RIP Sir Patrick Moore

All of us here at Hubble and Hattie were very saddened to hear the sad news yesterday that the great Sir Patrick Moore had passed on, with Ptolemy, his one remaining cat, by his side.

It was an honour and a joy to work with Patrick on one of his last books – Miaow! Cats really are nicer than people! – his very personal account of the cats with whom he shared his life.

Patrick was an inspiration; a lovely man, and a true animal lover.

In March 2012 we recorded this YouTube interview with Patrick at his house in Selsey, West Sussex, at the end of which he expresses the hope that he will one day be reunited with his beloved cat, Jeannie, who died earlier this year.

Dear Patrick, we are comforted by the thought that you and Jeannie are together again now.

Discover Dogs 2012

This weekend saw the Kennel Club's Discover Dogs event at Earls Court in London. It's a great event where dogs and dog lovers alike can get together to showcase their talents, and to celebrate why dogs  really are our best friends!

I was lucky enough to go along this year, and took the opportunity to get up-close and personal with some handsome hounds! Take a look!

You can find even more of my Discover Dog photos over at the H&H Facebook page!

Toni Shelbourne, Sarah Fisher & Tony Head at Discover Dogs

Thanks to Toni Shelbourne for this photo from Discover Dogs 2012 at Earls Court with TTouch Instructor Sarah Fisher, and the famous actor Tony Head.

New! The truth about wolves and dogs - Dispelling the myths of dog training by Toni Shelbourne.

This book is a critique of traditional dog training and all the myths surrounding it, prompting the reader to look again at why we do certain things with our dogs. It corrects out-of-date theories on alpha status and dominance training, which have been so prominent over the years, and allows you to consider dog training afresh in order to re-evaluate your relationship with your canine companion, ultimately achieving a partnership based on mutual trust, love and respect. More info.

In stock! My dog has arthritis ... but lives life to the full!

My dog has arthritis ... but lives life to the full! By Gill Carrick.
When dogs contract arthritis – as over a fifth do – they can’t tell you what hurts or how they’re feeling, nor can they ask for help. They just have to suffer in silence ... until now.
This book gives our canine friends the voice they’ve been longing for. With expert input from vets, dog dieticians and specialists in complementary therapies, it covers a range of topics, and answers all the vital questions raised by this disease, helping owners judge when their canine companion needs help. Featuring case histories and owner insight, it’s an invaluable companion to dog owners and anyone considering getting a dog. Areas covered include: types of canine arthritis; the importance of an early diagnosis; the different kinds of treatment available; hopes for the future.
This practical owner’s guide demonstrates that a diagnosis of arthritis doesn’t have to be the end of your dog’s world. More info.

Living with an older dog is first translated Hubble & Hattie book!

A first for Hubble & Hattie! Living with an older dog - Gentle Dog Care by David Alderton & Derek Hall has been translated as a German edition by Kynos Verlag.

Click here for more info about the orginal English edition.

Toni Shelbourne photographed with Chris Packham!

Toni Shelbourne, author of The truth about wolves and dogs - Dispelling the myths of dog training sent us this amazing picture from an event at Paradise Wildlife Park. Chris said the book interested him because he liked both wolves & dogs.

New! The truth about wolves and dogs - Dispelling the myths of dog training by Toni Shelbourne.

This book is a critique of traditional dog training and all the myths surrounding it, prompting the reader to look again at why we do certain things with our dogs. It corrects out-of-date theories on alpha status and dominance training, which have been so prominent over the years, and allows you to consider dog training afresh in order to re-evaluate your relationship with your canine companion, ultimately achieving a partnership based on mutual trust, love and respect. More info.

A rather nice story ...

On a bike ride-out on Sunday, we stopped for a coffee at Fossil Beach, Studland. There were lots of folk out with their dogs and I spotted this pair of opposites. The Poodle (Peggy Sue: Soopie, for short), was very contained and calm, whilst running around (and under) her was the little terrier, Midge, who was very wary and hyper.

Soopie loved the attention I gave her, but littl'un wasn't as keen to get close. Chatting to the dogs' owner (who both dogs absolutely adore, you could tell), I discovered that Midge was a rescue dog who had been extremely badly treated and who was, only now after eighteen months, beginning to trust anyone but him.

