Pet Ownership during the Cost-of-Living Crisis

I often become exasperated when I listen to the BBC news. It seems to me the range of topics covered has become more limited recently.  Whether it’s the terrible war in Ukraine, the most recent natural disaster or the spiralling cost of HS2, individual stories seem to dominate for a few days and then disappear […]

Ingesting Non-Food Items

I have written articles for the Times in various parts of the world but few more beautiful than where I am now, off the west coast of Sardinia.  A close friend asked me to join him on his sailing boat for 10 days or so. Although I have never set foot in one before, I […]

Pet dental health

In the last week of July, a few early blackberries ripened in a sunny part of the wilder area of my garden. So, I picked one and tasted that tart sweetness most of us are familiar with.  However, a seed lodged itself between one of my molars, resulting in a second interdental flossing of the […]

Breeding: Anatomical Challenges of Pure Breeding

Pure breeding is causing some anatomical issues for certain pets, resulting in unnecessary distress. Dogs, as we know, come in all shapes and sizes.  Not so much cats, which is just as well because if there was a similar size variation in our domestic felines as in pet dogs, we could have 80kg cats roaming […]

A Dog’s Scent: The Sniff Test

July is a special month for many families. Schools are breaking up for summer and preparations are being made for the holidays.  Our pets certainly know that something’s afoot and react accordingly as bags are packed for a few days away.  In my house, this means extreme excitement but a road trip causes stress and […]

A Dog’s Hearing: ‘ERE, EAR

This spring has been a bit of a stop-start affair. The sun trying to warm us up despite cold winds pushing down from the north for much of April.  Hopefully, by June we will be basking in southern breezes!  It always amazes me that they survive at all, let alone have the strength to sing […]

Hyperthermia and Hypothermia

Back in April, the hot sun but cold wind tempted Tracey and I away for a couple of nights by the sea.  When I suggested this as a treat for a birthday, bags were packed for exotic Southern European sun until I admitted we were going to Weymouth.  Talk about polar opposites – you may […]

Inflammation

With summer hopefully well on the way, many of us are spending more time being active, either in the garden, walking or doing more strenuous exercise.  This is all good for our mental and physical well-being. And, I’m sure our pets enjoy the benefits of happier owners! As Tracey and I discovered last week, there’s […]

Eyesight: The Eyes Have It

Our house faces East. In spring and autumn, the sun is perfectly placed to shine through the bedroom window as Tracey and I try to wake up.  The effect this has on a snoozy brain is profound, a flood of sensory input as light hits the retina for the first time in hours, sending a […]

Is our pet in pain?

For those who cannot speak, how do we answer the question, is our pet in pain? April has for me the best celebration of the year, Easter.  A “movable feast” as of course the date varies between March 21st and April 25th.  I like a bit of unpredictability but wouldn’t it be easier if the […]