EDITORIAL

Protect your friends

Raise a voice against cruelty towards animals

Being an animal lover, it's essential to have the cognition of Animal Protection Laws. Camellia Satija, Founder Trustee, Kindness to Animals and Respect for Environment (KARE) empowers us for the same.

Q : I have often seepeople kicking and beating stray dogs without thinking twice.Can I do something about preventing this cruel behavior?

CS : Last issue, we discussed the laws related to preventing and punishing cruelty.Here are a few things you can do to prevent cruelty:

• Try to reason out with the offender.( Do not shout and get hysterical)
• Take a photograph if possible
• Find out about local animal welfare organisations/shelters - often they work with the police and the SPCA
• If that is not possible at that moment-contact the area SHO or police station.
• It helps to know the law -take the copies to show to the police.......

HEALTH
Pooch fracture management

Like kids, naughty pooches are also prone to accidents. They need vigilance, all time; a small negligence can end up in a troublesome situation, viz bone fracture or sprain. God forbid! But if it occurs, one needs to have ample information and knowledge to handle the situation tactfully. Here’s a complete overview about the fracture management for pets.

-By Dr. S. Ayyappan  

FEATURE

Ringcraft Made Easy

A dog show is not exactly a comparison of one dog to another. Several factors are considered while judging - physical appearance, temperament, character, coupled with the fitness and willingness to perform. As everyone will agree, proper show handling can enhance the chances of winning with our dogs at shows. Here are some techniques, which could be beneficial to upcoming new exhibitors and people interested in dog handling.

 -By Partha Sekhar Chatterjee

FEATURE 

Tips to help your pooch overcome fear of noise

With Diwali just around the corner, everybody is looking forward to the celebrations and festivities. Happiness can be seen everywhere but is it the same for your dog as well? Does your loving canine also enjoy the festivals just like you or does it scare him or make him frantic?

- By Varsha Verma

A dog’s wish list this festive season...

• Please give a loving and caring home to all my homeless friends.
• We love to ride in the car and we wish to have one in our name. There are cars named after the jaguar, the cougar, the mustang, the colt, the stingray and the rabbit, but not one named for a dog? I know every breed cannot have his own model, but it would be easy to rename the Chrysler Eagle the Chrysler Beagle!
• My mom is always counting the calories I eat. For one day, let her forget everything so that I can relish all the forbidden foods. (I mean yummy...to all doggy delights!)
• How I love to chew the soft slippers and leather shoes! Please give me a dozen to chew to my heart’s content.
• I wish I could actually talk to my parents. Either teach them ‘woof-woof’ or make me learn their language.
• I love to romp in mud and then clean myself on the carpet but my mom does not lets me do it. Please God, just once in a while...
• I wish I get more time to go out and join my friends at the other side of the street.
• I have seen my parents reading doggy magazines like ‘Dogs & Pups’ with interest. I wish I could read it too!
• Last but most important, please shower all your blessings on my parents who have given me a loving home

PAWS AND THEIR STARS

–by Gauri Keskar

Unconventional adman and undisputed king of satire Bharat Dabholkar is better known for his utterly…butterly…Amul advertisement. Besides advertising, he has also made his mark in theatres and movies. As he juggles between his varied roles, he has another important role to play – his family which includes his four smart dogs and a sensational cat. In conversation with Gauri Keskar, Dabholkar expresses love for his pets…

ORGANISATION

Let’s make a better world for animals

Ranbaxy Animal Health is now Vetnex

Ranbaxy is the one brand name in India that needs no introduction. Over the years, the company has diverged in to various health care sectors. Armed with new identity and forces, Vetnex (RFCL), is on a fast track to revolutionize the animal health care industry. Sushil Mehta, MD RFCL, and Dr Maneesh Kumar Gupta, General Manager, Vetnex (Livestock and canine business), RFCL in tête-à-tête with D&P shared some of their invaluable insights.

PRODUCTS SPOTLIGHT

Pawfect Shampoo + Conditioner

Pawfect Diapers

Pawfect Chews

Pawfect Weaning Diet

Pawfect Light Diet

Pawfect Nutrition

Pawfect Protection

MEMORIES

Sammy...an angel, a compassionate pal and our love

HEART 'N' SOUL

One of the most basic needs that all humans have is that of getting approval and acceptance, to feel loved and special as unconditionally as possible

-By Dr. Sanjay Chugh

Dr. K. G. Umesh (MVSc, MSc ( UK)) is a Postgraduate in Clinical Medicine. He has been a lecturer in clinical medicine at Vet College in Bangalore for 15 years, and has won the 'best teacher' award in the year 2000. He is a member of European Society for Vet Dermatology and is
presently working for WALTHAM as Regional Associate for south Asia.

