T H E U K ’ S O N LY W E ST H I G H L A N D T E R R I E R M AG A Z I N E
WESTIES & BESTIES ISSUE 4, VOL 1
DECEMBER 2020
MY PET NUTRITIONIST ON
ISSN 2634-4130
RESCUE & REHABILITATION
Westie Rescue of Orange County & Beyond
Balancing the Immune System
ADOPTING A WESTIE?
THE WESTIE FEST! Corrie’s Capers
Top 10 Tips on How to Welcome your Bestie
Author on the magic of Westies
BESTIES
Check out this month’s Westie & Bestie photo
SMALL STEPS, BIG CHANGES
THE RAWVOLUTION
Make the Switch to a Sustainable Lifestyle
Natural Dog Food Direct on produce before profits
Competition
Win a Beco Bone for your Bestie!
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Westies & Besties - Sept 2020
WELCOME
HAVE A VERY WESTIE CHRISTMAS! As we come to the end of another year it is always good to take some time to reflect on what we’ve achieved and where we’re heading. The year 2020 has undoubtedly been a year most of us will never forget but it hasn’t all been doom and gloom. In September, we took a leap of faith and plunged back into the world of publishing by bringing you Westies & Besties Magazine, the UK’s only publication dedicated to Westies and their owners. We’re so grateful for all of your positive feedback and support and in just four months we’ve made many more new friends in the UK and abroad who are just as passionate about West Highland Terriers as we are when it comes to building our knowledge on what’s best for our little rascals. In each of our four editions, we’ve chatted to some of the UK’s leading vets, nutrition experts, dog brands, Westie associations and charities and Westie social media groups to find out what kind of stories you wanted to read and what information you need to know to make your Westie’s life a happier and healthier one. We look forward to interviewing more leading Westie experts in 2021 so that we can pass this information on to all the pet parents wanting the best for their wee white dogs. In the meantime, we wish all of our readers a healthy and happy New Year…along with an abundance of New Year Westie Wishes.
K. Latham Editor
Our Westie, Buffy, Chief Cuddles Officer!
Info@westiesandbesties.com
Publisher – Westies & Besties Ltd Fidlas Road, Llanishen Cardiff CF14 5LZ Editor Kim Latham Tel: +44 7496 310169 Email: Info@westiesandbesties.com Commercial Director Alex Griffin Tel: +44 7496 310173 Email: alex@westiesandbesties.com Web Developer Rhys Davies Email: Info@westiesandbesties.com Design Kutchibok Ltd. Photography Front Cover Image by Shutterstock - Image ID: 1204567075 Printing Warners Midlands PLC Westies & Besties Magazine is published by Westies & Besties Ltd (the “Publisher) and printed on behalf of the publisher by Warners Midlands PLC. Westies & Besties Ltd is registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office Westies & Besties Magazine and the Westie & Bestie logo/masthead are marks of Westies & Besties Ltd. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form without prior written permission of the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within Westies & Besties magazine are not necessarily those of the Publisher or those of its contributors. While every care has been taken in the preparation of this magazine, the publishers cannot be held responsible for the accuracy of the information herein, or any consequences arising from it. The Publishers accept no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts or other materials, in the case of all product reviews. Judgements have been made in the context of the product tested. (All pictures have been supplied unless otherwise mentioned.) Advertisers in this publication must adhere to the rules and regulations of the ASA. Westies & Besties Ltd is not responsible or liable for a company’s adverts.
To subscribe to Westies & Besties Magazine visit: www.westiesandbestiesmagazine.com/subscribe
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CONTENTS
INSIDE This Issue
10 OPINION
Alison Daniel of My Pet Nutritionist talks itchiness and immunity
14 INTERVIEW
Craig Ewing, Managing Director of Natural Dog Food Direct, reveals why produce comes before profit
Photo 127713117 © Maksim Pasko | Dreamstime.com
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Westies & Besties - Dec 2020
16 FEATURE
Alison Page, author of children’s books, Corrie’s Capers, Corrie’s Capers, a trilogy of thrilling adventure stories based on her very own wee Westie
CONTENTS
22 Q&A
Kay DeLoach, Founder of the Westie Rescue of Orange County & Beyond talks rescue, rehabilitation…and LOVE
34 BEHAVIOUR
Dani Moulton reveals her Top 10 Tips to bringing home a rescue dog
36 SUSTAINABILITY
Trudi Lawrie, owner of The Green Greyhound, talks to Westies & Besties on plastics, packaging, and playing a part in improving the planet with healthy, natural products
40 COMPETITION
Win a Beco Bone for your Bestie!
