Island Life Magazine Ltd December 2015 / January 2016 | Page 128

What’s on your
dog’s naughty list

N

FU Mutual, the UK’s leading
rural insurer, is urging owners
to put certain foods on the ‘naughty
list’ for their dogs this year.
NFU Mutual warns that claims
for dogs who have eaten weird or
poisonous items take on a distinctly
seasonal flavour as Nicki Whittaker,
a Rural Affairs Specialist for the
insurer explains:
“Britain is a nation of chocoholics
and Christmas is one time of year
where there will be no shortage of
chocolate in the average household.
Unfortunately, chocolate contains a
stimulant called theobromine that is
poisonous to dogs if eaten. Sadly, no
one seems to have told our canine
companions that chocolate is on the
naughty list and it is not uncommon
for dogs to tuck into bars of
chocolate if given the chance.
“Also on the ‘naughty list’ for
dogs are raisins – a key staple of
Christmas cuisine – so items such
as mince pies, Christmas puddings,
stollen and panettone should all be
kept away from peckish pooches as
the chemical compounds in grapes
and raisins can cause rapid kidney
failure.”
As well as being a time of excess,
Christmas is also a time for seasonal
colds and flu. Painkillers such
as paracetamol and ibuprofen
are commonly used to alleviate
symptoms in humans, but can be
toxic for dogs if eaten in large doses.
“No-one wants to spend the festive
season making an emergency visit
to the vet so it’s worth taking a few
precautions to ensure that your
four-legged friend doesn’t turn
Christmas day into a dog’s dinner.”

Newport Furniture and
Electrical Store seeking
local support

T

he Newport British Heart Foundation
(BHF) Furniture & Electrical Store is
appealing to the local community for
support as it is in urgent need of donations
and volunteers.
BHF are encouraging the Newport
community to have a clear out and donate
any unwanted items such as sofas, chairs,
and wardrobes plus any electrical items
including TVs, Hi-Fis, and fridges. Funds
raised from donations will go into the fight
against heart disease and fund the BHF’s

life-saving research. All donations can be
collected for free by calling 01983 623190.
The Newport BHF Furniture & Electrical
store is also appealing to the local
community to give the gift of time and
volunteer with the charity.
The shop is in need of Heart Heroes to
come forward and spare any hours they can
each week supporting the charity, no matter
their age or background. They offer a wide
variety of roles from merchandising furniture
items to window dressing and working