I could be quite cross tonight, as I have a family engagement (which I’m sure I’ll enjoy), but I really want to be at the legendary Ace Cafe on the North Circular road in London, where ‘Invisible Dog’ will be playing as part of the Mayhew Animal Home’s National Pet Month’s celebrations. Entrance is free, with collection jars available for those wishing to donate to Mayhew on the evening, if anyone wants to go along. I googled the venue and it sounds amazing!

There are just so many events going on this weekend, I started to list them - but gave up! Best place to look is the ‘What’s On’ section of the website - there’s bound to be a walk, a show, an open day - or something else - near you!

Finally, congratulations to Yvette Price-Mear as she completes her Charity Marathon Bingo-a-Thon at midnight tonight!

Buddy, a five month old Springer spaniel and his mother, Bailey, both survived a 100 foot fall over a cliff at Kimmeridge, following emergency treatment from vet, Caty Swain and her team from the Companion Care veterinary surgery in
Poole. Â

“The dogs were chasing a bird as they fell and the mother landed on top of her son, giving Buddy a collapsed lung while Bailey showed signs of internal bleeding. Both dogs had bruising on the lungs but neither had fractured ribs or any broken bones, which was amazing.  We would not normally have expected them to survive the huge impact of such a steep fall,� explained Caty.

In her short life to date, Kai, a nine month-old Staffie has been restored to health as many as three times by local vet, Barry Jacob from the Companion Care surgery in
Telford. In three separate incidents, veterinary treatment was required to remove everything from a belly full of stones to a lead and collar, from the young dog’s stomach. Â

“Every one of these times, Kai could have died as a result of swallowing the objects, if the consumption had not been witnessed or detected. So, it is important that owners watch their dogs carefully and, for young dogs who tend to scavenge, training is key. They must be taught to eat only their food and to play with dog toys which are specially manufactured and designed for dogs not to swallow,� warns Barry.

Congratulations to last year’s National Pet Week ‘Best Event’ competition winner Marc Abraham, who has just been voted Britain’s favourite vet in the Pet Plan Awards.

Animal lovers voted for him as ‘going the extra mile’ to highlight and champion animal health and welfare issues. Mark’s website www.pets-brighton.com says he’ll be launching a special event for this year’s National Pet Month on Wet Nose Day, 24 April - so watch this space!

Also congratulations to Doreen Ward of Wheelhouse Veterinary Centre - our last year’s best veterinary practice event winner - who was awarded receptionist of the year, and to Trude Mostue, who has been supporting us this year, who was also nominated for the favourite vet award.

We’re starting to get some great feedback about the events that are going on. For example, the Chestnut Cat Sanctuary team (based in Epping) organised an Easter fancy dress fund-raising day at Romford Pets At Home (costumes made from scratch by the staff).
Alison Sweeney from Chestnut writes: “During the day we were able to promote responsible pet ownership. For example as we are extremely experienced with respect to feline welfare we were able to offer cat care advice to the general public, give out our own neutering leaflet which we designed and our caring for kittens information sheet. The sanctuary has established its own volunteering cat cuddling programme called P.A.W’s (People and Animal Welfare Support) which we were able to promote. The programme enables people in the local community particularly those with physical, mental or learning difficulties, the elderly, retired, unemployed and vulnerable young people to spend time cat cuddling of our residents awaiting rehoming! We also increase awareness of the contribution, value and role of cats to peoples lives e.g. re-homing one of our older cat residents to an elderly couple and talked to families who were considering getting a family pet.

We raised over £250 which goes directly to the cats as we are a not-for-profit centre.”

They are putting on another event at the same Pets at Home on 6-7 May, so why not pop along and see what’s happening. Or have a look at their website on www.chestnutcatsanctuary.co.uk.

Drop an email to Alison Glennon at info@nationalpetmonth.org.uk and tell me how your event has gone - don’t forget there’s a competition for the best event!

And also don’t forget to register any events coming up!

Many members of the veterinary profession are meeting in Birmingham this week and all over the weekend at the British Small Animal Veterinary Association Congress, and there’s a National Pet Month poster display up there too, reminding them that it’s not too late to put on an event. There are a number of veterinary practice open days going on throughout the month, including some exciting events at Companion Care surgeries, who we are delighted to have as one of the sponsors of National Pet Month this year.

This Saturday, for instance, you could go to to the open day at Companion Care Veterinary Surgery in Harlow, or to the Chagford branch sugery of the Okeford Veterinary Centre in Devon. On Sunday, choose from Companion Care, Portsmouth (inside Pets at Home) or Heywood Veterinary centre, Lancashire.

