Worzel Week – Day 3

All this week we'll be posting extracts from our fabumazing book, The quite very actual adventures of Worzel Wooface. In this instalment, the stray cat gets a name – sort of!

May 15

The stray cat is getting ignormous at the triangle end, though is still skinny everywhere else. She has been living in Mum and Dad’s bedroom for the past week or so, and is eating for Ingerland. She was doing quite actual well, and was being allowed to wander about the bedroom, but today she did start looking for places to hide and make a nest.

Her first choice of where to hide was rubbish, as we did all find her. Mum says she’s going to need socks over the next two months so her underwear drawer is actual out. Then the cat did decide that a hard shelf five feet off the floor would be an exerlent place to have her babies, which would be okay if she was having seagulls instead of kittens. Mum finks a nest somewhere nearer the ground might be actual safer. So the cat is going into a crate in the previously ginger one’s bedroom – where it is

quiet – to have her kittens. Mum is sad about this. That room shouldn’t be actual empty ...

The cat hasn’t been named as very such, but has just growed the name ‘Stray,’ which doesn’t usually happen here. The previously ginger one would never, HEVER have allowed this, and would have actual insistered that the cat was given a proper name, but everyboddedy has got too much actual stuff on their minds at the moment, and they seem to have forgotted about naming the stray.

No-one is allowed to get excited about cute-ickle-kittens, either, because, according to Dad, it could all go horribly wrong, and there be no kittens at the end. The stray is too young to be actual having babies, and half-starved as well, so noboddedy can be getting their hopes up.

The fuge ginger boyman says he is ‘working his bum off’ at Grannie Annie’s for his Hay Levels. And getting fat. He’s getting a cooked breakfast every day, so he has actual decided to stay at Grannie Annie’s until after his hexams are over. Mum says she can’t compete with a cooked breakfast every morning, and anyway, Grannie Annie has the world’s worst broadband connection, so he can’t play confuser games, which is probababbly a good fing. Mum is ever so very actual proud of him for being so serious and growed up about his hexams, and she’s glad it’s one less fing she has to worry about.

The quite very actual adventures of Worzel Wooface is available now over at the H&H website.

View an interview with the author, Cath Pickles, on our YouTube channel!

Worzel Week – Day 2

All this week we'll be posting extracts from our fabumazing book, The quite very actual adventures of Worzel Wooface. In this instalment, there's good news for Pandy ...

May 13
There is very actual hexcitement here today because a famberly is hinterested in dopping Pandy. Mum has readed their bits of paper and they sound hideel. They has already got three fuge dogs that Pandy won’t squash, and they seem a bit nutty about their pets, which Mum does fink is generally a good fing – and so do I. Anyone who takes on Pandy is going to need to be a bit nutty. And have strong walls in their house. Mum and the lady of the famberly did chattering on the phone tonight,

and Mum asked her lots and lots of very questions about her famberly and her other dogs, and her actual ‘lifestyle.’ Mum asked all very quite personal questions which made Dad cringe and whisper ‘you can’t ask her THAT!’ but Mum says she doesn’t care. If Pandy is going to live with these peoples then Mum will find out everyfing she can about them, even if the lady finks Mum is nosey. Or rude. Or mad. Or all of these.

Mum has arranged for the lady to come and visit on Saturday. The man in the famberly won’t be coming on the visit with the lady (which is a bit actual worrying for Mum because she do like to meet everyboddedy in the famberly), but she will be bringing her growed-up daughter instead.

The worst fing, Mum says, is that if they do like Pandy, they would actual like to take her that day because they do live a very long way away. This is giving Mum wobbles because she do usually like people to go away and fink about fings for a few days before making a final actual decision. If you ask me, anyone who goes away and finks about Pandy living in their house will quite actual need ferapy.

The quite very actual adventures of Worzel Wooface is available now over at the H&H website.

View an interview with the author, Cath Pickles, on our YouTube channel!

Worzel Week – Day 1

All this week we'll be posting extracts from our fabumazing book, The quite very actual adventures of Worzel Wooface. In this instalment, Worzel's family have some cat trouble ...

May 9

When Mum came home from the Opital she did notice somefing that Dad has completely missed, and she is absolutely furious, she says. When the dopey woman came to collect her cats wot were living in our shed, she didn’t bother to tell Mum she had actual left one behind. Yesterday, Mum caught a glimpse of the cat wot got lefted behind, hiding behind the dinghy in the shed. The cat is a girl-cat, and quite very actual triangleshaped, which means she’s going to have babies very actual soon, Mum

finks. Mum has given the cat’s owner the new name of ‘stupid, selfish woman.’

May 11

It’s taken Mum two days to catch the left-behind cat. She finally managed to trap her in the shed, but then she didn’t do communercating actual Worzel Wooface proper-like, so that, when she wented into the house to get the cat basket, Dad let the cat escape. Things gotted quite loud then, and words

like ‘stoopid,’ ‘unfinking’ and ‘mind-reader’ began flying about. It was one of those conversations that was never going to end unless someboddedy did acting like a grown-up. ‘You let her out!’ ‘You didn’t say what you were doing’ ‘It should have been obvious’ ‘Why should it have been obvious?’ 

