The Tailchaser Times - Issue 2

r e s a h c l i a T Times

The

The official

magazine

A day in the life

Issue 2

of a Burns Sales Superstar

ccoa-nworinkeer

John s urn Bchews the fat

Music albums

Olly

Rise of the Office dogs are soaring in popularity

dogs cover

with on the

Nine annoying characteristics that you didn’t know were health issues!

Meet

the l Jack Russel

t it’s like Find out wheaultimate to own th p! scam

Cat food worth meowing for We offer two complete, low fat, naturally preserved and hypo-allergenic diets for cats.

Our food is highly digestible and suitable for both healthy cats and those with sensitive skin and digestion.

Treat your cat to a premium diet from just *33p per day

ÂŁ11.99

Available in two varieties Chicken & Brown Rice Fish & Brown Rice

Healthy Skin & Coat

Healthy Urinary Tract

Taurine for Healthy Eyes & Heart

Healthy Digestion

Hypo-Allergenic & Complete

*based on ÂŁ11.99 RRP for chicken variety, feeding a 4kg cat according to our recommended feeding amounts.

For the best advice service in the business, call our in-house nutritionists on freephone:

0800 083 6696

www.burnspet.co.uk

Developed by Veterinary Surgeon BVMS MRCVS

Welcome!

Inside

this issue:

04. Powered by Burns Hall of Fame 10. Rise of the Office Dog! 16. Meet Olly the Crufts sensation 19. Albums with dogs on the cover 22. Our training experts answer

your FAQs 24. Burns in the Community news

seers TailchaTim

The

John Burns (and Gregory!)

The official

magazine

A day in the life

of a Burns Sales Superstar

canine co-worker

John s Burn chews the fat

Music albums

Olly

Rise of the

We’re thrilled to share the second issue of The Tailchaser Times.

This issue, we’re championing the benefits of bringing your prized pet to work (page 10 ) and showcasing the various industries and offices that practice this.

At Burns, we operate an open-door policy towards pets and have a permanent resident, Sylvester the stray cat. Sylvester has been a part of the furniture for over half a decade and we’ve even built him a little house at our head office.

He certainly chose the right door to knock on all those years ago.

We want to help as many pets to find forever homes as possible, and that’s why we’re currently partnered with one of the UK’s biggest rescue and rehoming charities, The National Animal Welfare Trust. NAWT are our Charity of the Year.

We’ve been providing them with free food and promotion since January. In this time, they’ve rehomed over 450 cats and dogs (page 26). It’s fantastic to be able to make a difference to the organisations that need it most.

As we enter September, many of our staff are in-training for the Cardiff HalfMarathon and Ironman challenge. They’ll be running every mile in aid of Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital Charity and our own charity, The Burns Pet Nutrition Foundation (page 24).

The new school term also means that our Burns By Your Side reading dog teams will be scampering back to class. We’ve recently upped our numbers from 30 to 62 and couldn’t be prouder of what our volunteers have achieved in the two short years since the scheme began.

Here’s to more of the same and (hopefully) an Indian summer!

BVMS MRCVS

Issue 2

Office dogs are soaring in popularity

dogs cover

with on the

Nine annoying characteristics that you didn’t know were health issues!

Meet

the Jack Russell

t it’s like Find out whaultimate to own the scamp!

The humans behind The Tailchaser Times: Editor: Rosella Pollard Art Director: Alistair Corbett Words & images: John Burns, Sarah Gravell, National Animal Welfare Trust, Alistair Corbett, Karen Parker Stuart Breedon, Carole Hussein and Sarah Ellis

Follow us: Instagram.com/burnspet Facebook.com/burnspet Twitter.com/burnspetfood Be featured on our social media channels: #PoweredByBurns #AliveandWoofing

Contact us:

Marketing@burnspet.co.uk Burns Pet Nutrition Ltd, Ferry Road, Kidwelly, Carmarthenshire, Wales, SA17 5EJ Est. since 1993

burnspet.co.uk •

3

#PoweredByBurns

! e m a f Hall of

Does your prized pet deserve a place in Vanity Fur?

Zen

Make like the pupparazzi and send in your best animal snaps to be featured in the Burns hall of fame.

s. She has just “Zen is sponsored by and raised on Burn shape. Zen astic fant in still turned 14 years old and is , Crufts and pion Cham ty Agili ium was the UK’s first med national medals; Olympia winner and winner of many inter retiree!” now she is an active healthy 14 year old - Sent in by Bernadette Bay

Daisy

Daisy is a Burns connoisseur and has been dining on the Active range for the past 5 years

- Sent in by Janet Jenkins

4 • burnspet.co.uk

“Bess and Rio are adopted and suffer from disabilities (Bess has an amputated leg and Rio is almost completely blind) but despite this they live life to the fullest as normal, happy Springers, to the point where most people who meet them don’t notice their health problems initially” - Sent in by Rachel Davies

Bess

...and Rio

Dickens and Darwin only “My Border Collies, Dickens and Darwin an Portm Carl by in Sent eat Burns” -

! r e n n Wi issue we had Mutley “Mutley is almost 6 years old and has be en fed on Burns food his life. He is a very ac all tive Pug and a much loved member of the family! With my 4 m onth old daughter gro wing up so fast, they becoming the best of are friends.” - Sent in by Chloe Lancey

In the last bs. a r g r o f p u o b r a Fu Flash.

Our winner is arson P h c n e r F a is “Flash ublin.

D in g in v li ll e Russ of ll u f , ld o s r a e y Flash is 7 r new o f p u s y a lw a joy and so e r a e W . s e r u t adven o” b r u F y r t o t d e excit e mm nnifer Petitho Je y b in t n e S -

For a chance to be featured in the next issue, send in your pawfect snaps to: marketing@burnspet.co.uk Don’t forget you can also be featured on our social media channels!

Here’s how...

Instagram and Twitter: Use the #PoweredByBurns hashtag when you post.

Send us a private message or publish your pet on our Facebook page.

burnspet.co.uk •

5

?

e h t t e s r e a b t a Wh s d o o f e r b i f h hig for dogs Ahh, glorious complex carbohydrates.

Tasty and good for us, fibre is a very important part of the human diet- it lowers our cholestorol, keeps our digestive system ticking over nicely and can even help our heart to stay strong and healthy.

