November 2009 > Beauty & the 'Bitch'
Beauty & the Bitch
What are your dog's top 10 dislikes?
Your dog's pet dislikes - The top 10
Take part in our survey in the forum or email us with your dog's dislikes. So far the top 10 stands like this.
1
The vaccuum Cleaner
2
The Vet
3
Fireworks
4
Cats
5
Metal Bowls
6
Boarding Kennels
7
Water and Rain
8
Thunder
9
Ironing Boards
10
The Postman
Eastenders, plastic bottles, bath time, plugs and yoghurts!
Keep them coming in folks!
Make your dog the envy of friends and family with perfect behaviour. It's easy to make your best friend a perfect pooch! Just follow our top 10 tips.
1. Keep your dog happy and healthy with at least one good walk per day. Invest in some wet weather gear to keep you dry during April showers.
2. Travel safe with your dog in the car. Invest in a crate or harness to keep him secure. Dogs are a potential safety hazard to you and others on the road.
3. Keep dogs under control on footpaths. Don't allow your pet to worry livestock. Farmers are within their rights to shoot your pet if he is out of control.
4. Socialise your dog. make sure your dog is used to mixing with other dogs and small children. Always supervise socalising and start at an early age.
5. De flea and de worm your pet on a regular basis to maintain good health and vitality.
6. Don't confuse your pet. Allowing your pet on furniture now and again will send mixed messages of what is out of bounds. Be strict and consistent.
7. Pick up after your dog. Dog fouling is one of the biggest gripes amongst non-doggy people. Dogs are being banned from many public places due to the actions of the minority.
8. Microchip your pet to allow your dog to be reunited with you if lost.
9. Is your dog vocal? Many owners are unaware their dogs howl or whine when left home alone. Check with neighbours to see if your dog is causing a problem
10. Don't allow your dog to jump up at visitors. It may seem cute to see your pet excited to see friends and family, but not everyone enjoys muddy paws and slobbery kisses!
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Pets are a part of our family, but they can be expensive to look after. We give you 10 handy tips which could help you save money during this difficult time.
1 Flea preperations and sprays are not cheap. Remeber to keep your pets flea-free and save a fortune.
2 Bulk buy pet food. Many companies offer big discounts on home delivered food, and you'll be saving petrol too!
3 Use tit-bits as treats on the dog walk. Pieces of cooked meat and cheese work out much cheaper than prepared packets of treats.
4 Ask you vet if they run a budget plan allowing you to spread the cost of routine pet care eg. jabs
5 Save on costly kennel fees by using our Pet Share section for reciprocal free pet sitting.
6 Keep your pets boosters up to date, otherwise you may need to have expensive vaccinations again if too much time passes.
7 Make sure you have a good pet insurance policy to avoid expensive accidents and injury bills.
8 Switch to dry food. Dry food does not go off in warm weather and is better for your pet's health.
9 Buy pet products online for some good bargains. Remember your pets don't need fancy collars and bedding.
10 Give your pets leftovers from your meals. Vegetables, meat and pasta add bulk to a meal.
Do you have a money saving tip for POA members. Email us at admin@pet-owners.co.uk
Your Daily Whines and Confessions!
Please let us know what really winds you up.... or your confessions. Please do not post in the forum as all entries need to be approved by the POA before being accepted on the site. Email us at admin@pet-owners.co.uk
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I am totally disgusted that the fires in Australia may have been started deliberately. How sick are these people? To see the poor people and pets who are suffering has been awful. These people need locking up or worse. Kerry B in Salford.
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Am I the only person who gets annoyed when dog walkers through used poo bags in hedges and grass verges. This is a truly disgusting habit. Please either plut in a dog bin or take it home. Thank you. Clare.
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I have a 3 year old Staff called Bess. It really amnnoys me when people assume I am a chav because of this. Staff does obedience and agility (o.k not too well!) and is well trained, just like her owner!
Sue in Faversham
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Another disgruntled pet owner, Graham in St Helier comments "I have a lovely Bulldog called Winston, who is very happy but looks down in the mouth. He can't enter the competition! Can we have a comp for pets who have grumpy expressions, like Boxers, Bulldogs and Sharpeis?"
POA will be announcing their new competition very shortly!
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I am really upset with I'm a celebrity get me out of here. The treatment of the creatures is apalling. They may be "nasty" creepy crawlies, but they are still gods creatures.
