If you’ve been out shopping in the last month, it can’t have escaped your notice that Valentine’s Day is almost upon us. Popular the world over (especially with card manufacturers, chocolate retailers and florists!), the 14th of February is the perfect opportunity to show the special someone in your life how much you care.

The origins of Valentine’s Day are believed to sit with an early Christian, Saint Valentinus of Rome, who was imprisoned by the state for carrying out wedding ceremonies for soldiers who were forbidden to marry. Another popular legend states that Valentine’s Day originated from the Feast of Lupercalia – a fertility festival celebrated in mid-February by ancient Romans, randomly pairing young boys and girls together to marry. However it was not until medieval times that Valentine’s Day really became popular – it was widely believed that the 14th of February marked the start of the mating season, when birds chose their lifelong mates. Lovers began to exchange letters and flowers on this day, declaring their intentions (whether honourable or otherwise!)

The first Valentine’s card is held in the archives of the British Library; credited to Charles, Duke of Orleans, who sent it to his wife in 1415 whilst imprisoned in the Tower of London following his capture at the Battle of Agincourt. Valentine cards for pets are now widely available – no surprise given that most of us with animals in our lives will happily admit to being head-over-heels in love with them!

The love we get from our pets is unconditional – a truly special thing in our modern, and often impersonal, world. They ask nothing from us and yet we’re happy to give so much – space on the best sofa, a favourite jumper to sleep with, and most precious of all, our time.

Of course you don’t have to spend money to show that you care – going for an extra-long walk, turning a blind eye just this once to the furry bundle sneaking under the duvet, or putting down a few extra favourite biscuits are just some of the small ways we can share our love.

However you are celebrating, and whoever you are spending it with, we wish you and your loved ones a very happy Valentine’s Day!

The Ralph Site, non-profit pet loss support

Monday 8th of February marks the beginning of the Chinese Year of the Monkey – the ninth in a twelve-year cycle of animals representing the Chinese zodiac, which will end on January 27th 2017. The zodiac features a wide range of creatures great and small, living and mythical, domesticated and wild:

• Rat
• Ox
• Tiger
• Rabbit
• Dragon
• Snake
• Horse
• Goat
• Monkey
• Rooster
• Dog
• Pig

The beginning of each New Year is on the first day of the first month of the Chinese lunar calendar, and therefore the date varies each spring, according to the cycles of the moon.

In Chinese astrology, each year is associated with an animal sign as well as with one the Five Elements: Gold (Metal), Water, Wood, Fire, or Earth. Both the sign and element of your birth year are said to affect your personality and destiny, and the specific element-sign combinations only occur every 60 years – 2016 is the year of the Fire Monkey (you can find a very comprehensive discussion of the character traits, lucky features and a run-down of the year ahead for Monkeys here)

Chinese astrologists believe that those born under the sign of the monkey are ambitious and adventurous, as well as being confident, optimistic and fond of the limelight – not at all surprisingly, just like the animals under whose sign they are born!

In the UK, the law regrettably allows for monkeys to be kept as pets, and the RSPCA estimates that thousands of primates (such as marmosets, capuchins and squirrel monkeys) are currently confined in UK homes. However, as highly intelligent animals with complex behaviours and particular habitation needs, it is clear that monkeys cannot live happily as pets. The RSPCA reports that primates that have been kept as pets often have poor diets and have been exposed to little or no sunlight. Many develop Metabolic Bone Disease, leading to fractured or deformed bones, painful abscesses and tooth decay; a condition that is common in primates weaned too early from their mothers. As such, the organisation is currently campaigning for a change in the law, to ban the keeping of primates as pets. If you would like to lend your support, you can click here.

Rather than keep them as pets, we would always encourage those who love the more unusual exotic animals to offer practical support and funding instead, via the adoption schemes run by many animal charities and zoological organisations., with the aim of helping primates in their natural non-confined environments.

And until next time, Shailen and The Ralph Site team wish you a “Happy Year of the Monkey!”
The Ralph Site, non-profit pet loss support

Please note: The Ralph Site is not affiliated with the third-party organisations in any of the links shared here, and the views, ideas and suggestions expressed in this and other blogs are simply shared with the intention of helping you, our friends, take care of the special animals in your lives.

Friends of The Ralph Site will not be surprised to find that one of the most popular sections of our website is our Memorials page. Thousands of people have already uploaded photos and memories of their special friends; who may be gone, but are in no way forgotten. Sharing images and stories of those who played such a large part in our lives, and who continue to live on in our hearts and memories, helps to give these much-loved pets a continued physical presence. And for other carers who have gone through the same grief, sharing kind words and a virtual hug is one small way in which they can make a big difference to those whose pets have crossed the Rainbow Bridge.

When the time comes, if you find that you want to share your own memories on The Ralph Site, it’s very easy to add a memorial. You can find more details here.
You must log in or register with the site in order to post your memorial, but there is no time limit, so posts can be added as and when you feel ready to share your pet’s story.

