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 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.

with Lynn Broom

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 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

When the time comes to say goodbye…

Recently opened, Companions at Peace Pet Cremation is an independent family run business, located in a rural countryside setting on the Somerset Dorset border, providing a very personal and caring pet cremation service to bereaved pet owners. Both Mark and Debbie have had pets, of all shapes and sizes throughout their lives and when it comes to saying goodbye to them, they know only too well how sad that time is. Also, how important the lasting memories of their 昀nal journey are and peace of mind, to know that they have been looked after with dignity and respect. It is an unfortunate fact that a lot of veterinary practices do not fully explain what will happen to your pet once they have passed, and that there is an alternative choice of pet crematorium other than the one offered by them. As a pet owner, you do have a choice, so before leaving your pet with your vet, ask a few questions: When will my pet be collected and how will they be transported? Where will my pet be stored until they are collected? When will I receive my pet’s ashes back? How do I know they will be my pet’s ashes and only theirs?

At Companions at Peace, we only carry out genuine individual cremations, we do not take part in mass cremations or the incineration of veterinary clinical waste.

We offer an individual collection service from your home, vet practice, or we can arrange a time for you to bring your pet to us personally. We have a quiet and peaceful farewell room that offers bereaved owners a chance to say their 昀nal goodbyes to their beloved pet, where you will not be rushed and you can take as much time as you need. We provide a choice of various caskets, urns and scatter tubes, and aim to return your pet’s ashes to you within 24/48 hours. Whatever the circumstances, a phone call to us will be all that is needed.

Even if your pet is healthy and you simply want to 昀nd out a little more information for future reference and peace of mind, just give us a call.

Companions at Peace Pet Cremation

Companions at Peace is an independent family run business offering a very personal, caring pet cremation service to bereaved pet owners. We provide the very best in respect, care and dignity, giving you total peace of mind, knowing we will look after your companion from the moment you entrust them to us, through to the time they are returned to you. Out of Hours Service provided

Located in a rural countryside setting on the Somerset Dorset border