But what about our canine chums? Should you be exercising the same philosophy with your dog? Over to our nutritionists...

As with humans, the function of dietary fibre for dogs is primarily to maintain the health of the gastrointestinal system.

Chomping on foods high in fibre can aid the prevention of certain diseases such as diabetes, obesity, irritable bowel syndrome and colitis. Fibre facilitates smooth bowel movements and helps to prevent constipation.

Oats

Porridge made with water is a great snack for hungry dogs! The oats in our Weight Control+ Chicken & Oats food make it fibrous and generally oats are a great way to keep dogs - and humans feeling fuller for longer.

So, how much fibre should you feed your pooch? A healthy dog diet should contain between 2% and 4%. Fibre can be classed as both soluble and insoluble, both types are important and affect the health and function of the gastrointestinal tract.

High Fibre Dog Food for Diabetic Dogs High fibre dog food is useful for diabetic dogs. Feeding a high fibre diet to a diabetic dog can help control the swings in blood sugar which minimises the peaks and troughs in blood glucose levels that accompany the disease.

6

High fibre food for weight loss Does your paunchy pug or bulky beagle need to shed the puppy fat?

High fibre dog food is their friend.

Fibre increases bulk in the diet and promotes a feeling of fullness without adding calories. This provides the dog with a satisfying meal whilst consuming fewer calories.

High Fibre Dog Food for Anal Gland Issues Many vets will also recommend a higher fibre food to increase stool volume.

A bulkier stool can help to empty the anal glands and may benefit dogs with recurrent anal gland issues. In our experience, a high quality lower fibre diet should help prevent the glands filling up but for those dogs that need further help a higher fibre diet is worth considering.

Brown Rice As well as having tonnes of other health benefits, brown rice is high in fibre making it a great ingredient to use in dog foods.

It’s so good in fact, that we use it in the majority of Burns diets.

High Fibre Dog Food for Diarrhoea In cases of unpleasant diarrhoea, fibre will absorb moisture and along with its binding and gelling properties, it is a good aid the treatment of diarrhoea.

“As with humans, the function of dietaryily fibre for dogs is primar h to maintain the healt of the gastrointestinal system.”

Vegetables

Fibre’s water absorbing properties also aids the treatment of constipation.

Broccoli, sprouts, cabbage and carrots are all brimming with gold dust health benefits to dogs, and are high in fibre.

Would your dog benefit from a change to one of our higher fibre foods?

We invite you to contact our nutritionists via Live Chat on our website: www.burnspet.co.uk email info@burnspet.co.uk or call our freephone number 0800 083 6696

burnspet.co.uk •

7

chews the fat!

This issue sees Veterinary Surgeon, John Burns, offer perspective on bothersome pet characteristics and point the finger at malnutrition.

Nine annoying characteristics

that you didn’t know were health issues - and what to do about them...

Many pets are affected by conditions which owners simply don’t realise are health problems.

“It’s just a habit” “That’s normal for the breed” “That’s what dogs do” “She’s just old” Sound familiar?

I have drawn up a list of some of the most common conditions. You will find more in my Veterinary Health & Nutrition Handbook.

Before we begin, let’s refer to the dictionary definition of holistic health: “Holistic health is a form of medicine which considers the individual as a whole, physically and psychologically, rather than just the diseased part.” Chambers Dictionary.

8 • burnspet.co.uk

Holistic nutrition benefits the entire system. All of these undesirable traits, bad habits or whatever you wish to call them, are different manifestations of an unhealthy system, both physical and mental. The body is perfectly capable of making its own adjustments to maximise its own health potential. Correct lifestyle choices, of which nutrition is the most important, allow the system to make changes.

Let’s look at each characteristic in turn...

#1

Moulting

Many dogs moult continuously and owners assume that this is normal, caused by central heating and so on. In fact, part of the vacuum cleaner industry is devoted to developing products specifically to deal with the problem.

When I ask pet owners if they have any

problems with their pets they often say “No” but when I ask the specific question they admit that the dog moults profusely.

An annual moult is normal; that’s how the system cleanses itself in preparation for spring. When it happens continuously, it means that the system is overloaded with waste matter usually caused by malnutrition.

#2

Tear staining

Most commonly seen in small breeds, this is not simply a cosmetic issue, nor is it caused by narrow or blocked tear ducts.

Two experiences spring to mind here: • 50 years ago, as a student observing practice, a vet told me about a client who was a nuisance because her dog suffered from tear staining and she wanted something doing about it.

Holistic health is a form of medicine which considers the individual as a whole, physically and psychologically, rather than just the diseased part.

She was given some free of charge expired antibiotics, to give her something to do and, lo and behold the tear staining stopped! The vet thought this was so funny but looking at this now through the retroscope, I see how that could happen.

The antibiotic reduced the body’s toxic burden and that stopped the overflow of tears for a while.

• The second story is from last week. I met a man with a Bichon Frise at our Farm Shop, Parc Y Bocs. “That’s something you don’t see often” says me “What?” said he.

“A Bichon with a clean, dry face,” says me.

“He’s on Burns Chicken and Brown rice” said he.

#3

Drooling

We are all familiar with large breeds trailing great strings of thick saliva, some even wear a bib! A shake of the head and suddenly we’re too familiar with it as we wipe our clothes clean. It may be common in large breeds but it’s not inevitable. Once again it’s caused by toxic build up.

The anecdote is high-quality food fed sparingly. Given this, it should clear up.

All of the characteristics listed so far are tell-tale signs that the body is trying to purge excess waste matter from the system.

The next two are slightly different in that they are also discharges, but they are caused, not so much by discharge of waste but rather a discharge of energy.

Energy comes from food so the cause is overeating, especially high-energy, dense foods- usually meat or refined carbohydrate. Remember that fat contains three times as much energy as protein and carbohydrate.

#6

Chewing or licking feet

Commonly thought to be caused by a lack of bulky stools but not so. The anal glands are acting as an auxiliary waste storage and disposal system.

This is not “just a habit.” This occurs because the feet are itching. In traditional medicine this would be interpreted as discharge via the acupuncture meridians.

This is similar to children biting and chewing the fingernails and nail beds, but with them it is more likely to be caused by eating lots of sugar.

