mellow - James Wellbeloved

Wellbeloved
THE MAGAZINE WITH A SERIOUS COMMITMENT TO YOUR PETS’ HEALTH
AUTUMN/WINTER 2012/ISSUE 46
mellow
moments
Treasure the sights, sounds
and scents of autumn with your pets
Golden oldies
Paul Martin
Skye Terrier
New Christmas Boxes
Available from 5th November*
Packed full of treats, toys and e-vouchers
CRACKERJACKS
CHRISTMAS BOX
£5.99
MINIJACKS
CHRISTMAS BOX
£5.99
CAT
CHRISTMAS BOX
Available from participating specialist pet shops
*Whilst Stocks Last
For a list of local stockists and to subscribe to our free e-newsletter
www.wellbeloved.com
© Crown Pet Foods Ltd 2012 - All Rights Reserved.
£4.49
welcome
inside
features
A very warm welcome to the
autumn/winter edition of
Wellbeloved magazine. It’s the
perfect time of year to combine
frosty walks outside with curling
up beside the fire next to a furry
companion – which is also the
perfect time to read your copy
of Wellbeloved!
We’ve a packed issue for
you with lots of interesting
features and great prizes to
win – including Crufts tickets,
Christmas boxes, a cosy cat
bed and more!
At the back of the magazine
we have a reader survey, which
is your chance to tell us what
you think. By completing and
returning it, you’ll be entered
into a prize draw to win a year’s
supply of pet food. It’s even
easier to fill it in online, and every
online survey completed will
receive a money-off e-voucher,
so do take five minutes to do it if
you can. We do appreciate it!
cover images: Getty, Ardea, Animal Photography, BBC Photo Library
Enjoy this issue!
06
08
14
16
18
New kid on the block
Taking on a rescue pet
The good stuff
What makes our food so special?
Perfect partners
The latest thinking on the canine/human relationship
Roxy’s story
A reader’s pet
Senior cats
Making life cosy
regulars
04
10
13
20
23
24
26
News
What’s Ava up to?
Breed profile
The Skye Terrier
Celebrity chat
With Paul Martin
Ask the experts
Your pet queries
What’s on
Inspiring days out
Your letters
And photos!
Competition
Win tickets to Crufts 2013
contributors
Anna Harris
(with Rosie)
eDITOR
Designed and produced by
Specialist, Clifton Heights,
Triangle West, Bristol BS8 1EJ.
Tel: 0117 925 1696. www.specialistuk.com
Editorial: Anna Harris, Helen Martin
Creative: Emily Turner
Picture research: Sinead Millea
All paper in this magazine is sourced from
suppliers promoting sustainable forest
management. For more information visit
www.pefc.org. This magazine uses print
technology that accords to the ISO 14001
environmental standard.
James Wellbeloved
are members of
Claire Bessant
John Bonner
Holly Mash
Dr Bradley Viner
Claire is a leading
cat expert and the
chief executive of
the Feline Advisory
Bureau (FAB). She
has edited numerous
books about our
feline friends. In this
issue, Claire looks
at how we can
make life cosy and
comfortable for our
treasured older cats.
The former
news editor of
Veterinary Record,
John is a freelance
science journalist.
He specialises in
animal behaviour,
genetics and
physiology, and
is a member of
the Medical
Journalists’
Association.
Holly is a veterinary
surgeon specialising
in complementary
medicine, including
homeopathy and
acupuncture. She
is based in Bristol,
where she has
her own referral
practice, and also
runs regular holistic
medicine clinics in
West London.
Bradley is a practising
vet and offers expert
advice regularly on TV
and in the press. He
is an elected council
member of the Royal
College of Veterinary
Surgeons and often
works with Battersea
Dogs & Cats Home.
This issue, he helps
out with an itchy pet
problem on page 21.
www.wellbeloved.com
03
round-up
Christmas
presents all
wrapped up
You can make sure
your pets don’t miss
out on Father Christmas’s
treats, with these super James
Wellbeloved Christmas Boxes. The
boxes come complete with a selection
of our delicious, natural pet foods, a toy and an
e-voucher, valid against your next purchase.
For cats, there’s the Cat Christmas Box and for
dogs a choice of either the CrackerJacks, or the
MiniJacks Christmas Box. Available from
.Smart, stylish
and informative...
we’re thrilled to
announce that we’re on the brink of
launching our new and beautiful
cat and kitten packaging. After
much consideration, we feel that
the new packaging communicates
the James Wellbeloved attributes
we are so proud of, such as our
commit ment to high quality, natural
foods and our British heritage.
Together with contemporary
photographs of delightful cats and
kittens, the new James Wellbeloved
packaging will be a cut above the
rest on pet store shelves. We love it
and hope you will too! Look out for
it in the spring...
04
of each to
give away!
participating retailers from November while
stocks last, we have 25 Christmas Boxes for
cats and 25 for dogs to give away!
To enter our prize draw, simply email
your name, address and phone number to
anna.wellbeloved@specialistuk.com writing ‘Cat
Box’ or ‘Dog Box’ in the subject line, or post to ‘Cat
Box’ or ‘Dog Box’, Wellbeloved Magazine, Clifton
Heights, Triangle West, Clifton, Bristol BS8 1EJ.
The 25 winners of both prize draws will be
selected at random after the closing date of
30 November 2012. Good luck and don’t
forget to leave a carrot out for the reindeers!
Big Bike Ride for Dogs for the Disabled
The fantastic fundraisers at James Wellbeloved have done it again, by completing a gruelling
bike ride from London to Brighton to raise money for training a Dogs for the Disabled puppy.
The 54-mile James Wellbeloved Big Bike Ride took place in September. Caroline Gray was one
of the Wellbeloved team who took on the challenge. She said: “The ride was really
good fun. I was expecting it to be hard work and it was! But, with
2,000 cyclists taking part, a beautiful clear day and a great sense
of teamwork, the ride flew by and we all finished feeling elated and
proud of what we’d achieved.”
You may remember that some of the team at James Wellbeloved
took part in a sponsored climb of Mount Snowdon last year. This
paid for the delightful Ava (see our panel, right) to take her first
steps as a Dogs for the Disabled puppy. Trained assistance dogs
offer freedom and independence to children and adults with
disabilities and children with autism. From practical tasks like
pulling on socks, to emotional and physical benefits, these dogs
are incredibly special.
You can still donate to boost the team’s fundraising efforts.
Visit www.justgiving.com/jwbbigcycle and click on the
T he Ja mes Wellbelov
‘donate’ button. Thank you!
images: Getty
Feline
fantastic
25
in cludin g Ca e G ed team,
ra y (t
afte r reachi ngrolin
th e fi nish linope.le ft),
www.wellbeloved.com
Have a Happy New Year
with our 2013 calendar
50
to be
won!
What better way to start each month than flipping your
calendar over to another beautiful image of a stunning
pet, captured by one of your fellow Wellbeloved readers?
This year’s James Wellbeloved calendar features another
captivating collection of fabulous photos of star cats, dogs
and ferrets. It will be available in all participating pet stores
from early November with 1.5kg, 2kg and 4kg bags of
complete dry cat, dog and ferret food, while stocks last.
And the great news is that we’ve also got 50 James
Wellbeloved calendars to give away! To enter our
prize draw, simply email your name, address and phone
number to anna.wellbeloved@specialistuk.com writing
‘2013 Calendar’ in the subject line, or post to 2013
Calendar, Wellbeloved Magazine, Clifton Heights, Triangle
West, Clifton, Bristol BS8 1EJ. The 50 winners will be selected
at random after the closing date of 30 November 2012.
It’s official: growing up with pets keeps kids healthier.
Babies exposed to cats or dogs fight flu and fever
better, and don’t develop chronic
asthma, according to a recent study
in Finland. The research suggests
that exposure to allergens from
animals helps children produce
antibodies at an earlier age. Kids
with pet dogs were 29% less
likely to need antibiotics,
and 44% less
likely to develop
ear infections.
Want to learn more about
health and complementary
therapies ? Win a place on
a holistic pet course!
Discover the right track for your pet’s
health and wellbeing with a 10-week
course on natural animal care. Run
by leading British holistic vet and
Wellbeloved contributor Holly Mash,
this internet-based course lets you go
at your own pace and study at times
convenient to you.
