In This Issue:
- HELLO FROM ABBA
- WINTER VIP MEMBER SPECIAL
- WINTER FACEBOOK CELEBRITY
- DOGGY DAYCARE AT ABBA
- ABBA PET CELEBRITIES
- KEEP YOUR PETS SAFE THIS WINTER
- THUNDERSTORMS
- 3 WINTER TIPS FOR FIGHTING FIT PETS
- PET RECIPES
- FISHY BALLS
- HOMEMADE CAT TOYS
- JUST FOR A GIGGLE
- DID YOU KNOW?
To all of our special friends (furry or otherwise),
We at Abba Kennels and Cattery would like to wish you a warm, cozy and safe Winter!
Many Melbournians leave on holidays over Winter, chasing the warmer weather. We look forward to the fun we'll have taking care of your furry friends whilst you're away.
As the days get shorter and it's dark and cold when you return home from work, our pets tend to receive less exercise, become bored, unhappy and put on weight. Keep your pets happy and healthy this Winter - drop them off at ABBA during work hours where they can socialise with other dogs at daycare and receive extra exercise and attention from our experienced carers.
From the team at ABBA
Mention the Winter newsletter or check in at ABBA on Facebook and receive 1 day FREE doggy day care trial for your pet.
And the winner is...
Alison McNeill! (Ruby)
Congratulations Allison, our Winter Facebook Celebrity prize is a FREE 2 night sleepover for Ruby at the time of your choosing.
Do you want to be a winner?
We love reading the feedback and comments 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.
A bit about Alison & Ruby the black Labrador...
We started using ABBA with our dog Bailey, he came over from the UK with us. ABBA was recommended by our Vet, so we booked Bailey in when we decided to take our first holiday in Australia. When we picked him up, he seemed to have had a great time and looked amazing, with his coat all brushed and washed (a lot better than when we dropped him off).
Unfortunately, just one month later, we lost Bailey as he took ill quite suddenly. Our vet at SARC & South Paws tried everything to save our boy but it wasn't to be.
We were lost without a dog in the house. We lost Bailey on the Wednesday and the house just wasn't right without dog hair everywhere and someone stealing food. Our routine was completely out of the window, so we had to do something. After three days of pretty constant crying we decided on the Saturday to nip down the road to the Keysborough Animal Shelter, just for a look, to give us some ideas of what kind of dog we may want next. Famous last words!! We got speaking to one of the volunteers at the shelter and explained our situation. She asked us what kind of dog we were looking for and we explained that we needed quite a big dog that was somewhere between 2 and 6 years old (we didn't think we could handle a puppy or handle the possibility of losing another dog in a few years). We told her that we needed one who had a few screws loose and was a bit mental!!
Well we didn't get the slightly older dog, we got a 7 month old pup and we certainly got the mental bit!!! I now refer to Ruby as having personality!!
We don't know how Ruby ended up in the rescue centre, all we know is that she arrived at the Shelter earlier in that week, so to us it was a sign that she was meant to be with us and we would never swap her for the world, even when she has been misbehaving!!
Kyle (our 6 year old son) and Ruby are now best mates.
Needless to say when the time came for our next holiday we automatically booked Ruby into ABBA and she loved it.
We now use ABBA for day care as well as every now and then- to save the walls of our house from Ruby trying to personalise them!!
She has an absolute ball at ABBA and comes home exhausted no matter whether its day care, a weekend or a week's stay.
It's so reassuring to know that she is in safe hands at ABBA and we can go and enjoy ourselves knowing she is too busy to miss us.
Did you know that your furry friend(s) could have fun every week at ABBA? Throughout Winter many dog owners struggle to find the time and motivation to take their pets for a walk every day as they should. It's dark when you get home from work (and cold!) and many dogs put on weight, get bored and destructive when left alone all week whilst you're at work and they don't get their daily walk.
Book your dog in to spend a day or two a week at ABBA - drop your pet off before 9 and pickup at 5 (or arrange pickups), your dog will thank you for the playtimes and extra attention during the day. Stop feeling guilty when you leave for work (and when you get home) - introductory pricing at $20 a day, call us to book!
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DOGGY DAYCARE SPECIAL!
Guaranteed to be a real "Wag of a Tail"!!
