pet scene magazine december 2010

ISSUE #9 DECEMBER 2010 FREE TO SUBSCRIBE

BARKING MAD ~ CATS MEOW~ FEATHERED FRIENDS ~ KIDS PAGEPET PAPARAZZI ~ FEATURE ARTICLE ~ PET GOURMET ~ Q & A

www.petscenemagazine.com.au

COVER ARTAll AWL animals are de sexed, mi-cro chipped, vaccinated, wormed, flea treated, health and sociability checked. In addition to this, our ani-mals have a 10 day health guarantee (covering any illness arising as a result of having been in our care), and a 21 day ‘settling-in warranty’. They also offer the Friends For Life dog training program for new owners.

Oakey ( Tag 901193) is a delightful 8 year old cat. A little shy she would best suit a feline-free, quiet and stress-free home. She is affectionate and loves a good massage. She can be adopted from AWL for $70. -------->

Rosie (tag 206837) is a 14 month old Border Collie cross Cattle dog. She is a high energy, very playful and fun companion. She needs a large yard to meet her needs. She gets along well with other dogs and cats. she’s a gor-geous girl with a big smile and a heap of love, charm and loyalty to offer her new friend for life. She can be adopted for $220.

Blake (tag 207035) is a very smoochy 7 year old boy. He has incredibly hand-some & always appears to be smiling. Blake loves to cuddle and interact with his human companions. He can be ad-opted for $70 .

Rocky (Tag 206773 ) is one of our Golden Oldies at 10 years of age, but he isn’t ready for any retirement just yet! He loves his long walks on the beach and playtime with his humans. He is very young at heart with heaps of love to offer his new owner or family. He can be adopted for $80.

Sunny (Tag 209142) is a beautiful natured 6 year old Greyhound that arrived as a stray. Sunny’s disposition is happy and extremely playful for his breed. Sunny would be a wonderful ad-dition for an only pet family, great for children. He can be adopted for $170.

The AWL Qld does not receive Govern-ment funding for its welfare work and is therefore reliant on volunteers and the community’s generosity. With the average cost being $400 per animal we rehome, the AWL Qld runs at a large loss when rehoming our animals. http://www.awlqld.com.au/ Phone: 07 5509 9000

Contributors:Animal Welfare League Gold CoastRSPCAPet Peoples PlaceDavid B Webber - Parrot Expert.Cipla Animal HealthPet Poisons Helpline

“Mr. Beefy”

Proud Supporter of AWL Gold Coast

Piltalnga Kennels - Maremma Breeders

Lee Dobbins - AquacultureBrigit Hulsing - Cat behavioural expertTerry King - Maine Coon EnthusiastThe Queensland Department Of Community Safety.

Thank you.

WELCOMETO PET SCENE MAGAZINEAustralia’s hottest resource in the pet industry.

We’re going to be doing a lot of exciting things here at Pet Scene Magazine and we are thrilled to bring you on board.

Pet Scene is Australia’s own online publication dedicated to bringing you a quality monthly magazine available FREE right across the nation. We pride ourselves on promoting responsible pet ownership, education and community awareness. Jam packed with informa-tive articles and professional advice, Pet Scene Magazine will have you up to date on all the latest news and information for your best friend.

We are a family owned business with a long history of volunteering our time to animal welfare and from this came the drive to produce Pet Scene Magazine. With Australia having one of the high-est incidences of pet ownership in the world, our goal is to provide a country-wide resource which utilizes today*’s modern technology to reach a wider demographic quickly and efficiently. In keeping our publication Free it is hoped that we can reach as many people as possible with our important message of responsible pet care. But we need your help, so jump on our support page and join the Pet Scene Street Team!

With this ongoing support we look for-ward to a bright future and many happy, healthy pets throughout our beautiful country.

Kristy Hunter

Editorial Director

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The information, images and graphic design (artwork) contained on this web site is owned by Pet Scene Magazine and/ or the original authors where applicable. Information con-tained in any of the articles is not necessarily the direct opinion of Pet Scene Magazine and, where applicable, does not take the place of a consultation with a qualified and competent veterinarian. Veterinarian advice must be tailored to the specific circumstanc-es of each patient. Pet Scene Magazine tries to provide quality information but we make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained herein.

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http://www.lortsmith.com.au/NetCommunity/Page.aspx?pid=397

http://www.awlqld.com.au/

Contents:Contributors...................................................................................2

Welcome........................................................................................3

Holiday Hazards............................................................................6 Tis’ The Season To Be Mindful

Holidaying with Dogs.....................................................................8

Book Giveaway

Pet Gourmet.................................................................................10

Christmas Treats

Kids Corner...................................................................................11

Feathered Friends........................................................................12Teaching your Parrot to talk: part 2.

Pet Paparazzi...............................................................................14

New treatment for Equine ulcers released in Australia.................16



RSPCA’s Project Guardian Angel..................................................18Christmas Appeal.

Christmas Book Reviews- Stocking Stuffers.................................20

The Night Before Christmas & The A-Z of Unfortunate Dogs.

Ask Mr. Beefy Q & A.......................................................................21

Barking Mad..................................................................................22The Maremma Sheepdog

7 Tips for choosing Aquarium Fish................................................24

How to go about choosing a cat breed that suits you?.................26 Prepare Your Pet Emergency Plan...............................................28

The Cats Meow.............................................................................30The Maine Coon

Christmas Pet Humour..................................................................32


“ Holiday Hazards? “Tis the season to be mindful” .

Pet Poison Helpline Warns of Holiday ToxinsMinneapolis, Minnesota

As the holiday season gets into full swing, the danger posed to our pets by holiday foods, plants and decora-tions is being highlighted by the Pet Poison Helpline.

Holiday decorations and ornaments such as bubble lights, tinsel, snow globes and liquid potpourri can be dangerous to cats and dogs. Bubble lights may contain poisonous liquid chemicals which are released when chewed, including methylene chloride which can lead to pneumonia and irritation to the eyes, skin and gas-trointestinal tract. Some imported snow globes can be made using antifreeze, and as little as one teaspoon can be fatal to dogs and cats. Affected animals may appear to be drunk or uncoordinated, and have exces-sive thirst. Even though such signs can seem to im-prove in the first 12 hours, crystals develop in the kid-neys during this time, resulting in acute kidney failure.

All cats seem to enjoy playing with tinsel, but what would happen if your cat accidentally or intentionally ingests some? Tinsel does not pose a poisoning risk but can cause severe damage to a cat’s intestinal tract if swallowed. And if you like to make your home feel more inviting by warming aromatic scented oils or liquid potpourri, you should be aware that even a few licks can result in severe chemical burns, fever and difficulty breathing in cats. Many people give flower bouquets and plants as Christmas gifts. Although poinsettia plants have a bad reputation, they are in fact only mildly toxic. Far more dangerous are lilies, holly and mistletoe. Holly berries and mistletoe can be toxic to cats and dogs, and can cause gastrointestinal upset and even heart arrhythmias if ingested.

