Pets Magazine October 2018

October 2018, FREE
A Comforting
Paw: Pets &
Our Mental
Health
PET HOROSCOPES
by Celebrity Astrologer
RUSSELL GRANT!
PLUS PET STORIES/TOP PET PRODUCT
REVIEWS & MORE INSIDE
Pets Magazine
Vet

Vet
Pets Magazine

Cavaliers’ Choices...
Premium pet products, destinations & activities for you & your pet chosen by Sophie
Nell and Rufus, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, assisted by Marie.
LET'S PLAY TUG!
Chuckit! has a great range of toys; in particular, the
Mountain Rope Tug toy (pictured), Max Glow Range
of glow in the dark toys and the range of launchers
and balls will keep your pooch entertained and
exercised for ages. We especially like the launchers
and the tug toy, which we (Rufus, the youngster
among us) had the pleasure of trying out. We loved
played tug with the humans and proving that we are
the strongest. Three paws up!
Chuckit! toys are available from most pet stores.
SUITS YOU SIR!
We adore this handmade range of Harris tweed
designer dog wear from Scottish company Bowzos.
Whether you want a smart waistcoat, collar, lead or
bowtie, they are the ones to go to to kit out your
pooch! As well as for everyday wear, their smart
togs are perfect for special occasions such as
weddings.
Pictured is Pets Mag’s Rufus, looking super-smart
in his tweed bandana.
www.bowzos.co.uk
Vet
Pets Magazine

Cavaliers’ Choices...
SOOTHING SOLUTIONS
Pet Remedy (www.petremedy.co.uk) has launched its
Party Season Survival Kit, comprising the Pet Remedy
plug diffuser, calming spray and calming wipe sachets -
in time for Bonfire Night and the festive season.
Pet Remedy products combine Valerian absolute oil
and essential oils including Vetiver, Sweet Basil and
Clary Sage which, when used together, trick nerve
cells into thinking they are getting a calming message
from the brain, which is why it works instantly. Priced
at £25.00.
POOCH POETRY!
Imagine if your dog could talk to you. Better
still, imagine if it could express its
innermost feelings in poetic form.
‘What I Lick Before Your Face
and other haikus by dogs’, by
Jamie Coleman, is a heart-warming book
and the perfect gift for any dog lover.
With a delightful photo alongside every
haiku, this is a fun read.
£9.99 | Hardback | Publishing 1st November
| Bantam Press
PS/
We’re always looking for premium products & services to
review for both pets and people! Please get in touch with
the boss at editor@petsmag.co.uk.
Love, Sophie, Nell & Rufus xxx
Vet
Pets Magazine

WWW.ARTYLOBSTER.COM
Vet
Pets Magazine

A Comforting
Paw...
Can Pets Help With
Mental Health?
Cuddle power should not be underestimated. For both pets and
people, comfort is derived from the nearness of another, the
comforting link of touch. So many other benefits can be derived
from caring for a pet, as MARIE CARTER explains...
Vet
Pets Magazine

By MARIE CARTER
Cuddle power
should not be
underestimated.
For both pets and
people, comfort is
derived from the
nearness of
another, the comforting
link of touch. So many
other benefits can be
derived from caring for a
pet. Some might say that
a furry friend should be
put on a medical
prescription in place of,
Marie & Nell
or as an accompaniment
to, medication for a
whole host
of mental
health
issues…
The
comforting
padding of
feet across the otherwise
silent house, the welcoming
nudge of wet nose on arm
and the soothing sense of
unconditional love can
make lives tainted by
mental health more
bearable.
Formerly love-deprived Nell,
my rescue spaniel, loves her
cuddles, and she ‘asks’ for
them on a daily basis. The
strength of her
unconditional and innocent
sense of love is palpable and
we both derive comfort and
a sense of calm from that
closeness.
Just by stroking, sitting next
to or playing with a pet can
help to relax and calm
someone with a mental
health condition. Dogs
especially will encourage
their owner to seek exercise
and thereby meet other dog
walkers, creating vital social
Vet
Pets Magazine

