Pets - Herald on Sunday

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Sunday, May 4, 2014

Second chances

Pet fostering

Animal accessories Still best friends The bond between us

SAVING LIVES ONE TAIL AT A TIME At Animates, we’re committed to finding loving, responsible homes for all pets.

As such, we’re delighted to be working with the SPCA to pair kittens and puppies with caring owners through the Saving Lives programme.

Since 2010, we’ve had 6,879 success stories of animals being adopted to new families through Animates. On top of that, more than $250,000 has been raised for the SPCA across our 25 stores nationwide.

It’s just one more way we’re looking out for animals, and bringing together people and pets.

Lives saved

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Still best friends Leigh Bramwell looks at the special bond between people and their pets

Second chances Fostering vulnerable animals can help save their lives writes Joanna Mathers Saying farewell to Fido Coping with pet loss. By Susan Edmunds

Animal accessories Bridget Foxx-Parr gives the fast moving world of pet accessories a go Pet insurance Vet bills can be steep, get peace of mind by insuring your pet. By Leigh Bramwell

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Uncommon garden pet Ewan McDonald tells of life with a less than furry friend

10 EDITOR: Greg Fleming DESIGNER: Xanthe Williams Advertising enquiries: please contact Himanshu Shah on 09 373 6975 / 021 870 372 email himanshu.shah@apn.co.nz

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A high quality natural diet improves energy and vitality, the quality of the skin and coat, digestion, and an enhanced immune system helps your pet deal with stress and everyday activities. Plus your pet will get more nutrition in every bite and you can feed less food with every meal.

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still best friends

Scientists have shown that the bond between dogs and humans is far more similar to that of parent and child than previously thought.

Leigh Bramwell looks at the special bond between people and their pets According to recent research cats are the world’s most popular pets. I knew that. I‘ve been a cat lover since my father brought a wild ginger and white kitten home in his pocket when I was four years old.

Gratifyingly, I’m in good company.

Sir Winston Churchill was a cat lover and often took his cat Jock to wartime cabinet meetings.

Nostradamus loved a cat called Grimalkin. Sir Isaac Newton loved cats and was so determined that his should be allowed to live a life of freedom and independence that he invented the cat flap for them.

And Mark Twain believed that “if a man could be crossed with a cat, it would improve the man but deteriorate the cat.”

It would be tempting to try this with Gareth Morgan who, while not nearly as famous as Mark Twain – nor as funny - is certainly famous for his dislike of cats and in recent times has probably offended every cat lover in the country. He shares this ailurophobia (cat hate) with Genghis Khan, Alexander the Great, Julius Caesar, Napoleon, Mussolini and Hitler. It has been suggested that men who want to dominate the world can’t get over the fact that cats won’t submit to them.

Possibly they’d have related better to

guinea pigs. It would be a huge surprise to find a guinea pig with self-esteem.

These favourite pets of small children must surely be the most taken-forgranted creatures in the universe. You could be forgiven for thinking it’s their own fault. They don’t exactly light up

“Whether you keep a cat, a dog, a white mouse or a capybara, your health will probably benefit.

The human-animal bond is prescribed for all sorts of health problems from anxiety to depression, anorexia and ADHD.” a room, most people think they’re a bit simple, and if anyone has ever captured an image of one doing anything remotely interesting, it’d be a fantastic hit on YouTube.

And dogs, while nowhere near as self-effacing as guinea pigs, are also more submissive than cats, which is perhaps one reason why the connection between humans and canines is so close. Scientists have shown that the bond is far more similar to that of par-

ent and child than previously thought.

Domestic dogs have been closely associated with humans for about 15,000 years and are so well adapted to living with human beings that in many cases the owner assumes the role of the dog’s main social partner. Hmmmm. Scary.

Whether you keep a cat, a dog, a white mouse or a capybara, your health will probably benefit. The human-animal bond is prescribed for all sorts of health problems from anxiety to depression, anorexia and ADHD. Animals are often taken to retirement and rest homes to uplift the residents and promote physical activity, and service dogs for individuals with anxiety and depression are becoming more common.

Recent research has shown that the soothing sounds of cat purring can aid your body in a number of ways and may even counteract the misery your cat causes by ignoring you 90 percent of the time. Cats are able to heal because their purrs fluctuate between 20-140 Hz, a frequency range which has been proven to be medically therapeutic. Assuming it’s not happening in the middle of the night, accompanied by kneading and dribbling, purring help lower stress and blood pressure. Studies show that cat owners are about 40 per cent less likely to have a heart attack than the poor people who don’t have cats.

Be a hero.

Rescue a pet.

This is the perfect time to adopt a pet. We’ve got hundreds of animals that’ve been vet checked, desexed, vaccinated and microchipped.

Visit our website or call 256 7300, then come and meet the one for you!

We’re open 7 days, from 10am-4pm at 50 Westney Road, Mangere. spca.org.nz

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famous pet owners

MIKE TYSON Boxer MikeTyson took wild cat ownership a step further, acquiring three white Bengal tigers in the mid-90s. He reportedly spent more than $4,000 a month providing for them until he had to sell them during bankruptcy proceedings in 2003.

