Love Your Pets Magazine

meet catmantoo

Why DNA TESTING YOUR PET IS A GOOD IDEA

Meet

THE DOGS HELPING KIDS TO READ

Why adoption IS GOOD FOR EVERYONE

Contents 6

MEET THE VET: DR WALTER TSANG

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8 MEET CATMANTOO

11 PAWSOME PALS FOR YOUNG READERS

14 DID YOU KNOW PETS GET TOOTHACHE?

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17 STEPHEN GALLAGHER: TIMELESS MEMORIES

21 WHAT TO DO IF YOUR PET GOES MISSING?

24 MICHAEL CLARK: MOVING ABROAD WITH YOUR PET

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28 DNA TESTING FOR PETS

31 CATHY EDWARDS: THE ESCAPE ARTIST

33 READY TO ADOPT YOUR NEXT BEST FRIEND?

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Contributors STEPHEN GALLAGHER

Stephen Gallagher, originally from N. C AT H Y E DWA R D S

Ireland, was formally trained as an

Cathy is an artist, a mum, an art teacher

architect in Belfast and has worked

and a dreamer. She loves to create

in offices in Ireland, New Zealand and

colourful, fun images that leave you

Australia. He now works full time as a

C AT M A N TO O

feeling happy for no particular reason.

professional fine artist specialising in

Robert Dollwet has over 35 years

She uses her art to escape the pressures

Canine Oil Portraiture. He has a growing

experience as a professional animal

of everyday life and paints commissions

international fan base and has held

trainer/behaviourist. He Started by

and pet portraits of your much-loved

exhibitions in Australia and N.Ireland with

training police dogs in the US Military,

fur babies.

private collectors worldwide. Stephen

then moving to Hollywood, California and

has also worked closely with dog rescue

trained animal actors for the television

organisations in Australia and N. Ireland

and movie industryIn 2012, with most

(AWLQ, AlmostHomeNI), using his art

things moving online, Robert seized

to raise awareness about the plight of

another opportunity by realising that cats

unwanted dogs and encouraging people

were more prominent on the Internet. He

to adopt.

adopted a rescue kitten and named her

cathyedwardsescapeartist.com

Didga. Fast forward to today and Didga is

stephengallagherart.com

the most talented cat in the world, holding her very own a Guinness World record!

STORY DOGS

She also has a few hundred million video

Story Dogs is an Australian national

views on the Internet, and over a million

charity dedicated to helping children grow

followers on Facebook alone.

their skills and confidence in reading.

catmantoo.info

The program utilises volunteers, who visit participating schools with their dog and sit one-on-one with selected children

MICHAEL CLARK

while they read. Each child is one-on-one

Michael is on the Dent Global leadership

with the dog team. The child becomes the

team and heads upthe Queensland State

teacher as they help the dog understand,

Leader role. He takes companies from

and their confidence soars.

standing start to multi-millions and built Europe’s largest LinkedIn training

storydogs.org.au

company. When he’s not playing around with businesses, Michael loves being a dad to his gorgeous girls and living life to the fullest with his amazing wife.

Editor In Chief D R . S H I B LY M U S T A P H A Welcome to Love Your Pets Magazine we are

friend, turn to page 22 for Michael Clark’s tips on

excited to share our next issue with you.

both you and your pooch getting through such a

Being pet parents ourselves, we are understand

challenging time.

the joy and love you experience with having

There is plenty of pet-inspired art in this issue,

pets. We also know that pets sometimes bring

with the incredibly talented portrait painter

fear, grief and anxiety into our lives.

Stephen Gallagher on page 16 and The Escape

Not knowing what they need or how to provide

Artist, Cathy Edwards on page 29.

it for them can be confusing and stressful, so

You will also find loads of helpful information

we created Love Your Pets Magazine to help

about DNA testing your pet and keeping on top of

educate and inspire you to live a more fulfilling

their dental health, as well as some inspiration if

life with your pet.

you are considering pet adoption.

Enjoy reading stories from other pet parents

As you can see our magazine is filled with great

and celebrities, pick up some cool tips and

stories, which will open your eyes to the amazing

tricks that will enhance your time with your

world of owning a pet. Thanks for taking the time

pets.

to read it!

Cat wners will be inspired by the cat-training master himself, Catmantoo, on page 8. And, if you’re travelling abroad with your furry

Shibly

Meet

THE VET...

