A great way to make use of the conduit between a static online dog illness symptom checker and real, direct advice from a vet (a bit like NHS direct, but for dogs) would be the service provided by JustAnswer^TM.

This is an interesting service where dog owner’s can get answers from real Veterinarians, dog experts or one of thousands of other verified professionals on a one on one level.

Give it a test drive or below:

Some of the dog illness symptoms / questions we tend to get asked:

• signs of dog illness
• dog health symptoms
• dog disease symptoms
• lyme disease symptoms
• dog arthritis symptoms
• dog distemper symptoms
• symptoms of diabetes in dogs
• symptoms of dog poisoning

So it’s clear that many dog owners are using the web to investigate various signs and symptoms of specific dog problems. If the JustAnswer service can help, we’re happy to have brought it to your attention.

Here are details about the product: www.hillspet.com

Hill’s gave the product to Alison Sweeney, host of “The Biggest Loser”, for free. She tried it and this is what she says it did for her dog:
www.hillspet.com

Please contact us right away if you’d like to try this product and see for yourself what it can do. We only have a few left to give away free and as you might guess – they’re going fast![/pre_ad]

With the high costs of vet bills and a need to cherish one’s loved pet, pet insurance is a necessity for many pet owners. Pets can fall ill or become injured at any time and require immediate care and attention. Protecting against the unexpected provides a valued peace of mind for pet owners.

Pet insurance undoubtedly provides cover against the unexpected but also it seems, against the VERY unexpected! Due to the unpredictable nature of animals, sometimes the unimaginable can arise and the trusty pet insurance policy is called upon to save the day.

Here are some examples of some of the strangest recent pet insurance claims to date:

1. Emergency surgery was undergone for a German Shepherd that had the bright idea of ingesting a whole container of gorilla glue. The glue subsequently became a large solid mass inside the dog’s stomach requiring urgent attention. This lucky dog made a full recovery after the operation.

2. A Labrador owner was busy baking while their Retriever was busy eating a wooden spoon that had fallen into the dog’s reach. It was not until an X-ray at the veterinary surgery that the owner discovered what their daft animal had done. By this time, the spoon had split into a collection of smaller pieces and each individual piece needed removing by surgery.

3. A cat ate five fingers made of rubber on a young girl’s Halloween costume that had been left lying on the floor. The rubber fingers made their way to the cat’s stomach where they later had to be surgically removed.

4. An unfortunate dog, through no fault of its own, contracted a virus and developed a rare disease known as Ehrilichiosis. The dog battled through a lengthy treatment program that accrued vet bills in excess of £10,000. This customer was certainly glad to have carried out a pet insurance comparison to find a suitably comprehensive cover.

5. A bulldog had been left at home for an extended period of time and became restless. Something possessed it to (yes really) eat an entire chair made of wood. Alarm bells started ringing when the owner returned home and discovered their chair missing and only a few fragments remaining on the floor. Unsurprisingly they also noticed the dog was in rather a lot of pain. The dog was rushed to the vets for emergency treatment.

6. An owner was playing with his dog by throwing a ball for the dog to retrieve. Rather irresponsibly perhaps of the owner, they were playing dangerously close to a cliff top. The owner accidentally threw a ball over the top of the cliff and the obedient dog jumped right after it. This story did not end well and it is a sad case of when an insurance company pays out upon the unexpected death of a pet.

7. A Labrador Retriever loved chewing on socks but took it too far one day and ate one. The sock made her sick and she vomited the sock back up. However, she later ate it again and had to undergo emergency surgery following an intestinal blockage.

8. A dog, obviously not realising the dangers of taking a drug overdose, consumed an entire packet of ibuprofen. The dog had to be carefully monitored at the vets and placed on a drip for several days before it fully recovered.

9. A dog of the Vallhund breed, notorious for having an aggressive nature (in fact it was once used as a fighting dog by the Vikings), managed to end up hospitalised after being bitten by a rat on the lip.