Calvin Coolidge President Calvin Coolidge kept such a variety of pets that many referred to the White House as a zoo during his time in office. He kept dogs, cats, birds, two raccoons, a donkey and a bobcat, and was given many exotic animals as gifts, including lion cubs, a wallaby and a bear. The most famous Coolidge pet was a pygmy hippopotamus named Billy, gifted to the president by tyre tycoon Harvey Firestone.

Like most of the exotics that arrived at the White House, Coolidge donated Billy to the Smithsonian National Zoo but evidently visited him from time to time.

Salvador Dali In the 1960s, Salvador Dali kept an ocelot named Babou which travelled widely with the artist. It’s said he once took Babou into a restaurant in downtown Manhattan, and when another customer expressed concern over the wild cat, Dali told her it was really a domestic cat that he’d painted to look like an ocelot.

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Second chances

Fostering vulnerable animals can help save their lives writes kitten fosterer Joanna Mathers The kittens stare imploringly from between the bars of their carry cage. One is black, with a beautiful, angular face. The other is a “chocolate box” long-haired grey tabby, with massive eyes and curled whiskers.

They are so tiny and cute that it’s impossible to believe that anyone would abandon them, but here I am picking up from Auckland SPCA and entrusted to foster them until they’re big enough to go up for adoption.

The decision to foster was not made lightly. My partner and I are already known as “mad cat people”, and there was the possibility that if we fostered we wouldn’t want to give them back.

But an SPCA appeal for fosterers over the insanely busy Christmas period caught our attention, and we decided to give it a go.

Christine Kalin, CEO of Auckland SPCA, explains that foster carers are very important for vulnerable animals.

“Every animal that is fostered is given a second chance at life – the more animals the community foster, the more lives they help save,” says Kalin.

The application process proved simple – we filled in a form from the SPCA website and sent it back for processing. A week or so after we submitted our application, the SPCA called to say we had been accepted as foster carers, and were asked to attend a training session that weekend.

This Saturday session provided all the “must-knows” of cat fostering; my-

Where

Cats prefer

to Holiday Greenlane Cat Hotel

self and other attendees were also given a take-home information pack. And we discovered SPCA provide free-ofcharge all the cat and kitten essentials (food, litter, vet care) so we wouldn’t be out of pocket.

Kalin describes some of the responsibilities of a foster family. “They need to offer a quiet, stress-free, safe environment for the animals whilst they are either recovering from illness, injury, surgery or just need to gain weight.”

After training, we were added to a foster list and told that would be called on when needed. We didn’t have to wait long. Two weeks later Summer, who works with the foster team, rang to say that two small male kittens (six weeks and seven weeks old) needed a foster home where they could gain weight.

As mentioned earlier, the kittens instantly captured our hearts. They did not have names, so we called the little charcoal kitten Ash, and the grey tabby was christened Oscar. They took up residence in the bathroom, which was cleared of hazards; tumbling together at playtime, and snuggling together when they slept. They were healthy, happy kittens and a joy to be around.

Then the sneezing started. We had been on alert for cat-flu symptoms, and sneezing was definitely one of them.

I rang the foster team and the lovely, helpful Summer confirmed what I thought; and recommended we bring them to see a vet.

This visit confirmed our fears – they had both had cat flu. This is very common in shelters like SPCA, and can spread like wildfire through feline populations. It doesn’t affect humans, and can be quite mild in healthy adult cats, but it can be deadly for wee kittens.

This was worrying news. We were given some pills to stop secondary infection, and sent home to care for them.

One of the main concerns with kittens is weight loss. When they have stuffed-up noses they can’t smell food, so aren’t tempted to eat it. Both kittens lost their appetites; I had to hand feed

Above: Fosterers need to offer a quiet, stress-free environment for animals while they recover from illness or injury.

them wet food a few times a day. Their eyes and noses needed to be cleaned regularly of gunk, and I also administered steam treatment; sitting under a towel with the kittens (but ensuring they didn’t get near the water) to clear their tiny noses from gunk.

While Ash improved after a few days, Oscar took a turn for the worse.

I woke one morning to find him struggling for breath and had to rush him to the SPCA vet. We were told he was very sick, and had to be put on a drip.

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Saying farewell to Fido THE DEATH OF a pet can be as traumatic as losing any other relationship, but New Zealanders sometimes have a hard time admitting it.

By Susan Edmunds

and parcel of the foster experience, and though horrible at the time, caring for sick foster animals saves lives. We were lucky; after a week of great care at the SPCA Oscar got the all clear and came back home.

Ash and Oscar had reached their target weight after about three weeks.

Yes, there were tears the morning we returned them; we knew we’d helped to save their lives and this was hugely satisfying.

We’d been told initially that both kittens had people interested in them already; but we asked to be notified if

either offers fell through. The phone rang a few hours after they were returned; Oscar’s interested party had adopted another kitten the day before, and he was available. The decision to adopt him was made almost instantly.