The course covers diet and nutrition,
commonly used supplements, herbal
medicine, homeopathy, acupuncture and
physical therapies, preventative healthcare,
and caring for an elderly pet. The course
starts on 14 January 2013 and costs £255.
Register at www.civtedu.org and enter the
code NATPET1211 into the search box or
visit Holly’s website www.hollymashvet.com
and follow the link.
Holly is kindly offering one Wellbeloved
reader a place on the course for free! To
enter our prize draw, email your name,
address and phone number to
anna.wellbeloved@specialistuk.com
writing ‘Natural Animal Care Course’ in the
subject line, or post to ‘ Natural Animal Care
Course’, Wellbeloved Magazine, Clifton
Heights, Triangle West, Clifton, Bristol BS8
1EJ. The winner
will be selected at
random after the
closing date of 30
November 2012.
www.wellbeloved.com
All about Ava
Hello,
Supported by
eloved
James Wellb
It’s me, Ava, back again
with another update on
life as a Dogs for the
Disabled puppy. I’m a
year old now and have
been very busy all
summer, perfecting
the various skills
that are expected
of me when I go for
more training at the
Frances Hay Centre
in Oxfordshire
in around three
months’ time. My
socialisers Julie
and Keith have ensured
I have encountered as
many diverse locations,
modes of transport and
experiences as possible,
to help me build up my
confidence. It’s been said
that I behave beautifully, nearly 100%
of the time. But I am still a puppy, so I
can’t be sensible all the time! I had fun
at a doggy first aid session and was an
excellent model, while people wrapped
me in bandages. The course provided
important animal first aid skills for Julie
and Keith, as dogs don’t have nine lives
like cats and we need to be careful!
As part of my development, Julie
and Keith have been taking part
in fundraising activities, such as
collection days. They are part of the
Dogs for the Disabled Bromsgrove
Supporters Group – and I have taken
centre stage at several events. I’m now
used to being fussed over by strangers
and I can take all the attention in my
stride! I’ve been told that I will draw
attention wherever I go, and that I’ve
already touched the hearts of many. I’ll
miss Julie and Keith when I leave soon,
but I can’t wait to start the next stage
of my training. To find out more about
how you can support dogs like me visit
www.dogsforthedisabled.org.
05
rescue pets
Giving a rescue
pet a new home
can be a joy,
but getting
the introductions right is
important, so your new and
existing pets can both learn
to love the new arrangement,
advises John Bonner
T
ough financial times have had a
devastating effect on pets in the
UK, with rescue organisations
bursting at the seams with
homeless animals. The Blue Cross, for example,
has reported a 19% increase in stray and
abandoned animals taken into its adoption
centres. Another 4,000 pets have been given up
voluntarily, often for financial reasons, because
their owners have been made homeless, recently
separated or lost their job.
As a pet lover, you may feel moved to offer an
unfortunate cat or dog a loving new home. But,
when you welcome a rescue dog or cat into
your family, you might find it puts your resident
pet’s cold wet nose right out of joint. However,
if the introductions are handled carefully, it’s
possible to recruit a new member to your pack
without the fur flying.
Sense of smell
Among dogs, smell is all-important for
communication. When you go to pick up your
rescue dog, make sure your hands and clothing
carry your own dog’s scent and, if possible, bring
the new dog’s bedding into the house before he
or she arrives.
Dog behavioural therapist Nicki Platt
of Bark Busters recommends first
introductions are made in a neutral
location, such as a park: “This prevents
your resident dog from feeling their
territory is being threatened. With a
friend’s help, walk the dogs on loosely
getting
to know you
06
www.wellbeloved.com
held, six-foot leads. Stay relaxed, so the dogs
don’t pick up on any tension. Don’t force an
interaction, just bring the dogs close and let
them sniff each other for a few seconds at a
time. Offer praise if they show friendly signs. If
there’s an aggressive response from either dog,
quickly lead them away from each other and try
to get them to focus on you. Then you can try a
brief introduction again, a bit further away.”
Taking a tour
images: Masterfile, Getty
At home, keep the two dogs in separate rooms
at first if possible. Take the rescue dog round
on a lead to show them where they’ll sleep
and eat, and where your resident dog sleeps
and eats. When you bring them together, take
away food bowls and toys that may cause
squabbling, and shut all outside doors to
prevent the new arrival from escaping.
Never leave the dogs unsupervised until
you’re convinced they’re getting on. It’s easy
to mistake boisterous ‘rough and tumble’
games for real fighting. Nicola Bower, who
adopted her rescue dog Roxy six years
ago (see My Four Legged Friend feature on
p16), says: “Luckily, Roxy got on great with
Molly, my Westie, from the first day. There
was never a bit of bother and they still playwrestle together.”
The key is to be patient, says Nicki Platt:
“You’ll need to teach your new dog to trust
you, while communicating to your existing
pet that you will continue to keep them safe.
Building good relationships takes time.”
Friend or foe?
Much of the same applies when you’re
introducing a rescue cat to your resident pet
cat. Again, the sense of smell is important in
Ferret
rescue
James Girdler from
Reading is a ferret
fanatic who adores
these inquisitive
and intelligent
domesticated
pole cats. When
introducing a new
ferret to an existing
pack, he advises:
distinguishing friend from foe. The welfare team
at Cats Protection suggest that you initially
keep the two cats in separate rooms, with their
own food bowl and litter tray. Over the next few
days, move between the rooms, stroking each
cat in turn and swapping their bedding around,
until they get used to each other’s scent and no
longer react fearfully or aggressively.
When the cats finally meet face to face, they
may find it stressful, so make sure the room has
easy escape routes, keeping outside doors and
windows closed for obvious reasons. Gradually
extend the time the cats spend together and
expect some hissing and spitting as they assess
each other.
The golden rule
with integrating
rescue animals
is to take things
slowly. Building
good relationships
takes time
Well bonded
In time, you can try feeding them in the same
room as they become more comfortable with
one another. But don’t expect miracles – some
cats never learn to be friends. “Cats are on the
whole solitary creatures. Siblings that have
lived all their lives together will be well bonded,
but it’s never the same if you introduce
two cats. The best you can hope
for is that they will tolerate each
other,” advises Sharon Hogben,
rehoming officer for Cats
Protection, Canterbury.
The golden rule with
integrating rescue animals is
to take things slowly. And
remember, if you’re having
problems with your new
or old pet, don’t feel
you’re on your own –
ask the staff at your
local rehoming centre or
your vet for advice.
Ferrets need to explore
(so their new home
must be ferret-proof!)
and get used to their
surroundings. It’s best
to let them settle
before introducing
them to other pets
www.wellbeloved.com
07
nutrition
what makes James
J
ames Wellbeloved was created in 1992
by a group of pet owners who wanted
to produce a natural, high-quality pet
food that would help dogs that suffered
from food allergies and digestive intolerance.
Since those early days, James Wellbeloved has
grown into an international brand, known for its
quality and natural goodness, winning numerous
awards, including Your Cat and Your Dog reader
awards for Best Dry Pet Food in 2012 for the fifth
year running. I couldn’t wait to take a closer look!
Upon arrival at the state-of-the-art factory in the
rolling hills of Somerset, I was kitted out in a rather
fetching outfit consisting of hard hat, hairnet,
overalls and white wellies. Only then was I ready
to take a tour of the factory.
The plant works 24 hours a day, six days a
week and manufactures food to a quality fit for
human consumption. Lorries arrive with the raw
ingredients from their network of trusted suppliers
and are unloaded into the huge storage areas.
There is rigorous quality control and tracing at
every point in the manufacturing process. Every
bag of the finished product is coded to allow the
origin of every ingredient in every batch of food to
be traced back to its source.
Naturally healthy
The raw ingredients for the James Wellbeloved
foods consist of meat (lamb, fish, duck and
turkey), ground rice, barley, sugar beet pulp and
other vegetables, and dried herbs such as parsley,
nettle and chicory extract. These are very carefully
stored at controlled temperatures and humidity.
A team of vets and nutritionists at James
Wellbeloved carefully develops every recipe to
be naturally healthy and to provide excellent
nutrition – and great taste! No artificial colours,
flavours or preservatives are used in any James
Wellbeloved foods. Instead, natural preservatives
such as vitamin C and rosemary are used for
their antioxidant and preservative qualities.