10. A Labrador Retriever (what is it with these breeds?) ate a sharp pronged fishing hook from a bucket of bait. The rather poorly animal had to be given tranquillisers before the hook was able to be removed.

So it can be seen that animals, usually dogs, are a liability unto themselves and the very un-expected, although quite rare, can happen.

Pet insurance comparison websites provide customers with information on a range of pet insurance products. Different insurers and policies provide different advantages and benefits. For pet owners looking for key things to consider when taking out pet insurance, it might be worth them thinking about how daft their pet is when they execute their pet insurance comparison search! Indeed, owning a Labrador Retriever might well require a different sort of pet insurance comparison to a breed with perhaps a little more common sense!

One thing that may influence the customer’s decision on which pet insurance comparison result to choose, is whether the insurer will allow the vet to bill them directly. Insurance companies that pay vet bills outright (excluding any excess), avoid a very expensive initial outlay on the customer’s part.

Created by the Dallas-based Diabetes Friendly Foundation, the “K-9 for Kids” program provides assistance in locating Diabetic Alert Dogs (DADs) while also providing funding for the training and placement of the animals for families in need.

“Every 24 hours, 4,000 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with diabetes according to the Center for Disease Control,” said Cole Egger, Founder of the Diabetes Friendly Foundation. “Parents of children with diabetes constantly have to check their child’s blood sugar throughout the day and night in order to prevent severe consequences caused by fluctuating blood sugar levels. With a diabetes alert dog, some of the strain and fear of these dangerous side effects of diabetes is lifted.”

To build awareness of the DADs and the “K-9 for Kids” program, the Diabetes Friendly Foundation is hosting “K-9 for Kids Fundraiser” on November 13 at the Fashion Industry Gallery (FIG) in downtown Dallas.

In addition to live music, heavy hors d’oeuvres and cocktails, a doggie boutique, and silent auction, the event will feature the night’s honored guest – The Wildrose Kennel, select families and Diabetic Alert Dogs and puppies.

Following are two testimonials about the Diabetic Alert Dogs:

“We were very lucky to have Mallie (a Diabetic Alert Dog),” said Crystall Young, mother of 19-month- old Ean, who has Type 1 diabetes. “She truly is an amazing alert dog. She alerted me at times when I wouldn’t have thought I needed to check on Ean. There were times when Ean was outside playing and she would alert from inside.”

“Without JD, my diabetes alert dog, I was afraid to do a lot of things but JD has given me the confidence to live my life now and to not be afraid anymore,” said Deanna Whitehead, a teenager with Type 1 diabetes. “I trust him to take care of me and it’s an awesome feeling. I love JD.”

For more information, visit the Diabetes Friendly Foundation website www.diabetesfriendly.org

99 Squadron plays a major role in supporting the forward battle groups, on the front lines, around the world, transporting the troops, supplying vital equipment 24/7 and quite poignantly bringing home injured servicemen and women. The versatility of the aircraft and dedication of the RAF crews enable a rapid turnaround of aircraft configuration to meet an ever changing requirement.

A busy military airbase is not quite the normal environment one would expect to find a Hounds for Heroes assistance dog but both EJ and reservist dog Ikea took the day touring around the various aircraft such as C17s (Globemaster), Tri-Star jets and the back ground support units in their stride. The never ending stream of aircraft arriving and departing, the thundress roar of aircraft engines departing at full throttle was incredible but both dogs remain totally non plus about the whole thing. Even during the photo call the two faithful hound remained total focused on the job in hand, in fact it was the human partners that were far too easily distracted by the airfield activities!