Image by April Parker
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ADVERTORIAL
LS
TAI WAGGY
A
S A M T S I ND CHR TREATS
There is no denying we are a nation of dog lovers, and of course we all want the best for our furry family members. In recent years with the growing awareness of the environment and the need to reduce our carbon pawprints, we wanted to provide the best for our canine companions and for the environment. Which is why Goodchap’s was born! We are a family run, eco-friendly brand specializing in dog products based in Somerset. Our passion is to ensure that our canine family members enjoy healthy, high-quality treats and toys whilst keeping our environmental impact as small as possible. This is why we ensure everything we use is as environmentally-friendly as possible, this means all of our fish-based treats are sustainably sourced from established and trusted fish merchants within the UK, our toys (which we make by hand ourselves,) with 100% unbleached cotton and all of our packaging is 100% plastic free and biodegradable, compostable, or recyclable. We don’t just cater to our fourlegged friends, we also offer a range of bespoke hand illustrated gifts and stationery by local artist Beth Goodwin, which
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also comes in 100% plastic free packaging. As a country we are becoming more aware of what is in our food and choosing healthier options for ourselves, so why would you choose anything else for your canine chums? Because of this we only ever use natural ingredients and ensure there are no hidden nasties, this means our treats are free of additives, wheat, and gluten. As well as being high in protein, low in fat and hypoallergenic. If it isn’t natural, healthy or generally good for your dog, then we don’t sell it. Our fish treats are packed full of omega 3 and range from little nibbles, which are perfect for training your pup, to extra-large and long lasting, which are great for keeping your dog busy as well as keeping their teeth clean and healthyackground task alert But that’s not enough for us, we wanted to do more! We are passionate about dogs, all dogs, no matter where they are from, what breed they are or how old they are, every dog should have its day. which is why we started the Treat a Dog in Need campaign so we can give back to our canine community. For every bag of Mr Fisher’s, Mrs Cook’s and Lil’ Scamp’s sold we
Westies & Besties - Dec 2020
donate treats to rescue centers, we want every dog to enjoy being spoiled while they wait for their forever homes. In the last couple of years since we started our journey we have worked hard to ensure we always keep our furry family members at the heart of what we do, which is why we were named PetQuip Supplier of the year 2020, Awarded the Pet Industry Federations New Business of the Year 2020 and received four PetQuip Silver Product of the Year Awards for our; Catfish Twirls, Catfish Twirl Value Packs our Doggy Bags and our Christmas Cracker. As it is that time of year again, why not celebrate with your canine companions and treat them to something special. Like all of our products our Christmas range is environmentally friendly and as always additive, wheat and gluten free, high in protein, low in fat and hypoallergenic so you can be sure of a healthy, guilt free festive gift that’s sure to get tails wagging! Why not get into the festive spirit with our award winning PetQuips Silver Product of the Year 2020 Christmas Cracker which is filled with 100% salmon treats and two built-in handmade 100% unbleached cotton rope
ADVERTORIAL
toys for you and your dog to pull. Now they can join in the Christmas tradition, the only question is... who will win? Spruce up your tree with a touch of canine joy this year with our Christmas Bauble filled with tasty 100% salmon treats, or find a perfect stocking filler with our Christmas Bites Tin, filled with our 100% salmon treats in a practical and stylish tin to keep your treats fresh while on your winter walks. Give the perfect gift to your little santa paws and get their tails wagging with our Santa Paws Sack, filled with our tasty 100% salmon treats, a festive 100% Cod skin wreath which is a natural and healthy chew and of course an unbleached 100% cotton handmade rope toy. Or spoil them with our 12 Days of Christmas gift box, filled with 12 numbered gifts for each of the 12 days of Christmas. Bursting with our 100% salmon treats, Mr Fisher’s Fish Skins, Mrs Cooks’ Fish Cakes, Fish Fingers, Cod wreath and of course no gift box is complete without our unbleached 100% cotton handmade rope toy. From all of us at Goodchap’s, hound or human, we hope your Christmas is filled with laughter and waggy tails! Use code WESTIES05 for £5 off at goodchaps.co.uk for all Westies and Besties readers, T&Cs apply.
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ADVERTORIAL
Air-drying is a natural form of preserving food, which has been around for hundreds and thousands of years. It is a long and gentle process which uses air flow to remove moisture whilst gradually drying the food out without the use of heat. The Innocent Pet is a British pet food manufacturer based in West Yorkshire who specialise in producing the finest air-dried food and treats for dogs and cats. Today they’re opening the doors of their human-grade factory to show us more about how they make their food.
Air-dried food is a relatively new format of complete food for both dogs and cats. It has filled a gap in the market by offering a unique and nutritious alternative that provides the convenience of a kibble with the health benefits of raw. What makes this food different is that the ingredients are not exposed to high temperatures during production (which destroys the precious nutrients), instead they are gently air-dried to remove the moisture - it’s the closest to raw feeding you can get, yet there is no need to freeze, refrigerate or soak this food. It is ready to serve and can be stored at room temperature. Using quality British ingredients and their bespoke air-drying system, the products are handmade in small batches with minimal processing.
Scan this code for a YouTube video of The Innocent Pet virtual factory tour!
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Westies & Besties - Dec 2020
Innovation The family owned business has been making luxury airdried pet treats since 2013 and fast became recognised in the industry for their high quality, ethically produced products. Last year The Innocent Pet decided to offer customers a complete food that shared the same ethos and qualities as its treats. There were no other UK manufacturers producing a complete air-dried food that supported British farmers and used British meat – not to mention saving thousands of airmiles by not shipping food from the other side of the world. The innovative team went on to create a unique complete food that is suitable for both puppies and adult dogs using ingredients such as British lamb, turkey, and duck as well as wild salmon. Managing Director and Innocent Founder Chloe Heaton said: “Customers love the quality of our treats and have been asking us to make a complete food for years. While keeping our small company’s big values at the forefront of development, we have worked with leading nutritionists to create a unique and exceptional complete meal.”
ADVERTORIAL
Bongo. Chloe. Justin. Mash
Quality To put simply, The Innocent Pet’s air-dried food is raw food without the moisture. This means that the nutritional quality of air-dried food is excellent, as their method does not use heat which reduces nutrient value when cooking. Because of this, it has been important to use quality ingredients which come at a higher price. The food uses 70% British meat or MSC sourced fish from approved suppliers and for every 100g of dried product, 200g of raw ingredients are used which highlights the cost in producing the finest air-dried food. There are no cheap fillers like grain, meal, or bone to bulk out the ingredients – just simple, delicious and nutritious.
Total convenience One of the great benefits of airdried pet food is its convenience. It is similar to kibble because it can be stored easily, with no need to refrigerate, thaw or rehydrate to feed. Simply pour, weigh, and serve. The food is suitable for everyday feeding every day. However, because of this convenience, it also becomes the perfect choice for travelling or feeding on the go. More and more raw-fed dog owners are turning to air-dried food to use in conjunction with their raw diets, which makes it a perfect solution for owners if they have forgotten to defrost food or don’t have access to cold storage. Marketing exec Charlotte Wright commented “Lots of our customers go camping or travelling with their hounds, and our food is the perfect option for raw-fed pets because there’s no need to freeze and it is also packed into handy resealable pouches. Our food has travelled the globe!”
