Help a rescue pet this Christmas by donating a Shoe Box filled with goodies.
At this time of year we see an increase in animals coming into our care and less people looking to give a rescued pet a forever home. We are asking for kind members of the public to help a rescue pet this year by filling a shoe box or small container with treat, toys and other goodies for the pets that are with us over the festive period. Each pet that is with us on Christmas Day will receive their own present and have fun opening them.
Please drop off your shoe boxes at one of our Centre’s or check below for drop off points. If you own or run a local business and would be prepared to take in shoeboxes for our animals, please let us know by emailing jazmin.house@mgar.org.uk
If you would prefer to make a purchase from one of our Amazon Wishlists instead, please follow these links for Church Knowle, Lincoln Farm and Wingletang.
Thank you for your support!
Suggestions for Shoebox items:
Dogs: Stevie WT (1)
Tennis balls
Nylabones
Treat balls
Squeaky toys
Peanut butter, Marmite and hot dog sausages (Kong toy fillers)
Dog biscuit treats
Liver treats
Kong toys
Cats: Munchkin Shoebox
Catnip mice
Ping-pong balls
Grooming brushes
Feliway
Play tunnel
Glass foster feeding bottle for kittens
Snugglesafe microwave heat pad
Igloo bed
Whiskas jelly food for kittens
Farm Animals: Shoebox DeliveryCK
Sunflower seeds
Wonky Veg Boxes
Large feed balls
Hanging feeder
Dried mealworms
Mane and tail conditioner
Himalayan horse salt licks
Gel pads for under the saddle
Bridle Hooks
Lead ropes
Solocomb
Shedding blade
Chick sticks treats
Donkey head collars & fly masks
Small Furries: Bunnies Shoebox
Wooden hay rack
Willow toys
Fresh greens
Timothy hay
Gnawing toys
Hay tunnel
All donations will be distributed accordingly.
Drop off locations – if there’s not one near you, keep checking back for new ones…
Dorset
Emily’s Sandwich Shop, 147 New Rd, West Parley, Ferndown BH22 8EB
Precision Engraving, 46 Park Street, Weymouth DT4 7DF
Muddy Paws, 6-7 Business Park Holland, Holland Way, Blandford Forum DT11 7BJ
Pampurred Pets, Unit 1 Salisbury Road Retail Park, Salisbury Road, Blandford Forum DT11 7QG
Pets At Home, Weymouth Avenue Retail Park, Weymouth Ave, Dorchester DT1 2RY
Pets At Home, Westover Retail Park, Castle Ln W, Bournemouth BH9 3JS
Ark Aid Veterinary Centre, 266 Wimborne Road, Poole BH15 3EF
Marshalls Pet Store, Marshalls Pet Food Store Ltd, 24 Station Road, Ashley Cross, Poole BH14 8UB
JP MORGAN, 1st Flr, Hampshire building, Chaseside, Bournemouth, BH7 7DB
Brewery Farm Shop, Ansty, Dorchester, DT2 7PN
Blue Bird Care, Lynch Lane offices, Lynch Lane, Weymouth, DT4 9DN
Or visit the website www.margaretgreenanimalrescue.org.uk/
Studies have shown playing the right music can have a powerful and calming influence on dogs and cats.
Sound is a major factor of our surroundings, especially in today’s loud, fast-paced world. Noise pollution can be a significant stressor for both animals and humans, while healing music can calm us and improve our lives.
Sound consists of waves of energy. How fast a wave is traveling, or its frequency, is measured in hertz (Hz). One Hz is defined as one wave cycle per second. Humans hear frequencies of 20 to 20, 000 Hz, while dogs hear a much wider range of 40 to 65,000 Hz.
Loudness is measured in decibels (dB). Hearing damage occurs at 100dB, but can also be caused by prolonged exposure to noise levels above 85dB – a level frequently reached in animal shelter environments.
As you can see from the below, many of us are at risk for hearing loss:
Whisper 30dB Traffic 70dB
Conversation 50dB Lawnmower 90dB
Alarm clock 70dB Rock concert 130dB
Resonance and entrainment
Psychoacoustics is a discipline that studies how humans perceive sound – how we listen, our psychological responses, and the physiological impact of music and sound on the nervous system. Bioacoustics, meanwhile, is the study of sound perception in animals. It looks at how animals communicate, as well as the positive and negative effects of sound in their environments.
