A Pet Sitters Blog
Christmas Hope For Unwanted Pets
As our last few bookings our confirmed and with Christmas almost upon on us, my thoughts at this time of the year, inevitably turn to those poor homeless pets who languishing in rescue shelters. No crackling fire to warm themselves upon, no hearty dinner or long Christmas walks. Just a cold empty kennel and maybe the odd glimpse of a Christmas tree, if their kennel, pod or cage happens to be situated by the reception area.
I watch with amusement as Melody and Edna paw at the brightly colour baubles that adorn our tree, and cannot stifle a giggle, as Luika tries in his own clumsy way to gate crash their game. In fact, that’s just what he did the other day and the tree quite literally crashed to the floor, tinsel and all! I rather think that he frightened himself the most, since the next few hours saw him eyeing the tree with suspicion rather than the source of his amusement.
Last Christmas our two cats enjoyed the festive period at the RSPCA shelter in Aylesbury. We had chosen them a week before and although we understood the policy of not allowing animals to be re homed over Christmas, we were extremely saddened to think of our two scamps sharing a small pod together, when they could be in the comfort of our warm home.
As Luika nuzzles my arm again in pursuit of another throw my Kong game, I decide that this year, all of our unwanted presents to be sold, with the proceeds going to a local animal charity. Now wouldn’t that be wonderful if all animal lovers followed our lead. If we all raised just £5.00 each, it would help rescue centres all over the country to buy a few extra cats of food, another box of biscuits, or even a few toys to keep their inmates busy until they too, can find their forever home for next Christmas.
Luika Impresses
Well, it was our final day training on a one to one at Barking Mad yesterday. Luika enjoyed his free running with three of the trainers dogs and when his energy was expelled, our last training session began. 
Having cow hocks is not easy for Luika, since he is unable to enjoy the exercise that our previous German Shepherd puppies had at his age. Therefore interaction with other dogs is minimal and at Barking Mad he is always in close proximity to his canine chums. Although I have to say that Maisy was by far his favorite!
Our lesson commenced with some doggie dancing. A few twists and turns that Luika has perfected over the weeks. Our heel work was excellent and his search work has vastly improved. Its also evident that his back legs have seen a real improvement, which we put down to his weekly hydrotherapy treatments, but have resigned ourselves to Luika never really enjoying the freedom of a dog with normal legs. An operation is always an option, but only if it serves to help medically.
We ended our one to one session with Luika walking to heel with the trainers dog, who was a little smasher as you can imagine. All in all our six week one to one training was a real success and we hope to continue his training in a class environment.
Well done to Megan (his trainer) at Barking Mad, and of course, Luika, who at nine months of age continues to enjoy the stimulation so desperately required by a working breed.
Calling all animals lovers
I have just been sent the following undercover footage of puppies/dogs/cats being skinned alive in China. PLEASE, take a minute to sign the petition and forward to friends and family for their support. I chose not to watch the footage, since I would find it too distressing, however, together we CAN help.
There is no need to see the video, but if you must, be aware, it’s horrible. The following video is of excruciating violence. Its painful silences affect us all deeply. If we don’t protect animals from this type of brutality, we become accomplices
A Shocking Look Inside Chinese Fur Farms
Please sign and forward to all your contacts - this has to be stopped!!!
I explain the process below:
With a hidden camera, animals were filmed being SKINNED ALIVE!!! They say it’s done to get a more perfect ”cut”; afterwards the carcasses are tossed into a pile, still alive, and for up to 10 minutes you can see their hearts still beating, in agony, their eyes still blinking, and the puppies’ little paws still shaking. There was one pup, that still lifted his head and gazed at the camera with bloodied eyes.
If you don’t care to see the video, please sign and forward to your friends: this monstrosity has to be stopped, we have to act!! When the list reaches 500 names, please forward to: PETA2@peta.org
Thank you.
Help with rescue centres
At Nina’s Nannies for Pets, we have always taken great pride in our close association with animal shelters.With the recession upon us and the news that there has been a sharp increase of people, who have been forced to downsize or rent property, there is a now a real risk that thousands of pets could be abandoned or handed into rescue shelters. Pet owners are now under extreme economic pressure, which dramatically increases demand at rescue centres, many of which are now running out of room and money. Even private donations are now dwindling.
With this in mind, we have decided to offer our support, by placing information on these centres on our areas covered pages. We have already given space to the Avon Small Animal Rescue Centre in Bristol and Happy Landings Animal Shelter in Somerset and Avon and hope to help various other small shelters within the next few weeks.
To all those people, who are currently considering bringing a new pet into their home, please be aware of those cats, dogs and little furies, who are currently languishing in rescue shelters up and down the country. With your help, that could be in a new forever home for Christmas, and leaving space behind, for another lost or abandoned pet.
Luika in Action
This is our first attempt at adding video into the blog! This is Luika aged 6months at his third hydrotherapy
Melody in Disgrace!
In the slammer
Regular visitors to my blog, will be aware of our two rescue cats, Melody (who is not quite the full ticket), and little Edna. Since joining our family almost a year ago from the R.S.P.C.A, they have both enriched our lives and Melody in particular, has kept us both amused with her antics. However, her latest was not for the feint hearted!
After careful scrutiny I was horrified to discover a large hole in the base of the divan, and the culprit was busy amusing herself inside. Yes, you are correct, it was Melody. Edna was busy cleaning herself on our sky box (I’m ashamed to say that our box it is in our bedroom, as opposed to our living room!), completely unaware that their secret had been rumbled!
Melody however was was determined not to give up her hiding place and slipped further and deeper into the divan regardless of my futile attempts to call her. In fact, it was a full 20 mins before she was tempted out and she seemed more than a little miffed by the tone of my voice.
Cats - don’t you just love them.