“Lilies, including tiger, Asiatic, stargazer, Easter and day lilies, are the most dangerous plants for cats,”

said Dr. Ahna Brutlag , assistant direct of Pet Poison Helpline. “The ingestion of one to two leaves or flower petals is enough to cause sudden kidney failure in cats.”

And finally, many of the foods that we humans like to indulge in over the holiday period are in fact very dan-gerous to cats and dogs. Grapes, raisins and currents - such as in fruit cakes - can result in kidney failure in dogs. Chocolate and cocoa, which contain theobro-mine, will cause vomiting and diarrhea in cats and dogs even in small quantities, and seizures and heart arrhythmias in greater quantitie. Here in Australia we also need to be mindful of Macadamia Nuts. These little nuts are highly toxic to dogs.


“ Holiday Hazards? “Tis the season to be mindful” .

M E D I A R E L E A S E

Christmas Treats can kill!

Just 50g of chocolate can be toxic and kill a dog. This was the pre- Christmas dinner warning from

the RSPCA Qld’s Senior Veterinarian Dr Anne Chester.

“Onions can also be toxic”, she warned. “Even the small amounts contained on pizza slices. People

often give their family pet the barbeque left overs and more often than not there are onions mixed in

with the meat. For some dogs this can be a fatal oversight.”

Christmas of course has always been the season of good cheer and humans traditionally eat and

drink, if not to excess, at least more than they would at other times of the year. With most pets

considered part of the family, there’s a quite normal inclination to share the food with the family

pet.

“The problem is that a sudden increase in fatty foods affects the animal’s pancreas and this can lead

to pancreatitis,” Dr Chester continued. “Cooked bones can also cause major problems. They’re

brittle and the sharp slivers can either lodge in the throat or pierce the stomach lining.”

Dr Chester emphasized that she was not trying to be melodramatic.

“We want everyone to have a very merry Christmas. But please! Think carefully before you feed

your pets food designed for humans.”

Media contact: Michael Beatty RSPCA Qld Phone: (07) 3426 9902 Mobile 0415 385 602

[email protected]

The RSPCA Warns us that Christmas treats can kill!

Just 50g of chocolate can be toxic and kill a dog. This was the pre- Christmas dinner warning

from the RSPCA Qld’s Senior Veterinarian Dr Anne Chester.

“Onions can also be toxic”, she warned. “Even the small amounts contained on pizza slices.

People often give their family pet the barbeque left-overs and more often than not there are

onions mixed in with the meat. For some dogs this can be a fatal oversight.”

Christmas of course has always been the season of good cheer and humans traditionally eat and drink, if not to excess, at least more than they would at other times of the year. With most pets considered part of the family, there’s a quite normal inclination to share the food

with the family pet.

“The problem is that a sudden increase in fatty foods affects the animal’s pancreas and this

can lead to pancreatitis,” Dr Chester continued. “Cooked bones can also cause major problems. They’re brittle and the sharp slivers can either lodge in the throat or pierce the stomach lining.”

Dr Chester emphasised that she was not trying to be melodramatic.

“We want everyone to have a very merry Christ-mas. But please! Think carefully before you

feed your pets food designed for humans.”

Explosive night no fun for animals.RSPCA Qld is once again warning pet owners to take special precautions to ensure their pets are safe and se-cure during New Year’s Eve celebrations. Fireworks may be fun for humans, but every year they create havoc amongst the animal population.

“It’s likely that scores of animals will end up at our shel-ters or council pounds and sadly this year we’ve once again been forced to put on extra staff and volunteers in our call centre and our Fairfield Shelter reception.,” said RSPCA Qld spokesman Michael Beatty. “The sad part is that it’s easily preventable. Despite the warnings many people still don’t seem to understand the devastating effect fireworks can have on some animals. Often they will panic and end up on the road where of course they run the risk of being hit by cars. Sometimes they’re found kilometres from their homes.”

All pet owners are advised to make certain that their pets are in a secure environment and one that they feel comfortable with. Ideally they should be kept inside the house and if this is not possible then inside the garage or somewhere where they feel at ease and know well.

“We also urge people to make certain their pets have up to date identification on them. It’s very hard to reunite pets with their owners if they don’t have identification that includes the owners’ telephone numbers. Ideally they should also be microchipped.

We also recommend that horses should be securely sta-bled or removed to a location away from the fireworks.”


Media Release 19 October 2010

BEST FRIENDS NEED A HOLIDAY TOO

Australia’s largest directory of pet-friendly accommodation, HOLIDAYING WITH DOGS, is launching a brand

new edition for 2011/12 in late November. With more than 2,000 pet-friendly accommodation listings

nationally, this is a perfect Christmas stocking �ller for dog lovers wanting to give their pooch a holiday from

the backyard routine this summer, too.

Whether it be a beach holiday, a mountain idyll, traditional BnB, city apartment, camping grounds or

farmstay, they can be found in this useful directory and online at: www.holidayingwithdogs.com.au. There

are even motels and caravan parks included for every state.

Most of the accommodation listings have secure fencing to allow dogs freedom to explore their new

surroundings, while giving owners peace of mind. Many of the holiday destination owners are dog

lovers themselves and where dogs are allowed inside, have fully prepared the accommodation with

removable, washable couch covers and provide extra towels for dogs, too. Some owners even provide free

doggie treats.

To highlight exceptional accommodation standards for dogs and their humans, The Five Paw Dog Friendly

Accommodation Awards were created to give special recognition. The most important quali�cation

for Five Paw rating is that accommodation facilities make dogs and their owners feel like valued and

welcome guests.

The 5 Paw rating shows a facility has gained a high proportion of reader nominations or has been the

winner of the 5 Paw dog friendly accommodation award in their state.

Now in its 22nd year, the 2011/12 edition of HOLIDAYING WITH DOGS is on sale now at good book shops,

selected vets and pet outlets and travel shops, or online at: www.holidayingwithdogs.com.au

www.holidayingwithdogs.com.au

HOLIDAYING WITH DOGS

Published by Pepper Publishing.

$24.95 at good book shops, selected vets and pet outlets and travel shops, or online at:

www.holidayingwithdogs.com.au

For media information, interviews and review copies, please contact:

Anita Kazmierczak, Flash in the Can

M: 0418 660 620 E: [email protected]


Full terms and conditions

1. Instructions on how to enter forms part of conditions of entry.

2. Tell us your best tips for travelling with your pooch.

3. Entries are made via online only. TO ENTER: email your response to [email protected]

4. Please include your contact details in the email response.

5. Competition commences on 1/12/2010 and concludes at 5pm on 28/12/2010. Internet entries will be deemed to be accepted at the time of receipt and not at the time of transmission.