Two of the most important principles of psychoacoustics and bioacoustics are resonance and entrainment.
Resonance describes the effect of one vibration (or frequency) on another. For example, placing a tuning fork on the spine allows the sound vibration to resonate through the entire nervous system.
Entrainment is the process by which sound rhythms cause major body systems (heart rate, brain waves and breath) to naturally speed up or slow down. For example, if we listen to slow music, our pulse and breathing will decrease.
The orienting response
Pattern identification is another component of bioacoustics and psychoacoustics, and is related to the complexity of sound. When a new pattern is introduced, the focus of the brain turns to this sensory input. This is termed active listening. Once the pattern has been processed, the brain returns to a passive hearing state.
This is an instinctive process that also occurs in animals. This orienting response is a survival mechanism, and is especially important in prey animals. The ear pinna of dogs and cats allow the reception of sound to occur on a much more sensitive level than in humans. We have all witnessed the sudden arousal of an animal when an unusual or loud sound is heard. While the orienting response is important for the animal’s survival, it also has some negative consequences in domestic environments, where he is exposed to sounds that may continually activate his orienting response. Even though these environmental sounds may not elicit overt fear, the ongoing instinctive reaction to sudden noise can interrupt the animal’s relaxed state.
Music is the answer
The effects of music have been well documented in humans, and studies with domestic and other animals have revealed that music also has a powerful effect on them. For example, studies showed that country music can calm ponies while classical music helped cows produce more milk and improved the growth rate of chickens. A recent study in cats demonstrated that calming music increased the depth of anesthesia during surgery. Dolphins, meanwhile, have been known to swim in synchrony to Bach.
A study done in Ireland found that classical music is the preferred calming sound source in dog shelters. Research done by Through a Dog’s Ear took this a step further and applied the principles of resonance, entrainment, and the orienting response to classical music selections. It discovered that slow, psychoacoustically-arranged single instrument (piano) music had the most calming effects. Upwards of 70% of dogs in shelters and veterinary offices, and 85% of dogs in home environments, became noticeably calmer with this music. It was also found to reduce twice as many anxiety behaviors in fearful dogs as standard classical selections did. Many animal shelters are now benefitting from programs that provide calming music for their residents.
Music is a wonderful tool for relaxation and healing. I hope you and your animal companion can discover its potential together.
Do a sonic evaluation
You may want to do a sonic evaluation of your home, especially if you have an anxious or reactive dog or cat. Take a few minutes to listen to and note down all the sounds you (and your animal) hear — the results may surprise you. We humans are masters at tuning out what’s happening around us, so your environment may be noisier than you realize.
Remember that our nervous systems also have an orienting response, so creating a healthy sound environment with appropriate music may improve your well-being as well as that of your four-legged family member.
by Susan Wagner, dvm
Five things to do with your dog this weekend!
1. Visit somewhere new
Just because it’s getting colder, it doesn’t mean that you and your dog should stop exploring new places. Lots of beaches have their ‘no dogs allowed’ restrictions lifted during the autumn and winter months, so take the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful British coastlines while they are quiet! Visit www.goodbeachguide.co.uk to find places where your pet will be welcome.
2. Teach your dog a new trick
If you already have an obedient dog, you could teach him a new party trick which can be done outside or in the comfort of your home — for example, to take a bow. While your dog is standing facing you, take a small treat in one hand and place it right in front of his nose. Very slowly lower the treat towards the ground just between his front paws; as his nose follows it, his front end will go downwards while his back end stays in the air, making it look as though he’s taking a bow. Praise and reward him. Gradually increase the time he stays in the bow, and also begin moving your hand less, but continue to bend forwards — this becomes your cue, but to anyone watching, it will look as though you’re politely bowing to each other.
