International Guide Dog Day

International Guide Dog Day will be recognised all over the world on Wednesday 30 April, allowing people to celebrate the contribution Guide Dogs make in assisting people with blindness or vision impairment to get around safely and independently every day.

Guide Dogs spokesperson Manisha Amin says “On this day it is important for the community to remember that Guide Dogs and their users can go anywhere.

“Unfortunately not everyone is aware of this and discrimination against Guide Dog users does still occur” continued Amin.

Working Guide Dogs can legally accompany their owner on all public transport, and in all public places including shopping centres, cinemas, restaurants, and beaches.

Australia’s first Guide Dog user Arnold Cook had been studying in England during the 1940’s and quickly recognized the practicalities of obtaining a Guide Dog to assist him in navigating the busy streets of London. A man of action, he went on to set up the first Guide Dog training centre in Australia in 1951.

Guide Dogs undergo rigorous training to ensure they have the ability to focus on their work in public places which can be noisy and distracting. It takes approximately two years to fully raise and train each Guide Dog. Not every Guide Dog in training graduates and only those with the right personality and a willingness to please and learn are selected.

For more information please visit Guide Dogs Australia.

The Cornish Rex – a most intelligent lap warmer

The Cornish Rex is a quaint but chic-looking cat, having a long narrow head with a prominent Roman nose, large flared ears and a muscular body rather akin to that of a Greyhound. Its spectacular crimped coat looks and feels like cut velvet.
The Cornish Rex is an intelligent and playful cat with boundless curiosity and makes an enchanting pet for gentle children. It craves human company and affection and gets on well with other cats and dogs.
The only problem with a Cornish Rex is that it has such a mind of its own. It is intelligent enough to get up to mischief, no doubt knowing it is being naughty. But once people have owned a Cornish Rex, they seldom go back to another breed.
Its intelligence makes it adapt easily to car travel, moving house and apartment living, and it is an ideal pet for elderly people as well as families.
Their low allergenic "Poodle-type" coat is low maintenance, sheds minimally and means that many asthma or allergy suffers who are unable to enjoy ownership of other breeds, may be able to live with a Rex.
While the Rex's coat is extremely low maintenance, it does not afford the same protection as a normal coat, so these cats need to be kept warm and dry. To compensate for their lack of guard hairs, the Cornish Rex has a slightly higher surface body temperature than other breeds - making them wonderful lap and foot warmers.

Pets and Home Renovation

In the current volatile housing market, many people are choosing renovation over relocation.

With 85% of people continuing to live in their home as they renovate (1), it's important that renovators consider the needs of the family pet.

There are many hidden risks to pets in a renovation, not to mention the added stress of having unfamiliar people coming and going, loud noises and less attention than usual from members of the family.

Renovation risks to your pet

• Fumes from paint or varnishes

• Sharp tools

• Power cords from electrical equipment that may be just too tempting for a puppy that loves to chew

• Unsecured fencing that may allow your pet to wander
  

Most pets can be quite happy at home during renovations but it's important to eliminate risks and - as far as possible - reduce stress levels in the household.

Five tips to reduce renovation risks

1. Don’t forget the basics. Your pet should be wearing a collar and identity tag with your telephone number at all times (even if it is micro-chipped)
   


2. Areas such as the garden shed that your pet would not normally be able to access can contain potentially lethal materials such as snail pellets. Make sure your pooch is kept well away from garden sheds or areas containing gardening equipment.
   


3. There will be people coming and going from your house during a renovation and they can’t be expected to keep an eye out for your pets. Make sure that your pet is in a secure area at all times.
   


4. Make any changes to your pet’s sleeping or eating areas prior to the start of the renovations. Changes in environment or routine can be very stressful for a pet so it is best to establish new habits before any major changes begin.
   


5. If your renovations are substantial and you can’t provide safe and secure surroundings for your pets, it may be best to temporarily move your pets to other accommodation. Cats, in particular, can become quite stressed by change and may benefit from being put in a cattery.