6. All entries will be read and the most original and interesting responses will win. There will be three winners. This is a game of skill and chance plays no part in determining the winners. The winners will be decided on the 29/12/2010 and will be contacted within seven days by email.

7. Winners will be decided by Pet Scene Magazine staff and as a condition of entry you agree to us publishing your tips in upcoming issues of Pet Scene Magazine.

8. Entry is open to Australian residents only.

9. Privacy statement: we will only use and store your personal information for the purposes disclosed to you, including sharing it with any other organisation that helps us provide goods or services to you.

Holidaying With Dogs GiveawayThis month Pepper Publishing is giving our readers the opportunity to win one of 3 copies of the latest edition of Holidaying With Dogs. To enter simply tell us your top tips for travelling with your pooch? Send your entries to [email protected] along with your contact details so that we can send out your prize. The best entries will be published in upcoming issues of Pet Scene Magazine.

Pet GourmetUbeaut Aussie Bulldogs Christmas Cookies

Ingredients

1 cup wholemeal flour

1/2 cup grated cheese

1/2 cup cooked frozen vegetables (such as peas, carrots, or corn)

1/2 cup margarine or butter, melted

small amount of water

Directions:

• Mix together the flour, cooked vegetables, cheese and melted butter (or marg). If it is too stiff, add a little water until you have a dough like consistency.

• Pop this in the fridge to chill for an hour or two. Then remove from the fridge and place on a floured work surface.

• Roll out to about half an inch thick. Use seasonal cookie cutters to cut out Christmas shapes. Place these on a greased baking tray. Cook at 185C / 375F for 15 to 20 minutes, or until golden brown.

• Cool completely before placing in an airtight container.

Note: you can make more biscuits by doubling the ingredients, however these biscuits do not keep for as long as traditional dog biscuits (due to the cooked vegetables).

Cool Summer Treats

Tabby Tuna Ice Blocks:When the heat of summer hits, help your feline friend cool down with these tasty little morsels.

Simply combine a can of tuna in spring water with 1 teaspoon of catnip, crushed fine. You may need to add some more water till you have about a 50/50 mix of liquid to tuna. Spoon this mix into an ice cube tray and freeze. Serve these in your cats bowl and sure to be a puuurrfect summer treat.

Fruity Parrot Popsicles:What better way to help your parrot cool down on a hot summers day than with a Fruity Parrot Popsicle.

Simply cut up your parrots favourite summer fruits in a bowl. Add a 50/50 mix of water and a natural 100% fruit juice. Spoon this mix into popsicle moulds and freeze. The end result is an amazingly colourful tropical treat for your parrot to munch on.



Kids Christmas Craft IdeasPersonalized Pet Bowls can make an ideal Christmas gift for your friend! What you’ll need:

• New plastic pet food bowls; washed and dried

• Assorted colors of paint markers.

Personalised Pet Christmas Stockings:Simply cut out 2 stocking shapes from a piece of felt placed back to back to get them even. Place glue around the edges of the stocking being sure not to glue across the top, then stick the two halves together. Glue a strip of white felt across the top of each side to ex-centuate, and include a small loop of string for hanging the stocking latter. This will give you your basic stocking. You can then decorate your pets stocking using felt, paint, pompoms, googly eyes etc. And don’t forget your pets name.

Some decorating ideas include paw prints, bones, fish shapes, bells or an image of your pet.

Personalised Pet Treat Jars are a great idea.

Simply using coloured felt, scissors, some craft glue, pom poms and goggly eyes - You can trans-form your old jars into a great Christmas treat jar for your pet. You can give the jar a pet theme like those pictured or go with a lovely festive theme. Then fill with your pets favourit treats.

Puppy Dog Christmas Ornament:Bone-up on your Christmas decorating options with this Puppy dog ornament. A ping-pong ball and a few other odds and ends are all you need to craft a decoration everyone will enjoy.

Dog Bone or Fish Shape Christmas Ornament:

Include your family pet in this holiday celebration with their very own homemade ornament made from cardboard and ribbon. Just cut out a Bone Or Fish shape and decorate with your pets name.

From The Team at Pet Scene Magazine we wish you and your pets a Safe and Merry Christmas !

PART 2:Three General Training Techniques

So you have a parrot that is capable of talking and you want to teach it to talk. This section will cover three basic techniques. These three techniques are Audio Recordings, Parent-Parrot teaching, and Model-ing. The first two methods use useful for teaching your parrot to mimic. The second and third methods can be useful for teaching your parrot to “speak”. And finally the third method is most useful for teaching your par-rot to communicate.

Technique #1 - Audio Recordings:

The first technique is Audio Record-ings. This may be an Audio CD or tape that you purchase or create that is capable of looping over and over. You can purchase these on the Internet or create them yourself with your home computer. Most people

your parrot with a very important need. That need is to bond with its “flock” and to communicate with it’s “flock”. In most cases, you’ll find that the more your talk and communicate with your parrot, the more it will respond and talk back. Most parrots are very social and thrive on this kind of attention. This method will never get boring to your parrot and can be fun for you and your parrot. If prop-erly rewarded for talking, your bird will happily talk and talk and talk. You should talk to your parrot while feeding, cleaning, doing dishes, pre-paring meals, watching TV, walking through the house, etc, etc, etc. You can maximize this method by us-ing your speech in context. If you’re putting food in the bowl then tell your parrot that you’re giving it food. If you’re cleaning the cage then tell your parrot that you are cleaning the cage. This method is useful for teaching “mimicking” and “speaking” as defined earlier.

Phrases that indicate mimicking are phrases such as “wanna peanut?” or “watcha doin?” In these cases it is just mimicking things that it has heard you vocalize. This method can also be used to teach communication as defined earlier. In this case you should use the same word is several different contexts. Examples would


Teaching your Parrot to talk. (PART 2)

By David B Webber

use this method during long periods of time when the parrot is alone. But does this technique work? The jury is still out on this one. Some people with some par-rots have had some success with this method while others have not had success with this method. It is certainly not the best method to use but in some cases it can be effective. This is probably the most common technique used to teach the classic Andy Griffin Theme Song. However, the same thing played over and over will quickly become very boring. Par-rots just like people will eventually tune out the boring stuff in their environment. For this reason it is recommended that you keep the sessions short. Sessions should be about fifteen-minute sessions 2 or 3 times a day. This technique is useful to teach “mimicking” as defined earlier. This is a cheap and easy way to teach your parrot to mimic. As with most things in life that are cheap and easy don’t be surprised if it doesn’t work.

