The joys of Pet Parenting

It's just so awesome to be a doggie mom! Sara brings me immense joy in countless ways everyday!

Here's a little something dedicated to other doggie mom's!

Jojo's story by Komal Bhende

As a true animal lover- It's so tempting to want to take in almost every homeless dog you see with sad eyes walking around. And yet- there are so many if's and but's on adopting a fully grown abandoned pet. Komal Bhende shares with us a special story of how she took in an abandoned dog. Read on...!

This story is about JOJO, a little white dog who suddenly became a major part of our lives without us even realising it. 

In April 2005, my housekeeper, Gulab, saw this poor little thing crounched up behind some trucks probably hungry and scared at the same time. Feeling sorry for him she started feeding him small bits of chapatti, rice and milk which she had taken for the three street dogs we look after, and placed him in our “sick-bay”, a small shed that we had made to shelter sick and homeless animals. JOJO refused to wake up for three consecutive days only coming out to eat and pee. 

 

Komal with Jojo

One morning when I returned from my night shift, I saw my mother and Gulab standing at the gate as JOJO had been howling all night keeping everyone including the neighbours from sleeping. I realised it was time to find him a home and started calling my friends immediately to do the same. Eventually at 5 p.m. that evening a rather daunting man showed up. Seeing him JOJO immediately took him as a threat and hid behind me growling and snarling, something he would usually never do. It was then that the realisation dawned on us that JOJO had chosen us and would not accept anyone else as his masters.

JOJO was a mess but our first concern was to get him vaccinated so we immediately called our vet who came and did the necessary with the help of a sedative and took the opportunity to bathe him and groom him well. He was a surprise for my father and it was surprising how they took to each other when they met. JOJO refused to leave my father’s side for even a minute and would get hysterical if that happened. After a month of his being with us we learnt that he was one of the few dogs who liked all vegetables including cauliflower, bhindi, carrots, peas etc and fruits like papaya, watermelon and chickoo with alfanso mango being his favourite. We finally managed to toilet train him though it is only my father who can give him a nice bath. 

JOJO

It is then my father’s responsibility to brush him and powder him. After spending his morning eating and getting ready JOJO spends the rest of his day at my father’s feet, be it under the chair when he is doing his paper work or by his bed. But the minute the clock strikes 4 p.m. his attention shifts to my mom who he looks at with the most mischievous expression enticing her to come and play in the garden with ginger, the cat. After 2 hours of playtime JOJO along with the 3 garden doggies and 3 street doggies are given a treat. Come night time he has a small bowl of milk and is in slumberland by 10.30 p.m!

Having been with us for eight years, JOJO has become a part of our family. He has given us all unconditional love and joy and is an element of security for my parents now aged 72+. It was his bulgy eyes which made us name him JOJO which stands for ‘eyes’ in Gujarati. Being away from home made me miss him more and value and him love like never before.

Komal has been practicing medicine for twelve years in some of the leading Intensive Care Units. Having grown up surrounded by 22 cats and dogs, her love for animals intensified to such an extent that people often call her the “animal whisperer”.  She says, "My childhood memories are dominated with the various activities that I engaged in to rescue poor, helpless animals who had been tortured and beaten mercilessly. I have spent endless hours in the police station till 2 a.m. fighting for a defensless dog, saved a monkey who was been beaten by his keeper and eventually went on to join “Ahimsa” with Dr. Satnam Ahuja to fight for the cause."

 

HUFT chats with Shweta Khurana from Dogs and Pups Magazine!

Shweta Khurana, Editor- Dogs and Pups magazine talks to Heads Up For Tails! Read below to find out more about the magazine!

HUFT: Tell us about Dogs and Pups Magazine.

Shweta: Dogs & Pups celebrates RESPONSIBLE PET PARENTINGA bimonthly magazine- we celebrate eternal love. Each issue makes you understand your pet better, become a responsible pet parent, get acquainted with pooch and kitty needs, ensure great health, get information on training , agility & grooming. Share fun- n- frolic, gear up to enjoy stardom, find out what’s hot what’s new. The magazine is also for a cause wherein we promote awareness for strays and abandoned dogs/cats and the people/organizations who help them. 

HUFT: When did you start ?