Or we have a choice of two new pet store openings - a new Jolleyes in High Wycombe, where Trude Mostue will be on hand, or the Copdock Country Store near Ipswich, where there’s a fun day. Or get your dog washed professionally at My Best Friend in Dunston, Gateshead.

I wish I lived nearer to Oxford, because there’s a fantastic-sounding event on Sunday - the Metal Heads Motor Cycle Club are holding a charity pet food run for the Ardley Rescue Kennels. You’re welcome to come along by bike or car, they say - meet in the General Elliot pub in South Hinksey at 12.30pm - but bring food, toys and a smile!

There are many more events and there’s sure to be something in your area - check out our What’s On. And if you’ve got something planned that we don’t know about, then please, please register your event here.

Let’s hope this sunny weather holds for the weekend!

I’ve just had an email from a Rainbow Guide pack leader to see if they are eligible to enter our National Pet Month ‘Love is’ scrapbook competition, called ‘Teacher’s Pet’. The answer is - yes they are - we’d love to receive entries from youth groups. My twin girls are now older guides, but I know they would have loved to have done something like this. (And,

judging by the way they pored over the Crufts catalogue they took home after the NPM launch, they still would!).

If any leaders would like to drop an email to me at info@nationalpetmonth.org.uk, then I’ll gladly get a free events pack off to you with posters and advice.

Every year I love taking my owner on holiday, I think he deserves it after all the hard work! Last year I took him on a Hoseasons cottage holiday, as they know exactly what makes a great doggy break.

We packed out bags, I made sure that he’d got plenty of food for me, and we took to the road to head to the Peak District. Fortunately the day wasn’t too hot, but even so we made sure the window was slightly open, I had plenty of stops and water to keep me going.

We arrived at the cottage in the early evening and I was really pleased to find that the owners had put out a bowl of fresh water and left a welcome pack for me, as well as my owners! So after tucking into a few treats, and a quick walk around the garden, we all settled down for a good nights rest. I even had a bed of my own!

The morning was bright and sunny and while we all had breakfast, my owner had a look at the local walks, which had been highlighted in the welcome pack. After chasing my tail for a few minutes and packing the bags, we decided on a route and headed off in the car towards Edale, to walk part of the Pennine way.

The walk was fantastic, with loads of things to see and sniff. The first part of the walk was quite tiring (my owners aren’t as fit as they used to be!), but we finally made it to the top of the valley which had glorious views out over the Peak District. We stopped for some lunch, which included one of the great biscuits the owners had left me. In the afternoon we walked further down the Pennine Way, before heading back to the car as the light was fading. On the way back we managed to find a pub and all sat outside in the evening sun, enjoying a drink – and a few delicious crisps!

The next few days were spent doing similar walks, which always involved loads of outdoor fun, walks and visiting friendly pubs! By the time the holiday was up we didn’t want to leave, but we packed our bags and headed home to start work on Monday again – after all, holes in the garden don’t get dug themselves!

I can’t wait until my Hoseasons holiday next year – as we are going to the Lake District. Holidays are so much fun when we all spend time together.

Following on from last year’s success we have just launched our Teachers Pet Competition 2007. We have contacted as many primary schools in the UK as possible to get them involved in this very special month. NPM has a strong educational element and it is a great opportunity for young children to learn all about caring for pets in a fun and creative way. So in a nutshell we are asking school classes to send in a ‘love is…’ scrap book full of pictures, poems and stories highlighting our top tips for responsible pet ownership. The deadline is Friday 22 June and you can read more about this in the Schools section of the website. Last year we had a fantastic time judging all the entries, we can’t wait to receive the entries for 2007!

What glorious weather as we have the last day in the office before National Pet Month starts! (In London anyway - please don’t blame me if the sun isn’t shining where you are). I do hope the sun continues to shine all Easter weekend for our first event holders this year and that their events are a real success.

If you’re not holding an event yourself over Easter, have a look at ‘What’s On‘ to see what’s going on in your area. Or perhaps you’re taking a short break away with your pet and looking for something to do where you are visiting. I can’t resist the opportunity to show my colleague Stephen’s two dogs enjoying the sunshine on a narrowboat last summer.

I haven’t tried that with with my very lively ex-rescue white boxer Dylan yet, but Dylan will be coming away with the family for a short break in north Wales - watch out for us in Erddig park.

If you fancy a break yourself, check out the new National Pet Month Hoseasons Happy Pet competition on the competition section of our website - and why not take advantage of the sunshine to get your camera out and send your pictures in to Hoseasons - you could win a holiday for you and your pet.