November 2018, FREE
MEET MOJO! THE CANINE INSTA-STAR OF THE MOMENT
PET HOROSCOPES
BY RUSSELL GRANT
FESTIVE GIVEAWAY: WIN A 3D PET SCULPTURE!
PLUS MORE INSIDE!
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Pets Magazine Photo Credit: Neil Foster, New Moon Image
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Does Your Pet Have The XMAS Factor? We're searching for the most festive of pets for our #PetXmasFactor competition. You can win a 3D sculpture of YOUR pet (literally, any pet, from cat to iguana!) designed by 3D printing specialists Arty Lobster. Arty Lobster’s highly skilled artists create the 3D pet sculptures, which are 3D printed in-house before being delivered to the customer. The company offers three options, including sandstone, bronze and custom options and sculptures range in size from 14 cm (5.5 inches) tall when sitting (or long when standing) to 20 cm (8 inches) tall for the large sculpture. The prize is for a 14cm sandstone sculpture featuring a brass nameplate. TO ENTER, and for full details & terms & conditions, please visit the following website: Pet XMAS Factor Competition. The deadline for entries is midnight on Monday 17th December 2018. One lucky winner will be announced during the first week of January 2019.
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My Pet Our cover star this month is celebrity dog, Mojo the Toy Poodle. Mojo’s best known for her appearance on ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ in 2017 and as the skateboarding dog in the Webbox Naturals television advert. We meet her owner, Lynne Land, and find out more about this cute pooch!
Tell us about Mojo... I’ve had Mojo since she was 8 weeks old, there were two girls in the litter and I was supposed to be having the other puppy; at the very last minute the breeder changed her mind and I
Lynne with Mojo
had Mojo instead. I had planned a name for the other puppy and had
Instagram page (@Mojosclub) because she has
seen her every week when they were tiny, but I such a busy and fun life (we have another 8 Toy can honestly say I cannot imagine not having Poodles at home too). Mojo in my life now, she is such a treasure to live with, and she loves everyone she meets!
How did she become an Instagram star? I decided to set Mojo up with her own
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People love her trick and grooming videos, although I have to say Mojo prefers the tricks way better than the grooming, in fact when the brushes and shampoo come out she does her best trick - a disappearing act!
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Does Mojo have any special tricks or games she plays?
Hannah and Jamie). She is very
were so nice, she’s a good
loving but a lot of fun too, I
advert for the breed.
take her and her son Freddie
Do you take Mojo on
into our local school and the
holiday
Mojo achieved a Guinness World
with you?
Record this
What has
year for the
been her
most rotations on her hind legs
favourite
(pirouetting) in
holiday so
30 seconds, she
far?
can ‘play’ a
Yes, we take
piano and sing,
Mojo away with
which she did
us. We were
on BGT last
recently in
year, she can
Swanage for a
drive a little car
long weekend,
and so many
we made sure
more tricks. As
the hotel was
soon as she
dog friendly
sees me get the
and she had a
clicker out, and
great time,
assuming some
everyone made
very special
such a fuss of
treats are on offer - such as
Lynne with her poodles
Webbox Natural treat bars (her favourites!), she
children read to them) Mojo
immediately wants to practise
puts them at ease by being
or learn a new trick.
really cheeky, pinching treats out of my bag or trying to pick
What does Mojo mean to you and your family?
books up, the children think she’s hilarious, it’s hard not to fall in love with her. I love when people meet her and say
Mojo loves us all and we all love they didn’t realise poodles Mojo. (Husband Steve, kids
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her and we even found a dog friendly
pub right next to the beach. (we take her favourite food Webbox Natural patè trays as they are so handy to feed whilst away from home). Her favourite place so far is London, it’s great for dogs with all the beautiful parks, dog friendly shops, cafes and if it
she’s small enough to pick up!
wonderful fun and clever little dogs and make brilliant
ex-police dog trainer said he was as capable as any spaniel
Does Mojo come to work with you?
companions. They love to run
at scent work. So, I’d say never underestimate a poodle; they have brains and beauty!