Originally taken in by an elderly lady, Midge was not settling at all. She was taken out for a walk one day with Soopie and his owner, and really clicked with the big Poodle (apparently, they believe they're twins!), and came out of herself for the first time. In fact, the transition was so marked that Midge's owner asked Soopie's dad if he would take her on! As, at that time, he and his wife already had three dogs, this just wasn't possible.

A day or two later, early one morning, Soopie's people heard a noise outside the front door of their house ... there on the doorstep sat little Midge. She had somehow known which way to go to find them, and had walked the three miles to do so! When this happened a second time, Soopie's mum and dad realised that little Midge was telling them, loud and clear, that her forever home was with them - and these two gorgeous girls have been inseparable since.

In stock! The truth about wolves and dogs - Dispelling the myths of dog training

(Photo courtesy Pete Morgan Lucas)

New! The truth about wolves and dogs - Dispelling the myths of dog training by Toni Shelbourne.

This book is a critique of traditional dog training and all the myths surrounding it, prompting the reader to look again at why we do certain things with our dogs. It corrects out-of-date theories on alpha status and dominance training, which have been so prominent over the years, and allows you to consider dog training afresh in order to re-evaluate your relationship with your canine companion, ultimately achieving a partnership based on mutual trust, love and respect. More info.

In stock! Dogs on wheels - Travelling with your canine companion (RAC Handbook)

New! Dogs on wheels - Travelling with your canine companion by Norm Mort.

Dogs on Wheels – travelling with your canine companion takes a look at you, your family, your vehicle, and most importantly your dog, and tells you how to get the most out of travelling with your four-legged friend – whether for five minutes or five hours.
Helpful advice, insights into your dog’s world, and guidance on choosing the right vehicle are only a part of this comprehensive look at travelling with your dog.
Packed with original colour photographs, and containing invaluable information and opinion from veterinarians and an animal behaviourist. More info.

Get your book published!

Would you like to self-publish your work - your passion - and have the same high quality product as our own books, which are well-known and respected for their first-class characteristics?

If the answer's YES, get in touch right away! We can advise you on the many possibilities available, whether producing a conventional printed book, a digitaly published ebook - or both - at prices that will suit all budgets.

Our experts can edit, design, lay out and print your book or ebook, and we'll submit your ebook to Kindle, Nook, Kobo, Waterstones, iBookstore and GooglePlay.

So get in touch with us now, and see YOUR book in print!

Life skills for puppies - Helen Zulch author interview video

Check out our latest author interview on the Hubble & Hattie YouTube Channel!



Helen Zulch is a veterinarian who qualified in South Africa, and has since worked in a number of areas of veterinary science. She developed an interest in animal behaviour and has consulted and lectured in the field for over 10 years, moving to the University of Lincoln, UK, to continue her career. Her main interests and areas of research include the prevention of behaviour problems through appropriate early life experiences, the application of scientific principles in animal training, the interaction between health and behaviour, communication in animals, and olfaction in dogs. She has owned and trained dogs for over 21 years.

Life skills for puppies - Laying the foundation for a loving, lasting relationship by Helen Zulch & Daniel Mills.
Photography by Peter Baumber.

Puppy education from the puppy’s perspective! This book presents the key skills a dog needs, and helps owners develop a fulfilling relationship with their puppy. Self-control skills, respect for rules and clear communication mean owners can spend less time directing their dog, and more time enjoying their relationship with him. Beautiful, specially-taken photos illustrate the points made. More info.

Life skills gets a great review!

Check out this lovely review of Life skills for puppies, from Ranny Green, www.seattlekennelclub.org!

Life skills also gets a great write-up in this edition of the Burton Mail's Weekender magazine, along with fellow H&H title, Dog-friendly gardening!

You can get your paws on copies of both books over at the Hubble & Hattie website.

My dog has arthritis is book of the month!

My dog has arthritis is already generating lots of positive feedback, and it's not even been released yet! Click here to take a look at an amazing interview with the book's author, Gill Carrick, from last month's Eastern Daily Press Norfolk!

Click on the image below to read the article!

When dogs get arthritis, they can’t tell you what hurts or ask for help. But now they no longer have to suffer in silence; they finally have a voice. Featuring case histories and owner insight, alongside practical advice and expert opinion, this book provides dog owners – or anyone considering getting a dog – with all they need to know to help their dog on the move.

