September 2018, FREE
We Meet TV’s Vet on the Hill
PET HOROSCOPES by Celebrity Astrologer RUSSELL GRANT! PLUS PET STORIES/TOP PET PRODUCT REVIEWS & MORE INSIDE
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Cavaliers’ Choices... Premium pet products, destinations & activities for you & your pet chosen by Sophie Nell and Rufus, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, assisted by Marie.
Pet Products With a Cause! The RSPCA’s online shop does a great range of stylish but practical pet products, including these lovely Mason Cash pet bowls available in pink, grey and cream, priced at £3 for the cat saucer up to £13 for the 200cm dog bowl. These are available from the RSPCA online shop.
Tasty & Healthy Food Webbox has a great range of wet and dry food for both cats and dogs and its Natural range is suitable even for pets with more sensitive stomachs. The food contains only natural ingredients and no wheat gluten. Each wet food tray contains a massive 60% of fresh meat, along with fresh vegetables and brown rice, to produce a tasty meal that your dog is sure to enjoy. With natural antioxidants and a prebiotic, the Webbox Natural range is suitable for dogs with food allergies and those with sensitive tummies. Our taste testers, gave both the wet and dry food versions as well as the tasty treats, a five-star paws up! To find out more, visit Webbox.
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Cavaliers’ Choices...
Adventures in Petlandia! Pets Magazine’s Nell has become the star of her very own storybook, and your beloved pooch, cat or other pet can be too! This is a great gift idea from Mind Candy, creators of kids’ gaming phenomenon Moshi Monsters. The idea is simple - Petlandia enables anybody to create an impossibly cute caricature of their real-life pet in just a few clicks. You can start now at Petlandia.com or via the Petlandia Emoji App, available now on Google Play and the Apple App Store. Once you’ve created a virtual version of your furry friend, you can drop it into a unique storybook, or use the app to send emojis and photos starring your pet. You can even get your paws on personalised T-shirts emblazoned with your four-legged companions (dogs, cats and even rabbits!). With 36 gorgeously illustrated personalised pages and a charming rhyming story, Adventures in Petlandia is a good bet for a kid’s (including those only young at heart!) Christmas present! To find out more, visit: www.petlandia.com
PS/ We’re always looking for premium products & services to review for both pets and people! Please get in touch with the boss at editor@petsmag.co.uk. Love,
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Sophie, Nell & Rufus
xxx
WWW.ARTYLOBSTER.COM Vet
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Give Dogs their Space too!
Tony Knight, an internationally-acclaimed Dog Listener and trainer, responds to a reader question on why parents should always ask before allowing children to pet dogs...
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Tony Knight, an internationallyacclaimed Dog Listener and trainer, on why parents should always ask before allowing children to approach strange dogs...and cats...
It seems that a terrible story of a child being badly bitten by a dog is never far from the headlines. So often, the culprit is a family dog rather than a random attack by an unknown assailant, leading to the inevitable death of aforementioned family pet. I regularly receive inquiries from people asking me how to guarantee that their dogs will be wellbehaved around children. My reply is Dog expert - Tony Knight not always well received, but I make bent down and shoved his baby – head first I might add no apologies for it.
Once, while attempting to enjoy a coffee at a seaside coffee in Australia, I witnessed an unprovoked dog attack. Two Chihuahuas were tied up outside café, minding their own business. – right into the faces of the Suddenly, from nowhere a man holding what was clearly a recently hatched baby spotted them.
“Personal space is a big issue for
“Oh look,” he said to the baby, apparently under the mistaken belief that the baby understood him, “two cute little doggies!” I virtually spat out my mouthful of latte as he proceeded to walk right up to the tethered twosome,
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dogs...” dogs. Fortunately, the chihuahuas did not react to this attack, but it could easily have been a different story.