Auckland SPCA rely on fosterers, and they give many creatures a real chance. It’s an emotional roller-coaster, sure. But it’s something I look forward to repeating in the future. And knowing what to expect is bound to make the process easier next time.

More info on pet fostering can be found at www.spca.org.nz

As an agricultural nation, New Zealanders tend to have a farmer’s perspective on animals, says Kathy Landsman of Pet Loss, an Aucklandbased grief support service: “The animal dies, you bury it and get on with it. People feel embarrassed about their grief.”

The trained counsellor started working with people whose pets had died about 12 years ago when her vet suggested she look into it. Her dog had been put down and there were no services available for pet owners dealing with grief. Landsman said she had to get information from a university in the United States in order to set up her business, as “the animal/human bond is more acknowledged overseas.’’

She said people deal with the death of an animal in much the same way that they would any other loss that changed their lives. “They might feel anxious or shocked, that’s absolutely appropriate. It’s important not to be isolated.’’

The impact of the loss of a pet could manifest itself in different ways, depending on the relationship a person had with their animal. People could sometimes feel guilt about how deeply they were feeling the loss, Landsman said. Support or counselling services could help them through that.

Pet owners could also process some of their grief by memorialising the animal in pet funerals, cemeteries or crematoriums. There are several cemeteries and crematoriums in Auckland alone, and many more throughout the country: Businesses such as Pet Cremations in Manukau, which is open seven days a week and has been operating for 18 years.

“They are certainly worthwhile,’’ Landsman says. “It gives people a place to go, a place to memorialise an animal and lots of people really do need that.’’

People deal with the death of an animal in much the same way that they would any other life changing loss.

Paul Anderson, of pet crematorium Pets at Rest, said it gave people closure to be there “right to the end’’ with their pets. His business has grown considerably over the past 10 years and he said that was due to changing attitudes and an increasing willingness to recognise the importance of pets.

Celebrant Vivienne Hill performs one pet funeral a month: “Pets are very much part of life. When a family member dies, we grieve and farewell them, it’s the same when an animal dies.’’

“The key thing is remembering the animals and talking about what they meant to the family.’’

Landsman says she knows of a family whose dog had loved balloons, so they tied messages to balloons and sent them up into the air as a tribute: “The children were delighted with that.’’

Parents should be honest with their children about what had happened if an animal died, Landsman says: “Try not to say things like ‘gone to sleep’. Children might then think ‘does that mean if I go to sleep am I never going to get up?’’

Its was better to tell children what had happened, and acknowledge that, while it was very sad, it was a fact of life.

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animal accessories It’s hard to keep up with the fast moving world of pet accessories but Bridget Foxx-Parr gives it a go

FOR

Apparently the first sign of becoming a crazy cat lady is dressing your furchild in a costume. A Southern Man declared this when I posted a photo of The Cat dressed as the Easter Bunny on Facebook. What can I say? She looked adorable.

While I’m fairly sure one Easter Bunny does not a crazy cat lady make, I didn’t tell Southern Man that I’d also dressed and photographed her as a hula girl. I was at a loose end.

The two hounds have also suffered the same antics, and endured the shame of being seen in public in full get-up. In their youth The Twins accompanied me to a toga party – me in a sheet, them in pillowcases with ivy wrapped around their waists. Unlike their mother they managed to ‘nude up’ as soon as they reached the front door by delicately stepping out of their togas after hours – OK, minutes – of prep.

They have no class.

Despite Tiger being a boy, a friend bought them tiny cheongsams in Hong Kong. Lady’s middle-age spread means hers no longer fits.

So the only things they wear these days are their coats if it’s really cold, and their collars, handmade by yours truly when, a decade ago, I had a small pet accessory business.

So I wasn’t au fait with what is hot and decided to quiz my fellow pet parents. Most respondents were female, but the one man who did reply told me about Pet DIY – pet shelving, so your cat can roam the higher recesses of your home, one shelf at a time. He sent me an improbable number of images of cats wearing wigs, glasses or necklaces, and an eye-wateringly funny YouTube clip of

dogs spiderwalking in shoes.

The news from the, er, catwalk is that headpieces are very IN – those ones which transform your cat into into an urban lion by styling her/him in a hat with a woolly mane. It’s all part of the bigger trend of dressing your animal like another animal. So I’d got it right with The Cat’s Easter Bunny outfit.

Clothing is always a hit. One catowning friend has a pink dress for her girl and a blue onesie for her boy. Dogowners mentioned party dresses, gold lame caps, berets and a pair of angel wings when collecting for charity.

Most dress their pets for a special occasion or a photo because they looked cute and funny at the same time. Their pets generally went naked otherwise.

It’s the more practical items that stay on – such as a thick coat during winter or, for one woman, a Pumpkin Patch cardigan to keep her elderly cat warm.

Her young cat gets the same treatment despite not needing the extra layer. She also gets a coordinating dress. Dressups can get addictive.