Pets look to their owners for love and security so it is important that you make time for your four legged friends during a renovation. Regular walks for a dog and a quiet place for a cat to watch the proceedings can go a long way to reducing the stress of a renovation for you and your best friend.

[1] AAMI research 2005

10 Top Tips for Eco-Friendly Pet Ownership

Today's guest contributor Dr Kersti Seksel, President of the Australian Companion Animal Council and leading veterinary animal behaviourist recommends 10 top tips for an eco-friendly pet.

1. Keep your cat inside at night
While the majority of cat owners are not required by law to keep their animal inside at night, they are encouraged by Council to do so. This will protect both the native wildlife and your cat. The majority of car accidents and cat fights that injure cats occur at night.

2. Clean up after your dog
To prevent environmental pollution and prevent the spread of infection, use a poop scoop or a bag to pick up the faeces. You can then place it any street litter bin.

3. Train your dog to obey you on cue
Teach your dog to sit, stay and come. If you are in a sensitive environment, being able to trust that your dog will understand and listen to you is crucial. It will also benefit their safety.

4. Keep your dog on a leash when walking in bush land
While walking in bush land, it’s important to keep your dog on a leash and use the stated walkways. This will help protect the native flora and fauna in the area.

5. Use recycled paper for cat litter.
Your local supermarket will stock at least one or two different brands. The best are made from 100% recycled paper, and processed into 100% biodegradable, environmentally safe, pelleted paper products, with no additives or chemicals.

6. Use targeted flea control products that minimize any impact on the environment.
With the newer oral and topical systemic treatments and products on the market, flea control is becoming much safer, more effective and more environmentally friendly than ever before.

7. Consider using alternatives to plastic bags for picking up after your dog
You can also consider recycling plastic bags that would normally go straight into the bin i.e.: bread bags, fruit and veggie bags, chip bags, dog food bags, cereal bags and then newspapers, or paper doggy bags.

8. Use biodegradable doggy bags.
These are readily available from supermarkets and your local pet store.

9. Keep your cats and dogs out of National Parks.
It’s prohibited under the Australian National Parks and Wildlife Act to have a pet in a national park, let alone off a leash. But dogs and cats can’t read signs, so it’s up to you as an owner to be responsible.

10. Be aware of pet accessibility in State Parks and Marine Parks.
While most state and marine parks do not allow pets in parks, state forests do but only if on a leash and controlled.

The most important aspect of caring for your pets and the environment is that you take responsibility for doing the right thing – and that includes researching the most socially responsible options for your particular circumstances.

A Decade of Progress - Pet Owners more environmentally Responsible

The latest research into pet ownership, conducted with approximately 1,000 Australians by Roy Morgan Research has shown that pet owners are more aware of their responsibilities to the environment than they were a decade ago.

Pet ownership brings many benefits to owners and the communities they and their pets are part of, but it is vital that the responsibilities of being a pet owner are understood and acted on.

In 1994, when the last research was done, 63% of owners reported that they kept their cats in at night, whereas in 2006 the comparable figure is 78%.

There are similar improvements in the number of owners who report cleaning up after their dog. 64% of dog owners now report that they ‘always’ pick up their dog droppings, compared with 33% in 1994.

It is particularly pleasing that 61% of the general population felt that the extent to which dog owners pick up droppings had either ‘increased a lot’ or ‘increased moderately’ since 1994.

Carl Carthy, pet lover and CEO of Greening Australia is the owner of two dachshunds, a breed that was originally bred to hunt badgers. He is highly conscious of the need to check the garden because he is lucky enough to have koalas, echidnas and blue tongues lizards visit from time to time.

He checks the garden before letting them out in the morning and never leaves them outside in the garden unsupervised.

Next week, leading animal behaviourist, Kersti Seksel, provides 10 top Eco tips for pet owners

Creating an Under Water World

An aquarium has been accredited with soothing qualities and after a hectic day at the office the blood pressure is undoubtedly lowered by watching fish glide past.

