Christmas should be a happy time of year for the whole family but to ensure the safety of our beloved pets we need to consider what items we bring into the home over the festive period that may be poisonous. Most owners are aware that among other toxic foods is Chocolate; so as much as those chocolates may look pretty hanging from the tree they could be too tempting to your dog and potentially life threatening.

In addition to food many plants find their way into our homes around Christmas time which are also toxic, most notably:

• Poinsettia
• Mistletoe
• Holly

There can be specific signs of different types of poisoning however most notible are:

• Abdominal Pain (your dog may whine and his stomach will be tender to the touch)
• Coma
• Convulsions
• Diarrhea
• Drooling
• Irregular Heartbeat
• Labored Breathing
• Lethargy
• Swollen Limbs
• Vomiting

If you are concerned your dog may have consumed something toxic seak Veterinary attention immediately. Not all Vets will be open over the Christmas period so it is always worth checking with your Vet where the emergency Veterinary surgery is located. For further information on what foods and plants are toxic please speak to your Vet.

From all of us at Wagging Tails Ltd we wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Congratulations to Teresa and Tyler who enjoyed a successful weekend at the UK Agility Grand Finals on Sunday 4th December. Having produced a fast clear performance in the Semi Finals Teresa and Tyler came 3rd overall in the Final of First Contact Beginners Steeplechase Final 2011.

Understandably delighted, Teresa had this to say:

"Brilliant results for us since the dogs are predominately Collies which we cannot usually get anywhere near in timings and we were only 1.78 seconds from the first place - now if I only ran faster!!!"

Good luck to Teresa and Tyler for next season!

Lets face it fireworks night is no longer just the one night of the year and as much as it may be great fun for us to watch the beautiful fireworks displays it can sometimes be terrifying for our pets.

By planning ahead you can help to minimise distress. Try to be at home with your pets, have the television turned up and the curtains closed. Take your dogs for a lovely long walk during the day so they are nice and relaxed come night time. If your dog does react to fireworks try to avoid the temptation of giving them a hug; instead of comforting you are just reinforcing the fear. Just carry on as normal and ignore the sounds of the bangs, if you show no reason to be afraid your dog will follow your example. 

If you know from experience that your dog is afraid of fireworks speak to your Vet about possible aids. DAP diffusers and collars may help to calm your dog as may Scullcap and Valerian tablets from Dorwest Herbs http://www.dorwest.com/catalogue/fireworks; with all of these it is best to get started as soon as possible, don’t wait for the first bang!

For more information on Scullcap and Valerian tablets or any other product from Dorwest Herbs please visit www.dorwest.com

With this in mind I wish you all a lovely calm Bonfire night. In our house Bailey will no doubt sleep through anything other than a rocket and Izzie given the chance would sit in the garden and ohhh and ahhh at the fireworks. Yes, there are some dogs who like us love the fireworks!!!

For information on DAP (Dog Appeasing Pheromones) please visit www.dap-direct.co.uk

Wagging Tails KT franchisee, Carene, will be at the Christmas Gift and Craft Fair on Sunday 27th November 2011.

This Fair takes place at Imber Court, Ember Lane, East Moseley from 10am - 4pm. Admission and parking are both free.

For more information please visit www.christmasgiftfair.co.uk.

Wagging Tails look forward to seeing you there!!!

Now we can be excused for confusing the seasons what with the glorious weather we’ve had recently, but it was out on a walk over the weekend that I saw the first of the Autumn conkers on the ground.

Please take extra care when you see these are they are highly poisonous to dogs. If your dog likes to hoover the floor as he goes along please ensure he’s not tucking into one of these. If you are concerned your dog has eaten a conker please take him to your Vet immediately.

A month after their launch and Clair and Luna have been very busy recruiting carers for the GU postcode and arranging dog holidays. To top it off Clair and Luna enjoyed the company of their first holiday guest Holly. Luna and Holly were inseperable and had a wonderful time together as we can see from the photo.

Clair and Luna are keen to hear from more people wishing to join their team of carers as their waiting list is getting longer!!! In the mean time they are looking forward to Cocker Spaniel Poppy’s holiday with them this month and are hoping to see Holly again soon.

To discuss becoming a carer in the GU postcode area or boarding your dog in this area please call Clair on 01252 724442 or email gu@waggingtailsuk.co.uk

Following on from last months news about Cally and her dog Kendall walking 6 marathons in 6 days we’re delighted to report she raised a whopping £3000.00!!! Well done Cally and Kendall, we know the money will be very much needed by your chosen charities of Mountbatten Hospice and St Francis Animal Welfare.