One dog-owner told me about the growing US trend of dogs wearing colour-coded bandanas to show their temperament. Letting others know “I’m not ok with kids” or “I’m uncomfortable around bigger dogs” is a fantastic idea. The only hitch: educating the noncanine public what the colours mean.

Along with the trend for pet accessories is the growing internet fashion for sites dedicated to pets IN their accessories. Two of New Zealand’s most popular online dogs are Digby and Aloysious, griffons who have more than 260,000 Instagram followers and several thousand Facebook followers.

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Above: From bandannas to headpieces to matching denim ensembles, pets these days demand wardrobe space.

Pic Danielle Kelly.

Their human, Liz Cherry of Cherrywinkle Collar and Tag Co, sells handmade dog collars, pet tags and bowties through her Etsy online store. The boys are her models. They have a penchant for dressing up in anything that takes their fancy, from Darth Vader masks to teddy bear suits.

When they aren’t working they tend to go au naturel, says Liz, although in winter they wear Mr Soft Top’s handknitted sweaters and merino T-shirts because it can get a little chilly in Wellington.

Liz says while pet accessories are a niche market in New Zealand, Kiwis like having customised items for their furchildren, mainly in classic patterns and bold colours.

“Tags, collars and harnesses are practical and that’s obviously impor-

tant, but it’s also nice to be able to buy something cute that reflects your own personal style. I think that’s definitely a major factor when anyone buys something for their pet.”

Kiwis are quite conservative compared to, say, the US where entire boutiques are dedicated to pet wear. There is even an Etsy store selling stickers to put over your dog’s anus, Liz says, which goes to show if you can imagine it you’ll probably find it online. And even if you can’t imagine it, it’s bound be out there.

ON THE WEB www.etsy.com/shop/cherrywinkle or @cherrywinkletags www.facebook.com/digbyvanwinkle or @digbyvanwinkle www.mrsofttop.com

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pet insurance

Vet bills can be steep, get peace of mind by insuring your pet. By Leigh Bramwell

tips

1

Talk to your vet – he or she will be able to advise you on whether your breed of pet is likely to be prone to certain conditions.

2

Insure your dog when he’s a healthy puppy, and the insurer won’t be able to refuse claims based on ’pre-existing’ conditions.

3

Don’t let yourself be rushed. Check with different insurers and compare policies carefully.

If you’ve ever watched a pet programme on television, you’ll know that dogs eat the strangest things – string, candles, batteries, glass, plants, balls, clothing and pens, to name but a few.

And while it sounds amusing, the sad fact is that many of those incredible edibles have to be surgically removed, causing stress and discomfort to dog, owner and, frequently, wallet.

Add to the list of removing unpalatable, indigestible items the cost of repairing pets hit by cars, poisoned, hurt in fights and falls, and suffering from serious illnesses, and it becomes clear why it’s a good idea to consider pet insurance.

A Consumer Institute report published in 2012 warned that should your pet become ill with cancer or another serious

Above: Two out of three pets will require veterinary treatment in their lifetime.

illness, you could face bills totalling several thousand dollars for treatment.

One eye-wateringly expensive claim was $17,885.33 of vet treatment for a 15-month-old labrador who got septic peritonitis after eating a stick that perforated his gut. He had two laparotomies, spent 10 days in a pet hospital and required IV fluids and frozen plasma.

And such issues are not one-off occurrences. The New Zealand Veterinary Association says two out of three pets will require treatment, and the Auckland SPCA suggests that those who can afford it would be well advised to consider insurance.

Pet insurance is a form of property insurance and will take care of part or all of your veterinary bills when your pet is sick or injured.

There are various levels of insurance available, from surgery-only through to comprehensive policies that include medical treatment and surgery. Excesses depended on the type of policy and some policies contain restrictive clauses on pre-existing health conditions and older animals. Others require pets to have regular check-ups and dental work.

There are also exclusions – some policies don’t pay for heartworm, cataracts, pacemakers, feline Aids and other conditions. Some don’t cover pets over a certain age. Others have time limits on cover, only paying ongoing costs for up to 12 months. Some policies cover non-standard procedures, such as acupuncture, chiropractic manipulation, osteopathy and other alternative treatments.

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Ask about excesses – some are a flat fee while others are based on a percentage of the total cost of the claim.

5

If you can afford it, choose a policy that covered medical and surgical expenses.

6

Know what your insurer’s requirements are. In some cases if you don’t vaccinate for kennel cough or keep up dental checks then certain illnesses won’t be covered or the policy may be invalidated.

7

Read your policy, including the fine print, so you know exactly what you can expect.

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UNCOMMON GARDEN PET Ewan McDonald tells of life with a less than furry friend She came with the house. Literally and legally. She was on the list of chattels with the oven and the TV antenna. She was up front and centre in the glossy ads.

At the open home the agent showed me around the semi-tropical garden and Lockwood-style house with the murmured “a little TLC, change the carpet and the bathrooms, update the colour scheme, you can add value here”.

