Man's best friend courts tennis stars

The Australian Open tennis is in full swing so it's interesting to read top seeds Serena Williams and Victoria Azarenka have secret weapons in tow on tour that are contributing to their mental stamina - petite canines. Fur kids are helping them unwind and stay balanced while away from home comforts on the tennis circuit.

Check out this article:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/31/sports/tennis/31tennisdogs.html

Graeme the 'rock star' cat gets his moment in the Sun

Feline trainspotter: Graeme the cat visits a Melbourne train station on the Hurstbridge line twice a day to drop off and pick up his owner. Check out this video from today (17 Sept '11) to witness his antics. I've seen Graeme with my own eyes so it was fantastic to learn more about him in today's Herald Sun. What a delight for commuters and his owners seeing him on the train platform, he would definitely brighten many a day!

Stars and Stripes

If Los Angeles is the land of celeb spotting, let's not leave our humble sidekick, the

pooch, out of that equation. And I don't refer only to Toto or Lassie lookalikes.

On a trip to LA last year, man's best friend made its presence felt wherever l went. Whether it was ritzy doggy day care centres in the more exclusive parts of town, where chihuahuas donned jewels, or this 'dude' pictured above left in the formerly run down, but recently glamified, Hollywood Blvd. Decked out in an LA Lakers basketball sweatshirt, this dog looked like a definite star, chillin' on the Hollwood Walk of Fame, only a hundred metres from Demi Moore's Japanese eatery. Later that day the starry eyed pooch graced my hotel TV screen in an episode of The Hills.

While in hip Melrose Avenue, I witnessed slim young humans enter a building for a 'Dog Bone' casting call. Hopefully a pooch was the star there.

And at the LA Farmers Market l discovered The Bakery for Dogs overflowing with treats tempting enough for human consumption. The Boxer Brownie was one of many that appealed to me. No doubt stars from nearby TV studios, where shows such as The Young and the Restless are produced, stock up here for their beloved pooches.

Tips for Dogs Fearful of Tiles/Floorboards

As pet owners we want to ensure our pet/s are healthy physically and mentally and as well-adjusted as possible to optimise their quality of life and happiness and the relationship between pet/s and owners.

Pet behavioural issues are common, however, so l thought why not share tips here to counter those pesky issues and improve everyone's happiness quota =) Feel free to email me any issues you want covered.

POSSIBLE CAUSES & SOLUTIONS:

1. The sound of their nails on flooring may spook them

» Keep nails trim and filed

2. They may have slid on tiles when very young which has led to avoidance

» Praise them when they walk on tiles and use distraction to focus their attention elsewhere than on their fear

3. They may not have been exposed to slippery floors before

» Gradual exposure, not pandering to their fear and making the floor a fun and calm experience (toys, treats...) is the answer

OTHER TIPS:

Always be Positive, Patient and Encouraging when training your pet.

• Put food bowl at edge of tiles, then move it over time further onto tiles (this is desensitisation, as opposed to flooding which can make dogs more nervous)

• Put dog on a leash and walk back and forth over tiles – use treats as encouragement

• Lie on the floor with treats and favourite toys and the dog will want to come onto tiles and play with you

• Rugs with rubber backing or clear plastic runners with slightly sticky undersides can result in dogs feeling more secure underfoot

• Doggy booties with traction may have your best friend running up and down the hall in no time =)

• Paw wax from a pet shop can help reduce the slipperiness factor

Anti-Puppy Farm Rally Day

This Sunday, 19th September, at 12 noon there will be a Puppy Farm Awareness Rally at the steps of Paliament House in Spring St, Melbourne. Speakers include Derryn Hinch and Moira Rayner and animal welfare groups will be there in support of an accountable pet industry that doesn't include factory farming of puppies which leads to mistreatment of animals and a surplus of dogs. No doubt Hugh Wirth, the RSPCA Victoria President and veterinarian, will lend his vocal chords to the cause.

There will be food and stalls in the Treasury Gardens afterwards and people are encouraged to bring along their crowd-friendly dogs for a truly Dogs Day Out.

Check out http://www.oscarslaw.org/index.php for more details.

Rory-n to go

If there were a canine World Cup, 11 year old Border Collie, Rory, would be an instant inclusion. He scores goals on all fronts: ball skills, enthusiasm, paw-eye coordination, agility and speed. His speciality is catching the ball after a jump that would have the crowd on their feet. Before play commences (on our walks several times a week), he hovers near the umpire –myself- and does some body stretches low to the ground. Then he paces to and fro, eyes focussed on the prized orange soccer ball, waiting for it to launch into mid air. Perhaps his most endearing quality, however, is his skill at winning over the umpire with after play schmoozing and general good spiritedness.

Georgy Girl

‘Swingin down the street so fancy free’ reminds me of Georgia the lab

I’ve just had my first house sitting/pet sitting assignment, which is a new service for Paw Friends. Georgia, the 5 year old chocolate Labrador, was a great initiation. The first few nights she slept in the cupboard by the bed, giving rise to some unusual bumps in the night. l missed her company when she thereafter resorted to the sofa. But then, first thing in the morning, puppy-like enthusiasm and tail wagging greeted me. After sleepy yawns, she took great delight in weaving under my legs and planting lots of good morning smooches, after which she insisted on taking the lead between her teeth and guiding me to the park. Once there, Georgia showed off her ball catching and running skills amongst the fairyland landscape of fallen autumn leaves, never failing to say howdy to some fellow dogs along the way. After so much adventure, evenings were spent contentedly snuggled by me on the sofa, head in my lap, watching for any motion of mine towards the fridge. I fell hard for puppy love and it was difficult parting.