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My 17 year old son have just purchased a Corn snake from a local shop. He has no experience at caring for such an animal. Surely, the shop should be questioned about the ability of my son to care for a creature, with such special need? Anon in Sheffield
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My partner and I are trying to rent a home for a year and finding it almost impossible to find decent places that allow pets. We have one very old, docile cat. Why are we discriminated against? Surely, children and smoking do more damgage to property than pets? Carole and Jason in Barnstaple
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Hi I am a proud owner of Bruno my beloved Boxer. He is the happiest dog alive, but he looks unhappy. Please can we have a competition for Britain's Grumpiest Pet please? Darryl on Isle of Man
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Fireworks, we hate them. They should be banned. Turn the TV up loud and don't forget the outdoor pets. Chris in Swansea.
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I have just returned from my Vets £35 lighter, and all I bought were flea capsules and a tin of flea spray. Why is this stuff so expensive. I have tried products from the supermarket and they don't work. This really winds me up. David in Chepstow.
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I really hate this time of year with fireworks going off all the time. It's awful for our pets. Come on, let's try and get them banned. Only public displays should be allowed!!!
Brenda Snell in Stoke
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We love the free gifts and incentives.....but they are all for dogs. What about us catty POA members!!!! Katie Smith in Bromley
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My dog loves PAL dry food, but it seems to have disappeared from our supermarkets. Does anyone know why? Claire in Selby.
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Despite so many warnings and the threat of dogs being banned in our park, people are still not picking up after their pets. It really concerns me as this is one of the only open areas to exercise our pets. Charmagne in York.
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My cat sooty spends all day outside in the garden and then comes and messes in his tray! grace in Sherborne
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My dog Dougal insists on taking biscuits from his bowl and walking into the living room and eating them there and dropping crumbs everywhere. Karen in Isle of Wight
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I am totally fed up with Staffy type dogs being used as a status symbol by certain types of people in our area. You know who you are!!! Clive in Stockport.
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I love my dog more than my husband! Anon in
Wiltshire
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It really bugs me that people still leave their dogs in cars in hot weather. I saw a dog panting in a supermarket car park and notified the management. The lady appeared and scowled at me, as to say I had disturbed her shopping trip. Unbelievable!! Trish Surrey.
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I really get fed up with people who don't train their dogs properly. I have so many dogs that coming bounding over and jump up at me. This happened at the weekend when a huge Labrador jumped up at me and nearly knocked me over. the owners just smiled...... Carly in Bridgwater.
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Dog beds filled with beans! - you know the bean bags for dogs!! Well my dog has chewed through his, and the kitchen is in a terrible mess! Clare in Reigate.
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I just want to moan about the high price of flea preperations and sprays. It's cost me nearly �30 to spray my carpets and de-flea my dog. Sandra in Chobham.
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Confession ! I loved the "Mucky Puppy" article in pet in On Heat! I think I may be Scatty Catty!
I sometimes "top up the cat litter tray, rather than cleaning the whole tray! Jean in Stockport.
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Why do pet foods contains colourings? Surely it make no difference if the kibbles are natural our pets? Cindy in Isle of Wight
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I am fed up with the ban on dogs on beaches during the summer. Carla in Bournemouth
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I'm fed up with people slagging off Pugs. If you want to know the ugliest breed, look at the Pekingnese! Alicia Pug fan
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Re Pouches of Cat Food - They are awful things. They slip out of your hands and I find them difficult to open. Bernard in Stoke on Trent.
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I have come back from a dog show and find it awful that the poor dogs have to hang around all day. Thay all look so bored!!! It's the owners trying to show off not the dogs. Gwen in Tiverton.
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I am fed up with all these chavs walking around with Staffy type dogs. it's the dogs I feel sorry for. Davina in Cheshire.
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My dog was almost run over by an elderley man in a mobility scooter in the High Street on saturday. These mobility scooters are so popular now and you see them all the time. I notice some people who use them do not look down at the ground to look for dogs. Joyce in Portsmouth.
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Confession!I always take my collie for a walk in the park amd more often than not, I am told off by a very bossy "barabara Woodhouse type" that my dog should not be carrying a stick. he is a toal stickaholic and picks up sticks himself. i never throw them to him. it was raining this morning and Paddy saw this old lady, walke up behind her and cocked his leg against her trousers. She didn't even notice......and he was carrying his stick at the time!! Kimberley in Newcastle.