I saw how the kibble (dry pet food) is tested
in the factory laboratory at every stage of
production, so that composition, quality and
nutritional values can be analysed and recorded.
Kibble is manufactured by a process called
‘extrusion’. During the cooking phase, the
combination of high temperature and pressure
in the extruder cooker, cooks the starch in the
formulation, making the food digestible for pets
Did you know? Fun nutrition facts!
Cats are obligate carnivores, which means they cannot
survive on a vegetarian diet and need taurine, an amino acid
found only in meat. Taurine deficiency can result in blindness,
as well as heart and reproductive problems.
Mammals, including cats, dogs and ferrets (and us!) are
70% water – a loss of 10% will cause serious illness and a
15% loss will lead to death.
Ferrets have higher energy needs and a shorter digestive
tract than cats or dogs and, being carnivores, their primary
protein source must be meat. They need a high energy, high
protein and high fat diet – all of which is amply provided by
James Wellbeloved Complete Ferret food.
08
Foods most likely to cause allergic reactions include wheat,
soya, dairy, eggs, pork and beef – which is why there are none
of these in James Wellbeloved food!
‘Hypoallergenic’ means that the diet should not contain
common dietary causes of allergy.
Dogs are omnivores, which means that they can survive
on a diet of meat and vegetables.
Unlike us humans who require vitamin C in our daily diets, dogs
can make their own vitamin C from other dietary constituents.
Yucca extract is included in James Wellbeloved cat food as it
is a natural deodoriser, making litter trays a bit more pleasant!
www.wellbeloved.com
images: Getty
Our pets love it and, as owners, we know we’re feeding them the good stuff,
packed with natural nutrition. To find out more, vet Holly Mash paid a visit
to Wellbeloved HQ, in the heart of Somerset…
Wellbeloved food
so special?
and microbiologically safe. As the water in the
dough turns to steam, the kibbles expand,
creating the crunchy, honeycomb structure pets
love. At the end of the process, the mixture is
pushed through different shaped slots, creating
kibble of different shapes and sizes to suit
different sized dogs, as well as cats.
Ja me s
We llbe
loved H
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Perfectly formed
Back on the factory floor, I saw how, once cooled,
the kibble is dropped into the bags that are then
sealed and stamped with a best before date and
batch number. Along the production line there are
quality control checks every 30 minutes, where
a whole bag is removed from the line and the
kibble is inspected for quality. Here it’s graded
for size, shape, regularity and colour. I was quite
astounded at this degree of control, which means
that a whole bag is sacrificed (including the
biggest 15kg ones), every 30 minutes in order
to ensure that your pet’s bag of food contains
perfectly formed, standardised kibble.
As well as the highest quality production
process, the factory itself has superb
environmental credentials for both recycling and
sustainability. The plant was recently awarded
an ISO 14001 certification for its environmental
management systems – one of the highest levels
of attainment achievable in food manufacturing.
At the end of my tour (after gladly removing
the hard hat, hairnet, overalls and wellies), I was
presented with useful textbooks on canine and
feline nutrition as well as some yummy freebies
for my dog Penny, which she really appreciated.
It was a fascinating day!
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The kibbles themselve s are mea
and their moisture levels checked.
The plant was recently
awarded an ISO 14001
certification for
its environmental
management systems –
one of the highest
levels of attainment
achievable in food
manufacturing
www.wellbeloved.com
Ea ch ba g is coded, en
abling the origin of ev
ingredient used
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grew the oats in your a ced – right down to erwyhich fa
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Adult09
!
Health:
Skye Terriers are a robust
breed and generally suffer from
few health problems, provided they
are kept well exercised, fit and fed on a
healthy, balanced diet. Although the Skye
is long and low, they don’t have a higher
incidence of slipped disks, as their long ribcage
helps support the spine. However, if a dog is
not fit and is allowed to become overweight,
then the chances of this type of problem
increase. Their average lifespan
is 12 to 15 years.
Personality:
The temperament of the Skye
is elegant and dignified. They are a
‘one-man’ dog, occasionally distrustful
of strangers, but never vicious. They can
be rather stand-offish, but are a devoted
and loyal friend. Skyes have very strong
characters and can become very devoted
to one person in the family, who they
will choose, and who may not be the
person they spend the most time
with! They will thrive on firm,
but gentle and patient
training.
Family friendly:
The Skye Terrier likes to be involved in
everything their owners do. They are loyal
companions and generally make good family pets,
providing they are well socialised with humans and other
dogs from the beginning. As terriers, they can be quite
headstrong and children should be supervised around
them. If introduced to a family correctly, a Skye
will become a great friend and
companion to children.
Grooming:
Exercise:
Regular grooming from puppyhood
is an important part of socialisation and
will help a young dog feel more relaxed about
being handled, for example, when visiting the
vets. Grooming once a week is necessary, which
also gives you chance to check ears are clean (grass
seeds can get into pricked ears), eyes are free from
discharge and feet free of mud-balls between the
pads. If the coat is kept long, as with show
dogs, more frequent grooming will be
required, but the coat can be clipped
shorter for easier care.
Skyes will happily fit in with
their owner’s routine. They
enjoy exercise, but are just as
happy curled up on a lap. Don’t over
exercise young Skyes, as this can
damage their bone growth – 10 to 15
minutes a day is plenty for puppies
between four and nine months old. By
the time they reach maturity, at about
one year old, increase daily walks to
around an hour each day.
10
www.wellbeloved.com
rare breeds
A close-up look at
the Skye Terrier
Scotland’s most famous dog, Greyfriars Bobby,
is said to have been a Skye Terrier. Yet this
steadfastly loyal breed is sadly a rare sight today…
W
The Skye has a long, powerful head
set on a long, slightly crested neck.
Eyes are preferably dark brown and
full of expression. Ears can be either
pricked or dropped. Soft hair veils
forehead and eyes, but not obscuring
vision, and surrounds the ears
like a fringe, allowing their
shape to appear.
images: Animal Photography
Appearance –
eyes and face:
hat dog lover can’t have been touched by the heartwrenching tale of Greyfriars Bobby? The little dog who,
following the death of his owner Constable John Gray,
guarded his grave for 14 years until he too died in 1872.
Such outstanding loyalty was acknowledged by the people of Edinburgh,
who unveiled a bronze statue in memory of Skye Terrier Bobby in 1873.
Skyes are named after the Scottish Island of Skye and are one of the
oldest of Britain and Ireland’s native terrier breeds. Dating back to the 14th
century, they are a distinctive-looking terrier, with sweeps of hair parted
across their face and hanging over their ears. They were bred as a long,
low working dog, tasked with going to ground to seek out vermin. They are
the epitome of ‘a big dog on short legs’ and are brave, courageous, and
rather spirited.
Sadly, they are the second most ‘at risk’ breed on the Kennel Club’s
top 10 most vulnerable native breeds list. However, devotees are trying
to turn things around for the Skye. Earlier this year, Greyfriars Bobby was
honoured by a group of Skye Terriers and their owners, who gathered at the
loyal dog’s grave to pay respect to their four-legged ancestor, to coincide
with the Scottish Kennel Club’s Championship Dog Show. Caroline Kisco,
Kennel Club Secretary, said: “Skye Terriers make wonderful pets.”
Life with a Skye Terrier
Shoulders are broad, close
to the body, with a deep chest
and short, muscular legs. The coat
– which is parted down the middle
of the back and, when in full show
trim, reaches the floor – is double. The
undercoat is short, soft and woolly and
the outer coat is quite harsh, straight,
and free from curl. Colours are black,
dark or light grey, fawn or cream, all
with black points. Height is 25-26cm
(10in), with length from tip of nose
to tip of tail of 105 cm (41½ in).
Bitches are slightly smaller
in the same proportions.
For more information visit www.skyeterrierclub.org.uk or call 01282 866041
To find out more about Greyfriars Bobby visit www.greyfriarsbobby.co.uk
ratings
Appearance –
body and coat:
Cath Parker has had Skyes in her life for over 40
years. She says: “I started out with Bearded Collies
and, some years ago, decided to swap puppies with
a friend who bred Skyes. I wouldn’t be without one
now!” Her latest Skye, Brodie, has the distinction
of being half German on his mother’s side and
Cath with Brodie
Finnish on his father’s. Cath explains: “As the breed
is now very rare, the breeding pool is small, so we are
introducing dogs from Europe. Brodie is one of only 44 puppies registered last
year by the Kennel Club. I think they’re fabulous dogs – a wonderful mix of loyalty,
inquisitiveness, intelligence and playfulness. My previous Skye still loved playing
with his toys when he was an old gentleman. It’s true they’re wary of strangers,
but once they get to know you, they become the most loyal friend.”
