Thursday, November 17, 2011

Christmas Grooming

There are only 5 weeks remaining until Christmas.
Everyone wants to look their best for the big day - even our Dogs.

Call the grooming centre to book your dog in for their Pre-Christmas beauty Treatment with Pam or Jenny today.
Don't delay - many days are already filling up fast. 
Call 519-763-5788 to make sure your dog is booked in.


Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Royal City Grooming Centre

We would like to remind everyone that we highly recommend that all pets visiting our grooming centre be up to date on their annual vaccinations prior to coming in for grooming. Kennel Cough in particular is easily transmitted between dogs and the best protection is a vaccination that has been given within that past 12 months. We will be happy to call your veterinary hospital for you if you are not sure of the date of the last vaccination.
Call today to schedule your next Groom with either Pam or Jenny.
519-763-8549
Dont forget to Like us on Facebook.
Jake - travels many miles to see Pam several times a year

Your pet's health is our Number #1 Priority

Friday, November 11, 2011

11:11:11 - Lest we forget

Remembrance Day - a day to honour all who have served their country
I saw this article on another website and thought it was a nice tribute to the 4 legged soldiers.


Remembrance Day, November 11th.
At 11:11am, I will spend 2 minutes of silent reflection, appreciating the freedom that I have today, understanding that I owe everything to those who fought and died for us in war.
What many of us don’t realize are the number of dogs who fought along side our soldiers in virtually every war since the existance of the domesticated dog.
Here are some historical examples of dogs used in war, according to the Wiki:
  • 628 BC: The Lydians deployed a separate battalion of fighting dogs.
  • 525 BC: Cambyses II used huge fighting dogs against Egyptian spearmen and archers.
  • 490 BC: Battle of Marathon: A brave fighting dog was immortalized in a mural.
  • 385 BC: Siege of Mantineia: Fighting dogs cut off enemy reinforcements.
  • 101 BC: Battle of Vercellae: Large Cimbri dogs led by women defended their wagon forts.
  • 1525: Henry VIII exported 400 mastiffs to support Spain.
  • 1580: Elizabeth I sent 800 fighting dogs to fight in the Desmond Rebellions.
  • 1799: Napoleon assembled large numbers of fighting dogs in front of his reserves.
  • 1914: The Belgian Army used carabiniers, strong-muscled Bouvier des Flandres to haul heavy machine guns to the front.
  • 1914–1918: Dogs were used by international forces to deliver vital messages.
  • 1941–1945: The Soviet Union used dogs strapped with explosives to destroy invading German tanks.
  • 1943–1945: The United States Marine Corps used dogs, donated by their American owners, in the Pacific theater to help take islands back from Japanese occupying forces. During this period the Doberman Pinscher became the official dog of the U.S.M.C.; however, all breeds of dogs were eligible to train to be “war dogs of the Pacific”. Of the 549 dogs that returned from the war, only 4 could not be detrained and returned to civilian life. Many of the dogs went home with their handlers from the war.
  • 1966–1973: Approximately 5,000 US war dogs served in the Vietnam War (the US Army did not retain records prior to 1968); about 10,000 US servicemen served as dog-handlers during the war, and the K9 units are estimated to have saved over 10,000 human lives. 43 military working dogs and 73 US servicemen working as dog handlers were killed in action during the war. Only 200 Vietnam War dogs returned to the U.S. with their handlers; the rest were euthanized or left behind
  • 1979–1988: The Soviet Union again used dogs, this time in the Soviet war in Afghanistan.
In the Vietnam war, K9 units are estimated to have saved over 10,000 human lives
So today, when you take a few minutes out of your busy day to remember the sacrifices our soldiers made for us, don’t forget about their 4 legged sidekicks.

Lest We Forget.

Saturday, November 05, 2011

Beagle Paws - success story


Typical beagle in Newfoundland.
http://www.beaglepaws.com/page-of-shame/
From the Harsh Realities of a "Rabbit Dog" in Newfoundland to the comforts of her forever home in Ontario...

Inspired by a recent article found in Canadian Pets & Animals Magazine about Newfoundland's Beagle Paws Rescue, the following is a story about our own Beagle Paw's Beagle, Jaimie (Owned by Lisa B.)

While living for a short time in St. John's Newfoundland and while taking my pug Spud for a walk I came across a building with a sign reading, Beagle Paws, Promoting Beagle's as Family Pets, thinking "What else would they be?" I went in.  Here I learnt that the Beagle is the most abused breed in the province. Living by an Old-Aged Myth (as the article reads) that 'hunting dogs' do not need human interaction and do not make good pets, Old school thinking Newfoundlanders still hold this falsehood to be true. Other myths that are held true to this day are: A beagle must be hungry to hunt and should only be fed every other day, spaying or neutering a dog ruins their ability to hunt, beagles should be kept in outdoor enclosures and beagles cannot be house trained. Knowing these myths are patently untrue and seeing with my own eyes in my own neighbourhood the conditions in which beagles were kept I got involved with Beagle Paws by volunteering and becoming a foster parent. Here I met Jaimie (Beagle Paw's name, Jane) a very scared, skinny, obviously abused but sweet little beagle who I soon realized I couldn't part with as a foster dog and adopted her for good. Two years later and back in my home province of Ontario with her hard life behind her, Jaimie is one of the most loving, forgiving, loyal dogs I have ever met. 

To learn more about the Beagles of Newfoundland and how you can help visit, http://www.beaglepaws.com/, pick up a copy of Canadian Pets & Animals Magazine in our front reception area at Royal City Animal Hospital or simply ask me, Lisa B. Pet Care Coordinator.

Jamie - Loved and well cared for with her new family.