Gulf war veteran Allen Parton (Founder of Hounds for Heroes and Royal Navy veteran) said “a visit like this brings back such a great sense of personnel loss for me, the services was my life for over 20 years, my chosen career for life and then it was all suddenly taken away. Equally though to see such a dedicated and proud team of servicemen and women making all this happen and so efficiently was so inspiring and has made me even more determined to make Hounds for Heroes a true success. We owe it to these young men and women that should that day come that they too are injured or disabled we are there to assist them in long term rehabilitation”

During the visit the Hounds for Heroes team met up with the a group of town members from Wootten Basset, made world famous for the way it honors the fallen servicemen and women as the funeral processions pass though the town’s high street. It was an emotionally charged day for all as the crews of 99 Squadron have the unenviable task of bringing the fallen back from Afghanistan. However to have the dogs there was such a morale booster for so many of the guests there and lightened the procedures somewhat.

The inside of the cavernous belly of the Globemaster was one of the more unusual places that EJ and Ikea have been photographed in, at one point leaving Allen behind EJ visited the cockpit for a photo opportunity first having to ascend a near vertical flight of stairs an obstacle that posed him no difficulty in either direction thanks to the guidance of Sqn Leader Wayne Palmer (how was he ever going to explain to his wife about all those blonde hairs all over his uniform when he went home that evening?)

“It was so humbling for us to have so many offers of help from the Wootten Bassett group” said Allen ” a town so strongly associated with remembering our fallen now wanting to help the many injured and traumatized servicemen and women”

Hounds for Heroes has started it’s “Puppies on Parade Appeal” where the charity aims at raising £100,000, which will pay for 5 dogs for 5 years. With over 900,000 injured Servicemen and women in the UK the charity has a big hill to climb. The vision is to have disabled Service, and Emergency Service, personnel with Hounds for Heroes dogs as regular sights on the high streets.

Squadron Leader Wayne Palmer (Chairman of Hounds for Heroes) said “This has been a great day and we feel we have a lot of synergy with 99 Squadron. They are one of the first parts of the healing process and we will be the last part. Our aim is to have the perception of the great British public to change and see an assistance dog as a badge of honour. We look forward to the day that a “Hound” is on the Annual Remembrance Parade by the Cenotaph in London.”

More information at: www.houndsforheroes.com, facebook/houndsforheroes and twitter/houndsforheroes.

Mr Paice called on the British food industry to improve its country of origin food labelling voluntarily following a European Parliament vote in favour of new compulsory country of origin labelling in June. The European Parliament wants meat labels to indicate where the animal was born, reared and slaughtered, and for meat from slaughter without stunning (according to certain religious traditions) to be labelled as such. The BVA welcomed the European Parliament vote.

The BVA is calling for one clear EU-wide welfare label that takes into account the welfare of animals use in food production from birth to slaughter, including the production system, transport and method of slaughter.

Commenting, Harvey Locke, President-Elect of the BVA, said:

“While we understand the Minister’s desire for labelling to be voluntary, we believe that the current voluntary labelling system is confusing for consumers.

“Country of origin labelling should include information on where the animal was born, reared and slaughtered. Many consumers consider British meat to be of a higher welfare standard, but buying British doesn’t always mean the animal was born, reared and slaughtered in this country.

“The BVA is calling for one clear welfare label that consumers can trust.

“The BVA also supports the labelling of meat from animals slaughtered without being pre-stunned. Animals that are not pre-stunned suffer lower welfare at slaughter, yet meat from these animals enters the mainstream food chain without being labelled.

“Consumers want higher welfare standards and should be given the tools to make informed choices. Voluntary labelling is not enough.”

The members of the SWAP team regularly compile and distribute emergency email appeals for dogs on death row across the UK. They give their own account of the dire situation:

The computer goes on, the emails download and already there are four appeals for dogs on death row, fourteen dogs in total, thirteen of which are Staffordshire Bull Terriers commonly referred to as ‘Staffies’. These desperate dogs are only days away from death, often perfectly healthy, friendly, loving little beings who for one reason or another have ended up in a dog pound, abandoned or discarded by their owners. Now in their last few living hours all they can do is await their fate, will they be saved, or will their anxious barks be silenced, their wagging tails be stilled by the harrowing lethal injection?