Paperback • 22x17cm • 80 pages • 60 pictures
HH4418 • ISBN: 978-1-845844-18-9 • UPC: 6-36847-04418-3

My dog has arthritis ... but lives life to the full! Will be available to buy in October from the Hubble & Hattie website, priced at £9.99 (plus p+p.)

"Gorilla joy!"

If you hadn't seen a member of your family for over two years, how would you react?

Possibly, it would look a little something like this:

Keepers at Longleat Safari Park in Wiltshire witnessed scenes of joy, as resident gorilla Kesho was reunited with his little brother, Alf, after having been apart for over two years!

This is just another example of animals experiencing emotions, and it's a heartwarming sight. 

There's a great article on animals and their emotions over at Psychology Today, so be sure to check it out!

If animals can recognise family members, and be happy to see them, so too can they mourn their loss when a member of that family passes. It was widely documented that Longleat's oldest resident, Nico expeienced depression and grief at the loss of his mate, Samba in 2007. 

David Alderton's book, Animal Grief, takes a look at how animals experience emotion, loss, and grief. 

Science is now providing some remarkable insights into animal behaviour, with crocodiles, for example, emerging as devoted parents, and elephants – like whales – able to communicate with each other across long distances by infrasound, which is inaudible to our ears. There seems little doubt that animals experience a range of emotions, just as we do; but can they grieve, too ...?
Evidence exists that, indeed, they can: in addition, David Alderton – award-winning, multi-million selling specialist animal author – contends that emotions – including grief – can potentially have a survival value for a species.
The authoritative, rational text is superbly supported by interesting, sensitive photographs, carefully chosen to be reflective of the subject matter.

If you'd like to learn more about this groundbreaking book, head over to the Hubble & Hattie website, and to see more of the brother's reunion, head over to the BBC News website.

It's World Cat Day!

Today is World Cat Day, so make sure you give your feline friend an extra dollop of love to remind them how appreciated they are!

We love our cat's here at H&H headquarters, check out this photo of Leonard McCoy looking handsome in his collar. He kept this collar on for less than a day before he lost it (probably on purpose) in the wilderness that is our garden. We still haven't found it. Leonard is very pleased with himself.

We've got some great books to make your cat's lives even more amazing that they are already!

Check out Cat Speak if you'd like to understand your cat a bit better, or if you're looking for some great ways to keep your kitty entertained, why not take a look at Fun and games for cats!

Not forgetting Sir Patrick Moore's amazing book, Miaow! Cats really are nicer than people! A portion of the royalties for this book are being donated by Sir Patrick to Cats Protection, so every copy sold helps to look after all of those moggies that are still waiting for their forever home. 

All of these great books are available from the Hubble and Hattie website, so treat yourself, and your cat, and have a very happy World Cat Day!

(Leonard heard we might be getting him a new collar to celebrate World Cat Day.

He was not best pleased.)

H&H book reviews!

Take a look at these great reviews for Dog Speak and Emergency first aid for dogs from this month's Your Dog magazine!

And not forgetting this lovely review of our great new book, Dog-friendly gardening from Gardens Illustrated:

These books are all available now from the Hubble and Hattie website!

Dog-friendly gardening

Now that summer's (finally!) here, you'll probably want to spend some time in your garden, and your dog will almost certainly want to join you.

Even if you’re on a budget, with good planning and a little effort you can create an attractive outdoor environment that will actively enhance your relationship with your dog; a place where you can enjoy playing and relaxing together.

Covering safety, planting, garden projects, and much more, this book is packed with practical advice and innovative ideas to help you and your dog enjoy your space together.


Paperback • 20.5x20.5cm • 128 pages • 101 pictures
HH4410 • ISBN: 978-1-845844-10-3 • UPC: 6-36847-04410-7


Find out more over at the H&H website!

Life skills for puppies gets some great reviews!

Take a look at these awesome reviews for our new book, Life skills for puppies: Laying the foundation for a loving, lasting relationship:


From Our Dogs magazine:

Review :- Life Skills for Puppies.

Laying the foundation for a loving, lasting relationship.

By Helen Zulch and Daniel Mills.