At the moment memorials can only be created using a laptop or desktop computer and maybe with some tablet devices but not a smartphone.

We remember our special friends on the anniversary of their passing for three years on our Facebook page. Our many Facebook friends tell us that they value this shared community space, where pet carers share their feelings and offer advice to anyone feeling angry, sad or frustrated in their loss. Others often add poignant and sensitive posts and comments, which help bereaved pet carers understand that they are not alone in their grief.

You might also like to know that we have created a private Facebook support group to complement our main Facebook page. This group currently has over 1,000 members, so by joining you’ll be able to communicate with people who can share a wide range of experiences and coping techniques. As you may be aware, Facebook groups work differently to pages – allowing people who may be struggling to create on-going supportive links with others in the group. Notifications alert members when others have posted or commented, developing a mutually beneficial support network to help with the heartache of pet loss.

Our experience is that some people may be reluctant to fully share how they feel about their pet’s passing on an open public page – this private Facebook group therefore allows anybody wishing to become more involved to interact with friends in a confidential and safe environment. Membership of this private group is by invitation only; all you need to do is click on the link here and leave a request to join.

And if you aren’t already Facebook friends with us, why not join the 41,000+ others who have ‘liked’ our page? As well as featuring daily memorials, we also post news and items of interest to pet carers, regularly sharing inspirational quotes and heart warming pet pictures and encouraging our friends to do the same.
Because after all, a problem shared is a problem halved.

Until next time, very best wishes from Shailen and The Ralph Site team
The Ralph Site, non-profit pet loss support

Please note: The Ralph Site is not affiliated with the third-party organisations in any of the links shared here, and the views, ideas and suggestions expressed in this and other blogs are simply shared with the intention of helping you, our friends, take care of the special animals in your lives.

Feeding a balanced diet that meets all your pet’s nutritional requirements whilst providing the correct blend of calories for his or her age and lifestyle is one of the most important ways you can help keep your pet happy and healthy. With so much choice on the market, picking products can sometimes seem a daunting task, but at least there is always a brand and a product to suit every budget, as well as pleasing the palate of even the pickiest pet.
We’ve put together a list of things to consider when thinking about your pet’s diet, which should help you choose the food that’s right for you both:

• Do consult the nursing team at your veterinary practice for advice on the correct amount of food to feed your pet. The PDSA estimates that one in three dogs, one in four cats and one in four rabbits in the UK are overweight or obese, and suggests that the proportion of overweight pets will continue to grow. Many practices hold free weight management clinics where the nurses can assess your pet’s weight and recommend a feeding regime that will keep him or her at a healthy weight. Just like us, pets suffer discomfort and can cause irreversible damage to their joints and internal organs by carrying excess weight around.
• Ensure that your pets receive a balanced diet with all the nutrients and minerals required to support a healthy body. Commercial pet foods are usually formulated to be balanced – although they may also contain things that would surprise you! It is possible to feed pets a homemade diet as long as you are attentive to certain necessities, e.g. cats need a certain amount of dietary taurine (an amino acid) which is provided in both vegan and to an extent non-vegan pet food diets as synthetic taurine.
• Your rabbit’s diet must be made up predominantly (around three quarters) of good quality grass or hay, supplemented with leafy greens and pellet food. Most vets agree that muesli-style feed is not appropriate as rabbits will pick out certain bits and leave the more fibrous ones (which are actually more important in ensuring good gut health and maintaining dental condition).
• When switching to a different brand or type of food (from wet to dry for example), always transition your pet across over several days. Start by introducing a small percentage of the new food on day one, and gradually increase the amount whilst reducing the amount of your pet’s previous diet. Swapping to a new food straight away invariably leads to dietary upsets that can cause diarrhoea.
• Always ensure that your pet has unlimited access to fresh drinking water. Those on a dry diet will need to drink more than pets fed predominantly on wet food (which can contain as much as 75% moisture). Check on water bottles and bowls regularly, especially for outside pets during the winter months when these can freeze.
  Treats contain calories too, so make sure that you adjust the amount of food given if you regularly top up your pet’s intake with chews or biscuits.
• Choose the right food for your pet’s lifestyle – puppy and kitten foods are formulated to provide a concentrated blend of energy and nutrition required at this key stage of growth. Conversely, older pets will have a lower energy requirement and their immune systems will benefit from additional supplements.
• Provide a variety of tastes and textures for your pet to enjoy, just like us they can become fed up with the same old things day in, day out
• Remember that some human foods are not suitable for your pet

Battling the bulges

The sensitive subject of weight management – it turns out that just like us, your pet can have too much of a good thing!

Broaching the topic of weight can be difficult, and yet with most estimates agreeing that at least a third of UK pets are overweight (2014 PDSA Animal Welfare report) it is essential that we face this growing problem.