DR WALTER TSANG MONTY AND MINX CALAMVALE VETS

WALTER AND TAYLOR

Growing up in Hong Kong, Dr Walter was surrounded by pets of all species imaginable; dogs, cats, rabbits, hamsters, snakes, lizards, spiders, ferrets - you name it! With overpopulation a concern, it became common for pets to be treated as the children of the household, rather than the typical functional role.

Moving to Australia to study veterinary science at UQ a decade ago, the young animal lover fell immediately in love with the outdoors.

What was it like starting a new life in Australia?

Moving straight out of high school to Gatton, Brisbane where UQ Vet School is located at, was so contrasting to life in Hong Kong. I had a great bunch of people from my cohort, so it has been nothing but fantastic since I moved 6 |

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here. My partner and I have a cat at home and we enjoy exploring cafes and great hikes around Brisbane at our time off.

Did you grow up surrounded by pets?

Funnily enough I actually never had a pet growing up! Maybe it is the whole ‘you want what you can’t have’ thing... Jokes aside I was lucky enough to have my wonderful parents who provided me with the support and encouragement to pursue the path of becoming a vet.

What do love most about being a vet?

For the most part, I enjoy being a vet (especially the bit where I have to deal with anal glands... not!) but particularly surgery and consulting. Surgery can be the decisive treatment for many illnesses and by doing so,

gives the patients a much better chance in recovering from that. Consulting is something I did not expect I would enjoy doing when I was still in uni, but now to be able to connect with my clients and see how they interact with their pets is something I would always consider as a privilege.

What made you choose to become a veterinarian?

I have always wanted to work with animals and to help those in need. Like many vets out there, I have always had a strong affection and bond to animals since I was little and to be able to work with animals on a daily basis is something I have always dreamed of. The choice was between working as a conservationist or a veterinarian and I chose the latter in the end. My family could not be more supportive in helping me fulfil this dream and my friends weren’t surprised when I told them I was leaving Hong Kong to pursue my veterinary degree.

I also bought a cat backpack to bring him out hiking when the weather is cooler. Anything for environmental enrichment!

What do you love about working at Monty and Minx Calamvale Vets?

The team at Monty and Minx Calamvale Vets are amazingly professional, friendly and adaptable - they always go the extra mile for clients and their pets. The clients here are very devoted pet parents who would often put their pets before themselves. The different cultural backgrounds some of the owners are from are also very inspiring.

How do you spend your non-clinic days?

Most of the days, when I am not in the clinic I am pounding pavements or on a twisty, dirt trail. Cooking, photography and reading some good books are also my favourite past-times.

We hear that you currently have a cat named Taylor, could you tell us more about him?

Taylor has been with us since the end of 2014 when I met him at a clinic at Dalby during my clinical placements. He was a stray cat and was unfortunately trapped in a rat cage for a few days. He was dehydrated and scared when I first met him, but has since come a long way. Now he spends most of his days running around the house and sleeps on every single possible spot in the house. Taylor loves hogging my sleeping spaces and has an unfortunate obsession with cockroaches.

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Meet Catmantoo At 18 years old, Robert Dollwet was given the opportunity to train police dogs in the US Military. He explains that at the time, he knew he loved dogs but wasn’t quite sure what he was getting himself into. “It didn’t take long to realize I had a knack for working with dogs,” he said, “And I figured this must be the thing I’m going to do for the rest of my life.”

After working with the Military, he moved to Hollywood, California to train animal actors for the TV and movie industry. And 4 years later, he started his own dog training business in Malibu to help the rich and famous with their pets. In 2019 he relocated to the Gold Coast to spread his knowledge with those in Australia.

“After the Military, I got a job training animal actors in Hollywood,” Robert tells us, “Even though dogs and cats were our specialties, I got to train and/or wrangle many different kinds of animals. That’s when I went from being a “dog” trainer to an “animal” trainer.

In 2004, I wanted to stand out as a trainer, so instead of getting another dog to train, I decided on a cat, because people thought cats couldn’t trained. I not only wanted to show people cats are very teachable, but working with a cat would improve my own training skills. Plus, a cat acts as a huge distraction for the dogs I was training, which helped take their training skills to a higher level. I found a cat on the street and named him Quiz.”

