The UK’s lucky canines can expect to enjoy the festive season as much as their owners as an incredible 49% of owners will be preparing them their very own special doggie dinner on the big day.

According to the recent survey carried out on behalf of Direct Line Pet Insurance, of the 1,021 dog owners questioned, almost half (49%) are planning to make a special Christmas meal for their dogs and with 46% planning a special family walk with their dog, it will soon be walked off!

Adam Whiteley, head of pet insurance at Direct Line, offered this advice to dog owners: “Dog owners going to the trouble of cooking a special Christmas dinner for their best furry friend are clearly doing so out of love and festive spirit. It’s worth remembering that there are a few things dogs shouldn’t eat at all, even on special occasions, as doing so can make them very ill or even cause death in extreme cases. Chocolate, raisins, onions, and added salt should all be avoided, as should sharp or small bones. It’s a good idea to make sure that all food items and treats are stored well out of reach of pets, during the holidays and all year round.”

According to the survey, 89% of Britain’s dogs can expect a delivery from Santa left under the tree for them to spend the holidays enjoying.

40% Britain’s dogs will have an average of £10 on presents spent this year with a lucky 9% having gifts worth more than £100 awaiting them.

Toys are the most favoured present of choice, but pampering with collars, leads and clothes also top the list of most desired presents.

However, with 26% of Britain’s dogs enjoying chewing presents, it might be advisable to make sure Santa’s little four legged helpers have someone keeping an eye out for them.

K9 Magazine editor Ryan O’Meara offered this thoughts on the findings,“The fact that nearly half of all dog owners are preparing to fully include their canine pals in the Christmas festivities is indicative of just how much the relationship between pets and their owners has changed in modern times. Dogs are now considered fully fledged members of the family and this research highlights just how seriously owners take that relationship. Dogs bring us so much joy every day, it’s nice to hear that owners take great delight in including them at this special time.”

Hi, my name is Nigel, I single handly run a small rescue called Helping Hands Dog Rescue based in sheffield,I board my dogs at a couple of boarding kennels, I recently saved 10 Staffies from death in hull ,I didn’t have any idea what i was going to do with them but didn’t care as long as i got them to safety, I organised emergency boarding for them which has cost over £1,000 so for. I have had to get them all vaccinated at a cost of £280.
I have received a great amount of support for these dogs but so far only one has been rehomed the problem being I am in danger of running out of funds. I have been raising a £1,000 per month for the last 2 year on my own, but I’m afraid I’m struggling to sustain the Staffies upkeep. The other reason for me contacting you is because you may receive appeals for my rescue from other people i.e Angi la la Aston and possibly more.

If you feel you would like to verify any of these requests please don’t hesitate to contact me, thank you for reading this message.

To find out more about Helping Hands Rescue, to donate or to offer one of the dogs in the rescue’s care a home, please visit DogsBlog.com where you can locate contact details.

The rescue centre, one of the largest re-homing centres in the UK, is calling on animal lovers to dig deep and help fund the heat lamps that keep its more vulnerable animals warm during the colder months, particularly the puppies, kittens, sick and older animals, whom need extra warmth to recuperate and survive, what is predicted to be another harsh winter.

BBC TV presenter and star of the Theatre Royal Bath pantomime Naomi Wilkinson took time out of rehearsals for Dick Whittington today to launch the Bath Cats and Dogs Home’s Winter Warmer Campaign. Star of the Saturday morning children’s wildlife show, Live ’n’ Deadly on BBC2 and CBBC, Naomi Wilkinson visited the Home to give her backing to the Bath animal charity’s Winter Warmer Campaign to raise funds for running its heat lamps to help sustain its more vulnerable animals in warm kennels and pods through the coming cold winter months. In her role as a children’s TV presenter, animal lover Naomi Wilkinson has travelled the length and breadth of the UK meeting animals of all shapes and sizes.

Naomi comments: “This is a particularly challenging time of year for abandoned animals and the Winter Warmer Campaign is all about providing essential care for animals young and old during the cold weather. Bath Cats and Dogs Home relies on the support and kindness of the public to keep providing a lifeline for hundreds of animals every day. Every donation made in support of this campaign will really help animals in need and make a big difference to their lives.”

Rachel Jones, head of fundraising at Bath Cats and Dogs Home, comments: “We continue to be full to capacity with dogs, cats and small animals, young, old, sick and healthy, which have come to us as innocent victims of the economic downturn. Financially, 2011 has proven more challenging than ever and whilst costs are constantly rising, donations are declining and we are now appealing to the public this Xmas more than ever to help us through these tough times. We are launching our Winter Warmer Appeal to help cover the cost of switching on the heat lamps to warm kennels and pods that need an extra boost to keep puppies, kittens, sick and older animals, in particular, snug during the festive period. Please help us make a difference to these innocent victims and help us give animals a cosy home this Xmas.”

