Pleasing 4 Pets

It would appear that our pets are becoming more important to us than ever before. It seems that we want them involved in almost everything that we do.

One pair of newly weds who married on a Highland beach recently would certainly agree - the pairs German Shepherd was not only present at the ceremony, but was awarded the enviable title of bridesmaid for the day!

When 41 year old bride Anne Marie Fulton and her groom, 46 year old Anthony Gallacher got said ‘I do’ in a civil ceremony performed on the sands of Camusdarch Beach in Morar, their pet dog. Caidir attended the ceremony as a bridesmaid.

The blushing bride revealed why the pair gave their beloved pet such a prominent role in their nuptials:-

“We have had Caidir, which means “cherish” in Gaelic, since she was a puppy. She goes everywhere with us. We don’t have children and Caidir is like my baby, so we just had to make her a bridesmaid. While the ceremony was going on, Caidir was digging holes on the beach. It certainly made the wedding a bit different. Everyone, including Caidir, had a fantastic day.”

The groom’s sister who is also the owner of a local pet store was responsible for making Caidir’s outfit for the happy occasion

A Londonderry based business woman is all set to take the New York fashion world by storm during the annual NYC Pet Fashion Week which takes place at the Metropolitan Pavilion, New York, on 23rd & 24th August.

Jane Grant is the proud designer of the latest en vogue ‘HugX ‘pet feeding bowl, which is almost two feet in width and around a foot high. The bowl was born from dog owner Jane’s’ frustration at the dysfunctional styles of many of the pet bowls available on the market.

As the loving owner of Red Setter - Emmy, Jane set about inventing a bowl that made it more undemanding for Emmy to gain access to her food. The end result was the HugX bowl which is angled for ease of use and is similar to the angle of a hug, affording pets’ easier access their food.

The pioneering and ergonomically designed bowls are available in a wide variety of fashionable colours and are expected to make a huge impact on animal lovers the world over, particularly in Japan.

Jane’s design has also been selected for entry to the NYC Pet Fashion Weeks’ Lifestyle Innovation Award, and she has announced her intention to launch the HugX bowl into the general market. She also indicated that she expected to expand the range and was currently designing a diamond version of the product.

Proper discipline can often help to avoid your cute, lovable puppy becoming a badly behaved dog later in life. And contrary to the widely held belief that a dog less than 6 months of age is too young to train, it is never too early in your pups’ life to begin training him. It is possible to begin influencing your puppy’s behaviour from the moment you take him home.

Most new owners start by endeavouring to house-break their pooch. This is the commonest form of initial training. The next step is typically some form of basic obedience training. Your pet’s obedience will reinforce and strengthen the bond between the two of you, as well as causing you less stress and frustration. Canines appear to be motivated by the pleasure shown by their owner and begin learning behaviour patterns early on in their lives, so that’s obviously the most apt time to commence basic dog training. If you take on the challenge together, the process can be an important time in your owner-dog relationship. You will discover how to trust each other and as a result will benefit from each others company more.

A committed owner may often attempt to go further than the basics. Alternatively, many dog owners these days feel that they simply do not have the expertise to train their dog successfully, and as a result many are now turning to the professionals to help them to coach their canine companions. If you make the decision to opt for any form of professional training you should bear in mind that some breeds are more difficult to train than others. Some professionals may specialise in certain breeds, and might help you to train your pet more successfully than others.

Most professional Dog Trainers will be able to advise you and offer assistance with anything from house-breaking, lead-training and reacting to simple commands obediently, to dealing with problem behaviour such as digging, chewing, growling and inappropriate aggression in grown dogs. With proper training all of these types of behaviour and many more can be addressed. You should make a decision on which area’s of support will be most conducive to both you and your dog and discuss them with your trainer. Look to teach your four-legged friend what you expect from him behaviourally and with a bit of luck (and perhaps some expert help!) he will likely provide you with that and more in return.

• Consider having your dog neutered. This can lessen aggression but is not thought to affect your dogs’ protectiveness.
• If you can, try to spend some time with a dog before adopting it. Practice extra caution when introducing a dog into your home if you have an infant or toddler. Any animal with a record of aggression is definitely inappropriate in a home with children.
• Take special care to train your puppy early from very early on. Encourage him to socialise but do not tolerate any form of aggressive behaviour.
• Never ever leave infants, toddlers or young children with a dog even if it is the family pet, without adult supervision.

• If you come across a dog which is roaming and appears unsupervised, do not approach it. You should immediately call your local authority dog warden and advise them of the situation, so that they can take the necessary steps required to ensure the safety of the public.
• Never shock or surprise an animal that is eating, caring for puppies, sleeping or even playing with a toy.
• When you are initially introduced to a dog, let them approach you and sniff you. If the dog becomes aggressive, stand still, try not to scream or move suddenly.
• If a dog attacks you, protect yourself with anything that you are able to lay your hands on – a bag, jacket or even a bicycle. If you are knocked to the ground by the animal, attempt to lie face down or curl yourself up into a ball with your hands around your head. Try to remain still and refrain from making noise until the dog has ceased its attack.
• If you are bitten, wash the wound immediately and thoroughly with a mild antiseptic lotion and plenty of water. Contact a doctor for advice and report the bite to the authorities.

Caring for a pet has often been reported to enhance your sense of well being and can provide you with a natural psychological boost. Animal companions such as cats and dogs are accepting and non-judgmental friends who grant their owners unconditional love. They offer warmth and affection, and can help to improve self-esteem. A well chosen pet can bring you a sense of purpose and encourage exercise. They also offer great opportunities to meet new people and make friends. In other words, cats and dogs can have a positive influence on the emotional and physical health of their owners.

Various research and analysis has confirmed that in almost every situation, primary interaction between humans elevates the heart rate, respiration and blood pressure. By comparison, interacting with a pet typically reduces the levels of blood pressure in both the animal and their owner, this in turn can help to relieve anxiety and stress or tension since the fear of disapproval or criticism does not exist in a pet-owner relationship.

A recent survey showed that 70% those who took part sought comfort from a pet when feeling unhappy. Whilst 90 % spoke to their pets, 75% reportedly felt that having a pet increased their overall contentment.

Pets have been used as far back as the 18th century in the UK when they were found to be beneficial to the well-being of mental patients, with many tending farm animals as a form of early therapy. Today, animal-facilitated therapy programmes are used as rehabilitation for a vast range of patients, including the mentally ill, physically and developmentally disabled people, emotionally traumatized adults and children, the elderly and many terminally ill patients. There have been numerous cases of unresponsive and withdrawn patients in Psychiatric Hospitals who have begun to interact with visitors or staff after being involved in animal-facilitated therapy programmes.

But it is important to remember that the pet-owner bond is not always unquestionable and cannot be guaranteed by the fact that people and animals live together. The relationship between the two must be nurtured to ensure a bond is developed. Without this the animal may well suffer, whilst the owner will draw little or no benefit from the match.

If you are considering adopting a cat or dog, it is important to reflect on how the animal will be integrated into your everyday routine. Not all lifestyles are conducive to the ownership of a pet and you should bear in mind that your pet will be a permanent family member. That said, taking on the responsibility of a pet will reward you with the pleasurable experience of a pet-owner relationship.