Shweta khurana, Editor- Dogs and Pups Magazine
with her dog- Sparkles!

Shweta: We started in July 2004

HUFT: What are your thoughts about the pet market in India? 
Shweta: People are 'pawsionnate' about their pets and pets are family to majority :)

HUFT: What do you love about your work?
Shweta: We love to share reliable information with people, the magazine is very interactive so- we keep reaching to the pulse of the reader as they write in about their pooches in our various sections.

HUFT: What's your favorite section of the magazine.
Shweta: All the sections!
We have great knowledge shared by experts in all areas and we love our INTERACTIVEs ( Love expressed MULTIPLIES)- where in the readers write in for several sections such as:

• PICTURE PERFECT- we get amazing pictures here
• PAWTAILS-Readers share their Paw love!
• Ask The Expert- get questions answered  from our experts-on various areas of Health, Nutrition, Grooming ,Training etc
• Just Fur Fun- we recive  inputs about what your doggy likes.
• New Face- Your dog is super cool- let the whole world know.
• Facebook Friends- Become a Friend on Facebook and share views which get printed in the magazine
• Wags for the wonderful Vet- Your veterinarian is WONDERFUL- let the world know.
• Remembrance- Memories are everlasting-share your loved ones memories.
• Paws for thought- share your concern and seek advice...etc

HUFT: What are the challenges you face everyday. 

Shweta: Looking for new pet parents everyday is rather challenging!

HUFT: What are the Future plans?

Shweta: There is a lot is in the pipeline- will consolidate next year- its gonna be a wagging 2013!

HUFT: Why is Dogs and Pups special to other dog magazines?

Shweta: It's all about PAWSIONNATE PET PARENTING.....a  magazine from the heart- reaching out to people’s heart.

HUFT: What are your thoughts on Heads Up For Tails?  

Shweta: Simply awesome- stylish products and way to go!!

Shweta wishes all our readers a Merry X-mas and a Very Happy New Year!

You can buy the subscription to the magazine right here!

Winter collection 2012

It's honestly the best feeling when after spending months on designing a product, and coordinating a million things that go into making it- you have the ready stuff in front of you- all crisply packaged and ready to sell :)

An evening in Paris Jacket

Woolies cable sweater

There were so many Oooh's and Aaaah's when we opened up all our deliveries of the winter collection!

Here are some of the new products that have just arrived! We hope you like them. We'd be delighted to hear from you if there are changes/improvements we can make to future collections.

For this year's collection, we worked with colours such as Nice rusts, oranges, Blues, Reds and Black. They look nice on our dogs, and don't get dirty too fast either.

We've made easy to put on and take off styles, and have tried to add maximum adjustability to keep your pooches warm, but comfortable.

If you dog fits into almost no jacket because of a sizing issue, we recommend that you try our navy quilted jacket: This comes with a huge amount of velcro adjustability on the tummy making it super comfortable for most dogs. Moreover, its a nice waterproof material on the outside and a soft jersey inside.

Navy Quilted Jacket

And we love our range of new sweaters if your pooch prefers something cosy and snug.

For the entire range of our winter collection: Click Here!

Our Partners- Red Paws Spa, New Delhi

Red Paws Pet Spa, located in chic Haus Khas village, New Delhi is the latest hangout for all the fashionista pooches whose parents know the importance of good grooming!
They are our newest partners and we are so proud of their venture. The company is run by Sakshi and Sadhwi Sondhi.  Sadhwi is a trained dog groomer from London, whereas Sakshi has a degree in Business from Australia and takes care of the spa management.

Read more about the girls behind the brand in an interview with HUFT:

HUFT: Tell us about the Red paws spa- when did you start and what was your inspiration?

Red paws Pet Spa:

Red- the inspiration behind Red Paws Spa

Our main inspiration for all our endeavors is our dog Red who was an amazing companion. 

We started RPS in September this year as we saw the lack of awareness of dog grooming in Delhi. Not all dog owners are aware that their dog is in need of regular grooming sessions. We wanted to change the perception and educated all dog owners.

HUFT: What services do you offer at RPS?

