Page 5450 | Now To Love

Home Page 5450

October 10, 2006

Exercise and your dog

Now to Love

By Lucy Hine

If you’re wondering how to lose those few extra kilos, grab your dog and a leash and get walking. Physical exercise is vital to the health and wellbeing of you and your dog.

Exercising together not only develops the bond you have with your pet but also stimulates your mental health, concentration, circulation and prevents you and your dog from getting bored and overweight.

Owning a dog is a great exercise motivator ? straining at their leash, whining and barking are all ways to let you know when walk-time is approaching!

Proper lead etiquette is important, as you don’t want to be that person being dragged along by an over-excited dog while passersby snigger and laugh at your expense.

Ideally you should train your dog to walk beside you without straining on the lead by using verbal praise and treats for good behaviour. This ensures your walk will be comfortable and safe … and less embarrassing too!

Commands like “heel” and “here” or “come” should be taught to ensure your dog obeys in situations where you are approaching a busy road or walking near a mother with a pram.

Aim to power walk or even attempt a slow jog so your dog can easily trot beside you and burn all that energy they’ve been suppressing while lying in the backyard all day. Power walking will also give you a great cardiovascular workout and is good for weight loss.

Walking your dog for 30-60 minutes every day also ensures your dog gets out of the house and is less likely to develop annoying, continuous barking or other boredom-killing habits like digging. Certain breeds like cattle or sheep dogs require a full hour’s walk.

Regular walks also provide your dog with variety and a chance to socialise with people and other dogs. Make sure you vary your walks by going to different parks or dog exercise areas, or spoil your pet by taking him or her to a beach with a designated dog area.

Make sure you also take note of the golden rule of dog walking and take a plastic bag to dispose of any “accidents”.

Now to Love

Home Page 5450

October 10, 2006

Loving you is easy ’cause you’re beautiful

Now to Love

Here is a pic of my baby, Hudson, at 8 weeks. He is a Bichon Frise X Toy Poodle. Isn’t he just adorable? Linda.

This is my 1-year-old boy Binky. He rarely lays any other way, unless it’s curled up in the bathroom basin! He looks like a rug! Shannon.

This is my baby, Crystal. She is a Tebetian Spaniel X Mini Foxy. Jen.

Phang Phang my 4-year-old Persian. He’s got the evil look but he is really good at heart. Lina.

This is our gorgeous little sausage dog. Her name is Pablito! Emma.

This is Ruby with her toy dog Oscar. Ingrid.

Hi, this is my puppy Sergeant (he’s one on October 12) when he was 9 weeks. He’s a Pembroke Welsh Corgi. Mim.

Grace

This is my gorgeous girl Spacey Gracey – always happy to play.

Now to Love

Home Page 5450

October 8, 2006

Melinda Cruz and her miracle babies

Now to Love

When doctors told 18-year-old Melinda Cruz that she’d better hurry up and have babies, she was shocked she had been given such a clear ultimatum. But because she had been diagnosed with endometriosis and a bicornuate uterus (where the uterus is shaped like a love heart with two separate halves) Melinda had less time than most women to become a mum.

“The doctor said there will be three possible outcomes,” recalls Melinda, now 29. “Either I wouldn’t fall pregnant, I’d have miscarriages or I would have premmie babies.”

Thinking she was “invincible” Melinda delayed pregnancy until she was 25 but when another doctor told her she would require a second round of surgery on her endometriosis unless she had a baby there was no putting it off any longer.

Melinda and her husband Chris, 30, had no problems falling pregnant. The troubles started at 29 weeks when Melinda could feel a tightening in her stomach. She was having contractions but she was determined not to deliver the baby just yet. Young Elijah was lying in the right side of her bicornuate uterus and there wasn’t much room to move.

“They gave me steroid injections to help his little lungs develop and I spent two weeks in hospital,” says Mel, who was allowed to go home. But at 32 weeks while watching Skithouse on the telly she laughed so hard her waters broke. She spent another two weeks flat on her back in Sydney’s Liverpool Hospital until Elijah, now three, arrived at 34 weeks, weighing 2.2065kg and was taken straight to newborn care.

“Thankfully after three weeks in neonatal care he had no complications and was soon a thriving little boy,” says his mum.

