Tuesday, March 29, 2011

We are happy to recommend Pet Plus

If we had to recommend one all round food supplement it would be Pet Plus. I'll outline why we like this particular product so much in a moment. First, I want to just explain that a healthy dog on a raw food diet won't need supplements (although some owners might take the attitude that they are an aid to good health and can't do any harm). What about dogs that are ill, have recently been ill or lack energy? Here the story is very different. The right supplement can make a marked difference to a dog's wellbeing and vitality. There are plenty of products on the market but the one we have always favoured (initially because our Chief Veterinary Surgeon recommended it and later from personal experience) is Pet Plus. The reason is that it contains high quality, whole food based ingredients. These are:

Enzymes
Pet Plus contains Protease for protein digestion, Amylase for carbohydrate digestion, Lipase for fat digestion and ProCerelase for the digestion of vegetation.

Probiotics
Lactobacillus Acidophillus is one of the best probiotics for dogs. It colonizes the gut easily, creates an environment that discourages pathogens and does not transfer antibiotic resistance, unlike some other probiotics.

Prebiotics
Alfalfa, Kamut wheat grass and barley grass have been pulverized and juiced then carefully dried so that all those fabulous nutrients, which would otherwise be hidden inside the cells, are preserved without chemicals and readily available to your dog. The beet root fibre is also a great source of fibre. Together, these four ingredients are an essential support for the probiotics and provide an enormous number of antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients.

Safflower And Flax Seed
Excellent sources of essential fatty acids, safflower and flax seed supplies the perfect balance of omega 3 and 6 for your dog. They are also rich sources of antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients and support the probiotics.

Brewers Yeast and Garlic
Repelling parasites is the main role of the brewers yeast and garlic. They are also a source of B vitamins and many other important nutrients.

Another thing we like about Pet Plus is that it has been formulated by Susanna McIntyre a naturopathic vet based in South Wales and it is possible to buy it from her direct. Anyway, if you have been wondering whether your dog needs a bit of a boost then this could be the answer.

Crufts may be sponsored by other dog food companies but Darling's feeds the winners!

Heartiest congratulations to Banrigh for winning Best in Breed and also, of course, to Elise Cartmell and Rob Horsfield who are his - um - support team. Eukanuba may sponsor Crufts but - not wishing to brag or anything - we feed the winner! V.Holloway/The Kennel Club photograph.

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Interested in Staffordshire Bull Terriers? Visit this site...



If you are keen on Staffordshire Bull Terriers then you'll find tons and tons of information on the Staffordshire Bull Terrier World site. Just thought I would let you know!

Why not enter the Rescue Remedies photo competition?

This is such a silly photo I couldn't resist using it even though its connection to this post's subject matter is exceedingly tenuous (when I googled for an image of a rescue dog this is what came up).

It is my proud boast that so far we haven't had to turn down a single request by a canine charity or welfare organisation looking for a fundraising prize. One such charity is Rescue Remedies - a small, effective, ethical rehoming organisation well deserving of support. At the moment they are running a photo competition and I hope that you will take time to enter.

Rescue Remedies has been rescuing dogs in the Surrey area since 2002 and is currently looking after around 60 or 70 dogs. They do not have a 'centre' but are internet based.This is what they say on their website: We are very small and don't have staff or a call centre, just a few dedicated volunteers processing applications and liaising with families.

You will find tons of information on their website or email enquiries@rescueremedies.co.uk

Sunday, March 6, 2011

We're getting ready for Crufts!

A quick note to let you know that we will be at Crufts again this year. For me it is a bit like the way my children sometimes count '1,2, skip a few, 99, 100'. I was there several times as a puppy (as it were) in the 1960s and then not again until last year. A lot had changed in the interim. The first time I went was to watch Alison (who brought me up) compete in the obedience class. 1964? I remember it was all - well - black and white. A bit like the photo above. I mean, look at the table and the friendliness of the place. How I wish it was still the same. Innocent. Now, although I love meeting our customers and spreading the word about raw feeding, I consider it pretty close to the seven circles of hell. I am a country boy and hate crowds. I mean, there isn't even anywhere to sit down with a cup of tea. Still, for all my reservations I know I will have a fantastic time. Indeed, my real regret is that the brilliant restaurant we found last year - Matthew's - has closed. The chef was a genius and I only wish I could discover where he has gone to. Anyway, if you are going to be at the NEC in the week ahead please, please come and say hello...

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Minnie puts on weight, thanks to Darling's!

A really cheery email from Minnie's best friend: 'I have to share something v exciting with you - she has put on 200g in weight since being on Darling's! This is amazing as I've always struggled to get weight on her....it's monumentally exciting! Her coat is also more shiny than before.' So, as you may imagine, we are all feeling pretty pleased this evening! (Rather a stunning looker, isn't she?!).