Saturday 28 February 2015

Sepia Saturday - Reach...

Poor Ethel just couldn't get to the tantalising toy behind the gate. There was no room for her muzzle to slide in, so she had to resort to reaching out with her paws, AND attempting to stuff her face into the bars - all at the same time! She wouldn't give up whatsoever, and ended up sitting back and resorting to moaning at me. I knew she was capable, and she proved me correct in the end! What a clever and determined young canine!

No giving up!

She proceeded to run around the garden, shredding the soft material all over the ground, diving on Earl and asking him to tug. And, of course, he woofed the OK! Then, the pair tugged and tugged hard, until it burst open at the seams - innards everywhere. Oh well - time for me to clean up! One toy well-earned, well-loved and well played with, indeed.

Does your dog ever reach with their paws?


Crufts 2015 is here this week - and we gave an informative post on all the information! If you missed this, GO TO IT NOW!



Don't forget to join the Pinch Punch Post March 2015 blog hop tomorrow! Just come by my blog and find out more! Plus visit our BLOG HOPS PAGE to find out more. See you there!



We cohost alongside Ruckus The Eskie


Friday 27 February 2015

Crufts 2015 - What's On?

CRUFTS 2015 IS LESS THAN ONE WEEK AWAY!!!

We're so excited! Are you?

Its getting closer and closer to the biggest and most exciting and international dog show in the world - non other than Crufts 2015!! And we're SO excited! We may not be competing ourselves this year, but I am going, and I am going to watch events and shop shop shop dog style. As last year was, I just know how much I am going to adore this year's event just the same. Are you going to Crufts? Or are you planning on spending a relaxing few evenings sat on the sofa watching Crufts online with your precious pooch by your side? You could even be competing yourself - make sure to tell us what your plan of action is now Crufts is just around the next corner! We're all so excited!


I feel very privileged to have Crufts located so close to home. Crufts goes on every year at the NEC in Birmingham (and for those overseas readers, in the United Kingdom) which isn't that far for us to travel. However, every year at Crufts, we see so many competitors and their dogs who have traveled from all over the world to compete and be in with a chance of leaving a champion in their discipline - especially on International day at Crufts each year! Adrenaline is high for people in the audience who live where a competitor does.


So the question rushing around everyone's minds is who is going to win what this year? With the main focus being the prestigious and enviable title of Best In Show overall. There are also many more competitions around Crufts, including other discipline competitions such as Agility, Flyball, Obedience, Heelwork To Music/Freestyle, Handling, Stakes, Grooming, and more. There will see so many dogs strutting their stuff with their owners and/or handlers on the legendary green carpet again this year. There is also the Young Kennel Club ring, where many junior handlers compete against others of their young age group, and in agility, even attempt to make it into the main arena for the grand final. There are clever displays going on, a wide range of entertainment features including Dog Photographer Of The Year revealed in more detail, junior art competition entries shown and many stalls to visit and purchase from. You can even pick up many free samples of magazines and goodie bags throughout the day - you just have to hunt hard for the stalls in all the halls!! There will also be a Discover Dogs, section to meet and greet over 200 breeds of dog. Not forgetting the Scruffs heats for our crossbreed pals! There is lots going on all throughout all four packed days - you can't afford to miss out.

If you wish to attend Crufts, see the end of our post for diary dates!

Before we proceed, I would like to share the joys of one owner and shower who won, with their 2 year old Standard Poodle by the name of Ricky, Best In Show at Crufts 2014. From Lancashire, we were looking at a well travelled pair.  A strikingly well-groomed show dog, and a favourite at Crufts that year by many - and most importantly, the BIS judge himself.


Here we see proud owner Jason Lynn and his BIS dog 2014 after the final presentation. You can tell by his face how overjoyed he is to win this one in a million title everyone has been competing for throughout the 4 days. To win BIS is to win the entirely of Crufts - and to be a champion in the showing world forever more holding the pride and the title.

So now you know what's going on at Crufts, have we tempted you into going this year?! Or maybe you're competing yourself with your dog in one of the many available disciplines, and you're getting excited AND nervous! Or maybe you've been planning to go all along - like us - for a general day there...

If you would like to attend Crufts this year, here are the dates for your diaries...

Day 1 - Thursday 5 March 2015
This day marks the first and maybe one of the most exciting days of the four day event! It also marks Gundog day in the showing world, where you will find all sorts of gundogs competing in Best Of Breed, hoping to progress. While many people are competing in semi-finals for their discipline on this day, hoping to come back the next or one of the final days for the finals, others are enjoying this day as their 'look around' day, as they are competing further on in the show. Showing enthusiasts, eagerly hoping to show their dogs off enough to go through to more rounds, leading the the Best In Show opportunity, are entering into their 'baby' competitions in the smaller rings in a hope of coming back again the next day. Some are still at home, preparing themselves and their dogs for their day - and biting their nails a great deal! All the fun and action is only just beginning!


