiday period are in fact very dangerous to cats and dogs. Grapes, raisins and currents - such as in fruit cakes - can result in kidney failure in dogs. Chocolate and cocoa, which contain theobromine, will cause vomiting and diarrhea in cats and dogs even in small quantities, and seizures and heart arrhythmias in greater quantitie. Here in Australia we also need to be mindful of Macadamia Nuts. These little nuts are highly toxic to dogs.
“Lilies, including tiger, Asiatic, stargazer, Easter and day lilies, are the most dangerous plants for cats,” www.petscenemagazine.com.au
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Hazards? to be mindful”
.
Explosive night no fun for animals. RSPCA Qld is once again warning pet owners to take special precautions to ensure their pets are safe and secure during New Year’s Eve celebrations. Fireworks may be fun for humans, but every year they create havoc amongst the animal population.
I A The R ERSPCA LEAS E Warns us that Christmas treats can kill! Just 50g of chocolate can be toxic and kill a dog. This was the pre- Christmas dinner warning from the RSPCA Qld’s Senior Veterinarian Dr Anne
as Treats Chester. can kill!
“Onions can also be toxic”, she warned. “Even the small amounts contained on pizza slices.
a dog. This was the pre- Christmas dinner warning from People often give their family pet the barbeque left-overs and more often than not there are
Anne Chester.
onions mixed in with the meat. For some dogs this can be a fatal oversight.”
ven the small amounts contained on pizza People of Christmas of course has always beenslices. the season
good cheer and humans traditionally eat and drink,
overs and to more oftenat than notmore there than are onions mixedat in if not excess, least they would other times of the year.
most pets considered part of the family, fatalWith oversight.”
there’s a quite normal inclination to share the food
“It’s likely that scores of animals will end up at our shelters or council pounds and sadly this year we’ve once again been forced to put on extra staff and volunteers in our call centre and our Fairfield Shelter reception.,” said RSPCA Qld spokesman Michael Beatty. “The sad part is that it’s easily preventable. Despite the warnings many people still don’t seem to understand the devastating effect fireworks can have on some animals. Often they will panic and end up on the road where of course they run the risk of being hit by cars. Sometimes they’re found kilometres from their homes.” All pet owners are advised to make certain that their pets are in a secure environment and one that they feel comfortable with. Ideally they should be kept inside the house and if this is not possible then inside the garage or somewhere where they feel at ease and know well.
ey would at other times of the year. With most pets
“We also urge people to make certain their pets have up to date identification on them. It’s very hard to reunite pets with their owners if they don’t have identification that includes the owners’ telephone numbers. Ideally they should also be microchipped.
e
We also recommend that horses should be securely stabled or removed to a location away from the fireworks.”
with the family pet.
ason of good cheer and humans traditionally eat and
“The problem is that a sudden increase in fatty foods affects the animal’s pancreas and this
can lead to pancreatitis,” Dr Chester continued. “Cooked bones to can alsothe cause problems. normal inclination share foodmajor with the family They’re brittle and the sharp slivers can either lodge in the throat or pierce the stomach lining.” Dr Chester emphasised that she was not trying to be melodramatic.
atty foods affects the animal’s pancreas this can lead “We want everyone to have a veryand merry Christmas. But please! Think carefully before you
oked bones can also cause major problems. They’re feed your pets food designed for humans.”
e in the throat or pierce the stomach lining.”
ing to be melodramatic.
www.petscenemagazine.com.au hristmas. But please! Think carefully before you feed
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Media Release
19 October 2010
BEST FRIENDS NEED A HOLIDAY TOO Australia’s largest directory of pet-friendly accommodation, HOLIDAYING WITH DOGS, is launching a brand new edition for 2011/12 in late November. With more than 2,000 pet-friendly accommodation listings nationally, this is a perfect Christmas stocking filler for dog lovers wanting to give their pooch a holiday from the backyard routine this summer, too. Whether it be a beach holiday, a mountain idyll, traditional BnB, city apartment, camping grounds or farmstay, they can be found in this useful directory and online at: www.holidayingwithdogs.com.au. There are even motels and caravan parks included for every state. Most of the accommodation listings have secure fencing to allow dogs freedom to explore their new surroundings, while giving owners peace of mind. Many of the holiday destination owners are dog lovers themselves and where dogs are allowed inside, have fully prepared the accommodation with removable, washable couch covers and provide extra towels for dogs, too. Some owners even provide free doggie treats. To highlight exceptional accommodation standards for dogs and their humans, The Five Paw Dog Friendly Accommodation Awards were created to give special recognition. The most important qualification for Five Paw rating is that accommodation facilities make dogs and their owners feel like valued and welcome guests. The 5 Paw rating shows a facility has gained a high proportion of reader nominations or has been the winner of the 5 Paw dog friendly accommodation award in their state. Now in its 22nd year, the 2011/12 edition of HOLIDAYING WITH DOGS is on sale now at good book shops, selected vets and pet outlets and travel shops, or online at: www.holidayingwithdogs.com.au www.holidayingwithdogs.com.au HOLIDAYING WITH DOGS Published by Pepper Publishing. $24.95 at good book shops, selected vets and pet outlets and travel shops, or online at: www.holidayingwithdogs.com.au
For media information, interviews and review copies, please contact: Anita Kazmierczak, Flash in the Can
www.petscenemagazine.com.au M: 0418 660 620 E: anita@flashinthecan.com.au
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Holidaying With Dogs Giveaway This month Pepper Publishing is giving our readers the opportunity to win one of 3 copies of the latest edition of Holidaying With Dogs. To enter simply tell us your top tips for travelling with your pooch? Send your entries to info@petscenemagazine.com.au along with your contact details so that we can send out your prize. The best entries will be published in upcoming issues of Pet Scene Magazine.
