Valentine's Day

Well I am spoilt for choice this Valentine's Day. My best beloved gave me the most beautiful picture book this morning. It is called Dogs and is by Tim Flach.

It is filled with the most exquisite and artful dog photos and is just a delight to leaf through. See http://www.creativereview.co.uk/cr-blog/2010/october/tim-flachs-dogs for a review and sneak peak at some of the photos.

And, if that weren't enough, I taped Martin Clunes Horsepower last night and plan to settle down in front of the television to watch Martin Martin track the story of how man and horse first got together, how the horse has helped us through the ages, and what the horse still means to us today. If you missed the first half last night make sure you set the tape for it next Sunday night 7.00pm on TV One (see http://tvnz.co.nz/martin-clunes-horsepower/martin-clunes-horse-power-4014630 for more information).

So that's me - dog book, horse programme and some Valentine biscuits that I baked yesterday - they look a little dodgy but they taste surprisingly good!

Hope you all have a great Valentine's Day!

www.pinkstuff.co.nz

Animals Australia

Well it's been a pretty bad start to the year for natural disasters - flooding and mudslides in Brazil and Sri Lanka and  flooding in Queensland. The death and destruction on a human level is tragic and unfortunately animals don't fare any better. If you would like to make a donation to help the wildlife affected by the flooding in Queensland Animals Australia is currently taking donations.

www.pinkstuff.co.nz

Lenny

Well, after much thought and research and talking to knowledgable people I decided against a greyhound. They are lovely dogs and if I had some land and a more dog friendly spouse I'd definitely get one but as it is...

I'd never heard of the breed of dog called Lowchen but when I read up about them I thought that they might be contenders. I was looking for a quiet, calm dog with low wanderlust. I contacted a local breeder and after chatting for a while it came up that I would actually prefer an older dog rather than a puppy and she had a lightbulb moment and thought she had the perfect dog for me.

Leonard is a two year old male Lowchen. He was her pride and joy show puppy but unfortunately when his adult teeth came through his bite was incorrect. Being a responsible breeder she was not prepared to breed from a dog with a fault and his showing days were at an end. Since then he's been happily running with the pack of 18 dogs (Lowchens and Bichons) but she'd always felt he deserved a bit more one on one attention than he was getting.

So we met Leonard and thought he was adorable and wanted him. Our biggest issue was how Milly, our very assertive miniature schnauzer would cope. Leonard's breeder has been fabulous and as a responsible breeder has said that if it doesn't work out she is more than happy to take him back, in fact she expects to. This is great - it means we can welcome Lenny into our home and the stress is reduced by knowing that if things turn to custard it isn't the end of the world and someone else loves him.

Lenny came home with us yesterday. Poor boy was snipped during the week and now wrenched from his home. He was very wary and nervous. Milly, so far, has been a star. We introduced them at a local park and she pretty much ignored him which was the best outcome we could have wanted. Since he's been in the house she's been fine and is even tolerating us patting him in her presence. Of course this may not last once the novelty has worn off and she realises he's here to stay!

This morning Lenny seems much happier and quite bouncy. Early days but I'm hoping he accepts us and learns to think of us as his family. I will keep you posted as to how we go - fingers crossed it all works out...

www.pinkstuff.co.nz

Doogle

Have you seen www.doogle.co.nz? It's a website for dog lovers in New Zealand and has a great feature where by a user can enter details of any favourite dog exercise area for others to see. Then other users, and you don't need to be registered to do this, can browse submitted dog exercise areas to find one nearby - fantastic for finding new parks that you haven't been to before. Information about the parks varies according the the submitter but some include maps and great advice including hazards to keep an eye out for.

There is also a notice board for dog walking buddies and offers to walk your dog for you - you can either list yourself or browse the buddies already listed.

So if you are looking for a change of scenery for your next walk, know a great dog exercise area that you want to share or just want some company for your next walk check out doogle.co.nz.

Pink Stuff

Greyhounds as Pets

I've been thinking about getting another dog for a while now. We currently have a very laid back ragdoll cat (Lolli) and a hyperactive, noisy, escape artist of a miniature schnauzer (Milly). Dearly as I love Milly this house isn't big enough for two drama queens so I've been looking for a quieter dog and a friend suggested I get a greyhound from Greyhounds as Pets.


Greyhounds as Pets is a charitable foundation set up by Greyhound Racing New Zealand to provide loving homes for suitable ex-racing greyhounds. Each greyhound goes through a programme to transition it from racing life to family life. Their temperament is assessed and an analysis is made of what sort of home would suit that particular greyhound the best.

Contrary to popular opinion, greyhounds are very lazy dogs who love nothing better than sleeping the day away on a comfortable bed and although they have been trained to chase, their desire to please means they can often be retrained to live with other small animals, including (in some cases) cats.

Adopting a greyhound from Greyhounds as Pets is a little like going to a dating agency. The first step is to fill in an application form which includes information about your home and lifestyle and what you are looking for in your new dog. Next a volunteer will come to your house to make sure that the dog will go to a loving, secure home. Then Greyhounds as Pets will try and match you with your ideal dog. This may take some time, particularly if you require a greyhound that is good with cats. Finally, once your new greyhound as been selected, a fee of $380 is payable. This only partially covers the cost involved in rehousing greyhounds especially considering your greyhound will be fully vaccinated, de-sexed and microchipped.

Greyhounds are intelligent, willing, trainable, quiet, loving and placid. However they are also fast and although they only need a short walk everyday they do need to stretch their legs once or twice a week and as they are sight hounds cannot be trusted off the lead unless in a fully fenced enclosure. It is recommended that they wear a muzzle when off the lead - as much to protect them as any small furry creature that they see in the distance. They are also big dogs and so easily able to reach the kitchen bench with the tasty fresh baking on it! But reading some of the feedback from people who've already taken the plunge and are quite besotted with their hounds it sounds like they make pretty ideal pets - full of character and affection.

Cilla is 2 years old and currently awaiting adoption. She loves children and other dogs but needs either no cat or a bossy cat.


So if you are thinking of adopting a dog and you think a greyhound sounds like you have a look at Greyhounds as Pets  to find out more.

As for me? I think they are gorgeous. I've met some Greyhounds as Pets alumni and their new families couldn't speak highly enough of them. They were calm and smoochie, just what I like. I also like the idea of getting an older, rescue dog. But I need to be practical - I live in the city and there is nowhere nearby suitable for a good, safe off the leash run - so I need to think about this some more before I commit myself.

Pink Stuff

Pink Stuff

Well just to introduce ourselves, Pink Stuff is an online retailer dedicated to supplying pink and pretty stuff for your horse, dog, cat and you! Our aim is to source fun and special people and pet accessories for you and your animals. Our stuff also makes ideal gifts for your animal loving family and friends, and for your pets' birthdays or other special occasions. Check out our store and remember we welcome suggestions and feedback.  If there is something that we don't stock but that you would like click here to send us an email and we'll let you know whether we can source it for you.

http://www.pinkstuff.co.nz/