BLOOD DRIVE A SUCCESS

Did you know pets sometimes need blood transfusions, just like people do, in serious injury or illness? We rely on voluntary donations and work closely with the charity Pet Blood Bank UK, hosting regular Blood Drives on our premises. Thankyou to everyone who came along at short notice on Sunday to help replenish the charity's blood stocks! For more information  on how your pet can help, see http://www.broadlanevets.co.uk/PetBloodBankUK1517.html

A new trend? Giving your pet a human name

At the end of 2012 the Co-operative pet insurers released a list of the most popular pets’ names of 2012, and there seems to be an interesting trend: people are beginning to call their pets the same names as their children. The most popular dog names were Alfie, Molly, Poppy, Charlie and Max. The most popular cat names were Charlie, Molly, Poppy, Oscar and Alfie. The survey showed that pet owners are moving away from traditional pet names such as Rover and Whiskers, and are now choosing human names. The top two pet names also appear in the recent list of most popular children's names.
We have noticed this at Broad Lane Vets with people even using names that can’t be shortened into handy “calling” names, such as Christopher, Andrew and Margaret.
This new approach to pet names reflects a change in the way that we view our pets - they are now  seen as members of the ‘human family’. Many of us see ourselves as “pet parents” rather than “owners”, so it seems natural to use children’s names rather than animal versions.

Is there anything wrong with this trend? Should we just relax and enjoy the fact that we see our pets are little furry children?
Problems however sometimes begin when we ‘overhumanise’ our pets. Many of the most common behavioural problems in dogs are connected with the way that we interact with our pets. It’s just worth remembering somewhere at the back of your mind, that you’re not interacting with a fellow human being. So yes, go ahead and humanise your pet, but don’t let yourself be completely fooled. Charlie is adorable, but he sees the world through dogs’ eyes; and Oscar may look wise and thoughtful, but he’s still a cat

Top 10 Dog Names 2012
1 Alfie
2 Molly
3 Poppy
4 Charlie
5 Max
6 Bella
7 Daisy
8 Millie
9 Ruby
10 Oscar

Top 10 Cat Names 2012
1 Charlie
2 Molly
3 Poppy
4 Oscar
5 Alfie
6 Daisy
7 Millie
8 Tilly
9 Bella
10 Tigger

Keeping safe on wet and dark evenings...

Did you know with dark, wet and windy evenings road traffic accidents are the most common cause of serious injury to pet dogs. While it’s true that many accidents happen when dogs are out on their own, a surprising number happen to dogs that are accompanied by their owners.

The UK’s biggest dog charity, Dogs Trust, has put together some useful tips to help keep you and your dog as safe as possible during those evening walks in the winter. Although they may seem obvious a reminder is always good…   

Keep control of your dog and don’t let him off lead unless you are in a safe area which is well lit
Wear high visibility clothing such as jackets, vests or reflective strips on your clothes so you can be easily seen by motorists
A reflective collar and lead or a high visibility coat or flashing collar will also increase your dog’s visibility in the dark
Work out a winter dog walking route which, in urban areas, includes both wide pavements and bright street lighting
If there is no pavement, walk against the flow of the traffic and keep your dog on the side farthest from the road
Carry a torch which will help you be seen and also enable to you see to pick up your dog’s mess. Consider a head torch so your hands are free.
Walking in groups can be safer than on your own
If possible, take your dog in the car to a place where you can walk away from the roadside. Many parks and sports fields have lighting but always check that dogs are allowed first
Make sure your dog is well trained and responsive to commands. For helpful tips on training, visit www.dogstrust.org.uk

Jeffrey’s New Year Resolution

Well, yes, a New Year’s resolution, I think I could manage that. Let me just clean my paws while I think.

It would be nice to be able to nose twitch to a friend, but I don’t have one…... nibble, nibble. I do get lonely on my own.  The humans do come to see me every day it isn’t the same as having some-one here all the time….nibble, nibble. We bunnies naturally get on together well, think how many friends I would have if I lived in a burrow!

One thing I know I should do is eat more hay - a bit like you eating healthily, as it is good for my teeth and tummy too….nibble, nibble. But when there is a full bowl of yummy pellets around all the time, it is very difficult to resist them…. nibble, nibble.

So, yes, that’s my resolution; I will try to eat more hay, but I would love a friend! nibble, nibble, nose twitch, big sigh!

Angel’s New Year’s resolution

A New Year’s resolution ? That sounds like hard work, can’t I just lie here and play with my new toy ?

 

I like sleeping, and I am very good at it… maybe I should resolve to do it more. I think I could just about manage another hour or so a day. I used to run around when I was younger but it is much easier now to lie still now. Mum says that is because I am a little ‘bigger’ than I used to be but I know that I am just perfect. Anyway there is always a full bowl of biscuits down, and what is a cat to do, ignore them? I don’t think so! Obviously I don’t always eat everything I am given, sometimes I just lick the gravy or jelly from the meat course but that is mainly to keep mum on her toes… and the menu varied, of course. I did hear mention if I stay this cuddly I could get problems like arthritis or diabetes, which don’t sound very nice, so maybe I should try to slim down a bit. Hmm, I shall sleep on it, zzzz.