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• Members: 3692 members
• Friendships: 64280 friends
• Comments: 41066 comments
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Technical issues
February 19
Hi dog lovers, we had a slight server blip on Friday and the site went down for about two hours. Thankfully everything has been restored and we are back online. Apologies for that! Best wishes, Britt |
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Bondi Vet - Dr Chris Brown needs you!
February 2010
Do you know any dogs (or other pets) with extreme or amusing behavioural problems? Well, Dr Chris Brown from Channel Ten's Bondi Vet may be able to help.
If you think you fit the bill then please call Dr Chris at the Bondi Junction Vet Hospital on 02) 9389 8411, or email researcher Narrelle at nvance@wtfn.com.au
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Competition winners!
February 2010
Thanks to everyone who entered our Holidaying with Dogs competition! We had some wonderful responses and it was really lovely to hear all your stories. But there can only be five winners. Our guest judge, Finni Tasker, has decided: Here is his list of winners:
Congratulations to PessaMiko, MrHenryandMissLizzie, Fonzie, Goldengirl05 and Armstrongsmum! Well done to you all. Please send me a private message here, and include your address so your prize can be posted out to you. Happy holidays! |
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Memorial page
January 2010
Hi dog lovers,
A few of our members have contacted us recently asking if there was a memorial page for dogs who have passed away.
One of our members, Cassie, has started the group called R.I.P my beloved pet, which you can join or view by
clicking here.
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Holidaying with dogs comp
January 2010
Hi dog lovers,
If you haven't already entered our Holidaying with Dogs competition, be quick, as the closing date is next week. Please have your entry in by Saturday February 6. We will be drawing the winner the following week. See details below
Good luck!
We have five copies of the book Holidaying with Dogs to give away. Whether it be a holiday by the beach, a mountain idyll, traditional bed and breakfast, camping grounds or farm stay, there’s more than 3,000 pet-friendly national listings in this useful ‘Life. Be in it’ directory. There are even motels and caravan parks included for every state.
To enter, all you need to do is: In 50 words or less, tell us your most memorable holiday moment with your dog.
The best five entries will win a free copy of the book, which will be posted out to you.
To submit your entry, click here. |
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Happy New Year
December 31, 2009
To all of our lovely members, Happy New Year and may all your wishes come true in 2010. Thank you so very much for all your brilliant support this year, it has been a great ride so far and here's hoping next year is even better!
Best wishes,
Britt and Bear |
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Book giveaway
December 2009
Hi dog lovers,
We have five copies of the book Holidaying with Dogs to give away. Whether it be a holiday by the beach, a mountain idyll, traditional bed and breakfast, camping grounds or farm stay, there’s more than 3,000 pet-friendly national listings in this useful ‘Life. Be in it’ directory. There are even motels and caravan parks included for every state.
To enter, all you need to do is: In 50 words or less, tell us your most memorable holiday moment with your dog.
The best five entries will win a free copy of the book, which will be posted out to you.
To submit your entry, click here.
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Holidaying with dogs
December
Hi dog lovers,
There's a great book and website available helping dog owners discover pet-friendly holiday spots around the country which you might find useful.
I hate going away without Bear, and unless travelling overseas, I ALWAYS take him with me on holidays. We go everywhere together (apart from work) but it's terribly tricky to find good places that allow dogs. Here is a resource which can help:
Click here to read more
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Merry Christmas
December
Hi dog lovers,
I want to wish all of you a merry Christmas, and also to say a huge thank you for all your support this year.
Since its launch in February, the site has grown into a wonderful, thriving online community, with almost 4,000 members. The site is growing at a rate I could have never imagined - and it's all happening because of you, our members. Because we don't advertise, any publicity we get is either through the media, and I will come to that later, or through word-of-mouth - also referred to as viral marketing.
To continue reading, click here.
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Dogs' Big Day Out
December
An event those of you in Victoria may be interested in...
On Sunday December 13, the Dogs' Big Day Out and Canine Christmas Market will take place at the State Dog Centre - KCC Park, Dandenong-Hastings Road, Skye, Victoria. There will be action dog demonstrations, competitions, 'meet the breeds' and grooming displays. All dogs welcome.
For more information visit
Dogs Victoria
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Killer Treats
December
Hi dog lovers, I am sure you are all aware the dangers of feeding your dog certain treats... the main offenders being chocolate, nuts and grapes, but, as the Sydney Morning Herald points out in the article below, there are a few other nasties to be aware of.
Giving a dog a Christmas "treat" from the dinner table may actually be doing it serious harm, vets say.