It wasn’t long before Melinda was pregnant again. This time the baby chose the left-hand side of her womb to set up camp. Then one day while at playgroup with 18-month-old Elijah, five-and-a-half months pregnant Melinda started feeling serious pain. She knew a 26-week-old baby had little chance of surviving and she wanted to give her new son every possible chance.

“I lay in agony on the hospital ward for four days. They said I wasn’t contracting but I was. When a nurse finally gave me an internal examination she realised I was 10cm dilated and the baby was coming any minute. There was no chance to warn the neonatal unit that a 27-weeker was threatening.”

Tiny Dillon was born weighing 1.185kg, resuscitated and rushed straight to the newborn care unit. The doctors told Melinda and Chris the first 24 hours were the most crucial.

“He was born at 2.20am and the next morning I was sitting by his crib looking at all these tubes coming out of him and I looked up at the clock as it ticked over to 2.20am and I knew he had a chance,” says Mel. “The floodgates opened and I sobbed for what seemed like hours.”

Dillon wasn’t out of the woods for nine weeks and while spending so much time in the neonatal care ward of Liverpool Hospital it got Melinda thinking what she could do to help the “wonderful doctors and nurses” and the parents of premmie babies.

“I started Miracle Babies which is dedicated to supporting parents and families of premature and sick newborns born at Liverpool Hospital by providing emotional and practical support,” says Mel, who along with a bunch of other like-minded mums raised $35,000 in the first annual Miracle Babies dinner dance.

While she was setting up Miracle Babies, Melinda fell pregnant again but this time the doctors acted early.

“At 12 weeks they stitched up my cervix,” explains Melinda, who was lucky the procedure held because at 24 weeks she felt those same pains again. “Thank God for that stitch!”

It saved Jasper from entering the world until he was 37 weeks and a healthy 2.8kg and now the Cruz family are happy they have done as Treasurer Peter Costello has asked and had one for mum, one for dad and one for the country.

For more information on Miracle Babies contact Melinda Cruz on: 0412 707 139 or e-mail [email protected] or check out the website www.miraclebabies.com.au

Email us with your own amazing true story

Now to Love

Home Page 5450

October 4, 2006

The Borzoi

Now to Love

By Lucy Hine

The Borzoi is an elegant dog that is also known as the Russian wolfhound. Bred for wolf hunting by the Russian aristocracy, its name comes from the Russian word “borzii” which means swift.

The method of hunting the Russians used with the Borzoi was quite unique. Russian hunters rode on horses in a wooded area that wolves were known to live in. They kept their Borzois on leads until the wolf was driven out of cover by a pack of hounds called “beaters” and then they let the Borzoi off their leads and sent them after the wolf.

The Borzoi is tall and agile, making it a very fast runner. Built similarly to a greyhound, the Borzoi has a slim, long head, long legs and a deep but narrow chest. However, it is taller than a greyhound and has a long, silky coat. Their colours are white, golden, tan or grey with black markings.

Affectionate and devoted to its owner, the Borzoi can be shy and cautious with strangers. Exercise is a must with this breed, preferably jogging for an hour or running alongside a bike and ideally lots of time spent running around and playing. Keep in mind this dog has a hunting instinct, so obedience training is a must if you don’t want yours to run off to chase another dog or animal.

The Borzoi has a quiet, gentle nature and loves to live as part of the family, although it is more suitable for homes with older children and may need supervision around small pets and young children. They are an intelligent and proud dog, extremely loyal to their owners and affectionate with people they know well. However, owners must be aware that this breed is less willing to please people than some other breeds, so may ignore your calls while out walking.

Borzois like to keep themselves clean, so regular baths and grooming are important. They are a quiet dog and rarely bark, which makes them popular with the neighbours! They have little to no territorial instinct and are good with other dogs but should be supervised with small pets such as cats and rabbits. If Borzois are socialised well with cats and other pets at a young age, they can learn to live well with them.

The Borzoi can get along fairly well with children but is not really suited to be a children’s companion, because it doesn’t enjoy rough play and enjoys its quiet time and rest. During their growing stage, the Borzoi needs a highly nutritional diet to help keep its energy levels up.