With not a moment to lose, we immediately set to work, piecing together a special email appeal for the first group of dogs. The details of each individual have been listed, now we insert the photos, this is always the most emotionally challenging task, the desperate faces haunt you, their begging, mournful eyes staring back at you from the computer screen almost piercing your heart, each face crying out “please don’t let me die!”

Eleven of the fourteen dogs are less than three and a half years old, one of these being a six to nine month old pup.

The appeal will go out across the network to our supporters in the UK, a number of these being rescue centres or independent rescue workers. All we can do now is anxiously await the response.

The lives of these fourteen dogs are now depending on the efforts of the animal lovers across the country receiving our appeals. There are so many caring hard-working individuals who endeavour to save dogs like these every day, many of these ‘unsung heroes’ have full-time jobs and dedicate the few spare hours they have voluntarily, rescuing and transporting unwanted dogs from pounds to a safe haven, some will even place dogs in private kennels and pay the boarding fees out of their own pockets if this means keeping the dogs alive, often putting themselves in debt.

Dedicated rescue charities and organizations are working tirelessly on a daily basis to prevent unwanted dogs from being killed. ‘Doris Banham Dog Rescue’ (Registered Charity: 1103372, Website: www.dogsos.co.uk ) is one such amazing charity and was featured in the recent Panorama programme.

We have put out many appeals over the past three years on behalf of Doris Banham for some of the many thousands of dogs they have painstakingly saved from death row. The team at Doris Banham do incredible work for dogs in dog
pounds that face imminent death.

Paul N Davis, Trustee for Doris Banham describes the work that they do, “In the last 4 years Doris Banham Dog Rescue have saved over 10,000 dogs from being put to sleep in dog council pounds in the UK. These dogs were rehomed
direct by their Charity or placed by them into other approved non-destruct rescues who found the dogs the loving homes they deserved. Every dog is awarded full rescue back up by the Charity to give them the best ever chance
in life. This includes vaccinations, veterinary treatment, training, neutering, microchipping, homechecks and a safe place to come back to should circumstances change in their new home. 10,000 dogs that would have otherwise died unloved in the past 4 years have now been given a new start in life”.

Most rescue shelters depend heavily on volunteers, fundraising and donations to enable them to carry out their vital life-saving work and many are struggling to survive in today’s current financial climate, others have already sadly perished. For those rescues that have managed to stay afloat, the workload is excruciating, kennels are constantly full, no sooner than one becomes vacant another unwanted dog will arrive and fill the space.

The simple, heart-rending truth is there just aren’t enough rescue spaces across the UK to accommodate the countless numbers of unwanted dogs in need and so thousands of healthy and often young dogs are put to sleep every year. The situation is now dire and needs to be addressed.

Over breeding, irresponsible dog ownership and extortionate vets fees are all to blame.

Over breeding is by far the most serious problem. We despair at the amount of people who insist on buying dogs from breeders, puppy farms the internet etc. while thousands of unwanted dogs are waiting desperately in rescue kennels for loving homes and thousands more are being euthanized. The slogan “Don’t Breed or Buy While Homeless Dogs Die” is commonly used by animal shelters around the world and it speaks volumes. We urge anyone thinking of taking on a dog to please adopt one from a reputable rescue instead of buying a dog from a breeder, puppy farm etc. If every prospective dog owner was to do this, then the numbers of unwanted dogs in the UK would fall dramatically.

Spaying and neutering is also an essential means to reducing the numbers of unwanted dogs. All dog owners should have their pet spayed or neutered, this will prevent any accidental litters. Most reputable rescue organizations will spay or neuter before rehoming a dog, however, some smaller charities don’t always have the funds to do this but they will always recommend to the new owner that this is done.

