Barker and Ball blog

Remember that saying ‘A dog is for life not just for Christmas’…

2009-12-22T00:33:00.000-08:00

Thirty years on since the charity made famous the trademarked slogan, people are still abandoning their animals for the most ridiculous of reasons. To abandon an animal is appalling but it always seems even worse over the festive season – a time for love and giving?

Last year a puppy bought as a Christmas present was handed into a rehoming centre because his owners felt unable to look after him. The 10-week-old pup, was handed in on Christmas Day at the West Calder Dogs Trust centre in Scotland. Another dog was given up for eating the Christmas turkey, while another lost its home because it opened its owners' presents on Christmas Eve. These are just a few of the hundreds of stories we hear each year as to why someone cannot care for their dogs. Perhaps, they should give a little more thought to this before they take on the responsibility of dog ownership?

The Dog’s Trust said that although the number of dogs given as Christmas presents has fallen over the past years, they still amount to 131,400 animals each year which is a staggering figure. In an effort to stop people thoughtlessly buying dogs as Christmas presents, the trust's centres will stop rehoming dogs over the festive season. People will be able to visit and reserve a dog, but they will not be able to take it home until the New Year.

The trust says “Having a dog is a long-term commitment and our anniversary offers the perfect opportunity to remind people that dogs are not fashion accessories or disposable items that can be upgraded or discarded after just a few months.”

The trust cares for more than 16,000 stray, unwanted and abandoned dogs each year and carries out rigorous checks to make sure the dogs are rehomed to responsible owners.

Go on make this Christmas special!

An ideal Christmas gift to help homeless hounds

2009-12-14T05:20:00.001-08:00

This festive season, much the same as any other will find thousands of homeless people and their pooches. Sadly, not all hostels and shelters accept dogs, so the Dogs Trust has been working alongside homeless charities to develop pet friendly policies for homeless services. The Dogs Trust outreach manager, explains the importance of pets to homeless people: "The stability, love, responsibility and companionship brought about from looking after a pet is essential for their eventual resettlement and a life of independence."

How about sponsoring a dog as a Christmas gift for your dog loving friends – a far better present than another set of bath products?

You can show your love for just £1 a week.
Your £1 a week will help Dogs Trust keep their promise to never put down a healthy dog, and in return you'll receive photos and news from your sponsored dog three times a year. You can even sponsor a dog as a gift!

Simply click on the link below
http://www.dogstrust.org.uk/sponsor_a_dog/

First Class flight for Fido!

2009-11-29T07:02:00.000-08:00

Thanks to Pet Airways, travellers in America are no longer faced with the painful decision of leaving their best friend behind at holiday times.

This first-of-its-kind airline, devoted exclusively to pawsengers, provides daily service between more than a dozen cities including Los Angeles, New York and Florida. Pawsengers can now be comfy in the temperature-controlled main cabin, rather than in the dark and dusty cargo hold down below.

This got me thinking… the crazy Americans have done it again. Airlines for pets – oh please!

But maybe Pet Airways have something. What if EasyJet and other low-cost European airlines offered a service like this. These companies could just take out 2 rows of seats in their fleet of planes. Pet owning travellers could bring their pets onboard in good quality carriers like the A.U.T.O dog carrier designed by Azzolini Tinuper. These carriers could be placed on shelving with safety straps to keep them in place.
Pet owners and other travellers could enjoy being around the pawsengers for short trips around Europe - perfect!
So this holiday season people visiting the UK from Europe could put Fido in
the pooch carrier, pick up their suitcase and head for the airport. We have pet friendly hotels, so what about pet friendly airlines!

Charlie, Poppy, Molly and James

2009-10-26T13:57:00.000-07:00

Whatever happened to traditional dog names? On a weekend walk you will never hear dog owners call out ‘Fido’, ‘Spot’ or ‘Smokey’. In days gone by families were closer to each other and dogs were part of that close-knit family but not in the same way as they are today. The trend today is to name dogs as we do people, so out goes Fido and in comes Charile.