Full terms and conditions 1. Instructions on how to enter forms part of conditions of entry. 2. Tell us your best tips for travelling with your pooch. 3. Entries are made via online only. TO ENTER: email your response to info@petscenemagazine.com.au 4. Please include your contact details in the email response.
5. Competition commences on 1/12/2010 and concludes at 5pm on 28/12/2010. Internet entries will be deemed to be accepted at the time of receipt and not at the time of transmission. 6. All entries will be read and the most original and interesting responses will win. There will be three winners. This is a game of skill and chance plays no part in determining the winners. The winners will be decided on the 29/12/2010 and will be contacted within seven days by email.
7. Winners will be decided by Pet Scene Magazine staff and as a condition of entry you agree to us publishing your tips in upcoming issues of Pet Scene Magazine. 8. Entry is open to Australian residents only.
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9. Privacy statement: we will only use and store your personal information for the purposes disclosed to you, including sharing it with any other organisation that helps us provide goods or services to you.
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Pet Gourmet Ubeaut Aussie Bulldogs Christmas Cookies Ingredients 1 cup wholemeal flour 1/2 cup grated cheese 1/2 cup cooked frozen vegetables (such as peas, carrots, or corn) 1/2 cup margarine or butter, melted small amount of water Directions: •
Mix together the flour, cooked vegetables, cheese and melted butter (or marg). If it is too stiff, add a little water until you have a dough like consistency.
•
Pop this in the fridge to chill for an hour or two. Then remove from the fridge and place on a floured work surface.
•
Roll out to about half an inch thick. Use seasonal cookie cutters to cut out Christmas shapes. Place these on a greased baking tray. Cook at 185C / 375F for 15 to 20 minutes, or until golden brown.
•
Cool completely before placing in an airtight container.
Note: you can make more biscuits by doubling the ingredients, however these biscuits do not keep for as long as traditional dog biscuits (due to the cooked vegetables).
Cool Summer Treats Tabby Tuna Ice Blocks: When the heat of summer hits, help your feline friend cool down with these tasty little morsels. Simply combine a can of tuna in spring water with 1 teaspoon of catnip, crushed fine. You may need to add some more water till you have about a 50/50 mix of liquid to tuna. Spoon this mix into an ice cube tray and freeze. Serve these in your cats bowl and sure to be a puuurrfect summer treat.
Fruity Parrot Popsicles: What better way to help your parrot cool down on a hot summers day than with a Fruity Parrot Popsicle. Simply cut up your parrots favourite summer fruits in a bowl. Add a 50/50 mix of water and a natural 100% fruit juice. Spoon this mix into popsicle moulds and freeze. The end result is an amazingly colourful tropical treat for your parrot to munch on.
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Kids Christmas Craft Ideas Personalized Pet Bowls can make an ideal Christmas gift for your friend! What you’ll need: • New plastic pet food bowls; washed and dried • Assorted colors of paint markers. Personalised Pet Christmas Stockings: Simply cut out 2 stocking shapes from a piece of felt placed back to back to get them even. Place glue around the edges of the stocking being sure not to glue across the top, then stick the two halves together. Glue a strip of white felt across the top of each side to excentuate, and include a small loop of string for hanging the stocking latter. This will give you your basic stocking. You can then decorate your pets stocking using felt, paint, pompoms, googly eyes etc. And don’t forget your pets name. Some decorating ideas include paw prints, bones, fish shapes, bells or an image of your pet. Personalised Pet Treat Jars are a great idea. Simply using coloured felt, scissors, some craft glue, pom poms and goggly eyes - You can transform your old jars into a great Christmas treat jar for your pet. You can give the jar a pet theme like those pictured or go with a lovely festive theme. Then fill with your pets favourit treats. Puppy Dog Christmas Ornament: Bone-up on your Christmas decorating options with this Puppy dog ornament. A ping-pong ball and a few other odds and ends are all you need to craft a decoration everyone will enjoy. Dog Bone or Fish Shape Christmas Ornament: Include your family pet in this holiday celebration with their very own homemade ornament made from cardboard and ribbon. Just cut out a Bone Or Fish shape and decorate with your pets name.
From The Team at Pet Scene Magazine we wish you and your pets a Safe and Merry Christmas !
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Teaching your Parrot to talk. (PART 2) By David B Webber PART 2:
Three General Training Techniques So you have a parrot that is capable of talking and you want to teach it to talk. This section will cover three basic techniques. These three techniques are Audio Recordings, Parent-Parrot teaching, and Modeling. The first two methods use useful for teaching your parrot to mimic. The second and third methods can be useful for teaching your parrot to “speak”. And finally the third method is most useful for teaching your parrot to communicate.