Technique #2 - Parent-Parrot Teaching:

The second technique is Parent-Parrot teaching. This is where you talk to your parrot. This method is effective because it provides


be “Do you want this peanut?”, “Here’s a peanut”, “This is a good peanut”, “is that peanut good?” Initially your parrot will mimic you and use the word out of context much like a child learning to speak. You can take the mimicking to the speaking level by simply correct-ing the parrot like you would a child. By doing this, you will eventually teach the parrot to use the word in context. For example it may begin to vocalize “this is a good peanut” when you give it a peanut. This technique can be used for teaching your parrot “mimick-ing” and “speaking” as defined earlier. This technique can also be used to a lesser degree to teach “speaking”. The third and final technique (Modeling) is more effective for teaching “speaking” and “communication”.

Technique #3 - Modeling:

The third technique is “Modeling”. This is the method that Dr. Pepperberg discusses in her book The Alex Stud-ies. This method involves two trainers (usually two humans) and the parrot. Though not practical for most of us, it can be very effective if you have the means to use this technique. The par-rot takes turns being the “trainee” with the other human. An example would be to have the Trainer human and the trainee human demonstrate what is required while the parrot watches. For example, the Trainer may ask the trainee “what color is this” while holding up an object. The trainee will respond with “blue” and the trainer

will respond with “no, the color is red”. The trainer will repeat the question and the trainee will respond with “red” and the trainer will reward the trainee for the cor-rect answer. The reward may be verbal (“good girl”) or the reward may be a treat. Then the parrot will assume the role of the trainee while the human trainee watches and the process repeated. This method has been shown to be very effective in teaching birds, other animals, and humans with learning disabilities. This model-ing technique was used to teach Alex the Congo African Grey for Dr Pepperberg’s studies. This method is effective at teaching “mimick-ing”, “speaking”, and “communica-tion” as defined earlier.

As you may guess, the second tech-nique is the most common technique used to teach pet parrots how to talk. This technique is more effective than using Audio Recordings and it only requires one “trainer” compared to the third technique. More importantly the second technique provides the perfect opportunity for the Parent to bond with the Parrot. This is a win-win tech-nique because bonding is essential to the parrot’s well being and it provides a means to teach the parrot to talk. The next section covers some miscel-laneous Tips, Do’s and Don’ts. Most directly apply to the second technique of Parent-Parrot teaching but also ap-ply to the other techniques.

------------>

Continued in PART 3 Next Month.

“Rebel”

“Kainda”

“Buggs”

“Billy”

Gucci & Prada


“Kainda”“Sam”

Dan & Rosie

“Quickly”

“Billy”

www.petscenemagazine.com.au Page 14 www.petscenemagazine.com.au

A New Treatment for Equine Ulcers Released In Australia

By Antara Mukherjee

Cipla gets APVMA approval to introduce generic omeprazole in Australia for treat-ing equine ulcers

Cipla, one of the world’s leading generic pharmaceutical companies is the first from India to get The Australian Pesti-cides and Veterinary Medicines Author-ity (APVMA) approval for introducing its generic omeprazole in Australia used in treating equine ulcers. Introduced under the brand name E-Gard by Cipla, this premium quality syringe of omeprazole, is the generic version of Merial’s Gastro-Guard. With a strong demand in Singa-pore, South Africa, HongKong, UAE, etc, E-Gard is supplied to over 16 countries across the world and is one of the larg-est selling veterinary products of Cipla in the Equine segment. With prevalence of ulcers as high as upto 93% in racehorses, E-Gard from Cipla is a proven way to heal ulcers without recurrence and restore performance.

“We are proud to extend a world-class premium product like E-Gard to the Aus-tralian market and would look forward to penetrating this niche market with local partnerships. Having established a strong foothold with the product in across 16 countries, we anticipate a good demand of E-Gard in Australia,” said Mr. Sanjeev A Gupte , Head- International Business and Supply Chain, Cipla.


Recommending the use of E-Gard, Dr. Phiroz Khambatta , Renowned Equine surgeon said, “E-Gard is a high-quality product demon-strating remarkable efficacy and safety. With no adverse affects on reproduction or overall animal health, E-Gard can be concomitantly used with other therapies which include anthelmintics, antibiotics, anti-inflamatory agents, tranquillizers and vaccines without the fear of any interactions.”

“We have been marketing and distributing E-Gard to various established racing fraternity locally and regionally. E-Gard has been re-ceived well and is being used successfully by the racing clubs vets to be treated for ulcers in performance horses. E-Gard is a proven brand name for stomach ulcer problems in race horses,” said Mr C Mano, Managing Director, Mano Equestrian Services Pte Ltd., Singapore.

Cipla’s Animal Health Division specializes in Equine and Pet animal care in categories extending to General Care, Surgicals, Disin-fectants, Enzymes, Ectoparasiticides, Herbal products, Aqua Products, Poultry products and Feed Additives.

Cipla Animal Health Division entered Austra-lia in 2006 and currently has 7 products.

Pet Scene Boutique

Your source of luxury Australian pet products.

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You will be totally inspired by our huge range of luxury pet products including a line of environmentally friendly eco

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You will also find designer lines, pet perfumes and a range of

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Dear Supporter,

The worst of 106 neglected dogs seized from a puppy factory, Ned was barely recognisable as a dog, let alone a poodle, when he arrived at the RSPCA.

Underneath a matted mop of hair lay clumps of dried faeces and maggots. So severe was his con-dition, he had to be sedated before treatment could begin.

After a long clip and a medicated bath, the task of manually removing the maggots began. Despite the revelation of a scrawny frame and red-raw skin, Ned started to resemble the hand-some little fellow he was to later become.

Placed in foster care, Ned received medication, enrichment and love — basic necessities for which he clearly yearned, but was so cruelly denied. Little by little a poodle started to emerge, and so, too, a personality.

Sadly, Ned’s story is one of thousands shared by abandoned and neglected animals across the state — and one of 8,350 ‘orphans’ this Christmas like Monte and Benny, who will rely on RSPCA Qld to help heal their wounds, fill their tummies and find them homes. Each one of these ani-mals will cost RSPCA Qld approximately $110 a week to care for. That’s just over $1.1 million in a three-month period. It’s heartbreaking and costly.

It is thanks to your support that RSPCA Qld has been able to provide such excellent care, with so little. To help us to continue providing this care and to achieve our target, we’re again ask-ing for your support by becoming an RSPCA Guardian Angel, and donating towards our Project Guardian Angel Appeal.