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When you study dogs, you quickly see that personal space is a big issue for them. Dogs are mostly very tolerant with puppies, allowing them to climb all over them and grab their tails. However, there is a limit to what they will put up with. Sometimes a puppy will go over the top with their playful pestering and receive a sideways
glance, followed by a growl. restaurant. Another diner other day, I helped someone If they don’t take the hint started feeding the moggies in Toulouse with a dog that then, they are liable to (mission accomplished for had been given a Category 3 receive a reprimand in the the cats). He then made the status of aggression by vets form of a grab of the error of trying to pick one up and a behaviourist. The muzzle. This grab with the for a cuddle, whereupon we latter has visited the house mouth is a after the vet clear signal who was that they bitten have gone advised the too far and owner to get should leave an “expert” the other in. The one alone. behaviourist Sometimes, immediately the human went right members of up the dog the dog’s and started family can stroking its Most dogs are fine, but always ask permission from the owner before petting them! also be told head. When off for the dog all heard a bloodcurdling getting it wrong. Over 95% growled, it was branded a scream (well, there were of dog bites occur because menace. two actually – one from the people do not respect a cat as it was picked up, dog’s personal space. Have After a telephone session followed by another by the you ever heard the and a little online coaching man as the claws went into expression, “Let sleeping from yours truly, the owner his arm). The attitude of the dogs lie”? There is a good is now seeing a much restaurant manager typified reason for this sage advice… calmer dog in general, as our general response to a well as now knowing how to cat attack. “Yeah, don’t pick On a slightly different note educate people on how to them up”. (again an incident involving interact correctly with dogs. food and/or drink), I was When a cat clearly shows recently at a restaurant near The rule is so simple, it is that it wants to be left alone, my home in France. As we amazing that so many nobody says a word. When a sat outside, we were people get it so hopelessly dog does the same thing, it immediately the centre of wrong; if you want to say is accused of being attention of some stray cats hello to a dog, call the dog aggressive, categorised as that apparently lived in the to you. This way, the dog has “dangerous” and the usual hedge opposite the a choice at least. If it comes advice is to kill it. Only the
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to you, it has done so of its own free will. If the dog doesn’t come, take that as a really clear signal that they are not ready yet. A student of mine in Sweden asked how she could stop people constantly coming up to pat her dog. Her dog does not like having their space invaded and despite putting a T-shirt Be gentle... on it telling people to give them space, nobody takes any notice. I advised her to buy a soft muzzle and put it on her dog. This has nothing to do with the dog being aggressive, but if people can’t read, they might think twice about approaching a dog wearing a muzzle. As I often say, training dogs is the easy part… I have visited schools before with a very tolerant dog called Alfie (I have been invited by the teachers I hasten to add – it would be weird if I just turned up outside the schoolyard) to
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teach kids how to safely interact with dogs. The children line up on either side of me and the pooch,
and one by one they call him to them. Alfie gets lot of cuddles and the children learn a valuable lesson that could save them a lot of pain and anguish in the future.
happen, so being extra vigilant or keeping them apart from each other when in doubt is best.
I use the “Simon Says” game to help children understand the rules of engagement with dogs. There has to be an invitation before a fuss or cuddle can happen. Give a dog the chance to make their own decision to If a child is too young to approach when asked too understand the rules, they and the cuddle will be should always be supervised much happier – and safer when around dogs. It is for everyone. usually the case that a family dog attack has To find out more, visit: happened when everyone’s www.tonyknightdoglisten backs are turned for a er.com moment. I do appreciate that it can only take a split second for something to Pets Magazine
THE VET On The Hill This month, we meet TV Vet SCOTT MILLER of ‘Vet on the Hill’ fame.
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Scott with his Border Terrier Betty
This month, we meet TV Vet SCOTT
his wife Zöe. Scott is currently the
MILLER of ‘Vet on the Hill’ fame.
proud owner of three veterinary
A passionate animal
practices, located in Richmond Hill,
advocate, Scott was born in
St Margarets and Old Isleworth.
Brisbane, Australia to British
Scott’s skill and charisma caught the
parents. He graduated in 1997 from
eyes of producers and viewers when
the University of Queensland
he received a chance call-out to
Veterinary School and began his
attend a sick chicken on the first
career working at the RSPCA clinic in series of Big Brother. After this, he Sydney. After years of experience
began working regularly in the
working with animals, Scott moved
media, hosting Extinct for Meridian
to the UK and settled in London,
and regularly appearing on BBC
where he set up and ran a small
Breakfast News, GMTV, Blue
animal practice for over four years.