Red paws Pet Spa:

Full Service Bath:This package is packed with the basic essentials your pooch will need to look dashing, fresh and amazing. Recommended for pet owners whose dogs do not require much grooming. i.e very short haired coats

Full Service Style:This package is for dogs that have medium to long haired coats. Our groomer will provide breed specific hairstyles according to the Kennel Club U.K. These styles are followed by groomers world wide, the most famous being a full groomed standard poodle!

HUFT: What makes Red Paws Spa special?

Red Paws Pet Spa:

Sadhwi at work

At Red Paws Pet Spa, we treat your dogs as our own as we both are genuine dog lovers. Also most importantly part of our profits go towards our own NGO - Red Paws Rescue which helps rescue and rehome stray and abandoned puppies/dogs.

HUFT: Tell us about your dogs.

Red Paws Pet Spa:
We have got 3 dogs - Nikki, Phoebex and Zoey. Nikki is a rescued beagle adopted by our family when she was 5 years old! She is adorable, loves cake and playing with Zoey. Phoebex is a Labrador Retriever born in our house to our inspiration and our very first dog Red who passed away a year back. Phoebex just loves to sleep and sleep and sleep. Zoey is our very own adopted Indian puppy who joined our family when we found her strolling in the middle of the street as a month old puppy. She is a bundle of energy and she is often called Hurricane Zoey as she leaves a trail of destruction after her play time!!  

HUFT: Tell us about Red Paws Rescue.

Red Paws Pet Spa:

Red Paws Rescue is a registered non - profit charity aimed at the rescue and rehabilitation of stray and abandoned dogs in New Delhi started by Sadhwi. The aims and purposes of Red Paws Rescue include finding homes for Indian dogs and pups and placing abandoned pets into loving homes. RPR is closely associated with several animal shelters throughout the country and we assist in providing them with food, medicines and awareness regarding their work.

HUFT: What's your favourite HUFT product?

Sadhwi and Sakshi

Red Paws Pet Spa:

HUFT is a very cool, fashionable and chic brand. One of our favourite products is the Oh La La Collar. The products show that a lot of thought and passion has gone into creating each and every unique product. We are glad to be partnered with such an amazing company!

For all of our Delhi friends and customers- do visit Red Paws Spa with your pooches! 

Address: 29A haus Khas Village, First Floor, New Delhi-16

Website: http://www.redpawsonline.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/RedPawsPetSpa

Our partners- PAWS the pet store, Banglore

In 2008- Heads Up For Tails was established as an online store for pet accessories! As a tiny, home run business, I was anxiously waiting for orders. Just a few weeks later, the phone rang- It was Sandeep from Paws, The Pet store in Banglore. "Send me 10 of everything you have", he said. "We love your collection and want to stock it at PAWS!". While I danced in joy, with my first big order- that was also the start of a special partnership that has grown into a solid friendship over the past few years as Paws and Heads Up For Tails have worked closely together! 

We'd love to tell you more about our special and oldest partners through an email interview with Sandeep and Ridhima from Paws, The Pet Store, Banglore.

Read on :)

Ridhima

HUFT: Tell us about Paws- when did you start and what was your inspiration?

PAWS:
Our passion for animals and wanting to spend every minute with our dogs was our inspiration to launch PAWS. In the beginning of 2008 when Bangalore had very little available in fun, funky and functional products for cats and dogs, we knew that on the other side of the world pooches were being showered with the latest fashion, hilarious toys and coolest cribs, we knew we had to get some of it for our dogs. But not stopping there, we wanted to share the love and offer these same products to your furry kids too.
As animal lovers, we understood that pet owners desired the very best for their four-legged friends.
A spacious, friendly environment where pets are encouraged to browse along with their owners, PAWS is a beautifully designed store!

Sandeep with Oreo

As busy working Bangaloreans we sought -and rarely found - the professional yet loving care we needed for our pets cookie and pudding. we started paws in june ‘08 to provide others the exact and affectionate service we always wanted for our pets.
PAWS offers a wide array of upscale merchandise for dogs, cats and pet lovers worldwide. This includes designer collars and leashes, chic pet beds and cozy blankets, stylish pet apparel, unique toys and treats, sleek pet carriers, fabulous feeding bowls and grooming accessories, as well as heartwarming gifts for all animal lovers. No matter whom you are shopping for — dog, cat or pet owner — you'll find something special at PAWS.