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Re Pugs - Pugs are an insult to the canine world. jane in New Malden.
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Re Black Shape Biscuits - My dog doesn't like any of the Shape biscuits. BUT he LOVES the chunky Shapes. Sheila in Islington.
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Saturday 14th June
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Re Cat Pouches - They are dreadful things. I can never open them. When I do half the contents get over your clothes. Stan in Colliers Wood.
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Re Pugs - Pugs are beautiful!!! Pug is an acronym for Pretty, Under rated. Gorgeous!
Helene in Bromley.
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Re Pugs - I believe the expression "pug ugly!" means just that. Jane in New Malden.
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Re Pugs - Pugs have to be the ugliest dogs! My girlfriend had one. It was really old and all it ever did was snort and grunt. It smelled as well. Steve in Clapham.
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Re Pugs - Pugs are an insult to the world of dogs! Anon.
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Thursday 12th June
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Re Cat Food Pouches - Not only are they expensive, you get all the food over your hands whilst trying to get the food out. Jan in Bexleyheath.
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Wednesday 11th June
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Confession! I love dancing with my dog. He's really good. Really he is.
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Those pouches of cat really get on my nerves! You can't get all the cat food out of them. A waste of money! Sue in Norfolk.
Monday 9 th June
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It really gets my goat that supermarkets are not giving away carrier bags anymore. I have just bought cat food in plastic pouches and then packed in a cardboard box. Talk about double standards! I think we should give them the rubbish they give us back to them! I'm sure they would do more to package food sensibly. Tina in Cardiff.
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Sunday 8th June
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Don't get me wrong I like cats. But WHY do my neighbours cats always come into my garden to do their "business"! Steve in Horley.
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Re cat food - my cat likes Whiskas in jelly - but only the jelly! He eats all the jelly and leaves the meat. Sue in Horley.
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When my hubby goes away on business, I let jack sleep on the bed. Anon in Portsmouth.
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Tuesday 27th May
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Is it me? Or do other pet lovers get really irritated when you see stupid women carrying their dogs around in those silly bags like some kind of accessory? They are pathetic!!! Joyce in Kensington.
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Sunday 25th May
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Confession!
My dog has just gone over to the cat litter tray and eaten its contents......yucck!!!!
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Saturday 24th May
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I baked a cake for my lovely Choc Labrador called Phoebe for her birthday. Kate in Newcastle.
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Confession!
My dog loves his toast in the morning. We sit and listen to Terry Wogan and eat our buttered toast. We are a couple of old togs. Bill in Weybridge.
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Friday 23rd May
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Why do owners have to dress their pets in human like clothes, it is so demeaning. Alice in Oxford.
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It really irritates me, when you are on a dog walk when you see people who have picked up after their dogs, but left the plastic bag on a hedge or hangng from a tree. Awful people! Ella in London.
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I have just got my first pet passport for our dog Jessie, and I am feeling really poor. It's cost more than our holiday!!!! Des in Swansea.
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Thursday 22nd May
I have just spent �120 on a bed and toys for my dog! Anon.
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Confession!
When my daughter was 8 and my son was 10 years old our family Labrador Bruno died of a heart attack while they were at school. I didn't have the courage to tell them poor Bruno had died. I told them he went to "the farm" for a better life. I am not sure whether they really knew the truth. B. K. in Epsom.
Wednesday 21st May
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My sister has a Pug and it is ugly. Everything about dog is ugly, the way it moves and the face....awful creature!
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I believe the expression "pug ugly" sums it up. Kate in Solihull.
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Tuesday 20th May
Confession!
It was my cat's birthday yesterday. I sang Happy Birthday to him and bought him a card. I love that cat. Molly in Great Yarmouth.
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Are Pugs ugly? What do you think everyone? Admin.
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My girlfriend used to have a Pug. Not only was it pug ugly, it used to smell soooo bad. What's more it had this awful habit of snorting like a pig! Pete in Carlshalton.
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A couple of weeks ago, we wer having a dinner party and I was preparing the food. I had made a chicken liver pate which was resting on the worktop. I went into the living room to talk to our guests and when I returned to the kitchen, my two cats were licking the pate and had made a terrible mess of it. I had no alternative than to turn it over and reshape it and......serve it to my guests! I feel so bad about it, I just had to share my guilt with you all.