Published by Hubble and Hattie at £12.99

I like it. The more I read the more I liked it. It is what it says it is and there is no unnecessary padding.

It gives a clear and consistent manner in which to build up a firm and understanding bond with a puppy. It looks at things from a puppy’s perspective. It is not a training manual nor does it purport to be but in managing and developing the skills in the puppy which will turn it into a well-balanced adult any further training is going to be made a heap easier all round. No one can argue with that.

So, this book covers ten skills that a puppy should have in order to be well-behaved - not just obedient.

The authors go into how to deal with building confidence, how to react when the pup is surprised by new sights and sounds, how to make sure your pup likes being touched and handled, how to let the pup learn that he can be calm, that he can follow certain rules, that he can respond to cues in the right way as long as the whole family uses the same ones, that he can learn to be ‘polite’ without having to be reminded and that good behaviour as we see it can be rewarding to him.

In return we must be there to help him learn to make the right choices if he finds things difficult, if he wants to chew something he shouldn’t we must offer him something better. He can learn self-control and be calm if we arrange rewards in the right way. We must respect the fact that he should be allowed to be a dog and have time to himself, he may sniff here and there on a walk, he is not a slave, and he has a right to do some dog things or to put it another way we should arrange his life so that in being a dog he doesn’t have the chance to behave inappropriately.

It is illustrated with hundreds of colour shots of puppies showing beautifully what is written about in the text.

It is so good that I am tempted to let it off with no criticism at all and indeed I can from the aspect of content but I did have one or two annoyances about minor details of the production. Split infinitives always cause me to trip in my reading and there were a few. Practice/practise was spelt incorrectly at least once, and the illustration captions disturbed me a few times in that on one occasion you have to turn two pages to carry on the thread. I felt that in some instances the illustrations would be better if reduced in size so that when there were three or more showing a sequence they could have been all on the same page.

It is the best puppy book I have seen for many a year.  I hope it sells well It will do a lot of good.

And this one by Carley Phillips for Dog Training Weekly:

We're really pleased that Life skills is being so well received ... if you'd like to pick up your own copy, head on over to the Hubble and Hattie website, where it's available to buy right now!

Dog–friendly gardening!

People might tell you that it's impossible to have a nice garden if you have a dog. Well, it's time to think again!

Karen Bush, author of our upcoming book Dog–friendly gardening dispels some of the myths surrounding gardens and dogs in this great article from June's Your Dog magazine! Click below to take a sneak preview! You can find out more about Your Dog over at their website.

Find out more about gardening with dogs in our new book Dog–friendly gardening, which is also out in June!

Even if you’re on a budget, with good planning and a little effort you can create an attractive outdoor environment that will actively enhance your relationship with your dog; a place where you can enjoy playing and relaxing together.
Covering safety, planting, garden projects, and much more, this book is packed with practical advice and innovative ideas to help you and your dog enjoy your space together.


Dog–friendly gardening is priced at £12.99 (plus p+p) and will be available to order over at the Hubble and Hattie website!

People are starstruck over Miaow!

Sir Patrick Moore's new book, Miaow! Cats really are people! is flying off the shelves!

Everyone's talking about it, and about Patrick Moore! He's recently been interviewed in Weekend Magazine, The Daily Mail, and Your Cat Magazine, to name a few!
Take a look at some of the great interviews below and get a glimpse into the life of a true British Legend, not to mention that of his beloved cats!

Sir Patrick's interview from April's Your Cat Magazine

The Daily Express, 17/04/2012

Miaow! Cats really are nice that people! Is available now over at the Hubble & Hattie website.

Sir Patrick Moore does a great impression of a cat!

And we've got the video to prove it!


Check out this great promo vid for our new book, Miaow! Cats really are nicer than people! by none other than expert star-gazer and self proclaimed cat lover, Sir Patrick Moore! It's a really interesting 





"Given a choice between the average person and the average cat, I would go for the cat any time, and my book will explain why ..." 