Award - winning There are not many dog foods that can call themselves “the best” – so the team at The Innocent Pet are proud to be part of this exclusive club. The original recipe in their range, British Lamb Casserole, won Best New Dog Food at PATS industry event in 2019, having launched only months earlier and facing stiff competition by several wellknown dog food brands. Chloe commented “As a familyrun small business, we are over the moon that our food has been recognised by the pet industry for its unique and innovative qualities.” The judges’ remarks on the air-dried food were: “This looked and smelled attractive enough for humans to eat – in fact one of the judges tasted it and pronounced it delicious! Attractive to both owners and pets.” The air-dried food range is available in 3kg boxes and 100g sample packs for both dogs and cats, from selected specialist pet retailers or online at www. theinnocentpet.co.uk
Image supplied by Innocent Hound
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OPINION
Itchiness and Immunity Itchiness can be caused by numerous elements, but one thing is for sure, if your Westie’s immune system is low you’re leaving your bestie prone to attack BY ALISON DANIEL OF MY PET NUTRITIONIST
Allergy/itching is one of the most prevalent problems seen by vets and My Pet Nutritionist (MPN) to date. It has almost become my life’s work to understand how and why this happens, as I see clients everyday with the same issues. Natural, fresh food with supplementation and certain lifestyle choices are essential in resolving this issue but we need to understand the complex immune response to deal with the problem effectively. Bear with me. In short, allergies are due to an overactive and underachieving immune system as well as possible genetic and nutritional snips and deficiencies. Intolerances are not essentially sparked by an immune response; however, it is related to the digestion and the immune system. Antigens/allergens can come in different forms. They may be food related (such as chicken, beef or corn), environmental (such as pollen, dust or grass) or an immune response sparked by contact from pesky critters (such as fleas and mites). I always say, whilst we want to learn of the triggers and try and reduce/remove exposure to whatever is making your dog itchy, ultimately we need to look at the immune system and put this back into balance, so intolerances can be rectified and the allergic responses can become lessened by a stronger and balanced immune system.
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Understanding what might be happening
The immune system is so finely and there’s so much we don’t know and some of the following has thin scientific research. In more than basic terms the immune system is split into 2 phases, Th1 and Th2 (actually there is a more newly discovered TH3 and TH17 but let’s not complicate things). Both parts should work in harmony and balance. Th1 and Th2 cells are maintained in a carefully regulated balance. If a bacterium enters the body, it activates Th2 cells that dominate the network to begin a cascade of immune events leading to an antibody response that clears the infection. If a virus enters cells in the body, it activates Th1 cells which dominate and instruct the killer cell response to clear infected cells. Once the infection is cleared up, suppressor cells are activated to shut down the dominate response and bring the network back into what we call a resting state. If the suppressor cells do not act to bring the network back to a resting state, a pathological Th1or Th2 dominated immune system results. A Th1 dominated immune system is characteristic of food intolerances and autoimmune diseases, such as type 1 diabetes where the immune system is attacking normal tissues. A Th2-dominated immune system is characteristic of allergies and cancer and so forth. The incessant itching arises from an excessive and dominant reaction in the immune system. In Th2 allergic reactions (IGE), histamine is the compound released.
Westies & Besties - Dec 2020
OPINION
Allergies are for a lifetime although the immune response can be strengthened and become less severe. My example of this is a personal one. I used to experience life threatening anaphylactic shock to many different nuts. Whilst I don’t claim to resolve this for other people, I can now eat nuts without a life-threatening reaction. I know when I have had a peanut and while they won’t be a selected part of my diet, however you get the premise of my story. Intolerances can change and resolve in time and are a mucosal response in the gut. They aren’t life threatening and actually far more common with regards to food reactions. Food allergy only covers around 10% of allergies in dogs. There are several factors that drive certain parts of the immune system, causing over-reactivity and dominance as explained above.
pho to c red i t – By M a l g i b P h o to g ra phy
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OPINION
Factors to be considered are:
Genetics; it’s like a lottery and no matter what kennel club certifications you may have, there are no guarantees. Breeding has a lot to do with it and can dominate how well they will be in life. Certain breeds are always more at risk and Westies are one of them. We are now aware of a skin genetic mutation in white coated dogs such as Westies, that often leads to a diagnosis of Atopic Dermatitis. This is called Filaggrin mutation, where this protein found in the upper epidermis of the skin, is not effectively made. This protein is responsible for the tight junctures of skin cells, giving skin it’s strong integrity. This is incredibly important as the skin creates an immune and mechanical barrier. The skin with such a mutation, is therefore less integral and leads to a ‘leaky skin’. Looking at oils to put onto the skin and coat can be very helpful. Foetal development and birth; how healthy was your dog’s mother, what was she fed and how many litters has she previously had, all come into play. Certain breeds don’t experience the healthy birthing through the canal such as some French Bull dogs. C-section is proven to under develop the much needed microbiota in your pet’s gut and can pre determine how balanced immunity will be. During pregnancy the mother is TH2 dominant which means, so is your pup when born, this is cleverly put back into balance during whelping and weaning. Breast feeding/whelping and weaning; feeding from mother and getting the first colostrum and being fed like this for a good 5-6 weeks is so important for immunity and reactions. Many people arrive home with their new pet as early as 5 weeks’ old, which is way too young. This
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B y M a l G i b pho to g ra phy
might not allow for puppy or kitten to modulate immunity and come out of TH2 dominance and balance nicely. Environmental challenges in the early months; Initial vaccinations are important, but timing is essential in allowing the immune system to respond accordingly. Over vaccination is one of the main reasons I start to see dogs as young as 6 months old. Also being exposed to different proteins and a healthy diet helps build a positive immunity and reaction to foods in future months. The first few months determine a lot with regards to intolerances and allergies. How our pet interfaces with the world, very much dictates whether immune dysfunction comes into play from the above points. These causative factors are environmental, and the below considerations need to be looked at in its entirety.
Causative factors of itching to be considered
Physiological and emotional stress; we know stress triggers inflammation and a TH2 dominance, those with allergies are naturally more TH2 dominant. Helping to support stress is key in this issue. We know that cortisol can spark histamine production.
