Lindleywood Bird Box

Don’t you think it feels autumnal, or is it me? I know that the supposed official day for autumn is 21^st September, but recently there's been a series of grey and drizzly  days – so frankly this is not what I call summer.  I also noticed that the birds are starting to scratch around for food – which made me go in search of a new bird feeder….and ta-dah! Look what I've found: Lindleywood Bird Box from Giftwrapped & Gorgeous. There’s every variety of themed Bird Box possibly imaginable. Now the birds in my garden can pop into the pub, yes indeed the pub! This handmade Pub Bird Box is £52.00can even be personalised - up to 25 characters in total. I’m thinking possibly ‘The Amazing Inn’ ...

Anyway, all the wooden Bird Boxes are carefully hand made from high-grade sustainable European redwood pine then hand painted with Cuprinol water-based exterior wood paints that are non-toxic to plants and wildlife. So this year (sorry in advance for my bastardisation of this nursery rhyme) “The North wind doth blow and we shall have snow, And what will poor robin do then, poor thing? He'll sit in my pub and keep himself warm and won’t feel a thing, lucky thing.”

Just enter discount code:  PWC6GM2  for a special 10% reduction when you buy this item.

Eyenimal

I’m extremely lucky to be able to bring my elderly Tibetan Spaniel into work. When he’s not pestering the office for his treats, he’s generally found lying in his basket with all four legs in the air making snoring noises like an old grampus. However, when home-time comes and I get changed for my evenings’ pursuits I often muse about what Mojai is up to whilst he’s home-alone… My neighbour downstairs tells me that she often hears a lot of tip-tapping on the floor when I’m out, with the odd ‘clunk’ noise followed by more tip-tapping.  Could my beloved pet be practising his fancy-footwork to impress one of his bitches in the park? The mind boggles – but what I would give to have just a quick peek at what he gets up to when I’m out. Enter the Eyenimal this  dinky miniature video camera (only weighing 35g) is attached to your pets’ collar and will record over 2 ½ hours of video footage (although it is from your pets' neck and whiskers perspective). I think that this gadget best comes into its own when an absent pet owner’s four-legged friend engages in bit of mischief i.e. upon the owner’s return the dear-one has that rather guilty look as if to say “What Designer’s Guild cushion? But I thought it was a new toy to play with? Don’t tell me off - It just flew off the sofa and into my basket!”  For a princely sum of £84.99 you can purchase your Eyenimal video camera which will allow you to step into the life of your cherished pet; making it easy to gather valuable footage to marvel at their leisure time or collecting undisputable evidence of unruly conduct to discuss with the animal behavioural therapist. Hear that, Mojai? You have been warned!

Dog Days

It is no secret that we are a liiiitle bit dog mad at Amazing PR; with our pooch-in-residence Mojai overseeing the day to day running of the office, we also seem to have unwittingly offered up our services as dog-sitters, as friends regularly drop off their dogs for a few hours of fuss and TLC (along with resentful looks and sighs from Mojai). My mini Jack Russell Terrier - no I have not just made a breed up! - Poppy lives back in Shropshire with my mum (sadly there are way too many cars and bikes to chase in London). But I know if she lived here with me I would always be on the look out for fun doggie days out to go to (yes, non-doggie people are never going to get it I know!).

The wonderful Cabbages and Frocks Market that happens every Saturday on Marylebone High Street have taken this into account and are holding a Dog Day Afternoon this Saturday. Alongside the usual stalls selling delicious specialist foods and vintage clothing there will also be dog classes and competitions, the perfect afternoon out with your furry friend. New for 2011 is a Doggy Dance Class - we’re anticipating this could provide much hilarity – competitions include ‘Most Waggy Tail’, Lookalikes and ‘Bit of ruff’ for mixed breeds. The competitions will be judged by TV personality Robert Alleyne of Dog Borstal (bit of a guilty viewing pleasure there for me) and Chamois Rose-Wood of The Independent. Although I am sadly a bit short of a dog companion to take I will still be heading there to coo over other peoples!

On a similar pet-based note the London Pet Show comes to Olympia this weekend, showcasing hundreds of different breeds of animals, as well as live demonstrations and expert tips and advice. This is the perfect place for someone wanting to get a pet, but unsure about which type or breed would suit them best, as experts will be on hand offering advice on everything from spaniels to snakes. If you are looking for cute and cuddly or weird and wonderful this show has everything - our personal highlights on the show timetable have to be the rabbit show jumping, cat physiotherapy and potbellied pig agility displays.

Although your doggie friend will not be able to join you at the show, there will be plenty of goodies and gadgets available for you to buy to make up for deserting them for the day.

KM

A Wiley Tibetan Spaniel’s Guide to Crufts - for Humans

Remember the Christmas card picture? It’s me, Mojai, aka Champion Ambylan Chyn-Cha At Braeduke JW (great title, eh?) Well after much begging and pleading by my owner I’ve agreed to write this blog (tapping a keyboard with fluffy paws isn’t easy!) but it’s amazing what you can do when you’re a handsome, debonair Tibetan Spaniel like “moi”.

But first a bit of background…I’ve done many a star-turn at Crufts and won a few prizes but that’s all in the past now.  This, my furry foray into blogging is my Guide to Crufts for Humans (it also includes a smattering of treats for you too!)

The Grand Show Preparation

First, the grooming…actually I rather enjoy a good wash and blow dry (Tibetan Spaniels do not get trimmed!) and for extra special pampering, my favourite groomers are Hair of The Dog London for a mere £30 – I’m coiffed and fluffed beyond my wildest dreams….  I’m very fussy about how I smell but FuzzYard products are fabulous. My favourite is their Shea Butter & Avocado Oil Paw Balm – yummy.