The Australian Veterinary Association said vets around the country spend a lot of the silly season looking after dogs with gastro problems.
Association president Mark Lawrie said grapes, sultanas, avocados and macadamia nuts were particularly dangerous.
“We don't know exactly why … there are a few theories around but we haven't been able to isolate the toxic agent,” Dr Lawrie said.
“What we do know is that they cause tubular damage, which in severe cases can lead to renal failure or death.”
He added that in most cases, the danger can be managed and the animal recovers well but pet owners should be careful not to give any fruitcake to their pets this Christmas.
“Similarly, with avocado and macadamia nuts, they haven't picked up the toxic factor, but we do see poisonings that are clearly related to these foods. They've also done controlled studies,” Dr Lawrie said.
“Luckily with macadamia nuts and avocado, although [dogs] can get quite sick, they do invariably recover.”
"There are some foods which we indulge in over the Christmas period that are just not good for our cats and dogs," Dr Lawrie said.
"Chocolate, particularly dark chocolate, can cause an increase in thirst and urination followed by increased heartbeat, tremors and seizures, and in extreme cases can even cause death."
Even a bit of pork crackling could be hazardous, Dr Lawrie said.
"Too much fat from cooked meat such as lamb or pork, especially if they have been cooked with salt, can also cause problems with your pet's digestive system," he said.
"Cooked bones are also not good for our pets."
Dr Lawrie said it was in the dog's best interest to resist the "hungry dog" look.
"We recommend that you get your pet its own Christmas present treats designed especially for them from your vet clinic, pet store or supermarket," he said. |
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Christmas Canines
December
Hi dog lovers,
The festive season is upon us, and to celebrate, we are inviting members to post their pooch's christmas pics on dogtree, and leave a christmas message for the dogtree community. To add your snapshots,
click here
We hope you all have a merry christmas and happy new year! |
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Water bed
November 11
Thanks for everyones comments and suggestions about keeping our dogs cool this summer. There are some great ideas on the Hot Dogs group page, two of which I have judged joint winners - and both tried and tested by the mister Bear Tibetan Terrier from Leichhardt. First one is the doggie water bed, the Canine Cooler. Fill with water, in much the same way as a hot water bottle, and the special memory foam cools down, offering a cool spot dogs crave all year. Bear loves and has abandoned his old favourite spot in the fireplace. Best $30 we have ever spent.
Second idea will keep your dog entertained during her long days alone. Freeze home made beef broth inside a kong toy for a summertime slurpy!
And of course, we are also loving the clam shell pools for backyard paddling. Get two, fill one with sand for a real beach experience.
Huraaah for happy dogs!
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Hot dogs staying cool
October 2
Hi dog lovers, well it's that time of year again! Yep, Summer is fast approaching and you all know what that means.... Hot Dog! My dog Bear suffers terribly from the heat, and despite having him shaved he is still constantly pant pant pant, with the tongue hanging from the mouth, and it's not even November! Another dog owner told me she bought two large ceramic tiles for her carpeted flat, so that her dog could cool off by lying on those. Another said she wraps ice packs in tea towels and puts them on her dog's bed. I bought a clam shell pool for Bear and he loves it! A beach in the backyard. We want to know how you keep your dog cool in Summer, so please join our Hot Dogs group
and share your novel approach with the dogtree community.
And remember, stay cool!
Britt and Bear
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Looking for friends!? Read these hot tips
September 30
Be proactive
Placing a classified ad is a good start, but also try directly contacting dogs who you think might be a suitable match.
The Search tool is easy to use and will help you find dogs in your suburb. You can even search by size or breed to narrow down your perfect match.
Click Search in the top menu bar, then type in your postcode and other requirements, like the size of the dog you are looking for, breed, etc. Then click Update Results. Browse through the results and if you see a dog you like, send them a private message outlining your doggy date proposal.
Many members have arranged doggy dates with a neighbour's dog a couple of days a week, alternating between backyards. It means their dogs aren't lonely while you go off to work, and you can feel good knowing your pooch is happy socialising with her new pal.
No members in your postcode?
Try broadening your search. Leave all fields blank, apart from suburb or postcode. If there are no members in your area, then help us spread the word! We have promotional posters and business cards which we will send out to you to display in a local vet clinic, wiating room, pet shop or even a cafe notice board. Click here if you think you can help, leaving your name and postal address.
And lastly, keep checking in to see who has joined. You never know, your dog's perfect match might be online right now!