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Intestinal permeability; allowing for the escape of undigested proteins and pathogens through the gut wall and directly into the bloodstream, evoking prolonged inflammatory immune responses. Stress, diet, poor microbiota and environmental toxins can all destroy the ‘one cell epithelial wall’ and mucosa that cause intestinal permeability. Food intolerances are very much related to ‘leaky gut syndrome’. Altered gut microflora; c-section, early weening, stress, diet, hormones and so on can affect gut bacteria and immunity. Supporting good bacteria in the gut is essential for the support of intolerances and allergies, with extensive research showing diverse microbiota helps modulate inflammatory reactions. At MPN, we recommend soil bacteria in supplement form. Hormonal imbalances: cortisol, oestrogen, thyroid hormones are actively associated with histamine behaviour and imbalance of immunity TH2 dominance. We de-sex most of our dogs and wonder why they have so many issues. Looking at a greater picture can help resolve itching.
OPINION
Diet: poor or an inappropriate diet can trigger TH1 or TH2 dominance and so will make reactivity worse. Some foods such as wheat, grains, soy, gluten and corn are known foods to elicit reactions, but it can get really complicated. Dry food is not something that I recommend due to a high starch content and often inappropriate ingredients, cooked to extreme temperatures. Research shows us that sugar raises the cytokine inflammatory cascade and a rise in cortisol and damage to gut microbiota (good gut bacteria). Changing to fresh food can be quite transformative. Trying to select novel proteins that your dog has never been exposed to is helpful for 4-6 weeks whilst one heals the gut and restores with bacteria. Nutritional deficiency: there are some nutritional deficiencies that are worth considering in itchy dogs. I always check Iodine, Vitamin D and Zinc. This isn’t an exhaustive list but a good start. You can ask your vet nicely to see if they will test for you. Genetics: certain genetic polymorphisms affect immune TH1/TH2 dominance, DAO/
MAO polymorphisms mean genetically your pet is less able to metabolise/breakdown histamines in the body. Heavy metal toxicity: I don’t need to tell you how this toxicity infiltrates and permeates every function in the body, affecting immunity. If you give monthly treatments, this will drive TH2 dominance and reactivity. Poor detoxification pathways: the body needs to be able to excrete certain metabolites for healthy immunity including histamine. The liver is a powerhouse and needs to rid the body of all metabolites. Vaccinations; oh my. This appears to be the number one reason why the immune imbalance is skewed in favour of TH2 (allergies). Vaccinating requires a whole other article but in short, we shouldn’t persistently poke at the immune response by over vaccinating every year. At MPN, we recommend titre testing. Ask your vet to look into Vaccicheck. Considering several different factors and learning how to modulate the immune system
allows us to deal with this naturally and successfully. Food, nutritional supplements and herbs can favourably skew and re-balance dominant T-cell pathways between TH1 and TH2. More on adaptogenic herbs, nutraceuticals and other fabulous ingredients next time! As we see in allopathic medicine, immuno medications don’t discriminate, they switch off the ‘normal and healthy’ functioning of the immune system. Steroids, Apoquel and Cytopoint can have a detrimental effect on the longterm health of your pet. Whilst we are all about quality of life, looking at nutritional inventions first is always recommended. Drugs should be a last resort. We cover every aspect of immune response in our consultations. Please know that regardless of intolerance or allergy, there is so much we can do with nutrition. I often hear people say, I don’t need to address the nutrition as it’s an environmental allergy. Please know nutritional status depicts our health and how well we will respond to environmental stressors.
Westies & Besties readers are eligible for a 20% discount from My Pet Nutritionist by using code WESTIE20.
P h o to 3 55 8 8927 © C l e a r v i s ta | D re am s t i m e .c o m
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INTERVIEW
THE RAWVOLUTION CRAIG EWING, MANAGING DIRECTOR OF RAW DOG FOOD BRAND, NATURAL DOG FOOD DIRECT, SHARES HIS COMPANY’S ETHOS AND REVEALS WHY PRODUCE COMES BEFORE PROFITS Natural Dog Food Direct is a family-owned business that has been in the meat trade for over 50 years. What do you think has been the secret to your success and how much has your customer-based changed as more dog-owners switch to raw? Our success to date has been largely due to profit not being our driving force. Don’t get me wrong, we need to earn money to pay our way, but we don’t do what we do to produce vast amounts of personal wealth. In fact, I have never had a penny in wages, dividends or any form of remuneration since we started, this outlook gives us the ability to do things that are best for the product rather than best for earning money. My philosophy is profit is the by-product of a job done well. Having said that, a great advantage is our knowledge and experience of meat and all that a product entails, this knowledge has enabled us to have the confidence to grow to meet current and expected needs especially from the supply and expenditure perspective. This has given us the ability to grow to accommodate the vast growth in dog owners moving over to
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raw in the past few years as they have become far more aware of the advantages to feeding raw. There has been one giant bound in awareness in the last few years.was anybody interested in a pencil drawing of their pet. I was amazed to see how many requests turned up. Your ‘Naked Dog’ brand recently launched a ‘Westie in Need’ campaign in a bid to help a Westie with skin problems. How important is it as a brand to educate consumers on the benefits of feeding raw food to a Westie? Very important. Our ethos is to make food that supports dogs to feel happy and well. Whilst raw feeding may appear a new, unique, way of feeding dogs it is simply the feeding of fresh, unprocessed foods. Something we all know benefits our children, and even ourselves. Over the years Westies as a breed have struggled with many ailments related to yeast in their system, digestive problems, or skin detoxifications. A fresh food diet has shown time and time again to be a big part of the puzzle in healing these ailments. For the love of Westies, it is
Westies & Besties - Dec 2020
important to share just how easy and safe it is now to switch them on to fresh, raw food and offer the same opportunity to more and more dogs. Education is ultimately knowledgeable support, for owners and for dogs. It’s difficult to prove that raw food is best for a dog when there is little scientific evidence to support this viewpoint. What’s your response to this? The proof is in the results. Raw feeding is still emerging or should I say re-emerging as it’s no secret that dogs ate raw fresh food in the wild since Adam was a lad and the fact that dogs haven’t evolved yet to eat a different kind of food, science will eventually back this up. Evolution and biology are branches of science and both support all animals eating fresh wholefoods. There has also been some very interesting findings from recent studies published in Finland showing levels of healthy changes in dogs, such as a drop in Homocysteine levels when they are switched to a fresh raw food diet, study and research style evidence is definitely beginning to build.