3. Pamper your dog
The colder weather has brought with it some rain, so inevitably dog walks are going to get a lot muddier over the coming months. Giving your dog a good groom (and possibly a bath if he’s really muddy), will keep his coat tangle-free and manageable. Although it can be tempting to keep your dog’s coat long during winter to keep him warm, consider booking him in for a trim with your local dog groomer (or attempt to do it yourself) and putting a waterproof dog jacket on him when he goes for a walk so that his coat is kept dry. Shorter coats will dry quicker too!
4. Fireworks preparation
If your dog is scared of fireworks, now is the time to start planning and preparing him to cope with the festivities. One way to do this is by buying a CD of fireworks noises or downloading them, along with instructions on how to introduce the treatment programme. At first, play the sounds quietly for short periods of time, gradually increasing the volume and duration. You’ll find plenty more Bonfire Night survival tips in our October issue, available from the Your Dog Shop.
5. Cuddles
There’s nothing better than going for a long autumnal dog walk and then curling up in front of the fire with a warm blanket, cup of tea, and a copy of your favourite magazine, with your four-legged friend on your lap or by your feet. So, relax and enjoy!
Archie Darby (left) died in the attack and his brother Daniel-Jay Darby was left with serious injuries
Parents have paid tribute to their four-month old son who was killed in a dog attack, and his 22-month-old brother who was seriously injured.
Archie Darby died after he was attacked by the dog at his home in Colchester, Essex. His brother Daniel-Jay Darby is in hospital.
In a statement, their parents said they “were such happy little loveable boys”.
Essex Police said the dog – believed to have been a “Staffordshire bull terrier-type” – had been put down.
Their mother sustained minor injuries in the attack inside the house in Harwich Road on Thursday afternoon.
Media caption Neighbour Dave Thompson said the dog looked like a Staffordshire bull terrier
The boys’ parents, who asked not to be named, issued a statement saying: “Our beautiful sons Archie Joe Darby and Daniel-Jay Darby are so, so loved by us all and were such happy little loveable boys.
“It doesn’t seem real that our little Archie Bum has gone to heaven and our little Daniel is in intensive care because of a tragic, tragic incident involving a dog attack.
“We have lost our gorgeous little four-month-old baby and our beautiful 22-month-old boy is currently being treated for his injuries.
“Heaven has gained a beautiful little angel and he will be greatly missed by us all and our other little soldier is still fighting strong.
“Please, please, please can you all respect our privacy at this time.”
Floral tribute
Image caption
Floral tributes with hand-written messages were left outside the house where the attack took place
Daniel-Jay was left with “life-changing injuries” in the attack and is being treated at a specialist unit.
A somber reminder to us all what can happen when things go wrong between Dogs and Humans.
My thoughts are with the family at this tragic and unimaginably painful time.
Four Paws Dog Raffles having fun at Waitrose Green in Wimborne!
Really proud of Raffles on his dog walk as there was a lot of noise from the builders and he just trotted on past. We had a fun time with Raffles meeting lot of his doggie friends.
Well done Raffles! What a Star!
PDSA Help a Vet, help a Pet. Dogs, cats and more!
Join Team PDSA
Thousands of runners pushed themselves to the limit in this year’s Virgin Money London Marathon – and Team PDSA was right there amongst them!
Ballot applications for the Virgin Money London Marathon 2017 are now closed.
If you enter the ballot, you will find out at the start of October 2017 whether or not you have been successful. If you have not heard from the Virgin London Marathon organisers by then, call the helpdesk on 020 7902 0200.
REGISTER YOUR SUPPORT
Want to help but not a Gold Bond runner?
You can still help PDSA, whether you are running or not. We’re here to support you with loads of ways and top tips for fundraising from cake bakes and coffee mornings to tombolas and treasure hunts. You can even help by skydiving.
However you support us, just remember you are helping to help vets help pets.
**PUPPY PARENTS WANTED**
Training Assistance Dogs is incredibly rewarding to be involved in.
Here at Woofability we’re looking for enthusiastic and caring families or individuals in Dorset to help raise our puppies for a year – from 10 weeks to 14 months.
With your help, we can continue to transform more people’s lives.
Please contact us for further information.
Email: enquiries@woofability.org
Tel: 01202 814643
07790341721