Q : My 2-year-old Lab Bruno is suffering from a fungal infection on the right side of his body. He does not have hair on that side, we were applying an ointment and due to continuous application for almost an year, our vet says that maybe the hair follicles have destroyed and no hair is growing on that part. The surface has become dry and to moisten it, we were told to apply Cetraben moisturizing cream but there has been no effect. Recently our vet asked us to try out Ketoheal ointment. Please advise what we should do.

Q : My 4-year-old German Shepherd girl called Blacky has become overweight. We give her roti and milk, besides Pedigree (meat flavour). She is very choosy about food and we have to sometimes hand-feed her. Please help.  

Q : Whenever Doll, my 8-year-old mixed breed dog chews something hard, her gums start bleeding. What should I do?

Woof! Woof! It’s feast time

Ymm! Ymm! Yummy... let’s satiate our pooches taste buds with delectable delicacies. The crunchy treats, hot ‘n’ spicy chicken, mouthwatering recipes...all will definitely leave your pooch asking for more. So unfold your apron and dust your cooking cap, barge into the kitchen and... our smart readers know it all. Yes! Let’s be a pooch-chef.

A dog with a flair for painting

Brush and paint are not playing materials for her. These are the things that help to express her internal conflicts, thoughts and imagination. Yes, like all painters, she is also serious about her job and her paintings are sold at a price range between $700 to 2000. Nothing curious? But if we tell you that she is a female white Jack Russell Terrier with black ears-Tillamook Cheddar, does that sounds interesting? Yes, she has a portfolio of several hundred paintings. Her owner Bowman Hastie, a freelance writer, recognized her abilities accidentally, when she was just six months old.

Five star luxury crèche for pets

Want to put your pet in a crèche? If you are in Washington, it is possible. To help the pet lovers who are reluctant to leave their pets alone, Arizona based PetSmart Inc has started a luxury hotel, Petsmart PetHotel, in the suburb of Bethesda. Just for 23 dollars plus tax per day, your pet will get a highly luxurious facility in this hotel. Here your pooch can nurture a healthy companionship with other pet dogs and they can enjoy lactose free ice cream, indoor recreation and for 10 more dollars a night, pooch can stay in a roomier “suite” with a television set showing an animal related movie every day.

Now, a soft drink for dogs!

A delicious soft drink for dogs! Does it sound incredible? But yes, it is true. Andrew Larkey, an Australian, has conceptualized and produced Aqua Dog, a bottle drink for dogs, in three flavours - beef, chicken and bacon.

Aqua Dog rejuvenates the body by making for fluid loss due to traveling, training or hot days. Packed with electrolytes and vitamins, it forms a healthy drink.

Restaurant for pets  

A place where you and your pooch can have a great meal together! The Pet Tasties Pet Café in Atlanta provides freedom from usual homemade foods. Here your pooch can enjoy a delicious meal or can take it out, if he has friends to share with. The meals are prepared keeping in mind the pet’s health needs.  

We are moving together!  

Gone are the days, when our lovable pooches were treated as an additional luggage, while commuting by trains or planes. According to railway’s latest rule, pet owners can now take their pets along on first-class AC, provided they have booked the entire coupe (of two or four berths). So feel free! Next time you plan a visit, your pooch will share every moment with you, so bon voyage!

Dogs who do not bark

Barking is his natural instinct. Any deviation...? No unthinkable. But since 7/11 blasts, the Mumbai guards and the dog breeders are busy with training their sniffer dogs both for finding out bombs and to be silent after discovering them. Earlier sniffer dogs were trained to bark after detecting the explosives. Terrorists are using latest technologies and explosives with sound sensors so now, squad dogs are trained to sit down and gesture at the explosives, if they find any because the sound sensor bombs can explode when exposed to sound.

EVENTS REPORT

Ventura launches various international pet products in India

Ventura Pet Products launched its complete range of Bento Kronen Food Products, Versele-Laga bird food and Ferplast pet accessories at a party held recently in Delhi . Speaking on the occasion, Uday Kulkarni, MD, Ventura said, “We are happy to introduce our world class range for Indian pet owners who can now get the same products in India .”