#5

#8

#4

Full anal glands

Bad Breath or unpleasant body odour Either of these point to signs of general ill-health and possibly secondary bacterial overgrowth in gut and skin.

#7

Dry, scaly skin or greasy coat Not caused by a lack of oil (or anything) in the diet. Both characteristics are actually signs of excess waste which is being discharged.

Barking and yapping These are caused by an imbalance between the amount of energy going into the system from food of course, especially fat and protein, and the amount of energy the system burns during normal metabolism and exercise.

A lower energy intake combined with increased exercise can restore a balance and the dog will become calmer.

#9

Poo eating

The jury is out on this “irritating characteristic”. Is poo-eating just a bad habit as some believe or is it a deficiency?

Is the dog hungry? Yet another theory is that there are undigested nutrients in the poo which attracts the dog. Does poo eating have a physical or a psychological origin?

As I mentioned earlier, in holistic medicine the physical and the mental are interconnected anyway. Likewise, in traditional medicine where there is a particular affinity between brain and intestine. The condition is definitely responsive to diet, not just type of food but also to the quantity given each day.

On more than one occasion I’ve experienced my own two dogs suddenly show interest in poo but this ceased pretty quickly when I reduced the amount of Burns food.

This holistic or natural way of health is described in detail in my Veterinary Health & Nutrition guide. It only takes 20 minutes to read but it took me 20 years to gather the information.

For further information on banishing these ahem, ‘characteristics’, I invite you to call my expert team of nutritionists on Freephone number 0800 083 66 96. They can provide bespoke and tailored free advice as well as literature and Burns food samples.

burnspet.co.uk •

9

The

Rise Canine of the

co-worker

National Bring Your Dog to Work Day has soared in popularity

over recent years, but what about the companies that boast a full-time dog in residence? As a pet food business, we operate an open door policy for dogs and wanted to find out whether other industries follow suit. So, we did our research and found a goldmine of dog-friendly businesses ranging from jewellers to horticulturists.

In fact, according to new research by recruitment company Reed.co.uk, 8% of UK employees are permitted to take their dog to work. Find out what the businesses we interviewed had to say about sharing an office with their best friend…

Barking Mad UK

The UK’s leading dog sitting company www.barkingmad.uk.com

How does having Lotti around improve your working day?

It’s much better talking to a dog! We love the atmosphere in the office with dogs making it relaxed and it’s great to know we can always have a quick chat with a best friend!

Does your dog have any funny habits or mannerisms?

9 year old Lotti the Dalmatian is very gentle and loving, although she hates the postman!

She smiles and wags her tail on the floor to create a drum beat and generally makes it known that she’s in the office (without distracting us too much.)

10 • burnspet.co.uk

Lotti the Dalmatian pictured with Barking Mad emplo yee, Isla

Johnson’s of Wixley One of the longest established and largest commercial nursery businesses in Europe www.nurserymen.co.uk

How does having Isla around improve your working day?

Isla is only one year old and is both family pet and office dog. She has been a familiar face in the office and wider nursery since she was 12 weeks old.

Isla’s presence raises a smile and de-formalises an otherwise commercial environment.

Isla is an obvious favourite with family members, staff, customers and general visitors to the business, and she receives as much attention as she gives!

Does Isla have any funny habits or mannerisms?

Isla can be vocal and often portrays a submissive grin. She is intent on retrieving and is happiest carrying anything to hand.

She has developed an annoying habit of insisting on getting a lift in the front seat, instead of jumping in the back, when hitching a ride in company vehicles. She is already very loyal and, a typical lab, a connoisseur of the occasional treat.

Isla receives VIP transport as part of her employee bark perks. Oh, to be a dog!

Glimmer Candles

An online candle boutique offering over 150 varieties of natural fragrances

“Isla’s presence raises a smile and de-formalises an otherwise commercial environment.”

- Johnson’s of Wixley

www.glimmercandles.co.uk

“Robbie (named after Robbie Williams) is my constant companion.

Running an online business from home can be lonely - you don’t get the same interaction as a physical shop. With Robbie, it’s like having a friend by your side. Robbie sneezes to remind me it’s time for a walk and fresh air, which is great as otherwise I might sit there all day long without a break.

Robbie became part of our family as a rescue dog whilst we were living in New Zealand. When we returned home we couldn’t leave him behind and he made the long journey to the UK with us. As a ‘kiwi’ dog he loves the outdoors and can’t resist a muddy swim, digging holes in the garden and rolling in Fox poo - he should be a different colour as he regularly ends up in the bath!

Whether he is sleeping in his bed, in the office or under my office desk, he is never far from my side. He can sense when the courier is due to arrive and barks like crazy as if to intimidate him. The courier finds it hilarious. Robbie is such a character!” - Sandra Varley

Sandra and Robbie burnspet.co.uk •

11

The Nimble Thimble Specialists in cross-stitched artwork and kits for craft enthusiasts

www.thenimblethimblecrossstitch.co.uk

“We have two working Cocker Spaniels, Harvey, aged 2 and Benson the puppy.

We are surrounded by woods and trees at work and the sheer pleasure in having my dogs with me all day enables me to walk them at lunchtime, which also keeps me fit.

My customers love to see them and are forever plying them with toys and treats. This has made them so friendly towards everyone they meet as they are so used to socialising. They are just the most loving and loyal companions anyone could ask for.

They know that as soon as I lift up my handbag that we are off to the car to go to work. Benson is in the process of digging holes everywhere (to Australia we think) and hiding his favourite toys in the holes. Meanwhile, Harvey’s most endearing habit is that when the clock strikes 10pm he looks for his teddy and goes off to his bed on his own volition.”

Benson and Harvey

“We are surrounded by woods and trees at work and having my dogs with me all day enables me to walk them at lunchtime, which also keeps me fit.”

Peekaboo!

Cross Keys Jewellers Independent antique jewellers located in the heart of Wiltshire 1 The Ginnel, Devizes SN10 1HN • Tel: 01380 726293

“Our family jewellery business has been running since the 1970s. We took over from my parents in the year 1990 and specialise in antique and preowned jewellery. We are based in Devizes, Wiltshire.

