Woof Times

Blood transfusion As a result of the growth in veterinary speciality services, the demand for blood transfusion has risen dramatically. However, blood and blood products are not readily available in most of the places in our country. Even in places where it is practical, there is a considerable delay in getting the donor, collecting and then transfusing. Non-availability of canine blood group…

New Year resolutions by tail waggers A new year makes me feel a whole new beginning in my life. One year of our life is equivalent to seven years of human life. And so, a new year holds much more importance for us than for the human counterparts. I am lucky to be in a world, which is reasonably full of people who absolutely love, adore and pamper us?–?so much so that in our very short life span,…

A trip to remember WOOF... A vacation with your pet? Seems a brilliant and bindaas idea! But, the problem lies in identifying dog-friendly places. Sparkle with his family went to Naukuchiatal and had a wonderful time. Here’s an account of their trip … From Sparkle’s diary… Hey guys, remember me? I am Sparkle and some time back, I promised to share my most memorable experience with my family. And…

Come Christmas and everybody looks forward to the gifts Santa Claus would bring for us. This Christmas, Amrita asked her four-legged family member Heera  to pen down his wish list. And here he goes… When I first heard Audrey Hepburn sing “These are a few of my favourite things” in the evergreen movie “My Fair Lady”, I never thought I’d have an occasion to present my own list some day. But you know…

Dr. Aradhana Pandey tells how important it is to know the history of the pet for proper treatment. Every vet works with an intention to provide best cure to his patient. For treatment success, a vet’s expertise should be complimented by owner’s co-operation, understanding and patience. Treating a pet is unlike treating a human being since they cannot tell their plight; hence it becomes completely…

Quiz guru Siddharth Basu, the man behind the famous ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati,’ has made quizzing popular in India through his first game show ‘Quiz Time’ on DD in the eighties. From his jetsetting life on-screen, Siddharth still manages to find time for his loved ones, including his pet Sheru, a Golden Retriever. Affable and knowledgeable quizmaster Siddharth Basu comes from a background that covers…

People often ask me, “Why would you ever want to mess around with feet – especially dog’s paws?” The answer is simple: feet are connected with well-being. And maintaining well-being for your dog can lead to a fuller, more joyful life. Spicer is a 9-year-old Beagle who was diagnosed with hip dysplasia and a ruptured disk in her neck. In November 2002, Spicer was being given pain medication daily…

Which breeds come to your mind when you hear the words ‘king of dogs’? Undoubtedly, the name that flashes in our minds is ‘German Shepherd’ or ‘GSD.’ People all over the world prefer to be owned by a GSD because of his royal look and an equally loyal and passionate attitude. If you have never owned a GSD, you have missed one of life’s greatest pleasures. If you are looking for a superb companion…

Last issue, we discussed the importance of a balanced diet and proper deworming to prevent skin problems, plus how internal factors affect the skin condition of your dog. In this issue, we will discuss the next most important aspect – bathing and grooming correctly. Most dog owners take the routine of bathing and grooming their dogs very lightly – so much so that they don’t feel the need to…

Freedom to roam and sniff around is every dog’s birthright and dream. Very often, we as owners, ignore the importance of freedom of our canine friends. Pooja Sathe shows how to teach your dog the off leash control. Off leash exercise should be an important part of the dog’s daily routine from an early age. This will help the puppy to enjoy his freedom. Also, off leash game of ‘fetching a ball’ and…

German Shepherd is perhaps the world’s most popular utility dog. Their robustness, rusticity and intelligence, steals everyone’s hearts. They convey a sense of strength, intelligence and litheness. They radiate a harmonious sense of nobility and self-confidence that commands respect. Nevertheless while rearing a German Shepherd, their specific characteristics should be kept in mind and accordingly…

Socialisation is the term we use to describe how a dog learns to relate to people, other dogs and his environment. Your dog will keep on learning throughout his whole life, but puppyhood is the time when experiences—good or bad—have the biggest impact on him. These experiences are critical to your puppy’s future, and will have a long-lasting effect on his behaviour throughout his life. When you…

For most pet lovers trying to envisage a moment of absolute contentment, the image of sitting in the wintry sunshine with their pet animal in their lap would probably come forth unbidden. For any pet lover, the word “warm cuddle” would evince the response “my pet” as the season for warm cuddles with our furry friends is round the corner. It seems that by some divine design our dogs and cats have…

There has been a lot of awareness among pet owners about the diet of their pets. The use of nutraceuticals has proven improved quality of life in pets. DHA is one such anti-oxidant which is critical for the development of vision and the central nervous system in pets. With more and more pets living to a ripe old age, nutritional supplements for pets have become a fast growing business, as pet…

Are you planning to go on a trip by air and wish to take your pet dog along? A lot of questions would arise in your mind on how to do it. Radha Aima shares her own experience of flying from Bombay to Delhi with pet dog Zoon. Alandmark decision was made in the Aima household. The family huddled together, behind closed doors guzzling ample cups of tea weighing the pros and cons. Should we, shouldn’t…

Remember Kaizad Gustad? Yeah, the same guy who shot into the limelight with Bollywood movies ‘Bombay Boys’ and ‘Boom.’ Kaizad is also a writer and a dog lover. He is happily married to Alexandra and their dog Attapatu completes their family. Kaizad and Alexandra both grew up on vast farms, granted, they were on opposite sides of the world, but shared the intrinsic nature of country living: fresh…

Run by Abodh Aras, a management professional, WSD is an organisation that is committed to the welfare of stray dogs. Meet Abodh Aras, the young, energetic and dynamic CEO of Welfare of Stray Dogs (WSD). Professionally highly-qualified with a hotel management diploma and an MBA from Institute of Technology and Management, Mumbai, it comes as a little surprise that he is the CEO of WSD. As he puts…

Agility is excellent exercise for you and your dog. It is fun for children and also teaches them coordination and a sense of accomplishment for every new obstacle that they learn. Let us now see how to teach your pet “Over,” which means jumping an obstacle. In order to begin agility, it is a good idea for your pet to know basic obedience (sit, down, stay, come…etc). Equipment needed 6-12’ leash…

An easy, regular routine can ensure that your dog has a beautiful coat and a healthy skin. The most common complaint that veterinarians face in their daily practice is skin trouble! Dry, itchy skin, redness, sores, little bumps, pustules, falling hair, typical ‘doggy’ odour are some of the usual signs. Owners tend to give a lot of importance to their pets’ skin and coat condition mainly because…

If you’ve ever come home to find that your otherwise well-behaved dog has destroyed furniture, had “accidents” on the carpet or whose howling is disturbing the neighbours while you’re away, it’s very likely that your dog is suffering from separation anxiety. Dogs are one of the most social creatures on earth. They just love spending time with you, whether they’re playing a game with you or just…