The Spaniel Diaries: The continuing adventures of Billy

The Spaniel Diaries

Phew! What a hot summer it’s been, I’m actually relieved it’s now September, even though mum is grumbling about the evenings getting darker so early, I think she still has a load of jobs to get done at the stables before winter sets in. I know she was getting annoyed with the ground being so hard she can’t get the fence posts in – give it until Christmas and she’ll be moaning about the wet and the mud – it seems humans are never happy! Unlike us canines – I love mud! It’s been so dry that our little stream has dried up, so mum has put out some shallow trays of water for the wildlife, she’s less than impressed when we go and tip them over!

Mum is delighted to be able to use the stubble fields for our training; we really have to concentrate now as our training dummies are no longer just in straight lines but placed all around us. I try to cheat by grabbing the nearest one but mum makes me do the whole thing again properly, she’s a control freak really but if I let her have her own way she’s delighted with me and I get my dinner faster! Goody two shoes Mav of course is teacher’s pet; he just loves collecting those smelly things, when I’d rather be hunting mice in the barn. We have also started going to the common more again, we have to be careful during the summer as the area is renowned for adders and mum doesn’t want to risk us getting bitten, but now the weather is cooling down and bird nesting season is over we get to hunt the bracken once again, which is amazing fun and just like being in a jungle!

There’s definitely something going on at home –they are talking about a holiday but keep mentioning kennels,which means one thing, we are not invited on this holiday, the cheek! They get to live it up stuffing their faces without us. Well, I can assure them it won’t be half as much fun with out a comedy duo of dogs tagging along! It’s been a long time since we went to the kennels but it’s actually very comfortable. We have a nice run and heated bedding area so it’s home from home really, but my nose will indeed be out of joint at being left behind, I will have a whole week of quiet reflection to plan my revenge for their little jaunt without us! We have new beds! Probably stemming from mum’s guilt about going away without us – I’m not letting that one drop for a while! The new beds are ‘orthopaedic’ according to mum, and she says they will help after we have had a hard day of exercise. Especially for me as I’m getting older – the absolute cheek! I’m middle aged not old and I’m in the prime of my life I’ll have her know! However, the new beds are very comfortable indeed, even Mav agrees for once! Jeannette Douglas

Taking your cat to the vets

Cats are very sweet but can sometimes be special creatures that like things in their lives to be a certain way and making a trip to the vets rarely makes it into their diary. It’s no wonder that once at the vets some cats are just not pleased to see us.

Small steps at home can help ease the stress of getting in a carrier and often the car, whether it’s to see the vet or go on ‘holiday’ to the cattery. If possible and you have the space, leave the cat carrier somewhere so that your cat has access at all times. On many models, the door can be taken off completely making the hole larger and therefore more comfortable to enter the box. Once a nice comfy blanket is in there, many cats will choose their carrier as another sleeping place and it can even be seen as a place of refuge.

If you’re buying a new carrier it’s best to choose a plastic one as most can be taken apart quickly and easily which often allows your vet to carry out examinations without your cat needing to leave their comfy blanket.

Sophie Hall B.V.Sc., M.R.C.V.S.