Denzil and his Mum, Wraggs (aged 7 and 12) always come to work with us and Denzil has done since he was a pup. Our regulars often call in just to see the dogs and they are given treats by customers both young and old- the postman even brings special biscuits! Wraggs is laid back, and Denzil likes to chase everything. He loves it when apples fall from the garden tree as he thinks they’re balls.”

- Dominic Pullen

12 • burnspet.co.uk

Pet Pyjamas

One of Europe’s leading suppliers of pet lifestyle products www.petspyjamas.com

How does having dogs in the office improve a working day?

“In today’s high pressured environment it can be really therapeutic to engage with a dog.”

In today’s high pressured environment it can be really therapeutic to engage with a dog because a quick cuddle clears the mind and resets your mood.

Tell us about your canine co-workers…

As advocates of dogs in the workplace, we have a number of four-legged employees fulfilling a variety of roles including:

Piper Canine Executive Officer As well as helping her owner Gracia lead the PetsPyjamas team – with lots of licks and tail-wags – rescue dog Piper is also at the helm of pet fashion department, as one of PetsPyjamas’ top doggie models thanks to her long legs and lean frame.

Heidi

Monty

Heidi One half of The Pet Inspectors The Alex Polizzi of the pet world, Heidi and owner, Denise vet the holiday properties that make it onto our website. Heidi is an integral part of the team.

Monty Head of Dog-friendly Travel Heading up the travel department is a big deal and despite being slight of stature, Monty is the dog for the job. He can often be found sprinting around the office, spreading the dog-friendly word to others – or with his nose in the office bins.

Piper

Has all this talk of office dogs convinced you to bring your prized pet to work?

Follow our tried and tested tips to ensure that your best friend sails through the probation period...

• Check if your employer has a dog-friendly policy - and comply with rules as necessary

• Avoid parking your pet next to the employee with a phobia / allergy / aversion to dogs

• Invest in a dog bed with a removeable cover- a must-have for cleaning

• Assess whether your dog is friendly and well-behaved enough to bring to work. Chew-happy pups need not apply

• Ensure your dog is toilet trainedyour co-workers are unlikely to appreciate little accidents

• Keep your dog well-groomed and as odour-free as possible • Come supplied with food and any essentials burnspet.co.uk •

13

Chris’

Light Bites We asked our farm shop head chef, Chris Price to share his favourite light bites. Both dishes are simple to prepare, incredibly tasty and look impressive too. Paws off, dogs!

CHEF PROFILE:

This light and delicious dish can be rustled up in the time it takes to boil the kettle and requires no cooking.

The perfect after-work supper. Serves 2

Ingredients

Instructions

• 3 balls of vacuum packed beetroot • 200g goat’s cheese • 100g mixed leaves • 25g chopped walnuts (optional) • 1 shallot • Drizzle of balsamic • Drizzle of olive oil

• Slice goat’s cheese and shallots • Chop beetroot separately to avoid colour run • Arrange the mixed leaves on a plate • Layer the shallots, goats cheese and beetroot sporadically • Drizzle the balsamic and olive oil over the top • Garnish with walnuts, and serve.

14 • burnspet.co.uk

If I was on death row, my last meal would be...

Anything Italian!

If I could have dinner with anyone alive or dead, I’d invite...

Friends and family

“A light and delicious dish that requires

g n i k o o c o n

“

Goats Cheese, Walnut & Beetroot Salad

Elderflower Jelly with Fresh Berries

Elderflower is a classic flavour and works beautifully in a dessert.

Add a splash of gin if you’re feeling fancy. Serves 4

• 250ml elderflower cordial • 150g caster sugar • 750ml water • 6 gelatine leaves • 2 punnets of mixed berries • Mint garnish (optional) • Shortbread accompaniment (optional) • 4 dessert dishes

Instructions • • • • • • • • • •

Soak gelatine leaves in cold water until soft Place cordial, caster sugar and water into a pan and bring to boil Once boiling, remove from heat and add the gelatine leaves Stir until leaves dissolve Pour mixture into a bowl and leave to cool Once the jelly starts to set, whisk the jelly to create air bubbles Fill 4 dessert dishes halfway then place in fridge for 10 minutes Add berries Leave to set for 2-3 hours Garnish, decorate and serve

rt e s s e d c i s “ A clas n w o d s e o g t tha ll e w y l l a i c e p es e ome -made with som h shortbread

“

Ingredients

For more tasty recipes, visit our award-winning farm shop: Parc Y Bocs Farm Shop, Carmarthen Road Kidwelly, SA17 5AB www.burnsfarmshop.co.uk burnspet.co.uk •

15

Olly

the

r e d n o W dog

Olly won the nation’s heart at Crufts for his epic performance, and now boasts fan clubs as far afield as Japan and Australia. We caught up with Olly’s owner, Karen, to find out what it’s like to own the ultimate scamp...

How did you come to meet Olly?

My lurcher died, so I wanted a new friend. I came across the Blue Cross website and there was an adorable picture of a Jack Russell puppy. I knew right away I wanted him. I had said initially I wanted a girl, not a boy, but that faded away once I saw him.

While Olly was at Blue Cross his name was Dinky, and it was all very lucky as a family had come to get him and decided not to take him, so I called up on the Monday and they said Olly had been reserved for me.

I jumped in the car and raced down to Blue Cross Kimpton and he was the naughtiest dog I’ve ever met. He was

biting my trousers and humping my leg... Jackie who runs the puppy section said, “Karen, you’re going to have your hands full” and I said “No, I’m not.”

She was absolutely right. I brought him home and he’s been totally bonkers since, and we love him.

He was actually left outside the Blue Cross in a cat basket and whoever owned him didn’t even bring him in, although the centre was open. It’s awful, but I’m so glad I’ve met him.

Do you have any advice for potential Jack Russell dog owners?

Terriers are the world’s naughtiest breed, but they’re so much fun. A lot of people have said they’re going to get a

Jack Russell but they need to research the breed before getting a terrierthey’re active dogs and need constant stimulation with games and training.

Without this, owners are going to have issues with the dog destroying things and being, well, a terrier. They have to have that work ethic.

“He will watch to see the other dogs eat something first before he tries it, but with Burns, not a problem.”

Where does Olly get that famous energy from?

Olly eats Burns Alert food. It should be Burns calm down food really, haha. Olly has always been a fussy eater and I’ve got 4 other dogs that Olly uses as a benchmark with food.