Now all spritzed up and ready to go, it’s time for a good brush and comb – or “le brushing” as my French basset hound friends at Crufts call it.  To smooth my very fine and silky coat (even though I say it myself) I like the Bristle Dog Brush £18.40 and Dog Comb £6.90 from Mungo and Maud.  My human loves the wood handle and they’re ‘tirelessly chic’- one must be seen being brushed by the best.... Finishing touches can be done with a dab of Aubrey Organics Grooming spray £9.68 from  Aubrey Organics.

The Journey

As a solo traveller (multiple dogs go in cages – not moi!) I’m normally belted up in the back of the car with this rather chic adjustable dog car harness (good for my varying waistline – I was very pleased to have it for Christmas when it rather alarmingly had to be let out slightly).

Hemmo and Co Adjustable Dog Car Harness is a good one with nylon webbings, solid hardware and craftsmanship at £11^.99 ex VAT from The Pampered Pet Company.

A stylish travelling bowl is a must too, one that can go from car to show bench. I don’t like to follow the pack so my pick would be The Hair of the Dog London’s exclusive Hand-made Vintage Wine Crate Feeder at £85 which fits the bill.

Arrival

Meeting and greeting (and generally showing off) takes place in the car park. But a dog needs to get from car park to the arena without getting wet or muddy, so here’s what I’ve found: A Doggie Mac! Yup, this is the clever coat cover protects from cold and wet conditions plus has a removable fleece interior that keep me both warm and dry . In 5 base colours with 8 trim colour combinations you can have a Made2 Measure coat from £54 or a Ready2 Wear coat from £45. My personal favourite is a Forest Green fleece lined Made2Measure Doggie Wrap from £34.99. Both are available from Doggie Macs TOP TIP: This is soon to be the biggest doggie ‘must have’ when it makes its debut appearance at the London Palladium on 21^st April  for the Comic Relief show of the Wizard of Oz.

The Wait…

Now at the arena there is a lot of hanging around on the show benches. These horrid and uncomfortable wooden benches with metal partitions need padding out so this is where the Sheepskin Pet Bed comes in. (In my case, particularly soothing for my arthritis). They are soft and warm with quilted pads underneath and best of all - humans will appreciate this – they’re machine washable.

Into the Ring

For top dog shows owners usually use slip leads.  My favourites are these half check leads made from soft lamb skin, reinforced with strong nylon cord that come in a myriad of colours – one of these is bound to coordinate with any human’s wardrobe. From £30 Hide and Collars.

Whilst show leads must co-ordinate with humans, it’s important that humans do not embarrass their dog i.e. with bright garish colours, swirly skirts or silly high heels (aw-woof-ful!). A copy of Judith Watt’s Dogs In Vogue may give a little inspiration for your coordinated look.

Humans have lots of things to juggle in the show ring so an elegant treat bag is essential. I like the Waifs & Strays Designer Dog Treat Bag at £36 ex VAT from The Pampered Pet Company which is definitely  a stylish accoutrement for the discerning pet owner. It can be filled with our favourite titbits to encourage us to smile and wag our tails. Cooked liver and goat cheese are my personal favourites (are you taking notes?)

Rewards

After our fine performances we deserve something rather delicious…like Wilson's Paw Bakery Gift Box of 3 Dog Cookie's.  So much more than “doggy biscuits” they look like human confectionery and only use the finest ingredients that are safe for dogs.  The products contain no cocoa and no theobromine.  I hope everyone knows that human chocolate has cocoa and theobromine which is highly toxic to dogs. These treats are wheat & gluten free, no artificial colouring or flavourings, no GMO's (Genetically modified organisms) and are proudly handmade and hand-decorated in the UK. The complete range has been tested and enjoyed by humans. So if your pet is feeling generous he might share…

Finally, how about immortalising your pet? Not just some boring old photo or a painting to hang on the wall, think  Banksy, think 21st Century. The artist Teddy Baden has some great suggestions for painting your prize-winning pet as a mural on your garden wall or perhaps on the front of the house...well it would give the other dogs in the neighbourhood something talk about.

*EXCLUSIVE OFFERS* - FOR MARCH 2011 ONLY

• Hair of the Dog London www.hairofthedoglondon.com. Call up to book in for TWO grooming treatments and receive one FREE.
• Crufts takes place from 10-13 March at the NEC, Birmingham (www.crufts.org.uk), Tibetan Spaniel day is the SUNDAY !

Show your love with Lily’s Kitchen

Don't you just love dogs? They have the ability to bring you out of the blackest mood with nothing more than an adoring look and a wagging tail, they don't judge your questionable taste in music, or complain about the fact you haven't shaved your legs in over a week. In fact if we could exist without our menfolk we would be perfectly happy with the faithful company of our favourite pooch, who never answers back and genuinely believes you are the best thing since sliced bread. So how do you reward such unwavering adoration? Well if they could talk we think they would suggest feeding them food from Lily's Kitchen. These pioneers of pet nutrition believe that your pet's food should be made up of proper, recognisable ingredients with no derivatives, preservatives or nasty 'fillers' used to bulk it out. Lily's Kitchen pet foods are made with real meat and organic grains, vegetables, fruits and herbs.

We already have one fan in the Amazing PR office, Mojai the Tibetan Spaniel is especially fond of the organic chicken and vegetable bake treats and although Edwina is supposedly the one in charge we all know that it is actually Mojai who rules the roost. His daily schedule revolves around mealtimes, walks, naps and his (very frequently) decreed treat times and we, his harem of dedicated slaves, ensure that his every need is met.

So all you pet owners out there who are under the paw, indulge your pet with some delicious gourmet treats from Lily's Kitchen - trust us they will thank you for it.

See the effect a Lily's Kitchen treat had on Mojai below!!

www.lilyskitchen.co.uk

KM