At the occasion, Ventura Delhi distributors Sudhir Sharma and Pawan Grover announced an exciting scheme for one-week validity for vets and pet shops.

Bento Kronen, which contains 30% chicken, dog food and Versele-Laga bird food are manufactured in Belgium whereas Ferplast accessories are imported from Italy.

Quicksilver Farriery promotes Cipla

Quicksilver Farriery Supplies, the sole distributor of Cipla veterinary products has recently organised the first-ever presentation of Cipla’s veterinary products in Mumbai. The event was also marked with the launch of several pet products. Over 100 people, with a large contingent of vets attended the event. Dr. Phiroz Khambatta made an engrossing presentation, and several products were also displayed along with dummy packs, brochures etc.

Petcare drives forward with expansion plans

Petcare, a trusted name in the pet industry in India, have road mapped their expansion plans. They have separate focus teams – therapeutics (led by Sanjay Jaiswal) and nutrition (led by Rakesh Bahl). Together they are aiming at a turnover crossing the 15 crores mark in the year 2007. Dr. Sandeep Karkhani (General Manager - Marketing), said, “We are aiming at a growth of 40-50% in the next year through pet food segment. This will be achieved by acquisitions and with the help of Provimi, whose contribution in launching new products is going to be significant. We are aiming at launching Weaning and Disease Management diets. Pets are a part of the family, so we are doing everything in our capacity to provide best care.”

Vetnex at PPAK meet Banglore

Vetnex, formerly Ranbaxy Animal Health, participated with full galore at Annual general meet, technical session and industry interaction meet organized by Pet Practitioner’s Association of Karnataka (PPAK) recently at Bangalore under the able guidance of Dr B C Ramakrishna, president, PPAK.

WSAVA CE Program

WSAVA CE program held on August 12-13, 2006 at Goa gained a huge acclaim. It was attended by around 200 participants, and elucidate lectures by renowned vets were appreciated by all.

Doggies, delight, and Delhi...it’s Pet Planet

Pet Planet, the canine and feline specialty clinic has recently opened its new clinic in Delhi , at Gulmohar Park . To doubly delight the pooches, Groom Star - the professional grooming centre for dogs and cats is also a part of it.

For further info contact Dr R T Sharma at: 16, DDA Market, Gulmohar Park , New Delhi - 110049, Tel: 26865737, 41740022 or email: rt.s@indiatimes.com

PACE honours vets’ efforts

PACE (Petcare Award for Canine Excellence) awards were successfully conducted recently in New Delhi . Bharat Tandon, MD, Petcare welcomed the gathering and conferred this year award to Dr J P Varshney, principal scientist, IVRI, Izzatnagar, Bareilly . The topics covered at PACE awards included Homeopathy in canines; Cardiology; and Babeiosis in canines.

Free anti-rabies vaccination camp :
CAL’s selfless efforts

Circle of Animal Lovers (CAL) has recently organised a free anti-rabies vaccination camp at C-block, Greater Kailash Part -I, New Delhi. At the occasion, a large number of stray dogs along with pet dogs and pups were vaccinated.

The event was a big hit and the camp has received overwhelming support and cooperation from animal lovers. All the local residents gathered and appreciated CAL ’s initiative.

Are dogs jealous?

Where there is love, jealously will naturally make its way, quiet true! This is something that I experienced recently, with my most loved pal - Tuffy. We share a wonderful relationship and spend quality time together and he treats me like his best companion. All was going well, but after I got married, like a small kid, Tuffy started showing all the signs of jealously. My wife tried her best to be friends with him, but all went in vain. He felt as if, my wife was clinching his share of love and affection.

My wife’s sincere efforts turned fruitful after a while, as she herself developed and nurtured a loving bond with him. We gave extra attention, affection and care to him, along with quality playtime together.

Yes, dogs are jealous, especially with a new entrant in the family. Generally they become depressed and in some cases aggressive. In order to overcome this situation, what is required is love, care, affection, pamper...the list is endless. Treat them good, make them feel special, and you and your pooch will definitely never have such issues. Never let jealously spoil the loving pooch bond!