Admirers have included Mary Queen of Scots, Queen Victoria and, most
recently, Paralympic double gold medalist (equestrian) Natasha Baker, who has
a Skye Terrier called Poppy. Cath adds: “Once you have a Skye they get under
your skin and more people should know about them. We’re planning on walking
the length of the Isle of Skye to raise money to commission a statue for display
on the island where they originate from. We hope that this will get more people
talking about Skyes!”
Family friendly
A well-socialised Skye will
make a loyal family friend
Grooming
Weekly grooming will keep a
Skye’s coat in good condition
Exercise
Adult dogs require an
hour’s walking a day
Food intake
Not a fussy eater, avoid over-feeding
to reduce the risk of obesity
www.wellbeloved.com
11
healthy pets
catnip
what’s the attra ction?
Some cats find it calming. Others are driven to the
point of writhing ecstasy! So what is it about this
simple herb that felines find so irresistible? Holistic
vet Holly Mash investigates...
Contradictory effects
Catnip can have contradictory effects when cats
inhale its pungent scent or chew on its leaves.
Research into its effects on people has shown
that catnip can either increase sleep time in some
subjects, or induce excessive stimulation and
hyperactivity in others. This is the case in cats,
What can you do with catnip?
If your cat is one of the majority that react to catnip with excitement
and playfulness then you can use it to your advantage to encourage
them to use a scratching post, rather than your furniture, by rubbing
the scent of catnip on it. Catnip is also an excellent herb to consider
using for highly strung animals to help keep them calm and happy in
stressful situations. For these cats, using a catnip mouse for play
can help them to relax after a stressful event such as a trip in the car,
or if visitors are in the house. It may be best to limit exposure
to catnip-filled toys to around 15 to 30 minutes, as cats
can get over-stimulated if left to play with it for
too long or too often. Keep it for when you really
need to use it to your advantage, such as a
distraction or as a reward for your cat.
12
www.wellbeloved.com
too. While most are sent into a state of ecstasy
when they smell it, some become very sleepy
after exposure to it. And be warned, some cats
can actually become aggressive!
Cats inhabit a world where the sense of smell
is crucial. It tells them all about their surroundings
and helps them to navigate safely through life.
A cat’s nose is lined with millions of specialised
odour-detecting cells – just one of the reasons
why catnip has such an effect on them, as they
are so finely tuned to the language of scent.
Different for every cat
Scientists have studied cats’ unique behavioural
reactions to catnip and have linked them to a
special chemical stimulus that it triggers in the
their olfactory system, making them respond
to its smell. These behaviours include chewing
and sniffing as associated with feeding, rolling
and rubbing as associated with female sexual
behaviour, and a type of kicking and pouncing
associated with predation and play. Every cat
will respond to catnip slightly differently. In fact,
catnip has no effect at all on around 10% of the
cat population, and this is thought to be due
to a genetic difference making their olfactory
system less susceptible to it.
Finally, remember that the cat’s love of rolling in
catnip is not just for pleasure – it’s also a cunning
feline disguise. The strong odour disguises the
cat’s own body smell so that the prey which it is
seeking to kill and eat will not be aware, by scent
on the wind, of the cat stalking it!
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images: Alamy, Getty
A
s a member of the mint family,
catnip (nepeta cataria) is a common
sight in hedgerows and grassy
wastelands. It has a tall, downy
stem that, in midsummer, bears a spike of white
or pale blue flowers. Cats, and wild animals such
as foxes, are known to seek it out to roll in it. Why?
Perhaps it’s because this wayside plant contains
an essential oil called nepetalactone, which is
believed to cause an intoxication-like effect.
Catnip has been used in folk medicine for
centuries to treat ailments such as headaches,
coughs and nervous irritability, as well as to
ease the digestion. Herbalists often use it as a
gentle and effective painkiller. In fact, scientists
have discovered that nepetalactone has specific
activity at some opioid receptors in the body,
hence its traditional use as a pain relief medicine.
celebrity interview
…with
Paul
Martin
With his twinkling
eyes and friendly grin,
Flog It!’s Paul Martin
is one of the UK’s
most popular antique
show presenters. As
well as a love of Queen
Anne furniture, he also
has a soft spot for his
priceless collection
of canines...
ll, who Pa uoln
e
b
e
lu
B
h
t
i
w
l
Pa u
gu a rd dog
sa ys is th e b- ehsta n dy wh e n you ’re
th e pla n etith costly a ntiqu e s!
dea li n g w
Q: Did you grow up with pets?
A: We had a rabbit, guinea pigs, several cats
and three dogs – a Spaniel, a Collie and a
Boxer. I remember when I was about seven
years old I wore shorts a lot and the Boxer
would always slobber all over my legs – but
I loved him!
Q: What pets do you have now?
A: I have a 13-year-old long-haired German
images: Rex, BBC Photo Library, Getty
Shepherd, called Bluebell. She arrived at eight
weeks old and I have a real bond with her. She
came on the road with me for the first seven
years that I worked for the BBC. When I met
my wife, she had a Bassett Hound, Diesel.
Luckily the two dogs soon paired up. Now
we have a son who has a Jack Russell, so
we’re a three-dog family with one each. We’re
fortunate that they all get on well and even
share the same bed. And, as we live in the
country, they have plenty of space to roam
about in our big garden.
Q: Do they get up to mischief?
A: When one gets into trouble all three of
them will look guilty, so you don’t know which
one to tell off! And, when there’s lots of yelping
going on, it’s always Bluebell the big German
Shepherd that’s making the noise, as if she
were a puppy. She has such a high-pitched
bark, you’d think that it was the Jack Russell!
Q: What do your pets bring
to your life?
A: Dogs truly are man’s best friend. They
cheer you up and their love is unconditional.
We go for long walks with our dogs every day
and we can’t help but let them get away with
things. We have a drawing room with very
nice sofas and we shouldn’t let them in, but
we do. We also have a TV room with throws
on the sofas so we all crash there and watch
the telly, dogs included.
Q: Do pets and antiques
mix – have you had any
near misses?!
A: Bluebell is the best guard dog on the
planet. If you have fine art and antiques
it’s a good idea to have dogs. She’s very
territorial and the sight of her sitting next to
a walnut longcase clock is enough to put
off any would-be thief! She has, however,
occasionally scratched furniture, pulling the
covers off things when jumping up if another
dog walks past, but I can forgive her for that!
www.wellbeloved.com
Q: Do you support any
animal charities?
A: I do charity auctions and events for
Animals Asia (a charity that supports wild,
domesticated and endangered species
throughout Asia), German Shepherd Dog
Rescue and Greek Animal Rescue. I’m
also passionate about Lets with Pets, an
organisation that encourages landlords
to let people with pets rent properties.
Finding privately rented accommodation
that allows pets can be very difficult.
Many pet owners are forced to live in
unsuitable properties, keep their pets
without consent from their landlord, or be
forced to give up their pets or else face
becoming homeless. I’m happy to do
anything I can to raise awareness.
Q: What’s next on your
busy agenda?
A: This autumn on BBC Two look out for
Paul Martin’s Handmade Revolution, which
celebrates the best of Britain’s amateur
designer-makers and craftspeople. I’m
also doing a programme on the history of
wallpaper for BBC Four at some point. It’s
all very busy and exciting!
13
slug
canine
behaviour
T
here’s a mythical, mystical
place called ‘The Wild’. It’s
a place where dogs can be
dogs, living out wolf-like
existences with a ‘pack leader’ taking
control, making decisions, leading the
way and keeping law and order. In ‘The
Wild’ the members of the pack would lead
disordered chaotic lives without that
clear leadership.
The logical progression of that view
has, historically, been that we humans
need to take over that role of a strong,
assertive leader if our dogs are to lead
happy, fulfilled lives. Of course, no such
place as ‘The Wild’ exists and never has.
Domestic dogs evolved so that their social
interactions became less hierarchical, more
fluid, less dependent on hunting as a pack
with a leader, and more on scavenging and
engaging with people in order to survive
and flourish as a species. In essence, they
became more of a social group than a pack.
either has to be subservient, or is ‘humanised’
and not be allowed to be a ‘dog’.