INTERVIEW
How important is it to your brand to have a nutritionist onboard? Very important as this gives us the ability to continue to evolve our Naked Dog meals in the right direction and stay ahead of the curve with future developments, it also brings verification to meals and the brand, in so much that meals are considered and nutritionally balanced, it also means customers know they have full nutritional support should they wish to make dietary changes or understand which food would make the optimal changes to well-being concerns. As a manufacturer of raw dog food what can you tell our readers about your company and processes that they may not already know? (hygiene certificates for example or accreditation) Here are a few things about the processes and what we do that that most people don’t know. We are one of if not the largest white label producer of raw food in the country and have helped people grow their brands and dreams massively in recent years. This doesn’t mean that people can contact us and we will make their food for them, far from it, I
have to believe in what they are trying to do and for what reasons before I will even consider it, we don’t just make food we make DOG food and that comes with certain responsibilities. All the meat we use is fresh frozen, which means when the meat is processed it is frozen straight away as opposed to being packed and sitting in a fridge for a few weeks or until a couple of days of its shelf life then frozen. This really makes a difference as it keeps all the good stuff in and the bad stuff out. Once received at our purposebuilt DEFFRA approved raw meat facility, the product is processed frozen. In fact it starts off at minus eighteen degrees and doesn’t go above minus two, then once produced it is put straight into our freezing chambers to get the product back to minus eighteen as quickly as possible this is instrumental in how the product ends up in so much as shelf life, controlling bacteria and smell, we get comments all the time that our food doesn’t smell, this is due to how we produce it. Raw dog food is predominately meat which means that it needs
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to be made by people who understand meat and all that goes with that. Now I know it is possible to knock your dog up some food in your kitchen with a blender some scales and a knife, how hard can it be I hear you say, well it isn’t until you start to do that on a massive basis and it’s not just you making it you start having to rely on other people who don’t have your knowledge or ability. This is why we have built our process with predominately meat industry experienced people at the forefront which is vital as you start to make tonnes and tonnes every day of every week, and it’s not just making it, for every tonne made more than a tonne comes in that has to be checked for quality, temperature, production dates etc, then it has to be stored properly until required for production. What makes Naked Dog different to other raw food manufacturers? Passion, knowledge, process and experience, and the fact that we aren’t profit driven, all of this enables us to be at the forefront of the Rawvolution.
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F E AT U R E
A l i s o n Pa g e
How did becoming a children’s author come about? Did you always know you’d write about Westies?
I live on the Isle of Arran which is sometimes referred to as “Scotland in miniature”. I feel truly blessed as Arran is most certainly a perfect place to write any book. When I was out walking Corrie, my westie, several times each day, I would return home brimming with ideas and inspiration for storylines. My books were always going to involve my wee Westie. I used to live and work on the mainland Monday to Friday and then spend every weekend on Arran. The locals call it “ferry louping” when you go back and forth so often. I would sail over with Corrie and if we weren’t up on deck enjoying the sea breeze, we would sit in the “doggy lounge” of MV Caledonian Isles (the area of the ferry where dogs are permitted). Corrie was loved by everyone she met, and we made many new canine friends over the years while on our travels.
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During peak Easter and Summer sailings there would be so many West Highland Terriers on board I used to say it was like a Westie Convention! I write stories for children aged 7 and under so convention was far too big a word for wee ones to get their heads round. Cue “Corrie’s Capers Books” … and so “The Westie Fest” (my first picture book) was born! I am most fortunate, I write stories for personal enjoyment, not to earn a living. I’m an indie author so am responsible for writing, producing, distributing and marketing my picture books. (Yes, it is me that goes to the post office with the book orders too!) I wanted to capture these very personal stories about my precious West Highland Terrier while Corrie was still with me. I also wanted my dear Mum (now 90 years old) and other relatives to read my books and enjoy the family aspects threaded throughout.
Westies & Besties - Dec 2020
F E AT U R E
You donate a percentage of money to your chosen charities from the sale of your books - how important is this to you?
I am the Isle of Arran Ambassador for the charity, Mary’s Meals. I decided that if I did actually manage to cover my costs and make any money, I would split that equally between funding the next book and feeding starving children through the Scottish-based charity Mary’s Meals. School plus good equals’ hope. I wanted to write but didn’t start this project thinking I would necessarily make any money. The picture book business is hugely competitive and it’s really tough trying to get your book looked at never mind accepted to go onto a shelf by any shop never mind any of the major bookstores (yes, that’s still work in progress). I am so, so grateful to the Independent bookstores and all my lovely stockists who took a chance on me and purchased Corrie’s Capers Books. There was always a serious risk I would end up lining my loft with books but thanks to all the people who have purchased copies of Corrie’s Capers books, I have managed to donate £7,700 to Mary’s Meals so far. Now that I have covered the costs of illustrating and printing my current stock, ALL proceeds from book sales are going to this wonderful charity.
A l l i l l u s t ra t i o n s by K i r s ty Ox l e y a n d To ny va n B reu g e l .
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F E AT U R E
Corrie's Capers is based on the adventures of your own beautiful Westie, Corrie who lived to be 15 years of age. Is there something magical about Westies?
Magical? Oh yes indeed! My grandfather owned a Westie and the spell was cast; I always knew if I was ever lucky enough to own a dog it would have to be a West Highland Terrier. I think West Highland Terriers are most certainly a very special breed. They have such character and a mind of their own – with their precious faces and rascal traits which can’t help but bring a smile to your face. Corrie was my absolute bestie and I miss her so very much.
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F E AT U R E
Kirsty Oxley and Tony van Breugel are your book illustrators. How well did their work reflect your imagination?
