Want to keep your pooch included in the Easter fun this weekend? Why not get together with the kids (big and little kids!) and make some yummy Easter Biscuit Dog Treats?!

What you will need:
1 and ¼ Cups Rice Flour
2 Free Range Eggs
2 Tablespoons Coconut Oil
¼ cup Whole Wheat Flour

Want to decorate with icing?
Yogurt Drops
Natural Food Coloring

Time to cook!

1. Whisk eggs and set aside.
2. Combine rice flour and coconut oil in a bowl. Once combined add the eggs and mix to form a dough.
3. Slowly add the whole wheat flour in small portions and knead with your hands until your dough reaches a non-sticky consistency that can be rolled out. You probably won’t need all the flour to do this depending on the size/quality of your eggs used.
4. Split your dough into two sections. For each section roll your dough into a ball and place on a sheet of baking paper. Slightly flatten the dough and place another sheet of baking paper on top. Then roll your dough to around ¼ inch thickness.
5. Repeat for the second section of dough and place both sections of rolled dough on a cutting board and leave in the fridge for 20 minutes. This chills the dough and makes it easier to cut designs that hold their shape.
6. Remove both sections of rolled dough from fridge. Using an oval cookie cutter, cut out the biscuits and place on lined baking trays. Repeat until dough is finished (you don’t need to re-refrigerate the dough). If you don’t have time for icing your biscuits later, you can use a baking skewer now to draw decorations into your biscuits or stamp them with designs.
7. Pop your cut out biscuits on their trays into the freezer for 30 minutes. This will prevent them from spreading when baking.
8. Preheat oven to 180 degrees.
9. Remove biscuits from freezer and bake for approximately 15 minutes or until golden. Place on baking rack to cool.

Yummy!

Crazy to believe we are already coming around to celebrating Easter. The Easter Eggs and Hot Cross Buns are out in full at the supermarkets and nearly all of us will be spending this long weekend at home with our pets.
Although of all of these extra yummy treats are delicious for us to enjoy, it's very important to remember they are not safe for our pets. Dogs and Cats alike are very good at sniffing out treats hidden on the bench or some have even worked out how to get into the cupboards. So be sure to remember the toxic foods that MUST be hidden away where your pets can't reach them.

• onions, onion powder & garlic
• coffee or caffeine products (possibly present in desserts or chocolate treats)
• avocado
• grapes, raisins, sultanas, currants
• nuts
• unripe tomatoes
• mushrooms
• xylitol (sugar substitute found in some products such as some types of sugar-free chewing gum, lollies, baking goods) 
• and of course - Chocolate! (Carob is safe for dogs)

​The sturdy, confident Jack Russell is a breed everyone knows. They date back to as early as the mid 1800’s where they were used as a hunting dog for small game, ideal for foxes as they were able to dig into their dens. Their name originates from a minister, name Rev. John Russell.
As they became so popular as working dogs, the Jack Russell Terrier Association of America, in 2003, changed their name to the Parsons Russell Terrier Association of America, from this time onward the working line of Terriers was known as the Jack Russell whilst the American show Terriers were known as the Parsons Russell Terrier (longer legged Jack Russell)
Today, they are great little family pets who always provide plenty of entertainment. They come in a smooth or rough coat in varying colours, breed standard states white should be the predominate colour with at least 51% of the coat being white with a mixture of either black or brown markings and in some rare cases brindle markings have been recorded. Both the smooth and rough coats are easy to groom and maintain with regular brushing and bathing only when needed.
From their past blood lines, the Jack Russell Terriers of today are a fearless breed. As with all dogs, if raised correctly around young children and other dogs they are great within the family. Being a strong-minded breed, they require a pack leader from day one to avoid any small dog syndrome issues. Training and boundaries need to be set and followed from a young age to avoid destructive and aggressive behaviours – which are a known trait of unruly Jack Russell’s. Daily exercise is a must, to help burn their physical and mental energy. They are known to be great jumpers so if their needs aren’t met, they may just take themselves off on their own adventure to explore and keep themselves busy.
Although a great little dog, the Jack Russell is not just for everyone and thrive in a balanced environment where they are part of the family but not the boss of the family.

Although we are currently navigating through some uncertain times, the one thing that we can all agree on is our Dog's put a smile on our faces. So there is no better time to share our next April Dog of the Month for 2020. A big congratulations to.....

T​he Jack Russell Terrier. Little Miss Milly is full of personality and loves her cuddles and play times with toys of course!
With her beautiful little face how can you not just fall in love with her straight away?! We know you will enjoy her upcoming blog too!