Aquariums range from basic fish bowls containing one or two common garden variety goldfish to salt water aquariums containing exotic marine life and colourful fish more likely to be found around coral reefs.

There are lots of ways to set up an aquarium in an attractive manner and there are no limits to your fantasy. The size of the aquarium depends on your personal choice and the space available. The number of fish you keep will be determined by the size of the tank. Fish need approximately 1 litre of water per centimetre length of fish.

Decide where you want to put your tank before you set it up as it is almost impossible to move even moderate sized tanks once they are filled with water. A place near the window is not an ideal situation as temperatures will vary greatly and the sunlight will cause algae growth.

If the tank is to be placed on a flat surface, such as a bench or table top, it is important to check that the surface is even as the glass base will break under the weight of the water if the surface is uneven.
If your tank is to have a filter system, lights etc, then a power supply will be needed close to the tank.

The bottom of the aquarium should be covered with river sand or a gravel sold by dealers. Rinse the gravel thoroughly with running water before putting it in the tank. Fish like cover and this can be provided by using rocks of varying sizes as decoration.

Any stones which contain lime or metal are toxic to fish. All rocks should be rinsed with boiling water before being used.

Without preparation tap water is unsuitable to use in aquariums. Your aquarium or dealer will be able to advise you on water conditioners to remove chloride, fluoride etc from the water.

Plants are essential to the environment of your underwater world as well as decorative. Plants enrich the water with oxygen and also provide hiding places for the fish. In the beginning fast growing plants should be placed in the tank. Before planting remove all frayed or sick leaves. Make a hole in the gravel and insert the roots of the plant and cover.

The most important equipment which you can purchase for your tank is a filter system.
This will save you a lot of work keeping the tank clean.
Tropical fish will require heaters in their tank to maintain a constant water temperature.

Rough Coated Collie –a lovable Lassie

The Rough Collie started life as a rough-and-tumble sheep herding dog in Scotland many years ago.

It was not until Queen Victoria's interest in the breed elevated his status from that of a lowly shepherd's helper to a favourite of royalty and the wealthier classes, that he started climbing the popularity ladder.

Becoming immortalised for all time through M.G.M.'s "Lassie" films, the Collie has gone on to become one of the world's most recognisable and beloved breeds.

No longer in demand as a herder, today's Collie has transferred these abilities to serving as a devoted family dog, with a particular affinity for small children. Never happier than when he has a job to do, the Collie delights in adopting the dual role of family companion and watchdog.

The Rough Collie's abundant two-ply coat, which comes in tonings of sable and white, tricolour, or blue merle, is without doubt his crowning glory. Although it obviously needs regular grooming to keep it clean and in good order, it helps that the Collie is not so profusely coated around the legs as many of the other heavily coated breeds.

Like all working dogs, the Rough Collie needs regular exercise to keep him in trim. Intuitive and anxious to please, he also responds well to training.

Dog in a Ute

April 5, 2008

The Corrigin Apex Club with assistance from the Corrigin Community is once again organising and running the Dogs in a Ute event. 2008 is the 10 year anniversary of when the small Western Australian town of Corrigan broke the World Record when they attracted 699 Dogs in Utes from right across Australia.

What is it?

The Dog in a Ute event involves the coming together of two great rural Aussie icons - the 'Ute' and man's best friend, the 'Dog' to raise funds to donate back into the community.

In 1998, the event raised $20,000 for the Royal Flying Doctors Service (RFDS) and then in 2002, the town smashed it again with 1527 dogs in utes. This time around they raised $60, 000 and again donated the funds to the RFDS and local Community Emergency Services.

Since this day, no other town has been able to break the record.

Any queries about this event can be directed to Coordinator Jenny Barratt on 0439 901 784 or email jbarratt@corrigin.wa.gov.au