Given their different styles and levels of experience, I think Kirsty and Tony both made a super job of illustrating Corrie’s Capers. They allowed me to bring to life Corrie’s special personality as well as the places she lived or visited on her adventures.
Will you write more books?
To be completely honest, I’m not sure yet. I’ve already been asked by one Primary School when the next Corrie’s Capers book will be coming! (No pressure, I thought I’d done quite well producing three books in three years!!) When my precious Corrie crossed over the Rainbow bridge in April, I have to admit, I thought that would probably be the end of her book capers too. But, how does the saying go? “Never say never …”
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F E AT U R E
Where can people buy your books?
Corrie’s Capers books are available to purchase from my on-line shop www.westie.scot/shop/ Now I have a question for you: Are there any Westie loving Primary School teachers out there? Covid-19 has prevented me from offering author readings in schools this year so I have recorded a downloadable on-line option for use in schools or nurseries (suitable for Age 7 and under). If you are interested, please get in touch and mention Westies & Besties Magazine and we will hatch a plan.
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Westies & Besties - Dec 2020
F E AT U R E
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Q&A
Kay DeLoach, Founder of the Westie Rescue of Orange County & Beyond talks rescue, rehabilitation… and LOVE
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Q&A
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Q&A
I m a g e by A m a n d a A r n a s o n f ro m P i x a bay
The Westie Rescue of Orange County & Beyond was established in 2008. How far have you come as a rescue centre since then? What inspired you to open the centre?
Westie Rescue of Orange County & Beyond (WROC) is an IRS recognized 501(c)(3) Westie rescue charitable corporation serving all of California. Our mission is to rescue, rehabilitate and find homes for West Highland White Terriers, to help control the animal population by spaying and neutering our dogs before they are placed in permanent homes, and to provide the public with education about our breed and its needs. We do not have a facility. We are an all-volunteer non-profit 501c3 corporation and our dogs are fostered in private homes. They are treated like family
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pets until we find the perfect home for them. Since we started WROC we have placed 548 dogs. Our inspiration is love of these little white dogs, their spirit & determination, and the joy they bring to our lives.
As a rescue centre, you specialise in Westie skin issues. What have you learnt and what advice can you give our readers whose westies are having skin problems?
We receive many Westies in our program that were relinquished by their owners or turned in to shelters because they suffer from skin disorders. Many are due to neglect, some because they are at their wits end trying to rectify the problem, and others because of countless veterinarian visits at an extraordinary expense and a variety of medication does not fix the problem. A pill does not fix the problem, but
Westies & Besties - Dec 2020
with time and patience and proper and methodical diet, veterinarian prescribed medications to jump start the immune system and medicated soft brush baths, we have had great success with skin issues.
Since we started WROC we have placed 548 dogs.
Q&A
Your Centre covers the whole of California. How big a task is this? How many Westies (on average) do you take in each month?
We could not do what we do without our extensive network of volunteers, supporters and friends who assist with transporting, fostering, and donating until we find homes for our dogs. In previous years, we averaged about 50-60 dogs per year. This year is much quieter due to current circumstances.
Why did you decide to take in only Westies and no other breeds?
Our first dogs were Westies, and we love the breed. Most importantly, senior Westies have a special place in our hearts! They want nothing more than the chance to enjoy the rest of their lives in a home where they will be loved. We never turn our backs on an older or sick Westie and when there are Scotties, Cairns, Silkies, or terrier mixes in need, we find them homes also.
I m a g e – s u p pl i e d by P i x a bay.
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CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE
Westie Wond
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Westies & Besties - Dec 2020
CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE
derland
B y M a l G i b P h o to g ra phy
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CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE
Cobbydog Turkey and Vegetable Cold Pressed Christmas Dinner
Treat your dog to a traditional Christmas dinner! Our premium tasty, natural, and nutritious Turkey Dog Food is formulated using 100% natural ingredients. We carefully mix these healthy ingredients and press them together at a low temperature right here in our factory in Yorkshire, to preserve all their natural tasty goodness. 3kg £19.50 delivered in the UK www.cobbydog.com
Looking for a gift this Christmas? Got a pet that wanders? Or are you worried your pet’s not getting enough exercise? Pawfit 2 offers the perfection solution by combining GPS, WiFi, cellular technology with light and sound tracking, all controlled by the amazing Pawfit App. Buy it NOW for £54.99 www.pawfit.com
Monthly flea treatment from Itch
LickiMat®
Treat your Westie this Christmas to a flea-free life, fur-ever! Get started with Itch and receive personalised, effective flea treatments delivered through your letterbox. So you’ll never forget to protect your Bestie again. Free for your first month, from just £6.50 a month after that. www.itchpet.com
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Pawfit 2
The LickiMat® range is available in different surfaces and styles and has many uses including as boredom breaker, a slow feeder or to help soothe anxiety. Experiment with toppings or load with Sprinkles® to offer an enriching innovative treat experience to all dogs. For further information, please go to www.Lickimat.com . Or contact info@sharplespet.com / 01704 550044 to be directed to a local stockist.