I am lucky enough
Anything
to work from home as a groomer and part time writer, so
exciting in the pipeline for Mojo?
my dogs are always with me. Mojo is
We recently worked on an advert for
my shadow, sitting on my knee while I type on the laptop,
Webbox where Mojo and Freddie
she has inspired me to write a
skateboarded across the screen - it was such fun. We have
children’s book (‘Mojo MakeBelieve’) starring
done other film and TV work in the past;
her! I only groom Poodles these days
Mojo was in the first ‘Kingsman’ film, which was very cool,
and Mojo loves meeting them and checking my grooming is up to scratch, but they aren’t allowed to
“Mojo was in the first
look as glamorous as her.
‘Kingsman’ film...and
What do you like
Michael Caine briefly. The second Mojo book is currently being worked on
we met Michael Caine”
about Toy Poodles?
and play and actually never We had our first Toy Poodle really grow up, they are cuddly when I was a small child, so my but fun too. They’re also mum started off the obsession. incredibly versatile, I honestly I’ve taken it to another level, by showing, doing agility and film think you could train them to do anything. I recently trained and tv work with my Poodles as Freddie to be a scent detection well as them being our loved dog; the instructor who was an family pets. They are the most
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I did a lot of work on it and even met
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and we’ve just been on TalkRadio being
interviewed by Steph and Dom (Googlebox) about attending the National Pet Show NEC where we did displays and talks and had a brilliant time meeting lots of Mojo fans!
Gut Reaction: How we can make our pets’ healthier & happier We meet Dr Rosemary Waring, an expert with Tharos, a science-led health company focused on animal digestive health, malfermentation, and the gut microbiome. Dr Waring discusses how we can improve our pets’ gut health, leading to better general health.
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Like us, our pets are what they eat
microbiome is populated with enzymes and bacteria which are It might come as a surprise, but great at breaking down dogs and cats share remarkably proteins, but struggle to break down things like carbohydrates. similar gut microbiomes to humans. Many mammals, such as cats, and dogs, lack large quantities This sounds a bit technical so let me explain. A microbiome is of amylase, an enzyme that breaks down carbohydrates a multitude of bacteria and fungal microorganisms that live into energy. It’s not something in a particular environment, in they’ve developed this case, your pet’s gut. Crucial evolutionarily. As a result, if they eat too much to animal health, the microbiome assists with energy carbohydrate, the carbohydrate generation and battling disease. load may begin to ferment in the intestine, causing diarrhoea and other health issues. Domestic cats and dogs have BY DR ROSEMARY WARING
evolved from their wild ancestors, which were carnivorous. As such, their gut
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This is a particular problem for big dogs which are genetically closer to their wild ancestors Pets Magazine
wolves. They are much more likely to suffer from conditions like IBS, which can be painful and upsetting for the animal. Vets are now citing high carb diets as one of the biggest causes of IBS in dogs - a problem, they say, is getting much more widespread. Smaller dogs have been selectively bred as companion animals; their smaller size meaning they have relatively more amylase and suffer less from problems with carbs. Even if your pet is able to break down the carbs, however, the extra sugar this produces can contribute to obesity, which sadly can lead to a shorter life
expectancy. So, if you want your furry friends around as long as possible, it’s a good idea to pay attention to how much carbohydrate they are eating and keep it to a minimum. In nature, cats get about 98% of their energy from proteins and only about 1-2% from carbohydrate sources. Dogs are much better at breaking down carbohydrates, but still get the majority of their energy from protein sources in the wild.
like IBS, diabetes, and diarrhoea. Fortunately, there is a lot of research currently being conducted into the field of gut microbiomes in mammals. One such study, carried out by Tharos, found that an energyrich malt extract containing amylase helped horses digest carbohydrates better, leading to
“The amount of carbs
we’re feeding our pets
Yet, modern commercial pet food often contains much higher amounts of carbohydrates than our pets are used to - as much as 70% of commercial dog food is made up of carbohydrates.
is much higher than in
The reason is simple: carbohydrate is much cheaper to produce than protein. Properly processed, these carbs shouldn’t do too much damage to dogs, but will cause problems for cats. And in both cases, the amount of carbs we’re feeding our pets is much higher than in the wild.