He will watch to see the other dogs eat something first before he tries it, but with Burns, not a problem. It’s immense food.

Even with treats he is usually fussy and can turn his nose up but he wolfs the Burns Training Treats down and when I call him he comes back straight away so he can have the yummy food.

My dad’s dog is also on Burns Alert and has been eating it for the past 3 months and recently he won 3 classes at a show which just shows the difference. It’s incredible and I’m so glad you sponsored him before he hit fame.

“He’s such an adventurous dog and a real character. I’d love to know what goes on in that little brain of his.”

What’s next for Olly now that he’s a global icon?

Olly is a bit of a showman. Together we’ve been visiting schools and talking about the importance of asking permission before touching someone’s dog. We’ve also been continuing with agility shows through P3 Training Academy and a few weeks ago he even won a jumping class. He loves all the attention.

Last summer I wrote some kids books on Olly, all of his adventures when he’s been a bit of a rogue and a bit naughty and I would love to get those published. I think that would be really good fun. He’s such an adventurous dog and a real character. I’d love to know what goes on in that little brain of his.

Photography by: Stuart Breedon

Stay up to date with Olly’s adventures on social media... www.facebook.com/ollyrusell/ www.youtube.com (search ‘Olly’s Channel’) www.youtube.com/channel/UCOP8pmK4xC6hYRIfWy_x4gQ

burnspet.co.uk •

17

t a e r t t Bon pe -a-

From nifty gadgets to bark-worthy edibles, treat your scamp to a practically pawsome gift...

TrackR

£26.87 • https://store.thetrackr.com

TrackR Bravo is a small, coin-sized tracking device that can be attached to your dog or cat’s collar and traced using Bluetooth and the TrackR app on your smartphone.

Should your pet ever go missing, you can track their whereabouts with the TrackR. In addition, you can engrave your pet’s name and address onto the device.

Burns Training Treats

£0.99 • www.burnspet.co.uk/burns-training-treats-for-dogs.html Reward your pooch for good behaviour with our healthy, bite-sized training treats. Containing chicken, brown rice and seaweed, these bone-shaped nibbles are the perfect size for puppies and small breed dogs.

K9 Connectables

Various toys starting from £11.99 • www.k9connectables.com

Keep your pet occupied with stimulating toys from K9 Connectables. Choose from a range of colourful, stimulating toys or connect them altogether for the ultimate challenge. Awake the inner hunter in your pet by stuffing treats inside the toys, play fetch on walkies or even throw the toys in the water for an aqua challenge-they float.

Top Tip: For extra difficulty, freeze the toys with treats inside to make them last longer. Ideal for dogs that need to watch their weight!

1 x TrackR in Rose Gold 1 x K9 Connectables Tech Bone 1 x K9 Connectables Original 1 x K9 Connectables The Dentist 5 x Burns Training Treats 100g ...worth over £60!

How to enter:

Email us a picture of your pooch with a reason why they deserve to win. Use the Subject line: Tailchaser Giveaway Email: Marketing@burnspet.co.uk Winners will be notified in due course and featured in the next issue.

18 • burnspet.co.uk

3 icshoalnbuimcs

Briti with

dog-themed

album covers

t me of history’s mos so g in at br le ce re e’ This issue w also happen to have at th s m bu al ic us m ady… iconic eadphones at the re dogs on the cover. H

#1 Kate Bush Hounds of Love, 1985 Kate Bush is definitely a marmite artist. Her dramatic soprano voice is either screechy or beautiful, depending which side of the fence you’re on. If you’re leaning towards the latter, give Hounds of Love a spin.

Did you know? Kate took a 35-year hiatus from live music, returning in 2014 for a sold-out UK tour. General admission cost an eye-watering £125, with hardcore fans paying up to £1000 for a touted ticket.

Stand out song:

Running up that hill

(a deal with god)

#2 Amy Winehouse

Frank, 2003

Rehab (Back to Black) was the song that propelled Amy Winehouse to fame, but there’s plenty to love about her jazz-influenced debut, Frank.

Over 13 songs, the divisive pop star muses about relationships and selfdestruction with refreshing honesty.

Stand out song:

You sent me flying

with “Packed -cheek n tongue-i mentary social coemel-good and f its.” pop h Parklife

#3 Blur Parklife, 1993 Parklife is a Britpop classic peppered with 90s nostalgia. Packed with tongue-in-cheek social commentary and feel-good pop hits, it’s easy to see why the album stayed in the UK Album Chart for 90 weeks on release.

Stand out song: End of a century

burnspet.co.uk

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19

Sales Administrator A day in the life of a

From serenading the office with rock classics to being the selfproclaimed office travel agent, there’s never a dull moment with Sales Superstar, Sarah Gravell around. We caught up with Sarah to find out what her working day looks like...

Morning Tumble bedI and I 7.307.30 Tumble outtaoutta bed and stumble

broken the photocopier (AGAIN)! I unclog the paper jam and replenish the correct toner. Et voila, it’s fixed.

the myself kitchen,a pour to thestumble kitchen,topour cup of myself a cup of ambition. ambition.

Afternoon

I begin my day by switching the radio on and singing along as I get ready for work. The dog is always with me and never complains about my singing – he has been tested for deafness! I let the dog out into the garden, then give him his breakfast of Burns Duck & Rice before heading off on the picturesque journey to work.

Billy Joel’s We Didn’t Start the Fire comes on the car radio and I delight in singing along. One of my talents is that I know all the words to that song and it has become my party piece!

13:30 After a lunch of Lynsey’s

9.00 Arrive at work and fly up the

stairs (never miss the opportunity for free exercise!) I greet my colleagues in the Sales Department and we set about taking calls and processing orders.

Our calls vary from taking orders from Mrs. Thompson in Bishop’s Stortford to chasing up a delivery for a pet shop in Llangollen. Taking sales calls is just a small part of what we do in the Sales office – we all have a few hats to wear.

I look after our Irish sales reps and also help arrange / book any shows that the company attends.

10:00 Hold that thought…the photocopier sounds like it’s about to explode… Sarah to the rescue! It’s Alistair from our Marketing Department and he’s 20 • burnspet.co.uk

homemade cheesecake in our canteen, I start the afternoon by offloading a delivery pallet. I completed a forklift driving course a year or so ago, so am sometimes called upon to do these tasks. I genuinely love it!