Technique #1 - Audio Recordings: The first technique is Audio Recordings. This may be an Audio CD or tape that you purchase or create that is capable of looping over and over. You can purchase these on the Internet or create them yourself with your home computer. Most people
use this method during long periods of time when the parrot is alone. But does this technique work? The jury is still out on this one. Some people with some parrots have had some success with this method while others have not had success with this method. It is certainly not the best method to use but in some cases it can be effective. This is probably the most common technique used to teach the classic Andy Griffin Theme Song. However, the same thing played over and over will quickly become very boring. Parrots just like people will eventually tune out the boring stuff in their environment. For this reason it is recommended that you keep the sessions short. Sessions should be about fifteen-minute sessions 2 or 3 times a day. This technique is useful to teach “mimicking” as defined earlier. This is a cheap and easy way to teach your parrot to mimic. As with most things in life that are cheap and easy don’t be surprised if it doesn’t work. Technique #2 - Parent-Parrot Teaching: The second technique is ParentParrot teaching. This is where you talk to your parrot. This method is effective because it provides
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your parrot with a very important need. That need is to bond with its “flock” and to communicate with it’s “flock”. In most cases, you’ll find that the more your talk and communicate with your parrot, the more it will respond and talk back. Most parrots are very social and thrive on this kind of attention. This method will never get boring to your parrot and can be fun for you and your parrot. If properly rewarded for talking, your bird will happily talk and talk and talk. You should talk to your parrot while feeding, cleaning, doing dishes, preparing meals, watching TV, walking through the house, etc, etc, etc. You can maximize this method by using your speech in context. If you’re putting food in the bowl then tell your parrot that you’re giving it food. If you’re cleaning the cage then tell your parrot that you are cleaning the cage. This method is useful for teaching “mimicking” and “speaking” as defined earlier. Phrases that indicate mimicking are phrases such as “wanna peanut?” or “watcha doin?” In these cases it is just mimicking things that it has heard you vocalize. This method can also be used to teach communication as defined earlier. In this case you should use the same word is several different contexts. Examples would
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be “Do you want this peanut?”, “Here’s a peanut”, “This is a good peanut”, “is that peanut good?” Initially your parrot will mimic you and use the word out of context much like a child learning to speak. You can take the mimicking to the speaking level by simply correcting the parrot like you would a child. By doing this, you will eventually teach the parrot to use the word in context. For example it may begin to vocalize “this is a good peanut” when you give it a peanut. This technique can be used for teaching your parrot “mimicking” and “speaking” as defined earlier. This technique can also be used to a lesser degree to teach “speaking”. The third and final technique (Modeling) is more effective for teaching “speaking” and “communication”. Technique #3 - Modeling:
will respond with “no, the color is red”. The trainer will repeat the question and the trainee will respond with “red” and the trainer will reward the trainee for the correct answer. The reward may be verbal (“good girl”) or the reward may be a treat. Then the parrot will assume the role of the trainee while the human trainee watches and the process repeated. This method has been shown to be very effective in teaching birds, other animals, and humans with learning disabilities. This modeling technique was used to teach Alex the Congo African Grey for Dr Pepperberg’s studies. This method is effective at teaching “mimicking”, “speaking”, and “communication” as defined earlier.
As you may guess, the second technique is the most common technique used to teach pet parrots how to talk. This technique is more effective than using Audio Recordings and it only requires one “trainer” compared to the third technique. More importantly the second technique provides the perfect opportunity for the Parent to bond with the Parrot. This is a win-win technique because bonding is essential to the parrot’s well being and it provides a means to teach the parrot to talk. The next section covers some miscellaneous Tips, Do’s and Don’ts. Most directly apply to the second technique of Parent-Parrot teaching but also apply to the other techniques. ------------>
Continued in PART 3 Next Month.
The third technique is “Modeling”. This is the method that Dr. Pepperberg discusses in her book The Alex Studies. This method involves two trainers (usually two humans) and the parrot. Though not practical for most of us, it can be very effective if you have the means to use this technique. The parrot takes turns being the “trainee” with the other human. An example would be to have the Trainer human and the trainee human demonstrate what is required while the parrot watches. For example, the Trainer may ask the trainee “what color is this” while holding up an object. The trainee will respond with “blue” and the trainer www.petscenemagazine.com.au
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A New Treatment for Equine Ulcers Released In Australia By Antara Mukherjee Cipla gets APVMA approval to introduce generic omeprazole in Australia for treating equine ulcers Cipla, one of the world’s leading generic pharmaceutical companies is the first from India to get The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) approval for introducing its generic omeprazole in Australia used in treating equine ulcers. Introduced under the brand name E-Gard by Cipla, this premium quality syringe of omeprazole, is the generic version of Merial’s GastroGuard. With a strong demand in Singapore, South Africa, HongKong, UAE, etc, E-Gard is supplied to over 16 countries across the world and is one of the largest selling veterinary products of Cipla in the Equine segment. With prevalence of ulcers as high as upto 93% in racehorses, E-Gard from Cipla is a proven way to heal ulcers without recurrence and restore performance.
Recommending the use of E-Gard, Dr. Phiroz Khambatta , Renowned Equine surgeon said, “E-Gard is a high-quality product demonstrating remarkable efficacy and safety. With no adverse affects on reproduction or overall animal health, E-Gard can be concomitantly used with other therapies which include anthelmintics, antibiotics, anti-inflamatory agents, tranquillizers and vaccines without the fear of any interactions.” “We have been marketing and distributing EGard to various established racing fraternity locally and regionally. E-Gard has been received well and is being used successfully by the racing clubs vets to be treated for ulcers in performance horses. E-Gard is a proven brand name for stomach ulcer problems in race horses,” said Mr C Mano, Managing Director, Mano Equestrian Services Pte Ltd., Singapore. Cipla’s Animal Health Division specializes in Equine and Pet animal care in categories extending to General Care, Surgicals, Disinfectants, Enzymes, Ectoparasiticides, Herbal products, Aqua Products, Poultry products and Feed Additives.