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Monday 19th May
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Re Black Shapes Biscuits - I have just been out walking with my friends and took a handful of Black Shapes for titbits. All the dogs turned their noses up at them. Even my friend's greedy Labrador. Jane in Milton Keynes.
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Can anyone help me please? My dog would love one of those really smart designer beds, but I am completely skint at the moment. He would be very grateful. Thanks. Beverley in Portsmouth.
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I love the smell of my dog after he has been for a long walk in the rain. Nothing beats the smell of WET DOG!
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Friday 16th May
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My dog has just had a tooth removed at the vets....�95!!! I had a checkup, scale and polish and a filling and it wasn't as much as that.Rowena in Hartlepool.
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Thursday 15th May
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Confession!
Re Sniffing your dogs ears - It gives me as much pleasure as opening a new jar of instant coffee. Clive in Nottingham
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Confession!
I love it after having a long soak in a hot bath, my dog licks my legs.
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Re Black Shapes Biscuits - I have just bought a box of Shapes, and it's a myth there are more black ones, as I have counted them!
Here is the breakdown
44 orange
26 brown
54 cream
26 black
Sue in Hampstead
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Wednesday 14th May
I don't buy Shapes anymore as my dog hates the black ones as well, and there are too many of them. He attempts to eat them, but spits them out so I am left with a black gloopy mess on my kitchen floor. Fi in Oxted
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Re Black Shape Biscuits - the black ones supposedly contain charcoal - reputed to be good for flatulence. Whether that means prevents it or makes it louder I'm not sure. But on the assumption that it meant the former I used to eat all the black ones myself as I have a lively gut. Can't say it made any difference, so either it's all tosh about the charcoal effect or else the biscuits in fact contain, as I suspect no charcoal but are merely tainted black. Dino in Exmouth
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I am fed up with all these people talking about their new breeds that have been crossed. We have Cockerpoodles, Labradoodles, Cockerpoodles, cockerdoodledoos, Pot Noodles.....They are MONGRELS!!!!!!
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I look at my dog sometimes and think, wow you are so handsome. I go to the local park and see pug ugly dogs. To be honest I wouldn't let some of those mutts in my home.
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Re sniffing dogs ears - to the person who likes to sniff their dogs ears. I am totally in agreement. In fact, I would go as far to say that sniffing my dogs ears is better than a good wine or the smell of a beautiful flower. I am totally hooked on canine lug aroma. You really must all try it sometime. You'll be surprised.
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Tuesday 13th May
Confession!
About a year ago I had the Sunday joint of lamb on the worktop ready to go into the oven. I left the kitchen for a few minutes to answer the phone and when I went back into the kitchen the joint had disappeared. The dog had pulled it off the work top and dragged it through the dog flap and was eating it on the lawn. I wrestled with him to get it back and he had eaten about a quarter of it. I have to confess, I still cooked it and never confessed to my family.
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Re: Rick Stein and Chalky - here is an ode to Chalky
Chalky was a feisty little beast
Always there as Rick cooked up a feast
He must have been seventeen at least
Chalky we miss you....rest in peace
Carmen in Darlington
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Confession!My partner and I went on holiday in Devon and rented a lovely old cottage. We took our year old Border Collie with us and he is the most well behaved dog until...... We came down one morning to find he had pooed on the rug in front of the fire. The rug was one of those really fluffy ones and we had to wait unitl it had dried before we could attempt to scrape it off. It did come off, but we were left with a stain on the rug. We cut it out with scissors and to this day have felt really guilty about it.
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Monday 12th May ..............................................................................................................................................
Re Rick Stein - Chalky wouldn't have been allowed in the restaurant anyway. Jess in Southampton
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Confession!
Re Dogs messing in the worst possible places - My dog developed an upset tummy while walking along Chichester High Street. She just kept messing and I used all my poo bags. I had to nip into Boots to get some carriers and tied Treacle up outside the shop. When I came out, she had done huge piles of runny poos and people were giving me terrible looks. To make it worse a lady shopper had trodden in the mess and she was wearing open toes sandals. I wanted to die there and then.
