News

When Andrew Cotter turned his sports commentating skills to his Labradors, Olive & Mabel, he learned about the power of going viral. I was lucky enough to sit down with Andrew via Zoom and ask him questions about his dogs and his new book. There's a competition for readers, too.

My quote of the month is from the late author, Caroline Knapp, who wrote Pack of Two (one of my favourite dog books)

Ahead of my soon-to-be published interview with Andrew Cotter (Dad to Olive and Mabel and narrator of their adventures), I review Andrew's book. It really is a must-read for the dog lover.

"A dingo is a wolf on its way to becoming a dog, that never got there," says a Penn State researcher who has studied the genetic differences between dogs, wolves and dingoes. Dingoes are not dogs.

FirstVet has studied animal names using records from the oldest pet cemetery in the United States and looked at pop culture inspirations over the decades....

22 children from the Okanagan Boys and Girls Club (in British Colombia) took part in a series of sessions to help them build their social skills using therapy dogs. Each week the children were taught a new skill, such as introducing themselves or giving directions to others. One participant noticed that the children behaved better at the sessions than at their regular after-school care program, and they thought it was because the children liked being around the dogs. Another aspect of working dogs!

There are many benefits when owners learn to massage their dog. I love teaching Learn to Massage Your Dog!

In the February issue of NZ Dog World, I speak with one of the co-owners of the Urban Eatery, Paul Talbot, about the company's decision to allow dogs inside its cafes (not just on the outdoor patios). My experienced cafe dog, Izzy, and her friends approved!

When feeding liver, it should be frozen first (or cooked, if you decide not to feed raw). I've discovered a bit of a loophole when it comes to buying human-grade liver for your dog....

This month's quote is from St Francis of Assisi. Doing no harm is the first principle of my practice. I take pride in providing a complete, Fear-Free, service to my human and dog customers!