Knowing the boundaries
What do dogs need to live happy, fulfilled
lives? It’s hard to know. We can’t give them
a questionnaire to fill out, or interview them,
to find out if they like or hate something. But
dogs are very honest – if we allow them to be.
If we allow them to be dogs they very quickly
let us know if they are frightened, upset or
angry. They move (or run) away. They growl.
They snap and bite. Unfortunately, running
away, growling, snapping and biting may be
our dog’s honest opinion, expressed in the
only way dogs know how, but those things
are not considered acceptable behaviour in
a human society. However, instead of telling
our dogs off, and punishing them when they
tell us that they are frightened, or upset about
But members of any social group need
to cooperate and communicate – and
require rules and boundaries of some sort
if they are to function effectively. One of the
problems with the dog/human relationship
attempting to function as a social group,
or perhaps as two separate social groups
living side by side, is communicating what
we people want, while simultaneously
respecting what the dogs need.
Of course, we humans need to take
the leading role, to make the important
decisions, to teach the dog how to fit in
with our human society and direct what
happens, but that shouldn’t mean the dog
What makes for a happy dog?
perfect
partners
What’s really involved when it comes to building the perfect bond between
human and canine? Should we see ourselves as leaders of their pack, or is it time we
re-evaluated how we define our relationship? Animal behaviour expert Paddy Driscoll
of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers, takes a look at the latest thinking…
14
www.wellbeloved.com
slug
something, we should be heeding them and
helping them out. The good owner needs to
teach dogs to cope with the things that are
expected of them and, if they can’t cope,
protect them from those things.
Honest opinion
Fortunately, when they like and want things,
dogs are equally honest. They are more
likely to approach us, want to be closer and
engage with us in order to get those things
– whether it be our company, a bowl of food,
a game, security or attention. Dogs have
evolved to learn what works to get things
they want and need, and how to avoid the
things that are potentially harmful. If they
ask for more of something, with waving
tails, and relaxed, doggy smiles on their
faces, then it’s a reasonable bet that’s what
is making them happy. Unfortunately, many
of the things that make a dog happy are
innate, normal dog behaviours, which can
make us very unhappy. Digging holes in the
garden, chasing livestock, jumping up to
greet us. The list of offences is very long! A
good owner though, through training and
play, directs those innate dog behaviours into
activities that don’t upset or harm us, not just
punish or suppress them.
Achieving a balance between allowing
dogs to tell us honestly what they think of
situations we put them in, letting them be
‘dogs’, and them behaving appropriately
and acceptably for human society is tricky.
But through good management, so the dog
is safe and secure, understanding our dogs’
needs and knowing when ‘obedience’ is
appropriate (and when it isn’t) the responsible
owner must be the senior partner in the team,
rather than the leader of the pack.
Paddy’s
good owner
guide
A good dog owner…
Gives dogs the opportunity
to be ‘dogs’ … lets them mooch
about, sniff on their walks, have
the freedom to run about, and to
be sociable.
Takes the time and trouble
to teach dogs the boundaries
that human society dictates they
must know.
Protects them from the things
that upset or scare them – not
punish them for telling people if
they are upset or scared.
Teaches dogs to cope with the
difficult things in life, like being
handled, being left alone or being
treated by vets.
Gives the dog the opportunity
to express innate dog behaviour
through fun training, where this can
be expressed in safe, fulfilling ways.
Manages the environment the
dog lives in, so the dog is safe,
secure and cannot come to harm.
images: Getty
Finds an up-to-date training
class that understands how dogs
learn and what they need, and
gets stuck into some doggy sports
and training activities! For more
information visit www.apdt.co.uk.
A good dog
owner doesn’t…
Intimidate or punish to get
‘obedient’ behaviour.
Inflict unnecessary obedience or
petty rules on their dog just so they
can say they are ‘in charge’.
Over-manage or over-control the
dog’s life so it can never be a ‘dog’.
www.wellbeloved.com
15
readers’ pets
and me
I
Nicola Bowers,
a Pets At Home
store assistant
who lives with her
grandparents in
Greenock, never
thought she’d
rehome a rescue
dog. And then
Roxy came along...
was out walking my Westie, Molly, one
August afternoon back in 2006, when a
little dog bounded on to our path. I asked
around the park in case she belonged to
anyone, but it seems she’d been roaming the
streets for days. I couldn’t just leave her there,
so I took her home.
Roxy’s microchip showed she was 5½ years
old and registered at the same vet as Molly. But all
her details were long out of date, and her home
address was boarded up. After I’d contacted the
police, local vets and pet search groups, I knew
Roxy had been abandoned.
Back to basics
Until then, I’d never considered a rescue dog. At
that time Roxy looked very thin and dirty, but she still
had a sparkle to her. We could see she’d had little
training, so we started with the basics. It was hard
work – it was difficult even to get a collar and lead
on. Roxy has an affectionate, trusting nature, which
is surprising when you know her history. In 2007 she
passed her suitability test for a Pets As Therapy dog
with flying colours. Every week we visited our local
residential care home, and Roxy would sit on the
residents’ laps and let them stroke her.
A real fighter
WIN a yea r’s su pply o
Then, in January this year, we noticed a small lump
on Roxy’s right back leg had tripled in size within
days. She was diagnosed with a malignant mast cell
tumour, and we were told she needed immediate,
specialised surgery. Luckily, the fabulous team at
the University of Glasgow Small Animal Hospital
managed to remove the tumour successfully. Although
Roxy was left with a Y-shaped wound that needed
18 stitches, we were very lucky it hadn’t spread and
she’s still with us today – it shows she’s a real fighter!
The vet school saw that Roxy was in excellent
condition for her age (nearly 12), and said to keep
her on her regular diet. We normally feed Roxy dry
James Wellbeloved with a little bit of the pouches
mixed in, but when she was recovering we changed
to just pouches as it was easier on her system.
f pet food!
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16
A prize-winning pooch
Over the years Roxy has won lots of prizes,
including ‘Best in Show’ twice in Companion dog
shows. She has qualified for Scruffts four times:
in 2007, 2008, and won the Golden Oldie class in
both 2010 and 2011! Roxy makes friends wherever
she goes and has met many TV stars, including Dr
Who’s John Barrowman, comedian Sarah Millican
and Merlin’s Anthony Head.
Although Roxy has now retired as a PAT dog, she
still enjoys life to the full. Together we enjoy agility
for fun and fitness and, with Molly, we love going on
walks in different places around Scotland.
Roxy with John Bar
row man
www.wellbeloved.com
image: Martin Hunter
my four-legged friend
Naturally hypo-allergenic dog food
wholesome, complete and healthy
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Made with natural ingredients and all the nutrients your senior dog needs.
Complete food ideal for dogs over 7 years old.
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Nutritional Advice: 0845 603 9095
For a list of local stockists and to subscribe to our free e-newsletter
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© Crown Pet Foods Ltd 2012 - All Rights Reserved. Credit: Stable Design Limited
feline wellbeing
Our cats,
just like us,
are living
longer
and spend
around 40% of their
life as ‘seniors’. Cat
expert Claire Bessant
looks at how we can
make life cosy and
comfortable for our
feline golden oldies
T
g
n
i
r
a
C
for a senior
hink about how cats lived less
than a century ago. They probably
weren’t neutered, they weren’t
vaccinated, they fed themselves
and had some scraps if they were lucky, and
they probably didn’t live much over 10 years
– unneutered males probably a lot less than
that. Now we expect our cats to live to about
14 years – and many will do much better than
that, thanks to disease and parasite prevention,
good veterinary care, removal of risks
associated with reproduction, good nutrition
and owners willing to spend on veterinary care
– which in itself has developed to understand
the different needs of the cat.
So how old is that in human terms? Well,
14 is about the equivalent of about 72 and 16
is about 80 – ages we as humans now expect
to live to. So, like our human population, we
have quite an old cat population, with cats
living 40% of their lives as seniors or beyond
(senior starting about 11 and geriatric at about
15). By the time we have owned our cats for
this long, they have slotted into our lives and
may even stay with us longer than children.
No wonder people love their golden oldies
and will do as much as possible to keep them
healthy, comfortable and happy. So what
can we do?
gum problems and even raised blood pressure.