The animal rescue charity, which provides essential shelter, veterinary care and re-homing services to more than 3,000 dogs, cats and small animals every year which relies solely on donations, fundraising and legacies to meet its annual operating costs of more than £1.3 million a year.

To donate to the Winter Warmer Appeal you can give online at www.bcdh.org.uk, or contact the fundraising team on: 01225 787335. Or alternatively, please send a cheque made payable to Bath Cats and Dogs Home to: The Avenue, Claverton Down. Bath. BA2 7AZ

The entry fee is £10 per dog (or per family). Your £10 entry fee will go to the charity of your choice.

The venue is FRISTON FOREST, SEVEN SISTERS COUNTRY PARK, EAST SUSSEX, BN25 4AJ. This postcode will get you to Charleston Manor which is less than half a mile away – with Charleston Manor on your left you carry on towards the A259 (Exceat) – keep an eye open for the first Forestry car park on your left – if you get to a tiny left hand turn signposted to West Dean Church or the A259 you’ve gone too far.

Please arrive by 10.15am to register and have photographs taken! The main walk is 8 miles, with a stop off for lunch (please bring a packed lunch). However there will also be a shorter walk running of approx 4 miles. Don’t forget to bring suitable footwear/attire and water for your dog/s.

We would love to catch up with old friends! We will also be bringing as many of our current kennel dogs as we can. Please note that ALL dogs must be kept on a lead.

So if you would like to join us and raise some much needed funds for RESCUE REMEDIES, and join in on a fantastic social opportunity for your dog, then please do come along!

Details on the event can be found by by clicking this link here.

It will be a fun day out for all the family, with trade and charity stalls, refreshments, raffles, displays, demonstrations, have-a-go-agility and the fun dog show.

Entry is free and car parking is available at a small charge.

The money raised for Hope Rescue will go directly to support over 70 dogs dogs in its care. The dogs are waiting for new, forever homes and are either in temporary (emergency) kennels in Caerphilly or Coed Ely, Nr Cardiff, or in one of Hope’s foster homes across the UK. There are also a number of dogs in Hope’s care that require ongoing medical treatment and some who need special care as part of Hope Rescue’s Long Term Foster scheme.

This year walkers can bring either their own pet or alternatively take one or more of the Home’s four legged companions – not both, and they have the option of participating in either a three or six mile National Trust trail walk across Bath’s beautiful skyline. The terrain combines public rights of way, wooded areas, flat grounds and hills and takes in stunning views across the city and surrounding countryside.

The event commences from the Home’s Claverton Down site at 10am, although walkers will leave at staggered intervals between 10 – 11am to avoid congestion. The walk takes in the stunning city views from the University and Widcombe and finishes at Rainbow Woods. Free parking is available at the site.

Rachel Phelps-Allen, spokesperson, comments: “The Wag Walk is a great opportunity for individuals, couples, families or groups of friends to have a fun day out in the fresh air, whilst raising crucial funds to help care for our hundreds of needy animals. We are trying to encourage walkers to take one or more of our dogs out to ensure all our dogs on site will be able to take part in the event this year. This event is always popular and attracts hundreds of enthusiastic walkers. Walkers should allow around three hours, including a picnic stop, to complete the walk and are advised to wear suitable footwear, to bring wet weather clothing and their own lead, if at all possible, and, in case of hot weather, should ensure sufficient water for their dogs and themselves is available. Poo bags will be provided on arrival and well-deserved refreshments will be available after the walk. This is a great way to get fit and help our animals at the same time! Please get involved!”

Anyone interested in taking part in the “Wag Walk”, should call the Fundraising Department on 01225 787334 for a registration pack and sponsorship form. Alternatively, registration form can be downloaded from www.bathcatsanddogshome.org.uk. All participants completing the course will be presented with a certificate, whilst dogs will receive treats.

The animal charity is hoping to raise crucial funds towards its £3,000 daily running costs needed to care for the 3,000 unwanted dogs, cats and small animals, which are re-homed each year.

A number of celebrity judges have very kindly agreed to help with the online photo competition – world-renowned dog trainer and author Victoria Stilwell; Tamara Ecclestone, daughter of “Formula 1 Supremo” Bernie Ecclestone; Television presenter, author and wildlife expert, Chris Packham; and Editor of ‘Dogs Today’ magazine, Beverley Cuddy.

