Pets

Cats & Dogs Festive Finds

Day 2 of our festive finds week and we think it’s important to show our four-legged friends how much we appreciate their company all year round. Here at The Amazing Blog we are huge animal lovers and when it comes to Christmas we cannot help but spoil our pets with some Christmas presents too. So here are some of our favourite pet gifts this year we are sure you will love as much as we do. top pooch lead

Top Pooch is the place to go for stylish and patterned collars for your dog. We love their wide range of vintage inspired fabric collars made with bright and bold patterns that are perfect for any fashion conscious pooch. One of our favourites is a unisex option, the Classic Houndstooth Collar, it is simple yet stylish. Not only can you have a gorgeous patterned collar, you can also buy a matching lead, and the best part: Collar accessories. We love the doggy Bow Ties as they simply slide onto the collar to complete your dog’s sophisticated look. There is a large range of patterns on offer, including a London and Royal themed collection. You can also get hold of matching bows and bandanas. These wonderful collars and accessories can be purchased from the Top Pooch website. Collars retail from £11, and accessories from £5.

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Just like children, all dogs want to open up a toy on Christmas day, and we have found the perfect toy for dogs who love… technology, and you would be surprised at how appealing an iPhone style toy can be to your canine friends. Now your dog can be as tech-savvy as you, with the Anything Dogz iBone Phone Toy.  This plush dog toy looks just like a smart phone complete with dog apps carefully embroidered onto the fabric. The material used to make the toy is very durable so it is long lasting and there are also no small parts for your dog to swallow. We think that this toy is just right for dogs on the move a lot and very excitable as it is small enough to take out and about with you. If you want to treat your pet to the latest addition to dog gadgetry, you can get the iBone Phone Toy from Anything Dogz for £11.50.

puppy kit hair or the dogWhile we all know that a dog is for life and not just for Christmas, some of our very lucky readers may be getting a new puppy in time for Christmas. What better way to welcome them to your family than with the Hair of The Dog Puppy Starter Kit Hampers. The kits come in two varieties depending on the sex of your puppy to make sure you get treats perfectly suited to the puppy’s gender. The hamper gifts come in a beautiful vintage looking suitcase either in pink or blue. Inside the hampers are a beautiful selection of handpicked products that are perfect to get you started and treat your new puppy too. Every hamper includes some Lily’s Biscuits or Treats, a chew toy, a red and ruby edible greetings card or a teething toy, a training clicker and a towel or grooming product. We think this hamper makes the perfect gift for any new addition to the family as it is full of all the essentials your puppy will need. The Puppy Starter Kits are priced at £36.50 for a girl and £34.30 for a boy and can be purchased from the Hair Of The Dog website, where there is also a version especially for kittens.

Pampered pets cat hammockMost cats often need something to get their claws into, and instead of your furniture being ripped to shreds, there is an alternative. This Christmas we think your kitty would love to be treated to The Pampered Pet Great and Small Hammock Playground. Not only does it feature scratching posts, but it is a three tiered kingdom for your cat to rule. The Playground features play balls hanging from the upper tier that are sure to keep cats of any age amused. There is also a hammock where your cat can snooze the afternoon away. The Hammock Playground is made of soft fabric to ensure your fury friend is always comfy, but underneath lies hardwearing sisal to prevent damage from claws. It’s a far more exciting present for your cat than those ordinary scratching posts that all the cats in the neighbourhood have…It will keep your pet entertained for hours. You can get the Great and Small Hammock Playground from The Pampered Pet for just £44.99.

viva le chat knitted catnip mice

Cats old or young are very playful, and if they aren’t clawing at their scratching post (or your curtains if you’re not so lucky) then they are keeping themselves busy with cat toys. We have found these gorgeous Viva Le Chat Catnip Mice from Hair of the Dog. These lovely little mice are hand knitted in the USA and stuffed with Cosmic Catnip. It is a very potent form of catnip that your kitty will go mad for too. The wool is knitted very tightly to make sure that even with the roughest play the catnip will stay secure inside the mouse. As the mice are hand-made they come in a whole variety of colours and patterns. The Viva Le Chat Catnip Mice can be bought from the Hair of the Dog website for £8.50, and we will definitely adding this to our pets stocking this year.

mungo and maud cat bowlIf your pets like the finer things in life, maybe it is time to update their bowl to something a bit classier that the average plastic bowl. We love this beautiful ceramic Cat Bowl Meow from Mungo & Maud. They have a chic and classic design with gorgeous fish bone illustrations, and your cat will be sure to love dining from it. There is also another version of the design featuring a fish bowl illustration. As the bowl is ceramic, it will be heavier and less likely to move as your cat eats so there is less mess to clean up. Even better, the bowl is dishwasher safe so just pop it in every now and then like you do with your own dishes and it’ll be spotless and ready to use again in no time. You can treat your cat to one of the Mungo & Maud bowls from their website where they retail at £28. myteddybear1Hashtagdogtag is a unique brand bought together by two artists with a love for animals and especially their dogs. The concept is about showing off a dog’s personality through their own hash tag. The ladies behind these wonderful creations artistically make one off pieces with details to emphasise what your pup loves. The tags are worn on collars and give a bit of animal individuality, they are bound to cause some jealously in the park. This Christmas you can treat your dog to one of these customised tags which use the finest quality materials. There are many sizes, styles and combinations to choose from so you can really summarise your dog’s character. We think these tags are very sweet and definitely worth a purchase. They add a little style to your dogs attire whilst also storing necessary information on it. They are found here and vary in price depending on how much your dogs deserves!