Now to Love

Home Page 5450

October 4, 2006

October food plan

Now to Love

By Judy Davie

For further information about food and nutrition, visit Judy Davie’s website at www.thefoodcoach.com.au

A diet plan free of all processed carbs, high in fibre, antioxidant rich vegetables and fruit and protein for satiety, is the perfect start to improved health and weight loss before summer kicks in.

While not a “detox”, this meal plan is free of coffee and caffeinated tea — the only drinks allowed being herbal tea and water. That way you can spend valuable energy (kilojoules) on delicious and nutritionally valuable food instead of wasting it on milky coffees and fruit drinks.

Throughout the day make sure you drink at least two litres of water.

Day one

On rising:

Warm water and lemon

Breakfast:

½ cup blueberries

1 kiwifruit

2 tablespoons rolled oats

1 tablespoon bran

½ cup low -at natural yogurt

½ tablespoon flaxseed

2 teaspoons sunflower seed

Morning snack:

Herbal tea

Lunch

1 cup rocket lettuce

½ small double chicken breast

4 thin slices of Spanish onion

10 capers (rinsed)

¼ cup coriander leaves

1 tablespoon lime juice

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 medium tomato

Afternoon snack

Herbal tea

10 raw almonds

Dinner

1 large flathead fillet

½ cup haricot beans

1 clove garlic

150g steamed broccolini

½ cup low-fat yoghurt

1 tsp sunflower seeds

½ cup rockmelon

Day two

On rising:

Warm water and lemon

Breakfast

Poached eggs with sautéed mushrooms and silverbeet

Morning snack:

Herbal tea

Lunch Pasta salad made with:

1 cup cooked wholemeal pasta

1 small can red salmon

6 cherry tomatoes

½ cup fresh basil leaves

1 clove garlic

½ cup parsley

1 cup green salad

fresh lemon juice

1 tablespoon olive oil

Afternoon snack

Herbal tea

10 raw almonds

Dinner

BBQ Steak with mushroom and chickpea salad

½ cup low-fat yogurt

1 tsp sunflower seeds

½ cup rockmelon

Day three

On rising:

Warm water and lemon

Breakfast:

½ cup blueberries

1 kiwifruit

2 tablespoons rolled oats

1 tablespoon bran

½ cup low fat natural yoghurt

½ tablespoon flaxseed

2 tsp sunflower seed

Morning Snack: Herbal tea

Lunch

Spinach and ricotta frittata

Italian green salad

2 medium slices sourdough bread

Afternoon snack

Herbal tea

10 raw almonds

Dinner

3 small lamb chops, grilled

1 tablespoon mint jelly

½ cup dry baked sweet potato

1 cup steamed bok choy

1 small steamed carrot

½ tablespoon olive oil

½ cup low-fat yogurt

1 tsp sunflower seeds

½ cup rockmelon

6 medium strawberries

Day four

On rising:

Warm water and lemon

Breakfast:

1 cup baked beans (salt reduced)

2 slices wholegrain toast

3 slices avocado

1 small tomato

Morning snack:

Herbal tea

Lunch

1 cup rocket lettuce

½ small double chicken breast

4 thin slices of Spanish onion

10 capers (rinsed)

¼ cup coriander leaves

1 tablespoon lime juice

1 tablespoon olive oil

½ cup low fat cottage cheese

1 small wholemeal pita bread

5 cherry tomatoes

½ small carrot (grated)

½ tablespoon currants

Afternoon snack

Herbal tea

10 raw almonds

Dinner

½ cup low-fat yogurt

1 tsp sunflower seeds

½ cup rockmelon

6 medium strawberries

Day five

On rising:

Warm water and lemon

Breakfast:

½ cup blueberries

1 kiwifruit

2 tablespoons rolled oats

1 tablespoon bran

½ cup low-fat natural yogurt

½ tablespoon flaxseed

2 teaspoon sunflower seed

Morning snack:

Herbal tea

Lunch

Falafel wrap with humus and tabouleh

Afternoon snack

Herbal tea

10 raw almonds

Dinner

1 medium salmon steak grilled

1 cup mixed green salad

3 slices avocado

1 tablespoon oil and vinegar dressing

½ cup low-fat yogurt

1 teaspoon sunflower seeds

½ cup rockmelon

6 medium strawberries

Day six

On rising:

Warm water and lemon

Breakfast:

Poached eggs, with sautéed mushrooms and silverbeet

2 slices wholegrain toast

Morning snack:

Herbal tea

Lunch

Tuna salad

Afternoon snack

Herbal tea

10 almonds

Dinner

Barbecue lamb and mushroom with lemon

1 cup salad with lemon juice

½ cup low-fat yogurt

1 teaspoon sunflower seeds

½ cup rockmelon

Day seven

On rising:

Warm water and lemon

Breakfast:

Strawberry and ricotta bruschetta

Morning snack:

Herbal tea

Lunch

Pasta salad made with:

1 cup cooked wholemeal pasta

6 cherry tomatoes

10 capers (rinsed)

½ cup fresh basil leaves

1 clove garlic

½ cup parsley

1 cup green salad

fresh lemon juice

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 tablespoon grated parmesan cheese

Afternoon snack

Herbal tea

10 raw almonds

Dinner

Baked kingfish with mushrooms

200g broccolini

½ cup sweet potato

½ cup low-fat yogurt

1 teaspoon sunflower seeds

½ cup rockmelon

6 medium strawberries

Now to Love

I’m a certified gym rat and these are all the essentials I swear by

Native ad body.

Sponsored by %%sponsor_name%%

Beyond the Oura Ring: trendy wearable smart rings you’ll love!

Native ad body.

Sponsored by %%sponsor_name%%

Stay ahead of your running game with the best sneakers on the market

The Block’s Jasmin Neuwen is battling breast cancer

“I would give up every gold medal I’ve ever won to have a child”: Ariarne Titmus sheds light on her ovarian tumour surgery

Steph Campbell speaks about how she was left with severe burns to her body after a hot water bottle started leaking.

Warning: Hot water bottle burns left me scarred for life

Native ad body.

Sponsored by %%sponsor_name%%

Smash your fitness goals with one of the best treadmills to purchase in Australia

Aussie Olympian Harry Garside swears by these tips to help with sleeping habits

MasterChef alumni Tommy Pham welcomes TWO new babies into the world

Elton John opens up about battle with “severe” infection

Native ad body.

Sponsored by %%sponsor_name%%

Home Page 5450

October 3, 2006

Tyre chaser

Now to Love

Question:

I have a six-year-old Doberman who likes to chase the car tyres whenever we drive out. We have tried everything. Can you help us please?

— Sam

Answer:

Tyre chasing is quite a common hobby of active dogs, particularly those of a territorial nature. The movement sets off some sort of predatory behaviour inside the dog, and is reinforced each time — after all, the car goes away. And your Dobi would be convinced that he’s so tough he scared it away. Just for safety reasons alone, it would be a good idea to try and discourage this risk taking behaviour.

I would suggest you invest in a Kong toy, which is made of indestructible rubber, with a hollow core that you can stuff full of treats and keep him busy for ages. Only get it out when you are going in the car and give it to him as far away from the car as possible. Make a huge fuss about how exciting and special it is.

Also, make sure he gets an hour of good exercise a day (running off leash if possible) where he can get out, sniff things, let off nervous energy and be a dog.

In my experience Dobermans do tend to be highly-strung, sensitive (and very intelligent) dogs, but if big boisterous breeds don’t get enough physical and mental stimulation they definitely get up to all sorts of no good.

Some obedience training might be useful to help communicate with him what you want from him and give you better control (e.g. asking him to sit, drop and stay).

If this doesn’t help, or he shows other signs of anxiety or overly territorial tendencies, a visit to your vet to discuss other treatment options may be called for.

Now to Love

Home Page 5450

October 3, 2006

Cuties

Now to Love

I wanted to share this photo of my English Pointer Lou Lou with you. She’s in her most favourite place of all (on mum’s bed). Janelle Collins

Things that shouldn’t be seen! Caught unawares! Maree

This is my dog Harry, he is 6 weeks old. He is a Shitzu cross Lhasa Apso. He is so adorable. He loves sleeping in my handbag whilst I do the shopping. He is my one true love. Amanda

My dog Pookie is a human caught in a dog’s body. He is 20 months old. Cheryl

Bath time is a little scary when you’re as small as Nikky, my Yorkshire puppy. Tracey Shelley