We all know that not only can obesity cause serious health and welfare problems in itself, but it can also make existing medical conditions worse. The sad fact is that being significantly overweight can reduce both the length and quality of a pet’s life, increasing the risk of developing a number of serious problems such as:

• Diabetes
• Heart disease
• Respiratory problems
• High blood pressure
• Joint pain and arthritis

Many carers aren’t clear what the ‘normal’ body shape for a healthy animal is, and it is common for a pet’s weight to creep up over the years as a result of being fed too much or not doing enough exercise. Many veterinary practices offer free weight management clinics, and will be happy to recommend a feeding regime to help your pet shed those surplus pounds, so do take advice from the vets and nurses at your practice.

It’s easy to check whether your pet is carrying excess weight – the RSPCA suggests a simple three-stage visual check for cats and dogs:

• You should be able to see and feel the outline of your pet’s ribs
• Your pet’s waist should be clearly visible when viewed from above
• Your pet’s tummy should be tucked up when seen from the side

There are also some really useful visual guides and charts on the Pet Food Manufacturers Association website, to help you assess how far away from his / her ideal weight your dog, cat, rabbit, bird or guinea pig may be.

If you find that your pet is carrying more weight than is healthy, by simply reducing the quantity of food given and increasing the amount of exercise your pet receives each day you can make positive changes. All commercially produced pet foods have recommended feeding guides printed on the packaging, and more information is available on their websites. Often the amount of food your pet needs to stay happy and healthy is less than you might expect, especially for dry diets; and just like us, most pets will find it difficult to regulate their intake correctly when there is plenty of tasty food available!

So why not spend a few minutes checking your pet over today? By taking early action to correct any gradual weight gain you may be saving him / her from the pain and discomfort of aching joints (and saving yourself from potentially costly veterinary treatment in the process!)

Until next time, very best wishes from Shailen and The Ralph Site team
The Ralph Site, non-profit pet loss support

Please note: The Ralph Site is not affiliated with the third-party organisations in any of the links shared here, and the views, ideas and suggestions expressed in this and other blogs are simply shared with the intention of helping you, our friends, take care of the special animals in your lives.

So there goes another year! As 2015 draws to a close, let’s take a look back at some of the animals that made the News through the year:

January
Two new rugs installed in the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office are in place for several weeks before somebody spots that they read “In Dog We Trust”!

February
The Guinness Book of Records names Tortoiseshell cat Tiffany Two from California the world’s oldest cat, after she reaches the ripe old age of 27 years (equivalent to roughly 125 human years!)

March
In keeping with annual tradition, the Duchess of Cambridge presented sprigs of shamrocks to soldiers from the Irish Guards in celebration of St. Patrick’s Day, including one for the regiment’s mascot three-year-old Irish Wolfhound Domhnall.

April
In California, record numbers of sea lions are stranded after venturing onshore in search of food. 2,250 were rescued during the first quarter of the year, a situation blamed on lack of food in the area’s warming seas.

May
The Canal & River Trust installed temporary Duck Lanes along waterways in London, Birmingham and Manchester as part of its “Share the space, drop your pace” campaign to encourage cyclists and pedestrians to be more considerate of surrounding wildlife.

June
The world’s ugliest dog is named as Quasi Modo, a 10-year-old Pit Bull and Dutch Shepherd cross from California who was born with a short spine and adopted from an animal shelter by a local vet. Of course he is a beautiful soul like all other animals. Read the full story here.

July
Prosecutors in Australia charged Johnny Depp and his wife Amber Heard with illegally bringing their two Yorkshire Terriers Pistol and Boo into the country. The couple were told that the animals must be returned to the US or face euthanasia for breaching the country’s strict quarantine rules.

August
A video of a baby elephant being rescued by local villagers after falling into a well in southern India goes viral. You can watch the heart-warming scene here.

September
Major Tom the cat saved the life of his human companion when the yacht they lived on began to fill with water during the night whilst anchored off the coast of Australia. Grant McDonald was woken by the clever cat and they had just minutes to evacuate the sinking craft together, spending several hours on a raft before being rescued by a passing Chinese ship.

October
Ruby the yellow Labrador helped Jane and Alan Slater from the Isle of Wight win £149,089.30 when she found a winning ticket in the back of their car. The couple were already celebrating after winning the same amount with another ticket when 2-year-old Ruby found the second forgotten ticket!

November
One of only four northern white rhinos left in the world dies in San Diego. Nola, 41, had been under veterinary care for a bacterial infection. The remaining three rhinos live at the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya, protected by armed guards.

December
Images of endangered pandas, fish and leopards are projected onto the Vatican as global leaders gather in Paris to discuss the actions required to halt global warming and secure the future of natural habitats for our fellow creatures.

And so, as we say goodbye to 2015 and head towards 2016, all that remains is to wish you and yours all the very best for the New Year!

Until next time, very best wishes from Shailen and The Ralph Site team
The Ralph Site, non-profit pet loss support

Please note: The Ralph Site is not affiliated with the third-party organisations in any of the links shared here, and the views, ideas and suggestions expressed in this and other blogs are simply shared with the intention of helping you, our friends, take care of the special animals in your lives.