By making a one-off donation to the RSPCA’s Guardian Angel Appeal, you will show an ani-mal like Ned what it feels like to be loved at a time when they need and deserve it the most — Christmas. Everyone expects the RSPCA to be there. But unless we receive the crucial funding required to operate during the annual deluge of animals like Ned, our services will be severely compromised.

To make your donation, please visit www.rspcaguardianangel.com.au; call 1300 RSPCA1 (1300777221) or 07 3426 9999 or fill in the enclosed coupon and return in the reply paid envelope. Whatever your gift, be it large or small, it will make a real and lasting difference to the thou-sands of animals like Ned, Monte and Benny.


This year, by making a donation of $50 or more towards this very special appeal, you will receive a copy of RSPCA Qld’s “Tough Guys get Tough on Animal Abuse” calendar. Featur-ing images of “Tough Guys” including Matthew Hayden and Justin Hodges and an array of animals rescued by RSPCA Qld, this limited edition calendar is only available to RSPCA Qld Guardian Angel supporters.

Today, two and half years since Ned arrived at the RSPCA, he is a far cry from the sad and sorry sight that he was.

And, with a thick coat of curls, strut around the garden and a pose for the camera, doesn’t he know it.

On behalf of the thousands of animals who will benefit from your special Christmas gift — thank you for being there once again. Thank you for being their Guardian Angel.

With best wishes for the holiday season

Mark Townend

Chief Executive Officer RSPCA Qld

PS: Don’t forget! Please visit www.rspcaguardianangel.com.au to make your donation online; call 1300 RSPCA1 (1300777221) to make your donation via credit card; or fill in the enclosed coupon and return in the reply paid envelope.

PPS: Having trouble deciding what to pur-chase for that special someone in your life? The RSPCA Guardian Angel Gift Card makes the perfect Christmas stocking stuffer, Secret Santa gift or seasonal gift that the animal lover in your life will love! For more details please visit www.rspcaguardianangel.com.au.


‘The A-Z of Unfortunate Dogs is a book for both children and adults that can be enjoyed again and again. It’s a brilliantly original take on man’s best friend, an instant mood lifter, reassuring and positive in its assertion that those who are not perfect may be – and often are – infi-nitely more loveable. Adam Elliot, Academy Award winning creator of Harvie Krumpet, has often turned to family relationships for inspiration. There was his highly successful trilogy of short films, titled Uncle, Cousin and Brother. Now, in his first ever book, the proud and loving owner of two pugs, Barry and Kevin, has applied his quirky sense of humour and remarkable artistry to one of his greatest loves – hard-done-by-hounds.

The A-Z of Unfortunate Dogs is both affectionate towards dogs and irreverent. So you don’t have to be a dog owner to enjoy this hilarious alphabet book and its parade of far from perfect pooches such as ‘U is for Unice with extraordinary gas’ and ‘G is for George, missing legs and an eye.’

In an age when the emphasis is on youth and perfection, this refreshing tale not only puts a smile on your face with its funny, simple rhyming couplets and quirky drawings, reminds us that though they ‘may be unfortunate, with terrible flaws…we love them all, from their tails to the paws.’

Specifications

ISBN 978-1-74203-514-7 Format 180 x 158mmRRP $14.99Extent 48pp Binding H/bInterest level 5+Category Gift Book Release date November 2010

The Night Before Christmas

The selling points• In the tradition of Christmas Carols from the Kennel,

which has sold over 8 000 copies.

• A brand-new spin on a much-loved Christmas classic.

• A great price point, perfect for Kris Kringle and office

presents.

• A fantastic stocking-stuffer for adults and kids.

• Think a Christmas ‘I can haz cheezeburger’.

• Beautiful, cute and cuddly photos of Christmas

animals.

black dog books15 Gertrude Street Fitzroy Victoria 3065 Australia03 9419 9406 Fax: 03 9419 [email protected] www.bdb.com.au

For orders, please contact ADSTelephone (02) 4390 1300Toll-free Fax 1800 664 [email protected]

Murdoch Books

‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house,not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse...

About the author

‘'Twas the Night Before Christmas’ has been a classic since its first appearance in the Troy Sentinel in 1823. The poem was published anonymously and, as excitement over the verses grew, everyone wanted to know the name of the author. In 1837 Clement Clarke Moore, a biblical scholar in New York City, allowed his name to be attached as author.

Sample spreads


Q: How do Gecko’s walk upside down on the roof?A: The Gecko is a champion gymnast. It is able to walk up walls and across ceilings upside down because each of it’s toes have large pads covered with thousands of short, stiff bristles that grab surfaces helping it to grip. Scientists used to think that geckos had disks on their toes that worked like suction cups. But now we know that it is the hairs on the underside of these lizards’ toes that help the animals climb and cling. Geckos can even race up polished glass and support their body weight from a wall with a single toe. Geckos have a way to keep from get-ting stuck in place. Each of a gecko’s toes can be curled away from the surface it is on. This loosens the clinging hairs and allows the animal to move.

Q: How can I help to keep my cat cool in summer? I’ve been putting ice cubes in her water bowls to give her a nice cool drink, but she doesn’t like ‘Friends’ in her bowl and refuses to drink out of it, what can I do?A: A great solution to this problem is to get yourself a gravity fed watering bowl with the screw in plas-tic bottle. You will find that the thread is usually the same as any soft drink bottle so you can

recycle your old bottles and freeze water in them so you can always have some on hand. These will slowly melt over the corse of a hot day so your cat will always have a cool drink at hand without any ‘Friends’ floating in her water bowl.


The Maremma Sheepdog is a rare working breed originating in central Italy. There in the High Appenine of the Abruzzi region and on the plains of the Maremma, he has been bred for some two thousand years. His sole function during this time has been to guard the flocks and property of the shepherd, first from wolves and bears and more lately, from thieves and bands of stray dogs. It is interesting to note that wolves are still present in Abruzzi and even the occasional brown European bear is still found there.

The shepherd frequently leaves the flocks and the Maremma remains in sole charge. Over the centuries therefore, the dog has developed a very strong guard-ing instinct and a responsibility for taking decisions. Whilst he has a strong sense of loyalty to the shepherd there can be no doubt that the Maremma owes his allegiance to the flock and he will never desert that which has been entrusted to his care. These instincts remain with the breed, as it is known today. He protects his master and master’s property naturally and, if he is a family companion, will protect other dogs, cats and the children just as assiduously as his ancestors protected the flocks.

The Maremma Sheepdog is a medium to large dog of imposing presence and majestic bearing. He is strong, active and for his size, very lithe. He is all white in colour although markings of lemon, fawn or biscuit are frequently seen, particularly on the ears and at the base of the tail. The eye rims, lips, nose and pads should be black.