Peter, The Paul O'Grady
In 2008, Scott set up a practice in
Show and CBBC. He appeared as an
Algarve, Portugal, where he married expert vet on BBC's coverage
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of Crufts, and was the regular vet on This Morning for six years.
How does being a vet differ in Australia compared to UK?
Later he featured on Sky 1's Pet Nation and became one of the lead presenters on children's programme, Who Let the Dogs Out
The Brits are truly wonderful animal lovers so allow us as a veterinary profession to flex our clinical muscles, going to great lengths to treat their animals. I think this is because of
and About? for CBBC, and Vet on the the climate...In Australia the dog and cat live Hill on Channel 4. We speak to Scott mainly outside so in some cases the about why he became a vet.
relationship between owner and animal can be less strong. In the UK, we have a very
Why did you decide to be a vet? close intimate bond with our pets because I was seven years old and camping in the middle of the Outback with my family. I woke up first early one morning and crawled out of the tent. I spotted a rabbit on the horizon and thought I'd try to see how close I
they spend so much time snuggling up to us during the long winter months and can also come along to the pub!
Do you enjoy being a ‘TV vet’?
could get to it...I got so close that it actually
Any downsides?
sniffed my hand before scampering off. It
It's been an amazing opportunity, but can be
was a magical moment, just me and a wild
very challenging as sometimes our job can
animal, and from then on I knew I wanted to be extremely difficult and performing it be a vet and work with them for life. under the spotlight can make it even more so. But I feel it has been an honest portrayal
Has it lived up to your
of an every day practice, showing both the
expectations?
highs and the lows, and hopefully allows the public to see the Veterinary profession in a
It’s been fantastic. It is incredibly challenging, emotionally exhausting and not particularly well paid for what we do, but it is incredibly rewarding, I love making friends
very positive light.
Do you have pets?
with the clients and you get to work with
We have an ark full of animals! All my kids
animals all day which makes up for it!
are animal mad, so each has their own pet
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including an African pygmy hedgehog, a tortoise and fish. Then we have two dogs, a Pets Magazine
What do you think is the future of veterinary practices? I hope that there will always be a place for independent veterinary practices but I can see why we are moving towards a corporate world. I like the quirkiness and individuality of independent practices and hope clients continue to support them as local
cat and some rescue chickens.
businesses.
Do you have a good work-life balance and what would you change if anything?
What advice would you give a young person thinking of becoming a vet?
When filming, a long clinical day can be even Do lots of work experience and don't be shy longer, which can be pretty challenging to of hard work as there is a lot of it coming achieve a good work-life balance when our your way. And smile, enjoy what you are standard days are already 10hrs long. But
when I am just doing the day job I am pretty
doing and who you are doing it with, because there is lots in our profession that is
efficient with 20 years experience behind me, sad, so you need to balance it out with some so I can enjoy it more and also get home to lightness and joy where you can, to stay my family on time...ish. mentally healthy and continue to enjoy
practicing as a Veterinary Surgeon. Follow the Vet On The Hill on Facebook & Twitter.
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Pet Horoscopes by Russell Grant
ARIES (March 21st-April 20th)
emotions run deep when
Begging, or worse yet,
you connect with a Pisces, so
behaving badly to get attention stay alert to who's in the won't get you the result you're
neighbourhood and keep
after, but appearing cute and
showing a level of
loveable leads more directly to
reďŹ nement.
demonstrations of aection.
You may not realise it, but if
enjoyed playing with or on may
you're on a quest for a
TAURUS (April 21st-May 21st) be removed from the house as
sweetheart, you're currently in
The new season brings a fresh
your humans acquire new
quite a powerful position.
breeze of changes blowing in
things or just create more
Passions run high when you
and you must adjust to
space to move around in.
cross paths with an Aries and
accommodate them. Items you Instead of causing a fuss, do
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your part by either staying out
healthy eating plan keeps you
and protecting them. You'll be
of the way when furniture is
fit as a fiddle and feeling
able to run around when
being rearranged or by helping
energetic. Exercise is also fun
you're with the youngsters,
to carry small items to the bin;
and keeps you aware of things
thereby getting a healthy
the new environment that's
happening in the local area
workout in your schedule.
created will please you.
too.