Over his 35 years of experience, it’s safe to say he’s a real dog guy. But it turns out, he’s a cat guy, too—or, in other words, a Catmantoo.

In 2005, Robert started filming his cat, Quiz, to upload to Youtube, because he said, “people were more likely to click on a video that said,

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‘Cat on a Leash’ vs. ‘Dog on a Leash.” And he was right. A video of Quiz flushing the toilet got over a million views (which was a lot back then). “Unfortunately, in 2006, Quiz was killed by a car at only 2 1/5 years old,” he remembers, “Even as a professional animal trainer I thought cats needed to roam to be happy. The experience motivated me to adopt a cat from the shelter and help me dispel many myths about cats, and to spread the message of responsible cat ownership.”

While training cats is possible, animal trainers should remember they are vastly different than dogs. Robert tells us, “The technique is different and needs to be broken down into micro baby steps vs. typical baby steps for dogs.”

It also takes 2-5 times longer for cats to learn, according to Robert, so a lot more patience is needed. Another difference between dogs and cats, according to Robert, is that dogs will listen to you if it means they can be close to you, or if it gets you to look at them, talk to them, pat them, give them a treat, etc. Whereas the majority of cats will only listen if they get a high-value food reward.

“You’ll need to find a healthy food reward your cat loves. You’ll need to have a lot of patience.

And you’ll have to have the right technique when teaching them.”

catmantoo.info Catmantoo

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If you’re trying to train any breed of cat, check out his Youtube channel, Catmantoo, or website. He has a library of tutorials to show people the proper way to teach a cat.

Pawsome

PALS FOR YOUNG READERS

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The saying goes, “never work with children and animals” but, done right, it can actually be a perfect match.

Story Dogs is an Australian national charity dedicated to helping children grow their skills and confidence in reading. The program utilises volunteers, who visit participating schools with their dog and sit one-on-one with selected children while they read.

In just ten years, the program has gone from a small trial in regional NSW to 520 volunteers, now helping 2600 children nationally each year.

In the Brisbane area alone, approximately 30 schools are participating in the program and around 100 have signed up across the greater Queensland area.

Story Dogs began in 2009 when Janine Sigley was searching for volunteering opportunities for her daughter.

“I Googled ‘volunteering with animals’, and up popped two sites in the USA; READ (Reading Education Assistance Dogs) and Sit, Stay, Read. I thought the concept was brilliant and saw how it could work for children who were struggling with their reading,” Janine said.

She spoke about the idea with her friend Leah Sheldon, who has a background in teaching and experience working in a correctional centre, so she knew first-hand the consequences of poor literacy in young people.

Leah was quickly onboard and together they developed the program (with blessing and assistance from the USA programs) and put forward a trial at their children’s school. It was an immediate success.

“The teachers loved the program so much they asked if they could have more dog teams,” Janine said.

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“They could see the children’s attitudes towards reading start to change. We aim to make reading fun, so children seek out books and want to continue to read in the classroom and at home. The program also has the effect of flipping around the whole notion of the ‘dumb’ kid going out of the classroom for remedial reading, as now all students want a turn to read to the dog and thus the students chosen for the program are now the lucky ones.”

From here, Story Dogs has continued to expand across the country. Each area has a Regional Coordinator who is the key support for the Dog Teams. Volunteers can be anyone with a passion for their community but are often retirees who can set aside a couple of hours a week and enjoy spending time with children. The dogs are carefully assessed by both a vet and an independent dog behaviour and training expert to ensure their temperament is suitable and they will be comfortable in a school environment.

“Our volunteers gain a sense of purpose to see a young child lacking confidence who then becomes a good reader confident in their abilities… and our dogs love going to school and being the centre of attention. It is a win/ win for all involved,” Janine said.

Participating children are selected by the classroom teachers to spend 20 minutes each week one-on-one with a dog team. Reading becomes special, fun and without pressure as they enjoy working through the books with their new furry friend. Positive outcomes for the children have been incredible across the board.

“Teachers say that the children who participate in the program often become more involved in other classroom activities as their selfconfidence has increased. Some children have less absenteeism as they make sure they attend when it is their Story Dogs day,” Janine said.

“The children who may not get much one-onone time with an adult (and dog) have a feeling of being special and looking forward to that time each week. The stigma of being a low reader is reduced as all their peers also want to read to the dog. Shy and anxious children start to come out of their shell, communicating to the dog and thus can then start to communicate to friends better and participate in activities more.”