I think it’s a good sign, it shows people are changing there views and hopefully appreciating their dogs as true family members, companions, part of larger urban families too. On a weekend walk today, you’re never sure if parents or dog owners are calling their children or their four-legged friends or both!

If you’re looking for dog name ideas these are a few of the currently fashionable ones: Charlie, Poppy, Molly, James, Maggie, Alfie, Max, Jack, Lucy, Daisy, Ruby, Jake, Oscar and Rosie.

Below is the world's foremost Canine Intelligence Officer, ‘Bone… James Bone!'

Dinder Wood to Sharcombe Park Dog Walk

2009-09-27T06:47:00.001-07:00

Autumn is such a great time of year for walking the dog in the UK. The landscape takes on a new and more vibrant appearance as the leaves change colour to a warm golden brown and fall gracefully from the trees. I’m always on the look out for new places to take the dogs for a stroll at this time of year. If you have a great walk near to where you live let me know. Meantime, I have discovered a useful little site, 21 Top Dog Walks.co.uk, which offers details of the best dog walks in the UK. Do you agree? I’m off to try the Dinder Wood to Sharcombe Park walk, which sounds prefect for a woodland stroll and a chance for my two furry-friends to have a leafy romp! Below is a cute picture of my niece and her furry-friends getting ready for a healthy autumnal beach walk on the South coast of England.

Bath Cats and Dogs Home - Open Day

2009-08-23T08:53:00.000-07:00

Come along and see us on Sunday 6th September from 11am to 5pm at the Bath Cats and Dogs Home Open Day. The event happens at The Avenue, Claverton Down Bath BA2 7AZ

If you're local to the Bath and Bristol area please come, support the Open Day and visit the Barker and Ball stand. It will be an action packed day, full of fun and entertainment. It’s always a great family and doggie day out with exciting demonstrations, dog shows, an exciting auction brimming with collectables. The demonstration ring is hosting a wide range of thrilling displays from Police dogs to dancing dogs! There will also be a BBQ, jazz band and a puppet show!

Please come along with your canine companion and say hello to us at the Barker and Ball stand - we will have lots of special Open Day deals. Supporting the event helps Bath Cats and Dogs Home continue with their caring and wonderful work - see you on the 6th!

Dogs locked in hot cars!

2009-07-09T12:34:00.000-07:00

I was appalled this month reading that in 2008 the RSPCA received more than 3,000 calls from members of the public relating to 4,589 dogs locked in hot cars at supermarkets and outdoor events. This in the same month as the sickening news about two German shepherd police dogs had died was exposed - after the poor dogs were left in a car outside Nottinghamshire police headquarters!

It’s so sad that some dog owners still don’t appreciate how dangerous it can be to leave a doggie in a hot car, conservatory or even a caravan - just a short time can be fatal for a pet.

The temperature inside a car can soar in minutes, even when the outside temperature seems low, remember cloud cover can disappear quickly. Opening a window or leaving a bowl of water for your doggie will make little difference. Always make sure your dog has plenty of fresh drinking water and can rest in a cool and shaded area - don't leave your dog in a car, conservatory or caravan.

All dogs will suffer from the heat, but some dogs are more prone to heatstroke. For example, dogs that are old, young, short nosed, long-haired or heavily muscled are more at risk. So to avoid the heartbreak of your much-loved four-legged friend getting heatstroke, keep your dog looking and feeling cool this summer.

Barker and Ball has a great range of dog water bowls and travel water bowls for your pooch – with 10% Off all bowls for the next 7 days. Just use the code SUNDOG09 at the checkout.

Take a look at some of the pretty and practical dog bowls below. Click on the images to view our complete range.

Dog + Walkies = health and happiness!

2009-04-05T06:48:00.000-07:00

In good times or bad times it’s not rocket science to realise that owning a dog can bring health and joy.

Dr Deborah Wells a psychologist from Queen's University, Belfast, said that people who own a dog tend to have lower blood pressure and cholesterol. Dr Wells also wrote that regular dog walks may partly explain the difference between the good health of dog-owners and those without a four-legged friend. Below are just a few reasons why your doggie could be helping you have a long and happy life.

