In This Issue:
- HELLO FROM ABBA
- SUMMER VIP MEMBER SPECIAL
- ABBA FACEBOOK CELEBRITY
- DOGGY DAYCARE AT ABBA
- CARING FOR YOUR PETS IN THE SUMMER
- RECIPES
- JUST FOR A GIGGLE
HELLO FROM ABBA
To all of our special friends (furry or otherwise).
We at Abba Kennels and Cattery would like to say - Have a happy ‘tail waggin’ Summer!
We look forward to the fun we’ll have taking care of your furry friends whilst you’re away. Don’t forget to make your Christmas booking so you don’t miss out! Book now, spaces are filling fast!
The days are drawing out and the weather warming up. Our pets love to play outside and will get bored and into mischief if not occupied when you're at work.
Keep you and your pets happy this Summer and drop them off at ABBA during work hours. They can socialise with other dogs, exercise and have fun with their friends at daycare.
From the team at ABBA
SUMMER VIP MEMBER SPECIAL
When booking your pet in for a stay with us, mention the newsletter and receive a free Christmas gift for your dog or cat!
ABBA FACEBOOK CELEBRITY
And the winner is… Tracey Dalmau!
Congratulations Tracey Dalmau! Our Summer Facebook Celebrity prize is a FREE 2 night sleepover for Bella and Brooklyn at a time of your choosing. Please contact us within the next two weeks to claim your prize!
Q. What is your name?
A. My name is Brooklyn and my older sister is Bella.
Q. How old are you and what is your breed?
A. I am an 18 month old Golden Retriever and Bella is a 7 year old Cavalier King Charles.
Q. What's your favourite food?
A. We both love chicken.
Q. What about treats? Any favourites?
A. Our favourite treats are Denta Stix which we wait at the pantry door for someone to
get one for us.
Q. What's your favourite hobby/pastime?
A. We love going for walks and I love to chew things. Bella loves to sleep.
Q. Do you like to play? What are your favourite toys?
A. I like playing Tug o War with my soft toys and playing with tennis balls. Bella likes to sleep.
Q. Do you have any friends or sworn enemies?
A. My best friend I like to visit is another Golden Retriever named Boston.
Q. What's the naughtiest thing you've ever done?
A. The naughtiest thing I have done was chew all the outdoor chair cushions and several trees.
Oh and I have chewed the corners off the coffee table. I can't help myself!
Bella chewed a few things as a puppy but nothing since. She watches me get in trouble.
Q. What's the funniest thing you've ever done?
A. Last year I decided to open my Christmas present early when my friend Jax the Staffie was over.
Q. Do you do any tricks for your human? What are your best ones?
A. I can shake hands and I like to bring the paper in. Bella's trick is sleeping.
DOGGY DAYCARE AT ABBA
Did you know that your furry friend(s) could have fun every week at ABBA?
In the warmer Summer months many dog owners want to catch up with friends and have some much needed “time out”. Our pets also want to have fun, enjoy doggie company and play outside. Your friends at ABBA love spending time with your pet and will make sure they are happy and fully occupied.
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. Call us to book!
CARING FOR YOUR PETS IN THE SUMMER
The Australian summer can be unbearable - especially when temperatures soar over 35 degrees. Air conditioners are a necessity, cold drinks and swimming in a pool or beach provide us with some relief, but it’s important to spare a thought for the wellbeing of our furry family members who are also struggling to keep cool!
Here are a few helpful tips that can ensure our furry family members avoid heat stroke this summer:
Ensure that you pet always has access to water both inside and outside the house. It’s important to make sure that you have several bowls available to them, just in case one is tipped over or dries out. A good tip is to add ice blocks to keep the water cold.
Avoid walking your pet during the heat of the day. Remember that animals have sensitive pads on their feet that can also get burnt on hot roads and footpaths. A good alternative is to walk them early in the morning or later in the evening when the ground is cool.
Be careful not to over exercise your pet. Animals get dehydrated easily as they cannot sweat. Always take plenty of water on long walks to ensure your pet has lots to drink.