Demand for the program has become so great, that schools are now on a waitlist! Janine and Leah are always looking for the right people

to bring in as coordinators and support Dog Teams in new schools, as these people are integral to the smooth running of Story Dogs.

Likewise, volunteers are highly sought-after and without their dedication and commitment – the program would not be what it is today.

“In Queensland, we have recently been named a Local Hero with Westfield North Lakes. This is a huge boost as we received a grant that will help us put another 20 Dog Teams into the northern part of Brisbane. We are very excited about this opportunity,” Janine said.

To find out more about Story Dogs and how you can become involved, visit

www.storydogs.org.au

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Did You Know Pets Get Toothache?

Dogs, cats and other companion animals and rarely show signs of dental pain. This is a survival mechanism, an instinctual behavior that our domesticated animals have in common with their wild ancestors.

Your pets can’t tell you when they’re suffering from a toothache or other types of pain.

However there are signs that we can look out for that will give an indication that they may be in pain.

A bad smell is a byproduct of the bacterial metabolic process. In pets with serious gum disease, there is more bacteria in the mouth, and so the odour increases. “Doggy breath” or “tuna breath” is not normal and needs to be checked out and evaluated.

If you notice any of these signs, contact your veterinarian to schedule an exam.

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Obvious signs of dental pain : ●chewing on one side of the mouth ●dropping food ●running away from the food dish ●crying when yawning ●hiding away ●not grooming themselves ●acting “grumpy” ●low appetite - going off food You know your pet better than anyone, so look out for any abnormal behaviours.

Bleeding from the mouth is usually due to periodontal disease, but it could also be evidence of: fractured teeth ●lacerations ●or ulcers on the tongue ●or gum tissue ●or the presence of an oral mass

Look for thick, ropey saliva, spots of blood found on toys or beds or drops of blood in the water or food dish.

If the periodontal disease is severe enough, you may notice bleeding from the nose or bloody discharge when your pet sneezes.

Once the veterinary team addresses your pet’s oral issues, your pooch may show he is feeling better by acting like a puppy again or your kitty might seek extra attention.

Please don’t let your pets suffer in silence.

They don’t just have a toothache, they have a whole mouth full of toothaches. Another thing to note is that gum disease can also lead to other problems with your pet’s body affecting their liver and heart.

Did you know that 4 out of 5 dogs over the age of 3 years have some sort of serious gum disease? It can be caused by the buildup of plaque, so it’s important to go in for regular dental checkups and cleanings.

But wait, there is good news! Remember that daily dental hygiene is FREE. All you need is a toothbrush and a couple of minutes to help prevent periodontal disease.

So if you have a young pup, make sure you brush their teeth daily, have their teeth cleaned at the vet regularly and keep an eye on their diet.

Don’t let your pets suffer in silence. They don’t just have a toothache, they have a whole mouth full of toothaches.

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Stephen Gallagher: T I M E L E S S

M E M O R I E S

In the digital age we live in, we have plenty of photos of our loved ones living on our computers, phones, and social media profiles.

We want to capture memories, showcase our life events, and honor our friends and family in a beautiful way. However, with access to constant, quick snapshots, the concept of custom portraiture has faded into the background for most of us.

That’s not the case for artist Stephen Gallagher, who specializes in creating oil portraits dedicated to your pets. We all want to remember our journey with our four-legged friends, and while photos are great, there is something timeless about a fine art portrait of our pet.

We spoke to Stephen about his work and why he thinks everyone should have custom paintings done for their pets.

Were you always interested in painting and art?

Stephen Gallagher: From as far back as I can remember, I’ve always drawn. I fell in love with getting lost in the process of art making.

Whatever was bothering me would disappear once I got into the flow of painting. I guess I have always loved the meditative process of painting as well as watching others get pleasure from the finished result. It also helped that I had encouraging parents and teachers around me!

You started your business after painting your ailing dog, Ozzie. Why did you decide painting his portrait was a good way to remember him?

SG: I was taking lessons in oil painting at the time and thought it would be a perfect way to apply what I learned and make something worth remembering him by. I loved the result and was pleasantly surprised that other people loved it as well. Requests then started to come in to paint other people’s dogs.