Oggi christmas setOggi’s Oven has designed the perfect treat for your pups this Christmas. The Christmas Gift Pack allows you to enjoy your pups present just as much as they will. You get to do some fun baking whilst your dog sits watching desperately with puppy eyes before eventually devouring them, there’s enjoyment for everyone. One thing we really like about this brand is their products are completely additive and preservative free, making it a pleasant and healthy alternative to some of that fattening and unhealthy processed rubbish you can find in supermarkets. Oggi launched with 2 objectives, to help tackle animal obesity and to encourage children to get involved in caring for the family pet. The brand values and the concept behind the products are very admirable and appealing. There’s lots of fun to be had with these kits and a great way to get everyone together in this festive season. Now your pets don’t need to be eating your roast and pudding leftovers on Christmas day, they are part of the family after all. It really is the perfect gift idea this Christmas for everyone to enjoy together.  You can browse the stockists of the products here

 Tomorrow we have some exciting Christmas beauty gifts to share with you  for Festive Finds day three so make sure you have a read!

Dog’s Trust and 'Phillipa Fairy Cake', a book by Sarahjane Funnel

book jacket PFC front cover-1 lower It is not often that we write about children’s books and things here on The Amazing Blog, but when we find something truly exceptional, we make sure that we feature it. We were very lucky to be invited to the launch of Sarahjane Funnel’s new book: Phillipa Fairy Cake and The Secret Pet’s Tea Party in conjunction with the Dog’s Trust, and took the opportunity to attend.

The book is about a little girl named Phillipa and her cat Little Miss Whiskers. They, along with two of her friends and their pet rescue dogs, planned for a tea party in the garden. Shortly after they sat down for tea the adventure began and they meet characters such as a Mrs Boodle Doodle. It is an adorable adventure and the perfect story for small children, with brilliantly coloured pages full of fun illustrations. Definitely an essential read for any parent who has pets and perfect for a child’s developing mind. Sarahjane herself has a rescue dog ‘Pip’ from the Dog’s Trust are who are acknowledged in the book.

Sarahjane And Edwina

 The author Sarahjane Funnel (with Dog’s Trust rescue Boasson) and Edwina, our Exec Ed of TheAmazingBlog

As serious dog lovers here at The Amazing Blog, we took some time to learn a little more about the Dog’s Trust. Each year, they care for about 16,000 dogs at their 18 re-homing centres. They also run neutering campaigns across the UK and have educational programs to teach children about the trust and dogs. In addition, they sponsor many other dog charities and organisations. If you can’t re-home or adopt a dog, but would like to give a donation or you can become a member of the Dog’s Trust  please click  here.  When we spoke to the Dog’s Trust, they sent us some information on two of their lovely dogs that are desperately in need of a loving home.

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Kobi 5 yr old male Malamute Cross

 Kobi is looking for a patient adult only home with no visiting children where he will have time to settle. He loves a fuss on his terms and enjoys woodland walks where he can lose himself in the undergrowth. He also enjoys a run in the field and playing with his toys. He would much prefer to be the only pet in the home so he can have all the attention to himself. Once settled he will make a very loyal friend. Zander2

Zander is a 4 yr old male Boxer

Zander lacks confidence and will need patience and time to find his feet and build a relationship with his new family. He is a handsome boy who was very underweight when he arrived, so food is very important to him. He enjoys his walks and loves a game of ball! He does get on with other dogs when out and about but would prefer to be the only dog in the home. He could potentially live with older teenagers.  If you are interested in either of these dogs, please contact the Dog’s Trust rehoming centre 01227 792505 or visit them at: The Dogs Trust, Radfall Road, Chestfield, Nr Whitstable, Kent, CT5 3ER.

In the meantime, to purchase Sarahjane Funnel’s book, Phillipa Fairy Cake and the Secret Pet’s Tea Party,  at £7.99  you can head over to Waterstones or Amazon.

Gear Up Your Dog For The Summer with Houndworthy Accessories

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Have you ever had trouble finding travel friendly accessories for your dog? A big bed isn’t easy to take on a day or weekend trip, and plastic drinking bowls do not fit nicely into most handbags. That is why we here at The Amazing Blog were so thrilled when we heard about Houndworthy. It is a UK based online retailer that has us and our pets in mind. The most luxurious, unique and handmade pet accessories from around the world are being sold on their website. Over 150 unique and wonderful products are currently available, so there is much to choose from. They are very conscious of the brands they choose, and what the products are made out of because they know how much we care about our furry companions.