TEMPERAMENT

The Maremma is a loyal and devoted guard who sees his main function in life as being the protector of his master and his master’s property. He is constantly aware of this responsibility and will see a threat in any strange object, being or footfall. It is unusual for the Maremma to wander for he prefers to stand or lie at the property boundary where he will warn strangers away with his bark. He will not attack with-out provocation but trespassing is not taken lightly and he is very wary of strangers. He is nonetheless affectionate to his owners although the male is at times, ashamed to admit that he has a need for any physical reinforcement of the bond that exists between him and his master. Old friends are accepted but the Maremma will usu-ally remain on duty during their presence. Strangers are not welcome and the dog should be under control when irregular callers are admitted. A “formal” introduc-tion, best made when the caller has been admitted and is seated - usually suffices to satisfy the dog that there is no danger but do remember that he makes his own judgements and may suspect danger where you see none.

The size of the Maremma will vary between 65 - 73 cm for dogs and 60 - 68 cm for bitches. This is not a large dog compared to such as the Mastiff for it is more the size of a large German shepherd. To most people however, that is a large dog and this size is frequently accentuated when the Maremma is in full coat. Rather surpris-ingly the Maremma can appear to exercise more than a degree of control over this size. Around the house they are almost dainty, particularly in their movements and accidents are a rarity. They have the ability to curl themselves up and shrink to half their full size, especially when they have lost control of a situation or are unhappy. On the other hand when suspicious or faced with a threat the Maremma thinks

The Maremma Sheepdog


Barking Mad

By Piltainga Kennels

himself to be a large dog - he stands erect and alert, his ruff comes up and he becomes what he is, a large dog who can dispose of most threats to his property by virtue of his size and appearance.

OTHER DOGS

There has been a great deal of speculation as to whether two Maremma Sheepdogs will live happily together without one or the other establishing dominance. Possibly a great deal depends upon the individual dogs and the environment in which they are kept for, whilst in Italy, it is not uncommon for two or more males to live peacefully together, occasions have been known when two females prove difficult. In general the Maremma loves company - if it takes the form of another of his own kind, so much the better. He is normally very tolerant of other breeds and lives quite hap-pily with them. He will seldom, if ever, pick a quarrel and is slow to anger. He can be provoked under extreme circumstances and when he fights he means it. Dogs of the breed are usually subser-vient to any bitches that they live with, despite their greater size and strength. Trouble is likely to occur over food or if another dog gets too close to something that the Maremma regards as ‘his’. TRAINING

Some form of social and obedience training is essential for all dogs and the Maremma is no exception. He has an active mind of above average intelligence and without some form of training, he will quickly become bored. Training, particularly that of a social nature should start as soon as a puppy is taken into your home. You will find the Maremma receptive to basic obedience and the simple commands of ‘sit’, ‘heel’, ‘down’ and ‘stay’ will be readily learned. You should not however expect to receive from the Maremma the same blind obedience that you would expect from a German shepherd or Border collie for it is not in his nature to obey a command and to look up to his master anxiously awaiting the next order. Rather he will work out, in his own mind, the logic of the command given and, having come to the conclusion that it is reasonable, obey. There is therefore usually a pause of some seconds between giving the order and having it obeyed. For this reason the Maremma does not perform well in formal obedience trials for, as a breed, they tend to make their own decisions rather than blindly obey. When adult the Maremma will guard naturally and without training although as a puppy will be outgoing and friendly. The breed tends, if unchecked, to bark more than most. This is particularly true when they are behind a wall or fence and are aware of strange footsteps or other noises. This is fine if one lives in a remote area but can be unacceptable in an urban district. A firm ‘no’ whilst they are still puppies will minimise this.

HOUSING & ENVIRONMENT

The Maremma Sheepdog is a rugged and hardy dog that will live happily outdoors throughout all weathers. The harsh outer coat is both weather-resistant and water-repellent. During summer months it reflects a great deal of the heat although the dog will seek a shady spot and become less active. The Maremma is by nature, exceptionally clean in habits and housetrains easily. He

also has the advantage of having virtually no doggy odour except when wet.

Like many other breeds he is quick to become bored and if he is left unattended for long periods this may be reflected by chewing any-thing around the house or by digging holes in the garden. Rawhide bones and toys will help overcome the chewing problem and a firm ‘no’ will stop wanton chewing and excavating. The ‘no’ can only be spoken however, if you are present and the real answer is not to leave him without your company for long periods.

EXERCISE

The puppies are large and active and require a lot of exercise for proper development. It should be remembered however that their growth rate is particularly fast and long walks or formal exercise is best avoided until they are six months of age. It is best if they get their early exercise - essential for the development of growth - freely, prefer-ably within the confines of the garden. In this manner they can and will, decide for themselves when they have had enough and then curl up and sleep. It is worth mentioning here that a dog, particularly a young puppy, requires a corner of his own to which he can retire, safe in the knowledge that it is a haven where he is safe from interference. This is important when the Maremma is being reared in the company of young children who cannot or will not always understand that the puppy requires his rest periods just as they do.

COAT AND GROOMING

The coat of the Maremma Sheepdog is white, thick and heavy. It is double coated which is to say that there is a soft woolly undercoat, particularly in Winter, over which lays a longer, somewhat harsh top coat. This double coat is extremely weather-resistant and, although on a wet day dirt will be attracted to it, especially on the legs and under body, nothing really penetrates. As the dog dries, so any dirt, which is normally on the topcoat, falls away. With a coat of this nature groom-ing can be kept to a minimum for the dog will invariably look in pris-tine condition. It should be remembered however that a dog needs regular grooming to stimulate proper coat growth and skin condition. Bathing may never be necessary but can be done safely providing the dog is dried quickly, especially in winter. Standard care is needed for eyes, ears, pads and nails. The Maremma normally moults once per year as Winter approaches. Between moults the Maremma loses little

if any hair.

HEALTH

The Maremma is usually a very hardy and robust dog that is not prone to illness or disease. He should be vaccinated against all the usual diseases and wormed as recommended by your vet. The white coat makes fleas and other parasites readily visible and prompt action is called for when they are seen.

To learn more about this loyal breed please visit Piltainga Kennels - Breeders of fine quality Maremma Sheepdogs.

http://www.piltaingakennels.com


By Ursula

The MAREMMA“The Guardian Dog”

7 Tips For Choosing Aquarium Fish By Lee Dobbins

Buying the right aquarium fish for your tank is key to the success of your aquar-ium. When selecting fish, you may not simply be able to pick out the fish that catch your eye in the pet store as not all fish can live in the same environment. Additionally not all fish get along with each other so you will have to be careful to choose the types of fish that are compatible.

