Pets

Puppy power!

Touchpoint Live Media has joined forces with pet food brand Naturo to launch the inaugural Naturo SuperDog Awards to celebrate the achievements of dogs and their guardians. Nominations are now live and you have until 31st July to share your stories. The awards will take place on 9th November in central London and will showcase the most inspirational and incredible stories about dogs across the UK and Ireland, and crown the SuperDogs of 2021!

The aim is that these stories will also act to set an example that promotes responsible dog ownership to the new wave of first-time dog owners this country is seeing. Categories include the Survivor Award, a special award for a dog who has fought their way back after trauma; the Worker Award for dogs with jobs and the Campaigner Award for a dog or individual making positive changes for the lives of dogs. Winners will be decided by a public vote from a shortlist produced by our awards committee and VIP judging panel. For details see www.superdogawards.co.uk

Got a question about your pet?

Didier Matagne, owner of All Creatures in Locksbottom, can help! Email hello@lifeinmagazines.co.uk

Q: My dog’s breath smells. Why might this be the case?

A: Accumulation of plaque across the teeth can lead to a build-up of bacteria in the mouth. This is most commonly to blame for bad breath in the dog. A dog will need its teeth cleaned when plaque builds up on the surface of the teeth. Teeth cleaning will reduce the level of bacteria in the mouth which will, in most cases, improve the bad breath also. At the time of cleaning, any hidden dental problems can be identified and addressed if required. This is why it’s always good to keep a check on your dog’s teeth each year to determine whether they need a clean or not.

Teeth covered in plaque - cleaning required Clean teeth (following a dental descale by a vet)

Pet corner

PET BUY

Cute pet pictures – send yours to hello@lifeinmagazines.co.uk

Here’s Napoli (on the left) and Splodge. Napoli is cuddly and very soppy while Splodge is sensitive, playful and loves lying by the gas fire! I had to wean her from a kitten and she still chases her tail and makes us laugh!

Yvonne Clark

This is Ella my Shetland pony. She’s just about to turn 16 and I’ve been lucky enough to have her for coming up 5 years. Ella was with the meat man on her way to slaughter after a very difficult life. She’s my ray of sunshine, I don’t know what I would have done without her during lockdown. She’s incredibly cheeky, she’s always making us laugh, as she likes to daydream. But more than anything I’m incredibly proud of the bravery she has shown, overcoming her fears of humans after being so badly treated. She’s so loving and a truly kind little pony.!

This treats storage jar is available from Dunelm and costs £10.

Here’s my lovely little Coco waiting patiently for her treat.