14:00 When I return to my desk, there is a bundle of proofreading waiting for me. Our resident copywriter, Rosella is on annual leave, so I cover and check packaging for spelling errors and grammar.

I used to be a legal secretary so my spelling is pretty good. If I was a contestant on Bullseye, it would be my chosen category.

15.30 I make a few telephone calls

to local vets and pet shops to organise deliveries. We often make local deliveries using our own vans and I enjoy getting to catch up (albeit briefly) with our longtime clients. radio on and they’re playing TheThe radio is onis and they’re playing BoysBoys of Summer which is my favourite tune, of Summer which is my favourite tune, so so naturally, I burst into song.

Again, I make naturally, I burst into song. Again, I make no apologies for my singing! no apologies for my singing!

16.00 Time for afternoon coffee as I settle down to book flights and accommodation for a nutritionist who

“Our calls vary from taking orders from Mrs. Thompson in Bishop’s Stortford to chasing up a delivery for a pet shop in Llangollen.” is speaking at a conference in Ireland. I’m known as Gravell’s Travels around these parts - Gravell due to my surname and Travels as I am the in-house travel agent.

I really enjoy this aspect of my job and it peps up my day dealing with flights and sending staff off to new and exciting destinations.

16.45 It’s almost time for the home time bell so I run downstairs to fetch my kit bag and change into my gym gear. I try and go to the gym every night or if it’s a nice evening, I’ll go for a run. It’s a great way to unwind after a hectic day and I really enjoy the buzz I get from exercising.

Burns are entering this year’s Cardiff Half Marathon so I’ve started training for that and look forward to taking part and raising money for charity with my colleagues. Not sure I’m looking forward to seeing some of them in Lycra though!

About

Sarah ...

Avid gym goer, chocoholic, rugby fanatic and lettuce enthusiast (may have been a Tortoise in a past life!) I’m music mad.

I’m always listening to music, going to gigs and constantly singing (for which I make no apologies). My happy place is Aberavon Beach with Buster, my Jack Russell.

Favourite dog breed: Border Terrier (they have such naughty faces) but shhhh, don’t tell Buster.

If you could have dinner with anyone alive or dead, who would you invite? Billy Connolly, ET,

Nelson Mandela, Kelly Jones from the Stereophonics, Anne Frank and my Grandparents ‘cos they were a hoot!

My all-time favourite meal is… Venison steak with garlic mushrooms and for dessert, a big glass bowl of homemade trifle washed down with brandy.

If I wasn’t a Sales Administrator I’d like to...

Look after Sloths or be an author of children’s books.

burnspet.co.uk •

21

BY YOUR SIDE

Meet our Burns By

Carole Hussein & Sarah Ellis are not your average dog trainers.

After all, how many behaviourists are tasked with the challenge of convincing 30+ dogs to sit obediently in a classroom and listen to a child read?

Not many, we’d imagine, but this is exactly what the pair have achieved in the two short years since Burns By Your Side began.

Find out more about Sarah and Carole and read their tips on training your prized pooch...

Sarah Ellis About Sarah

Sarah’s love for training animals began as a child. She was fortunate enough to own both dogs and horses from a young age and while other children hosted sleepovers, she hosted ‘gymkhanas’ for both dogs and ponies!

Today, Sarah has 4 dogs: Lola the reading dog, Charlie the dancing Sheltie, Pebbles the agility dog and Zac the show dog. It was the challenges of owning a pet that compelled Sarah to undertake training courses so that she could better understand her pets and help them.

That was 15 years ago and today Sarah is a Qualified Force Free Dog Trainer who specialises in Pet Obedience, Dog Tricks & Fun Agility, Sarah is the Project Coordinator, with her dog Lola, for the Burns By Your Side Reading Dog programme.

22 • burnspet.co.uk

Q: We’ve just introduced a Labrador puppy to the family and are trying to potty train him. What is the best way to avoid any, ahem, accidents from occurring?

A: Take your puppy on regular trips outside. Begin by taking him out once an hour every hour, and gradually increase that time over the first fortnight. You must wait around for him to go so that you know he has been.

As your puppy goes outside say a word that you want him to associate going to the toilet with. This means that in the future you will be able to ask him to go on cue when the need arises.

Give your puppy lots of praise once he has been and do this every time so he realises that this makes you happy. If he has an accident indoors, just ignore it and do not make a fuss.

If your dog sleeps in a crate you will need to set your alarm a couple of times throughout the night to take him outside as dogs will not want to soil their sleeping area. If he sleeps elsewhere and you do not want to get up to let him out, put down newspaper for the first few weeks as he will not be able to last all night.

Sarah’s love for training animals began as a child. She was fortunate enough to own both dogs and horses from a young age.

Your Side Training Experts Carole Hussein About Carole Carole is an internationally accredited award-winning (APDTA), force free, dog training teacher, presenter and behaviour consultant.

For over 30 years, she has managed various canine related projects and School for Dogs in the UK, Australia and Cyprus, in the fields of; general behaviour and training, obedience, agility, fly-ball, canine freestyle, heelwork to music and therapy dog work with the Red Cross. Carole is a trainer and volunteer, with her dog Sally, for the Burns By Your Side Reading Dog programme.

Q: I live alone and my dog is my

best friend. Should I let my dog

What is Burns

by Your Side?

BBYS is our very own specially developed reading-to-dogs scheme, which uses trained volunteers and their companion dogs to help children improve their reading skills and communicate more confidently.

sleep in bed with me or is this a step too far?

A: When I first had a dog I was told never to allow him onto my bed or he would become dominant over me! Well, now we know more about dog behavior, we know that this belief has been debunked.

Science and experience has taught us that dogs are not forever trying to dominate us, and millions of people and their dogs, combat loneliness or insecurity and get a lot of comfort from sharing a bed.

I would suggest that you ensure the dog is clean and healthy, toilet trained and free from fleas and ticks etc. Once these boxes are ticked, go ahead and enjoy. He is your best friend and you share your days with him - there is no reason why you should not be together at night too.

It might be sensible to teach your dog to get on and off the bed only

when you invite him up or ask him to get off.