Vet
connections. A growing raft
of studies has shown that
pets can help with
numerous issues linked to
mental health from
depression and PTSD to
addictions, stress and
feelings of loneliness.
Mental health
campaigner Vanessa
Holbrow from
Burnham on Sea,
Somerset has been
helped on a lifechanging
level by the
power of a similar
connection. Vanessa’s
Border Terrier, ‘Sir Jack
Spratticus’, a rescue
from Border Terrier
Welfare, won the dog
hero competition,
Friends for Life, at
Crufts 2018. Jack, for
short, is credited with
changing Vanessa’s life,
helping her to live with
complex mental health
illnesses, by giving Vanessa
purpose, permission to be
and find a sense of self,
companionship and
stability.
Vanessa explains: “Jack had
such a bad start in life. It
took me a year to train him
in order for us to be able to
walk in local dog friendly
areas, for example, a 7-mile Generated Independence in
stretch of beach, on our August 2017 and started
door step. This just shows training to be an official
what love and patience can assistance dog to Vanessa.
do. His needs, I strongly Vanessa chose to go down
sensed, mirrored my own to the route alone, so Jack is
a degree; put simply, due to now an Owner Trained
inappropriate early life 'Assistance Dog for Mental
Health', independent of
any organisation.
Wherever they go, Jack’s
status as an ‘Assistance
Dog for Mental Health’,
stimulates conversation,
raises awareness, and
helps combat prejudice.
Jack is a brilliant
advocate for the crucial
role dogs play for those
living with mental health
illnesses.
Jack has given Vanessa
Vanessa & Jack
experiences.”
Vanessa was determined
not to give up on Jack, and
through long hours of
patience and training,
Vanessa says: “Jack now
helps to raise awareness of
mental health issues and he
is my family. I don’t know
what I would do without
him.”
Jack was accepted by the
organisation Canine
Pets Magazine
the motivation and
passion to speak on local
radio, the confidence to
speak in front of the camera
for local television, write
articles and help
organisations including
Rethink and Beat & Time to
Change. Together, Vanessa
and Jack have raised
thousands of pounds for
mental health charities.
“Jack has been an integral
part of maintaining my
physical connections to the
world,” Vanessa explains.

Vet
An otherwise isolated
person can become
more a part of their
community by the
simple act of walking
their dog or chatting
about their pet to
another person. The
responsibility of looking
after a pet can also give a
sense of achievement and
add important routine to a
day.
Dr David Cliff, a Personal
Development Coach at
Gedanken, explains: “The
presence of an animal can
have a supportive and
calming effect on people.
Stroking pets, induces a
sense of well-being, often
creating blood pressure
reduction. The warmth of
contact, the brisk dog walk
“The care of an animal
and the companionship
it brings can bring
meaning to one's life...”
“He enables me to go out
and meet with other dog
owners. Regularity in seeing
people is paramount to
continuing a friendship and
Jack has made a significant
difference with this. This has
been an invaluable
reminder that other people
are there and that they may
care about me. This is a
to maintain fitness, the cats
calming purr, all of these
offer owners’ gifts that are
hard to place a value upon
but we would be clearly
more impoverished
without.”
A joint Cats Protection and
Mental Health Foundation
study showed how cats can
helpful, followed by a third
of respondents who
described stroking a cat as a
calming and helpful activity.
Dr Cliff explains: “The care of
an animal and the
companionship it brings can
bring meaning to one's life,
personal enrichment and
has been known to reduce
chronically unfamiliar
concept for me”.
help improve mental health. suicidal behaviour and
encourage people to rework
their lives.
“We live in a world of
increasingly single
person households and
many have described
loneliness as almost a
disease state in our
society.
The research involved over
600 cat- and non-catowning
“Pets often offer at least in
respondents, with part, an antidote to that,
half of them describing particularly amongst people
themselves as currently who are, for example,
having a mental health housebound, geographically
problem. The survey found isolated, have difficulty
that 87% of people who maintaining adult
owned a cat felt it had a relationships, have mental
positive impact on their health problems, learning
wellbeing, while 76% said disabilities and other
they could cope with challenges that limit or
everyday life much better qualify human interpersonal
thanks to the company of contact.”
their feline friends. Half of
the cat owners felt that their
cat's presence and
companionship was most
Pets Magazine

