Hot Dogs

As I'm sure you're all well aware, we've been experiencing some rather unusually hot weather recently! And as nice as its been to put on our shorts and sandals and take day trips to the beach, for your dog, It's a different story altogether.

It's a widely known fact that dogs, unlike humans, can't sweat. So hot weather can make your dog at risk of heat stroke, or worse, death in situations that usually wouldn't bring harm to them.

Here at playful paws we use some of our own methods to help keep dogs cool in summer, which include water fights with the hose, filling plastic bottles full of cold water and ice for dogs to play with and chew on outside and then there's those trips to the lakes and rivers.

If you'd like more information on how to keep your dog happy in the heat and prevent them from being a hot dog, then you might find the following information useful.

Courtesy of the RSPCA:

Hot Dog Facts!

* A dog’s normal body temperature is around 39°C (102°F). Although the upper lethal body temperature of dogs is approximately 42°C (108°F), brain damage may develop at body temperatures of 41°C (106°F).

Dogs are covered in fur and do not sweat in the same way as humans do. Unlike humans, dogs pant to help keep themselves cool. The effectiveness of panting is reduced at high temperatures and humidities. Cars heat up very rapidly in hot – or even warm – weather. Air-conditioning can disguise the danger that a dog will face once the engine is turned off.

The RSPCA’s top tips to help keep your dog safe in the sun:

1. Your dog should always be able to move into a cooler, ventilated environment if he/she is feeling hot.
2. Never leave your dog alone in a car. If you want to take your dog with you on a car journey, make sure that your destination is dog friendly – you won’t be able to leave your dog in the car and you don’t want your day out to be ruined. If leaving your dog at home is the best option because of the weather, always ensure that his/her needs are properly catered for.
3. If you have to leave your dog outside, you must provide a cool, shady spot where he/she can escape from the sun at all times of the day.
4. Make sure your dog always has a good supply of drinking water, in a weighted bowl that can’t be knocked over. Carry water with you on hot days and give your dog frequent, small amounts.
5. Never leave your dog in a glass conservatory or a caravan. Even if it is cloudy when you leave, the sun may come out later in the day and could become unbearably hot.
6. Groom your dog regularly to get rid of excessive hair. Give long-coated breeds a hair-cut at the start of the summer, and later in the season if necessary.
7. Dogs need exercise, even when it is hot, but walk your dog early in the morning or later in the evening. Never allow your dog to exercise excessively in hot weather.
8. Dogs can get sunburned too – particularly those with light-coloured noses or light coloured fur on their ears. Ask your vet for advice on pet-safe sunscreens.

Or you can view the Blue Cross Summer survival guide page by following the link: http://www.allaboutpets.org.uk/features/Summer-Survival-Guide.aspx

We hope you found this helpful, and remember stay cool!

Playful Paws Tea Party for the Blue Cross

Playful Paws are holding a T-Party in aid of 'The Blue Cross' charity. The Blue Cross provides practical support, information and advice for pet and horse owners. Through their network of animal adoption centres they rehome thousands of animals each year. Their hospitals provide veterinary care for the pets of people who cannot afford private vets' fees:

When: Saturday 8th May at 11am -
Where: Dunston Village Hall

Please bring friends/neighbours and family along with you, ask as many people as you know. We are asking for everyone to donate a small amount towards a cup of tea and a piece of cake. Every penny raised will go towards helping unwanted and needy animals.

If anyone also wants to donate some cakes for the day, please let me know. We would really appreciate your support with this event and hope to raise much needed funds for the Blue Cross.

Thanks, and hope to see you there! :)

Sponsered Dog Walk

Macmillan Cancer Support are holding a sponsered walk on Sunday 16th May 2010. The walk will take place in Hartsholme park at 11am.


To find out more and to register your dog for a sponsor form call Chris on 07505 540001.
Or Emma on 07506 408606 or at emma.wywda@virgin.net
For more information visit http://www.macmillan.org.uk/Fundraising/Inyourarea/England/Lincolnshire/Local_events/SponsoredDogWalk.aspx


Dogs and Owners taking part:
Emily with Rolo: Tiggeroverton@ntlworld.com
Lynsey with Gypsy: Visit http://www.justgiving.com/Lynsey-Drysdale

Jinny with Brodie
Amy with Blue & Simba: Visit http://www.justgiving.com/Amy-Gregg


If you can't take part in the sponsered walk but would still like to do your bit, please contact any of the above taking part to sponser them!