The Hope Rescue Virtual Dog Show will run from 9pm Sunday 6th March to 9pm Sunday 13th March

Hope Rescue, based in Caerphilly, currently has more dogs in its care than at any time during its 6 year history. The situation reached crisis point in the New Year and has shown no signs of improving since then. There are currently 70 dogs in its care, with another 18 in the local authority pound waiting for a place – not to mention the ever-growing number of dogs on its surrender list.

The last 2 months has seen an unprecedented number of strays come in and the costs associated with finding a place of safety for these dogs – whether in a foster home, with another rescue or in Hope’s emergency kennels – has hit the charity exceptionally hard.

Hope leases private boarding kennel spaces as a “half way house” for those dogs in the pound that have completed their 7 days but do not have a foster home or rescue space secured. These kennel spaces literally are lifesavers, without them many of the less popular breeds, or harder to rehome dogs, would be euthanised.

During the last 2 months, Hope Rescue has kept an average of between 14 to 18 dogs in kennels at any one time. Many of these dogs are bull breeds and crosses, which are difficult to find foster or rescue spaces for through no fault of their own – it is often simply a matter of too many dogs resulting from over breeding.

The current kennel bills are in excess of £3,000 a month, without taking into account the associated vets bills and transport costs for 70 dogs. There are several dogs undergoing exploratory vet work for a variety of medical conditions, in addition to the day to day vet costs for neutering, vaccinations, worm and flea treatment and micro-chipping.

The aim of this Appeal is to raise £3000 – the equivalent of one month’s kennel costs – so Hope is asking for supporters to dig deep as the dogs lives are depending on it.

Anyone wishing to make a donation to the Appeal, can do so safely through the Hope Rescue Justgiving page: http://www.justgiving.com/Hope-Rescue-Kennel-Costs

Hope Rescue is always looking for more people willing to give a dog a second chance through fostering. Anyone interested in becoming a foster home should contact Hope Rescue on 07545 822919 or email enquiries@hoperescue.org.uk

Based in Blidworth in Nottinghamshire, Jerry Green Dog Rescue are hosting Open Days on Monday 30th May 2011 and
Sunday 21st August 2011. Normally a great day out, supporting a fantastic local rescue.

For further details visit www.jerrygreendogs.org.uk or telephone 01623 792886.

Since we adopted Fizz, he’s been walked daily and most regularly as the Ashton Court Estate. His boundless energy and enthusiasm has enthralled us; equally, he’s grown extremely close to Tila – my partner Alexandra’s (Alex) gorgeous little Chihuahua cross – such that they’re now an inseparable pair who get up to all manner of mischief. Fizz has a wonderful disposition, much as was recognised by the staff at Holly Hedge Animal Sanctuary whilst in their care.

His amazing character was proven beyond doubt yesterday…

On 14 January, a walker lost a pair of female Shih Tzu’s, Honey and Poppette, as they roamed on the estate. Subsequently, efforts were made through DogLost.co.uk  and local rescues to publicise their loss and leaflets / posters were placed widely around Ashton Court to focus search effort amongst other dog owners visiting there. We also became aware of their plight on a walk with Fizz and Tila the following day.

Then, on 17 January – as we walked our pair alongside woodland in the northern boundary of the Deer Park – Fizz spotted something. He bolted off, upon which we saw a small, fawn-colured and rather bedraggled-looking dog quickly appear from undergrowth, only to then vanish quickly back into brambles and woodland. Alex and I were in no doubt that we’d just seen Honey – one of the missing Shih Tzu’s. With Fizz and Tila’s help, we scoured the area for some 2 hours, having called the owner to attent and assist.

But to no avail. There was no trace of the cryptic missing pooch! We were very frustrated.

Days passed. Every morning, for at least an hour, Alex and I returned with Fizz and Tila to search diligently for Honey. Her companion, Poppette, was fortuitously found elsewhere in the Estate and safely returned home but Honey was nowhere to be seen.

Innumerable messages passed to-and-fro between those searching for her. We were very worried for her welfare. As cold, wet days came and went – coupled to some much colder nights (-5C on some occasions) – we would return to the comfort of home and wonder about her, lost out in the elements, alone and facing the foxes, badgers and other perils we’d seen on our walks.

In honesty, we progressively feared the worst for her, but never gave up hope. Fizz and Tila continued as ‘dog detectives’ every day, scouring the woods, brambles and un-trodden undergrowth with considerable effort and gusto. Every chased squirrel was a false alarm; every crackle we heard on the carpet of fallen leaves offered a short-lived
moment of hope…but nothing more substantive.