And then I saw her. Sunbathing beside the pool, or rather pond, sunken into a corner of the garden, shaded by vines and bromeliads. She arched her neck, languidly, and flexed her legs and feet, enjoying the warmth of the sun on her body.

Which is how I came to meet the turtle with whom I have shared much of the last eight years. Her official name

is Trachemys scripta elegans but it is rather easier to say “red-eared terrapin”. And it is even easier to say the name by which she has become known among my friends and family, attached by a friend who helped me move in.

“You should call her Fluffy,” she said.

“Why?” I asked. “Because she isn’t,” my friend answered.

Fluffy has given rather more than her name and personality – oh yes! she has that – to our agreeable cohabitation. Within days the house became known as Turtle Pond.

She’s the ultimate in easy-care pets (with caveats: see 8 Things About Turtles). I feed her every two or three days. My other life as a travel writer means that I am often away for a couple of weeks; a friend will drop by and

Right: Fluffy the turtle is the ultimate in easy-care pets, she eats every other day and sleeps for months in winter.

Pic Ewan McDonald.

LONELY MIAOW ASSOCIATION INC

CATS AND KITTENS ADOPT-A-THON Whether you’re thinking about adopting a furry family member or just want to help out a good cause, come join us for Lonely Miaow’s annual Adopt-a-thon! Whether you can attend or not, spread the word & help make this year’s the best one yet!

Meet some of our rescued cats and kittens in need of a forever home, or just stop by to support the cause.

There will be a sausage sizzle, colouring-in competition for the kids, a food and refreshments stall,

and raffles for some fantastic prize hampers.

If you have any food, litter or other items you’d like to donate to our foster homes, there will be a dropoff point on the day as well. Books for our annual book fair are much appreciated, as are items we can sell on TradeMe to raise funds for Lonely Miaow.

CONTACT JO ON turnbull.jc@gmail.com if you would like to volunteer on the day, contribute baked goods or otherwise assist Lonely Miaow’s efforts.

SUNDAY 18TH MAY 2014 | 10AM - 3PM

Grey Lynn Library Hall • 474 Great North Road • Grey Lynn The Lonely Miaow Association is an incorporated non-profit organisation run entirely by volunteers and dedicated to the rescue and care of stray and abandoned cats and kittens in the greater Auckland area. Our rescue method is known as trap-assess-resolve (TAR). We never return a cat back to a colony situation and we do whatever possible to rehome the cats and kittens we rescue.

www.lonelymiaow.co.nz • Check us out on Facebook at http://m.facebook.com/LonelyMiaow

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11

feed her, but she could fend for herself.

Woe betide passing mozzies. Soon after I moved in, someone told me that I should introduce a couple of goldfish to her outdoor pond, to keep the water moving, and as company. Children may be reading: let us simply file that under Really Bad Idea.

In winter, she sleeps for a couple of months and I almost forget she’s there but ... not quite. Every month or so I have to bucket and clean the pool where she lives, eats and I don’t need to

“Her eyes follow me around the garden. We have had some deep and meaningful, even grounding conversations over the years.” be more specific. Nor do I need to spell how I know she’s a she: there are ways and means. The shape of her tail. The claws, of lack of them, on her rear legs.

Yeah, I know, you’re rolling your eyes and thinking, a turtle is not really a Labrador or a Siamese. Where’s the companionship?

I go to see Fluffy when I get home from work. She is either basking, poolside, or she comes up to the surface and eyeballs me. Her eyes follow me around the garden. We have had some deep and meaningful, even grounding conversations over the years.

We have also had our differences – it’s always a good idea to check under the mondo grass verges before mowing

8 THINGS ABOUT TURTLES 1

The red-eared slider is the most popular pet turtle because it is easy to keep – but see 6-8

4

2

5

3

They cannot regulate their body temperature; they depend on the temperature of their environment. They continually need to sunbathe to warm themselves

outcompeted native animals and established feral populations in Australia, Europe, South Africa, the Caribbean, Israel, Asia. They rank highly among the world’s 100 most invasive species. In Australia and the EU it is illegal for the public to import, keep, trade, or release red-eared sliders

6

8

Yes, The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are red-eared sliders, one of the reasons for the craze for keeping them as pets

Reptiles brumate not hibernate. In winter they become less active, but occasionally rise to the surface for food or air. Red-eared sliders brumate at the bottom of ponds when temperatures fall below 10C. They do not eat or defecate, they practically do not move, and their breathing slows markedly

– but our only major falling-out happened early last summer.

I found the perfect spot to plant tomatoes and beans against a sunny wall.

Which my brother-in-law and I did on a Sunday. I came home from work on Monday to find Fluffy had trampled every baby plant. It was a favourite sunbathing spot.