Sir Patrick Moore CBE FRS

This little book is about cats; cats of all shapes, sizes and colours, and specifically those who have shared their lives with the great and well-respected astronomer Sir Patrick Moore CBE FRS, over a lifetime of nearly 90 years.
This is Patrick's very personal account of the cats who have been part of his family, beginning with Smudgie, who died at the grand old age of twenty, through to Jeannie and Ptolemy, his two most recent beloved felines.
Taken from the mantelpieces and walls of his home for use in the book, personal photographs of Sir Patrick -- in his younger days and more recently -- his late adored mother, Gertrude (also a cat-lover), and the many cats that have filled Patrick's life with love and companionship complement the intimate and enchanting text, written in the author's inimitable style.
Believing that cats are highly intelligent (and certainly more so than dogs!), Sir Patrick has devised his very own 'cat quiz.' Jeannie and Ptolemy passed this with flying colours, and it is included in his book so that others may test their own cat's intelligence!
The pages of this unique book reveal the delightful and charming side of a man who has attained international status as a writer, researcher, radio commentator and television presenter, and who is credited with having done more than any other to raise the profile of astronomy.

The book is due for release next week, and you can order your copy now over at the Hubble & Hattie website!

H&H top sales from January

Hubble & Hattie started the year with a bang, with these three books reaching the top three for January!


1. Swim to recovery: canine hydrotherapy healing - Emily Wong


2.  You and your Cockapoo: The Essential Guide - David Alderton


3. Walking the Dog: Motorway walks for drivers and dogs (RAC) - Lezli Rees


Well done Swim to Recovery! And well done to our new eBook edition of Clever Dog: life lessons from the world’s most successful animal by Ryan O'Meara, which has made it into the top five eBook sales for all of Veloce! 

You can find more info about our great books, apps and eBooks over at the H&H website.

Pet Mag NZ speak cat!

Cat owners everywhere can relate to this: your cat saunters up to you, looks you right in the eye and lets out a long, loud miaow. Then another one. And another. 

Wouldn't it be lovely to know what they're trying to tell us?

Well, with the aid of our new book, Cat Speak: recognising and understanding behaviour, we can get closer than ever to understanding what our cats want to say.

This unique book offers precise, detailed observations of the behaviour of cats at play, and explains in everyday language how to interpret their meaning. With clear descriptions and colour photographs throughout, this is essential reading for anyone who wants to understand more about their cat.

Cat Speak is due out next month, but you can have a sneak peek, thanks to our friends over at Pet Mag NZ!

They've got an excerpt from Cat Speak featured in their latest edition, so pick up your copy today! For those of you that can't get over to New Zealand, however, you can read the preview by clicking here.

The Hoglet Diaries part 3

'It's time for the next installment of the Hoglet Watch Diaries! Last month, the hoglets were going from strength to strength, which means a change of scene for the Weymouth Three...

One of the three has a weigh-in...

...While the other two wait patiently! 

  'I really needed to move my three indoor guests outside; otherwise they wouldn't acclimatise and gain the necessary weight in time to be released before winter set in. A hedgehog needs to weigh at least 600gms before he or she will stand a chance of surviving hibernation: any less than this and the chances are they will go to sleep... and never wake up.

'My problem was, hoglet number four was already occupying one of the houses and using the only run I had, and this wasn't big enough for four of them. In any case, I'd decided that he would be kept separate from the Weymouth Three as. Being a fair bit bigger, I hoped that within two or three weeks, he'd be ready for release, so there seemed little point getting them used to each other. 

'Hmmm. What to do ...?

Hoglet Four's outside home

'Thankfully, a good friend came to the rescue by making a large run, complete with top, that would comfortably accommodate the three, and I had another house that was also big enough for them. Without further ado, the three were moved en masse to their outdoor living quarters, alongside hoglet four. (I'd already weighed the three and was happy with their gain.)

'It was much easier now to care for the hoglets, and, in order to encourage them to dig for their food, their evening meal would be serviced scattered willy-nilly around the run, mixed a little with the earth, so that they also became used to the taste of this! Immie and I would go out into the garden last thing at night and check they were managing to find the food okay, and they were. At night, it's quite important not to use a white-coloured torch, especially when you are feeding your charges, as they will associate this light with good things, and will have no fear of car headlights. As road accidents are the biggest cause of hedgehog fatalities, this is a very important point. 

'As I'd hoped, a couple of weeks later I was able to take the solo hog to a friend with a very large, safe garden so that he could be returned to the wild. He weighed just under the 600gms, but, as this was late summer, I was confident that he would gain the rest before hibernation called.'

Next month: A race to gain weight!

