Welcome

Welcome to the October edition of 4Legs Chomping Chatter.

This month, find out how to get your free 4Legs lid when you purchase a pack of the new 4Legs with Gravy range, out now in Coles and independent supermarkets nationally!

Did you know that taking your dog on and new and different walks can help keep them healthy? Check out our feature walks for some inspiration or head to the 4legs Walk-About website to find a great new walk in your local area.

Ever wondered what life is like for a country vet? Dr Alan Clark is a vet in Castlemaine, Victoria and this month he tells us about a day in his busy practice. Plus we have all our regular features including Star Gazing with Basil and Did You Know?

Happy Reading!

Free Lid Offer!

We're celebrating the arrival of the new 4Legs with Gravy range in Coles and independent supermarkets nationally.

For a limited time you can get a free  reusable lid to use with our products!

It's a great way to keep your dog's food fresh and tasty, click here to register for your free lid now

Available in Lamb & Rosemary and Turkey & Thyme varieties, these new additions to the Home Cooked range are packed full of vitamins and minerals and covered in a delicious gravy sauce - don't forget to pick up a pack today!

Let's Go Walkies!

Dogs love to go for walks and just as it is important to incorporate a little bit of variety in your dogs diet, it's equally important to add some variety to your daily walking routine.

Giving your dog new places to see and allowing them different places to explore is essential for their physical and mental wellbeing. Dog's love to explore, especially with their noses, so changing your route or finding a new park or trail will keep them mentally and physically stimulated. Plus, it's always fun discovering a fantastic new spot, so you'll probably have just as much fun as your pooch!

It may seem that some dogs never tire of heading off to the same park every day, but just try taking them somewhere different and see how excited they get checking out all the sights and smells of a new location.

At 4Legs we love to get people out and walking with their dogs, so we've developed the 4Legs Walk-About database. It's a unique website that allows you to search the entire country for a great place to walk your dog. You can search by location or post code, plus a full range of facilities are listed, along with map references so you can find your way there easily.

It's a great way to discover some unique parks, reserves and trails in your local area or even a little further afield!

Check out our feature walks below for some inspiration.

Life of a Country Vet: Part One

Introducing Dr Alan Clark, a vet with his own practice in Castlemaine, Victoria. Each month he shares some of his daily experiences in his busy country practice.

As usual the day starts with the early morning call on the emergency line: Archie has been out for a run and come home limping. The owner didn’t see what happened and even though Archie's seems happy enough, the leg may be broken and if he moves around too much the jagged bone ends will be damaging muscles, blood vessels, nerves etc. A physical exam shows no evidence of a break, but there is abnormal movement in the stifle (knee) joint indicating a probable anterior cruciate tear - just like footballers get all the time. Archie is admitted to hospital for follow-up later in the morning.

Next it’s time to admit the day’s surgical patients: one dog to spey; a dog that needs some ear cleaning; a cat that desperately needs some dental work; and two dogs for acupuncture.

Biddy has had smelly ears for weeks, or perhaps months, and they have been really worrying her. Last week I took a sample of the discharge and sent it to the lab. She has had a yeast infection which is causing a lot of pain so today I’ll give her a quick anaesthetic so we can clean the ear canals right out. This will give the ear ointment a much better chance of working. Even so, it’ll take a few weeks to clear up. Biddy loves swimming in the farm's dam and she has long droopy ears which tend to trap water and dirt inside, so she will be prone to infections all her life. I give her owners some drops to put in once or twice a week to keep them clean. This should improve our chances of preventing further infections, but I’ll still check the ears at her yearly vaccination visit.

Want to keep reading? The next installment will be appearing in the following edition of 4Legs Chomping Chatter!

Star Gazing with Basil

Scorpio 24 October - 22 November

Strong, determined, speedy and smart, the Scorpio dog is a force to be reckoned with.

A Scorpio dog will win everyone over with his charm and he loves to be the centre of attention, especially when people start making a fuss. While this pooch loves to be involved in every aspect of the home and family, they can also be fiercly independent and stubborn.

An active dog who loves going for a swim, Scorpio dogs have a great memory and their favourite pastime is hiding treats and toys and then finding them. Wherever the action is, that's where you will find this dog who loves nothing more than spending time with his human family.

Feature Walks

MACEDON RANGES REGIONAL PARK
Features: BBQ, Toilets, Walking Track, On-Lead
Melways Ref: 609 G10

The Macedon Ranges are known for their fantastic views, native forests, unique wildlife and historic monuments. There are a number of scenic drives around the area, including the summit and the famous Hanging Rock.

The park contains a Visitors Information Centre and car parking, as well as look outs, walking tracks, picnic tables, toilets and barbeques.

The area boasts fantastic landscapes, stunning vegetation and the occasional waterfall! Dogs must remain on lead at all times and don't forget to take water and plastic bags.

Other parks in the area:
Castlemaine Historic Reserve
Hepburn Regional Park
Organpipes National Park
Woodlands Historic Park
For more information on the area, head to the Parks Victoria website

Source: http://www.parkweb.vic.gov.au

TUSMORE PARK
Features: BBQ, Toilets, Off-Lead, Playground
UBD Reference: 119 J14

A fantastic location with some historical significance, Tusmore Park includes a Scout Hall, oval and a creek that runs throughout.

The main features of the park include tennis courts and a toddlers wading pool, plus two playgrounds, public toilets and barbeques.

Popular with locals, the park features paths that meander around a number of large and mature local and exotic trees, making it a great spot for picnics and barbeques.

Dogs are permitted off-lead, but are not allowed within 10 meters of children's playground areas. Don't forget water and plastic bags, it's an offence not to pick up after your dog.

To find a great walk in your local area, head to the 4legs Walk-About site, where you can search the database, share your experiences and read reviews from fellow walkers.

Source: http://www.burnside.sa.gov.au