From easing in the early owner who suffered from
stages of alcohol or drug alcohol addiction.
rehabilitation to being a
solid support for those who Tom Maybury died five years
have entered addiction ago at the age of 29 but the
recovery, animals have a lot recent death of Tottie has
to offer those
struggling from
addiction.
Through all
stages of
treatment and
recovery, pet
therapy can be
an enormous
help to those in
recovery.
Yet another
canine has
inspired a
campaign to
improve
addiction
recovery.
Rescue dog
Tottie was born
in 2003 and
was the last of
an abandoned
litter of puppies
to be homed by
the Dogs Trust
at Roden
Shropshire. She
died recently one month
short of her 15th birthday
but will always be
remembered for the love
and support she gave to her
Happiness: Nell, the rescue Cavalier
led Tom’s mother Sally and
younger brother Henry to
raise awareness of how
rescue dogs can make such
a difference to people’s lives.
Henry Maybury, Tom’s
brother, explains: “We visited
the Dogs Trust because Tom
was adamant he wanted a
dog. On seeing this little one
with a huge head Tom
decided he wanted her,
despite us trying to
persuade him
otherwise. Tom
absolutely idolised her,
she really was his little
girl. She would go to
work with him, riding
in the tractor cabin,
keeping him company.
“Sadly, after Tom had
been looking after
Tottie for about six
years he was unable to
care for her properly
because he was
fighting his own
demons, alcohol
addiction. Tottie
moved in with mum
but Tom visited
regularly, walking her –
he really did love her to
bits. When Tom moved
back with mum for a
spell of support, she
would frequently find
Tottie lying on the bed
with him. Tottie played such
a large part in Tom’s life and
I am sure she helped him in
trying to cope with his
demons.”
Vet
Pets Magazine

Vet
After Tom’s death Henry, a
singer/songwriter, came
across the songs ‘Lost Days’
and ‘Every Night And Day’
and decided
they would be
the ideal vehicle
to make people
aware of alcohol
addiction and
how easy it is to
fall into that
trap.
“After releasing
the videos and
travelling all
around the UK
visiting schools,
prisons and
rehabs Tottie
became a star
in her own
right,” added
Henry.
“Students would message
me through Facebook and
Instagram asking me how
Tottie was and what she was
up to. Prisoners would beg
me to bring her into prisons
so they could meet her – I
wish it had been something
I was allowed to do.
“Tottie started suffering
from arthritis and dementia
last year and towards
Christmas we knew she had
come to the end, so we all
said our goodbyes to a very
special lady, who is now
reunited with her best
Tottie
friend Tom.”
Tom’s mum Sally says: “I
would never have thought
that after the sadness of five
years ago of losing my son
Tom that I would now feel
joy from seeing the amazing
response to our addiction
programme from students
in schools, parents, prisoners
and those fighting addiction
and in recovery.”
The Maybury family is now
working with Community
Pets Magazine
Alcohol Partnerships (CAP),
a government funded
organisation which works to
tackle the problem of
underage drinking and
associated anti-social
behaviour across the UK.
Henry is donating 100% of
the proceeds from his
debut single ‘Lost Days’ to
addiction charities
globally. For further
information for donations
and bookings, visit http://
www.henrymaybury.com/.
When mental health takes
a nosedive for whatever
reason, if there is one to
be found, pets from dogs
and cats to horses and
smaller animals can have
remarkable restorative
powers. To adapt a wellused
and oh so true phrase,
‘pets’, truly are, ‘people's’
best friends.’

An Arthurian Tale...
Vet
Retired vet and author
MALCOLM D. WELSHMAN
Malcolm has had a
lifetime filled with
exciting
encounters
with animals.
He shares all
these
fascinating
experiences in a
gently
humorous
memoir that
will guarantee to tug at
the heart strings while
bringing a smile to your
face. ‘A most enjoyable
insight into a fascinating
life.’ Jim Wight, son of
James Herriot, has
described Malcolm’s
Malcolm and Dora
latest work, ‘An Armful of
Animals’. Here, he shares
a tale that is straight
from King Arthur’s
Court...
When Davinia
Cresswell stepped
into my consulting
room that
afternoon, it was
as if she had
stepped out of one
of her Arthurian
novels. Flaming
ringlets of hair
cascaded down
over her shoulders. Fiery
emerald eyes blazed. And the
swashbuckling demeanour in
the way she carried herself, clad
in tight crimson jeans and
bodice-ripping blouse that
plunged dangerously low over
her cleavage. Wow. It was
enough to light my fire. If she’d
been a damsel in distress I’d
have been cantering to her
Pets Magazine
rescue in the wink of a dragon’s
eye. But somehow, I felt it
would take a lot to get Davinia
Cresswell distressed; and when
it did it would be due to a
problem with one of her many
cats since she was a confirmed
cataholic.
On our first meeting, Davinia
greeted me with, “Allow me to
introduce one of my merry
band,” placing a cat basket on
my consulting table. “This little
mite’s just joined us. I’d like
you to give him the once over.
Make sure he’s fit to join the
clan.”
He was a small timid tortie,
brown, black and white,
cowering in the bottom of the
basket. As soon as Davinia
eased him out, her manner
changed. She cooed and
clucked. Smoothed and
cuddled. Reassured with sweet
nothings in his ear. His right