I administered first aid to the veges and put up a 15cm fence. I came home on Tuesday to find the fence in place ... and the turtle basking on my plants. No,

Red-eared sliders can live 2030 years, although some have lived for more than 40 years

Turtles naturally carry salmonella. Strict personal hygiene must be followed. If you must handle a turtle, ensure hands are well washed

7

The red-eared slider is native to the Southern US and Mexico. Released pets have

I didn’t know a turtle could pole-vault a fence, either. I put a second, higher layer of protection around the tomatoes.

Within seconds my ankles were battered by an enraged ninja turtle, bunting the rather sharp edges of her shell into my bare feet.

Which brings me to another point about Fluffy. That thing about the hare and the tortoise. Cobblers. Turtles can move really fast when they want to. Or more specifically, need to.

Let me explain: I don’t pick her up

The impact of red-eared sliders in the wild is largely unknown in New Zealand, but given their omnivorous diet they could attack aquatic plants, insects, small fish species and ground-nesting birds.

They can survive in the wild but the climate is considered too cold for them to reproduce

because I regard and respect her as a wild animal, not a cuddly cat. I’ve broken that rule only once: a nosy canine, following its own Darwinian traits, got between her and the pond. Probably didn’t need to intervene: Fluffy and her cousins haven’t survived 80 million years without street, or garden smarts.

Which reminds me. She might be 10, or 15, by now. She could easily live to 40. I might have to write the queen of Turtle Pond into another legal document. My will.

¸ 0»4

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Cats (felids) have been on earth for about 25 Million Years.

The domestic cat evolved from Panthera Lineage (lions, jaguars, leopards, tigers) over 3 million years ago. Cats, including domestic cats, are obligate carnivores. They must eat animal flesh and organs to survive. Cuts of meat aren’t enough. In natural life cats would eat all of their prey (head to toe) to obtain balanced nutrition. Cats’ bodies are designed to eat and process meat; they have a powerful specialised jaw, teeth adapted for tearing and shredding meat, a short digestive tract and stomach acids to facilitate the digestion of meat only. They even obtain minerals by digesting animal bones.

Modern day dry cat food is mostly grain. Many list a meat as the first ingredient but it’s the following ingredients like Corn, Wheat, Gluten, Soy, Cereal and Barley that make up the bulk of the food.

Dry cat food is also extremely low in moisture, less than 10%. In natural life cats would get the majority of their water ingestion from their prey (i.e. a mouse is over 70% moisture and less than 8% carbohydrate). Cats have a low thirst drive and do not drink

much water naturally, let alone to compensate for a high carb, dry diet. Many cat owners are now concerned about the increase of diseases in cats such as Urinary Tract Disease.

PF5 Premium Formulation For Cats addresses the issues surrounding commercial cat food using proven technology. It has a meat content of 94%, by in-going ingredient weight, and a low carbohydrate level, less than 3%. It contains meat, organs and finely ground bone for maximum natural nutrition. PF5 has added Taurine, Thiamine (Vitamin B1), Lysine and all other vitamins and nutrients to provide the nutritional levels established by AAFCO. It’s complete and balanced for all life stages including Adult, Growth and Reproduction. PF5 is designed to be fed as your cat’s sole diet, no supplementation required.

PF5 For Cats has No Gluten, No Wheat, No Corn, No Sugar, No BHA or BHT, No Ethoxyquin and No Propylene Glycol. You can find PF5 in the chilled pet food section and www.pf5.co.nz

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It can give you insight into his behaviour and personality, as well as his susceptibility to certain genetic health problems.

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Watch out for

WORMS

13

Be a responsible pet parent Protect your family from worms

Out of sight and out of mind?

feeding. Almost all puppies are infected by Roundwworm in this way.

Some tapeworms use fleas to get to your pet, because flea larvae eat worm eggs. A larval tapeworm then forms inside the developing flea, which your pet can swallow. This is why it’s so important to regularly ‘de-flea’ your pet, as well as ‘de-worm’.

Unlike fleas that are usually seen on your pet, intestinal worms are not easily seen and are something you might not think about much.

It might surprise you to learn that your pet doesn’t have to look sick to be carrying and passing on worm infections. Some worm species can produce up to 30,000 eggs each day which contaminate your pet’s surroundings.

In New Zealand where humans, especially children, share such a special relationship with our four-legged friends, there is a risk of zoonotic disease (the transfer of infection from animal to human). The good news is you can take preventative action by worming your pets regularly.

How to Protect your pet and family:

Worm hot spots: Dogs love to have a sniff of each other in the park, but did you know that dog-to-dog contact can transmit roundworm (through eggs found in their coats), fleas and subsequently tapeworm!

Just one pile of dog poo can contain a million roundworm eggs. Did you know that even if you scoop the poop, eggs can still remain in the left overs and could even go on to affect humans. Once it starts to break down, poo from an infected animal – including your own pet – blends into the soil. Here worm eggs can lay dormant for over a year and be accidentally swallowed by your pet.

Only by regular worming, can you break this life cycle.

Pet owners are advised to take preventative action by worming their pets regularly.

Mice, birds and even road kill either caught or discovered by your pet can present a risk. This is because worm eggs or worm larvae can be found in these animals, which your pet may find and feed on.