If all this seems like hard work, don’t worry, you will soon become familiar with the types of tropical fish that work well in your tank and even have some favou-rites that you like to keep. When choosing fish for your aquarium, here’s some tips to keep in mind:

1. Fish appearance. Ob-serve the particular fish you are interested in care-fully to make sure he is ac-tive and swimming around properly. Make sure his fins are not chewed and he doesn’t have any growths or white fuzzy patches.

2. Tank condition. Dealers tanks can have parasites and disease that might not be apparent in your fish right away so you need to observe the other fish in the tank and take a good look at the tank conditions. Is the tank clean? If not that is an indication that the dealer probably doesn’t care for the tanks well.

Make sure the other fish in the tank are alert and swim-ming around actively. Avoid buying a fish from a tank that has dead fish floating in it. Even if your fish appears to be healthy, he could already be infected with something that might not show up until days after you get him home. By then it might be too late and you could risk infecting your other fish.

3. Water Conditions. The con-dition of your water is impor-tant as well as the number of fish you already have in the tank. If your water condition is poor then adding more fish will just make things worse and endanger the health of all the fish in the


tank. Also, you should be care-ful not to overload your tank with too many fish as this will cause stress on all the fish as well as cause your water qual-ity to degrade. The general rule of thumb for freshwater tropical fish tanks is 1 inch of fish per gallon of water. If you add too many, you will have to spend more time changing the water and will need re-ally good filtration in order to keep your tank healthy.

4. Water Temperature. Not all tropical fish like the same temperature water. While most will do well with temps in the mid 70’s some do better in cooler waters while others like it on the warm side.

5. Fish size. Before you buy a new fish you might want to find out how big he can be expected to eventually grow. Since your tank can support about 1 inch of fish per gallon,

you wouldn’t want to put a fish that might grow to 5 inches in your 5 gallon tank or he might be the only one you can have!

6. The type of fish. Is your new fish aggressive or does he play well with others? Is he OK being the only one of his kind in the tank or will he do better in a school. Make sure you only put fish that will get along in the tank or the more aggressive fish will pick on the others. Also, some fish are territorial and you should only keep one per tank.

7. The food. Find out what type of food your new fish likes to eat. Most eat flakes, but some like freeze dried worms or other types of food. When you bring home your new fish be sure to also take home some of his fa-vorite dinner.

Lee Dobbins writes for http://www.fish-tank-guide.com where you can learn more about aquarium setup and maintenance as well as choosing fish that are compatible.

http://www.fish-tank-guide.com/choosing-fish.


How to go about choosing a Cat Breed that suits you?

Domestic cats make great pets for most homes be-cause they are very easy to care for and generally bond easily with humans. Most of the societies and cultures around the world have made it a practice to adopt cats into their family structures. However, domestic cats do vary quite a bit in their physical design and personalities from one breed to the next. Choosing a cat breed that suits you and your family is not a task that should be taken lightly. Nor should choosing a cat breed that suits you seem like a dif-ficult task.

The first consideration when choosing a cat breed is the size of your living area. You may always think of cats as being leisurely lounge lizards, but many breeds spend as much time playing as lounging. Playful cat breeds need plenty of room to play. Also, the larger the play area and the more there is to do, such as another cat to interact with, the less likely the

cat is to go mad if it doesn’t see you much for a few days.

That leads to the second consideration when choosing a cat breed. You need to think about how much time your family is going to be able to spend with the cat. If your new little friend doesn’t at least get a couple of gentle touches and a cuddle every other day, it will go mad. Although how much attention is necessary has a lot to do with the breed. The other part of the time consideration is that some cats require more grooming maintenance such as bathing and brushing. A busy family should get a cat with short fur.

The third consideration when choos-ing a cat breed is allergies to cats. These allergies are not uncommon, but there is much variance in the degree in which they manifest themselves. Someone with a very heavy cat allergy probably should not own a cat. Someone with a light aller-gy that results in a few sneezes or coughs a day can have a cat, but should be care-ful in choosing a cat breed that will mini-mize allergen exposure. For example, you will want to choose a cat breed that has short fur and rarely sheds its fur to reduce your exposure.


By Brigit Hulsing

The fourth, and probably most often forgotten, con-sideration when choosing a cat breed is the cost of taking care of that breed. Some breeds are hardier

than others. Many breeds have common ailments, such as deafness or fur balls, that may get costly in veterinarian visits. Also, a cat that weighs half as

much and has a lazy temperament will eat less than half as much as the cat that weighs twice as much and is packed full of energy.

The fifth, and final, consideration when choosing a cat breed is how the personality of the kitty matches up with the other personalities of your family. Cats come in different temperaments. There are lap, child-friendly, indoors, independent hunter, and jealous, one-person cats.

Brigit Hulsing is a cat behaviour researcher and helps cat owners with practical tips and advice on cat train-ing. http://www.catinstructor.com


By Brigit Hulsing

We enjoy a wonderful climate and lifestyle in Australia. However, natural hazards such as cyclone, storms, fires and flood are an inevitable part of our environment. His-tory has shown that we can-not afford to be complacent about the dangers they pres-ent.

Just as we need to prepare our family and our home for times of emergency or disaster, we also need to prepare our pets. Your pets are part of your household; by taking time to prepare now you can improve the safety and well being of your family pets by ensuring their needs are included in your household preparedness plan-ning.

Although individual needs will vary, you need to decide on the best plan for your circumstanc-es and region.

Check with your local council and other agencies on possible hazards, local emergency plans and what arrangements are in place regarding temporary animal shelters during times of major emergencies or disasters. Be prepared

If considering moving animals to a safer place, do so early to

avoid unnecessary risk. It may not be possible to take your pet with you to a temporary evacu-ation shelter - plan ahead and be prepared.

•Secureanimalsinsidebeforean emergency event, so that they do not take flight or run away.

•Useasecurepetcarrier/cage,leash or harness to move any animals to safety.

•Ensureallvaccinationsremain

current.

•Itmaybepossibleforyourpetto be boarded in a safe environ-ment away from the emergen-cy zone.

•Ifyouareabletohouseyouranimal in a temporary foster home, ensure your pet’s medi-cal and feeding information, food, medicine and other sup-plies accompany them to the foster home.

•Ensureallpetsareproperly

identified. Remember – during

times of disaster, telephones may not be available and it is important any registered method includes your current address.

•Haveacurrentphotograph.This may assist in easily identi-fying you as the legal owner.


Trained assistance dogs

In most cases, trained assis-tance dogs will be allowed to stay in emergency shelters with their owners. Those that are accepted may require proper identification and proof of vaccination. Check with local council for more information.

What if your pet is not a dog or cat?

Although the majority of household’s companion pets are commonly dogs, cats and birds; the suggested infor-mation can be applied to all household pet emergency planning.