That is just good manners. On the safety side - check that your dog can get up and down safely- if the bed is high make sure that there is a stool or some sort of ramp and teach him to use it in order to prevent injury by jumping up or down from a height.

If you are sharing all your time with each other do make sure you are able to occasionally leave your dog so that he is able to cope when he is left on his own.

You don’t want your dog to become too reliant on you being there 24/7 as he may find it really difficult should you not be there for any reason.

From my own experience of sharing with at least two dogs and a cat do teach him what ‘move over’ means - for obvious reasons!

Carole has managed various canine related projects and School for Dogs in the UK, Australia and Cyprus.

Turn the page to find out more about our award-winning reading scheme, or discover more at: www.burnsbyyourside.org burnspet.co.uk •

23

Flowers, running shoes and roadshows…the Community Team goes alfresco!

We like to do things a little differently here at Burns.

That’s why we have our very own charity, The Burns Pet Nutrition Foundation, and an in-house team of superheroes who run it. The aim of the charity is to give back to the local community and beyond, whether that be through grassroots projects such as our Burns By Your Side reading - to - dogs scheme or company-wide fundraising activities.

Over the past few months, we’ve been making the most of the great outdoors and getting stuck into projects new and ongoing.

We’ve

got the runs!

Come October, 17 members of the Burns team will dust off their running trainers and chase endorphins across the Welsh capital for the Cardiff Half-Marathon. We’ll be running every mile to raise money for Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital and our own charity.

To this end, we have a number of fundraising activities up our sleeves including a Charity Car Wash and Kidwelly-to-Cardiff Treadmill-athon.

In addition, some of the more hardcore athletes amongst us will be taking on the epic Iron Man Challenge. Community Project Officer, Chris Cray and Leon, Kieran and Ewan Burns will swim 2.4 miles before embarking on a 112-mile bike ride and a 26.2 mile marathon. Phew!

Make a donation: www.justgiving.com/burns-flyers 24 • burnspet.co.uk

Unbe-leaf-able

Gardening

4 local schools have given our farm shop gardens an imaginative makeover with the help of Community Project Officer, Chris Cray.

Chris was approached by a local youth worker to create an initiative which would bridge the gap between mainstream pupils and pupils with learning difficulties.

Pupils of all capabilities were invited to collaborate, create and gain practical skills outside of the traditional classroom environment. The teams (aged 3-19) built raised beds, planted a range of vegetables, herbs and flowers and creatively customised their projects using recycled materials such as driftwood.

Each school chose a unique theme (nautical, bees, books and growing things) and there was even a friendly competition judged by John Burns.

Burns By Your Side goes on tour...

It’s been a fantastic school year for our award-winning Burns By Your Side scheme. From September 2016 – July 2017, our volunteers and their dogs delivered a whopping 4,992 reading sessions to children and students in 32 schools, colleges and libraries across South West Wales.

Mrs Sian Riley of Ysgol Y Castell said of the project, “The gardening project was a wonderful community project to be part of. The children involved have developed invaluable skills over the last 2 months, that they have then shared with their peers back in school. We hope to continue using these skills in the development of our own outdoor area in Ysgol Y Castell in the next academic year. We look forward to our next project with Burns.”

Here’s to more green-fingered fun in the near future!

To stay up to date with our charity work, follow Burns in the Community: www.facebook.com/ burnspetnutritionfoundation Frankie the reading dog

As we move towards September, our fantastic teams have been preparing for the new school term with a recruitment roadshow in Ceredigion, Swansea and Ireland. At the time of writing, we have recruited an extra 30 volunteers, growing our team to 60.

We’re also thrilled to announce that over the past year, researchers at The University of Wales Trinity Saint David have conducted a study into the impact of bringing dogs into classrooms. Schools and children involved have reported favourably and teachers have noted that pupils respond positively to the presence of dogs, look forward to sessions and are motivated and enthusiastic about taking part. We’re thrilled with what we’ve achieved in the two short years since Burns By Your Side began and can’t wait to see what the future holds.”

www.burnsbyyourside.org

Community Liaison Officer, Carol Lincoln

burnspet.co.uk •

25

a fresh ts e p g in iv G start in life ... Shayla The National Animal Welfare Trust is one of the UK’s biggest animal welfare charities and operates 5 rescue and rehoming centres across the UK. Since our Charity of the Year partnership with them began in January, they’ve rehomed a whopping 465 cats and dogs.

We asked the team at NAWT for insights on some of the lucky pets who’ve recently found furever homes, all of them powered

by Burns...

“Shayla the Staffie is skipping for joy as she looks forward to going to her new home!”

Hugo

“Handsome Hugo obviously loves his Burns food! He was rehomed from NAWT’s Somerset.”

Millie

Aslan

“Beautiful Millie the Labrador arrived at the NAWT overweight and has used Burns Weight Control to control her diet ever since. She has now lost nearly 4kg and her new owners have been back to stock up on their supply of Burns.”

“With a name as grand as Aslan, we’re sure Burns kitten food is going to give this little chap the best start in life now that he’s been rehomed.”

Suki

“Elegant Suki was one of Somerset Centre’s longer-term feline residents. It was delightful news when she finally found the perfect home.”

Charlie

Casey& Buster

“Since going to his new home this summer Charlie has been sleeping through the night and even his skin allergies are calming down. This handsome boy has even landed himself a new girlfriend!”

Could your home be next?

feline to join you, then please visit If you are looking for the perfect pooch or a friendly help this amazing organisation, to www.nawt.org.uk • To find out what we’re doing -year.html f-the ity-o visit: www.burnspet.co.uk/burns-pet-char

“At 10 years young, cuddle monsters Casey and Buster are enjoying a new life together.”

p i h s r o s n o p S Spotlight

In addition to our Charity of the Year programme, we also provide food to a number of fantastic dogs and animal welfare organisations across the country.

It’s great to be able to profile a couple of them in this magazine and shine a light on the incredible work that they do.

Lake District Mountain Rescue Search Dogs www.lakes - searchdogs.org

Skye the Border Collie

Lake District Mountain Rescue Search Dogs recently celebrated their 25th anniversary.

This voluntary organisation works tirelessly to find missing people through the deployment and development of search dogs and their handlers.