Dog breeders, be they commercial or independent will of course not consider spaying or neutering as they will continue to breed dogs as a means to make a fast buck, so it is up to the members of the public to refrain from supporting these breeders and adopt a dog from a rescue centre instead.

Puppy farms and dog breeders across the UK are churning out dogs at an alarming rate. Many of these seedy and often ‘elusive’ establishments keep their dogs in appalling conditions and it is not uncommon for puppies from these places to be found in a poor state of health.

Breeding bitches are forced to produce litter after litter until they become exhausted and even disfigured in some cases. We have put out appeals for some female dogs that have been used so often for breeding that their delicate teats have become inflamed and enlarged to the point where they are dragging along the ground. It is heart breaking to witness such abuse.

It is now the responsibility of the government to take serious measures to stop all the over breeding in this country, as this is by far the biggest contributing factor to the escalating problem of so many unwanted dogs. The general public can also help by lobbying the government, writing to David Cameron and their own local MP’s urging them to take the necessary measures to stop the appalling and unforgivable carnage of thousands of dogs in the UK.

We feel that vets are also partly to blame for people abandoning their dogs. It is inconceivable to think that some people might be willing to give up their dog before giving up their X-box or DVD player, but sadly this is the attitude of some people. Exorbitant vets fees are not helping the situation. If a dog becomes sick then some less committed dog owners are tempted into giving up their pet when faced with the vet’s bill. The current recession has placed the security of the household pet on even shakier ground. How many sick animals are being neglected and left to suffer because
some penny-pinching individuals are unwilling to pay extortionate prices for treatment? It is the responsibility of the vets to reduce their fees which will encourage owners to keep and look after their animals properly.

Many dogs end up in rescues, pounds etc due to dog owner’s lack of foresight and lack of commitment. If people were to think more seriously before taking on a dog then this occurrence could be avoided.

Owning a dog is a huge responsibility and although the rewards of adopting a furry friend are immeasurable, there are several important points to consider before adopting a dog.

Financially, can you afford to pay for food, vets fees etc? Work and social commitments also need to be taken into consideration, a dog is a pack animal and so should not be left on its own for long periods of time as this would cause distress and anxiety.

Are you planning to move or change jobs in the near future? If so, then the dog’s needs would have to be considered and your lifestyle adapted to fit in with these needs.

Too often we hear of cases where couples have split up or moved house and as a result of these changes have decided to get rid of their dog, this is immoral and unacceptable, would these people give up their children under the same circumstances? It is extremely unlikely, so why is it deemed acceptable to give up their dog? Once a dog becomes a member of your family, it should remain so for life. To quote the words of ‘Dogs Trust’, the largest dog welfare charity in the UK “A dog is for life, not just for Christmas”.

Sadly the ‘Staffie’ is far too often becoming a common resident in dog pounds and rescue centres.

This friendly, loyal breed has become the victim of many macho would-be ‘hard men’ of today’s society who are often using these dogs as a status symbol, a tool to boost their inflated, ambitious egos, the innocent Staffie, totally oblivious to its owner’s motives. These low-life thugs will disown their dog at the drop of a hat as soon as it is deemed as an inconvenience. Sadly, these unwholesome individuals have created a bad image for the Staffies in the eyes of the general public, this is a tragedy as these special dogs make wonderful, loyal, family pets as any Staffie rescue will tell you.

The Greyhound is another greatly exploited breed. Tens of thousands of these placid gentle-natured dogs are bred every year to supply the commercial racing industry. Thousands of these dogs are killed at the end of their
racing career, usually at the tender age of three or four years and countless more are either abandoned on the streets and picked up as strays or end up in rescues, all adding to the extremely overwhelming unwanted dog population.

There is no end to the amount of suffering that dogs in our society are being forced to endure. These living, breathing, loyal sentient beings have been ultimately betrayed by us. Mahatma Gandhi once said “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the ways its animals are treated”. It would seem Britain is not so ‘Great’ after all, we have become a nation of convenience and throwaway ‘junkies’, self orientated and motivated by greed, this together with a lack of compassion has led to devastating consequences for our so-called ‘best friend’. Britain has become a nation of dog killers!