The fact that cats have been licking spoons clean in early tests shows that animals love the taste of the malty flavour. It may also turn out that the malt extract can be used to encourage pets to ingest medications such as worming tablets as well, something which will delight cat owners when it arrives!
the wild...” more energy and fewer gastrointestinal issues. It’s actually very unusual to find measurable evidence of a product positively altering the gut microbiome. Often socalled probiotics make little measurable difference to the enzyme makeup of the gut microbiome. So, to find a measurable change is incredibly significant and shows that the extract is reaching the intestine without being denatured by stomach acid along the way.
Owners also often don’t realise the amount of carbohydrate their pets are getting; those bits of toast and pizza crust can end Given these incredibly positive up causing digestive problems results, we expect that a version of the malt extract could be
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developed for cats and dogs to increase the levels of amylase and help them better digest carbohydrates. This should result in less malfermentation in the gut, leading to fewer cases of IBS and diarrhea, and to happier, healthier pets.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Dr Rosemary Waring is an expert with Tharos, a scienceled health company focused on animal digestive health, malfermentation, and the gut microbiome. Dr Waring qualified in Natural Sciences at the University of Cambridge and completed a PhD in Biochemistry at the University of Birmingham. Web: http://tharos.co.uk/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/ TharosEquine LinkedIn: https:// www.linkedin.com/company/ 17945663/
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Who’s Afraid of Black Cats? “… a remarkably large and beautiful animal, entirely black, and sagacious to an astonishing degree.” ― Edgar Allan Poe, The Black Cat
DR DAVID CLIFF, of Gedanken, a company specialising in coaching-based support and personal development, looks at the fascinating mythology and superstition that has surrounded black cats for thousands of years.... As the proud owner of a black cat, it is always puzzling to see advertisements from cat shelters and other animal rescue centres that seem to show how black cats are the hardest to rehome.
Unfortunately, poor Bastet, or Bast as she was called in various manifestations, would give way as Upper and Lower Egypt unified to Seckmet, who although a cat, was associated with menstruation and medicine as well as war and vengeance. With this, the links between cats and females began to increasingly grow.
Why a feline noir should be so difficult to place is a complex inter play of superstition, aesthetics and cultural perspectives, which gives the poor old black moggie a bit
The Egyptians so loved their cats that any harm to them was considered a severely punishable offence. The revered moggies were mummified in their thousands; sadly few examples of these now exist as Victorian entrepreneurs chose to use the mummified corpses as fertiliser!
of a hard time. The ancient Egyptians prized all cats; indeed, the ancient Egyptian God Bastet was the goddess of warfare in Lower Egypt and was depicted as a black, cat-headed woman who was the defender of the Pharaoh.
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In Celtic mythology, the black cat was considered to be evil and was sacrificed, despite cats as a group being regarded as magical. The full-blown assault on black cats however, took place in the middle ages when the Christians began to associate cats with witchcraft and Satanism, often
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subject to more enlightened thinking?
David’s cute and placid black cat Lola
The church began what turned out to be a one thousand year killing spree of cats and, of course, primarily of the black cat, which was associated with the forces of darkness. Indeed, a black cat only had to have a small fleck of white on it, to sometimes be offered mercy and spared its owner’s fate. Yet the same redeeming white flash on a black cat is associated with Sith in Scottish and Irish folklore, who steals souls before they could reach heaven. Just to show how pervasive imagery and mental association can be even nowadays, Sith lords are, of course, those of the “dark side” in Star Wars mythology, who of course wear all black costumes… Wherever in history, cats have been persecuted; black cats, with their dark, sleek looks, have somehow managed to be associated with an unfortunate conjunction of an association between blackness, the night and the devil himself.