Our 14 year old Harley Davidson, a Shit-zu. She just loves going motorcycle trike riding in her jacket with her own honorary Trike Friends membership pin always attached, and of course her eye protection doggles! Noelleen

Here’s a photo of our cat Ziggy. He’s 10 months old. He’s a Caramel stripped oriental Siamese. Erin

This is my dog Chloe! We think she is adorable. Not only is she cute, but smart too! Tracey

Our clever boy Maximus can fetch, sit, shake hands and beg. He thinks he’s a DOG! Ryan and Rachel

Champers

This our adorable Lhasa Apso x Poodle named “Champers” who loves boating and fishing around the Whitsunday Islands. Leonie

Now to Love

Home Page 5450

October 3, 2006

Eye care

Now to Love

Question:

My eyelids, especially closest to my lashes, are always red; more so if I am tired. How can I prevent this and make it less noticeable?

Jane

Answer:

Firstly visit your optometrist or doctor to find out why your eyelids are red as you may have a reoccurring infection or may be allergic to your mascara, eyeshadow or eyeliner. Stop using your eye makeup to see if the redness calms down. If all is okay and you’re after a quick and easy way to cover up red pigmentation then use a weightless concealer to even out skin tone. Try to buy one that has excellent coverage and is oil or fragrance-free to prevent irritation, like the Covergirl fresh complexion concealer.

Now to Love

Where to score Dyson’s cult Airwrap hair tool for a fraction of the price

Native ad body.

Sponsored by %%sponsor_name%%

From skincare to makeup, here’s what we’re shopping from Adore Beauty during Black Friday

Native ad body.

Sponsored by %%sponsor_name%%

How to level up your at-home hair colour game to maximise shine and health

Brought to you by Clairol Colour Studio

The best collagen supplements to promote youthful-looking skin

How to choose the right hair colour for your skin and hair type

Brought to you by Clairol Colour Studio

Treat yourself to 24 days of pampering with Amazon’s 2024 beauty advent calendar

Native ad body.

Sponsored by %%sponsor_name%%

The best beauty advent calendars to get for the holiday season

Priceline’s Black Friday sale is coming, here’s what we’re shopping…

Napoleon Perdis products and a model wearing the makeup

Napoleon Perdis’s new holiday range has makeup for every budget

My hairdresser told me to wash my hair twice a week. This dry shampoo got me through it

Native ad body.

Sponsored by %%sponsor_name%%

Home Page 5450

October 2, 2006

Style tricks

Now to Love

Wear a blouse as a jacket

Wear a blouse as a jacket

Keeping both tops in a silky fabric creates a look of effortless chic.

Layer necklaces

Layer necklaces

Adding layers of necklaces to your wardrobe basics will create a whole new look.

Wear a skirt as a top

Wear a skirt as a top

Try this with a skirt that has ruching at the top and is no longer than knee-length.

Denim for night

Denim for night

Dark denim will work best, teamed with sleek shapes for an elegant evening look.

Belt a blazer

Belt a blazer

The trick is to wear a soft jacket, cross over at the front, then belt.

Wear a tankini as a top

Wear a tankini as a top

The right tankini can dress up a look in mere seconds.

Add a scarf to a T-shirt

Add a scarf to a T-shirt

Add a sparkling and lightweight scarf to any T-shirt for instant style.

Wear beige and white

Wear beige and white

Each piece should be crisp and tailored, then pair with killer black heels to add some strength to the outfit.

Get your copy of this week’s Woman’s Day for more fashion inspiration.

Now to Love

Two women holding shopping bags, celebrating the buzz of Black Friday deals.

October 2, 2006

Water: drink yourself to thin

Now to Love

Spill your diet secrets!**

Chat to other slimmers here

Water: drink yourself to thin

Whenever I have a craving for something I am not supposed to eat while I’m dieting, I drink two glasses of water instead. The craving disappears magically!

— Saima

Now to Love

Related stories

Sign up for our newsletter

Grace

Related stories

Sign up for our newsletter

Related stories

Sign up for our newsletter

Related stories

Sign up for our newsletter

Related stories

Sign up for our newsletter

Related stories

Sign up for our newsletter

Champers

Related stories

Sign up for our newsletter

Related stories