A Pet Sitters Blog

Bravo Announcement

 Bravo to the UK’s First Working Dog Rescue Centre

Recent media stories have highlighted the sad end of many working dogs who have given their lives to protecting humans and our country, only to be let down for their loyalty.  The shocking release of MOD figures, showing that over 800 dogs have been put to sleep in the last decade, has again made animal lovers question whether it is ethical to have dogs working for humans.

There is no specialised working dog rescue in the UK, so retiring dogs from the Police and security industries, or those not quite making the grade during training, have nowhere to go and therefore are often put to sleep.  Whilst some are sold on independently, this bears no resemblance to the careful home checking, contracts and lifetime back up that a good rescue centre can give a dog.

In a career spanning 30 years, leading UK animal behaviourist Debbie Connolly, has retrained and rescued many working dogs on a small scale basis. Debbie currently uses boarding kennels or foster homes to assist her in getting these working dogs the help that they need.  This severely limits the numbers that she can help as kennels are expensive.  Debbie is now expanding her operation through Bravo Working Dog Rescue and is raising funds to move to new premises with its own kennels to secure a future for many more dogs.

Debbie said: “There are many dogs out there that don’t quite make the grade for working, who are rejected during training or retire with nowhere to go.  Whilst many dogs stay with their handler in retirement, some don’t and need retraining to make them safe to live as a pet. I am being asked to help more and more of these dogs so I need to set up a bigger centre”

“As well as the pets I have helped, I also work alongside many Police and security dog handlers and I am continuously in awe of the courage and ability that these dogs show us by protecting us on a daily basis.  The industries that use these animals should start to give something back to the dogs and they can do that by supporting their rehoming through Bravo Working Dog Rescue.

“Many dogs go on to retire with their handlers, but a few can’t and this can leave a dog that is not ready to be a pet dog with no options.”

The Bravo Working Dog Rescue Centre will help failed and unwanted dogs from the working world.  Those without a retirement home can get the help they deserve and be given a chance to go on to become happy, loved pets.  We are appealing to the world of working dogs to support and sponsor this initiative.

The horse racing industry and the Greyhound racing industry already put money into the rehabilitation of their animals, but nothing currently exists for working dogs.  Anyone interested in sponsoring Bravo Working Dog Rescue can contact them on 0208 144 5799, visit www.bwdr.co.uk or email info@bwdr.co.uk for more information.

Kong Genius Product Review

If you think your pet is smarter than the average pooch or you simply want to challenge your canine friend, then you may want to take a look at the Kong Genius. We recently purchased one from our local Pets at Home store and it’s just one in a wide range of product of dog toys. The toy is available in two different shapes – the Leo and the Mike, named in homage to famous geniuses Leonardo da Vinci and Michaelangelo.

These interactive offerings differ from other dog’s puzzle toys because of their interlinking nature; they can be used as separate toys made into one larger toy for further stimulation. The result is a long-lasting toy that can keep even the cleverest of pets amused for a long period of time, thanks to its ability to take a bit of a bashing or gnashing.

As a brand Kong is known for the durability of its toys and the Kong Genius is made from the same durable non-toxic rubber as the rest of their range. It is also dishwasher safe, a handy benefit considering its stuffable nature. The Kong Genius toys are available in a range of colours, allowing you to mix and match as you assemble new variations and potentially fill them with new and exciting treats to keep your dog motivated in play, both on their own and with you.

First Aid For Your Pets

Ban Puppy Farms

Puppy farms have long been associated with utter misery. A place where congenital defects are commonplace and thousands of dogs live in the most appalling conditions. 

Bitches are bred every 6 months and kept in conditions that are no more than prisons, where they never see the light of day or feel the touch of a loving hand. They live in extreme conditions, in unbearable heat in the summer and freezing conditions in the winter.