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And of course, let’s face it, when do cats come out but at night. They are crepuscular, obligate carnivores, required to hunt at key times when their prey is available. They typically sleep for the greater part of the day, but come alive at the very time we humans are subject to other diurnal rhythms that call us to out beds. They are agile and fast and even their hunting habits can seem extreme and sometimes cruel. The resurgence of the Black Plague in the 1600’s was attributed to cats who were mercilessly slaughtered as a result, with the perverse irony that the rat population increased and thereby created more rodent vectors of the Yersinia Pestis bacterium. The plague then spread without restriction. Humanity always pays a high price for its uninformed strategies. In a modern world, surely cats and in particular black cats can be Pets Magazine
Surely we can appreciate the beauty of the black cat? But sadly no. So many of these beautiful felines languish in cat shelters while people prefer
tortoiseshells and other styles that somehow appear more appealing. One cannot help however thinking that there is a deep prejudice in the subconscious of some that relates to historical folklore. Conversely, the black cat can be seen as good luck. In Germany depending on which way a cat crosses your path left to right, right to left can mean good fortune, or otherwise. There are many examples of when black cats can bring good luck. The black cat is the emblem of Sunderland Football Club, for example. However, every good example can be counterbalanced by a not so good one; for example, the legend of the Ovinnik, a Slavic, a mischievous spirit that used to manifest itself as a black cat with flaming eyes.
However you cut it, we live in modern times. We struggle now to believe in the existence of God in many cases in an increasingly secular society. And yet despite all of this, we still have this uneasy association with a black cat.
people who have black cats, one thing is clear is that the black cat is every bit as loyal, affectionate, fascinating, sensual and curious as any of the feline world. Modern design has seen black as more chic, sophisticated and frankly
Ironically, black cats lend themselves very well to graphic design. Many iconic images that are produced for the Web or elsewhere are typically those of a black cat because the image is clear and equivocal and distinctive as well as providing effective contrast and impact. The truth is that many black cats are not black. Comparatively few breeds are a pure black pigment. Many have other colours encompassed within them, which present themselves depending on the light. Many black cats for example are chocolate brown in sunlight and some black cats have been known to find the dark pigment recede and acquire a hue of “rust” in favour of their more long lasting brown pigmentation. The truth is I couldn’t go past a black cat. From the very time that my dear Lola came in to my life as a kitten, she was nicknamed “micro-panther” because of her sleek lines, her elegant gait and the pure aesthetics displayed as she moved. Another very practical thing is that black cat hair doesn’t show up on anything other than the lightest of fabrics and so if the odd hair should stray onto a suit or whatever, there is no sense of looking any less than pristine on arrival at the office! As a black cat owner and as somebody who knows many
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don’t run for sticks without an O2 subscription! Our relationship with the cat is improving and strengthening with each generation. Our understanding is still limited. Fossils record has a huge “cat gap” millions of years, where a development of cats is simply absent, although there are some early indications that this is now slowly being filled due to new fossil finds. We need a contemporary modern relationship with the cats. In this, black cat offers it as something that requires you to think for yourself, not the superstitious past, and enjoy them for what they truly are.
So next time you are thinking of adopting a cat, passing through a cat shelter or simply looking at a litter of kittens, do factor in the black cat. Put what might be subconscious cultural heritage to one side, born of misguided Bast: The mythical black cat Christianity and other beliefs and upmarket than many other kitties. look at these magnificent creatures for the beauty, aesthetics There is even a black cat’s calendar now and they all look and sheer fun that they exude. Give them a good home and the great. rewards will be truly magical, without you having to burn at the The history of cats is fascinating. stake for it! It was only with the creation of agrarian, (agricultural) societies, Dr David Cliff is MD of that their domesticity really got under way. The dog was Gedanken, a company specialising in coachingdomesticated a long time before based support and personal that for defence and hunting. With humanity’s need for the development. maintenance of food stored supplies, the destruction of vermin and the avoidance of famine in organised societies, cats far exceed the merits that their canine counterparts offer us, even if they Pets Magazine
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Pet Horoscopes by Russell Grant
ARIES (March 21st-April 20th)
your best to fill the void. Your
Your human companion is more
presence is incredibly healing.
affectionate than usual, which is pleasantly puzzling. At last your
TAURUS (April 21st-May
friend is starting to see how
21st)
much joy you bring to their life,
You'll be taking care of your
and is thanking you accordingly.
owner instead of the other
Spending more quality time
way around this month.
together is on the cards. If you
Fortunately, this arrangement
sense your owner has a heavy
suits you just fine. You get great
heart, it may be the result of a
pleasure from providing your
giving, you're also quite
difficult love relationship. Do
human companion with love,
sensitive. A harsh word will send
comfort, and reassurance. And
you scurrying for cover.