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Re Rick Stein - He was a very old dog though, and had a good life. Bless him. Doug in SW London
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Re Rick Stein - I believe it was Chalky with a 'y' and not 'ie'. Stuart in Peterborough
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Re Rick Stein - I went to his restaurant a couple of years ago and it was great. Rick wasn't there and I didn't see Chalkie either. Dan in Sidcup
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Re Chavs and Staffys - I feel really sorry for those dogs having chavs as their owner.
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CONFESSION!
I love the smell of my dogs ears, I sniff them all the time.....and I love his breath.
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CONFESSION!
It's too nice to go to work today. I'm going to pull a sickie and take the dogs to the beach!
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I am a veterinary nurse and it's not about the vets being greedy and ripping people off, it's the overheads. The drugs are very expensive. Katie in Portsmouth
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My dog loves Bonio biscuits....but not the jumbo ones. Does anyone else have that problem? Dave in Truro
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When I was sixteen my nan asked me to look after her budgie while she was on holiday. I went to her house every day to make sure Henry was o.k. However, one day as I was changing his water he flew out the cage and out of the window. My mum took me to the pet shop and we bought a very similar budgie to Henry......I don't think she ever knew the difference! Sorry Nan.
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Sunday 11th May
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CONFESSION!
I have never told about this before because I feel so bad. I made a birthday cake for my son and left it to cool on the worktop. My dog managed to pull it down and ate a big chunk of it before I could pull it off of him. I did not have time to make another and was expecting a house full of people, so in a panic cut it into a heart shape and covered the teeth marks with icing. I am a bad person.
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To the chav who allowed his Staffy to poo in the middle of the path in Battersea Park and walked off without picking it up - I hope you trod in it on your way home!!! Katy London
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My parrot is REALLY messy. I have just spent an hour cleaning his cage, and he has just tossed all the seeds out of the cage. That's gratitude for you! Gary in Staines.
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Saturday 10th May
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My dog loves Shapes biscuits. He won't touch the black ones though. Does anyone have any thoughts why he refuses to eat them? I thought dogs were colour blind.p.s. does anyone want black shapes?? Chris in Solihull
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I have just come back from the vet after my dog developed a sore ear. we were in the surgery for 7 and a half minutes, given a small tube of goo and given a bill for �33.12. How on earth do vets expect us to afford their rip off prices? We want to do the best for our pets, but this is outrageous. Bev in Luton
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My dog hates Eastenders! as soon as the music starts....he starts to howl. I have tried locking him in the garden, when it comes on but he howls the neighbourhood down. I have tried to confuse him by recording it and playing it when he asleep. I have even tried listening through head phones but that does not work either. Does anyone else have this problem? Eric in Harrogate
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To the beautiful girl with the Border Collie with just three legs who walks in Priory park in Reigate, I think you are lovely, but too shy to say more than hello. Clifford in Redhill
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Friday 9th May
Has anybody noticed how Rick Stein has under gone a personality transplant since losing his beloved dog Chalkie. He used to come across as sensible, and passionate about fish. In his last series he acted like a bit of a lad and DRANK LIKE A FISH!! I still prefer him to Delia though. Henry in Dorchester.
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I Have a problem. I am jealous of a dog....that dog called Brittany. How can a dog have better hair than you!!!! Sarah in Portsmouth
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I went to Crufts back and March and can't understand why people show their dogs. The dogs looked completely bored and it was such a long day for them. This is more about the breeders and their egos. Sally in Kent.
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These crazy dog walkers need to be controlled. I saw a guy with six dogs, 3 in each hand and two dogs in a pouch over his shoulder! They are a menace. Those people in mobility scooters are a health hazard as well, they often aim straight at you. Stu in London.
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My cat won't eat Whiskas in jelly, she loves the meals in gravy though. Denise in Reading.
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Thursday 8th May
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Confession!
I feel really bad about this incident and want to share it so I can get ovet my guilt. I was walking my dog through Taunton late at night and he messed in the door way in Debenhams. I went to pull a poo bag out of my bag....and I didn't have one. I had to leave the mess where it was and would like to apologize to the person who had to clear it up. Sorry. Jane in Taunton.
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I have a new boyfriend and he is lovely in every way....apart from he does not like my dog Brutus a 5 year old Labrador. Brutus has picked up on the fact David does not like him and growls and gets very protective when he gets close to me. What should I do? Erica in Brighton.
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