“We are proud to extend a world-class premium product like E-Gard to the Australian market and would look forward to penetrating this niche market with local partnerships. Having established a strong Cipla Animal Health Division entered Austrafoothold with the product in across 16 lia in 2006 and currently has 7 products. countries, we anticipate a good demand of E-Gard in Australia,” said Mr. Sanjeev A Gupte , Head- International Business and Supply Chain, Cipla. www.petscenemagazine.com.au
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Dear Supporter, The worst of 106 neglected dogs seized from a puppy factory, Ned was barely recognisable as a dog, let alone a poodle, when he arrived at the RSPCA. Underneath a matted mop of hair lay clumps of dried faeces and maggots. So severe was his condition, he had to be sedated before treatment could begin. After a long clip and a medicated bath, the task of manually removing the maggots began. Despite the revelation of a scrawny frame and red-raw skin, Ned started to resemble the handsome little fellow he was to later become. Placed in foster care, Ned received medication, enrichment and love — basic necessities for which he clearly yearned, but was so cruelly denied. Little by little a poodle started to emerge, and so, too, a personality. Sadly, Ned’s story is one of thousands shared by abandoned and neglected animals across the state — and one of 8,350 ‘orphans’ this Christmas like Monte and Benny, who will rely on RSPCA Qld to help heal their wounds, fill their tummies and find them homes. Each one of these animals will cost RSPCA Qld approximately $110 a week to care for. That’s just over $1.1 million in a three-month period. It’s heartbreaking and costly. It is thanks to your support that RSPCA Qld has been able to provide such excellent care, with so little. To help us to continue providing this care and to achieve our target, we’re again asking for your support by becoming an RSPCA Guardian Angel, and donating towards our Project Guardian Angel Appeal. By making a one-off donation to the RSPCA’s Guardian Angel Appeal, you will show an animal like Ned what it feels like to be loved at a time when they need and deserve it the most — Christmas. Everyone expects the RSPCA to be there. But unless we receive the crucial funding required to operate during the annual deluge of animals like Ned, our services will be severely compromised. To make your donation, please visit www.rspcaguardianangel.com.au; call 1300 RSPCA1 (1300777221) or 07 3426 9999 or fill in the enclosed coupon and return in the reply paid envelope. Whatever your gift, be it large or small, it will make a real and lasting difference to the thousands of animals like Ned, Monte and Benny.
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This year, by making a donation of $50 or more towards this very special appeal, you will receive a copy of RSPCA Qld’s “Tough Guys get Tough on Animal Abuse” calendar. Featuring images of “Tough Guys” including Matthew Hayden and Justin Hodges and an array of animals rescued by RSPCA Qld, this limited edition calendar is only available to RSPCA Qld Guardian Angel supporters. Today, two and half years since Ned arrived at the RSPCA, he is a far cry from the sad and sorry sight that he was. And, with a thick coat of curls, strut around the garden and a pose for the camera, doesn’t he know it. On behalf of the thousands of animals who will benefit from your special Christmas gift — thank you for being there once again. Thank you for being their Guardian Angel. With best wishes for the holiday season
Mark Townend Chief Executive Officer RSPCA Qld PS: Don’t forget! Please visit www.rspcaguardianangel.com.au to make your donation online; call 1300 RSPCA1 (1300777221) to make your donation via credit card; or fill in the enclosed coupon and return in the reply paid envelope. PPS: Having trouble deciding what to purchase for that special someone in your life? The RSPCA Guardian Angel Gift Card makes the perfect Christmas stocking stuffer, Secret Santa gift or seasonal gift that the animal lover in your life will love! For more details please visit www.rspcaguardianangel.com.au.
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The Night Before Christmas ‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse... The selling points • In the tradition of Christmas Carols from the Kennel, which has sold over 8 000 copies. • A brand-new spin on a much-loved Christmas classic. • A great price point, perfect for Kris Kringle and office presents. • A fantastic stocking-stuffer for adults and kids. • Think a Christmas ‘I can haz cheezeburger’. • Beautiful, cute and cuddly photos of Christmas animals.
About the author ‘'Twas the Night Before Christmas’ has been a classic since its first appearance in the Troy Sentinel in 1823. The poem was published anonymously and, as excitement over the verses grew, everyone wanted to know the name of the author. In 1837 Clement Clarke Moore, a biblical scholar in New York City, allowed his name to be attached as author. Specifications ISBN Format RRP Extent Binding Interest level Category Release date
Sample spreads
978-1-74203-514-7 180 x 158mm $14.99 48pp H/b 5+ Gift Book November 2010
‘The A-Z of Unfortunate Dogs is a book for both children
and adults that can be enjoyed again and again. It’s a brilliantly original take on man’s best friend, an instant mood lifter, reassuring and positive in its assertion that those who are not perfect may be – and often are – infinitely more loveable. Adam Elliot, Academy Award winning creator of Harvie Krumpet, has often turned to family relationships for inspiration. There was his highly successful trilogy of short films, titled Uncle, Cousin and Brother. Now, in his first ever book, the proud and loving owner of two pugs, Barry and Kevin, has applied his quirky sense of humour and remarkable artistry to one of his greatest loves – hard-done-by-hounds.
