Sunday, 29 June 2014
New responsibilities
Wednesday, 18 June 2014
Cake Sale Success
Congratulations to year 13 on a great cake sale. As well as Monica and her family visiting Griff for the morning, Sue Bushell from Guide Dogs came. The cakes were lovely and £42 was raised for Guide Dogs. Griff didn't get any cakes, but fortunately Monica brought him some treats and his fluffy toy dog.
This is taken from their facebook page
Had a lovely morning at Priestley Smith School - I met Griff their Buddy Dog with his puppy walker Monica Fodor and her parents, we were welcomed by staff and students and enjoyed lovely cakes baked by year 13 who had a cake sale and wanted to donate the proceeds to Guide Dogs - £42 raised thank you everyone. Don't forget if you want to follow Griff you can on his blog griffbuddydog.blogspot.co.uk
Wednesday, 11 June 2014
Cake Sale and Puppy Update
I emailed Paul and Jonquil to invite them to our Cake Sale. Sadly they will not be able to come this time, although Monica, Griff’s puppy walker is coming. Yay! Griff will be excited!
However, Jonquil has sent us this lovely email on the progress of Misty’s puppies.
Misty's puppies went up to the National Breeding Centre on May 27th, when they were just 6 weeks old. The following day they went through their Puppy Profiling Assessment, which is a series of tests which give a good idea whether a puppy will respond to the very demanding training they will have to undergo to become Guide Dogs. The puppies think they are playing games! All of Misty's puppies passed with flying colours, so they have been accepted for puppy walking, and they are now out with the volunteers who will keep them until they are about 14 months old. There, they will learn the basic commands, and be given lots of experiences so that they are familiar with things they may meet in their future career. For instance, they will go on public transport, into shops, and out and about so that they learn how to behave in public.
I know that Monica did all sorts of things with Griff, such as taking him up the Spinnaker Tower in Portsmouth. Perhaps she included some of her photos in the album she gave you.
Finally, the puppies now have names - they are given their names when they pass the assessment - so we have : Zebedee, Zara, Zoe, Peter, Gweny, Rocket, Zea, Islay, Zorba and Bingo. The ones that begin with Z were chosen by people connected with Misty; those that begin with other letters are sponsored names, chosen by generous people who have given money for the right to name a puppy. For instance, Islay has been named by the group of puppy walkers where Misty grew up in Scotland, after a Scottish island.
To see video footage of Guide Dog puppies or to find out more about sponsoring follow this link to Guide Dogs
However, Jonquil has sent us this lovely email on the progress of Misty’s puppies.
Misty's puppies went up to the National Breeding Centre on May 27th, when they were just 6 weeks old. The following day they went through their Puppy Profiling Assessment, which is a series of tests which give a good idea whether a puppy will respond to the very demanding training they will have to undergo to become Guide Dogs. The puppies think they are playing games! All of Misty's puppies passed with flying colours, so they have been accepted for puppy walking, and they are now out with the volunteers who will keep them until they are about 14 months old. There, they will learn the basic commands, and be given lots of experiences so that they are familiar with things they may meet in their future career. For instance, they will go on public transport, into shops, and out and about so that they learn how to behave in public.
I know that Monica did all sorts of things with Griff, such as taking him up the Spinnaker Tower in Portsmouth. Perhaps she included some of her photos in the album she gave you.
Finally, the puppies now have names - they are given their names when they pass the assessment - so we have : Zebedee, Zara, Zoe, Peter, Gweny, Rocket, Zea, Islay, Zorba and Bingo. The ones that begin with Z were chosen by people connected with Misty; those that begin with other letters are sponsored names, chosen by generous people who have given money for the right to name a puppy. For instance, Islay has been named by the group of puppy walkers where Misty grew up in Scotland, after a Scottish island.
To see video footage of Guide Dog puppies or to find out more about sponsoring follow this link to Guide Dogs
Saturday, 7 June 2014
Fund Raising
Our sixthformers are planning a cake sale in school to raise funds for Guide Dogs.
Watch this space to see how they do.
Griff is very fond of cakes, so let's hope they can sell them before he gets his paws on them, or should that be jaws?
Watch this space to see how they do.
