I was feeling down one Monday and decided to take a drive across town to visit my girlfriend Debbie. I wasn’t sure whether she would be home, as I hadn’t rung to find out. I just thought I would lob up on her doorstep for a coffee and chat. To my surprise, when I arrived […]

Question: Dear Julie, My nine-month-old mini foxie trembles a lot, whether it is hot or cold. Is this normal? Annie Nunn Answer: Lots of little dogs will tremble and often it doesn’t have anything to do with temperature. Of course, these tiny tots don’t have a lot of fat to insulate their bodies, so they […]

Question: For a tasty, healthy change, why not try making your dog’s dinner from scratch instead of buying pre-made dog roll. Answer: Combine fresh meat, such as beef mince, with a handful of frozen mixed vegetables and pasta or rice. Add an egg to help maintain the shine on your dog’s coat, along with a […]

Question: I don’t wear make-up on a regular basis and need to find something simple that I can wear every day. I can’t seem to find a foundation that suits my extremely pale skin — any ideas? Lisa Answer: For starters, go shopping armed with a mirror. Go to one of the make-up counters of […]

By Annette Campbell Like most of us, Michele O’Grady never thought she’d get sick. She had the career she’d always dreamed of — as a registered nurse — and was working hard to pay off the mortgage on her home and the investment property she’d bought years earlier, as security for her and her son […]

Five years ago I met a wonderful man who literally swept me off my feet, and in a matter of months we were engaged to be married. It was the most wonderful and busy time of my life. Every waking moment was spent organising the wedding, which was going to be a large “event” with […]

Question: All dogs love to be scratched, rubbed and tickled on the lower neck, around their chest area and between their shoulders blades on their backs. This is the only place that dogs are unable to reach to scratch themselves. Answer: You’ll find that after a few minutes of this sort of attention, most dogs […]

Question: Dear Julie, My cute little puppy Bailee is about eight months old. However, when she wakes up in the morning, she seems to have the bones of an eight-year-old dog. Is it normal for her to be stiff or is there a bigger problem? Shannon. Answer: Although many animals need to stretch a bit […]

Question: I have recently bleached my hair and it is extremely coarse and brittle, and breaks off after each wash. Will protein spray help strengthen it? Leesa Answer: Yes, but once hair starts to break off you would be better off going for a very short style and having professional protein treatments at a salon. […]

Question: Dear Julie, My German shorthaired pointer has been very depressed since I had to put her playmate to sleep (due to injury). How can I help her adjust to being by herself? Naomi. Answer: Your poor little pointer is suffering separation anxiety being apart from her poochy partner. The best thing you can do […]