And, just like older people, these problems
often occur together. The key to keeping
our cats healthy is good preventive care
(vaccination, flea and worm treatments) and
regular check-ups. Problems are much easier
to deal with if they are caught early, especially
at this stage of life when other problems can
intertwine. Vets have plenty of treatments at
their fingertips now and lots can be done to
help cats.
More complex problems
Spotting something’s wrong
As cats get older they are at greater risk of
developing various problems. For example,
kidney disease is common in older cats,
overactive thyroid is not uncommon, as is
osteoarthritis. They can also have tooth or
One of the problems is that cats can be
their own worst enemies, in terms of letting
us know that something is wrong. Having
evolved as solitary animals, which are small
enough to be prey as well as being hunters,
they have no others to fall back on. If they
are in pain they will hide this so as not to
be seen as vulnerable and easy prey. The
consequence is that they hide these things
from us, too, and we need to be good
detectives to pick up on behaviour changes
as signs of potential illness. Never just put
down changes in behaviour to old age – seek
advice from your vet.
Is your older cat sitting comfortably?
Think about your older cat’s comfort, as little things may make a big difference:
Cat flaps
Is the cat flap a bit stiff and difficult to push open? Does your cat have to
take a big step down outside? Creating a raised area with some bricks, for example,
can help prevent your cat having to struggle getting in and out.
Litter trays Does your cat need an additional litter tray that has easier access?
Grooming Can your older cat manage their coat and keep it clean and free from
matts, or is a little more help needed? As cats get older they may not be quite so
supple or able to groom
properly, especially if they
have a long coat.
Favourite spots
Does
your cat need help getting
up onto a favourite chair
or windowsill? A stool or
ramp can enable your cat
to take smaller leaps if
the height is becoming a
problem. They may also
appreciate a heated bed
or a warm cosy spot that’s
easy to get to.
18
www.wellbeloved.com
A weighty issue
These days, obesity can be a problem in cats,
probably because of the availability of high
quality food and more indoor lifestyles. Young
and middle-aged cats may become overweight
but older cats (probably over 14 years old) may
start to lose weight. Weight loss can also be a
sign of illness, so weighing your cat regularly
can help to monitor health.
Older cats are very precious – they
understand our lives and how they fit in. They
have often lived through various relationships,
house moves, babies, toddlers and even
teenagers with us. Trouble is, they can become
like old slippers -– very comfortable and we
can take them for granted. But, like all our most
precious things, they’re irreplaceable. Look
after them with care.
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Older cats understand our
lives and how they fit in –
they have often lived through
various relationships, house
moves, babies, toddlers and
even teenagers with us. Like
all our most precious things,
they’re irreplaceable
19
experts
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Thank you for sending in your letters about pet behavioural problems
and health issues. Our experts are always happy to offer their advice
Our house is
under attack!
the panel
W
e adopted our two cats, Lucy and
Penny, last summer when they were four
months old. They are very friendly and settled
well with us and our 11-year-old Bengal
cat. They are very energetic and have four
scratching posts and a selection of toys. They
are also unfortunately rather disruptive. The
house is suffering from them sharpening their
claws on the woodwork, on the wallpaper, and
particularly annoyingly, climbing the curtains.
This is possibly quite a natural thing for them
to do as they are indoor cats, but we’ve had
cats for more than 30 years and have never
had this trouble before. Any suggestions?
Please note: Our experts cannot enter into one-to-one correspondence with readers.
DR Bradley
Viner
Bradley is an
experienced
veterinarian who
regularly offers
advice on TV.
CLAIRE says: Scratching is a natural behaviour for cats.
It removes the old husk of the nail by pulling it through
a substance of the right texture (usually bark of a tree or
wood outside), to reveal a gleaming bright and sharp new
point on the claw – essential for successful hunting. The
action also has a secondary function of leaving a chemical
message by smearing scent produced between the pads
on the feet, which is unique to each cat.
The role of these scents is to make the cat feel
secure in their own territory. Your kittens are becoming
mature and sharing the house with another cat which,
on the surface may be friendly, but there may be
tension as they mature socially and sexually.
As they grow, kittens usually outgrow climbing the
curtains. To deter scratching on walls, you may want to
think about paint rather than wallpaper. You may also find
that they are marking near to a door or places where they
feel a threat may enter. Give the cats places to climb up
and away from each other – shelves or play centres with
high perches – they will feel more secure at a height.
Understand that scratching can be prompted by feeling
insecure. Improving security for cats means giving them
routines, places to feel safe and more litter trays and food
bowls to ensure that there isn't competition for resources.
Perhaps invest in a cat toy that makes them work for food
to alleviate boredom. Try different things and watch your
cats – see what works and what doesn’t.
paddy
Driscoll
Paddy is a very
experienced canine
behaviour teacher
and a member of
the Association of
Pet Dog Trainers.
JOHN
BONNER
John specialises in
animal behaviour,
genetics and
physiology.
CLAIRE
BESSANT
Claire is a leading
cat expert and
Chief Executive
of the Feline
Advisory Bureau.
20
www.wellbeloved.com
pet problems
Help our leg-licking Lab
M
y five-year-old Labrador, Ruby, has an ongoing problem where she keeps
licking the insides of her front legs, to the point that they're bald and the
skin is broken. Our vet has tested her for allergies and taken skin samples, which
have all come back fine. What can we do to cure her of this problem?
Bradley says: I can’t cure what has obviously
been a very longstanding and troublesome
problem with one short letter, but I can say that
it should not be necessary for your poor dog to
endure such extreme irritation.
It sounds like your vet has done all the basic
work, but it’s time to ask to be referred to a
veterinary dermatologist on the list of Specialists
recognised by the Royal College of Veterinary
Surgeons. Your vet will be able to recommend
someone suitable and pass on details of the
tests that have been carried out and treatment
administered. An allergy seems most likely,
despite the test results, because diagnosis can be
difficult, and the specialist will be able to rule out
other possible causes. If an allergy is confirmed it
may be possible to desensitise Ruby to whatever
is causing it, but at the very least it should be
possible to put her on to long-term medication
to keep her comfortable.
Visitors are welcome, but they’re not allowed to leave!
T
his is a strange one! When people come round, my dog Boris, who's
almost two, is quite chilled and wags his tail and greets them in a
friendly way, but as soon as they get up to leave and approach the front
door, he runs at them barking his head off as if he doesn’t want them
to leave! Why does he do this and how can I stop him doing it?
Paddy says: Why your dog does this only your dog knows! Although we experts
like to try and explain what is going on in a dog’s head (and I am no different), much
of the time we simply can’t know. Instead of focusing on the behaviour you don’t
want (the running and barking), with the possibility that whatever you or your
visitors do is inadvertently rewarding it, it’s best to focus on what you would like
your dog to do instead.
So engineer, and reward what you would like your dog to do when your visitors
leave. For instance, as your visitors prepare to get up, call Boris to you before he
gets up and barks, and calmly give him a treat, then drop some treats onto the floor,
so he chooses to stay behind, quietly, as you leave. Once he learns this, fade out the
treats and use verbal praise instead. The most effective strategy here will be to reward
what you do want, not try and correct what you don’t.
Is it fight or flight?
W
images: Superstock, Masterfile, Getty
hen out for walks, my dog gets very agitated if other dogs, people,
joggers or cyclists approach or come past us and starts barking
aggressively and pulling at the lead. He’s a five-year-old Bearded Collie
(neutered) and, although quite lively, is normally a friendly, happy dog.
What is it that makes him so upset and what can I do about it?
John says: This sounds like nervous aggression – your dog wants to avoid those things that scare
him, but being on a lead means that he can’t run away. If, when he starts barking, you yank on the
lead or punish him by shouting, then it will only convince him that strange humans or dogs are bad
news. You need to seek advice from an animal behaviourist who can show you how to desensitise your
dog to the things that are worrying him. You do this by getting your dog to sit down and relax before the
threat gets too close. Give him a treat and a friendly pat and he will gradually begin to associate the arrival
of a stranger with good things. Be patient with your dog but, until his behaviour starts to improve, it may
be an idea to put a muzzle on him before going out for a walk.
www.wellbeloved.com
events
y
o
j
n
e a dog lovers’
day out
This November, Ston Easton Park is hosting
a fun and informative day for you and your
dog – and there are still places available!