HUFT: How do you and Ridhima divide up the work and responsibilities.

PAWS:

I look after Retail, Wholesale, Ordering, Stock management and Window display, while Ridhima is in charge of Online sales, Web Marketing, Facebook, Emails, P R  and Customer relations. We make a good team!

HUFT: What makes PAWS special?

PAWS:

Being a family business PAWS knows its individual customers, their pets and their special needs and will go the extra mile to provide assistance and quality service.

Freya

HUFT: Tell us about your pets.

PAWS:

Oreo is a wire hair dachshund. She's always around at the store to greet customers!

Cookie, a cocker spaniel -  who we sadly just lost. She was the inspiration behind PAWS.

Pudding is a labrador

Freya is our african grey parrot

Oreo

HUFT: What's your favourite place to take your dog out in Banglore?

PAWS:

To the restaurant. A lot of restaurants in bangalore are open to the fact of people bringing their pet along for a meal. One of the restaurants we love going to is Sunny's. 

HUFT: What words of wisdom do you have for first time pet owners?

PAWS:

Never buy on impulse and really think through the decision to get a pet. A pet is a lifetime commitment and will rely on its guardian for all of its needs.

The average life span of a pet is anywhere from ten to fifteen years or more and a puppy is a living creature you cannot "try on for size". Be prepared to make a commitment to the care and well being of your dog from puppyhood to old age.

HUFT: What are your best selling products?

PAWS:

Our unique range of collars and leashes. and beds and our vast collection of grooming products like perfumes and toys as well.  

HUFT - Share how Paws is special to its customers.

PAWS:

It's how Paws- the pet store has become a must visit destination for anyone coming from out of town. Every wife, girlfriend , brother- sister sends them over with a list of products they have to pick up for their four - legged companions. Every time we see a customer like that it brings us such joy; it makes us realise that we've not only managed to impact our local market but people all over the world. 

HUFT: What's your favourite HUFT product?

PAWS:

The colourful vibrant range of dog collars !

HUFT: What are your thoughts on HUFT? :)

PAWS:

It has changed the way our dogs dress and look like. It has allowed doggies to have a comfortable soft place to rest every night and more over it has given owners the ability to look after their pets just like their would look after for their own family. 

Paws is a beautiful store, based in Banglore, and a must visit if you're in the city!

Here's their address: 

PAWS the pet store, No.10 , K 2nd street , Markham Road , Ashoknagar , Bangalore 560025

Help your pet cope with fireworks

Most dogs react negatively to loud noises and fireworks. And understandably so- everything at night normally looks, sounds and smells familiar. And then suddenly, there are loud bangs, flashes of light and strange aromas for no reason at all. 


Here are a few tips for keeping your pet secure during Diwali fireworks:

Most dogs are scared of fireworks

• Make sure your pet always has a secure place to hide whenever they feel insecure. This could be under furniture etc. Make this place of comfort accessible to them. Pets feel great comfort in retiring to a familiar den which makes them feel safe.
• Walk dogs as much as possible during the day, and keep them indoors at night during fireworks time.
• At night- close windows and doors, and play soft music to muffle the sound of the fireworks.
• Make sure your pet is always in a safe, secure environment. A lot of dogs tend to run away during this time of the year in fright. It's always safer to have your pet micro-chipped or atleast have a tag with their name and your number engraved. 
• If your pet shows signs of fear- ignore that behaviour so that your pet realizes that there's nothing really to worry about.
• Consider feeding your dog slightly earlier in the day, so that if they do become stressed with the loud firework noises in the evening, their eating won't be affected.
• Don't get angry or upset with your pet at this time. After all- they are experiencing a normal fear reaction, and getting upset with them will only stress them out more.
• Distract your pet- with toys or the nicest chewy you can find!
• Do note that a frightened pet can show signs of aggression- and so do not allow children and other pets to pester the frightened animal.
• Try not to react to the sound of fireworks yourself. If you jump, shout or tense up when you hear fireworks- you may make your pet's fear worse as your body language will convey that there is something to be afraid of.
• Avoid leaving your pet alone. Remember that a frightened dog is not rational.
• And remember- do provide some comfort and cuddles if your pet needs it!