Even if you are just taking your dog out for a long day at the park or to an outside café for lunch this summer, having the right travel pet accessories will make the day much more enjoyable. Cloud 7 is a German-owned label that has created some of the most unique and essential products found at Houndworthy. One product in particular we love is the Ultimate Tote Travel Bed (£80). At first glance it is a nice canvas tote bag with a fuzzy interior, but it actually converts into a perfect dog-sized bed! It is made from 100% Organic Cotton Canvas on the exterior and 100% un-dyed sheep's wool for the lining. This travel bed is absolutely perfect for many situations including patio or café sitting as well as lobby waiting. This could work perfectly well for a day or weekend away too. It is an absolute essential for summer travel with your loved pet. Houndworthy is also the only UK retailer to stock Billy Wolf dog apparel and accessories; an American made label. One particular stand out product from Billy Wolf is the 100% Cotton Canvas water bowl (£33). It can be taken absolutely anywhere, because the bowl neatly folds up and tucks into a purse-sized pouch. Perfect for the pooch on the go!

Houndworthy is a wonderful online destination shop for pet owners who want classic, luxurious pet accessories. With products retailing from £10-£125, they really have something for anyone, and any dog. Check out their website to find the travel bed, water bowl, and many other wonderful pet accessories!

Best Paw Forward 2013

The weather forecast for this upcoming weekend looks surprisingly gorgeous. All of us here at The Amazing Blog are anxiously waiting to soak up some sun. Fortunately, we have found the perfect philanthropy event to do just that with the added accompaniment of 100 cute four-legged friends. This is not a wild stampede but rather a leisurely charitable dog walking event called Best Paw Forward. Taking place in the Highgate Woods, Best Paw Forward is a sponsored dog walk in aid of supporting Cancer Research UK.  Picture1

Beginning at 10am this Sunday, June 9th, local dog owners will gather to trek through the leafy woods as they walk to raise money for a brilliant cause. This is a great way for you and your favourite pet to take a lovely 4km stroll while benefiting a life-saving organisation. Weaving through the beautiful Green Heritage Site, the walk will last about an hour giving you plenty of time to soak up some sun and enjoy the natural surroundings. In addition to the forest hike, Dima Dogs (from ITV's 'That Dog Can Dance') will host a live dog display performance that is sure to be fascinating. Also, there will be a raffle and awarded prizes to those who raise the most sponsorship as well as the best dressed dog. All participants will also receive a goody bag for them and their pooch to take away.

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Nowadays, it seems that just about everyone knows someone in their life who is fighting cancer. Supporting cancer research organizations is surely something that we at The Amazing Blog proudly advocate. Cancer Research UK is an excellent foundation that hosts many charitable events. They are up to date and seem to be one of the leaders of the pack in cancer research, resources, and support. To learn more or donate do visit their website.

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While advanced registration is required and limited to 100 participants there may be a few open spots left! To register visit their website or call 08701 60 20 40. Registration is only £8 per dog. If it is completely full do not be discouraged. You may still attend the lovely dog walk and donate time and money to a powerful and life-changing cause while seeing some sure to be adorable dogs, pooches, and puppies.  For more information including some photos of a few four-legged participants view the Best Paw Forward facebook page.

The Riding Club London

Every summer my friend and I would go to her horse stable and ride for hours on her horses. Those were the memories that can never be replaced and will always remind me of the carefree summers I used to have. After moving out and looking for horse riding places, I found The Riding Club in London. They provide exactly what I am looking for to regain my childhood memories. Screen-Shot-2013-03-21-at-5.12.55-PM

The Riding Club of London is a private member’s club and equestrian concierge service run by Rosie Ruck Keene and Ashley Parasram. They provide access to quality horses for advanced rides in London, riding lessons, and various trips every year. The Riding Club allows their members to get involved in different kinds of riding lessons from show jumping in St. John’s Woods, to several clinics that teach you the safety in cross country riding and dressage on the Grand Prix Schoolmaster.

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Whether you are looking to improve your dressage in Spain or play polo at some of the best Estancias in Argentina; The Riding Club in London can arrange the equestrian holiday for you to embark on.

By having 15 experts trained specifically in show jumping, flatwork, eventing, fitness, or polo you have the best of the best at your fingertips. These experts run the clinic session and can be utilized in a one on one session to help you excel at a specific skill.

Riders Club Membership is tailored to riders with experience in the saddle and can be purchased for £335 per month. For new members there is an additional £195 fee to cover the registration costs. The New Rider membership is suitable for those with little or no riding experience who would like to learn the beauty of horseback riding and the different skills and technique that experts can teach them. If you ask me, having access to fully groomed state of the art horses, weekend trips, and weekly coaching session makes this price quite reasonable. Owning a horse can be very costly and can take up a lot of your time; so this membership offers you guidance and allows you to take you skills further.