I wented and hid in my crate because it all got very quite noisy. All the harguing did suddenly stop when Dad caughted sight of the cat sneaking back into the shed. Mum and Dad did epic teamwork and managed to get her trapped and crated and fed and blanketed and all calmed down from being caught ... and then they forgived each other for being plonkers. Truth is, they is both quite very actual stressed about the previously ginger one, and missing her and worrying about her. It does make hoomans act very quite different when they is being stressed up to the eyeballs.

There has been no discussion about wot they plan to do with the cat now she has been caughted. Dad says he knows betterer than to do or say anyfink other than wot he is actual told. Mum is so upsetted bout the previously ginger one that anyfink being a distraction is a good fing. Mum can’t get to Southampton as often as she would like because it costs too much monies, and the previously ginger one is miserable and missing Mum and Dad. It’s all a total nightmare, according to Dad, and if that means he has to help look after a stray cat for a few weeks, then that’s wot is going to have to happen. That’s when Mum mentioned the triangle shape and kittens and ...

Sometimes, my Dad is an actual saint, you know? On the phone to the previously ginger one, he did even mention the preggerant stray cat, heven though he knew wot she would say. She’s got somefing to look forward to now, Mum says. Dad says he’s got weeks of emptying litter trays and managing two nutty Lurchers to look forward to, plus the very actual fact that We. Will. Be. Keeping. One. Of. The. Kittens. He is resigned to the fact, he says. Mum smiled tonight.

The quite very actual adventures of Worzel Wooface is available now over at the H&H website.

View an interview with the author, Cath Pickles, on our YouTube channel!

Fans of Worzel Wooface – The Gallery

Check out Worzel's fabumazing Facebook fans enjoying The quite very actual adventures and the The quite very actual Terribibble Twos!

Do you have a photo of a furry friend enjoying a H&H book? We want to see it! Email us your pictures.
PS – we welcome pictures of cats too!

Chris Blazina interview – Men and dogs

When man meets dog, it leads to a unique friendship; one that can change men’s lives.



Chris Blazina, a professor at New Mexico State University College of Education's Department of Counseling and Educational Psychology, has been conducting research into the relationship between men and their dogs, specifically the emotional attachments men develop with their dogs and how those attachments help them deal with relationships and grief.

Find out more in the new brand new book coming soon from Hubble & Hatie! The first to explore the meaning of the human-animal bond from the male experience.

     Have you ever wondered why dogs are considered ‘man’s best friend?’ In this book, Psychologist Dr Christopher Blazina explains the importance of the unique bond between men and dogs. There are widely-held beliefs that males naturally transition into a state of self-imposed seclusion and emotional detachment in adulthood. Even relying on another person violates the rules of being a man. When Man Meets Dog explores how the bond with animal companions bypasses many of these barriers, helping males develop into happier, healthier men. What a difference a dog can make!
     It’s also important to discuss the other side of attachment: loss. Again, the mixed messages men receive lead to difficulties with managing grief. When Man Meets Dog is the first book to discuss men’s continuing bonds with a lost animal companion. A continuing bond is a new way of reconnecting and preserving the memory of this unique connection.
     When Man Meets Dog is a memoir with a purpose. Chris shares his very personal story of how two shelter dogs not only changed the direction of his life, but also how he defines what it means to be a man.

When Man Meets Dog – What a difference a dog makes by Chris Blazina PhD is published later this month. Click here for more information about the book.

Have you microchipped your pets?

It is now a legal requirement for all dogs in England, Scotland and Wales to be microchipped and have their details registered on an authorised database, such as Petlog.

The benefits of microchipping

If your dog is lost or stolen, there's a much greater chance that you will be reunited if he carries a microchip – unlike a tag on a collar, a microchip can't fall off or be removed. Once implanted, register your pet online with your name, address, and your pet's details, on an approved database such as Petlog. Petlog offers a reporting service, so if your pet has become lost, you can register him or her as missing immediately.

An alert will then be sent out to animal professionals (such as veterinary practices and animal shelters) within a 30 mile radius of where your pet went missing. Very reassuring!

 

When to microchip

If you're getting a dog from a rehoming centre, he or she is likely to be microchipped already. Dogs Trust, which has campaigned for this law to come into effect, does this procedure for free for all of its dogs. 

 

Alternatively, if you're getting a puppy, speak to your vet, who will often be happy to microchip your dog for free at the same time as neutering or inoculation. Alternatively, check out Chip My Dog to discover where free microchipping events are happening near you!

Other animals

This law is currently only compulsory for dogs, but it's highly recommended that you microchip your cats, horses, rabbits – any animal, in fact, who is large enough to carry one – to ensure they are kept safe. Ask your vet for more information.