The A-Z of Unfortunate Dogs is both affectionate towards dogs and irreverent. So you don’t have to be a dog owner to enjoy this hilarious alphabet book and its parade of far from perfect pooches such as ‘U is for Unice with extraordinary gas’ and ‘G is for George, missing legs and an eye.’ In an age when the emphasis is on youth and perfection, this refreshing tale not only puts a smile on your face with its funny, simple rhyming couplets and quirky drawings, reminds us that though they ‘may be unfortunate, with terrible For orders, please contact ADS 15them Gertrude flaws…we love all,Street from their tails to the paws.’
black dog books
Fitzroy Victoria 3065 Australia 03 9419 9406 Fax: 03 9419 1214 www.petscenemagazine.com.au dog@bdb.com.au www.bdb.com.au
Murdoch Books Telephone (02) 4390 1300 Toll-free Fax 1800 664 477 adscs@alliancedist.com.au
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Q: How do Gecko’s walk upside down on the roof? A: The Gecko is a champion gymnast. It is able to walk up walls and across ceilings upside down because each of it’s toes have large pads covered with thousands of short, stiff bristles that grab surfaces helping it to grip. Scientists used to think that geckos had disks on their toes that worked like suction cups. But now we know that it is the hairs on the underside of these lizards’ toes that help the animals climb and cling. Geckos can even race up polished glass and support their body weight from a wall with a single toe. Geckos have a way to keep from getting stuck in place. Each of a gecko’s toes can be curled away from the surface it is on. This loosens the clinging hairs and allows the animal to move.
Q: How can I help to keep my cat cool in summer? I’ve been putting ice cubes in her water bowls to give her a nice cool drink, but she doesn’t like ‘Friends’ in her bowl and refuses to drink out of it, what can I do? A: A great solution to this problem is to get yourself a gravity fed watering bowl with the screw in plastic bottle. You will find that the thread is usually the same as any soft drink bottle so you can recycle your old bottles and freeze water in them so you can always have some on hand. These will slowly melt over the corse of a hot day so your cat will always have a cool drink at hand without any ‘Friends’ floating in her water bowl. www.petscenemagazine.com.au
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Barking Mad The Maremma Sheepdog By Piltainga Kennels The Maremma Sheepdog is a rare working breed originating in central Italy. There in the High Appenine of the Abruzzi region and on the plains of the Maremma, he has been bred for some two thousand years. His sole function during this time has been to guard the flocks and property of the shepherd, first from wolves and bears and more lately, from thieves and bands of stray dogs. It is interesting to note that wolves are still present in Abruzzi and even the occasional brown European bear is still found there. The shepherd frequently leaves the flocks and the Maremma remains in sole charge. Over the centuries therefore, the dog has developed a very strong guarding instinct and a responsibility for taking decisions. Whilst he has a strong sense of loyalty to the shepherd there can be no doubt that the Maremma owes his allegiance to the flock and he will never desert that which has been entrusted to his care. These instincts remain with the breed, as it is known today. He protects his master and master’s property naturally and, if he is a family companion, will protect other dogs, cats and the children just as assiduously as his ancestors protected the flocks. The Maremma Sheepdog is a medium to large dog of imposing presence and majestic bearing. He is strong, active and for his size, very lithe. He is all white in colour although markings of lemon, fawn or biscuit are frequently seen, particularly on the ears and at the base of the tail. The eye rims, lips, nose and pads should be black. TEMPERAMENT The Maremma is a loyal and devoted guard who sees his main function in life as being the protector of his master and his master’s property. He is constantly aware of this responsibility and will see a threat in any strange object, being or footfall. It is unusual for the Maremma to wander for he prefers to stand or lie at the property boundary where he will warn strangers away with his bark. He will not attack without provocation but trespassing is not taken lightly and he is very wary of strangers. He is nonetheless affectionate to his owners although the male is at times, ashamed to admit that he has a need for any physical reinforcement of the bond that exists between him and his master. Old friends are accepted but the Maremma will usually remain on duty during their presence. Strangers are not welcome and the dog should be under control when irregular callers are admitted. A “formal” introduction, best made when the caller has been admitted and is seated - usually suffices to satisfy the dog that there is no danger but do remember that he makes his own judgements and may suspect danger where you see none. The size of the Maremma will vary between 65 - 73 cm for dogs and 60 - 68 cm for bitches. This is not a large dog compared to such as the Mastiff for it is more the size of a large German shepherd. To most people however, that is a large dog and this size is frequently accentuated when the Maremma is in full coat. Rather surprisingly the Maremma can appear to exercise more than a degree of control over this size. Around the house they are almost dainty, particularly in their movements and accidents are a rarity. They have the ability to curl themselves up and shrink to half their full size, especially when they have lost control of a situation or are unhappy. On the other hand when suspicious or faced with a threat the Maremma thinks
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The MAREMMA “The Guardian Dog” By Ursula himself to be a large dog - he stands erect and alert, his ruff comes up and he becomes what he is, a large dog who can dispose of most threats to his property by virtue of his size and appearance. OTHER DOGS There has been a great deal of speculation as to whether two Maremma Sheepdogs will live happily together without one or the other establishing dominance. Possibly a great deal depends upon the individual dogs and the environment in which they are kept for, whilst in Italy, it is not uncommon for two or more males to live peacefully together, occasions have been known when two females prove difficult. In general the Maremma loves company if it takes the form of another of his own kind, so much the better. He is normally very tolerant of other breeds and lives quite happily with them. He will seldom, if ever, pick a quarrel and is slow to anger. He can be provoked under extreme circumstances and when he fights he means it. Dogs of the breed are usually subservient to any bitches that they live with, despite their greater size and strength. Trouble is likely to occur over food or if another dog gets too close to something that the Maremma regards as ‘his’. TRAINING Some form of social and obedience training is essential for all dogs and the Maremma is no exception. He has an active mind of above average intelligence and without some form of training, he will quickly become bored. Training, particularly that of a social nature should start as soon as a puppy is taken into your home. You will find the Maremma receptive to basic obedience and the simple commands of ‘sit’, ‘heel’, ‘down’ and ‘stay’ will be readily learned. You should not however expect to receive from the Maremma the same blind obedience that you would expect from a German shepherd or Border collie for it is not in his nature to obey a command and to look up to his master anxiously awaiting the next order. Rather