Best wishes
Britt and Bear |
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Dogs day out, Leichhardt, Sydney
September 28
Hi Dog lovers, a wonderful doggy event is happening in Sydney this Sunday, October 4. Run by the Leichhardt Council, the Dogs' Day Out is a free event for dogs and their owners with advice, guest speakers, demonstrations, cute pet competitions, obedience training, and stalls galore! It's on from 11am-3pm so get along for a good time.
Entry by Gold Coin Donation with proceeds going to the RSPCA and Sydney Dogs and Cats home. Every dog recieves a free gift upon entry!
Click here for the full schedule.
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Server fix
September 15
Hi members, thanks for your patience during the past few days.... our server has been fixed and things should return to normal tonight. Best wishes, Britt and Bear |
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Prahran pub caters to pooches and their pals
September 15
Kelly Ryan, Herald Sun
FINANCIALLY, physically, emotionally and even economically, dogs really are man's best friend.
The health benefits of having a hound are well documented. People are fitter, happier, have lower blood pressure and suffer less stress.
But businesses that cater to and for our canine companions are going gangbusters as people show strong preference for places that pander, pamper and profit from serving them as well as their pets.
Our streets are safer and social cohesion is stronger as pet lovers in high-rise apartments who can't have animals act as volunteer walkers for elderly animal lovers who do.
Trade has tripled at Prahran's Flying Duck Hotel when mutts join man on "Mad Dog Mondays".
Owner and animal lover Mike Flanagan, 34, lives at his pub with dog Logan and said he opened his doors to dogs on Mondays to meet demand.
"People were out walking their dogs and they wanted to stop in for a drink on the way home," he said. "In warmer weather we get as many as 20 dogs in and we offer a raffle with the prize a meat tray."
He said he knew from watching his own dog warmly greeting pub patrons that dogs were an ice-breaker.
"Logan mingles from person to person and sets off conversations and gets people in a good mood," he said. "That's good for business, because it keeps people coming back and it means positive exposure."
Pet photographer Peter Gibney said the economic crisis has kept him busier than ever as people "comfort spend".
"I think when the economy goes downhill, people want to spend money on things that make them feel better and their pets are something that give them a lot of happiness," he said.
For animal lovers, that means a professional photo shoot of their beloved pooch to distract them from rising food costs or a shaky share portfolio, he said. |
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Server error
September 12
Hi dog lovers, thanks to all of you who visited the site after Talk to the Animals. We are currently experiencing server problems due to a massive surge in hits, so please bear with us. Our web hoster is working to fix the problem but unfortuantely for the meantime it's out of our control. If you are unable to logon, try refreshing your brower and if that doesn't work, come back later when things cool down! Apologies to you all and thanks for your patience. Britt |
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Welcome to dogtree, where friendships grow.
September 12
Hi dog lovers and welcome to dogtree. The website is a portal for you and your dog, designed to make meeting other dog owners in your area easy. Using a postcode search tool, members can search for dogs living nearby to pair up their lonely pooches for platonic friendships, playdates, dog sitting, walks or even a run in the local park. The service also features a chat room, photo albums and a groups page where you can share information about your pet, arrange to meet up for doggy dates, and post snapshots of your cute canine. Why not sign up today for free and help your dog branch out. Best wishes and woofs, Britt and Bear, dogtree admin |
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Talk to the Animals
September 12
Ok dog lovers, we are on air today, Channel 9, Talk to the Animals at 4.30pm (check your TV guide as it may differ between regions). Be sure to tune in and come online to meet our new members afterwards! Britt and Bear |
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Talk to the Animals
August 22
Hi dog lovers, be sure to check out Talk to the Animals on Channel 9, September 12 at 4pm featuring dogtree and several of our star members!!!! Take care and best wishes, Britt and Bear |
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PetNet TV
August 14
Hi dog lovers, PetNet TV is seeking Melbourne people who have made friends through their dogs to appear in an episode. Or if you met your partner through your dog then even better! Must be available with your dogs for a few hours some time in the next few weeks. Weekends are a possibility for filming. Click here to get in touch if you think you fit the bill, and be sure to include your full name and telephone number. Or click here to check out PetNet TV.
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Media call
July 31
Hi dog lovers, we are looking for Sydneysiders to appear in a newspaper story about the importance of socialising your dogs. If anyone is interested please get in touch. Must be willing to be in a photo and talk about your playdate experiences. Don't forget to include your telephone number and mobile. Thanks, Britt and Bear. |
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Coming soon
July 15
A new discussions forum and events calander to advertise your walks and events! Stay tuned... |
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Boring but important
June 23
Hi members, you may have noticed a few changes of late, one including our new Privacy Policy, which basically says we won't share your details with any third parties, but we urge you all to read anyway, along with our new Terms of Service. It is very important that you understand our ToS as a user of the site. And last but not least, our new set of Guidelines has some useful info for when organising play dates. So if you have a few spare moments, please have a read. Thanks and best wishes, dogtree admin |
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Grapes bad for dogs!