For further details please email  southwestanimalprotection@yahoo.co.uk

Where and When?

Monday 20th September

2.00-3.00pm

Pen Farthing No Place Like Home: A New Beginning with the Dogs of Afghanistan

Tickets: £5

Like his Sunday Times bestseller One Dog at a Time (Ebury Press, April 2010), No Place Like Home (Ebury Press, July 2010) is the story of Marine Pen Farthing’s courage and persistence in rescuing dogs from Afghanistan. It will warm -and break – the hearts of dog lovers everywhere.

Hampstead & Highgate Literary Festival

Venue: London Jewish Cultural Centre, Ivy House, 94-96 North End Road, NW11 7SX

Book online at www.hamhighlitfest.com or call 020 8511 7900

Although Sally will not be relying on human aid to reach the summit, she will be helped by a special kind of “off road” wheelchair called a Boma, which is being loaned to her for the challenge by the company Molten Rock, and Harmony will be by her side giving her confidence. Sally is very mindful of the potential difficulties she may encounter on the expedition – she has been advised throughout by a professional mountain guide, who will accompany her, with his team. She has also taken advice from the guide and from Canine Partners’ veterinary advisor, to make sure that all precautionary measures are put in place to ensure Harmony’s welfare throughout the ascent and descent. In addition, several of the Charity’s trainers are accompanying Sally primarily to assist Harmony and to babysit her if at any stage it appears unsafe for her to continue to the very top. However, dogs ascend Ben Nevis day in, day out, so Sally has every expectation that Harmony will easily manage the expedition, particularly as she has been in special fitness training for some time now.

It is Sally’s strong bond with Harmony that gives her the confidence to make the attempt, and with Harmony at her side, she believes that anything is possible, as she explains: “Before I had this disabling condition I used to love climbing mountains especially the Munroes, and have even been on the flanks of Everest. Since having MS I thought my days of being on top of a Munro were over, until I received my lovely canine partner Harmony. While giving her free run exercise I found myself becoming more adventurous, and with that I rediscovered my spirit of adventure, going everywhere that I could with her. Then I was asked for a picture of Harmony and me somewhere iconic: what is more iconic than Britain’s highest mountain? From that thought my dream was born.”

Canine Partners trains dogs to assist people with disabilities to help with everyday tasks such as opening and shutting doors, unloading the washing machine, picking up dropped items, pressing buttons and switches and getting help in an emergency. The Charity aims to train dogs to meet the needs of people with even the most complex disabilities including members of HM Armed Forces.

These life transforming dogs also provide practical, physiological, psychological and social benefits including increased independence and confidence as well as increased motivation and self-esteem. It is exactly this independence and confidence that has allowed Sally to contemplate her huge challenge, and is inspiring her to raise the money for the Charity that trained the dog that changed her life.

“It will be tough and painful for me,” says Sally. “I will need to rest for days before and after. It will be physically challenging, and I am training hard; building my stamina, losing weight, getting medical advice and support. But it will be worth it. I will get up another Munro again, thanks to the Boma wheelchair and the life-changing effects of a dog called Harmony.”

Register online NOW at pupidol@btinternet.com to enter your dog

Other competitions include:

-MISS HAMPSTEAD 2010 (Prettiest Female)

- MR HAMPSTEAD 2010 (Handsomest Male)

- CUTEST PUP

- GOLDEN OLDIE (for canines over

- BEST RESCUE

- LIKE OWNER, LIKE DOG (if you & your dog look quite alike…)

Great raffle (with many prizes), face painting, and a lot of fun guaranteed!

£3 per entry, all proceeds go to All Dogs Matter
Charity Reg. Number 1132883

(HURRY! ONLY 20 DOGS PER CATEGORY!)