he will work out, in his own mind, the logic of the command given and, having come to the conclusion that it is reasonable, obey. There is therefore usually a pause of some seconds between giving the order and having it obeyed. For this reason the Maremma does not perform well in formal obedience trials for, as a breed, they tend to make their own decisions rather than blindly obey. When adult the Maremma will guard naturally and without training although as a puppy will be outgoing and friendly. The breed tends, if unchecked, to bark more than most. This is particularly true when they are behind a wall or fence and are aware of strange footsteps or other noises. This is fine if one lives in a remote area but can be unacceptable in an urban district. A firm ‘no’ whilst they are still puppies will minimise this. HOUSING & ENVIRONMENT The Maremma Sheepdog is a rugged and hardy dog that will live happily outdoors throughout all weathers. The harsh outer coat is both weather-resistant and water-repellent. During summer months it reflects a great deal of the heat although the dog will seek a shady spot and become less active. The Maremma is by nature, exceptionally clean in habits and housetrains easily. He
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also has the advantage of having virtually no doggy odour except when wet. Like many other breeds he is quick to become bored and if he is left unattended for long periods this may be reflected by chewing anything around the house or by digging holes in the garden. Rawhide bones and toys will help overcome the chewing problem and a firm ‘no’ will stop wanton chewing and excavating. The ‘no’ can only be spoken however, if you are present and the real answer is not to leave him without your company for long periods. EXERCISE The puppies are large and active and require a lot of exercise for proper development. It should be remembered however that their growth rate is particularly fast and long walks or formal exercise is best avoided until they are six months of age. It is best if they get their early exercise - essential for the development of growth - freely, preferably within the confines of the garden. In this manner they can and will, decide for themselves when they have had enough and then curl up and sleep. It is worth mentioning here that a dog, particularly a young puppy, requires a corner of his own to which he can retire, safe in the knowledge that it is a haven where he is safe from interference. This is important when the Maremma is being reared in the company of young children who cannot or will not always understand that the puppy requires his rest periods just as they do. COAT AND GROOMING The coat of the Maremma Sheepdog is white, thick and heavy. It is double coated which is to say that there is a soft woolly undercoat, particularly in Winter, over which lays a longer, somewhat harsh top coat. This double coat is extremely weather-resistant and, although on a wet day dirt will be attracted to it, especially on the legs and under body, nothing really penetrates. As the dog dries, so any dirt, which is normally on the topcoat, falls away. With a coat of this nature grooming can be kept to a minimum for the dog will invariably look in pristine condition. It should be remembered however that a dog needs regular grooming to stimulate proper coat growth and skin condition. Bathing may never be necessary but can be done safely providing the dog is dried quickly, especially in winter. Standard care is needed for eyes, ears, pads and nails. The Maremma normally moults once per year as Winter approaches. Between moults the Maremma loses little if any hair. HEALTH The Maremma is usually a very hardy and robust dog that is not prone to illness or disease. He should be vaccinated against all the usual diseases and wormed as recommended by your vet. The white coat makes fleas and other parasites readily visible and prompt action is called for when they are seen. To learn more about this loyal breed please visit Piltainga Kennels - Breeders of fine quality Maremma Sheepdogs. http://www.piltaingakennels.com
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7 Tips For Choosing Aquarium Fish By Lee Dobbins
Buying the right aquarium fish for your tank is key to the success of your aquarium. When selecting fish, you may not simply be able to pick out the fish that catch your eye in the pet store as not all fish can live in the same environment. Additionally not all fish get along with each other so you will have to be careful 1. Fish appearance. Obto choose the types of fish serve the particular fish you are interested in carethat are compatible. fully to make sure he is active and swimming around If all this seems like hard properly. Make sure his work, don’t worry, you will fins are not chewed and he soon become familiar with doesn’t have any growths the types of tropical fish or white fuzzy patches. that work well in your tank and even have some favou2. Tank condition. Dealers rites that you like to keep. tanks can have parasites When choosing fish for your aquarium, here’s some and disease that might not be apparent in your fish tips to keep in mind: right away so you need to observe the other fish in the tank and take a good look at the tank conditions. Is the tank clean? If not that is an indication that the dealer probably doesn’t care for the tanks well.
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Make sure the other fish in the tank are alert and swimming around actively. Avoid buying a fish from a tank that has dead fish floating in it. Even if your fish appears to be healthy, he could already be infected with something that might not show up until days after you get him home. By then it might be too late and you could risk infecting your other fish.
3. Water Conditions. The condition of your water is important as well as the number of fish you already have in the tank. If your water condition is poor then adding more fish will just make things worse and endanger the health of all the fish in the
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you wouldn’t want to put a fish that might grow to 5 inches in your 5 gallon tank or he might be the only one you can have! 6. The type of fish. Is your new fish aggressive or does tank. Also, you should be care- he play well with others? Is ful not to overload your tank he OK being the only one with too many fish as this will of his kind in the tank or cause stress on all the fish as will he do better in a school. well as cause your water qual- Make sure you only put fish ity to degrade. The general that will get along in the rule of thumb for freshwater tank or the more aggressive tropical fish tanks is 1 inch of fish will pick on the others. fish per gallon of water. If you Also, some fish are territorial add too many, you will have and you should only keep to spend more time changing one per tank. the water and will need really good filtration in order to keep your tank healthy. 4. Water Temperature. Not all tropical fish like the same temperature water. While most will do well with temps in the mid 70’s some do better in cooler waters while others 7. The food. Find out what like it on the warm side. type of food your new fish likes to eat. Most eat flakes, but some like freeze dried 5. Fish size. Before you buy a worms or other types of new fish you might want to food. When you bring home find out how big he can be expected to eventually grow. your new fish be sure to also take home some of his faSince your tank can support about 1 inch of fish per gallon, vorite dinner. www.petscenemagazine.com.au
Lee Dobbins writes for http://www.fish-tankguide.com where you can learn more about aquarium setup and maintenance as well as choosing fish that are compatible. http://www.fish-tankguide.com/choosing-fish.