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I ended up gifting Ozzie’s portrait to my brother back in Ireland (I was in New Zealand at the time) as he was there when he took his final breath.

Once the sketch is dry, I then begin to loosely block in dark and mid tone colors. I say loosely because at this stage I’m only interested in getting the big general shapes down and not interested in getting stuck in any details.

Once this bedrock of darks and midtones is laid down, I then begin to build on top of the lighter areas, gradually moving toward the lightest lights and leaving finer details to the very end.

I never over-detail my portraits, as I find photorealism deadening. Instead, I like to strike a balance between abstract and realism, only suggesting details. That is where the life and energy of the painting is found. It’s a fine line can be easy to miss, but when it comes together it’s very rewarding.

What is your favorite part of painting pets?

SG: The finished result! But seriously, I think it’s the moment when the mess of paint marks starts to come together, and I can see the personality and spark of the animals begin to emerge. The process is rewarding in itself.

There’s also a special joy in seeing the owner’s reaction when seeing the painting for the first time, particularly if the dog is no longer with them. It’s a privilege to be asked to create something which helps them honor that memory.

What does the typical painting process look like for one of these pieces?

SG: I always begin a piece with an initial monochrome sketch painted directly onto the canvas. This helps me mark out the light and dark areas as well as acting as an outline for the next stage.

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And finally, why do you think it’s helpful for pet owners to have portraits of their furry friends?

SG: People have been hanging portraits of family members on their walls from time immemorial both as a way to remember and as a place of honor. Our pets have earned a special place in our family, so it’s only natural that they should have a place on the wall next to us. Sometimes more!

Stephen’s new exhibit, RESCUED, celebrates the unique personalities and lives of dogs and their impact on our lives. It presents two projects made in collaboration with the Animal Welfare League of Queensland and Almost Home, Northern Ireland where he painted portraits of shelter dogs to share their unique soul with the world and inspire people to adopt them.

RESCUED by Stephen Gallagher will feature between 9th November 2019 - 2nd February 2020 at Adderton : House & Heart of Mercy Within All Hallows Convent, 547 Ann Street, Brisbane.

Find out more at

https://adderton.org.au/rescued/

What To Do If Your Pet Goes Missing For many of us, our pets are far more than just animals; They are part of our families. Their wellbeing, health and safety are of the utmost importance to us, so if they ever go missing it can be hugely upsetting and distressing. If you are ever in that awful situation where your pet goes missing then following these steps will hopefully have you reunited with them soon.

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Get on the phone The first thing that you should do is to get on the phone and notify your local council that your pet is missing. Next call all the local vets and animal shelters including the RSPCA on 1300 477 722.

Search the neighbourhood Ask family and friends to help you search your local community. Look in all the places that you normally visit with your pet in case they have wandered off into an area or place they are familiar with. Ask adults and children alike if they have seen your missing pet. Children are often far more observant than adults so don’t forget to check with any kids that you see. Use a torch to search small places that animals might hide or have got stuck in including under cars, in drain pipes, under porches or behind sheds.

Get online Many local areas have lost pet and lost animal social media pages so get online and see if your pet has been located or list your pet as missing. It is also a good idea to post a photo and description of your missing pet on your own personal Facebook and Instagram page and ask family and friends to share it.

Make “Missing Pet” posters Print off a whole lot of “Missing Pet” posters and put them up in your local area including on telephone poles and public notice boards.

Ask local shopkeepers to put them in their

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window and local schools to put them up in the playground.

Don’t skimp on a reward

Make sure that your pet microchip details are up to date

You will be amazed at how much more effort people will make if a substantial reward is involved, so be generous when it comes to offering a reward for your missing pet.

Check with your local vet that micro chipped your pet that they have your most up to date contact details so that if your pet is found you can be quickly and easily contacted.

Do a neighbourhood door knock

Run ads in local newspapers

Don’t restrict your search to local parks and beaches, actually walk the streets and door knock every house to see if anyone has seen or found your pet. Go armed with extra “Missing Pet” posters that you can leave with any neighbours willing to help in the search.

Run a missing ad in your local or community newsletter or paper. The wider you get the message out about your missing pet, the more likely you are to find it.

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Michael Clark:

M O V I N G

A B R O A D

W I T H

Y O U R

P E T

Mike Clark, Queensland State Leader of Dent Global, knows the process well. Mike and his wife Alma moved their family from the UK to Australia in May last year, and bringing their Working Cocker Spaniel, Rockit, was nonnegotiable.