Day 2 - Friday 6 March 2015
Here we have the Working and Pastoral day. The action is in full swing by now, and many competitors will be back again after qualifying in their first heats the day before. For others who are competing in one-off competitions, will be here to compete in their event, hoping to drive home with a prize.


Day 3 - Saturday 7 March 2015
Now we have the Terrier and Hound day - the day we are attending Crufts on! The Terriers will be our priority in the showing world that day, as well as many other fun events to enjoy. The show has only one more day after this day now - soon it will be BIS time. Many are competing in semi-finals to make the BIS finals.


Day 4 - BIS - Sunday 8 March 2015
Its here!! After many heats in the showing world, all has come down to this, and the BIS finalists have bene chosen. Best In Show will be judged and presented at the end of the day on this day, and the overall Crufts champion 2015 will be revealed, plus our reserve. There are also many more things occurring throughout the day to lead you up until this final and most important judging. Many people will be seated and waiting for BIS, and our BIS finalists will be cringing, biting their nails and panicking as it all comes down to this. Will they come out top dog?


Each day, the show lasts from 8:15 - 19:30.

If you don't want to miss out on the canine adventure of your life, BUY YOUR TICKETS HERE (and discover prices) and reserve YOUR spot at the world's biggest dog show! WE are so excited to attend once again - and you could be counting down the days too! You can even enjoy the Crufts action even if you're not attending...

You can watch main arena Crufts action both streaming LIVE and once the show is over on their dedicated YouTube Channel, and the Crufts website, plus remember, Crufts will be showing LIVE on TV on all four days in the main arena. You can watch this on More 4 on all four days - and don't forget to set them to record if you're not available to watch live, or worry you may forget to watch! Broadcast information was published on the Kennel Club Website HERE only recently, therefore you can access more info so you won't miss out.

If you would like ANYMORE information whatsoever on Crufts, then browse around their fun and easily navigated OFFICIAL WEBSITE and find out all you need and want to know! You can also find out more about the history of the huge show on their website.

Crufts main sponsor for the show is Eukanuba - a brand of dog food. If you would like to find out about Eukanuba, visit their official website HERE. There will also be a dedicated Eukanuba area at the big show, where you can see the food and discover if it may suit your own dog. There are many other stalls where you can find out information regarding dogs, and purchase doggy products. We hope you have a good time and have learnt a little more about Crufts and what's on this year today.

We hope you thoroughly enjoy any Crufts experience you are having this year - and don't forget to let us know what your plans are! We are SO EXCITED!

*Images sourced from Google Images




Tuesday 24 February 2015

Delicious Taste - Now Cleaner Teeth!

While the month of February lasts, we decided we'd share a post on what we think on the subject of doggy dental care. AND how much your dogs can love the teeth cleaning process, and how you can make this process taste delicious!!

Confused? Already... geez. No, I don't blame you! Just joking! What I mean by making teeth cleaning taste delicious, is when you use flavoured doggy toothpaste! Mmmm... beef, chicken... whatever you like! No mints for the canines - its all food! So our dogs can love having their whites brushed, due to enjoying a delightful taste sensation! And remember, NO dog should EVER have their teeth brushed using ANY human toothpaste. This includes the deadly xylitol - also found in human gum, as I am sure you have already heard before. So stick to the yummy canine paste only - ALWAYS!


I will admit now to never having even thought about brushing my dog's teeth. Earl has always had nice teeth, and had carrots, chews and dental toys to help keep his teeth clean. It was only recently, when Earl had to have a tooth removed due to a dental abscess caused by general bacteria, that I considered brushing. The vet who performed the operation also called tooth brushing a fantastic and ideal idea. Therefore I couldn't NOT go ahead (this was veterinary advice!) and rushed straight to the pet store to purchase a doggy toothbrush, finger toothbrush and toothpaste. Remember, you can also purchase finger toothbrushes for dogs, as we did in a pack - a useful brush minus the long part! Just beware of your fingers in canine mouths!

Having had this worrying experience of Earl's tooth issues, I stress for EVERYONE to ensure you keep your dog's teeth clean, by brushing, and/or giving dental chews and toys to help keep those pearlies clean and in healthy condition. Your dog may be prone to going through pain and suffering if you don't. Dogs enjoy keeping their teeth clean due to the fun and tasty benefits for them! Nice tastes, chews, and toys... what's not to like here when you're a dog?! I see nothing!

Beef flavoured?! Why didn't anyone tell me about this teeth brushing malarky before?!


Keep your dog's teeth clean and stress dental care this month and today - as today marks the day of Brush Your Teeth Day - and February on a whole is Pet Dental Health Month! Remember to keep your other pets' teeth clean as well!