It is impossible to put into words the horror that exists behind these walls. Where dogs are left in their own excrement, alive with fleas, mange and gaping wounds that are left unattended . These poor dogs will readily accept the kick of a boot, since this is commonplace and the majority are too weak from infection to care!

Puppies are torn screaming from their mothers, piled in overcrowded and filthy crates. Their pitiful howls are disregarded by their jailers who are driven by financial reward.

Why is it, that this disgusting and vile trade is allowed to continue. PLEASE take a minute to click on the following link and follow the instructions:

http://www.puppylovecandampaigns.org/whatyoucando.shtml and following the instructions.

These dogs do not have a choice, we DO and we CAN help.

New year

No sooner have we said goodbye to Christmas 2010,  the new year is upon us and and our office is once again a hive of activity.

December saw one of our pet  sitters suffer a bucked front wheel, in their attempt to reach their destination, largely due to the lack of treated roads in the Hemel Hempstead area, but  I feel sure that the horrendous weather conditions left every pet sitter throughout the country struggling and we are extremely pleased to welcome in the New Year!

Since we started our pet sitting service way back in 1998, we could never have anticipated its popularity and due to rapid expansion we are now able to offer our live in service throughout the South of the country. Would you believe, we even had an enquiry on Christmas Day!

Our recruitment drive for live in pet sitters is now in full swing, so if you would like the pleasure of a pet, without the responsibility, please visit our http://www.ninasnanniesforpets.co.uk/recruitment.html page for full details.  This type of work is ideally suited to retired professionals, since the work is largely part time, but each application is judged on merit.

We have received great feedback from our pet insurance comparison page http://www.ninasnanniesforpets.co.uk/compare-pet-insurance.html where you will find some of  the best on line deals.  We have long advocated the importance of pet insurance, having seen both the advancement of veterinary treatment and the escalating expense! 

We are also putting the final touches to our franchise package and already interest has been immense.  So much so that I have three interviews scheduled and it has yet to be formally launched.  It certainly is exciting times for us and this year is set to be the busiest yet.

Cancellation of competition

We feel that the adverse weather conditions, played a large part in the small number of entries that were received and with more snow forecast, we had little reason to believe that position would change.

Obviously it was extremely disappointing for all those concerned, since our previous fund raising efforts have always been a great success.  I would like to thank all those companies who donated prizes and hope to arrange another fund raising event in the Summer months.

We have informed the majority of people who did enter their pets and the donation and photographs have been returned. I have been contacted by the Gazette newspaper however, informing me that a few more entries were received and those people will also have their donation and photographs returned.

Santa Paws photo competition

We are pleased to announce the launch of our ‘Santa Paws’ photograph competition, in aid of Chiltern Dog Rescue in Tring and Cats Protection in Hemel Hempstead. Both charities are extremely close to our heart, since they are both local and of course one of our own cats was adopted from Cats Protection!

For the winner of the cat section we have a four day Butlins break for four people, donated by Bourne Leisure, in Hemel Hempstead. The second prizes are a professional photography session, donated by Ian Waldron photography in Edlesborough. Third prizes are a £100.00 hamper donated by Pets at Home in Hemel Hempstead and another £100.00 hamper donated by ourselves Nina’s Nannies for Pets, also based in Hemel Hempstead. Fourth prizes are dinner for two at the Watermill Restaurant in Berkhamsted and The Red Lion in Berkhamsted. Fifth prize is a signed copy of Gino D’Acampo recipe book, and a limited edition, of the Meerkats ‘A Simple Life’by Aleksander Orlov, donated by one of our pet sitters Adrienne Hasler.

In addition to these wonderful prizes, we also have a Thames River trip which includes lunch and has been donated by The Flight Centre in the Marlowes Mall and will be raffled on the day.

Mic Martin from BBC Dog Borstal has kindly given up his time to present the prizes to the winners of the dog section, and Jonathan Vernon Smith from BBC Three Counties radio, is our judge for the cat section.

