Pets
Ask the vet... How can I ensure my puppy is the right age and healthy before purchase ? There are lots of decisions to make when deciding to buy a puppy. Essential questions include: Can I give him enough time? Which breed is suitable for me? and Can I afford all the costs involved for the rest of her life? Once decided, the next most important question is: Who do I buy my puppy from? Research has shown that puppies born and raised in a family are more confident than puppies raised in kennels. Puppies are very responsive to new experiences from the age of three weeks up to about 12 weeks. Lots of positive new experiences during this time will set them up for a happy, confident life. Negative experiences during this time can also have lasting effects. Ask the breeder for the date of birth of the puppies and calculate their age yourself. Early weaning and separation from litter mates before 8 weeks of age have been shown
to have a negative effect on a puppy’s mental development. Rehoming your puppy at eight weeks old is the ideal age – they are old enough to cope with separation from their litter mates but young enough to continue learning new experiences with their new owners. It is really important to meet the mother of the puppies when you view your puppy. Ensure that she is friendly and interactive with you. A nervous or aggressive bitch is likely to pass on similar qualities to her puppies partly due to genetics and partly due to them learning behaviour from her reactions. Do not buy a puppy from a breeder who cannot show you the mother for any reason – this is a common ploy of ‘puppy farms’. Ideally do not choose the quiet puppy who hides away when approached or looks scared and
with Lynn Broom doesn’t want to interact with you. You may feel sorry for him or think that you can change his behaviour for the better but it is likely that this puppy will always have elements of anxiety or fear throughout his life. Many breeders will have their puppies vet checked before they are sold. Don’t just take their word for this – ask for proof of examination or speak to the vets practice that saw them. If they have not been examined ensure that you can return the puppy with a full refund if your own vet examines them and finds a problem. A confident puppy has a much better chance of growing in to a happy dog who copes well in new situations, interacts well with other dogs and is much less likely to suffer from fear related behaviours in the future. A bit of research and asking the right questions will give you the best chance of achieving your perfect family pet.
LOST AND FOUND Blandford & Sturminster Newton Cats Protection These are the most recent cats that have been lost or found. Please check out our Facebook page or give us a call if you have lost or found a cat so we can reunite cats with their owners: Lost Cats: Field Oak, Blandford – b/w boy. Durweston -b/w boy Stour Road, Blandford: black boy. Milton Abbas grey & white boy with collar on. Found Cats: Milborne Port: l/h tabby boy with chip (address details incorrect). Sturminster Marshall: young black female. Blandford: b/w boy New Road, Gillingham: b/w cat n We still offer neutering and micro-chipping for £5 in postcode areas DT10, DT11, SP5, SP7, BH21 and now also in SP8 call 01258 268695 FREELANCE GROOMING AND DOG WALKING available contact 07532716070 MUSCOVY DUCKLINGS 01963 362936
A happy tail of two rescue animals
Margaret Green Animal Rescue finds forever homes for cats, dogs, farm and small animals. Staff at the Dorset centre love to hear how they are getting on. Ralphy the Pug x Griffon was living at the charity’s Lincoln Farm Centre near Bere Regis before he found his forever home with owner Debbie. She said: “Ralphy came to live with us and our two pugs Teddy and Dolly five years ago. At the time I was dropping Teddy and Dolly off for boarding whilst I was going off to Peru to walk the Inca Trail, when the staff told me that they were getting a Pug into rescue that afternoon. Ralphy was two years old, the same as my pugs. I was desperate to meet him but I would be away 64
for two weeks during which time he could be rehomed. “Whilst in Peru, all I could think about was Ralphy! As soon as I had wifi I emailed MGAR to see if he was still with them. He was so I asked if I could meet him when I picked up Teddy and Dolly. The rest is history… “Ralphy has so much character
and energy and such a long tongue. All three dogs are now 7 but charge around like pups. He is so loving, we are besotted. We have had to reinforce our fence a few times in our huge garden as he is an escape artist (the reason he was in rescue twice) but he has got to know the neighbours who have kindly brought him
home. Pugs are such gorgeous pets and I wouldn’t say no to another rescue pug! “Ralphy continues to see the staff at MGAR when he holidays there with his brother and sister. They all love their stays there and are always pulling on the leads to go in.” Milo the cat has made so much progress from the shy little thing he was. He is now a confident and cheeky cat that loves exploring inside and out. Milo is a loving cat who likes to be close to you and ‘talk’. To find out more about Margaret Green Animal Rescue go to margaretgreenanimalrescue.org. uk and if you have a rehoming story to share, email it to comms@mgar.org.uk
