Merry Christmas from all of us at Hubble & Hattie!

Have a dog-friendly Christmas!

Christmas is nearly here, and we couldn't be more excited here at Hubble & Hattie HQ! There's still lots to do, though, before the Big Day, and top of the list is making sure our dogs have just as much fun as we do!
Take a look at these great tips to ensure your dog is safe and happy over the festive period...
 
Treat time
It might be tempting to share your Christmas dinner with your dog, but remember, many things that we find delicious are toxic to our canine chums! Make sure goodies such as chocolate, raisins, and grapes are all out of reach, as well as anything that might contain onion (stuffing and gravy are the main culprits at this time of year), as these are also harmful to dogs. Remember, too, that turkey bones, like chicken bones, can splinter inside your dog's stomach and do lots of damage, so keep these safely out of reach!

Holiday hazards
Dogs are always on the lookout for delicious things to chew, whether or not these be food! Festive plants like mistletoe and poinsettias are poisonous to dogs, so keep these well clear, or opt for artificial alternatives. They'll last longer, and they're a lot safer for your dog.
If you have a real Christmas tree, watch out for pine needles on the floor, as they can get stuck in your dog's paws and be very uncomfortable. If you're weighing down the base of your tree with water to keep it fresh, make sure your dog doesn't have access to it, since the sap from the pine tree is toxic.
Keep an eye on things that your dog might consider fun to chew or play with – children's toys, fairy lights, tinsel, baubles ... all things that might appeal to your dog, but could do some serious damage!

Walkies in a winter wonderland 
Winter walkies are a lot of fun, but look out for frozen-over ponds and other bodies of water, and ensure you and your dog take care not to fall in!
Dogs find antifreeze delicious; however it's highly toxic and potentially deadly, so make sure your dog doesn't come across it when de-icing the car.
Be aware that the grit used to make roads and pathways safe to walk on can dry out and irritate your dog's paws, and can be harmful if ingested. Make sure your dog's feet are grit-free and clean when you return from your walk.

Set in their ways 
It's not unusual for routine to go out the window at this time of year ... and this can confuse and upset your dog, especially if he or she is a bit older. Try to stick to the usual meal and exercise times, and go easy on the doggy treats!
It's also a good idea to have somewhere quiet that your dog can go to if there are a lot of people around – particularly if you're expecting there to be lots of noise and excitement.

Have a yummy yuletide!

What do you get for the hound that has everything? Why not try your hand at these delicious homemade dog treats! Your dog is sure to love them!

This great recipe was taken from H&H's Dog Cookies, available to buy now from the Hubble & Hattie website.

Merlin, the Corrie fan

Something festive is going on at Hubble & Hattie HQ ...

We came into Hubble & Hattie HQ this morning and the whole place had been decorated ready for Christmas! We had no idea who was behind it, but luckily we found this video of the mischief makers caught in the act, and they look strangely familiar ...

The PDSA Big Pet Check

  
The PDSA have launched a campaign to find out how happy and healthy the nation's pets are!
Following the latest findings from the PDSA Animal Wellbeing (PAW) Report, the charity has found that many owners don't know about the five basic welfare needs of their pets – environment, companionship, behaviour, diet, and health – and they're spreading the word by giving pet owner's some great advice and tips on keeping your pets healthy and happy!

Visit the website to take the quiz, and find out if you're a practically purrrfect cat expert, a dazzling dog lover or a brilliant bunny owner, and find out some great facts and tips to make a better life for the pets you love.

Great new app now available – Motorway Walks and Breaks! #MoWaB

How do you find places for your kids to play, somewhere nice to walk (including with your dog), a parking space and, often, even great pub food – all within 5 miles of a motorway exit? Now revised and updated for all major platforms, and therefore much quicker and snappier than the original version, Motorway Walks and Breaks is a fantastically useful App for anyone who drives on the motorways of the UK but likes a break from driving in healthy natural surroundings.

Simple to use – just select the motorway, then browse the junctions and choose the walk you'd like to do. The App includes a handy map view, making it easier to find your way.

We have trekked over a thousand miles tracking down great walks for drivers, families and dogs to enjoy on their journey. The whole of the UK is covered, from Exeter to Perth and from Swansea to Canterbury.

Use this App to get more fun for your fuel, treat yourself and your dog to a great walk, see more of the countryside, take a healthy break, or enjoy a relaxing pub lunch.

Each walk is of 30 to 45 minutes' duration, often with a selected pub or café along the way. Activities for children are included, from bouncy castles to nature trails and the facilities available at each walk venue are described.

All of the walks are suitable for dogs, and those with assistance dogs will find details of accessible paths and facilities for the disabled. The listed pubs – most of which are traditional inns, serving high quality food at realistic prices  – all welcome well-behaved canines.

If you want more than mileage from your petrol, this is the App for you!

BULLET POINTS

• All walks within 5 miles of motorway exits
• Pub/café on each walk (or at least a picnic table)
• Ideal for when traveling with your four-legged friend! 
• Many walks near kids’ activities
• Buggy and wheelchair easy access walks, ideal for assistance dog owners
• Every walk tried and tested
• Safe and legal parking places
• Driving routes from and back to the motorway described
• Each walk 30-45 minutes – healthy, natural breaks that improve driver concentration
• Redesigned for use on Apple iOS7
• Now available for the first time for Windows Phone, Android, and Kindle Fire.

The full app has 177 walks, each complete with several full-colour high resolution zoomable images, map views, and retails at £1.99 (equivalent price in other currencies).

Also available is a FREE lite version of the full app with 48 sample walks and the same features as the full app.


More information about both editions can be found on their product pages:

Full edition 
Lite edition