“As far as I’m concerned, he was part of our family, my son. We weren’t going to just leave him,” Mike said.

Step one: Recruiting the right help

Moving abroad is a huge decision for anyone and can be a rather daunting process. There is an exhausting to-do list involved in booking tickets, finding accommodation and ensuring passports and visas are in order. Then there is packing up the house, organising transportation of your belongings and getting the family safely across the water; and this includes your furry friend.

Unfortunately, we have all heard the horror stories about moving pets from one place to another. There are many checks and regulations in place, but we have to remember that these are for good reason. While the red tape and sometimes frustrating quarantine process can seem over-the-top, ultimately we all need to work together to ensure our animals are safe. With some prior planning, some expert guidance and a little patience, you and your team will be together in your new home in no time.

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Countries have been grouped by the Australian Department of Agriculture and Water Resources according to the rabies risk, and requirements differ slightly according to the category. From here, there are a series of steps to take to obtain a permit, then a minimum of 10 days quarantine is required once the animal reaches Australia.

In Mike and Alma’s case, the UK is classed as a lower risk point of origin; however, the process still took seven months to have Rockit ready to get on a plane. The family identified early on in the plan that they would need some help navigating the requirements, just as he had sought assistance with his visas while working in the UK. Knowing the importance of working with the right person, Mike began making enquiries and found a consultant that ticked all the boxes.

“You could tell he had a strong passion for helping us get from A to B in the best way. He was really personable, asked the dog’s name and showed a lot of interest. He was also very knowledgeable and talked me through all the things that needed to happen,” Mike said.

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From here, Mike and Alma contacted their vet to let them know what was happening, who then worked alongside the consultant to move through the list of checks and tests necessary for the permit.

“In that seven-month window, there’s a lot that needs to happen,” Mike said.

Step two: Working through the process “[The vet and the consultant] lined up the dates, got everything ticked in the right boxes and had the necessary conversations about it all. We literally just had to put the dates in the diary and make sure we got Rockit into the clinic when needed.”

At the same time as working with the vet, their consultant was lining up the paperwork to have Rockit permitted into the country and booked in for the mandatory quarantine. This help was a welcome relief for Mike and his family. While he was running a business, the family had not long welcomed their second child, all while preparing a massive move. They had a lot going on, so trusting their pet’s travel needs would be taken care of was vital.

“I’d never try to do it myself…it’s a minefield.

One hundred per cent - work with people that know what they’re doing,” Mike said.

Step three: Quarantine and home!

was available. This was on top of 20 days in quarantine for poor Rockit instead of the usual 10, as unfortunately he was inadvertently exposed to another dog with kennel cough on his last days before freedom. To speed up the already-delayed process of getting Rockit home to the family, they opted to pick him up from the Gold Coast instead of waiting for Ballina.

Although nearly eight months in the making and quite a bit of money spent (Mike noted that he flew his entire family over and had their belongings shipped for less than it cost to have the dog prepared, transported and permitted into the country!), it was well worth it when Rockit finally jumped into their arms.

Other than needing a good run, he was happy and healthy after his adventure and suffered no long-term consequences from the trip.

“Just focus on the outcome and trust that you’re dealing with people that are going to get you from A to B, and that’s their job, that’s what they do. Trust that you will get a positive end outcome and that everything will be fine.”

For more information on bringing pets into Australia, visit https://www.agriculture.gov.au/cats-dogs/ step-by-step-guides

Once the pet has arrived in Australia, the only quarantine area is in Victoria so as the owner, you need to arrange transport from Melbourne to wherever you have chosen to live. Mike’s tip here is to use a major airport, or your pet may get stuck waiting for a flight due to irregular or unreliable flights from smaller aerodromes.

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Rockit

DID YOU KNOW Regular walking or playing with pets can decrease blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and triglyceride levels, as well as help manage loneliness and depression?

DNA

TESTING FOR

PETS

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When people think about DNA testing, they normally think about it in relation to humans where it is very popular with people seeking out information on the ancestry and genetics. But DNA testing is not just for humans – more and more people are turning to DNA tests to learn more about the breed, behaviour and health of their pet.

