THE RISE of the pet parent

Editor's letter

Cover pic: Pomeranian-cross by Mark Taylor, Warren Photographic

Therapy pup makes a right royal impression

Talking dogs NEWS. CHAT. INTERVIEWS. PICTURES. COMPETITIONS. East

CANINE WASTE HARMING WILDLIFE, SAYS STUDY

Dog urine is a problem in the countryside,

News HOUND-UP

DOG IN DRAMATIC DROP ESCAPES UNHARMED A Border

FIFTH OF DOG-OWNING SMOKERS UNAWARE THEIR HABIT IS HARMING THEIR PET

O ne in three British smokers has seen

CAMPAIGNERS CALL FOR MANDATORY PET FIRST AID QUALIFICATIONS

Acampaign urging the government to make animal first

DREAM WIN FOR BAXER

C ongratulations to six-year-old Flat Coated Retriever Baxer,

World pupdates

● SPAIN: In a pioneering ruling, a judge

PIONEERING POINTER PRESENTED WITH PRE STIGIOUS PRIZE

Hertz with his PDSA Dickin Medal. Hertz and

10 WAYS TO make your dog happy

Put a smile on your dog’s face with tips and advice from trainer and behaviourist Jackie Drakeford

MAKING MEMORIES

What is it like to compete at the world’s greatest dog show? Julie Hill finds out

LIVING IN harmony

KAD is a new organisation that aims to help dogs and children stay safe and happy. Andrea McHugh reports

PILING ON THE POUNDS!

With an estimated half of the UK’s dog population overweight, vets are understandably concerned about the health impacts, says Vicky Payne

Dogs are family!

So make sure their holiday experience is as good as yours!

Collar OR harness?

Which do you choose?

FREEBIES

Check out our freebies this month — your chance to win some fabulous prizes!

THE FORGOTTEN SENSES

Helping your dog to engage all his senses can boost his confidence and open up his world, says Sarah Fisher

There’s something FISHY going on...

Apart from offering lots of health benefits, fish is also irresistible for many dogs!

“The dogs have become my children”

Katie has given Lexi and Heidi a second

“I feel like where we are is completely right for us and I’m really happy...”

S teve and Corrin Goodall, from Southampton, Hampshire,

LETTERS

GET IN TOUCH ... Email your letters to

Dog SHOPPING

Leap into spring with our super selection of shopping suggestions

Time to SAY GOODBYE

The hardest decision you’ll ever need to make for your dog is to let him go when the time is right, says Karen Bush

“I knew in my heart she was still alive…”

But Jenny Holgate’s elation at finding her dog after an epic eight-day search soon evaporated once the extent of Nelly’s injuries became clear. Joanne Bednall reports

Every stamp tells a story...

Fancy taking up a new hobby? Then why not try stamp collecting? Focus on issues with a canine theme and you’ll find it’s anything but dull, says Karen Bush.

DOG Answers

Got a problem with your dog? Whether it’s

The risk of bladder stones

Q My 10-year-old terrier-cross has recently had surgery

Quick-fire quest ions

WHAT IS HAND-STRIPPING? Hand-stripping is the removal of

A CURE FOR DOG BREATH!

QIs there any remedy for freshening a dog’s

DOG’S PLAYTIME PROBLEMS

Not all dogs enjoy rough play. QMy dog

Too close for comfort

Many dogs can feel uncomfortable during interactions with

DIARRHOEA DANGER?

Q Should I worry if my Shetland Sheepdog

Quick-fire quest ions

MY VET THINKS MY DOG MAY HAVE POLYARTHRITIS.

The Gallery

Give your dog his five minutes of fame