Make sure that you have shaded areas in your backyard to provide protection from the sun.
Animals get sunburnt too and are susceptible to skin cancer. Pet friendly sunscreen can help keep your pet safe.
Paddling pools are a great way for animals to keep cool- just be sure to supervise your pets as some animals are not great swimmers (and make sure they have floaties if needed). Also make sure you hose your pet down after swimming in chlorine, salt or chemically treated waters and make sure they don’t drink it.
Allow your pets inside to cool down in front of the air conditioner or fan. If you’re hot - so are your pets.
Never leave any animal in a hot car even for a few minutes. Heat stroke can occur quickly- (within 6 minutes) particularly for those with flatter faces like bulldogs, pugs and persians. Even with the window down- the heat inside a car rises quickly!
Know the warning signs of heat stroke- excessive panting, salivating, disorientation, diarrhoea, vomiting and fatigue can all be signs your pet isn’t coping with the heat. Older animals and those overweight can be more susceptible to heat stroke.
Feel free to trim your dog’s coat but do not shave them completely. Dogs coats help protect them from the sun and regulate their body temperature.
If you think that your pet is suffering from heat stroke
Cool them down immediately with a cool bath or hose them down. Once wet, dry them in from of a fan or air conditioner.
Take them to your nearest vet (keeping them cool on the way). Animals can have internal bleeding or organ failure and can still be at risk of death hours, or even a couple of days, after suffering heat stroke.
RECIPES
Christmas Cookie Dog Treat
Ingredients
2 cups flour (whole wheat or unbleached is best)
1 tbsp baking powder
1 cup peanut butter
1 cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt
Water as needed
Mini Christmas cookie cutters
Instructions
Pre-heat the oven to 180 degrees.
Combine all of the ingredients above until it forms a soft dough. You can add a small amount of water if the dough is dry.
Roll out the dough on parchment paper and cut out using the cookie cutters.
Place on a lightly greased cookie sheet and bake for about 15 to 18 minutes.
Cool and serve!
Store in an airtight plastic container.
These are meant to be used as treats only and should not be used to substitute dietary dog food.
Tuna and Cheddar Cat Crisps
Ingredients
340 grams tuna (canned in water) drained
1 egg
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 tablespoon fresh parsley - chopped
1 and 3/4 cups oat flour
Instructions
Puree the tuna, egg and vegetable oil in a blender or food processor until a smooth paste forms.
Stir in the cheddar and parsley until they’re evenly distributed throughout the mixture.
Add the oat flour.
Mix until it is just blended.
Preheat the oven to 180 degrees.
Roll out the dough onto a lightly floured surface until it is about 13mm thick.
Use a pizza cutter to cut the dough into 25mm strips and then cut the strips into 25mm squares. Place each square on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Repeat this process until you have used up all of the dough.
Place the pan in the oven and bake for 15 minutes. Allow the treats to cool completely before giving them to your kitty.
These will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2 weeks.
These are meant to be used as treats only and should not be used to substitute dietary cat food.
JUST FOR A GIGGLE
Inspiration & Sources
http://www.petwelfare.org.au/caring-for-pets-over-the-summer/
http://stories.barkpost.com/christmas-cookie-dog-treat/
http://adventuresincooking.com/2014/02/pumpkin-bacon-flax-dog-biscuits-tuna.html
Image Credits
http://www.stuffmakesmehappy.com/2013/11/30-sweet-photos-of-dogs-in-sunglasses.html
https://www.instagram.com/p/3E-7MGh0lU/
http://www.chubaandcompany.com/2011/10/dream-come-true-for-this-dog-pic.html
http://blog.gudog.fr/tag/ete/
https://au.pinterest.com/source/ecoverusblog.com
http://stories.barkpost.com/christmas-cookie-dog-treat/
http://adventuresincooking.com/2014/02/pumpkin-bacon-flax-dog-biscuits-tuna.html
https://au.pinterest.com/pin/366973069608256339/
http://www.dogingtonpost.com/
https://armedlaughing.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/santa-selfie.gif