In This Issue:
- MERRY CHRISTMAS from ABBA
- CHRISTMAS VIP SPECIAL
- FACEBOOK CELEBRITY
- ABBA PET CELEBRITY
- PET CHRISTMAS RECIPES
- DOGGY CHRISTMAS LUNCH
- CHRISTMAS KITTY TUNA COOKIES
- KITTY CHRISTMAS LUNCH
- CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEAS FOR KIDS
- MAKE SURE YOUR PETS ENJOY CHRISTMAS TOO
- SOMETHING TO CONSIDER
- JUST FOR A LAUGH
To all of our special friends (furry or otherwise),
We at Abba Kennels and Cattery would like to wish you a safe & 'tail waggin' Merry Christmas and a happy New Year! We look forward to seeing all of you in 2013 and we thank you for your support and patronage of our business. We love what we do and we hope you love it too!
From the team at ABBA
When booking your pet in for a stay at ABBA, mention your VIP status and refer to one of the specials below to claim your freebie!
VIP Dogs - Receive 2 nights free bedtime treats for your dog when mentioning this newsletter
VIP Cats - Receive 1 free playtime for your cat when mentioning this newsletter
We love reading the feedback and comments you leave on our Facebook page. To say thank you for your valued contribution to our online community we will be choosing one loyal follower each season as the winner of our Facebook celebrity award.
Our Christmas Facebook Celebrity Award goes to.... Michelle Fein! (Coco)
- Michelle has been bringing her gorgeous border collie pup named Coco to ABBA since September of this year. Thanks Michelle for being such a great advocate of ABBA and our services, we hope you & Coco enjoy your celebrity prize!
THE PRIZE...Receive a FREE 2 night sleepover for Coco at a time of your choosing
Q. What are Russell's favourite toys?
A. Socks. We have drawers full of pairless socks!
Q. Where is Russell's favourite place to go & why?
A. Russell loves a trip to our local fenced, off-leash park. He doesn't have too much common sense, hence the need for a fence. His other favourite holiday destination is ABBA, which he visits more frequently than the park.
Q. What are Russell's favourite foods?
A. Science Diet's Adult Large Breed. Plus the occasional pigs ear.
Q. Who are Russell's best friends?
A. All the neighbours in his street. Well that's what he thinks; I'm not convinced the neighbours share the same feeling!
Q. What are some of the funniest things Russell has ever done?
A. Russell doesn't tend to watch where he's going when he runs; his nose is always to the ground on a scent. Walls and pool fences are the only things that stop him... that must be why Bloodhounds have such strong heads!
Q. Has Russell ever been in trouble?
A. Russell is always in trouble!
Q. Brendan - what are some of your favourite memories of Russell?
A. I've had Russ since he was a pup and watched him quadruple in size. He's a great dog, friendly and is excited every day when I come home from work.
DOGGY CHRISTMAS TREAT
Homemade Banana and Peanut Butter Doggy Treats
Ingredients:
1 peeled banana
1 cup oat flour
2/3 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup parsley
3 tablespoons peanut butter
1 beaten egg
Method:
Mash the banana in a large bowl
Add the rest of the ingredients and stir well
Let the mixture rest for 5 minutes
Roll into 24 balls - 1 tablespoon of mixture for each ball
Place the balls on a greased baking tray (The balls can be molded into fun shapes if desired)
Bake in preheated oven at 180c until firm and deep golden brown (approx) 40 minutes Serve cold.
Storage note:
Store the Doggy Treats in an airtight container in the refrigerator or freeze them for later on; just be sure to thaw out the treats before giving them to your dog.
Ingredients:
1 raw lamb shank bone
A little bit of lean meat from your Christmas roast is acceptable on Christmas Day, but only a very small portion. To avoid a feeling of guilt at Christmas whilst you sit down to enjoy your Christmas lunch, sit your dog down with a raw lamb shank bone!
Your furry friend will delight in getting their teeth into their special treat whilst your family sits down and enjoys a guilt free Christmas lunch.
*Remember, never give your dog cooked meat bones as these can cause choking or serious injury. Raw meat bones are much better for the health of your dog and will clean your dogs teeth - resulting in a gleaming white doggy grin (looks great in Christmas photos!)
Ingredients:
1 large can of tuna (in oil)
2 cups cornmeal
2 cups flour
3/4 cup water
2/3 cup vegetable oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
Method:
Mix all ingredients together
Roll out mixture on a floured surface and cut out into fun shapes (Like Christmas Trees!)