Then on 27 January, we walked again.

Exactly 10 days and nights had passed since we’d glimpsed Honey – ours had been the only sighting reported since she’d vanished. Undeterred, we walked again around the north of the park and this time, Fizz’s behaviour was distinctly different. He was purposeful, driven, clearly on a mission. We knew something was up….

Our walk was nearing it’s end. As we emerged from woods, aiming to head back to our car, Fizz refused to follow. He seemed insistent on heading off another way, so we followed. Moments later – in an area bordered by dense undergrowth and ponds – he started charging to-and-fro in a frantic, highly-energised manner we’d never witnessed before. Then, suddenly, he raced into the brambles….and we followed.

As Alex caught up with him, there – crouched entangled in thorns; utterly bedraggled, thin; her eyes firmly closed and temporarily blinded by ulcers – was Honey. She growled; then went still. She was found – and she knew it. Her demeanour swiftly changed; she willingly accepted Alex’s warm jacket interior to be cradled as a carry-cot, and finally we had her safe. Fizz, meanwhile, was clearly very proud of himself!

Shortly after some frantic calls, her owner met us and she was whisked-away to the vet. She’s now back home undergoing treatment for her eyes; spent last night asleep in front of a warm fire: finally safe and snug.

She’s a lucky dog: her condition, not least the blindness, would have quickly conspired to finish her as she had lost any ability to drink, eat or defend herself against predators and scavengers. There’s no doubt that after close to two weeks missing and alone, she’d have not survived much longer. It’s no exaggeration to say that this little dog owes her life to Fizz; how ironic that a rescued Staffy – himself once close to being euthanased prior to arriving into Holly Hedge’s care – has directly resulted in the rescue and survival of another dog.

In short, he’s our hero. We’re very proud of him!

Please share this story to spread the word about this fabulous breed. If you’re considering adopting a dog, please visit www.dogsblog.com to find the canine companion of your dreams today.

The animal centre continues to face tough times financially and it hopes its Hope For Christmas Appeal will encourage animal lovers across the region to spare a few pounds to help with the everyday costs involved with caring for its hundreds of rescue animals, including warmth and care; routine  injections; vet care; re-habilitation with a behaviourist; food and shelter. £40,000 will sustain all the Home’s animals with all aspects of their care for a month.

Bath Rugby prop and England ace, David Flatman, is supporting the campaign and says: “We rescued one of our dogs from the animal centre a few years ago and you couldn’t meet a bigger softie! He’s great! The centre do a really fantastic job rescuing and re-habilitating local animals, some of which have suffered the most appalling abuse. I am really pleased to be able to lend my support to Bath Cats and Dogs Home and wish them lots of luck with their Hope Appeal.”

Take Flower, pictured below. Flower is a two year-old Lurcher who was attacked by dogs and ran into the path of a car. She was covered in wounds on her feet, legs and flanks, with deep wounds in her neck and back. Flower’s ongoing medical re-habilitation treatment has already cost the Home £2,000. Its in-house veterinary suite has cared for her, using equipment and bandages bought with the public’s donations. She will stay at the shelter for several weeks longer and her warm bed and food will cost around £400.

She is now micro-chipped and her injections, flea and worm treatments are up to date, which cost around £100 (she will also be neutered at a later date costing anywhere in the region of £70-£150). She will spend time with expert canine behaviourists, will have socialisation lessons and gentle training to help her build trust with the staff that care for her and so become more open to potential new owners. These classes would cost £4 each.

When the right person comes in who wants to give her a loving home, we will ask for just a £110 donation. Flower is just one story. Now multiply her case by 800 dogs, 860 cats and 150 rabbits, ferrets and rodents and you have 1,810 stories that we can tell you in one year.

Sarah Thorn, fundraising manager, comments: “We continue to be inundated with hundreds of innocent strays, like Flower, who come to us both injured and abused through no fault of their own. We are facing tough times, with more animals than ever needing our help. Our annual costs have risen over the last three years by almost £200,000 and we are launching our Hope at Christmas Appeal to cover the cost of caring for all our animals during the festive period. We need money for life-saving emergency medicine, intensive rehabilitation, food, warmth and care. Please help us make a difference to the victims of the most appalling suffering and help us give a happy ending to our animals. Give an animal a gift of hope for Christmas.”

To donate to the Hope Appeal you can give online at www.bcdh.co.uk, or contact the fundraising team on: 01225 787334 or send a cheque made payable to Bath Cats and Dogs Home to The Avenue, Claverton Down. Bath. BA2 7AZ

Alternatively you can visit our website at www.bcdh.org.uk for more information.