SAM & BALTI
Q. What is your name?
A. Sam: My name is Sam.
Balti: My name is Balti. It's short for Baltimore, because Dad wrote about that place for a Uni assignment. But Mummy tells everyone it's Bolti, short for bolting everywhere, because I am fast!
Q. How old are you and what is your breed?
A. Sam: I am 9 months old and I am a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. I'm a Blenheim colour, which is chestnut patches on white.
Balti: I am 9 months old and I am a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. I'm a Tri- colour, which is black and chestnut patches on white.
Q. How long have you been coming to ABBA daycare?
A. Sam & Balti: We started coming to Abba in January, this year.
Q. Have you made any friends at ABBA?
A. Sam: I'm friends with everyone, especially the Beagles.
Balti: I'm friends with everyone, especially the Jack Russells.
Q. Why did your human book you into day care anyway?
A. Sam: The Grumpy man next door complained about my sister and I barking too much. It was my sister's fault anyway!
Balti: My brother was annoying our grumpy old neighbour. It was his fault anyway!
Q. What about treats? Any favourites?
A. Sam: I used to love liver treats but they give me a bit of tummy troubles so now I love chicken necks, dried or raw, or dried chicken strips.
Balti: I love human food and any treats hand fed to me.
Q. What's your favourite hobby/pastime?
Sam: I can't go past chewing something, especially shoes.
Balti: I have been working on hiding pig's ear treats behind the chair cushions. I have succeeded in breaking through the black plastic cover over the decking steps so I can explore under the house. I love, love, love laying on people's laps.
Q. What's the naughtiest thing you've ever done?
Sam: I ate most of my Mum's best shoes.
Balti: Weeing on a chair cushion. Twice.
Q. What's the funniest thing you've ever done?
Sam: I coordinated an attack on the barricade Mummy made over the stairs. I sent my sister to push on the bottom left corner while I took the top right. When I gave the signal, a wink, we both pushed and crashed the silly board down. Unfortunately Mummy has put in a proper child's gate and I haven't worked it out yet.
Balti: Dad dropped a packet of Dentastix and I grabbed 5 in my mouth. He took a photo of me, so I pretended to look mean and like I wouldn't share. Which I won't.
Q. Do you do any tricks for your human? What are your best ones?
Sam: I always sit when asked. I come when called. Mostly.
Balti: No, I don't see why people can't do tricks for me. I liked to be entertained!
Q. What is your name?
A. Cooper: My name is Cooper.
Lexi: My name is Lexi.
Q. How old are you and what is your breed?
A. Cooper: I am five years old and I am a Pomeranian x Jack Russell.
Lexi: I am one year old and I am a Jack Russell x Fox Terrier.
Q. How long have you been coming to ABBA daycare?
A. Cooper & Lexi: We started coming to ABBA three months ago.
Q. Have you made any friends at ABBA?
A. Cooper & Lexi: We have small dog syndrome..and can be yappy to other dogs. We hope we can make friends soon!
Q. Why did your human book you into day care anyway?
A. Cooper & Lexi: Mum and Dad work long hours during the week and we can play at ABBA all day.
Q. What about treats? Any favourites?
A. Cooper: I love Kangaroo treats.
Lexi: I love Kangaroo treats too. Cooper has Pancreatitis and Kangaroo is low in fat and doesn't make her unwell.
Q. What's your favourite hobby/pastime?
A. Cooper & Lexi: We like lots of sleep but can be very energetic. Mum and Dad take us to the Yarra Trail and we are allowed off the lead. We run, play and get absolutely filthy!
Q. What's the naughtiest thing you've ever done?
A. Cooper: When I was a young pup, I didn't have great bladder control..and once when I was having a nap on Mum's bed, I woke up I peed myself. Mum was not happy!
Lexi: I like to pull Dad's shirts off the clothes rack and chew all the buttons off.
Q. What's the funniest thing you've ever done?
A. Lexi: I like to smell the small bin and stick my head inside. Once I got the lid stuck around my neck and had to wait for hours before Mum and Dad came home and helped me take it off. They thought it was very amusing.
Q. Do you do any tricks for your human? What are your best ones?
A. Cooper & Lexi: We are trying to master 'shake' at the moment. We are not great at tricks but excellent at fetch.
KEEP YOUR PETS SAFE THIS WINTER
If your pet spends the majority of their time outside then proper outdoor housing is a must. Make sure their housing is placed away from the seasonal elements. Cold winters days can be uncomfortable for small, younger or older dogs.