June 16
This article is from the Sydney Morning Herald www.smh.com.au
DOG owners have been warned of a surprising, but deadly, threat to their pets. While grapes, sultanas and raisins make tasty treats for their owners, vets say the snacks could trigger kidney failure in dogs, leading to a slow and painful death. Read more.
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dogtree newsletter
June 16
Writer's block is a terrible thing when you have a newsletter to put out. Yep, Bear and I have absolutely no material today. For 45 minutes now I have sat, staring into space like a sloth trying to drum up some interesting ideas. But nope, nothing. It makes it especially difficult when your canine sidekick has just discovered he has a penchant for sultanas and is now expending all energy on trying to break into the pantry. So I urge you to stop reading now, before I delve into the most utterly boring topic of..........Read more
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Thank you!
Wednesday June 10
Thanks to those of you who have kindly removed any information relating to breeding from your profiles/classifieds, and thanks for you kind understanding over this issue. It is important to us at dogtree that the site remains a place for platonic friendships only. Many of you are doing a great job organising walks and play dates, so keep up the great work. dogtree admin |
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Join live chat now
Monday June 8
Chat to other dogtree members in our new chatroom. It's a public space so anyone can join. Remember, everyone will be able to see your messages, so no personal info please! Enjoy |
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Add a second dog
Monday June 8
Hi dog lovers, dogtree has a new application allowing you to add a second dog to your profile... Go to Profile (edit) and click Second dog. Fill out details as normal and save. The new feature is in trial mode so please let us know what you think. dogtree admin |
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Brisbane dogs
Monday June 8
The Queensland Times are looking for dogtree members in Scenic Rim, Brisbane Valley, Gatton, Esk, Laidley, the outer western suburbs of Brisbane to write a story. If anyone is interested,
click here to get in touch. |
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Changes to dogtree
June 8
Hi dog lovers, just a reminder that dogtree is for platonic doggy friendships only! We ask all members to kindly remove any information from their profiles, classifieds or groups relating to breeding, selling puppies or rehoming animals.
For information about breeding, visit the The Master Dog Breeders and Associates website at www.mdba.net.au
For information about rehoming or adopting pets, visit www.petrescue.com.au Many of you are doing a great job organising play dates, walking groups and social outings for our doggies so keep up the good work!
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dogtree on Twitter
May 30
Follow us at twitter.com/dog_tree |
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dogtree in That's Life! magazine
May 28
Read about dogtree in this week's edition of That's Life!
by clicking here.
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Blocking feature
May 27
Hi dog lovers, just a reminder that dogtree has a blocking feature to stop unwanted contact from other members. To use the feature, visit the member's profile, then click 'Block this person' which you will find underneath their profile photo. Once this is done, you won't hear from them again! Best wishes, Britt and Bear.... |
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St Kilda Beach walk
May 23
Hi dog lovers, dogtree member Gerry is organising a walk on St Kilda beach on Monday June 8 at 1.30 pm. For more details visit the group here.
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Group walk June 7
May 20
Hi dog lovers, dogtree member Bianca would like to organise a group walk at Albert Park lake on Sunday June 7 at 2pm. All welcome. If interested, please send her a message by
clicking here.
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Million Paws Walk pics uploaded!
May 20
Hi everyone, thanks to all dogtree members who joined us in the Million Paws Walk on Sunday... It was a great turn out and a wonderful day for dogs and owners! Check out our photos from the day
by clicking here.
Britt and Bear
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Tell us your dogtree success story!
May 12
We are looking for dogtree case studies to promote the site and want to hear from you. If you have made friends through dogtree, arranged play dates, walks, or simply met up with new dogs at the park, then click here to get in touch.
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Two dogs?
April 28
Hi dog lovers, we have acted on your feedback and in the coming weeks, we will deliver you an application to add your second dog to your profile. Stay tuned..... |
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Million Paws Walk
April 27
Dog lovers, the Million Paws Walk is fast approaching (May 17), and some Melbourne dogtree members are organising a dogtree group to meet up at Albert Park lake on the day. All welcome. To find out more, click here and join the info group.
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No dogtree members in your postcode? We can help.
April 11
Click here or email us to find out how we can help boost memberships in your area. |
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