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while you're tremendously
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The only way to entice you out
cap and an honour for your
unknown territory, or a search
of hiding is with a game of 'catch
human companion as well.
party will have to be called!
LEO (July 24th-August 23rd)
LIBRA (September 24th-
GEMINI (May 22nd-June 21st)
You may have recently been a
October 23rd)
It's possible that you've
bit out of sorts, so it's a welcome You may be tempted to take out
developed an obsession over a
change to see the emotional
me if you can'.
your frustrations on a valuable
particular toy or possession. This climate shift pleasantly as the
piece of property. Your human
is a sign that you need healthier
month begins. Let the weather
companion would be wise to
diversions. A little more exercise
do what it will, for even if it
keep such items out of your
could do the trick, although it
brings showers or storms you
reach. If an unfortunate incident
will be a challenge to pry you
can enjoy curling up in a cosy
does occur, it would be wise of
away from your favourite object.
spot and dreaming the
your owner to deal with the root
Like humans, it's easy for
afternoon away. Part of your ill
cause. You wouldn't be
animals to get attached to
temper may have been due to a
destructive if there wasn't a
objects. They provide a welcome
lack of sleep; why not take
problem. Happily, things get
distraction from any emotional
advantage of any grey days that
back to normal by the end of
voids. It's time to find healthier
come along to catch up on your
November, when you both
alternatives.
rest?
willing to turn over a new leaf.
CANCER (June 22nd-July 23rd)
VIRGO (August 24th-
SCORPIO (October 24th-
Few animals know better than
September 23rd)
November 22nd)
you how to be a good helper, so
It's difficult to obey commands
A party-loving human friend is
when you get the opportunity to
early in the month, when you're
delighted to have you as their
model this behaviour for a
distracted and moody. Do your
companion as they visit one site
visitor, do so to the best of your
best to do the bare minimum or
of celebrating after another.
ability. The impression you make you could find yourself in
Whether this involves spending
will have a most positive effect
trouble with your master. Things an evening with high-spirited
and before long the news may
will be much more relaxed by
neighbours or going to some
reach the ear of someone who
mid November, thanks to your
gala social event, you can count
trains pets for special duties.
owner's forgiving attitude and
on being decked out
Don't be surprised if they come
your adorable behaviour. Resist
appropriately by the one who
seeking your services. This
the temptation to venture into
dotes on you. When you head
would be quite a feather in your
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home after these experiences you and your friend will have much to share, so be ready for some pleasant pillow talk before you get to sleep.
SAGITTARIUS (November 23rd-December 21st) Though you live to wiggle into secluded or hidden places, it's best you not conduct too many investigations at the present time, especially outside the home. Ignore this advice you could find yourself front page news when you're caught by an overzealous photographer or
sinuses. It's great to have your
best in you. Be prepared to
health! Take a moment to
make a new friend.
appreciate this gift. Then have a good stretch and go back to sleep.
PISCES (February20thMarch20th)
news person as they're currently out and about hot on the trail for stories of interest. If keeping a low profile is your actual intent, stay curled up at your people's feet watching TV.
CAPRICORN (December22ndJanuary20th) You're sleeping deeply, which is always a good thing. The next time you awake from a nap, be aware of how your body is feeling. Notice how nicely everything seems to be working. Minimal stiffness, good
If you feel a bit perplexed this AQUARIUS (January21st-
month, there's likely a good
February19th)
cause and friends with
Getting into scrapes is your chief developed psychic abilities are occupation this month. You
sensing it as well. This is a good
simply can't resist examining
time to stay close to home
new packages or exploring
engaged in quiet pastimes. The
forbidden territory. There's even more still you become, the more a chance you will get lost. Your
you invite information to come
owner would be wise to take
to you as it does to those who
extra precautions with your
are spiritually gifted; perhaps
confinement. And while your
you'll pick up a vibration! You're
appetite may not be huge, your
actually quite in tune with
craving for company is.
electrical currents, so keep your
Socialising with people and
personal antenna raised and
other creatures brings out the
who knows what information you might receive!
flexibility, keen vision, clear
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