Westies & Besties - Dec 2020
CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE
Pet Remedy Boredom Buster
Hide your dog’s favourite treats in the pockets to encourage their natural instinct to forage, eat and rest. The concentration needed to hunt for treats will be tiring for your dog leading to the need for rest or sleep after a period of stimulation and enrichment. £25 www.petremedy.co.uk/product/boredom-buster-foraging-kit/
Albion Meat products
Albion Meat products have over 30 years experience of producing quality meat products for your Canine companions. We have recently launched various new products in our Country Bowl and Standard ranges to include two new Puppy products. For details please contact 01386 554095 or email info@albionmeatproducts.co.uk
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CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE
TurmerEase™ - The Golden Gift for Dogs this Christmas
Tasty premium turmeric supplement slices which have a grain free, high meat, hypoallergenic formula, to aid joint health by supporting the body’s natural inflammation processes. Made from ethically sourced raw chicken, they also contain ingredients to aid digestion and promote skin and coat condition. Suitable for dogs and cats. £24.99 www.goldenpastecompany.co.uk/collections/for-dogs-cats/ products/turmerease www.goldenpastecompany.com
Canine Christmas Cracker - Goodchap’s
PETQUIP’S PRODUCT OF THE YEAR – SILVER AWARD Filled with natural 100% salmon treats and two built-in handmade cotton rope toys for you and your dog to pull! • No additives • Hypoallergenic • Wheat & gluten free • Eco-friendly & plastic free • Made in Britain Use code WESTIES05 for £5 off orders over £30 - T&C’s apply. www.goodchaps.co.uk
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Vet’s Kitchen Little Stars Dog Treats
Healthy, fun, bite-sized stars that can be easily broken up into smaller pieces - ideal for smaller dogs. Available in three delicious flavours packed with benefits for Smart+, Active+ and Sensitive+ dogs. Made with natural, hypoallergenic ingredients and no artificial additives, they’re the perfect calorie-rated guilt free Christmas stocking filler! Price: £1.50 www.vetskitchen.co.uk
Dogrobes, the perfect, practical gifts
Dogrobes are the easy way to dry your dog. The award-winning drying coats dry dogs quickly, keep them warm and comfort them. Made from an exclusive, lightweight, super-absorbent fabric, they tie for the perfect fit every time. Made in Britain…..to last! Toy size £24.95 - 9 plain colours Toy size £34.95 - 6 unique patterns 0800 151 3188 www.dogrobes.co.uk
Westies & Besties - Dec 2020
CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE
Gifts Galore at Harbour Hounds
Coastal cool brand Harbour Hounds has got Christmas all wrapped up. Snuggly drying robes (1) - great after wet walks or baths; Pawsome Pressie (2), Fun & Games (3) and Good Dog (4) Gift Boxes contain three gorgeous gift-wrapped items, including a handy Drying Mitt; eco-toys Bruce the Spruce (5) and Rudy the Reindeer (6), and Rudolph’s Party Mix biscuits. Your dog’s Christmas sorted. www.harbourhounds.com
Innocent Hound
Christmas Cake Mix for dogs “Your hound can join in the festivities with our grain-free Christmas Cake Mix! Made with air-dried British turkey, this dog-friendly cake mix is easy to make, quick to bake, and perfect for a Christmas pawty. Make into one big cake or smaller pup cakes and share with your furry friends.” Price: £10 www.theinnocentpet.co.uk/collections/gifts-for-dogs/ products/grain-free-dog-christmas-cake-mix
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BESTIES
The Three Mu and Friends FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: JESSICA AND MARTA, HEATHER AND MONTY, GRACE AND MOLLIE IN FINDHORN BAY, MORAY. Image by Matthew Powell
Does your Westie have a Bestie? Email your high-resolution photos to info@westiesandbesties.com and we’ll publish your pooch and his best friend!
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Westies & Besties - Dec 2020
BESTIES
usketeers…
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BEHAVIOUR
TOP 10 TIPS FOR BRINGING HOME YOUR RESCUE WESTIE BY DANI MOULTON
1. THE RULE OF THREE If you don’t feel 100% comfortable with your rescued Westie straight away, don’t panic. In our experience it often takes at least three days for your new dog to work out where they are, three weeks for them to work out the routine, and three months before they start to show who they truly are.
2. TAKE IT SLOW Start by making their new world a small one. Only provide access to one or two rooms of the house and don’t expect them to want three-hour long walks on their first day. Let them take their time to understand where they are and what is expected of them in this environment. Don’t take them to family gatherings or have all your friends’ round to meet them in the first few weeks. Just like a new lodger, you both need time to build a bond and create lines of communication.
3. DONT RUSH For some rescues, especially puppy farm dogs, it isn’t a good idea to smother them with love when they first arrive home. Some Westies may not be used to being handled or may not have even lived in a house before. It’s important for them to feel like they can come to you for affection when it suits them, rather than on the humans’ terms. It’s also important that they are not over stimulated in the early weeks.
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4. REMOVE POINTS OF CONFLICT
8. TIME, PATIENCE AND ATTITUDE
This extends to having a human free sleeping space, feeding away from humans (pick up the bowl hours after use), keeping toys away and not taking them directly from your rescue. The early days are all about building trust, which can build faster and deeper with less points of contention.
Like all friendships building a relationship takes time. Only take on a rescue dog if you are willing to take the small steps needed, are willing to push through the accidents, and ask yourself what your expectations are. If you expect ‘the perfect pooch’ this may not work for you or your Westie. While most dogs are rehomed due to personal circumstances, some may have behavioural issues which need working through and a positive attitude and positive reinforcement training is essential.
5. WRITE HOUSE RULES To help with consistency in training make sure that all family members are aligned on what the rules for your Westie will be before your pup arrives.
6. VISIT YOUR WESTIE If possible, try to visit your Westie more than once at the rescue centre. This way you can build a bond with them before they come home. Ask to take them on a walk outside of the centre to observe their behaviour in a public space. Speak with different team members and volunteers to see what else you can find out about their personalities.
7. DON’T BOMBARD YOUR DOG Your West Highland Terrier is learning to trust you as its new owner, and this can often take time. Don’t take your dog to lots of family events in these early days where they will be the centre of attention or introduce them to a stream of people. Most dogs we see have never been to a human party before and may be unsure of how to behave or they may become fearful.
Westies & Besties - Dec 2020
9. STAY IN TOUCH We love to hear how our dogs are doing in their new homes. It’s always rewarding to see photos and videos of them settled in their homes but sometimes our new owners need extra support. We, like many other rescue centres, have a team of experts and a professional behaviourist volunteer who provide free aftercare and advice following an adoption.
10. GET SUPPORT Whilst most dogs who are rehomed don’t show any behavioural issues, it is important to make contact with a local trainer to support you on your journey. We often remember to train our puppies but forget about the additional training your rescue dog may need you to arrange. Dani Moulton is the owner of Dani’s Balanced Dogs and is also a volunteer for Dog’s Friends, a charity set up to find better homes for unwanted and unloved dogs.