Macmillan Cancer Support, registered charity in England and Wales
(261017), Scotland (SC039907) and the Isle of Man (604)

Funday 'Hall Play' Back On!

After months of trying to re-locate our hall based funday Playful Paws has successfully found a suitable new location and we're now pleased to announce that hall play is back on.

The funday will take place at Nocton Village Hall starting on Thursday 4th March. Hall play is £15 (+£7 for pick up and drop off) 10:30am - 1:30pm.

We're hoping to take lots of pictures for new blogs of all the dogs having fun with their friends. So for any further information please get in touch via our website and check back for further updates!

Hope to see all those waggy tails very soon! :)

All About Blue

If you regularly view our Facebook and Blog pages you might be wondering more about the huge German Shepherd thats seen around with the Day Stay & Petsitting dogs. So, meet Blue, a 6 and half year old long haired German Shepherd. He weighs in at just under 49kg (7.5 stone!) so he's definitely a big fur ball!

In summer 2008 we found Blue at the RSPCA shelter in Radcliffe, Nottingham. It was love at first sight and before we knew it he was traveling back to Lincoln with us to start his new life in our home. Large breeds like Blue usually require a strong and experienced handler. It is for this reason that many larger breeds find it more difficult to find a permanent new home. Many families rule them out straight away purely because of their size. I beg people to reconsider!

Blue's age and breed might have prevented some families from giving him a chance, but for me his personality shined through. His beautiful temperament, gentle nature and playful side ticked all the boxes and we almost couldn't believe how easily we had found the perfect dog for us.

In Blue's year and half in Lincoln he's achieved an awful lot. He's captured the hearts of everyone around him and we even had to make him his own facebook page so my mother could keep up to date with his photos!

Being in Kennels caused Blue to suffer from separation anxiety when left in a room on his own, with time and patience Blue has managed to put this behind him and although he still has the occasional whine here and there, he is now much calmer.

Now, Blue has happily welcomed other dogs into his home, he shares his toys, his bed and his treats!

He's also helped in the socialisation of puppies and dogs on Day Stay and has formed some strong bonds with them. He's learnt how to play fight and tug with the other dogs and taught some of the dogs a few things about retrieving, which is his favourite game.

He even caught the eye of Gok Wan whilst he was filming for 'fashion fix' in lincoln...

Gok Wan approached Blue and requested his photo be taken with such a beautiful dog!

Blue also helped band 'Deaf Havana' record their music video "friends like these" and had a brilliant day playing in the sea! Watch Blue in action below, but turn your volume down if rock music isn't to your taste! In the video Blue can be seen sitting on the stage, running into the sea and playing on the beach!

So, if your thinking of sending your dog on Day Stay or for In Home Petsitting, your dog will get to interact and play with Blue.

If you're unsure about anything we're always happy to arrange a walk to meet Blue on neutral territory, as an open & spacious environment is always a good place for dogs to first meet. We're always happy to welcome new comers to our Day Stay team so please get in touch if you're interested!

Snow Days

Over Christmas and the New Year the snowy weather stopped alot of people getting from a to b. Playful Paws however, embraced the freezing cold weather and we continued to walk and play with our dogs. Strong winds and heavy snow didn't prevent us from having our usual amount of fun!

Below are pictures from a Day Stay walk on an enclosed field off Canwick Road.

Eddie, Dexter and Blue waiting for the ball to be thrown

Eddie trying to bite the ball

Dexter in the snow

Eddie jumping for the ball

We are now all looking forward to spring and summer!

Online Shop

Playful Paws has been working very hard to bring you the basics of our new online shop.

The shop can be found on our website navigation menu and currently offers a small range of toys and accessories. Please bare with us as we plan on making our shop page much more interactive in that not to distant future.

Soon, we hope to stock a range of quirky and individual products from small home made and family run businesses. The first of which are our hand made dog units, perfect for your hallway or utility to give a stylish solution to storing your dogs leads, poo bags and much more!

Please get in touch if there is anything you'd like to see available from our shop, we'd love to hear from you!