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How to go about choosing a Cat Breed that suits you?
By Brigit Hulsing
cat is to go mad if it doesn’t see you much for a few days.
Domestic cats make great pets for most homes because they are very easy to care for and generally bond easily with humans. Most of the societies and cultures around the world have made it a practice to adopt cats into their family structures. However, domestic cats do vary quite a bit in their physical design and personalities from one breed to the next. Choosing a cat breed that suits you and your family is not a task that should be taken lightly. Nor should choosing a cat breed that suits you seem like a difficult task. The first consideration when choosing a cat breed is the size of your living area. You may always think of cats as being leisurely lounge lizards, but many breeds spend as much time playing as lounging. Playful cat breeds need plenty of room to play. Also, the larger the play area and the more there is to do, such as another cat to interact with, the less likely the
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That leads to the second consideration when choosing a cat breed. You need to think about how much time your family is going to be able to spend with the cat. If your new little friend doesn’t at least get a couple of gentle touches and a cuddle every other day, it will go mad. Although how much attention is necessary has a lot to do with the breed. The other part of the time consideration is that some cats require more grooming maintenance such as bathing and brushing. A busy family should get a cat with short fur. The third consideration when choosing a cat breed is allergies to cats. These allergies are not uncommon, but there is much variance in the degree in which they manifest themselves. Someone with a very heavy cat allergy probably should not own a cat. Someone with a light allergy that results in a few sneezes or coughs a day can have a cat, but should be careful in choosing a cat breed that will minimize allergen exposure. For example, you will want to choose a cat breed that has short fur and rarely sheds its fur to reduce your exposure.
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The fourth, and probably most often forgotten, consideration when choosing a cat breed is the cost of taking care of that breed. Some breeds are hardier than others. Many breeds have common ailments, such as deafness or fur balls, that may get costly in veterinarian visits. Also, a cat that weighs half as much and has a lazy temperament will eat less than half as much as the cat that weighs twice as much and is packed full of energy. The fifth, and final, consideration when choosing a cat breed is how the personality of the kitty matches up with the other personalities of your family. Cats come in different temperaments. There are lap, childfriendly, indoors, independent hunter, and jealous, one-person cats. Brigit Hulsing is a cat behaviour researcher and helps cat owners with practical tips and advice on cat training. http://www.catinstructor.com
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Prepare Your Pet Emergency Plan: We enjoy a wonderful climate and lifestyle in Australia. However, natural hazards such as cyclone, storms, fires and flood are an inevitable part of our environment. History has shown that we cannot afford to be complacent about the dangers they present. Just as we need to prepare our family and our home for times of emergency or disaster, we also need to prepare our pets. Your pets are part of your household; by taking time to prepare now you can improve the safety and well being of your family pets by ensuring their needs are included in your household preparedness planning. Although individual needs will vary, you need to decide on the best plan for your circumstances and region. Check with your local council and other agencies on possible hazards, local emergency plans and what arrangements are in place regarding temporary animal shelters during times of major emergencies or disasters. Be prepared If considering moving animals to a safer place, do so early to
avoid unnecessary risk. It may not be possible to take your pet with you to a temporary evacuation shelter - plan ahead and be prepared.
Trained assistance dogs
• Secure animals inside before an emergency event, so that they do not take flight or run away.
In most cases, trained assistance dogs will be allowed to stay in emergency shelters with their owners. Those that are accepted may require proper identification and proof of vaccination. Check with local council for more information.
• Use a secure pet carrier/cage, leash or harness to move any animals to safety.
What if your pet is not a dog or cat?
• Ensure all vaccinations remain
Although the majority of current. household’s companion pets • It may be possible for your pet are commonly dogs, cats and to be boarded in a safe environ- birds; the suggested informent away from the emergen- mation can be applied to all household pet emergency cy zone. planning. • If you are able to house your Should your companion pet animal in a temporary foster not fall within this category, e.g. home, ensure your pet’s mediaquariums, reptiles, small livecal and feeding information, stock (pigs, fowls, goats, horses, food, medicine and other supcattle, sheep), it is suggested plies accompany them to the you contact specialised agenfoster home. cies, e.g. Queensland Primary • Ensure all pets are properly Industry and Fisheries (liveidentified. Remember – during times of disaster, telephones may not be available and it is important any registered method includes your current address. • Have a current photograph. This may assist in easily identifying you as the legal owner.
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stock), the RSPCA, your animal’s veterinarian or local pet shop for specialised advice in planning for emergencies.
or harness to move any animals to safety.
Ensure your Pet Emergency Kit is easily accessible and includes:
• Consider your animal’s sanitation needs, which is important for their (and your) health; e.g. newspaper, paper towels disinfectant, rubbish bags.
• Pet medications (for up to two weeks), medical and vaccination records and veterinarian details.