Remember ...

... a microchip is only effective if you keep your details up to date. Ensure that you complete your registration fully and accurately. If you move house, change your name, or if your pet's appearance changes, be sure to update your online profile.

 

For more information on microchipping, and a comprehensive list of FAQs, visit the Dogs Trust website.

National Pet Month – Ten tips for responsible pet ownership

April is National Pet Month; a chance for animal lovers to come together and celebrate companion animals everywhere!

This year's theme is promoting responsible pet ownership, and NPM has put together ten great tips to help you do the best by your animal companions. Check them out!

Think carefully before getting a pet and learn about their special requirements. 
Making the decision to add a new member to your family is a big commitment, so make sure you do your homework. Do you have enough space? Will you have the time to take care of your pet properly? Are you committed to caring for a pet for two, four, or even twenty years?
What do you need? Do you have the right equipment to give your new addition the correct living environment? Is your home pet-safe? Does the animal you're bringing into your home require special lighting or heating? Getting a book about the species/breed, talking to the breeder or rescue centre and doing some general research will go a long way toward ensuring that your pet has the best, most natural welcome to his new home.

Ensure your pet is sociable and well trained. 
It's important to start socialising your pets from day one, but make sure you do so in a way that builds their confidence. For dogs, books such as Life skills for puppies, Your dog and you and Helping minds meet from H&H will help you to understand your dog, and give you the tools to socialise and train him through positive, reward-based methods.


Provide a nutritious and well-balanced diet. 

Did you know that, like humans, guinea pigs need vitamin C, but can't produce it themselves? They require fresh, leafy veg every day, or they're likely to develop scurvy!
Make sure you're feeding your pets the right stuff, and that they're getting a healthy, nutritious and well-balanced diet. This is especially important if your pet has any specific dietary requirements. Ask your vet about the best thing to give your pet. Want to be sure of exactly what your dog is eating? Books such as Dinner with Rover and Dog cookies contain easy to follow, healthy recipes that your dog will love!


Provide suitable housing and bedding. 
Imagine moving into a new house and being shown your bedroom, only to find the room doesn't have a bed! Make sure that your new family addition has somewhere suitable and comfortable to sleep, and own space where they can feel safe and secure. A crate or a basket is ideal for a dog; a comfy bed somewhere off the ground will make your cat happy, while your hamster will need somewhere warm and dark where they can burrow and make a nest out of sight.

Clean up after your pet and worm him regularly. 
It's a dirty job, but someone's got to do it, and your pet is relying on you! Ensure that you pick up after your dog when you're out and about. It makes for a nicer environment for everyone, and helps prevent the spread of nasty diseases. Make sure you stick to this mentality at home, too. Ensure that you pick up after your animals daily – be that clearing out the litter tray or changing the sawdust in the corner of the rabbit hutch  – and give the whole place a thorough clean at least once a week.

It's also important to make sure your pets are wormed regularly. Worms not only make life very uncomfortable for your pet, they can also make them very ill. Speak to your vet about regular worming treatments.


Protect against disease. Your vet can provide you with advice. 
It's incredibly important to vaccinate your pets. Puppies and kittens require two injections before they should be let out of your home and garden to protect them from nasty diseases, and should be topped up as required. Your vet will let you know when your pet is due a booster, so make sure you keep the appointment!

Prevent unwanted animals: neuter your pet when appropriate. 
Rescue centres around the UK are inundated with unwanted puppies and kittens, so make sure your pets are neutered or spayed when they are old enough. Spaying and neutering can also help with behaviour problems, and reduce the risk of disease or illness as your pet gets older. Speak to your vet to find out when is the right time – and why not ask if they'd be able to microchip your pet at the same time?

Groom your pet regularly. 
Being out and about exploring is great fun, but can leave hair a bit tangled. Regular grooming not only helps keep your pet clean and healthy, but it's a great way to spend quality time with your animal friend that will help to strengthen your bond. It should be an enjoyable experience for both of you, leaving you feeling relaxed and content. Ensure you use the right type of brush for your animal's fur or hair type.




Control your pet and ensure they are properly identified. 
Microchipping your dog will, from the 6th April 2016, be mandatory in England, Scotland and Wales. Speak to your vet, or check out the Dogs Trust FAQ for more information. While not yet a legal requirement, it's also a very good idea to microchip your cat, horse or rabbit, to protect them should they become lost or stolen.
Remember that your dog should also wear a collar with an identification tag. This tag should carry your address or phone number, but not your dog's name.

Take out pet insurance for dogs, cats, rabbits and horses to cover against unexpected veterinary fees and third party liability.
No one likes to think of their pet getting hurt, but should they become injured, lost, or cause damage, it's best to be prepared. Make sure your pet is insured to cover against unexpected vet bills and third party liability. A small payment each month could make all the difference if the worst should happen.


For more information about National Pet Month, visit the website.