Griff is very fond of cakes, so let's hope they can sell them before he gets his paws on them, or should that be jaws?
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Monday, 19 May 2014
Summer arrives for Griff
Griff is not coping well with the current heat. Dogs are trapped inside fur coats all the time. Take a look at the advice from Guide Dogs and RSPCA on caring for dogs in hot weather.
So what has Griff been up to?
He thought he might go to Wimbledon, strawberries and cream, no problem, but it's difficult to play when you eat the racquet! Also, it's far too hot for such exertions!
So what are the alternatives?
So what has Griff been up to?
He thought he might go to Wimbledon, strawberries and cream, no problem, but it's difficult to play when you eat the racquet! Also, it's far too hot for such exertions!
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| Griff with tennis racquet and ball |
Nice leisurely walks... well no, Griff doesn't really like leisurely.
Swimming? Ahh, now you are talking. Crayfish beware. Griff loves Ensor's Pool!
We have started carrying water with us at all times. Griff does drink the pool water, but fresh is best. Griff is also not expected to wear his buddy dog coat in this weather. That's a good job really, because he hates it!
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| Please don't make me wear it! |
Care in Hot Weather; Timely Reminder from Guide Dogs now Summer is here
Care in hot weather
Dogs do not have the ability to adjust the temperature of their environment or of themselves as efficiently as we do. As a result it is the handler’s responsibility to see that dogs don’t overheat and suffer the numerous health complaints this can produce.
Not only do dogs have thick hair covering their body, but they also have only a limited ability to sweat to assist cooling. Dogs use their tongues to regulate their temperature; this is why they pant during exercise.
During hot weather great care must be taken to ensure your dog does not overheat. Extra care will be necessary with small puppies and those with dark coats. The following points may help;
• Always ensure a supply of fresh drinking water is available. Never restrict water in warm or hot weather especially with working Guide Dogs.
• Puppies and dogs must NEVER be left in vehicles or parts of buildings which can become hot quickly, such as conservatories or summer rooms. Adapt accommodation so your puppy/dog has access to ventilation and shade.
• Exercise your puppy at the very beginning or very end of the day. Staying out of the midday sun will prevent your pup’s temperature rising. Avoid letting dogs ‘sunbathe’ in the garden, restrict them to shady areas or a cool part of the house. In very hot weather, do not free run or overly exercise dogs.
• Try to avoid working dogs during the hottest parts of the day, if essential try to stay out of the direct sun and stop for regular breaks. Make sure to carry some water for your dog and offer it regularly. Consider also that pavements can become so hot that the tar surface can melt.
• When travelling the driver should ensure the effects of air conditioning are available to the puppy/dog. If the vehicle has air conditioning travel does not need to be restricted, however it is worth noting the air will be dry and therefore the puppy/dog should be allowed regular access to water.
• If air conditioning is not available then travelling should be limited to avoid the hottest times of the day and alternative ventilation provided. Regular breaks (minimum every 30 minutes) must be taken to allow the dog out of the car and access to fresh water. If a journey is unavoidable during the hottest part of the day and a vehicle does not have air conditioning the journey must be limited to 1 hour.
• When planning long journeys in hot weather it is worth considering the route to try and avoid any roads works etc where possible.
• Vehicles which are being used to transport dogs where possible should be parked in shaded areas when not in use to keep them cooler. Puppies/dog MUST NOT be left in parked vehicles.
• Restrict energetic exercise and games.
• Do not fit puppy coats or any additional “clothing” eg bandanas, as these will contain heat and only increase your dog or puppy’s temperature.
Signs of heatstroke
If your puppy/dog does overheat, the following symptoms are likely;
• Excessive drinking
• Excessive panting
• Drooling
• Collapse
• Vomiting and diarrhoea
• High temperature
• Convulsions and seizures
• Excessive drinking
• Excessive panting
• Drooling
• Collapse
• Vomiting and diarrhoea
• High temperature
• Convulsions and seizures
Heatstroke is an extremely serious condition which will require immediate veterinary attention. It is also advised that you try and cool your pup down using tepid water or by covering in wet towels and moving it to a cool place to try and reduce temperature. DO NOT hose or immerse the puppy in cold water.
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