S
et within 36 acres of rolling
parkland, Ston Easton’s Palladian
mansion is quite the luxurious
getaway. And what better than
to share a day spent in this idyllic Somerset
location, than with your furry best friend?
James Wellbeloved has teamed up with this
fabulous Somerset location to host a fascinating
Dog Lovers' Day Out on 16 November 2012,
between 10am and 3.30pm. There will be lots
of interesting training sessions, a delicious lunch
and afternoon tea.
Dog Lovers'
Day itinerary
Times: 10am - 3.30pm
Morning: Welcome coffee, when you can meet all
the other guests and their dogs, followed by talks on
a healthy diet for dogs, feeding myths and how your
dog’s nutritional needs change with age.
Lunch
Afternoon: How to teach your dog a range of fun tricks,
helping develop confidence, character and creativity, as
well as building a better bond between you both.
The day will end with a cream tea and every guest will
receive a gift bag, plus a supply of naturally healthy
James Wellbeloved food and treats to take home!
Oscar the
Spaniel (above)
is Ston Easton's
resident dog
Ston Easton was a hit with us all!
Boo k you r p la ce
rson
s £49 per pe
Day Out cost
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22
We recently took advantage of the special gourmet getaway break
you recommended at Ston Easton Park, featured in the summer
issue of Wellbeloved magazine. We stopped there with our two
Basset Hounds, Cassie and Hardy, on the way to Manchester.
Thank you for the super hamper for the dogs – we all so enjoyed
our stay. The two dogs loved their walks in the grounds – so many
new and interesting smells and other dogs to meet. The house
dog, Oscar, is a real character and welcomes everyone and even
pulled his bed into the hall so as not to miss any visitors!
Helen Seaford, Dorset
www.wellbeloved.com
what’s on
winter warmers
Beat the cold-weather blues on a fun, family day out!
Discover Dogs 2012
Earls Court, London
Over two days, Discover Dogs gives you the chance to get up close to
more than 200 different breeds. There are special Young Kennel Club
10 & 11
activities for children (under-12s go free!), trade stands, advice about
Nov
choosing a rescue dog, Good Citizen dog training, demonstrations
and competitions galore – including the final of Scruffts, the Family
Crossbreed Dog of the Year, sponsored by James Wellbeloved.
Open 10am-5pm. Tickets are £8-11 in advance (plus booking
and transaction fees) or £12-£15 on the door.
www.discoverdogs.org.uk,or call 0844 581 1381
FAMILY CROSSBREED DOG OF THE YEAR
24
Nov
The Supreme
Cat Show 2012
Purrates of
the Caribbean
NEC, Birmingham
Once a year, cats that have won top prizes at
shows in the UK and overseas can compete
for the title of ‘Supreme’ at the GCCF’s most
prestigious competition. The show is open to both
pedigree and non-pedigree champions. Before
they’re taken to special rings for judging, the cats
are exhibited in large decorated pens – this
year’s theme is ‘Diamonds are forever’, so
expect plenty of James Bond-style bling!
Advance tickets (£11 adults, £7.50 senior
citizens and children 5-16, £28 family) are
available from the Ticket Factory, 0844
338 0338, www.theticketfactory.com
Doncaster School for
the Deaf, Doncaster
Ahoy there! NaturallyTICA is encouraging
exhibitors (and their cats) to join in the fun
and dress up for its pirate-themed winter
show. Johnny Depp may be otherwise
engaged, but the all-breed cat club has
invited judges from Belgium,
Austria, the USA and the UK to
award the prizes. There will be 12 rings,
For more
events visit
with judging 9am-4.30pm on both days.
www.
Admission £2.50 for adults, £1 for children
wellbeloved.
and
senior citizens. Call 01709 892 077
com
(7-9.30pm) or visit www.naturallytica.com
Norfolk and Suffolk Ferret
Club Christmas Show
images: Getty, Veer, Shane Wilkinson
15
Dec
24 & 25
Nov
Connaught Hall,
Attleborough, Norfolk
Get ready for some festive ferret fun,
with rosettes up for grabs in various
classes, including kits, veterans and
‘the ferret the judge would most
like to take home’! There will also
be tombola, mince pies and stalls
selling ferret hammocks, bedding
and accessories.
Doors open at 9am,
admission is 50p (children
free). Show entry is
£1 per ferret
for members,
£2 non-members. Funds
raised will go to help a small
rescue centre in Essex.
www.norfolkandsuffolkferretclub.co.uk
or call 07774 013 070
Husky racing
Sherwood Forest,
Nottinghamshire
‘Mushing’ is a fast-growing
sport, where teams of
husky dogs pull two-wheel
scooters or three and
four-wheeled rigs over a
variety of terrains. The UK
husky racing season runs
from November to March,
and every British Siberian
Husky Racing Association
event is electronically timed
19 & 20
to 1/100th of a second, so for
Jan 2013
participants and spectators
alike it’s nailbiting stuff! This
weekend includes two separate one-day races,
starting at 8.30am and finishing mid-afternoon.
Free admission for spectators (but dogs must be on
a lead). Visit www.huskyracing.org.uk or call the race
organisers on 01246 811 193
Please contact organisers direct to confirm details of all events before attending, as they may be subject to change. For events
that the James Wellbeloved team is attending, please check www.wellbeloved.com before setting out.
23
yourletters
mailbox
Thanks as ever for all your fabulous letters and photos. We love to hear all
about your pets and what they get up to, so do keep sending them in!
Curly Coated explorers
star
letter
I was not surprised to find water-loving Curly
Coated Retrievers in the top 10 most vulnerable
native dog breeds, featured in the summer issue
of Wellbeloved. I have two Curly Coats, Thyah
(liver), now 12 years old and Tiy (black), her
nephew, who is eight years old. I live in the New
Forest so I take them both out there every day.
They are not young dogs but as you can see in
the photo, they love exploring the forest. Thyah
in particular is a true water dog and, despite
her age, loves running in the river scooping up
water in her mouth. Tiy is not as keen, but if
it’s the only way across the water then he
will get in, but always has his nose in the air
picking up the scents!
Mrs CR Cooper, by email
The star letter winner will receive a 15kg bag of James Wellbeloved dog food or a
10kg bag of James Wellbeloved cat food. Don’t forget, you can find out about your
nearest stockist online at www.wellbeloved.com
She is my shadow
I found my rescue cat, Toff Toff, in a poor state.
She'd been mistreated and, when I became
her owner, she was frightened of everything,
running and hiding constantly. Fortunately,
after a thorough check up from the vet, she
hadn’t sustained any diseases, although
he had to remove many of her teeth. It was
suggested that I feed her on Wellbeloved food,
and she hasn’t looked back since! She is the
most gentle and loving cat and she is my
shadow. She is very 'Wellbeloved'.
June Plumb, Coventry
Supercat with a
fussy appetite
Not long ago, I adopted Kim, a little
Blue Roan Cocker Spaniel. Her owner
had died two years ago and the family
decided to re-home her. It must have
been quite a shock for her, being
re-homed at nine years of age, yet she
has proved to be loving, obedient and
not at all bothered by my Persian cats,
all of whom enjoy Wellbeloved products.
During a haircut it was found that Kim
had quite a lot of eczema patches, so I
consulted with my vet and she agreed
to my suggestion that I change her on
to James Wellbeloved Senior for Dogs.
Her skin problem has improved so much
since the change of diet, and she is
enjoying her James Wellbeloved food.
Rita Quick, Gloucestershire
This is Jaffa, my rescue cat – better known
locally as ASBO. He’s a nice cat but has
been difficult to feed. But now he’s on James
Wellbeloved Ocean Fish & Rice, he’s a good
size and weight and his coat is glorious. Jaffa’s
had a bad start – fox bite, cow pox and he’s
been shot – but he’s come through it all. As
you can see from the photo, he needs to take
‘a little more water’. Thanks for my super cat.