Vet
ear. The other one was missing.
No doubt torn off in a fight.
“I’ve called him Tom
Thumb,” she said. “He
was Arthur’s court
dwarf and honorary
knight. And my own
King Arthur has
accepted him.”
“That’s good,” I murmured
absent-mindedly, still thinking
of damsels in distress.
“Yes. He straightaway cleaned
this mite’s fur with his tongue.
And then led him to his own
dish of food and sat back
allowing him to feed from his
bowl. Amazing, don’t you
think?”
“Indeed,” I muttered. Still miles
away. In Avalon in actual fact,
climbing a turret.
“He made several more
appearances over the months
with battle wounds that
needed treatment.”
When King Arthur finally made
his appearance at the surgery
some two months later, his
name did indeed seem apt. He
was a blue Persian. Long,
flowing grey fur. Large golden
eyes and very aloof in the
manner in which he padded
round the consulting table, tail
erect, swishing from side to
side, its tip quivering. But that
may have been due to the
Pets Magazine
discomfort caused by an
abscess under his tail for which
he was admitted, sedated and
the abscess lanced. He made
several more appearances over
the months with battle wounds
that needed treatment.
I went on to meet other
members of King Arthur’s
Round Table. Galahad,
Lancelot Geraint, Lamorak.
And a few ladies of the Court,
Brangaine, Celia and
Guinevere. A mixed collection
of stray and rescue cats that
seemed to live together with
only the occasional warring
whenever a new member was
introduced. Each spat deftly
dealt with by King Arthur or
one of his cohorts.

Of the group, Dagonet was the
funniest character.
“Well he was Arthur’s court
jester,”
explained
Davinia, with a
toss of those
wonderful
ringlets of hers.
“And he
certainly
makes me
laugh with the
pranks he gets
up to.”
all Dagonet’s fault. I
discovered he’d jumped up on
top of the washing machine
and reached across to flick on
was a knight in shining armour.
His description suspiciously
matched mine.
One such
prank of
Dagonet’s
involved the
central heating
in Davinia’s
home - aptly called Camelot
Cottage.
“I woke up one night very hot,”
she told me. “And had to throw
back my duvet. Can you
imagine?”
the central heating switch.
Same with the TV switch.”
Seems he was also responsible
for raiding the fridge. Clever
little fella. I managed to
I didn’t mind too much. At least
he didn’t have a stethoscope
dangling from his neck.
Vet
I could. All too clearly. Got
me hot and very bothered.
“So I went down to the
kitchen to get a drink,”
she went on.
“There were all the cats in the
front room watching TV,
warm as toast, spoils of a
midnight feast scattered over
the sofa and armchairs. It was
An Armful of Animals is
available from Amazon as a
paperback £7.99 or ebook
£2.99
www.malcolmwelshman.co.uk
compose myself sufficiently to
give him his annual booster.
When Davinia’s latest
Arthurian adventure was
published she left me a
complimentary copy. In it there
Pets Magazine

Pet Horoscopes
by Russell Grant
ARIES (March 21st-April 20th)
What a diligent creature you
are, always performing chores
around the house to help your
companion; you're so devoted
a pet it's difficult to imagine
how anyone could get along
without you! It would be
unfortunate if you were to get
so preoccupied with working
bushy tailed. With a proper
focus on nutrition you and
your housemate make a
dynamic team!
TAURUS (April 21st-May
21st)
One minute your owner
seems eager to lavish you
with praise, and the next with
Don't venture into forbidden
that you forgot to take care of
yourself! A healthy food plan
will keep you bright eyed and
shame. It's hard to know what
to make of these mixed signals.
Err on the side of caution.
areas, and stay away from
precious possessions. If your
human companion is smart,
Vet
Pets Magazine