• Luna Slingo – Happy 6th Birthday speedy!
• Stella – 12 this year!
• Roo – Many happy returns on your 2nd Birthday!
• Jet – Congratulations on turning 4!
• Tess – 4 in October!
• Chops – Congratulations on your 2nd Birthday!
• Skye – Happy 4th Birthday!
• Gripper – Many happy returns on your 15th Birthday!
• Henry – 15 in October!
• Oscar – Congratulations on turning 3!
• Perdy – Happy 14th Birthday!
• Ruby – Many happy returns on your 5th Birthday!
• Rufus Baker – Happy 3rd Birthday!
• Rufus Porter – Congratulations on your 5th Birthday!
• Tess – 15 this year!
• Tilly – Happy 2nd Birthday!
• Daisy – Many happy returns on your 1st Birthday!
• Luna – Congratulations on turning 3!

We are delighted to welcome Clair Slingo and her dog Luna, who will be running the GU postcode branch, and Carene Alexander who, along with her dog Bella will be running the KT postcode branch, into the Wagging Tails family.

We have always had huge demand from dog owners in Surrey and we are thrilled to have these two branches opening to offer dogs in Surrey loving holiday homes!

For more information on Clair and Luna please Click here and for information on Carene and Bella please Click here and visit their individual pages.

You can also email Clair on gu@waggingtailsuk.co.uk and Carene on kt@waggingtailsuk.co.uk to discuss future boards. In the immediate future both ladies will be recruiting carers so if you wish to open your home to a dog on holiday please let them know!

Come and visit Caroline, Buzz and Kate of Wagging Tails SO Branch on their stand at the Romsey Show at Broadlands Park, Romsey on Saturday 10th September.

A real agricultural show and great day out with something for all the family - that’s The Romsey Show, which takes place at Broadlands on Saturday the 10th of September. The show is one of the oldest in England, held annually since 1842.

The show will include livestock classes (cattle, goats, sheep), showjumping, heavy horse, best donkey, falconry displays, gundog training, parade of hounds, alpacas, water buffalo, food show, quad bikes and a family dog show (a must at any event!!!).

For full details and ticket information please visit the Romsey Show Website.

Cally Searle, and her dog Kendall, are walking 6 marathons in 6 days from Torquay to Horton Heath from 5th September - 10th September. They will be going through Clyst St Mary, Lyme Regis, Weymouth, Poole, Lymington, Southampton and Eastleigh. Cally and Kendall are raising money for the Mountbatten Hospice and St Francis Animal Welfare.

You can join Cally and Kendall for the last stretch from The Hub in Eastleigh to The Lapstone at Horton Heath for the cost of just £6. At the end you and your dog will receive a certificate.

To sponsor Cally and Kendall please visit their sponsorship page www.charitygiving.co.uk/callysearle

• Harry – Happy 2nd Birthday!
• Jasper – 6 in September!
• Blade Kenchenten – 6 this year!
• Maisy – Many happy returns on your 3rd Birthday!
• Max – 3 this month!
• Maxwell – Congratulations on reaching 25 years of age!!!
• Poppy – 7 in September!
• Sammy – Happy 3rd Birthday!
• Dexter – 2 this year!
• Koda – Happy 7th Birthday!
• Misty – Happy 10th Birthday!
• Oscar – 2 this year!
• George – 8 this month!
• Finlay – Happy 5th Birthday!
• Louis & Bonnie – Many happy returns on your 2nd Birthday!
• Patch – Congratulations on turning 3!
• Dora – 2 this year!
• Molly – Congratulations on your 16th Birthday!
• Maddie – Happy 12th Birthday!
• Laura – Congratulations on turning 4!
• Smudge – 13 this year!
• Eloise – Many happy returns on your 16th Birthday!
• Alfie – Congratulations on turning 6!
• Lucy – Happy 5th Birthday!
• Buster (Springer) – 6 this month!
• Dylan – Happy 7th Birthday!
• Alfie – 8 in September!
• Cracker – Congratulations on your 13th Birthday!
• Ruby – 5 in September!
• Lizzy – Congratulations on turning 17 this month!
• Bess – Many happy returns on your 13th Birthday!
• Muffin – Happy 5th Birthday little Muffin!
• Jess – 13 this year!
• Nelson – 5 in September!
• Poppy – Congratulations on turning 5!
• Sugar & Boo – Happy 8th Birthday!
• Poppy – 4 this year!
• Taz – Congratulations on turning 7!
• Lela – Happy 7th Birthday!
• Cassie – 7 in September!
• Ziggy – 6 this year!
• Tilly – Many happy returns on your 3rd Birthday!
• Donald – Congratulations on your 9th Birthday!
• Spencer – 5 this month!
• Mya – Happy 3rd Birthday!

