Radio 1 presenters - Comedy Dave Vitty and Dominic Byrne judge dog fancy dress photo competition - Dressed to the K9s 2011

Walk the Dog's annual charity competition Dressed to the K9s kicked off this week with Radio 1 presenter's Comedy Dave Vitty and newsreader Dominic Byrne judging this year's competition.

The dog fancy dress photo competition is in aid of dog rehoming and rescue organisation Every Chance Rescue and this year there are over £1600 worth of prizes for the lucky four-legged winner.  It's easy to enter, simply...

1. take a photo of your pet dressed up - let your imagination run wild
2. submit your entry online at www.dressedtothek9s.com
3. make a donation if you wish through our competition website

The competition runs from Monday 1st February and closes to entries Sunday 24th April 2011.  The winner and runner up will be announced on Friday 6th May 2011.

Dave says: “Both Dominic & I are delighted to be a part of the Dressed to the K9s competition. We can’t wait to see what people come up with as outfits for their dogs. We’ve seen some of last years and there are some comedy dog costumes out there. We might even see a Dancing on Ice costume... Sequined spandex on a dog – it has winner written all over it! Here’s hoping dog lovers up and down the country get involved and help the worthy cause that is Every Chance Rescue.”



Not unfamiliar to being in front of a judging panel whilst appearing on the current series of Dancing on Ice, Comedy Dave will now be able to see what it is like to be on the other side for a change. Whilst Dominic Byrne will need to step away from the serious side of reading the news to look at some light hearted entries for 2011 competition!  Dressed to the K9s dog fancy dress photo competition was created by Walk the Dog, a pet care and behaviour company, to raise much needed funds and awareness for the not for profit organisation Every Chance Rescue (ECR).   Hanne Grice, founder of Walk the Dog says: “We’re thrilled to have Dave and Dominic on board. They’ll have a great time looking through the entries, but it’ll be no easy task choosing a winner if last year’s anything to go by!”

Hanne continues: “Whilst we always have great fun with this competition, there is a real problem that needs to be addressed. Every Chance Rescue works diligently to save dogs from mistreatment and unnecessary death. If we can raise awareness around Every Chance Rescue and the great work they do on rehabilitating dogs and finding them a ‘forever home’ then it’s all worth while.”


Last years celebrity judge was renowned artist Christiane Kubrick and after short listing hundreds of entries, Christiane chose Rosie the Bichon Frise from Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, who entered as ‘Barbara Cartland.  Our 2009 judge was the legendary James Bond film producer, Barbara Broccoli OBE.

For more information visit www.dressedtotheks9.com

Walk the Dog Newsletter - Winter 2010

Dear friends,



‘Tis the season to be merry and for snuggling down with our pets as we look forward to some festive fun. We’ve got a bumper packed winter issue with advice on ensuring your four-legged friend stays safe over the festive period and we meet fitness guru Andi Vincent-Jones, who shares her top tips for avoiding injury from dog walking - advice we follow at Walk the Dog. Plus, we’re delighted to launch our very own cartoon series created exclusively for Walk the Dog by artist and illustrator Ellen Tozer. And, we have all our news and a great Christmas recipe for your furry friends. Thank you for your support this year, we’ve had a blast working with you and your pets. We wish you a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year for 2011.

Click here to read the latest copy of our Walk the Dog newsletter for Winter '10.

Hot weather safety tips for your pets

We’ve had a lovely few days with the warm weather, however, while we have the luxury of changing into shorts and t-shirts, our four-legged friends aren’t as lucky being stuck with their furry coat!  So, while this warm weather continues, think about the following when walking your pets…

  

1. Take water bottles out with you so your pet can cool down and have a drink if needed.
2. Keep to shaded and wooded areas as much as possible to reduce any chances of your pet overheating.
3. If your walks are across the hottest part of the day (lunchtime), monitor your pet while out walking. If you feel he is becoming overheated or in any discomfort, reduce the walking time.
4. In the meantime, below are some useful tips on how to keep your pet safe in this heat, and signs to look out for if you suspect your pet is suffering from over heating:
5. Pets can get easily dehydrated, ensure they have access to fresh, clean water at all times
6. Make sure your pet has a shady or cool place to rest
7. Avoid long walks in the mid-day heat, instead play with your pet in a shady or cooler area to reduce the risk of over heating
8. Pets with flatter faces like Boxers, Pugs, Persian cats, struggle in the heat more than others breeds/species, as they cannot pant as effectively. Pets that are over weight, or suffering from heart and lung diseases should also be kept in cool areas
9. Avoid leaving your pet in the car. A parked car can quickly act like a furnace, leading to fatal heat stroke
10. If you have a paddling/swimming pool which your pet enjoys splashing around in, make sure your pet is supervised at all times. Wash your pet after swimming to ensure any chlorine or salt from the water is off his coat. Discourage your pet from drinking the swimming pool or canal water as this contains chemicals and bacteria that can lead to an upset stomach
11. Ensure your pet cannot get access to open windows. Often in the summer, veterinarian see an increase in the number of accidents and injuries caused by pets (mainly cats) falling out of open windows
12. Pets with a thick coat will benefit from a good groom and cut
13. Avoid long walks on tarmac/and or pavement as the ground quickly heats up and this can burn your dog’s paws and tummy as he is low to the ground. Avoid asking for requests to “sit” at the roadside, as this too may potentially burn your dog’s bottom on a hot day!

Over heating – signs to look out for:

If your pet displays any of the following signs, you should seek veterinary attention immediately. These signs include: 

 

• excessive panting
• difficulty in breathing
• increased heart and respiratory rate
• drooling
• mild weakness
• stupor
• bloody diarrhoea
• vomiting
• and even collapse.

 Stay safe in the sunshine and enjoy this lovely weather.