Pictured above is Border Collie, Skye who is regularly called upon to save the day and has been a graded search dog since 2009.

We have been powering SARDA dogs for over a decade and are always blown away by the remarkable work that they do.

Recently re -homed Bluebell and family

Friends of the Dogs www.friendsofthedogs.org.uk

Friends of the Dogs want to ensure that every unwanted, stray or abandoned pooch finds a furever home, safely.

Current legislation dictates that after a week, abandoned dogs may be destroyed by local authorities.

Friends of the Dogs is committed to ensuring that these awful instances don’t come to light. From exercising dogs daily, to feeding them and providing affection, the unpaid volunteers keep the dogs safe from harm so that they have the best chance of a new start possible.

We are very proud to be feeding the pooches in their care and giving new pet owners a helping hand by supplying re-homing packs.

To find out more about the support we offer to individuals and groups around the UK visit: www.burnspet.co.uk/sponsorship burnspet.co.uk

•

27

Hundreds of dogs wearing bandanas?

You betcha!

A doggy world record attempt may have you conjuring images of sprinting spaniels or trickperforming terriers, but did you know that a world record title for Most Dogs Wearing Bandanas exists?

We’re not pulling your paw, we recently tried to break the record at our second annual Dogs’ Day Out event in Scotland.

a pleasure to see so many healthy and happy pooches in one place.

At the time of writing, we are awaiting official verification from Guinness on whether we have broken the record. For now, we can reveal that hundreds of dogs turned up to rock the neckerchief.

Elsewhere, there was plenty more canine entertainment to enjoy in the form of displays, fun dog shows, classes and canine exhibitors. We were lucky enough to be joined by The Skye Terrier Club who joined the Parade of Pedigree Breeds and spent the day meeting the public and showcasing this rare and endangered breed.

From Pembroke Corgis to Welsh Highland Terriers to Great Danes, every breed imaginable was out in force and it was

In the Burns Area, dogs of all ages and capabilities competed for the title of Golden Oldies, A Bit of Ruff and Perfect

28 • burnspet.co.uk

“From Pembroke Corgis to Welsh Highland Terriers to Great Danes, every breed imaginable was out in force.”

It was a fantastic day topped off by a stunning location, the regal grounds of Glamis Castle.

Pups. As we were in Scotland, we even had a Best Dressed Tartan Team class. Lynne Davis from BBC’s Dog Borstal joined us to judge the Lynne’s Choice class and Best in Show.

As well as being a fun day out for owners and dogs, there was also a charitable aspect.

Dogs’ Day Glamis is a not for profit event and proceeds raised from have-a-go activities (£1 per entry) go to the animal welfare organisations who need it most. Regarding money raised and the organisations chosen, we will make an announcement on our Facebook page in due course.

Date for the Diary...

Altogether it was a fantastic day topped off by a stunning location, the regal grounds of Glamis Castle.

If you like the sound of Dogs’ Day Out Glamis, come to South West Wales for our 11 th edition of Dogs’ Day Out Pembrey.

As a Carmarthenshire-based business, we like to give back to the local community in any way we can, that’s why we’ve been hosting a doggy day out at Pembrey Country Park for the past decade. This year will feature fun dog shows and classes such as Best in Show, Golden Oldies and Fastest Recall.

We’ll also have Robert Alleyne from BBC’s Dog Borstal as guest judge, as well as a range of canine related charities, exhibitors and the legendary Burns cake stall. All proceeds raised from fun dog shows, classes and the cake stall (£1 a go) will go to charity.

When? Sunday 10th September 2017 Where? Pembrey Country Park, Pembrey, Llanelli, Carmarthenshire SA16 0EJ Visit our Facebook page for further details

burnspet.co.uk •

29

(1) Persian Cat (2) British Shorthair (3) Exotic Shorthair (4) British Shorthair (5) Siamese Cat (6) Bengal Cat (7) Egyptian Mau (8) Ragdoll (9) Sphynx Cat

30

9.

8.

7.

6.

5.

4.

1.

3.

2.

Think you know your Exotic Shorthair from your Egyptian Mau? Have a go at naming the following cat breeds‌.

Guess the

cat breed

3 Instagram accounts to follow if you’re a feline-fanatic We’ve come a long way since the days of standalone internet celebrity, Grumpy Cat. Nowadays, social media users need only head to Instagram to tap into thousands of cat accounts with follower numbers the size of large cities. From marvellous moggies to self-proclaimed cat clubs documenting the funny and cute, discover the accounts that take the term ‘crazy cat lady’ to another level…

Instagram handle: Pitterpatterfurryfeet

Followers: 327k Run by two Toronto-based photographers, this account follows the daily adventures of Siberian Lynx siblings, Alice and Finnegan. Those familiar with the perils of trying to capture a still pet on camera will appreciate the account’s gorgeous photography. The secret behind the perfectly posed snaps? Salmon ice lollies. What a world!

Instagram handle: Hamilton_the_hipster_cat

Followers: 757k Hamilton didn’t have a great start in life. He was rescued as a feral kitten and when his owner took him home he refused to leave the bathroom for over a month. With time and love, Hamilton began to feel at ease around his human and that was when his owner began sharing pictures of him on the internet. Hamilton’s unique moustache made him an overnight sensation and these days he lives a relaxed life snoozing, playing and generally looking like the cat that’s got the cream.

Instagram handle: Misty_Reggie_Ragdolls

Followers: 6,884k Last but not least, we have to give a shout out to Reggie the Ragdoll who is Powered By Burns. Reggie lives in the UK with fellow furmily members George, Toto and Misty.

You have cat to be kitten me, is that it!?

Would you like to see more cat content in our humble mag? If this is the case, drop us an email at Marketing@burnspet.co.uk and we’ll do our best to meet your request.

Developed by Veterinary Surgeon

I know it’s wrong but I can’t help myself

BVMS MRCVS

Wave goodbye to poo eating!

Veterinary Surgeon, John Burns has found that poo eating is caused by incorrect diet.

Speak to one of our in-house nutritionists for the best advice in the business: Call (freephone): 0800 083 6696

Award-winning food, established since 1993 A natural solution to common pet health problems Unrivalled support and free advice. Call 0800 083 6696 for your free copy

www.burnspet.co.uk

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