Hi Alan and all our friends at CCEG,
On the 28th of February I could only dream that the day would come that I could sit in the sun and watch my lovely dogs train with my husband by my side.  I didn't know if he would survive or if he would have a future, life was pretty hard with my own injury proving very difficult to get out into the real world and have some kind of normality in my life every week, with the help of Jan to take me to training you all provided me with courage and support to face another week. I will never be able to thank you all for what you have done, you may think you didn't do anything but just asking after Richard with just that little word of encouragement meant so much, so I thank you all.
Richard has a long journey ahead of him but today you saw how far he has come and his determination will carry him all the way. He really enjoyed his first outing from Addenbrookes doing what he loves, to watch Baxter and "Little Tiily Brown" train. The sun shone and everyone was so generous in there kind comments, we can't thank you enough! Don't worry Alan the beers are on Richard when I allow him to drink, I'm sure that won't be so long away.
So you may all find over the summer months there maybe a man who can't yet train his beloved Baxter just yet, he may just sit on the sidelines and look on and think to himself God how lucky am I?
Our Sincerest and Kindest Regards to you all
Sheila, Richard, Baxter and Little Tilly Brown xxx

Microchip Scanner

We now have a Microchip Scanner.... testing we discovered one dog that had been chipped didn't register on the scanner...the chip had 'gone' or stopped working. So after a visit to the vet (who also couldn't find it) a new chip was inserted.

So, if you would like your dog's chip checked please ask.

When using it at the weekend we found most dogs showed concern having the scanner placed near their neck... So, Pat suggested we do this as a training class exercise.... so we will do this by passing the scanner round to a difference class each week.

“Dogs’ lives are short, too short, but you know that going in. You know the pain is coming, you’re going to lose a dog, and there’s going to be great anguish, so you live fully in the moment with her, never fail to share her joy or delight in her innocence, because you can’t support the illusion that a dog can be your lifelong companion. There’s such beauty in the hard honesty of that, in accepting and giving love while always aware it comes with an unbearable price. Maybe loving dogs is a way we do penance for all the other illusions we allow ourselves and for the mistakes we make because of those illusions.”
Dean Koontz,

Which compnay owns the food I feed my dog?

Barking Heads -  Pet Food UK Ltd.

Hills - Colgate-Palmolive

Burns - Burns Pet Nutritions Ltd.

Oscars -  Oscar Pet Foods

Iams/Eukanuba - Proctor & Gamble

Royal Canin - James Wellbeloved - Pedigree - Chappie - The Mars Group

Proplan - Beta - Omega - Bakers - Purina - Nestle

This site is worth a visit

http://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/

Bloat or GDV

While most people have probably heard of 'bloat', you may not know the symptoms and signs.

The ASPCA state that "bloat refers to a life-threatening condition that requires immediate veterinary care known as gastric dilation-volvulus (GDV), gastric torsion and twisted stomach. This condition can cause rapid clinical signs and death in several hours." Causes vary greatly, but some factors can include rapid eating, overeating, heavy exercise after eating, fearful temperament and stress. Bloat also mainly affects large, deep-chested breeds.

Symptoms include:

• distended abdomen
• unsuccessful attempts to belch or vomit
• retching without producing anything
• weakness
• excessive salivation
• shortness of breath
• cold body temperature
• pale gums
• rapid heartbeat
• collapse