they'll keep favourite items out
of harm. Your playful
exuberance can sometimes
result in unfortunate accidents.
Kerb your enthusiasm!
GEMINI (May 22nd-June 21st)
Your health could be a bit
delicate right now, so watch
those table scraps. Yes, you
can be terribly grumpy when
you're not given what you
want, but it's better to be
cranky than cringing in agony.
You're also fastidious about
your appearance. A good way
to get in your good graces is to
clean your quarters and wash
you thoroughly. Having a
pristine eating area is essential,
especially when forced to eat
low-cal food!
CANCER (June 22nd-July 23rd)
Venus in your sign has a big
impact on you for this month.
You'll enjoy the joys of entering
a cycle of beauty in several
ways. Get ready to be taken
out for a 'sprucing up'. This
could include a haircut, a
massage, a scrubbing and
combing or any other activity
that enhances your
appearance and presentation.
You bask in the glow of
radiance.
LEO (July 24th-August 23rd)
Welcome to a month of fun in
the sun. You'll have an extra
skip in your step as you parade
around town. Friends will
comment on how fabulous you
look. You'll be the centre of
attention, so now is the time to
play the roaring lion. No need
to lift a finger convincing
others of your greatness.
They'll understand without any
prodding from you and shower
you with compliments.
VIRGO (August 24th-
September 23rd)
Have you been thinking your
memory's played tricks on you;
have you seemingly lost some
of your treasures? There could
be a few very good reasons
why you can't locate certain
things. One is you've got such a
collection of items buried all
around that it's just too much
to keep track of. As easily as
you accumulate friends, you've
thoughtlessly held on to the
many items they've given you.
Could it be your housemate
just got fed up and discarded
the rarely used or old toys?
LIBRA (September 24th-
October 23rd)
Collisions that have occurred
before will occur again, if only
because you insist on dodging
the voice of authority that
instructs you to obey certain
rules and regulations. You've
never been one who responds
well to being told what to do,
but if you'd just listen, you
could avoid many of the
problems you get yourself into!
When a well-meaning human
friend explains the situation to
you, take a step back and
consider the reasons behind
the request. Your cooperation
will be well rewarded!
SCORPIO (October 24th-
November 22nd)
You're more on your game
than ever as the month begins;
the stellar job you do at looking
after a visitor earns you both
praise and treats. Initially, you
might not fully realise what a
positive effect you have on this
person, but before long the
Vet
Pets Magazine

news of you will
reach the ear of
someone who
trains pets for
special duties;
don't be surprised
if your services are
sought for this
task. That's both a
feather in your cap
and an honour for
your housemate!
SAGITTARIUS (November
23rd-December 21st)
Stay alert and out of the way;
with an aggressive creature on
the prowl the fur that flies
could very well be yours if you
get in range! With such an
intruder invading the
neighbourhood everyone will
be talking about the need for
increased security. Being in the
wrong place at the wrong time
is risky, but it appears this
situation calls for a hero; if you
don't want to be the one who
saves the day, enlist a
foolhardy, courageous Aries
acquaintance to do the job.
CAPRICORN (December 22nd-
January 20th)
Oh, goody, goody! More trips in
store for you. You won't even
mind it that you have to travel
in a box. It's worth that small
price to be a part of things and
go on an adventure to a
different place and see new
things. When you're feeling
cramped in a small space
consider the alternative. You
could be put up in a pet hotel
while your family is away.
AQUARIUS (January21st-
February19th)
Leave it to you to be
particularly attuned to the
transforming energies of the
time. As often happens, you're
urged to continue to go within
and allow
changes to
occur while at
the same time
expanding
your circle of
influence.
You're in easy
harmony with
the idea of rebirth
as you
flow with the
natural cycle of
waking up to what's happening
on the deepest, most secret
levels. Let the alchemy of new
season magic embrace you
and share those mysteries with
those you live with.
PISCES (February 20th-March
20th)
You'll need to flex your
muscles to keep fit this month.
In fact, physical fitness is your
highest priority now. This
includes both your body work
and your diet plan. You aren't a
finicky eater, but now you're
thinking about food in a new
way. You're gearing to be more
healthy, even when smells of
tempting morsels cooking up in
the kitchen tickle your nose.
Vet
Pets Magazine

LARS B. ANDERSEN, CEO of Arty Lobster
On 3D Pet Sculptures
Click this link to watch the video.
And here’s two examples of Arty Lobster’s fantastic 3D sculptures. Visit their website
at www.artylobster.com to order a 3D sculpture of YOUR pet!
Vet
Pets Magazine