The competition is being launched in this weeks Herald/Gazette, with two photographs of our dog Luika and Haricat. Both are the Nina’s Nannies for Pets mascots and delight in helping with our fund raising. They are obviously not included in the actual competition itself!

To enter this wonderful competition you should submit a festive photograph of your cat or dog, and the envelope should be marked ‘Santa Paws’ and addressed to The Herald/Gazette Newspaper, 39 Marlowes, Hemel Hempstead, Herts HP1 1LH and please remember to put your dogs name and contact details on the back of your photograph. We also ask that you submit a £5.00 donation with your entry, made payable to either Chiltern Dog Rescue, or Cats Protection.

You should also be available to attend our prize giving, which will take place on Tuesday 21 December outside of The Flight Centre in the Marlowes Mall, in Hemel Hempstead ,at 4.30pm. if you are lucky enough to be chosen as one of our winners. Even if you are not a winner,why not come down to the Mall and meet Mic Martin or Jonathan Vernon-Smith, where we will also be displaying the winning photographs.

Pet Insurance

At Nina’s Nannies for Pets, we have always been keen advocates of pet insurance. Ensuring that your pets medical requirements and veterinary bills are taken care of is of the utmost importance. If your animal becomes ill and requires urgent medical treatment, the last thing you want to be thinking about is the financial implications.

You would not think twice about insuring your vehicle or home and yet there are still many pet owners who fail to insure their pets. You are however, far more likely to claim on your pet insurance compared to the anything else!

There has been huge advances in veterinary treatments over the years and the costs can spiral, running into hundreds if not thousands of pounds!. As well as medical expense, cover will also typically include legal expenses should your pet cause injury to a third party. It can also cover the cost of advertising if your pet is lost and even a reward for their safe return. A more expensive policy can also offer a payout, should you be forced to cancel your holiday if your pet becomes sick.

Although cats and dogs are the easiest pets to find insurance, other animals can be covered – even exotics. However, you may have to search for a specialist provider if your pet is a bearded dragon!

Knowing that you are covered by reliable and affordable insurance offers complete peace of mind and allows your focus to be on their care and recovery.

We have always been dedicated to offering consumers the best possible care for their pets which is why you can now visit our Pet Comparison Directory.

Introducing

Hanne is also certified in canine psychology, canine behaviour, care and development at advanced level and a certified NLP practitioner who helps dog owners with problems from the minor to the extreme (e.g.) pulling on the lead, excessive barking, separation anxiety, phobias and obsessions, aggression towards dogs, and towards humans. She also visits your home and consults on a 1-1 basis. Owners receive back up support for life. She is also a member of the APDT, ABS, ASAB, ABMA, UFAW, PAACT, JFIDL and certified in cat behaviour and Canine Touch at foundation level.

For further information you can visit Hanne’s website http://www.doglistener.tv/

Goodbyes

This year, Nina’s Nannies for Pets have been deeply saddened by the loss of many old friends.  Clients and their pets who have used our pet visiting and live in pet sitting service for many years, have reported the death of their much loved cats, dogs and little furies.

In Hemel Hempstead we said goodbye to a little tortoiseshell cat called Titch.  In Potten End we recently mourned the loss of Penny, also a tortoiseshell aged 20, whom we had just finished a couple of weeks

Remembering old friends

previously.  Jazz, also 20 and another little cat from Eaton Bray, Daisy, a wonderful little Grey rescue cat from Berkhamsted, Phoebe from St Albans and more recently Mr Snuffles a wonderful old Lab from Cambridgeshire.  We really will miss them all dearly.

On a more pleasant note, Luika our two year old German Shepherd Dog has become a massive hit on facebook!  If you would like to follow his antics he can be found under Luika Cole, but more about him in blogs to come.

The volcanic eruptions continue to cause problems for our pet sitters, but we have managed to juggle sitters diaries in order to keep clients continuity and hope that the disruption to our time tables are not too long lasting.