The Chinese Crested was originally  from Africa and known as the ‘African Hairless Terrier’ it wasn’t until they were taken about the Chinese trading ships, that would stop along the African shore lines, and used as vermin hunters that they were renamed the Chinese Crested and the name has remained ever since. They were also known to be used by the Aztecs as bed warmers and later used for a meat source too.
Today there are two very different varieties of Chinese Crested:
Hairless (see Odin) can have a small amount of hair on their feet, head and tail but will remain hairless everywhere else on their body
Powerderpuffs will have fur all over in a long, soft coat.
Although very different in appearance, these are both the same breed of dog and are both now equally recognised by kennel clubs all around the world. The Hairless and Powderpuff can be born in the same litter and each Hairless dog carries one gene for Hairless and one for hair. Two hairless genes are fatal They are a rare breed and not too many are seen as pets in Australia.
Between both varieties, their can be many colours of both skin and coat. These can include solid colours, mixed and spotted.
As a breed, the Chinese Crested is a very loving, alert and agile dog. Their appearance, for the hairless especially, is always guaranteed to draw attention and they are always happy to take it, loving any affection. It is important to socialise them from a young age, to help build confidence and to ensure not to baby them as small dog syndrome can develop quickly. They are a breed that enjoys companionship so do not do well being left home alone for long periods of time. They enjoy the company of other dogs or humans as much as they can.
Despite their lack of fur, the  Hairless Chinese Crested is a very clean dog, omitting no doggie odour. They should be bathed as little as possible with their skin to be maintained with cream or oil as needed. They shed very little hair (as they don’t have too much to shed to begin with!) and are an ideal pet for allergy sufferers.
Due to their long coat, the Powderpuff requires daily brushing and extra grooming during shedding times. Their undercoat can matt quickly if unattended to.
They are a breed that can gain weight easily, so it’s important to control their diet. For the Hairless Chinese Crested, throughout the sunny months it’s important to protect their skin as they can get sunburnt. A good dog sunscreen should be used and also a thin material type dog shirt to cover most of their body.

The Papillon, also known as the Continental Toy Spaniel, is a small spaniel type dog originating from France & Belgium. Their history dates as far back as the 1500’s, using appearances in art to track when they first began to appear.
The name Papillon is actually the French word for “butterfly”, as their ears and long fringed hair on them appear like a butterfly.
Papillons have a single-coated fur so they do well in the heat, however they tend to feel the cold! Their coats come in many different colours, some of which are white & black, white & Lemon, white & sable, tri colour, red, brown & white and fawn & white just to name a few. They are small dogs, weighing between 3 – 4 kilograms for the females and 3.5 – 4.5 kilograms for the males, standing no taller than 20 – 28 centimeters.
The Papillon, has a life expectancy from anywhere between 12 – 15 years.
Papillon’s are smart and social dogs, they love to play, are great with children and people in general, but benefit from being socialised very early on in life. They are very adventurous dogs with high energy levels that require plenty of mental and physical stimulation. But they are also very happy to snuggle up and be lap dogs too!
Can you see one of these little guys fluttering into your life?

Time to announce our last Dogs of the Month for 2019 - where has the year gone?!

Congratulations to two of the spunkiest brothers going around. Odin and Xavier make the perfect pair and are adored by everyone who knows them. Xavier is the confident boy, who will be anybody's friend. Odin is a little more reserved but after a cuddle and a smooch he is your new best friend!
Congratulations boys!

 
Did you know that dogs can get Diabetes?

That’s correct - just like us humans, dogs too can develop Diabetes.
One of the common causes for Diabetes in dogs is obesity. Many dogs on a high fat diet are prone to contracting Pancreatitis which can then lead in the future to Diabetes.
Dogs can also develop a resistance to insulin when they are diagnosed with diseases like Cushings Disease or when they use long term medications like Prednisolone, which is a form of steroid. Female dogs, like women, can even develop Gestational Diabetes.
 
Know the signs:

There are many signs that your dog may have Diabetes.

1. Increased water intake
2. Increased urination
3. Rapid weight loss even when eating meals of same or increased amounts
4. Sudden and rapid loss of vision resulting in cataracts
5. Seizures.

 
Once under control, managing Diabetes in dogs is relatively easy. They are required to have insulin injections 12 hours apart, after they finish their meal. It is really important to ensure that your dog is on a diet with lots of nutrients and to make sure that you leave them plenty of water. As hard as it might be, diabetic dogs cannot have treats between meals, so no giving into their puppy dog eyes when preparing dinner! And if you can’t resist treats should be in the form of something healthy like cucumber and be given at meal time, feeding away from their insulin injection times can alter their sugar levels.
It is really important to be able to tell the signs of a sugar high or a sugar low and it is great to invest in a machine where you can test their blood sugars on a regular basis.
It is also really important to find a vet that is well educated in Animal Diabetes, there are even some vets who specialise solely in Animal Diabetes.
But one thing you can be certain of is that when holidaying, your dog will get the best level of care at We Love Dogs Kennel Resort, as we offer 7 star luxury accommodation for special medical needs, including the care of diabetic guests and with a manager living on site, insulin and other medications can be administered at any times required.

We are very excited to announce our November Dog of the Month for 2019 is.....

Beautiful Oscar the Spoodle is one of our many special needs guests as Oscar has diabetes. The same as humans, dogs can suffer diabetes and require insulin injections to maintain their health.
We love that we can care for our special needs guests when they are on holidays and always enjoy Oscar's visits!
Congratulations Oscar!