Burns Night and Book celebrations!

Norm Mort, author of Veloce titles American Woodies, Micro Trucks and Anglo-American cars to name a few, sent us this great photo of his Burns Night celebrations with Austin, the cover star of his brand new book, Dogs on wheels - Travelling with your canine companion.

Dogs on Wheels takes a look at you, your family, your vehicle, and most importantly your dog, and tells you how to get the most out of travelling with your four-legged friend – whether for five minutes or five hours.
Helpful advice, insights into your dog’s world, and guidance on choosing the right vehicle are only a part of this comprehensive look at travelling with your dog.
Packed with original colour photographs, and containing invaluable information and opinion from veterinarians and an animal behaviourist.

Dogs on Wheels is due in August, and you can learn more about it over at the Hubble & Hattie website!

Meet Imani!

The resident H&H hound thought it was high-time she got online and introduced herself, and we couldn't agree more! Meet Imani (Immie for short), the fluffy face behind Hubble and Hattie!

We thought what better way than for her to share her story with you, so take it away, Immie!

'Back in November 2001, I never would have thought that I would be leaving the island of my birth – Northern Cyprus – and taking a very scary plane ride to begin a new life in the UK. 

Me in my old home in Cyprus

'Why ever my adoptive mum decided that, out of all the dogs at the rescue centre on the island. it was me that she wanted to give a forever home to I will never know, as I was a fairly pitiful sight; too scared, at first, to go out on the walk with her. In fact, she carried me for a good part of the way! She wanted me to enjoy the freedom, and run around like the other 8 dogs that were walking with us that hot day. When she put me down again, I ran back in the direction of the rescue centre at first, but then something made me change my mind and I ran back to her and the others and continued the walk. Lucky for me that I did as she decided that, even though she and her partner were in Cyprus on holiday, she was going to take me home with her ...

'After much frantic arranging and long-distance calls to a quarantine kennel back home in the UK, I left my unhappy start in life and flew the 4000 miles to my new home in Dorset, arriving on November 12, 2001.

'The six months I had to spend in quarantine were helped by twice - and sometimes thrice - weekly visits from mum, and we  would have a lot of fun playing with toys that she bought me, which I'd never done before! The rules were very strict; I wasn't allowed out of my kennel, and mum had to be locked in there with me. Very often the weather wasn't good enough to go out in the run, and so we would sit together on the dias that was my bed, and mum would brush me to get me used to being groomed, which I'd also never had done before!

'Eventually, one fabulous day in May 2002 - the 20th to be precise - my 'jail term' was up and I was allowed out of quarantine. What I didn't know until that point, however, was that my mum and her partner already had two dogs, Westie sisters called Hubble and Hattie, And the thing of it was, Hubble and Hattie weren't very pleased to see me at all. Oh, we all got along okay, and there was never any fighting, but the sisters made it quite clear that I was one dog too many at Winkle Cottage ...

'Nevertheless, my life was happy and I was glad to be in England rather than Cyprus, where all the other dogs bullied me, and I never got enough to eat as I was too timid to fight back when the other rescue dogs would steal my food. Now, I had enough to eat, lots of treats, a fab garden to play in, and two walks a day. Life was pretty damn good!

'Fast forward ten years and now there's just mum and me at Winkle Cottage. Hubble and Hattie both died in 2007, at the good age of 14 years. I know mum has thought about getting another dog or – heaven help us - a cat (yuck!) but I think she knows that I might find that a bit difficult to get used to; anyway, it's really lovely with just the two of us. 

'Mum still feels very sad about Hubble and Hattie I know, but the fact that she's remembered them in a very special way, by naming an imprint after them that publishes books designed to improve animal welfare and encourage understanding and compassion for all animals, has helped her feel better about them, and she knows her gorgeous girls would be thrilled to bits that the imprint is named after them! 

'So now, as always, I go into the office every day with mum and 'help' her work on the Hubble and Hattie books. So far we've produced over 25 different ones, with many more planned for 2012 and beyond. And, best of all, I'm actually in several of them! Check out our dedicated website - www.hubbleandhattie.com - to see the sort of thing we're doing.' 

Want to keep up with Imani's comings and goings? Friend her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ImaniCricket to see more great photos, plus keep up with all the latest news and stories from our favourite publishing pooch!