Does your cat sit and salivate as birds merrily play in your garden? Cats love to hunt birds, but did you know that cats can pick up lungworm by eating birds that have swallowed parasites eggs.

Your garden can be a haven for worm “carriers” such as slugs and snails. Plus if there’s poo on the ground, this could be harbouring roundworm eggs. Remember, even if

you scoop the poop, the eggs can remain in the soil and be washed all over the place by rain (and we have plenty of that!). In extreme cases, this parasite can cause blindness in humans and children are most at risk. Regular worming is recommended to keep roundworms at bay ensuring these parasite’s eggs do not end up on your shoes, and in your house!

Even your pet’s puppies aren’t safe from a nasty worm infection. Some worms can lie dormant in muscle tissue until your pet becomes pregnant. Then they’ll travel through the uterus or through your pet’s milk whilst

• Use a quality, effective “allwormer” regularly (every 3 months) • Control fleas on your pet (tapeworm is passed on by fleas) • Remove droppings from the backyard regularly (should be daily) • Pick up your pets droppings from public places, such as parks and beaches, to stop parasites from spreading • Change cat litter trays daily • Wash your hands after playing with your pet • Avoid letting your pet lick your face • Do not feed raw meat or offal to your pets • Keep kennels clean • Keep sandpits covered • Speak to your vet today and ask about how you can get your FREE poo bag dispenser with Bayer worming product* Bayer, 3 Argus Place, Hillcrest, Auckland. www.bayeranimal.co.nz gift with purchase while stocks last, at participating vet clinics.

*

– Supplied editorial

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14

Meat essential for pets Poor pet nutrition has led to more health problems

Doggie heaveN

Bark Avenue’s West Auckland facility has plenty of room for dogs to play and explore At Bark Avenue they understand the dog psyche – especially their need to exercise and socialise. They know that puppyhood is the most important time in a dog’s development and that a well socialised pup will lead to a confident, friendly companion.

Dogs that are locked up at home alone can develop bad habits, nervous disorders, loud barking and may even set to eating the furniture – not a good thing to come home to!

But by bringing your puppy or friendly dog to day care on a regular basis ensures your dog remains stimulated and exercised – after all dogs are pack animals. Their brains are hard-wired to need social interaction. They look to their leaders for everything from when it’s time to eat and play, to when it’s time to sleep, or when to feel threatened.

And doggy boredom, more often than not, leads to destruction.

Bark Avenue prides itself on its cleanliness, affordability and caring staff. Its large, safe, professionally run facility in West Auckland is over 3000 square meters, plenty of room for your dog to play and explore, all under the watchful eye of the experienced staff.

Dogs are settled in with other dogs of the same size and temperament and love their time at Bark Avenue.

“Nobody likes leaving their pets but it’s so easy for me to leave my dog Titch since I discovered Bark Ave 12months ago,” says recent client CK Smith. “Titch is always so excited when we arrive at Bark Ave, leaping from car into the arms of the staff not at all worried that I am about to drive away and leave him.”

As a special offer for Pets readers Bark Avenue is offering two days free daycare for newcomers. Please call 09 832 7362 On the web www.barkave.co.nz

More pet owners are understanding dogs and cats are natural carnivores; they’re food must be as near as possible to what they would hunt in the wild.

When beloved pets don’t receive nutrients derived from fresh meat, internal organs and fish, for example, when they are fed over-processed, mass produced pet foods – the longterm results can be tragic.

Poor nutrition has led to the ascendancy of cancers, allergies, digestive problems, obesity and additional pet health problems.

But, particularly over the last decade, pet owners worldwide have woken up to the danger of poor pet nutrition and have been demanding change.

ZiwiPeak, a high-end dog and cat food manufacturer based in the Bay of Plenty, is at the fore-front of this new philosophy.

ZiwiPeak manufactures possibly the world’s best range of daily dog and cat food and daily dog and cat treats.

It is growing 30-per-cent-a-year and can barely keep up with demand, having now become now the world leader in manufacture of air-dried raw meats for cats and dogs.

In 2005 ZiwiPeak was launched, the company committing to use only

ZiwiPeak manufactures possibly the world’s best range of daily dog and cat food and daily dog and cat treats. high quality New Zealand-sourced ingredients: including beef, lamb, venison, hoki and green lipped mussels.

As well as carefully controlling ingredient supply-chains, ZiwiPeak maintains rigid manufacturing standards at the Mount Maunganui factory.

This is a successful company, commanding huge brand loyalty among pet owners.

Ziwipeak customers source superb canned and dried meats, chews and other products from specialty pet stores, selected on-line retailers and veterinary clinics.

On the web www.ziwipeak.com

FREE 2 DAY DOGGY DAYCARE TRIAL

You’d be barking TO SEND YOUR PET

ANYWHERE ELSE

w w w. z i w i p e a k . c o m

Air-Dried with Over 90% Real Meat + Essential Vitamins & Minerals

PET HOTEL & DOGGY DAYCARE Bark Avenue offers more than 3,000m2 of luxurious accommodation providing an alternative to “traditional” pet boarding facilities. Where else can cats and dogs meet to interact and socialise in a stimulating and safe environment?