Once everyone is breathless and tired you can all unwind by cleaning up any areas you
GEMINI (May 22nd-June 21st)
LEO (July 24th-August 23rd)
messed up and then having a
Though you might not enjoy
Some other pet might thinks it
tasty treat.
the types of activities or people grand no one is pressing them that start your month, after a
to do anything in particular so
few weeks pass you'll find
they can nap, gaze out the
LIBRA (September 24th-
yourself back in your comfort
window or rest in a cosy chair.
October 23rd)
zone. If you can get along not
But you like to be a centre of
You're very clear about your
getting some of the things you
attention and find the days
likes and dislikes this month.
want, you'll reach the good
unfulfilling if you're not part of
Normally, you prefer to go with
days without showing any signs some social interaction. With
the flow. Right now, however,
of wear and tear. By Mid
little currently happening the
you're quick to find fault with
September all you'll have to do
best thing to do is join your
everything your owner does.
is come into the room with a
housemate in the ease of
Maybe your dissatisfaction is
wistful expression on your face
watching their favourite TV
really a smokescreen for your
and your housemate will scoop show or curl up close to them
wounded pride. You need to
you up and bend to your
for comfort when they're
feel loved and appreciated.
wishes.
reading.
When your human friends don't give you the affection you crave, you retaliate by acting
CANCER (June 22nd-July 23rd) VIRGO (August 24th-
out. The cure for your
You're busy providing much
September 23rd)
condition is obvious: hugs and
needed services around the
Though your month gets off to
kisses!
house for your human friend.
a dreamy start, within a few
You are such a devoted helper
weeks you'll be swept into
SCORPIO (October 24th-
it's hard to imagine how
more high energy activities.
November 22nd)
anyone would get along
Spending time with giggling
You won't need a nudge to
without you. Don't forget to
children is a highlight for you
realise there's something
take care of yourself too! A
as you enjoy both playing with
bothering your
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housemates or
an ordeal? It's not
neighbours. As these
fair to blame them
friends work on
for the way you're
sorting out their
behaving; they've
problems, you can
done nothing but
be a great comfort to
provide you with a
them. Because of
comfortable home,
your natural
fed you and seen to
sensitivity, you cue in
your every need! Go
to exactly what each
hide under a bed or
suffering soul needs and offer exactly what's needed in each
CAPRICORN (December 22nd- behind a curtain for a while till January 20th) you sort out your issues; once
situation. No surprise then that
you leave the crankiness
once the emotional storm has
You have a knack for bringing
behind, you can return to the
blown over, you'll be on the
joy to everyone you meet.
family fold with a better
receiving end of lots of treats
Unfortunately, humans have a
attitude.
and affection. You deserve the
way of taking animal friends
very best!
for granted. That will change this month, when your owner
PISCES (February 20th-March
realises just how much joy you
20th)
SAGITTARIUS (November
bring to their life. You'll
Although you prefer staying
23rd-December 21st) You may have heard the
probably be less energetic than home this month, you're not usual, preferring quiet, adverse to going out for short
expression 'turnabout is fair
soothing surroundings to
periods of time. A little fresh air
play', well, you're about to
energetic social scenes. A
will perk you right up. If you're
experience it. Rather than you
contest of wills is slated for the
confined indoors, you may
trying to make things pleasant
weeks ahead. You'd rather be
enjoy sitting by the window
for everyone else, your friends,
coaxed, not ordered.
and watching the world go by.
both human and animal, are
Your human companion will
turning the tables on you by
have a tough time moving you
being at your beck and call!
AQUARIUS (January21st-
away from certain areas, as
Hop up on any lap and a back
February19th)
you cling to favourite spots like
rub or other treat is instantly
Are you feeling irritable and
a limpet. Flashes of temper
yours. You feel more
taking it out on your human
need to be controlled over the
comfortable from not having to companions; why should you put pleasant people through stress so much.
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weeks ahead.