• Birds must eat daily - put special food and water dispensers in bird cages and have a cover for the cage.
• Sufficient food (including treats) and water (e.g. bottled) for each animal - for up to a two week period. Don’t forget the can opener if you have tinned food.
• Important telephone numbers;
• A familiar pet blanket or bedding, toys, grooming equipment.
• Details of identification methods.
Pet Emergency Kit
• A secure pet carrier, leash
We would like to give a special thank you to the Queensland Department of Community Safety for this valuable information.
For more information on preparing for emergencies visit: www.disaster.qld.gov.au
E.g. your veterinarian, pet information and advisory services.
• A current photograph for identification purposes.
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The Maine Coon Cat By Terry King
The much loved Maine Coon is one of the largest breeds of domestic cat, known for its intelligence and playfulness as well as its distinctive physical appearance. The breed is one of the oldest breeds in North America and originated from New England, making it America’s first indigenous show cat. The Maine Coon Cat is regarded as “the gentle giant” and is known for a pleasant nature.
Maine Coons are very large and energetic cats, sometimes weighing up to around 11-12 kilograms (25 pounds); the average weight is 6 to 9 kilograms (13-20 pounds) for adult males and less (7-11 pounds) for females. Male Maine Coons may grow to a length in excess of 1 meter (40 inches); the longest cat on record is a Maine Coon 121cm (49 inches) in length. Growth to full size often takes longer than for most cats, with Maine Coons usually reaching full size at age four or five. The breed has a face with a square muzzle, a thick neck, large ears, big, rounded eyes, and a large, muscular body. The tail is long and relatively bushy.
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The origin of the breed (and its name) has several myths surrounding it. A popular story comes from a legend that a domestic cat released in the wilds of Maine mated with a raccoon, resulting in offspring with the Maine Coon’s characteristics. Obviously biologically impossible, this myth, bolstered by the bushy tail and the most common coloring (a raccoon-like brown tabby) could have led to the adoption of the name “Maine Coon.” Another legend is that the cat was named after a ship’s captain named Coon who was responsible for the cat reaching Maine shores. The truth is much more boring, in the 17th and 18th centuries, domestic cats brought Page 30
to the new lands, from Europe faced very severe winters in New England, only the strongest and most adaptable cats survived. Through natural selection (as opposed to selective breeding), the Maine Coon developed into a large, rugged cat with a water-resistant, thick coat and a hardy constitution.
great personalities and are a great cat breed for family homes.
Due to their above-average intelligence, Maine Coons are known to be one of the easiest cat breeds to train. Maine Coons are known for their ability to trill their meows, which sounds like a These days, the breed has combination of a purr and many more recognized coa meow, and they tend to lours, including black, blue, make this sound when happy cream, red, tortoiseshell, blue or startled. They rarely eat tortoiseshell, white, smoke, alone, preferring to eat in silver tabby, brown tabby, the company of other cats or red tabby, blue tabby, cream humans. tabby, and bicolour. Maine Coons occasionally engage in mischievous behavior when bored, such as The Maine Coon is usually a deliberately pushing things social creature and gets on off tables and the tops of rewith other cats, dogs, and frigerators with their paws. children. These cats have Terry King runs Parcel Pets [http://www.pets2home. co.uk], a leading UK pet supplies [http://www.pets2home.co.uk] web site and has had pets all his life. He lives with his wife Louise, dog Sam, Cat Sabrina and 5 fish!
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Christmas
A Cats Favourit Christmas Carols: 10. Up on the Mousetop 9. Have Yourself a Furry Little Christmas 8. Joy to the Curled 7. I Saw Mommy Hiss at Santa Claus 6. The First Meow 5. Oh, Come All Ye Fishful 4. Silent Mice 3. Fluffy, the Snowman 2. Jingle Balls
A Cat’s 12 Days Of Christmas
1. Wreck the Halls!
On the twelfth day of Christmas my human gave to me: Twelve bags of catnip! Eleven tarter Pounce treats, Ten ornaments hanging, Nine wads of Kleenex, Eight peacock feathers, Seven stolen Q-tips, Six feathered balls,
You better not bark and you better not cry You better not meow And I’m telling you why Santa Paws is coming to town!
Five MILK TOP RINGS! Four munchy house plants, Three running faucets, Two fuzzy mousies, And a hamster in a plastic ball!!
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Humour
The 12 Dog’s Of Christmas On the 12th day of Christmas my true love gave to me, Twelve Beagles Barking Eleven Labs a-Licking Ten Howling Huskies Nine Yorkies Yipping Eight Westies Wagging Seven Spaniels Snoring Six Dobermans Growling
A Doggy Wonderland Dog tags ring, are you listenin’? In the lane, snow is glistenin’. It’s yellow, NOT white - I’ve been there all night, Marking out my winter wonderland.
Five Golden Retrievers Four Chubby Pugs Three French Poodles Two Jack Russell’s And A Pekingese in a dog house!
Smell that tree? That’s my fragrance. It’s a sign for wand’ring vagrants; “Avoid where I pee, it’s MY pro-per-ty! Marked out as my winter wonderland.” In the meadow dad will build a snowman, following the classical design. Then I’ll lift my leg and let it go Man, So all the world will know it’s mine-all-mine! Straight from me to the fencepost, flows my natural incense boast; “Stay off of my TURF, this small piece of earth, I mark it as my winter wonderland.
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Sadly some people’s holidays are more important than taking care of their pets. Every Christmas the RSPCA cares for thousands of abandoned animals across Australia. Become a Guardian Angel to an animal in need and donate now. rspcaguardianangel.com.au