BEHAVIOUR
D a n i M o u l to n
B u f f y, by A l e x G ri f f i n
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S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y
Trudie Lawrie Owner of The Green Greyhound talks to Westies & Besties on plastics, packaging, and playing a part in solving it When we adopted our ex-racing greyhound a year ago, I never imagined it would lead us down the path of setting up a business inspired by him. When he arrived, he was unsettled, nervous and always stressed about getting food. He would literally take whatever he could, however he could. We ended up with child locks on cupboards and stairgates banning him from the kitchen. He would even take food clean out of your hand if you ate near him. Walks became stressful, he would find empty food containers everywhere. No matter how small or well hidden, he would find them and try and eat them whether there was food in them or not. It was during our daily dog walks that we noticed just how much plastic waste there was and just how much of it was inappropriately disposed of. We aren’t just talking the odd empty crisp packet either. Every day we found random empty meat packets, bottles, broken dog toys, empty make-up containers, cleaning bottles, fast food packaging etc. Things you would never expect to see in a remote woodland or floating down a Scottish stream. It got us thinking about how much waste was actually out there and the damage it was causing. After all, if our domesticated dog was trying to eat it all, what must the wild animals make of it. Somehow, somewhere along the line, I went from talking about the problem with plastic to trying to play my part in solving it. It gives me great satisfaction knowing that I am helping others to make sustainable changes for both themselves and their families – including their pets.
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A l l i m a g e s by T h e G re en G re y h o u n d
Making the Switch to a Sustainable Lifestyle
I genuinely understand how daunting it can seem to switch to a more sustainable lifestyle which is why I decided from the beginning to make it as easy as possible for people to make small simple swaps – because small changes really do make a big difference. While The Green Greyhound may be less than year old, I am not entirely new to eco-friendly living or products.
Westies & Besties - Dec 2020
S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y
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S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y
“If each household swapped just one plastic pet product each, that would take at least 12 million plastic products out of production” Prior to starting this business, I have been helping homeowners to maintain their homes and make them more energy efficient for almost two decades. As a family, we have been re-using, repurposing and upcycling for years too! We also hate food waste and have done our best to buy local, fresh and with as little plastic as possible. In the last five years I have started to see a growing trend away from linear consumption, that is to buy – use – bin, and a shift toward greater sustainability. That said, this change has been slow and there is a lot more that can and should be done by individuals and policy makers to help support businesses and consumer alike to make sustainable changes. Our background means that we understand how issues of sustainability cannot and should not be considered in isolation and I decided to only stock products that were as eco-friendly as possible. I consider the impacts of each product from start to finish to maximise the benefit to the customer and environment. From experience, I understand how hard it can be to sort the fact from fiction and know it can be hard to know where to start. That is why I do all the hard work so that my customers don’t have to and can buy with confidence. It was extremely important to me to stock a wide range of products for pets alongside the more traditional eco-friendly product ranges. Not least because we understand animals benefit from chemical free and natural products too, but because we live in a nation of animal lovers where 12 million of us (or 45% of all households) own at least one pet, according to a 2018 report by the Pet Food Manufacturer’s Association. With the vast majority of pet products containing plastics or other toxins, if each household swapped just one plastic pet product each, that would take at least 12 million plastic products out of production. Imagine the impact we could make if we swapped two or three products each. It soon adds up.
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S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y
Challenges Our biggest challenge so far has been finding our producers. We have taken great care to only stock suppliers who share our ethos and I have to thank The Dog and I, The Wild Dog Co., Surya Luna and Greene and Wilde for working with us. With 2021 fast approaching we are looking to the future and plan on expanding our product ranges and maybe even start producing some of our own – so watch this space. Westie owners can buy from us safe in the knowledge that we stock something for every dog, owner, and home. For the dogs, we have a range of products including shampoos that help all fur types, including those with oily coats or irritated skin as well as doggy conditioner. We also have a range of skin and paw balms and salves to help keep your pets’ skin moisturised and nourished. We have even just introduced a natural and sustainable dog toy range too. We also sell cleaning products to help clean those dirty dog dishes or wipe away muddy pawprints and we also have skincare products and soaps to help owners protect their hands and skin after walking in those autumnal downpours.
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COMPETITION
The ideal Christmas gift for your bestie – here’s a treat every Westie will enjoy sinking their teeth into! Extra thick and springy, the near-indestructible Beco Bone is well-suited to heavy chewers, the perfect challenge for any terrier ‘toy destroyers’ in your family! Beco, the UK’s leading manufacturer of ecofriendly, sustainably sourced pet products, uses 100% natural rubber for their toy bones, which have a hollow core ideal for hiding treats. Big fans of Westies & Besties magazine, Beco have given us 10 FREE bones from their *Toys Section (*clue!) to give away as Christmas presents to our readers.
To WIN YOUR FREE Beco Bone, visit www.becopets.com to find the answer to this question: WHICH THREE COLOURS DO BECO BONES COME IN?
Simply email your answer along with your name and address to Info@westiesandbesties.com by 5pm on 15th December 2020. As an extra Christmas treat for all Westies & Besties readers, Beco is also offering 20% off all items in your first purchase at www.becopets.com if you use the code WESTIES20.
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Westies Westies&&Besties Besties--Dec Dec 2020
Terms & Conditions This competition opens on 9th December 2020 and answers must reach Westies & Besties Magazine by 5pm on 15th December 2020. Entrants can enter the competition by email or by post. Postal entries should be sent to 166, Fidlas Road, LLanishen, Cardiff, CF14 5LZ. The first 10 correct answers by competition entrants who have also supplied their address received by email/post will be posted a Beco Bone by Beco. Only one entry per household is permitted. By entering this competition, entrants agree that Westies & Besties Magazine has permission to share the winner’s address with Beco purely with the purpose of sending a free Beco Bone prize.
COMPETITION
I m a g e s u p pl i e d by B e c o
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POEM
By Alison Page, Author of Corrie’s Capers.
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Westies & Besties - Dec 2020