Have a Happy and Safe Diwali :)

The Animal people by Cara Tejpal

Most often the animal people are born - In moments when the stars align and some cosmic magic seeps into the womb of an unsuspecting woman.  A rare few are made – their lives molded by the firm hands of fate.

These people are not easily distinguishable at first glance but if you look carefully you will see the signs.  A woman with immaculate make up but stray fur on freshly washed jeans. A teenage boy with boxes of cerelac stacked high on the kitchen counter. A child who saves her lunch for a hungrier belly. An old man who drags his aching limbs to chemist after chemist to procure elusive medicines for another.

Religious, atheist or agnostic they will concur that the universe sends the needy to their doorsteps. Strange occurrences and unnerving coincidences that cant be justified by chance.

I was born an animal person.  Absorbed by the creatures around me from the time I opened my eyes. My earliest memories are a hazy cocktail of following the neighbor’s cat and cuddling stray puppies.  By the time I was twelve the ‘coincidences’ has begun and they grew more and more uncanny over the years. I would leave the house in the morning and find a kitten mewling pitifully on the doorstep, return late at night to see a lost dog waiting patiently on the porch, step out to speak on the phone and trip over an injured bird. For long I thought this was unique to me but as I met other animal people they shared similar experiences. A friend remembers stopping at the gas station so the auto driver could refuel and then witnessing a little Indian puppy climb in to the backseat and settle down a top her bag as she watched with her mouth hanging open. (She found him a lovely home.) Another animal person went to a hotel for a fete and when she was leaving had a dog follow her and jump into the car with her. (She kept her) As I met more animal people, I heard stranger and stranger stories.

The animal people shelter a secret – they carry within them a profound sadness.  Deep as the ocean, it threatens to drown them as they struggle to stay afloat.  Outsiders do not understand it – “you’re blessed” they say, the unconditional love of countless animals a romantic idea in their heads. We rarely speak about the ocean, but perhaps today I shall tell you.  The ocean of melancholy comprises of our failures, guilt and grief.  Every Animal person has held a body and felt it go limp and cold as one final breath escapes in to the universe. Witnessed more cruelty than they feel they could possibly bear and felt the harsh wrench of giving away an animal to another home. Worse, they always feel that they aren’t doing enough.

Two years ago, another secret of the animal people revealed itself to me.  On a blistering summer day we chanced upon a sack of puppies. Six golden Labrador puppies, dumped on the side of the road, unattended for two days and a night till someone heard them whimper. By the time I got them home they were so dehydrated they couldn’t stand.  Dull, lifeless, we bathed them gently in tepid water and hugged them close as sharp needles injected glucose in to their tiny frames. We held tight to hope and for six days gave them everything we had and more. Maybe just maybe – at least one would pull through. This isn’t a fairy tale. None survived.  One by one, I buried each spot of sunshine in a corner of the garden. On the sixth night, the lone survivor coughed up a long trail of blood. I called the doctor and stroked the puppy’s soft golden fur as under the vet’s gentle hands she found peace. The days that followed were surreal, I felt dazed, ironically as if I had had a heat stroke. And then there was another rescue call, another animal on my doorstep.  I hastily patched up my tattered heart and got to work.

Here’s the thing – though the ocean is deep and the currents are strong, the Animal people are tireless swimmers.

Cat Nappers by Aakriti Sethi

Being an ardent ‘dog person’ I hadn’t really shown much interest in cats. It’s only when Simba and Johnny my two rescued and adopted kittens purred into my life that I could actually get to know the feline species as well as their canine counterparts. 

It was the summery month of June when I saw a naughty dog bullying two kittens. I distracted the doggy hoping the kittens would flee but surprisingly they came by my side and let out a doleful ‘meow’ looking at me with their glassy eyes. The next thing I knew, I was with them at home watching them play. They are quite energetic and active at play but their appetite for sleep is commendable. Cats can sleep for long hours in a day at different places and various positions, and much to my amazement they mostly like to cuddle up with me or each other. 

