November for us means bonfires and fireworks... For pets who become anxious or distressed with loud noises, scary sounds or thunderstorms, help is at hand, and being prepared is the first step.

Some good tips and advice are available on www.petfireworkfear.co.uk, where their motto is "Comforting pets in their own language". 

Share your experiences and tips here with us, frightened pets look forward to 'hearing' from YOU!

Needless to say when couples split up or divorce and there are children involved, the effect on them is one of the hardest and most talked about aspects. In many cases parents will seek advice on how best to address the short and long term fall out.  But what about Pets, can they be affected by the changes in circumstances, not to mention the emotional consequences of a split?

Well a leading UK veterinary charity, the PDSA (People's Dispensary for Sick Animals) clearly thinks so and is now urging owners to make the well-being of their pets a central part of the process of agreeing to a separation. Apparently, stressed-out cats and dogs are suffering compulsive disorders as a result of Britain's high break-up rate between couples.

The stress brought about by relationship breakdowns can cause pets to develop obsessive and compulsive disorders, including self-harming. Sean Wensley, senior vet at PDSA says signs of compulsive disorder include "Chasing their own tail or excessive licking of one or more limbs. As a result of such licking, the area can become raw and itchy, which in turn leads to further licking or chewing. Cats can be prone to 'wool sucking' which as the term suggests, involves sucking or chewing on woollen items such as blankets. Other species can also show signs of stress. Parrots, for example sometimes pull out their own feathers after losing a mate or experiencing some other type of trauma."  This of course makes sense, when we know that many pets suffer ordinarily from separation anxiety, even when home life is stable.

Mr Wensley adds that " Self-mutilating behaviour can be brought on by stressful circumstances, or there may be a pre-existing condition which is made worse by the animal's surroundings."  He expands on this saying that cats and dogs, like children, are sensitive to adult human emotions, and when these become tense or unpredictable this can cause the stress-related problems: "A separation or divorce may not only cause logistical issues, such as a dog not being walked as often by one partner as it might have been by two people. Such a situation can result in them developing psycological and behavioural problems which can take a long time to resolve."  Mr Wensley said pet owners had a responsibility to try and establish the most compassionate ways to help pets through the stress caused by a split.

The conclusion? Pets often give unconditional love, but if there has to be a split, a pet cannot choose between two people...they have feelings too, so don't overlook them!

This story was covered in the UK by ITN, Yahoo news and the Daily EXpress.

We have grown used to CCTV cameras in public areas, but have you ever contemplated putting one in your home? well spying on the kids, the nanny or the housekeeper might seem like a good idea, but then again you would probably end up never leaving home! Of course if pets could talk, your household would always be on best behaviour!

Of course Pet CCTV has arrived, If you work in an office, the newest kit enables you to watch your dog while sitting at your desk. One such system by Swann Security turns any PC or laptop into an advanced 'watch dog' capable of monitoring home, office or retail space.

Up to four channels can be viewed and the user can choose to display and record live video from one to four cameras. Among many features, the camera can be programmed to record at a specified time, set for motion detection and can be viewed and controlled remotely via the internet.

For more information click here http://www.transaction-one.com/stores/product_family_view.do?pubID=7229&familyID=48964

Toffee our golden labrador  just turned 4 years old, so full on Birthday celebrations were required, the children would expect nothing less!  I am not sure who was more excited...Toffee seemed totally aware that the tea party was in her honour, and when the kids came home from school, she welcomed them with even greater excitement than usual! Of course each of them had to give Toffee a present: a toy, a bone and a box of her favourite buiscuits...the chocolate cake was of course for the kids, candles and all!!

Toffee went wild with her new eco friendly toy made from recycled fabrics, in the image of a squirrel!  Jumping over the sofas, sliding across the wooden floors in a 3 man tug of war, and the frisbyesque throwing of the multi limbed squirrel (clearly a new breed!) meant that no party entertainer was needed and Toffee exercised the kids for me too! 

 Having gone to my local pet shop, I was reminded that you can spend as much time choosing toys for your pet as for the kids...what a choice there is out there...so I am going to look at pet toys in more detail and report back to you on my findings! The buzz words are of course eco friendly, non toxic materials and in Toffee's case durability!  If you have any recommendations on pet toys, please post a blog or let me know by sending me a message.

While the markets and investors were sent reeling again by the latest news of major financial institutions going under or being bailed out at the 11th hour, one market, namely the art market seemed immune... has madness truly swept aside judgment in this time of crisis?

The controversial artist Damien Hirst auctioned off 223 pieces of his work directly (without using a dealer) over two evening sales at Sotherby's and has brokent the record for a solo artist's sale by raking in nearly $200 million.

"The Golden Calf", a white bullock preserved in formaldehyde with hoofs and horns made of 18 carat gold and a gold disc crowning the head went for $18.6 million to a buyer on the phone. Be it a shark in formaldehyde or the recuring use of butterflies, Damien Hirst has had a 'bull run'. Perhaps he could bail out a bank or two with the proceeds...it seems all he touches turns to gold...while "The Golden Calf's" expression is frozen in formaldehyde, one man, the 'artist', is laughing all the way to the bank!

If you would like to see and read more about the Damien Hirst London auction click here on Herald Tribune or Forbes. Happy viewing!