With the warmer weather finally arriving it has given many of us the chance to get into the garden. However many things that we commonly use can be toxic to our pets.

Slug pellets frequently contain the chemical metaldehyde and are generally blue or green in colour. Metaldehyde is very toxic to pets and since many dogs will eat almost anything, slug pellets should only be used with great care, keeping pets away from areas where they are used and stored.

Many gardeners also apply a thick layer of mulch to their flower beds in the Spring and Summer months. A little known, but potential lethal hazard is the use of cocoa shell mulch. Dogs are attracted to these shells by the smell, but they contain theobromine which is very poisonous to dogs. As a result, it is safer to use an alternative such as tree bark.

As a general rule, when applying anything to your garden, ALWAYS read the label carefully regarding the hazards to pets and (of course) humans.

STOP PRESS:

I completed the Grantham Half Marathon and managed it in 1hr 58mins!

I did it and completed the Newtons Fraction half marathon in Grantham. It was a good course with us running along the canal paths, visiting some nice villages and two monster hills before finishing at the sports stadium. I’ve got the bug and am now looking forward to finding my next race.

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I must say congratualtions to Andy and Jean at Samoykees for all their recent success. www.samoykees.co.uk

A trip to Amsterdam Winner Show  in November got Keisha a U1 in the open class and a Res CACIB. More recently her daughter Misty gained Best Puppy in Breed and Pastoral Group 2 at the Ashbourne & District show 28th Dec 09.

Best Puppy and Pastoral Group 2 at Ashbourne & District

 Thank you for allowing me to groom your brood. It means so much.

It’s likely your dog will beg for a bite of that delicious turkey dinner. Of
course the occasional scrap of dog-friendly food won’t hurt them a bit if you want to give them a special treat—just be very careful with turkey leftovers. Dogs and cats can be very clever at acquiring turkey bones and these can splinter and cause mouth injuries or if swallowed become lodged in their throats and get stuck. Do you really need that extra vet visit on Christmas Day.

Please also remind the kids, too, that chocolate agrees with them much
more than it does with dogs! Never give chocolate or alcohol to your pet and remember mistletoe and poinsettia are also poisonous to them.

While it’s great to relax and enjoy Christmas, it’s also worth taking a little extra care with our dogs over this period. A change in routine and all the new strange objects in our homes can provide extra risks for our dogs. So, here are a few pointers to make sure your little buddy has an enjoyable and safe Christmas too.

Keep an eye on your Christmas tree, especially if you see that your dog loves it as much as you do. It’s not hard to imagine a large dog knocking it over and trailing it across the living room! Of course, there’s always the lights and tinsel to watch too because mistaking an electric lead for a new chew toy is not the smartest thing for your dog to be doing!