Easter Chocolate WARNING

As Easter nears, it's vitally important that we, as dog owners, are well aware of the dangers that Easter treats pose to our canine companions. All chocolate is toxic to dogs, and should NEVER be given to or left out for the dog to eat. If you do see and/or suspect your dog has ingested anything chocolatey, then an emergency visit to the vet is needed at once.

There are many things you need to be aware of when it comes to chocolate poisoning in dogs; without the required knowledge, you are putting your dog at a higher risk of poisoning. YOU are the caring and responsible owner of your beloved dog! Here are some main points:

- The toxic component in chocolate is theobromine. As humans, we metabolite this with ease, however dogs process it much more slowly, thus allowing it to build up to toxic levels in their system.

- A large dog CAN consumes more chocolate than a small dog before taking ill effect, however eventually, chocolate does just the same damage (often lethal) to all sizes. Therefore whatever size of dog you have, the same principles apply for rushing your dog STRAIGHT to the vet if any chocolate has been/is suspected to have been ingested.

- In large amounts, theobromine can produce muscle tremors, seizures, an irregular heartbeat, internal bleeding or a heart attack. The onset of theobromine is usually marked with severe hyperactivity.

NEVER EVER delay veterinary attention in lethal situations like this, or any other risk-posing situations at that. The initial treatment for theobromine poisoning is inducing vomiting within twi hours of ingestion. This is to rid the system of the consumed chocolate products.

So... How about treating your dog to something different this Easter? Chocolate is 100% banned from the doggy agenda at all times, however, the wonderful pet industry have created special canine-safe chocolate products, including doggy Easter Eggs! How about that?

Image Source - Google Images

Ensure your dog is chocolate-free, and happy as can be! Because he has HIS OWN type of safe chocolate to enjoy, now! So go and buy your special pooch something tasty and safe.* And NEVER EVER allow him near any human chocolate, or give him any. Because chocolate can kill your dog. And if your dog DOES end up having eaten any chocolate, you should get him straight to the vet.

*We recommend dog chocolate is given as special occasion treats, and not on a regular basis. 

**I am by no means a canine expert in any field, nutrition also. I have done my own research and know my own facts about dogs and caring for them, which I share with you on this blog in good will. I suggest strongly that if you have ANY canine related concerns about your pet, call your vet.

We're joining our hosts Sugar The Golden Retriever and Kol's Notes for the Tasty Tuesday Blog Hop. We send many thanks their way, and you can join in below!

AN KC Show March

What a brilliant day we had on Saturday 28th March! At the first outdoor agility show of 2015, our day spent competing at the March Agility Nuts Kennel Club Show went smooth and successfully. We saw friends, competed in a blissful, outdoor atmosphere, and enjoyed walking around in the warmth and sun, when it was out.

We began the competitive day with the Small Agility Combined 1-7. Now. Leading up to the show, we were worried about the 1-7 classes, as we'd never done any before, and it was all the grades combined, competing against each other. Therefore, when Earl ran a clear, speedy, beautiful round and came 4th out of around 40 other dogs, you can imagine my vivid, out of control excitement! We then went on to run another gorgeous clear round in the Small Jumping Combined 1-7, and came 5th out of the same amount of dogs! Then, we ran another clear round in the Small Agility Graded 4-7, and came 3rd in our Grade 5! He was happy all day, and all his runs were in brilliant times, and all well inside the set course time, which I was thrilled about. And I NEVER imagined we would be placed highly in a COMBINED 1-7 CLASS!!! Brilliant happenings. Plus, we have gained 19 more warrant points towards our Silver Warrant award in this show!

Here, you can see the relaxed and contented Earl gazing down on his awards earned from our most previous competition at AN KC. He is such a brilliant boy, and will always remain one. However, he doesn't link the rosettes to his day; he links the fun he and I have had all day with his day!! And that is why he just loves competing.

We are joining our hosts Snoopy's Dogblog, Alfie's Blog and My Brown Newfies for the Monday Mischief Blog Hop. We send many thanks their way, and you can join in below!

Puppies Are Happiness

How could anyone forget little puppies?!

We are joining the Black and White Sunday Blog Hop, hosted by our friends Dachshund Nola and Sugar The Golden Retriever. We send many thanks their way, and you can join in below.

Sepia Saturday - Crashed

Puppies are so random! One minute they are flying around and around the room, knocking possessions this way and that, and then CRASH, they decide to sleep, and remain this way until morning, where their cycle will start over. The only break you will see in this routine is when you decide to do something with them. Luckily for us, Ethel is kept well occupied, meaning there is way more time for snoozing. Because the diving around SHE did today was all with me!

Hosted by Ruckus The Eskie and us, Earl's World!

Long Spring Walks

Now Spring is here, there is NO excuse to stay wrapped up inside the comforts of your home; the sun is shining, and the weather is warm. Both you and your dog will thrive outdoors in Spring, and have a joyous time. So make your walks count; make them long and enjoyable.

Earl behaving on a sunny walk

Walks provide mental and physical stimulation and exercise for your dog - and YOU! Did you realise, that walks benefit humans as well, both physically AND mentally? Getting out of the house, in the glorious fresh air, is good for all involved. So get out there now!

And Ethel behaving also

Walking is also great for training your dog, as well. Puppies especially can benefit from some manners training on walks, and is a special bonding process between your dog and you. By enjoying nice, simple walks, you can do a lot for you and your dog, in every possible way.