Place the cookies onto a greased baking tray
Bake the cookies at 180c for 25-30 minutes
Cool on wire rack and then store in airtight container in the refrigerator
Ingredients:
1 raw chicken neck or wing
If you want your Kitty to have a puuurfect Christmas lunch, feed your furry family member a raw chicken neck or chicken wing and enjoy watching it savour every morsel.
*Remember, never give your cat cooked chicken bones as they can cause splintering, pain and serious injury.
PLEASE REMEMBER:
Please don't forget to make sure your special dog and cat has plenty of fresh water to drink on Christmas day. Animals become easily dehydrated in hot weather and may feel stressed with all the extra excitement over Christmas. Make sure their routine on Christmas Day is as much the same as any other day, if possible.
Get the kids involved this Christmas by making some fun Christmas gifts for the furry members of your family.
DOGGY THROW BALL
Materials:
One large knee high sock
One tennis ball
One playful doggy
Place the tennis ball inside the sock and tie a knot tightly around the tennis ball.
Take your dog to your favorite park or, if you have space, to the back yard.
Hold the end of the sock and throw it as far as you can and watch your dog have a barking good time while it's chasing and fetching the Throw Ball.
KITTY CAT LUXURY BED
Materials:
One Standard Pillow
A shallow cardboard box to fit the size of the pillow
Scraps of material in lots of different colours and patterns
Coloured paper and cardboard
Fabric paint
Scissors
Paint brushes
Sewing needle and cotton thread
Non Toxic craft glue
Let the fun begin...........
Decorate the pillow:
Using fabric craft paint, write your cat's name on both sides of the pillow.
Cut up scraps of material in different shapes and sizes and then sew the material on both sides of the pillow.
Decorate the box:
Glue cut out pieces of material, coloured paper or cardboard and decorate the box.
Let the glue on the box and the paint on the pillow dry thoroughly.
Watch your special Kitty meow with delight when it snuggles down in his purrrfect new bed.
MAKE SURE YOUR PETS ENJOY CHRISTMAS TOO
Top 10 tips for surviving the festive season
Ensure your beloved pets have a safe and happy holiday season this year! From the hot summer weather to Christmas festivities, the silly season is full of potential pet dangers. Over the Christmas period pet shelters and veterinary clinics statewide are inundated with sick, injured and lost animals.
1. Christmas decorations such as tinsel, baubles and ribbon can choke your pet. Chewing wires from tree lights can cause burns and electric shock. Christmas tree needles can cause vomiting, diarrhea and irritation to the mouth and stomach, if eaten. To avoid accidents, place the Christmas tree and presents in a room that's off limits to pets.
2. Don't share Christmas lunch or human treats with pets - cooked bones, chocolate, lollies and onions can be fatal if ingested. Grapes, raisins, macadamias, walnuts, coffee and alcohol are also dangerous if ingested. Animals can sneakily steal food, so keep food and scraps out of reach.
3. Summer is breeding season so if you haven't already desexed your pet please do it now!
4. Make sure all your pet vaccinations are up-to-date.
5. NEVER leave dogs in cars, even with the windows down – dogs can't sweat and heat stress and death can occur within 6 minutes.
6. Always walk your dog in the early morning or late evening to avoid the heat of the day.
7. Ensure pets have easy access to shade and water throughout the day.
8. White dogs and cats are especially susceptible to skin cancer. Apply pet zinc to their ears and noses if they will be exposed to the sun.
9. Be careful if giving or receiving flowers, especially if they contain lilies as these are toxic to cats.
10. Ticks and fleas are most common during the summer months so make sure all prevention is up-to-date and pets are regularly checked for ticks.
"A pet is for life... not just for Christmas"
Giving a pet as a Christmas gift will come with a lifetime responsibility for your family member or friend. Always make sure that the new pet owner is involved so that they can be happy in their choice of pet. Far too many unwanted pets are abandoned after the festive season.
In the following weeks after Christmas pet shelters are filled with living, breathing gifts that are rejected by their receivers. Please consider your choice of gift this Christmas...
Could this be your New Years resolution for 2013?
"If your dog's fat, you aren't getting enough exercise!"
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Inspiration & Sources
10 Tips - http://www.rspcansw.com.au
Peanut Butter & Banana Dog Treats - http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/
Christmas Kitty Tuna Cookies -http://user.xmission.com/
Image Credits
http://www.flickr.com/photos/blossomcat/
http://funnydogss.blogspot.com.au