The recent storms have taken their toll on the island’s trees and there are plenty of fallen branches and twigs lying in our gardens and parks. But dog owners and walkers beware: throwing sticks for your dog might seriously damage its health.

This is not a ’health and safety gone mad’ message, but is one that leading vets are urging dog owners to heed. On average a veterinary practice treats a stick-related injury at least once a week, with the worst cases involving paralysis of limbs, life-threatening blood loss, acute infection, or even death. Sticks can be sharp and they are usually dirty and so when a dog grabs them in its mouth the end of the stick can easily pierce the skin and go through to penetrate the oesophagus, spinal cord or blood vessels.

However, the most prevalent problem is the infection caused by splintered sticks spreading around the body and lodging in the dog’s oesophagus or intestine where the bacteria can develop. So, when you’re out walking with your dog keep a toy that can be thrown, and hopefully fetched back, in your pocket as an alternative to sticks.

Five-year-old Staffie, Ozzy, is ready and waiting for new owners who will throw toys for him. He’s a very playful, incredibly friendly boy who has been a much-loved family pet, but work commitments forced his previous owners to rehome him. As is the norm with this breed, he is very intelligent, responsive and quick to learn, and also affectionate and loving. Whilst Ozzy’s relationship with people is great, he is a little more selective with fellow dogs, and if he were to be rehomed with other dogs a series of introductory and socialisation sessions would need to take place.

There is a misconception that all animals from a rescue centre like ours have problems and while some do have behavioural issues caused by events in their past life most, like Ozzy, are with us simply because of a change in their family’s circumstances. These animals are looking for a home as happy as the one they have had to leave behind, and you can help them by giving them a second chance.

This week is proving to be a particularly cold one with frost and the odd flurry of hail or snow. Winter, more than any other season, brings its own challenges and potential hazards to our pets. Older animals, especially if they are arthritic, really feel the cold and the damp and can be noticeably stiff. If they are already on medication, then you may wish to speak to your vet about altering their doses to make them more comfortable.

When you are out and about on freezing days and evenings, watch out for the grit that has been sprayed on our roads because it can cause nasty sores in your dog’s paws. Snow can also be a problem, much as many dogs love to play in it, because tiny lumps of ice can develop quite quickly in their paws, in between the pads. Keep a look out for signs of discomfort, and give your dog’s feet a good wash after walks.

The dogs in our rescue and boarding kennels keep warm with underfloor heating and cosy bedding, and at exercise time if they don’t like the wind and rain they can run about in our PlayBarn. If you haven’t used our boarding facilities before then why not try out a ’taster session’ where you dog can spend a few hours in the kennels, and you can be assured that they have coped well in strange surroundings, before committing to a longer stay. The kennels can be contacted on 851672, option 1, and please leave a message if there’s no-one to take your call straight away.