Although DNA testing in animals might be a relatively new concept for many, it is important to note that it has been used in pets for over twenty years. It is an easy and unobtrusive test to do and with advancements in modern technology DNA testing in animals is increasingly affordable and attainable for animal lovers wanting to check out the genetic traits of their pet.

Put quite simply, DNA testing is a really simple and convenient way to find out more about our pets. Just like in humans, there is such a wealth of information contained in a sample of your pets DNA-containing cells that can provide you with some very valuable information about your pet’s genetic makeup, so why not find out as much about your pet as you can?

DNA testing is allowing people to discover what region of the world their pets ancestors evolved from, what genetic diseases they may have a predisposition to and even predict an animals behaviours, traits and size. In fact, the cost of DNA testing is pretty much on par with the cost of standard blood profiles, so it is becoming an increasingly popular test to provide for the early detection and possible prevention of diseases in our animals.

Let’s have a look at exactly what DNA testing in animals can tell us:

Breed. If your animal is of a mixed breed or you are not exactly sure what type of breed your animal is then DNA testing can identify the exact breed and what breeds contributed to the mix.

Appropriate diet and health plan. If you know the exact breed of your

animal then you can identify any predisposition that your pet might have to disease, weight and wellness and take preventative measures to reduce the risk of health issues in the future.

Genetic predispositions. Knowing what exact breed your animal is can help determine the approximate risk of a variety of conditions and allow you, as a responsible pet owner, to take precautions accordingly.

An increased understanding of your pets personality and physical traits. Knowing the exact breed of an animal can help you to better understand the type of animal that you have including temperament, size, energy levels, behavioural quirks and exercise requirements.

It is important to note that like most things in life, not all DNA test for animals are made equally so it is important when selecting what DNA test you conduct on your beloved pet that you choose one that is going to provide you

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with accurate and specific information that you want and that once you have all the information that you need that you then have all of the products and services available to help support what you identify hence optimising your pets health and wellbeing.

The great thing about DNA tests are that they are specific and allow you to gain detailed and personalised information and products and services that treat and care for your pets as unique individuals, taking into account each pet’s specific DNA makeup, age, sex and lifestyle.

It can be as easy as a simple cheek swab sample that is processed and analysed that allows you to discover the secrets buried within your pets DNA. Understanding your animals DNA can assist both you and your animals vet to create an effective, personalised training, wellness, nutrition and medical program that will allow your pet to have the highest quality of life possible and ensure that you get the most time together.

For more information on DNA testing for animals contact your local vet and ask them about your local options.

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Cathy Edwards:

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Cathy Edwards is an escape artist. No, not in the way that Houdini was an escape artist; she is an artist who uses her creative talents as an escape from the pressures of everyday life. “I’m an artist, a mum, an art teacher, and a dreamer,” she says, “Always creating and thinking. With a mind that’s constantly multi-tasking and buzzing, I use my art as an escape and try to help the people I teach use it that way too.”

Like many, she’s always been an animal lover, and her love of animals would eventually blend into her art career: “My first art love was Snoopy. I spent hundreds of hours drawing him and other cartoon animals.” In her early 20s, Cathy owned three basset hounds—Groova, Barney, and Comet. “The antics of these three inspired me to create my first cartoon strip, ‘Hot Dawg,’ which ran in newspapers for 10 years,” she told us.

Cathy loves to create colourful and fun images that leave you feeling happy for no particular reason, so she decided to combine someone’s love for animals with feel good art in the form of Paint Your Pet events. “Painting a pet portrait is a fabulous experience,” she told us, “It’s something you know is incredibly important to the owner and will hang in their house and bring a smile to their face for years to come. I love bringing the animal to life and know how precious the image is to the animal’s owner. By 32 |

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the time I finished painting a pet portrait, I’ve more often than not fallen in love!”

But painting a pet portrait is great when you’re a professional artist, but what about the average pet lover? That’s where Cathy’s Paint Your Pet events come in. When you arrive at a Paint Your Pet event, she has already painted the black outline of your pet for you from a photo you would have provided. All you have to do is come along, laugh, eat, drink, and colour in your furry friend. “I’m absolutely loving these events,” she said enthusiastically,” and it looks like the public is too. Even people who have never painted before leave with a gorgeous painting. I’m there to help you out if you get stuck.”

