You shall not pass, dog!

 

If you're a dog and cat owner, this video might look a bit familiar! We've been laughing like mad watching these poor pooches trying to navigate their homes – only to find their way blocked by some rather tyrannical little cats!

 

Click here to check it out!

 

 

Paws for a cause – Ferne Animal Sanctuary

Ferne Animal Sanctuary was founded by the late Nina, Duchess of Hamilton & Brandon, at the beginning of WWII, and was situated on the Ferne Estate in Dorset. The Duchess realised that, due to the war, service men and women would be called up for duty, leaving behind many pets in need of care. Consequently, an appeal was made on the BBC’s National Service asking for suitable homes for these animals. On returning home, the Duchess found several dogs, cats and a parrot waiting for her! These animals, all in need of new homes, were kindly taken in by people living on the Duchess’ estate. Inevitably, at the end of the war many owners failed to return to collect their pets, and so the story of Ferne Animal Sanctuary began.

Sadly, the beautiful manor house is no longer standing. In 1975, the sanctuary moved to its present premises which overlook the River Yarty Valley, high in the Blackdown Hills, in Somerset. Set in 51 acres of glorious countryside, Ferne also has a conservation area with nature trail, children’s play areas, restaurant, and picnic areas, which are open almost every day of the year for the public to enjoy – not to mention meeting the wide variety of animals residing there, so it is well worth a visit!

Ferne also owns its own island! Little Linga is a small island in the Orkneys, which had been owned by a farmer and seal hunter. It was purchased by Ferne in 1967 thanks to the help of some generous donations. The island is now a seal sanctuary and is visited by both grey and common seals.

Ferne Sanctuary cares for over 300 unwanted domestic and farm animals of all varieties, from cats to cattle, dogs to donkeys, goats to geese, and many more besides! Some animals are brought to Ferne because they have been neglected or are no longer wanted. Others are brought because of their owners' changing circumstances.  Any animal passing through Ferne's gate can be assured of love and compassion for the rest of his or her life.

Ferne also aims to find forever homes for its healthy dogs and cats, and foster homes for its equines. All Ferne’s animals receive lifelong care, and medical needs are met.

If you would like to learn more about this amazing sanctuary, plan a visit, donate, sponsor or rehome an animal, visit the website!

Check out our new online catalogue!

Our updated catalogue is now available to view online! It's jam-packed with all the latest book news, including upcoming releases right through to 2015! Click here to check it out.

 

Want a paper copy? Send us an email to info@hubbleandhattie.com and we'll make sure you're on our mailing list to recieve one when it's available.

Honour for Sasha

We were very pleased to hear that Sasha, a British Army dog who was killed alongside her handler while on service in Afghanistan in 2008, is to be posthumously awarded the PDSA Dickin medal, the animal equivalent of the Victoria Cross.

Sasha and her handler, Lance Corporal Kenneth Rowe, were on a routine patrol when they were ambushed and killed by a rocket-propelled grenade attack. L/Cpl Rowe was 24, Sahsa was four.

During her service, Sasha – trained to sniff out and locate explosives – saved the lives of many, many soldiers and civilians. Alongside her handler, she was tasked with carrying out advance patrols to find safe routes for soldiers and to sniff out weapons. Her presence was also morale-boosting to those around her, and her dedication and determination to do her job, even in such awful conditions, were an inspiration to many.

Sasha is the 65th animal to be awarded the Dickin medal since its launch in 1943, the first being White Vision, a pigeon, for contributing to the rescue of an RAF crew in WWII.

You can read more about Sasha and L/Cpl Rowe on the BBC News website.

 

 

April Gallery Winner: Shelby

Shelby is the winner of our April Gallery on our Facebook page!

Thank you to everyone who submitted a photo, and for everyone who voted! We're now taking entries for May.

We want to share your furry friends! Each month in 2014 we'll be compiling an album of your beloved animals. The picture with the most likes at the end of the month, will win a fantastic Hubble & Hattie book of your choice, and feature in our monthly newsletter!

How to submit photos:

Post photos directly on to our Facebook page.

Tweet us your photos

Email your photos

Competition time with Lily's Kitchen!

We’re giving one lucky winner the chance to win a fantastic Lily's Kitchen hamper, containing a big bag of Wild Woodland Walk, plus two cans each of their great wet foods, An English Garden Party and Beef Potato and Vegetable! Two runners-up will also recieve a big bag of Wild Woodland Walk – yum, yum! 

For your chance to win, simply answer the following question:

 What is the title of the first Hubble & Hattie book?

 

(Here's a hint ... you can find the answer here!) 

Email your answer and your name to us at prize@hubbleandhattie.com. We'll announce the lucky winner, and the two runners-up in next month's Animal Magic. Good Luck!

 You can see the full range of Lily's Kitchen pet foods and treats over at the website!