Doggy daycare for puppies and dogs is also available, offering a great solution for busy working families, meaning your pet is not home alone. At Bark Avenue you are guaranteed to bring your dog home happy and tired after a full day of socialising, playing with other dogs and generally having a woofing good time too.

Contact us today to book your FREE 2 day doggy daycare trial.

55 Airdrie Road, Swanson P. 832 7362 or 0800 BARK AVE www.barkave.co.nz Check us out on Facebook for more photos, videos and promotions

Check out our full range of cat & dog products including our Daily-Dog & Daily-Cat Moist Cuisine at www.ziwipeak.com

15

If a pet medical emergency strikes, make sure you are prepared.

PeaCe oF Mind

iF your PeT beCoMes iLL Make sure youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re CoVered One of our best health allies is just a tail wag or purr away. They return us from the brink of tears, join in when we feel like celebrating and possess an uncanny ability to relieve our stress. We embrace our dogs, cats and other companion animals as simply another family member â&#x20AC;&#x201C; our â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;fur babiesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;! We pore over pet food labels for healthy choices, scour the pet store for just the right bed and love treating them with boatloads of toys.

But when a pet medical emergency strikes, how financially prepared are we?

Treatments once reserved for humans are now available for pets. Once fatal conditions are now treatable. Vets can access sophisticated diagnostic tools to detect problems that previously could have gone untreated.

However, advancements have a price tag.

One in three pets require unexpected vet-

erinary treatment every 12 months and if something is seriously wrong, a large bill is the last thing anyone wants to worry about.

Whether you are looking for the peace of mind that comes with affordable surgical cover or the comprehensive cover of a surgical and medical plan, Pet-n-Sur has the right option for you and your cat, dog, horse or rabbit.

So, why Pet-n-Sur? Well, we are proudly 100% NZ owned and operated, recommended by SPCA centres nationwide, Pets on The Net and the NZ Companion Animal Council.

But for the best reasons, check out the testimonials from those who we have helped pay over $10M of pet medical bills in the last 5 years â&#x20AC;&#x201C; www.petnsur.co.nz/testimonials â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Supplied editorial

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iF you were going To hosPiTaL For an oPeraTion, wouLdnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;T you wanT To know your MediCaL TeaM was raTed aMong The besT? At Pet Doctors, we believe you should look for the same high standards in those caring for your pet.

In the veterinary profession, having high â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;standards of careâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; means using only the best equipment and protocols at all times. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re committed to making treatment as safe and comfortable for your pet as possible,â&#x20AC;? explains Dr Seton Butler, Pet Doctorsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; clinical director. â&#x20AC;&#x153;For instance, for all surgeries, we use specialist monitoring equipment to ensure the anaesthetic is safe and optimally effective. It also means having a highly-trained team. We have more than 40 veterinarians in our Pet Doctors network, so weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re able to share knowledge and expertise on any of our cases.â&#x20AC;?

There are 13 Pet Doctors clinics serving their communities throughout Auckland, and many more around the country. So if you move cities, or are travelling with your pet, the wider Pet Doctors team will always be there to help.

Our services include everything for your petâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s health and well-being â&#x20AC;&#x201C; from Puppy Pre-schools, to dental health, and free regular wellness checks with

helPing animalS in need

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CELEBRATING SENIOR PET MONTH

Quality PetCare.

Quality of Life.

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Hillâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Pet Nutrition- bags 3kg and over*

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our veterinary nurses. Our senior wellness programmes are designed to help all pets â&#x20AC;&#x153;live young to an old age.â&#x20AC;?

As well as in-house catteries throughout Auckland, we also have a clinic thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s exclusively for cats. â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Cats at Pet Doctorsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, in Mt Eden, provides a relaxing cat-only environment thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s designed to reduce the stress of veterinary visits.

The Pet Doctors team is also committed to helping animals in need, by providing care and services under the Pet Doctors Animal Care Trust.

To find your nearest Pet Doctors clinic, visit our website or call 0800 PET DOC (0800 738 362). â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Supplied editorial

With a Senior Wellness Check and Blood Test *Offer available both in clinic and online. Hillâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Science Diet only available online at Pet Doctors at Animates clinics. Offers valid until the end of June.

0800 PET DOC www.nzpetdoctors.co.nz

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BECOME A RESCUE HERO. ADOPT TODAY.

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SPCA Auckland has lots of cats and dogs available for adoption.

They’ve been vet checked, vaccinated and de-sexed.

Now all they need is a hero to rescue them.

They’re all deserving of a great new home, so if you’ve got the heart, we’ve got the pet to warm it.

See who’s waiting for you at www.spca.org.nz facebook.com/spcafriends

SPCA Auckland Animal Village, 50 Westney Road, Mangere OPEN 10am - 4pm, 7 DAYS