Sadly, cats have very unduly been subjected to superstitions which make their lives tougher because of the condemnation by most people. They are also known to be sly and unfriendly. But my perception changed when I was sitting and sulking after a rough day. Simba and Johnny immediately sensed something was wrong and fussed around me a lot. One licked my toes while the other insisted on sitting on my lap and licking off any tear that rolled down my cheek. That is exactly what your dog would have done! Just like dogs they too are happy when I return home. They wait for me to come back home and meow at me and rub against my legs to welcome me. But unlike dogs, cats are finicky about cleanliness. The times they are not snoring, they are cleaning and grooming themselves and each other.

But the major difference that I could spot between the canine and feline is that dogs are the obedient lot at all times but cats are moody. They respond to their names only if they approve of the name given to them, they wouldn’t just sit or sleep anywhere especially not on the bare floor. They do listen to ‘No’ though only when they feel they should. Nevertheless they love you if they live with you and they show their affection with cuddles and licks every day. Be it Dogs or Cats, it’s the bond with your pets that makes all the difference :)

 

Doggies Home Alone

There were times when people lived in mansions, enjoyed backyards and had humane working hours. Those were the times when their dogs too enjoyed these luxuries, chasing birds and squirrels, barking at cats who sat high up on a tree branch; and when tired they enjoyed quality time with their families. Doggy Heaven! 

Well, let’s snap out and picture our own city lives. We live in smaller apartments, backyards and lawns seem to be historic extravagances and work occupies us round the clock. So, in such a scenario what do our canine friends do? They sit at home all alone, with lesser space to run around, spend lesser time with us hence leading to separation anxiety. 

Come to think about it, we have working hours of a minimum eight hours, commuting time in today’s mind boggling traffic adds another two hours to that. Sometimes social obligations, craving to watch a film, a coffee with a long lost friend or dinner with relatives who taunt you of not having time for them adds a couple more hours to our busy schedule. The brunt of this is borne by our pooches back home.

Since the good old days will not come back and there is no escaping the work pressure, let us discuss some tips on leaving our dogs at home when we are out for long hours.

1.     For the love of our dogs we should set our alarm to an hour early. Spending time with our dogs first thing in the morning is the best way to kick-start our day. A brisk walk and some play not only will keep us and our dogs healthy but will also exhaust our dogs and they would like to come back home and sleep for a couple of hours.

2.     Toys and chewys work great to occupy them.

3.     Keeping out a fresh bowl of water is a must before we leave.

4.     Do try hiding a few treats around, dogs love the treasure hunt.

5.     Another trick is to leave the radio on with a low volume; a dog will feel less lonely with a sense of voices of people around.

6.     Getting a dog walker or a volunteer to come in at one time to check on the dog and take him out for a walk is quite necessary. Usually our house maid or help is the best option; the dog knows the person well and not all of us can afford professional trainers and walkers.

7.     Also, it is better to leave the dog in a space where he spends most of his time or is comfortable in, the bigger room in the house maybe. Make sure you do away with any sort of wires which are a great attraction to chew off!

Try these few tips and make your pooches happier dogs :)

Let the reason be Love!

Love, it is said is unconditional. Shakespeare dubbed it blind and enough has been said about the purity of emotions that are experienced in a loving relationship with any person, animal or thing. In case of dogs and the much-celebrated love between owner and pet, can we say the same principles apply? Especially in the context of desi, ‘stray’ dogs?

Hero

Tanya Palta thinks so. The Delhi-based writer and editor is a self-proclaimed (and rightly so!) expert of desi canine breeds, having raised ten dogs in her home. As she happily rattles off the names of her brood (from the oldest, 14-years old Cheeta to the 3-years old Hero and Poli), Tanya also shares how she developed a strong bond with the stray dogs around her house after their first pet, a golden Labrador came into their lives. She became a die-hard dog lover and that involved feeding dogs in the vicinity of her house and eventually adopting dogs that she particularly bonded with or who were abandoned/hurt.

Poli, Tanya's Handsome Indian beauty

Siddharth and Shagun, a young couple based in Dehradun also share similar experiences, having taken in eight, of which one passed away but the others are now over a year old. Siddharth and Shagun were returning home on New Year’s Eve in 2010 when they rescued the little fur balls who were about 2-3 weeks old. Winters in Dehradun are freezing and that night was unforgiving as rain lashed down, slowly filling the dry gutter where the pups lived. 