Thanks to hosts To Dog With Love, SlimDoggy and My GBGV Life

Borders Bonding

They LOVE each other <3

Thanks to hosts BlogPaws

Can Dogs Develop Monday Blues?

Because as humans, we know we can!

We share our lives with our dogs surrounding us. Whilst some owners are here with their dogs 24/7, others have to go out to work sometimes. And as proven by research, dogs can sense our moods, and become accustomed to routines. So when you awake on Mondays, and take a deep sigh, stop and think... can my dogs develop the same Monday blues?

You may be thinking how ridiculous this sounds. However, when thinking logically, in the proven knowledge that our dogs can sense our moods and become accustomed to routines, does this still seem like such a weird suggestion? To me, some of this sounds like it could come to perfect sense. I have heard tales of owners putting on a certain jacket, or outfit, and their dogs reacting. Such as a walking/training coat. And, a human outfit needed for their job. No, dogs can't think 'ah, my human is now going out to work as a X at the X earning £X per hour and spending X hours there and stopping for a X break on their way home'... BUT, they can establish around when their owner is going to return home; just like when your pet knows when dinner is scheduled. Therefore, could our dogs know when the human-filled weekend has come to a close?

Our dogs can react to the clothes we wear

The answer is.... POSSIBLE! With a secure routine in place, dogs can learn when and what is happening. Obviously not as vividly as us, who can recite the days of the week and plan ahead, however they have that amazing sense of routines. If you do not have a particular routine in place, your dog will find becoming accustomed harder.

So! Now you know... If your dog does seem to develop signs of 'blues'... You can do many things to aid with his mood. Some signs are a seemingly sad attitude, lack of enthusiasm, or even the complete opposite for some dogs, being hyperactive and/or showing overreactions when he senses you are going or something is happening.

There are two main things you should do to help prevent the canine blues...

- Make sure you wake up early enough to give your dog a good walk before anything happens. This will give him the opportunity to use up some of his energy, so that he is happier to settle, relax, and sleep if and when left/something occurs. You should aim to maybe do some training with him, and allow him to run around and play for a good amount of time. This should prevent your dog from becoming stressed.

- Ask somebody trustworthy to come in and care for your dog during the day. Therefore if he misses you, he can still be given the opportunity and time to go to the toilet, play, run, walk, and mooch outdoors, plus be given the human companionship and company he so desires. Even if he doesn't appear to show signs of stress or discomfort, this is still a very good idea if you have to.

So, two main messages have been spread here. One, your dog can develop a good sense of routine and become accustomed to them. And two, you CAN prevent canine blues, and do the very best you can to ensure your dog is contented and receiving the attention he thrives.

*You should never leave your dog on his own for large periods of time, without humans in and caring for him. Small periods may be OK, however ensure your dog is contented and his needs being met. If this isn't the case, you must invest in some solutions.

Keeping your dog crated and alone for large periods can cause stress

Thanks to hosts Snoopy's Dogblog, Alfie's Blog and My Brown Newfies

The 1 Step Answer

... To 'How to Take the Most Emotional Photo'... It really is that simple. And by 'the most emotional photo', I mean photos which resemble your dog at his very sweetest. Such as this...

So, prepare to be blown away with my Einstein-like idea...

STEP 1. Hold some tantalising food above and behind the camera! Your dog will put the puppy dog eyes on right away, in the hope of receiving some deliciousness! Such a motivator, and you can grab it straight from your fridge at home! You have a killer emotional canine photo!

We're joining hosts Dachshund Nola and Sugar The Golden Retriever for the Black and White Sunday Blog Hop! Thanks again, guys!

Sepia Saturday - Bed Spread

... Earl IS the bed spread!

Do your dogs spread out to sleep?

We, Earl's World! are cohosting the Sepia Saturday Blog Hop with Ruckus The Eskie - Thanks again, pal!

AN ABL Novice League WINNERS!

What a show! Last weekend, on Sunday 15th March, Earl and I travelled to another (the final!) Agility Nuts Competition of this winter series. It was the grand final... and we were so far, leading the league for our group - ABL (Anything/All But Large) Novice, so far. With only one show to go, we were holding our breath for success in each run, earning us more points towards possible overall success, which was hanging in the air over everyone throughout the entirety of the day. Therefore, you can imagine there were a few nerves here and there.

Well... Our hope blossomed, and we managed to win the ABL Novice League, by around 60 points, too! As well as this huge achievement, we also managed a clear 5th place, clear 6th place, two additional clear rounds, and I also managed to run clear with a friend's lovable Border Collie in a separate class! (P.S, these then came 3rd in their league!). I was and still am buzzing; Earl is such an amazing little dog.

Our clear when I ran a friend's Border Collie

And one of the biggest wins for us that day, was how Earl's paw was fully healed. Yes, recently, Earl has been in the wars a little, having had a bad paw for a while. With plenty of rest, it has now healed! It was such a joy seeing my healthy little boy enjoying his agility once again.

What a fantastic day had by all! This league win also now moves us up into the next group, the most advanced group at the show, Senior! So ABL Senior, here we come! And we're ready to continue having a thrilling time in the ring at every single show, for the rest of our agility career. We make such an amazing team, and I am continuously SO proud of us!

We're joining hosts, Rascal and Rocco, Bionic Basil, Jan's Funny Farm, Barking From the Bayou, and Love is Being Owned by a Husky! for the Pet Parade Blog Hop! Thanks again, guys!

An InLinkz Link-up

Ravenous Humans

We're joining hosts, BlogPaws, for the Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop! Thanks again, guys!