“My favorite part of Paint Your Pet events isn’t the laughs, the music, the banter, the food, or even the drinks,” she says, “It’s the look on the faces of the painters when they’ve completed their pet portrait. Most people are amazed at how awesome their art looks. The compliments are flowing, and the smiles are genuine.”

More than a beautiful and colorful pet portrait, she really hopes that everyone leaving her events leave feeling happy, relaxed, and have had a genuinely great time. She hopes that everyone can experience her joy of being an escape artist.

Ready To Adopt Your Next Best Friend?

Right now, thousands of dogs and puppies, cats and kittens are ready and waiting for their perfect someone to come along. Could it be you? There are so many reasons to look at adoption for your new family member; it’s a nobrainer. Let’s take a look at why adopting your pet is a good for everyone:

MOST IMPORTANTLY, YOU’LL HELP STOP PUPPY MILLS.

facilities that put profit above the welfare of dogs. Animals from puppy mills are housed in poor conditions with improper medical care, and are often sick and behaviourally troubled as a result. The mums of these puppies are kept in cages to be bred over and over for years, without human companionship and with little hope of ever joining a family. After they’re no longer profitable, breeding dogs are often discarded. Puppy mills will continue to operate until people stop supporting them.

If you buy a dog from a pet store, or an online store, you’re quite likely getting a dog from a puppy mill. These are factory-style breeding

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YOU’LL SAVE A LIFE.

THEY ARE READY TO GO.

Each year, it’s estimated that more than 200,000 adoptable dogs and cats are euthanized in Australia, simply because too many pets come into shelters and too few people consider adoption when looking for a pet. When you adopt, you save a loving animal and open up shelter space for another animal that might desperately need it.

No time to organise the shots and de-sexing?

No worries. Adopt a pet from your local shelter and they are generally vet checked, shots up to date, de-sexed and registered. All they need is their forever home.

AN UNBREAKABLE BOND. Many rescue pets have lived through some trauma, which makes them very appreciative of good care. Some can be a bit nervous and do strange things, but they do get over this when trust has been built. Treat them with kindness, and you’ll be rewarded with a grateful and loyal friend for life.

YOUR MONEY GOES BACK TO HELPING ANIMALS. Good rescue groups will ensure that any dogs, puppies, cats and kittens adopted out will come vaccinated, desexed, wormed and micro chipped — all of which is included in the adoption fee. So, your money is not only going towards making sure your new friend is happy and healthy, but you’ll be giving back to an organisation to help save more lives.

IT GIVES THE OLDIES A CHANCE. The adoption process allows for older animals to have another chance. The furry friends who are getting a bit long in the tooth are perfect companions for people who want a less “ active pet.

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IT’S MORE AFFORDABLE. Of course, no-one should adopt a pet without considering the on-going cost of vet visits, food, toys, bedding plus the time for exercise and socialising. But a shelter pet is a far more affordable option than buying through breeders and heaven forbid, pet shops.

YOU BECOME AN AMBASSADOR. Every person who adopts a pet is an advertisement to someone else to do the same. It’s an opportunity to spread the word and be a one man PR machine for adoptions!

LESS CLEANING UP. Of course this isn’t fool proof, but a lot of pets from shelters are already house trained, so you can avoid or minimise the “accidents”.

Pups and kittens need a lot of training, time, patience and energy. If you’re worried that you don’t have the skills or time to train a young animal, visit your local shelter. The team will have a good idea of which animals are house trained based on the reason they landed up there in the first place, and their behaviour in the shelter.

ALL PETS ARE GOOD FOR YOUR HEALTH,BUTADOPTEES OFFER AN EXTRA BOOST. Not only do animals give you unconditional love, but they have been shown to be psychologically, emotionally and physically beneficial to their companions. Caring for a pet can provide a sense of purpose and fulfilment and lessen feelings of loneliness. And when you adopt, you can also feel proud about helping an animal in need!

ADOPTION HELPS MORE THAN JUST ONE ANIMAL.

Overburdened shelters take in millions of stray, abused and lost animals every year, and by adopting an animal, you’re making room for others. Not only are you giving more animals a second chance, but the cost of your adoption goes directly towards helping those shelters better care for the animals they take in!

BECAUSE YOU’LL CHANGE A HOMELESS ANIMAL’S WHOLE WORLD. And, get a new best friend out of the deal.

Seriously, what could be better than that?

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