1. Dog owners make fewer visits to their doctors.
2. Owning a dog can help reduce stress and anxiety.
3. Owning a dog can help reduce blood pressure.
4. Owners who walk their dogs are healthier than non-dog owners.
5. Dogs can help the development of children with autism
6. Owning a dog can boost your immune system.
7. Dog owners are likely to recover quicker from heart attacks.
8. Dogs can help safeguard against depression.
9. Trained dogs can detect a variety of health conditions - including epileptic fits.
10. Dogs can help the development of young people with learning difficulties.

Animal expert Dr Christian Jessen has said: "I would ask that all GPs be aware of the importance of animals in promoting human health and happiness and call on them to proactively inform their patients of the diverse ways in which dogs can improve our lives."

So it’s official, our hounds are good for our health [and happiness].

Time for "walkies" I think…

...To Say Nothing of the Dogs!

2009-03-02T11:08:00.000-08:00

I had no idea that the full title of the original ‘Three Men in a Boat’ novel by Jerome K. Jerome was called "Three Men in a Boat - To Say Nothing of the Dog!". Well this weekend I was sorting out my photos from last summer’s Dorset seaside adventures and came across this lovely picture of all the Barker and Ball product testers in action.

Perhaps ‘Three Dogs in a Boat!’ would make a better idea for a TV show than Griff Rhys Jones and his comedian pals larking about on the Thames, re-creating the British comic novel for the BBC.

Eddie the Terrier is wearing a very comfortable and fashionable black dog harness, which comes with a matching dog lead - now only £14.99.

Humbug the Whippet is wearing a pretty tan and yellow leather collar, which has a modern square design on it - from only £15.99.

Cover To Cover

2009-03-01T04:39:00.000-08:00

This wonderful selection of book jackets is from an interview at Abebooks.com with professor of anthropology Dr. Bryan Cummins. Dr Cummins discusses literatures long love affair with pooches.

The interview features a great list of much-loved fictional dog books. From collectible first editions of 'White Fang', to children's books like the lovely 'Stanley's Party'. I had no idea there was so much literature about man's best friend. Bryan Cummins thinks that dogs in literature outnumber their feline counterparts about 10 to one – amazing!

My favourite covers are 'Nose Down, Eyes Up' by Merrill Markoe – it’s just such a beautiful photograph and 'The Incredible Journey' by Sheila Burnford, which features a delightful drawing of the three animals.

Great British Dog Walks

2009-02-28T02:51:00.001-08:00

After a very chilly and miserable few weeks (why don't us humans hibernate and be done with it!), I've been getting some fresh air walking the Barker and Ball four-legged friends - Fast Eddie the Terrier and his best chum Humbug (an even faster Whippet).

Dog walking is so rewarding and I’m always on the look out for new walks. Whether it’s good local walks or somewhere nearby I can drive the pooches to before we all stretch our legs. Last weekend while I was pottering about on the Internet I found a very useful site called Great Dog Walks.

The site is full of interesting walks and trails with handy notes about parking plus details on wheelchair and pushchair access. There’s also some funny remarks like one path near Leamington Spa having ‘an abundance of sticks!’ – perfect for Fast Eddie (you can see Eddie at the top of this page in his dog life jacket). Happy dog walking.

The Pink Sale

2009-02-27T13:16:00.000-08:00

The Pink Sale is now on at Barker and Ball.com, we have a wonderful selection of goodies for you and your pooch - all in perfect pink!

This lovely blush pink nest bed is now only £23.99.

Comfortable, supportive and 100% cosy, this is a fantastic dog bed with outer ring that helps maintain its shape. The stitched in cushion is filled with soft Poly-Fill and strongly stitched to ensure a firm and supportive border.

This dog bed can be machine-washed at a low temperature. Do not tumble dry. A great combination of comfort for you dog and practicality for you.

Welcome to the Barker and Ball blog!

2009-02-27T07:36:00.001-08:00

At last I’ve done it. I've got the Barker and Ball blog up and running. I'll be updating you regularly with all the behind-the-scenes news and gossip from the Barker and Ball.com dog boutique. In addition to all our own news we will dig up fascinating doggie news from around the world.