Keep bedding off the floor
Whether inside or outside, make sure your pets bedding is raised off the floor and away from cold drafts where they will feel secure and cosy. Fill an outside kennel with warm dry blankets that are washed regularly.
Don't overfeed your pet
You'll probably notice your pet's appetite will increase during winter. This is especially true in outside pets that will use more energy to keep warm. Keep a close eye on your pet's weight ensuring they are nourished, but not overfed from too many winter snacks.
Keep your pet safe from fires & heaters
Pets will seek out the warmest part of the house, and this means keeping a close eye on your heaters. Open fires can be a hazard for pet's getting too close - your pets' coats are at risk of getting singed from sitting a little too close! Heaters can be easily knocked over by a boisterous puppy or a curious cat, so please be aware.
Watch for animals around your cars and warm engines
Pets tend to cram themselves into the smallest nooks and crannies to escape the cold, and a favourite hiding spot for cats is underneath a car close to a warm engine. Keep an eye out for roaming neighbourhood pets around your vehicle and keep watch on your pets when they venture outside.
Rug up and head out for your pet's favourite activity. Not only will your dog love you for it, you'll be feeling fantastic too. There's nothing like a walk in the park and some aerobic exercise to get rid of the winter blues.
Even pets can get depressed in winter, so keep them happy with plenty of love and cuddles, and give them some extra attention if their mood drops.
Every Winter our dogs become stressed from thunder and lightening, demonstrating destructive behaviour, running away from their homes and injuring themselves.
Here are a few suggestions to help your dog AND YOU cope.
- Make sure that your boundary fences and gates are secure and that your pet cannot readily escape.
- Make sure your dog has a microchip, is registered with your local Council and wears identification. In the unfortunate event that your dog should run away, it will run blindly without any regard to where it is going. When your dog eventually calms down it will probably not know where it is or how to return. A microchip gives you the greatest chance that you and your pet will be reunited.
Don't let your dog sweat it out on its own. A severe thunderstorm is no time to tell your dog to "buck up." Your dog won't get it when you punish it for freaking out, it will only make it feel worse. Providing a positive or distracting stimulus is more likely to make it feel calm. Try to distract and reassure your dog that everything is ok.- Offer treats, cuddles and other good stuff when the storm is happening. Associating loud booms with treats is never a bad thing, right?
- Let your dog hide. Hiding is a natural psychological defence for dogs. Provide access to a safe area where your dog may feel more at ease. Animals usually indicate their preferences such as under a bed or inside a wardrobe. Allow it to go where it wants to feel safe.
- Get your dog away from the noise and compete with it. Creating a comfy place in a room that's enclosed, may help a great deal. Turning on a loud radio or white noise machine can help too.
3 WINTER TIPS FOR FIGHTING FIT PETS
Provided by Southern Animal Emergency Centre - http://www.sarc.com.au
Winter is a great time for curling up in front of the heater but it is also a time when pet owners need to be vigilant about their pets' health.
Here's a few practical tips to keep your pets healthy and away from a pet emergency over the colder months.
Elderly animals
Elderly pets have different needs. As the weather gets colder, check your pets' bedding and sleeping location. It should be warm and draught-free.
Dietary adjustment
In the early springtime we see a lot of pet emergencies from pets which have put on a couple of kilograms over the colder months. The combination of reduced exercise and additional weight places pets at higher risk of both injury and exacerbating underlying conditions. Weigh your pets regularly over winter and ensure they maintain a healthy weight and condition.
Managing existing medical conditions closely
Extremes of weather, changes in activity and a change in your pet's weight can affect chronic conditions. It is a good plan to visit your vet for a checkup and discussion about management over the colder months. Examples of relevant conditions are arthritis, metabolic conditions such as diabetes, and respiratory or heart conditions.
Although there are 1001 tips we could provide, the very best one is 'be proactive'. If you suspect a problem is brewing, visit your regular vet promptly and have it checked out. This could save additional time, stress and money and leave you with a happier and healthier pet.
This advice is provided by the Southern Animal Emergency Centre – a 24 hour pet emergency centre in Highett. The centre can be contacted at any time on 9532 5261 if your regular vet is not available. All advice is general, so please always consult with a veterinarian if you are concerned about your pet.