Tanya, Siddharth, Shagun and many other people who have raised desi dogs understand that the discrimination against the Indian breeds is just another reflection of a society that is obsessed with status, money and class. Siddarth and Shagun share that the Indian breeds have stronger immunity than pedigrees while Tanya talks about how her brood is incredibly adaptable, very responsive to housetraining, gentle and responsive. Much more, she affirms than the pedigree dogs.

While it remains true that the important place pets hold in the lives of us folks should not be measured on parameters such as status or class, another contrasting truth that must be probed is whether our affection, as pet-lovers extends only to the fancy breeds, or do we love all dogs- desi or pedigree- for the wonderful blessing they are... 

Natural Tough Jute Doggie Toys

Proudly introducing the first 2 products of our eco-friendly line!

Our Hoot for Jute range is made of Jute which is a 100% renewable source.
These toys are tough and durable, and will not be destroyed easily. Check them out:

Rain Splashes and Some Dog Care!

Monsoons are always such a magical time. The dripping, lush green and the comforting blanket of dark clouds somehow makes the world look so much better than usual. Of course the perceptions about rains would differ as they most certainly would, if you ask your dog!

Dogs are not very fond of water, and the constant rainfall added to the seemingly unfriendly thunder and rumbling clouds can cause our adorable pooches to feel scared and anxious. The intensity of fear among dogs will vary, with some dogs shaking during such times to others getting very aggressive. So it is important to keep them inside the house at all times and also close to family members for as much as possible. What better picture than quality family-time inside the comfort of the home with hot tea and snacks and the adorable pooch in the middle of it all!

Keeping your pet indoor is also a good idea because of the possibility of his/her catching an infection in the rains. In this weather, it is very common for dogs to catch infections on their paws and the high humidity makes your pooch’s fur even more appealing for ticks to settle into. Experts strongly recommend following a frequent anti-ticks and flea treatment all through the rainy season (check with your vet).   

Monsoon is also the time of the ‘creepy crawlies’ to come out and stretch! Lizards, cockroaches and a whole variety of insects come out to feast on the lush leaves and plants all around and also to escape from the moisture filling their respective havens. Now we all know our dogs love to play with insects and lizards but this is not always a safe thing because dogs tend to catch the insects in their mouths and sometimes even eat them. In case the insect has poison or toxic substances in its body, it can cause serious harm to the dog- sometimes even death. So make sure your precious pooch does not frolic around too much and play with the ‘wrong friends’.

Just a little extra care will earn you and your pet a happier monsoon and some added licks and tail wags!

Are dogs colour-blind?

Popular wisdom has it that dogs are colour blind but recent research suggests that a dog’s world is more than just black and white.

Research carried out at the University of California in the 1980’s suggests that dog’s can see colours but their ‘chromatic acuity’ is less than what humans have.

This is because of 2 main reasons:

•        Dog’s retinas have fewer cone cells, which contain pigments that help perceive specific colour wavelengths
•         Dog’s are dichromatic: the canine colour fields consists mostly of blues, yellows and colours in between. While humans are trichromatic and see 3 primary colours.

However dogs have a much higher concentration of rod cells, which are responsible for seeing black-and-white, and also much more sensitive in lower light conditions. They have a structure behind their retina called ‘Tapetum Lucidum’, which helps them see objects in the dark as if lit by a glow! For these reasons, dogs have much better night vision than people.

How the colour spectrum looks to dogs and people:

Our new Toys

My lab Sara is a naughty, playful dog with lots of spirit!
She also needs to be constantly entertained and one of her favourite past times is PLAYTIME!
She loves toys. Annoyingly, she managed to tear every new toy I bought for her within seconds.
Annoyed at how almost no toy was good enough in the Indian market for a tough chewer like her, Heads Up For Tails decided to make their own.
We spent months finding the strongest, most durable material available. And after months of research of
toy making, we finally came up with an excellent collection that we are proud of :)

Made with Denier fabric, these toys are waterproof, easy to clean and long-lasting.

We do not claim that they are in-destructible as almost nothing is, but they are definitely nicer, and stronger than your average dog toy. They have passed the test of not just Sara but 3 other dogs of customers who claim that their pet destroys toys within seconds.
We suggest you give them a try :)