Should your companion pet not fall within this category, e.g. aquariums, reptiles, small live-stock (pigs, fowls, goats, horses, cattle, sheep), it is suggested you contact specialised agen-cies, e.g. Queensland Primary Industry and Fisheries (live-

Prepare Your Pet Emergency Plan:


Prepare Your Pet Emergency Plan: stock), the RSPCA, your animal’s veterinarian or local pet shop for specialised advice in planning for emergencies.

Pet Emergency KitEnsure your Pet Emergency Kit is easily accessible and includes:

•Petmedications(foruptotwo weeks), medical and vaccination records and vet-erinarian details.

•Sufficientfood(includingtreats) and water (e.g. bot-tled) for each animal - for up to a two week period. Don’t forget the can opener if you have tinned food.

•Afamiliarpetblanketorbedding, toys, grooming equipment.

•Asecurepetcarrier,leash

or harness to move any animals to safety.

•Consideryouranimal’ssanitation needs, which is important for their (and your) health; e.g. newspa-per, paper towels disinfec-tant, rubbish bags.

•Birdsmusteatdaily-putspecial food and water dis-pensers in bird cages and have a cover for the cage.

•Importanttelephonenumbers;

E.g. your veterinarian, pet information

and advisory services.

•Detailsofidentificationmethods.

•Acurrentphotographforidentification purposes.

We would like to give a special thank you to the Queensland Department of Community Safety for this valuable information.

For more information on preparing for emergen-cies visit: www.disaster.qld.gov.au

The Maine Coon Cat

By Terry King


The much loved Maine Coon is one of the largest breeds of domestic cat, known for its intelligence and playfulness as well as its distinctive physical appearance. The breed is one of the oldest breeds in North America and originated from New England, making it Amer-ica’s first indigenous show cat. The Maine Coon Cat is regard-ed as “the gentle giant” and is known for a pleasant nature.

Maine Coons are very large and energetic cats, some-times weighing up to around 11-12 kilograms (25 pounds); the average weight is 6 to 9 kilograms (13-20 pounds) for adult males and less (7-11 pounds) for females. Male Maine Coons may grow to a length in excess of 1 meter (40 inches); the longest cat on record is a Maine Coon 121cm (49 inches) in length. Growth to full size often

takes longer than for most cats, with Maine Coons usually reaching full size at age four or five.

The breed has a face with a square muzzle, a thick neck, large ears, big, rounded eyes, and a large, muscular body. The tail is long and relatively bushy.

The origin of the breed (and its name) has several myths surrounding it. A popular story comes from a legend that a domestic cat released in the wilds of Maine mated with a raccoon, resulting in offspring with the Maine Coon’s characteristics. Obvi-ously biologically impossible, this myth, bolstered by the bushy tail and the most com-mon coloring (a raccoon-like brown tabby) could have led to the adoption of the name “Maine Coon.” Another legend is that the cat was named after a ship’s captain named Coon who was re-sponsible for the cat reaching Maine shores.

The truth is much more bor-ing, in the 17th and 18th cen-turies, domestic cats brought


to the new lands, from Eu-rope faced very severe win-ters in New England, only the strongest and most adapt-able cats survived. Through natural selection (as opposed to selective breeding), the Maine Coon developed into a large, rugged cat with a water-resistant, thick coat and a hardy constitution.

These days, the breed has many more recognized co-lours, including black, blue, cream, red, tortoiseshell, blue tortoiseshell, white, smoke, silver tabby, brown tabby, red tabby, blue tabby, cream tabby, and bicolour.

The Maine Coon is usually a social creature and gets on with other cats, dogs, and children. These cats have

great personalities and are a great cat breed for family homes.

Due to their above-average intelligence, Maine Coons are known to be one of the easiest cat breeds to train. Maine Coons are known for their ability to trill their meows, which sounds like a combination of a purr and a meow, and they tend to make this sound when happy or startled. They rarely eat alone, preferring to eat in the company of other cats or humans.

Maine Coons occasionally engage in mischievous be-havior when bored, such as deliberately pushing things off tables and the tops of re-frigerators with their paws.

Terry King runs Parcel Pets [http://www.pets2home.co.uk], a leading UK pet supplies [http://www.pet-s2home.co.uk] web site and has had pets all his life. He lives with his wife Louise, dog Sam, Cat Sabrina and 5 fish!

Christmas Humour A Cats Favourit Christmas Carols:

10. Up on the Mousetop

9. Have Yourself a Furry Little Christmas

8. Joy to the Curled

7. I Saw Mommy Hiss at Santa Claus

6. The First Meow

5. Oh, Come All Ye Fishful

4. Silent Mice

3. Fluffy, the Snowman

2. Jingle Balls

1. Wreck the Halls!


A Cat’s 12 Days Of Christmas

On the twelfth day of Christmas my human gave to me:

Twelve bags of catnip!

Eleven tarter Pounce treats,

Ten ornaments hanging,

Nine wads of Kleenex,

Eight peacock feathers,

Seven stolen Q-tips,

Six feathered balls,

Five MILK TOP RINGS!

Four munchy house plants,

Three running faucets,

Two fuzzy mousies,

And a hamster in a plastic ball!!

You better not bark and you better not cry

You better not meow

And I’m telling you why

Santa Paws is coming to town!

Christmas Humour

A Doggy Wonderland

Dog tags ring, are you listenin’?

In the lane, snow is glistenin’.

It’s yellow, NOT white - I’ve been there all night,

Marking out my winter wonderland.

Smell that tree? That’s my fragrance.

It’s a sign for wand’ring vagrants;

“Avoid where I pee, it’s MY pro-per-ty!

Marked out as my winter wonderland.”

In the meadow dad will build a snowman,

following the classical design.

Then I’ll lift my leg and let it go Man,

So all the world will know it’s

mine-all-mine!

Straight from me to the fencepost,

flows my natural incense boast;

“Stay off of my TURF, this small piece of earth,

I mark it as my winter wonderland.

www.petscenemagazine.com.au Page 32 www.petscenemagazine.com.au

The 12 Dog’s Of ChristmasOn the 12th day of Christmas my true love

gave to me,

Twelve Beagles Barking

Eleven Labs a-Licking

Ten Howling Huskies

Nine Yorkies Yipping

Eight Westies Wagging

Seven Spaniels Snoring

Six Dobermans Growling

Five Golden Retrievers

Four Chubby Pugs

Three French Poodles

Two Jack Russell’s

And A Pekingese in a dog house!

Sadly some people’s holidays are more important than taking care of their pets. Every Christmas the RSPCA cares for thousands of abandoned animals across Australia. Become a Guardian Angel to an animal in need and donate now.

rspcaguardianangel.com.au

RSPCA0041E_297x210.indd 1 6/10/10 2:32:01 PM

pet scene magazine december 2010

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