Monday 23 February 2015

Tanning Season?

Could tanning season have arrived? If yes, Earl will be forever happy... until next winter comes around once again and dampens his undercarriage suntan, and puts his sun-loving ways on hold for another long and cold year of clouds. Earl is a true mad dog out in the midday sun!! He worships the big ball. And every year, Earl's undercarriage and the underneath of his hind legs become black from the tan! He loves the sun, but it's important for him not to overdo the sunbathing now the sun is making more of a frequent appearance.


You cannot disturb Earl from his spot in the sun, sitting against the shed, or on the doorstep, eyes squinting, legs positioned for the best tan possible, his shadow accurate to every hair on the sunny wall or floor behind him, warmth soaking into his blissful, accepting body. He is a true English dog indeed! I can never see him going against that.

Does your dog like sunbathing?




We don't have the MM link list.

Sunday 22 February 2015

Cold DV - No Odds Made

Yesterday, Earl and I competed at another Dog Vegas agility competition. Although it was cold, we had a great time once again, seeing pals and doing a little shopping here and there. Now - how did we do? Earl ran beautifully, and I felt he flowed round the courses. Some of the courses were very testing on our memories and manoeuvring skills however, which posed a challenge, especially on the first run in the morning! Luckily, we still did well, and managed a 3rd place in the Money Agility class - earning us not only pride and a blossoming rosette of great beauty, but £3 prize cash too!! I will be sure to spend that on something nice for Earl - he did win the money at the end of the day - bless him.  He'll apprentice that - and he is sure deserving!


We also managed a 4th place in the Jumping class - however awards were only going to 3 - close. All the courses were very testing, but out of all three of them, this jumping one was the kindest and seemed lovely to run. He flew and I could tell he was thrilled as a result of chasing me around! There is not a moment where we don't enjoy the experience.

Saturday 21 February 2015

Sepia Saturday - SMILES

No matter what the world throws at you, never forget to smile and smile BIG! Because you have your canine companion behind you all the way, ready to help you whenever you need help.


So remember this photo and open your mouth, show your teeth and SMILE! Did you know, dogs can tell what mood you are in because of your facial expressions, a new study has shown?



We cohost with Ruckus The Eskie


Friday 20 February 2015

Dogs Encouraging Dogs

All those multi-dog households out there will know how much several dogs can get along. And even those owners who have dogs with close doggy pals will know how much they thrive in the company of one another. And this can work surprisingly well when it comes to fitness, too, believe it or not - let me explain and a lightbulb may just ping on over your head...


Imagine a household has two dogs, and one dog is a nervous dog, and the other dog is a bubbly and willing dog. Imagine the nervous dog does not have the mental power to go outside of the home. Now image the bubbly dog grabbing a beloved ball and pulling the owner out of the home to go for a nice walk. The two dogs are good housemates, and therefore the nervous dog wishes to follow the bubbly dog and feels safe around this dog, where he/she wouldn't feel safe alone. Can you see now how having another dog in the house can really bring a nervous dog out of his/her shell? When the nervous dog would never have been brave enough to stray from the property alone, even with the owner? Dogs can communicate in so many incredible and amazing ways in which we humans cannot. We may have an amazing bond with our dogs, and be able to communicate with them through our own ways, however dogs speak the exact same language and can really help each other along when needed. Even just seeing another dog doing something the watching dog would not could encourage him/her to do it too.

And exercise is compulsory in all species. If a nervous dog is too afraid to go outside, due to a past negative experience or something else, this can be a real let down and can put everything on hold, never mind ruining the quality of life for that poor dog. I have heard of so many positive experiences from people who have been able to turn a nervous dog around using the help and encouragement from a canine pal to light the road ahead. And even if you only have one dog, meeting up and involving friend's dogs can work as well!



Thursday 19 February 2015

Cuddles on Human Cushion

National Spoil Your Pet Month is upon us! Which means we shall continue on with normal occurrences... I love spoiling my canine companions. I adore seeing them relaxed and contended - there is no nicer feeling than having two happy dogs in the house!

These pals are allowed up mum!

One way of showing your pets how much you love them, is to welcome them into your arms and allow them to share some human comforts. I adore cuddling my canine companions on my bed - and they adore this too! I will often find them happily asleep there when they become tired. Its adorable and you can tell how contended they are there. I love seeing them relaxed.





Tuesday 17 February 2015

I'm 5 now... So what?

FLOOR manners never come in canines...


No more words needed. Good chew though Earl - and thanks - sharing appreciated!!

And please come back again tomorrow - Earl never meant to steer you away - we promise a nicer image and I promise we'll show you we keep promises - whoa - many promises there - can only be promising I guess.

And maybe next Tasty Tuesday we shall share something a tad more productive. Deal guys?