Birthday Cake Recipe For Your Special Pooch
We all like to make a fuss over our dogs.
For a birthday or adoption anniversary here's a cake that you can feel good about offering your special pooch.
Makes 1 cake with 4 to 6 servings
Ingredients
1/3 cup (50 g) flour
1/3 cup (50 g) corn meal, bran or rolled oats
1 & 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
500 g minced chicken
1 large egg
1/4 cup (60 g) live-culture plain yogurt
4 teaspoons vegetable oil
1 container (125 g) spreadable cream cheese
Delectable Dog Biscuits to decorate the birthday cake
Method
- Preheat the oven to 180ºC. In a medium bowl, stir together the dry ingredients. Make a well in the centre and add the chicken, honey, egg, yogurt and oil. Stir just until mixed.
- Pour into a greased cake tin and bake for 25 minutes or until the chicken is done and a toothpick inserted into the centre of the cake comes out clean.
- Turn out onto a cake rack to cool.
- Ice the cake with cream cheese (thin cheese, if needed, with a little milk) and decorate with the dog biscuits.
- Refrigerate in a covered container for up to 1 week.
Cats will meow for the fishy flavour of these wholesome little fish balls. They're easy to make and kind on the budget.
Ingredients
1 can (185g) sardines, packed in oil
3/4 cup (75g) plain breadcrumbs
Method
- Empty the can of sardines into a mixing bowl.
- Mix in 1/2 cup (50g) breadcrumbs.
- Roll the mixture into bite-sized balls. When all balls are made, roll them in the remaining breadcrumbs to coat.
- To serve, thaw a fish ball to room temperature and place in your cat's food bowl.
Fishy Balls can be stored in a sealed container or self-sealing plastic bag in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Why buy expensive cat toys when you can make them yourself? Your cat will have hours of fun with these simple homemade toy ideas!
String toys
Attach a feather to a piece of string or use a fishing pole with fun creative lures at the end; such as bells or lights. Stuff a stocking with some catnip and attach it to the fishing pole.
Paper or Ping Pong Ball
Take a piece of paper, scrunch it into a ball and throw it or give your cat a ping pong ball to play with.
Randy the dishwasher repairman was given specific instructions concerning the woman's two pets.
"The Rottweiler won't hurt you, even though it looks fierce, but whatever you do, don't talk to the parrot."
Randy let himself in and set to work, and the dog just lay quietly on the carpet. But the parrot mocked him mercilessly the whole time.
"Wow, you're pretty fat," the bird would say. "Hey, fatso, you couldn't change the batteries in a flashlight, let alone fix a dishwasher."
Before long, Randy had had enough. "You know, bird, you think you're pretty smart for someone with a brain the size of a pea."
The parrot was silent for a moment, and then, with a gleam in its eye, said, "All right. Get him, Spike."
- Terry Boas
My sunshine doesn't come from the skies, it comes from the love in my dogs eyes.
Inspiration & Sources
http://cats.lovetoknow.com/Homemade_Cat_Toys
http://www.readersdigest.ca/pets/fun-facts/10-funny-pet-jokes?id=4
http://www.readersdigest.com.au/dog-birthday-cake
http://www.readersdigest.com.au/sardine-balls-recipe-for-kittens
http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/lifestyle/pets/2010-06-10-vetviews11_ST_N.htm?POE=click-refer
http://rspcavic.org/health-and-behaviour/fireworks-and-thunderstorms/
http://adelaidevet.com.au/pet-library/winter-blues-keeping-your-pet-safe-and-happy
http://www.femail.com.au/dr-joanne-righetti-top-10-winter-pet-tips-interview.htm
http://cats.lovetoknow.com/Homemade_Cat_Toys
Image Credits
http://catpictures.us/picture/2154-Cat-look-after-a-goldfish.html
www.globalanimal.org
www.mysheenvillage.com
http://www.barktalk.com/index.html
http://dogs-n-more.blogspot.com.au/2010/12/winter-reminders.html
http://www.dailydawdle.com/2012/10/top-10-reasons-why-cats-hate-winter-10.html
http://www.catsofaustralia.com/cat-toys.htm
http://cats.lovetoknow.com/Homemade_Cat_Toys
http://www.readersdigest.ca/pets/fun-facts/10-funny-pet-jokes?id=4
http://abduzeedo.com/20-beautiful-pictures-dogs