Mrs VG Odell, Grantham
24
My new friend Kim
www.wellbeloved.com
Heartfelt goodbye
We were touched by the poem sent in by Nigel
O’Mara in your summer issue, as we had just
said goodbye to our loyal and so handsome
companion of nearly 15 years. The words were so
true of our faithful friend. Chester was around two
years old when we rescued him from the Dogs
Trust. An Irish Setter/Collie cross with a beautiful
red/gold coat and eloquent amber eyes. Thanks
to a diet of James Wellbeloved Turkey and Rice
Kibble he was our healthy and beloved companion
for all that time. We were so lucky to have
loved him, which was reciprocated more than a
hundredfold. We just wanted you to know that we
feel James Wellbeloved played a significant part in
his healthy and happy life.
pet
pin-ups
issue
our favourite readers’ pics this
Tricia and Colin Harris, Birmingham
Lun a
Boninnibye Melissa Stewart
Sent in by Katie Whittington
Sent
Our very own model dog
We were pleased to see your breed profile of
English Setters in the Wellbeloved summer issue,
as it brought back fond memories. Before it
became available on the market, we trialled James
Wellbeloved with our dog Oliver (Sh Ch Cransett Song
For Guy) and were subsequently asked if he could be
used for a James Wellbeloved advertising campaign
(see below). That was 1996 and Oliver was five-anda-half at the time – he lived to the great age of 13.
Around about the same time, the Midland English
Setter Society asked us if Oliver would be available
for a video they were making and he featured both in
the video and on the front cover. It was a very exciting
and memorable time for us and, looking back, we're
very proud of him and the great time he gave us.
og Hurren
M axin byDMr
VB
Sent
Ma bel
Sent in by Emily Mullen
Jane & Chris Bird, by email
Winn e (Winston)
Sent in by Mrs M Mou
lson
Wniltloinwby Andrew Cox
Se
n e ws & vie w
s
Ple
Wellbelo ase write to us
at: Your
ved Ma
gazine,
Letters
Triangle
Speciali
,
West, C
st, Clift
anna.we
li
ft
on, Bris
on Heig
llbelove
tol BS8
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d@spec
1EJ or e
ialistuk
edit you
mail:
.com. W
r letters
e may h
for reas
ave to
ons of s
pace.
Sonntninyby Paul Hugo
Se
Skye and Tarka
Sent in by Edwina Vernon
25
competition
10
The 2012 Crufts
Best In Show,
Lhasa Apso,
Elizabeth
pairs of
tickets
win
to be won!
tickets to
Crufts
2013!
The first Crufts
show, held by Charles Cruft,
took place in Islington in 1891.
There were 2,437 entries,
displaying
36 breeds
Come and be a part of the greatest
dog show on earth...
T
he world’s greatest dog show,
Crufts, will take place from 7 to 10
March 2013 at the NEC Birmingham.
Whether your passion is the Terrier
group, the Hounds group, or Toy, Utility, Gundog,
Working or Pastoral, it’s the highlight of the year for
fans of all things canine, with top dogs from across
the world putting their best paw forward to try to win
the coveted Best in Show title.
And, of course, there's much more to enjoy!
Highlights include exciting displays of Agility, Flyball
and Heelwork to Music, the Friends for Life and
Scruffts finals, hundreds of trade stands with exciting
new products for you and your best friend (and yes,
James Wellbeloved will be there!), Breed rescue and
Discover Dogs, with around 200 pedigree breeds
to meet, as well as training displays from the UK's
largest dog training programme – the Good Citizen
Dog Scheme.
The great news is
that
we have 10 pairs
,
ts
er ticke
, or to ord
re
of
tickets
to be won by
o
m
e
t
th
u
r call
To find o
s.org.uk o
ft
ru
Wellbeloved
readers!
t
.c
e
w
k
w
ic
visit w
at the T
et Hotline
k
ic
T
4
s
4
ft
9
Cru
49
n 0844 44
Factory o
How to enter
To be in with a chance of winning a pair of tickets to the event on
any day, just answer this question:
What breed was the 2012 Crufts Best in Show Champion?
a) Lakeland Terrier b) Lhasa Apso c) Lowchen
Send your answer with your name, address and telephone
number to: Crufts Competition, Wellbeloved Magazine,
Specialist, Clifton Heights, Triangle West, Clifton, Bristol BS8
1EJ. Alternatively, email anna.wellbeloved@specialistuk.com,
writing 'Crufts Competition' in the subject line. The closing date
is 30 November 2012. The first 10 correct answers selected at
random will win a pair of tickets each.
The first
Agility competition
took place
in 1980
Congratulations! The Ston Easton break with dog was won by Mrs Gwen Nicosia, Aylesbury.
The Agility Starter Kit is going to Carol Hatch, Southampton. Catnip toys were won by: Sally
Miller, Essex; Pauline Randall, Aylesbury; Louise Smith, Hull; Linda Carter, Sheffield; Mr N Turner,
Surrey; Anne Aitken, Jersey; Jonatha Dorman, Berkshire; Christina Harrison, Kent; Donna Mayor,
London; Anthony Beaman, Worcestershire; Mrs P Oborn, Dorset; Kerrie Garrigan,Cheshire;
Mrs M R Meakins, Northampton; R Naile, Devon; Mrs D Loveland, Hampshire; Mrs B D Cayford,
Middlesex; Tina Martin, Norfolk; Ms Liz Lamb, Worcestershire; Wendy Bennett, Malvern;
Mrs S Harmer, Gwent; Mrs J Smith, Hampshire; Mrs Dawn Fairbairn, Isle of Man; Mrs J Roach,
Worcestershire; Neal Prendergast, Bristol; Judith Spicer, Worcester. James Wellbeloved
large food bins were won by: Debbie Hayes, Cheshire; Chris Johnson, Wakefield; M Riches,
Southampton; Karen Kay, Warwickshire; Sylvia Robbins, Bognor Regis; Mrs A Tremble, Lancaster;
Mrs Sharon Evans, Cumbria; Mr J G Kimm, Suffolk; Mr T J Brice, Somerset; Mrs S Wand, Essex.
The first female
owner of Best in
Show – Lorna, Countess
Howe – was in 1932, with
her Labrador
Retriever,
Bramshaw Bob
Terms and conditions: The first 10 correct entries selected at random after the closing date will each receive a pair of tickets to Crufts 2013 for any one day the event is on between 7-10 March 2013. No transport or
accommodation costs are included. The competition is only open to residents of the UK who are over 18 years old. Employees of James Wellbeloved and Specialist UK Ltd are not eligible to enter, nor are any subsidiaries, affiliates
or suppliers of said organisations. Only one entry per person is permitted. The editor’s decision is final. There is no cash alternative and no transfer or assignment of prizes will be permitted.
26
www.wellbeloved.com
images: Alamy
SUMMER winners!
reader survey
✃
the Wellbeloved
rea der s u rvey
Name..............................................................................................................
Address..........................................................................................................
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.............................................................. Postcode.........................................
Please tell us
your age range
Younger than 25......
25-40.......................
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56-65.......................
66-75.......................
Over 75....................
A yea
r
of pe’s supply
PLUS
t foo
every
perso
d
the su
n wh
r
vey on
o com
pletes
line w
mone
ill rec
y
eive a
o
ff e-vo
All ret
uc
urned
comp
survey her!
lete
s, or th
will au d online by
ose
30 No
to
vembe
prize d matically b
r 2012
e
raw. T
,
rando
he firs entered int
o our
m afte
t nam
e selec
r the c
losing
t
year's
date w ed at
supply
ill win
of pet
a
food.
We hope you love reading Wellbeloved magazine
as much as we enjoy compiling it. Let us know by
completing our reader survey – and you could win a
year’s supply of James Wellbeloved food for your pet!
About you
win!
What pets do
you have?
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Email............................................................................................................... Male.........................
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images: Getty
About the magazine
Wellbeloved magazine is currently
issued three times a year. How do you
feel about this?
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What are your favourite items? (please
tick as many as you like)
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To ret u rn ouytoanu dr posustrvineanyenvelope
Simply cut it
ed Magazine,
ey', Wellbelov
rv
Su
r
de
ea
to 'R
t, Clifton,
, Triangle Wes
Clifton Heights
J.
Bristol BS8 1E
27
Naturally hypo-allergenic cat food
wholesome, complete and healthy
For healthy digestion, skin and coat
Made with natural ingredients and all the nutrients
your cat needs throughout life.
Complete food, which means you don't need to supplement
your cat's diet with anything else.
Uses a single source of meat protein and excludes many
ingredients known to cause tummy upsets.
Ideal for cats with food intolerances and coat issues.
Available from all good pet shops
Nutritional Advice: 0845 603 9095
For a list of local stockists and to subscribe to our free e-newsletter
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