• Zaida – 5 in August!
• Tin Tin – 2 this year!
• Ozzy – Many happy returns on your 3rd Birthday!
• Bonnie & Clyde – Congratulations on turning 4!
• Lady – 8 in August!
• Poppy – Congratulations on your 9th Birthday!
• Gizmo – Happy 10th Birthday!
• Roco – Many happy returns on your 4th Birthday!
• Tessa – 11 in August!
• Deefer – Congratulations on turning 6!
• Jazz – Happy 2nd Birthday!
• Ruby – Many happy returns on your 2nd Birthday!
• Hogan – Happy nd Birthday!
• Jake – Congratulations on your 10th Birthday!
• Duffy – 13 this year!
• Cindy – Happy 8th Birthday!
• Freddy – Many happy returns on your 2nd Birthday!
• Jake – Congratulations on turning 5!
• Winston – Congratulations on your 8th Birthday!
• Missy – Happy 8th Birthday!
• Todd – 4 this year!
• Coco – Many happy returns on your 13th Birthday!
• Daisy & Twinkle – 3 in August!
• Louis – Happy 12th Birthday!
• Bentley – Congratulations on turning 12!
• Bo – Many happy returns on your 2nd Birthday!
• Oscar – Happy 3rd Birthday!
• Roxy – 5 in August!
• Millie – Congratulations on turning 2!
• Ife – Happy 2nd Birthday!
• Molly & Moses – Congratulations on your 2nd Birthday!
• Cosmo – 3 this month!
• Benson – Happy 11th Birthday!
• Ruby – Congratulations on your 4th Birthday!
• Saffie – Happy 8th Birthday!
• Coco – Many happy returns on your 1st Birthday!
• Ellie – 11 this year!
• Alfie – Happy 6th Birthday!
• Max Amess – Congratulations on turning 4!

Teresa will be at the Asthall Horse Show on Sunday 31st July with her two dogs Scooby and Tyler.

Taking place at Kitesbridge Farm, Asthall, Nr Burford, Oxfordshire events will include a Fun Dog Show alongside a huge variety of horse events. The show will begin at 9am with money raised being donated to local charities.

For more information about this show please visit the Asthall Horse Show website.

Teresa will be at the Oxfordshire County and Thame Country Show on Saturday 30th July. She will have a stand so please come along and say hello and meet her and her two dogs Scooby and Tyler.

The show features competitions for Sheep and Cattle, Horses and Showjumping with some of the finest riders in the UK, and a Premier Dog Show.

For more information and to book tickets please visit the Oxfordshire County and Thame Show website.

• Eddie – Many happy returns on your 1st Birthday!
• Harleigh – Happy 3rd Birthday
• Tess – Happy 2nd Birthday!
• Sahsa – Congratulations on your 5th Birthday!
• Scooby – 9 this year!
• Archie – Happy 7th Birthday!
• Ruby – Many happy returns on your 3rd Birthday!
• Herbert – Congratulations on turning 2!
• Lizzy – 4 in July!
• Jackson – Happy 2nd Birthday
• Bodhi – Congratulations on your 1st Birthday!
• Boo – 3 this year!
• Frazer – 6 this year!
• Levi – Congratulations on your 11th Birthday!
• Betsy – Happy 6th Birthday!
• Eddie – 6 in July!
• Flynn – 7 this year!
• Maisy – Many happy returns on your 5th Birthday!
• Charlie – Happy 9th Birthday!
• Roxy – 7 this year!
• Bramble – Happy 5th Birthday!
• Mikka – 3 this Birthday!
• Doogle – 12 in July!
• Ben – Congratulations on your 3rd Birthday!
• Tess (Lab) – Happy 5th Birthday!
• Max – 4 this year!
• Dobie – Happy 2nd Birthday!
• Dexter – Congratulations on turning 2!
• Inka – 1 this Birthday!
• Sonny – Happy 4th Birthday!
• Tilly – Many happy returns on your 12th Birthday!
• Bella – Congratulations on your 1st Birthday!

Come and see Caroline, Kate and Buzz at the Sway Manor & Cara Dog Training Charity Dog Show on Saturday 18th June!

With Pedigree & Fun Classes this promises to be a fantastic day out for all the family. Registration starts at 10:30am with the shows Grand Opening at 11:30am with local BBC Radio Solent star DJ Julian Clegg (who will also Judge a number of classes). Show Entry is £1.00 (children free) and class entry for your dogs is £1.50 per class in advance or £2 per class on the day. Money raised will be donated to the Labrador Lifeline Trust.

For more details please visit the Cara Dog Training website.

We look forward to seeing you there!!!