– Ashu Srivastava, Sharanpur

Simba and me… in this beautiful world… green grass, blue sky…

Simba and me are inseparable, and true to his Pug spirit, he always follows me, wherever I go. He is a sweet inimitable monster yet an adorable Pug. I named him after “The Lion King” because I always thought him to be our little lion. Simba is a bundle of energy and joy for the whole family. Ready to pounce on any moving or colorful object, he is the cynosure of everyone’s eyes.

Pugs are famous for their well-behaved and docile nature, but Simba is an exception. He keeps us on our toes and I feel that he is miles away from being docile. His quest for food is never ending and for him everything from socks to toys is EDIBLE! He is a powerhouse and that person must be a genius, who can match his enthusiasm for life.

He loves cuddling up next to me and follows me like a lamb. Simba is the love of our lives and we feel, that his ‘no-matter-what-keep-going’ attitude acts as a biggest stress buster for all of us and we all love having him as a part of our family!

– Nidhi

Harry Pawtter and splits of laughter

No words can explain the fun and excitement of having a pet, it’s an experience that needs to be felt. And I am lucky to have the exuberance of the same. But I was quite reluctant in the beginning as I was of the opinion that it would be an added responsibility. Good things always make way for themselves and my kids Viraj and Vashisht convinced me to bring home, their new companion and my third kid - Harry.

Harry, a Lhasa Apso has filled our lives with so much of fun, right from the first day. His cute looks and naughty antics won our hearts in no time. All of us treat him like a small kid in the house; he even accompanies my kids to school in the morning. We have to just murmur, “Harry, school jaana hai?”, and in a flick of a second, we will find Harry at the entrance door, waiting for us to come, with an oh!-what-takes-you-so-long look.

My husband and me have to travel for work so when he sees me packing, he gets upset and follows me everywhere. And once we are back, he is simply uncontrollable. He keeps scratching our luggage till the time we open our suitcase and give him his gift. But we all feel he is our biggest gift.

He is our real 24 x 7 companion, and we all regret the unavailability of good pet parks in our locality, where he can have all the fun and masti.

– Diksha Bhatia, Kolkata

Marshal stop it... for tomato’s sake!

Life goes on, we all were heartbroken when our loving pet, Dennis-a Lhasa Apso, passed away in a tragic accident. Life seemed difficult, until my sister Neha and dad got, Marshal-a standard Poodle imported from Russia , home. We immediately fell in love with this palm sized black cotton ball.

He is a fun loving enthusiast, who always keeps us on our toes. Some of his habits are quite unusual; he loves eating fresh fruits and all vegetables, especially tomatoes. He takes bribe from every vegetable seller who passes by and they all love him so much that when Marshal doesn’t comes out to take his share of tomato, they specially give it to our house help and by chance if they forget to give the entry fee to him, he starts singing along with them till he is not paid. He is the next Himesh Reshamia in making...a new rock star on the block.

– Manish

Come fall in lovewith the magnificent Mastiffs

“What lion is to cat, the Mastiff is to dog,” goes a popular saying. If you happen to meet an English Mastiff for the first time, do not be scared of his large size as beneath his giant body, lies a heart of gold. He is a family pet in true sense. While his size will keep strangers at bay, his sweet disposition and friendly behavior will keep your family happy. Here’s some more info about this exquisite breed.

Dognapping with happy ending

– By Amrita Sharma

“People often accept the loss of their pet and move on. But that’s wrong. We won’t do that for our kids, then how can we lose our four-legged kids just like that,” says Sherry Sharma.

• What is arthritis?
• What cures arthritis?
• What are the symptoms?
• How can I help ease my dog's arthritis symptoms?

  Click ‘n’ train

Click ‘n’ train

By Shaune Ryder

Clicker seems like such a simple gadget and it is hard to believe that it can control animals as big as a whale or as small as a tropical fish. At zoos, marine parks, and now even at dog training schools; elephants, whales, baboons and our faithful dogs are learning new behaviors pleasantly, thanks to this little tool. Here’s how to use clicker to shape your canine’s behavior.

HEALTH

Shooing away impairment... the Buddy's way

Shooing away impairment... the Buddy's way

By Dr. Jaspreet S. Mauj

Disability is the worst face of any form of sickness, mostly it occurs due to lack of proper treatment. And when our pet doggies are concerned, even a minor negligence can prove fatal. Spinal injuries often cause irreparable losses and situation gets even worse, due to lack of knowledge. Here’s an in-depth information about the same.