Cavaliers as Companions
June 2011
Edited by Tina & Dennis Homes

STARS OF YESTERYEAR (with their Cavaliers)

Over the years there have been many stars of stage, screen and music who have owned Cavaliers. Among them are Kirk Douglas, Frank Sinatra, Mickey Rooney, Emma Bunton, Teri Hatcher and Gloria Hunniford. But even in the early years of the last century many top stars, (the Lady Gagas of their time!) often owned or were photographed with Cavalier type spaniels for there publicity photographs. We have managed to uncover a few and present them here. All of these photos are over a hundred years old and despite their age we feel certain that Lady Gaga would certainly approve of their hats!

Edna May (1878 - 1948), Marie Dainton (1881 - 1938)

Above left is Edna May (1878 – 1948), an American actress and singer. She made her name and found fame on Broadway. Above right is Marie Dainton (1881 – 1938) who was born in Russia but established herself in the music halls of Britain in the late Victorian and Edwardian eras.

Marie George Olive Morrel

Above right is the American actress Marie George who gained great success both in the American and British theatres. Above left is a photo of the famed British actress Olive Morrel taken in 1905.

Phyllis Dare (1890 –1975) Zena Dare (1887 –1975)

Above are the renowned Dare sisters. Left is Phyllis Dare (1890 – 1975) who was famous for her performances in Edwardian musical comedy and gained international acclaim as Marta in Ivor Norvello’s musical King’s Rhapsody. Left is Zena Dare (1887 – 1975) a renowned singer and actress who was famous for her performances in musical comedy and in the later part of her career played the part of Mrs. Higgins in the original London production of My Fair Lady.

Unknown Actress

Above is another publicity card of an Edwardian actress but we have been unable to identify her. All these photos were taken before the Cavalier breed was established, but with their fractionally longer muzzles it is clear that they were not of the true King Charles type and proves that there were still quite a few longer nosed spaniels around at that time.

LUNGWORM

One of my favourite films is My Fair Lady. Silly story I agree, but the lyrics and music is sublime. There is a song that Professor Higgins sings "Why can’t a woman be more like a Man?" Hmmmm. I sometimes think this with slightly different wording to "Why can’t a Groomer be more like a Vet?" Everyday without fail I have a question or two asked of me about health, feeding, exercise and thoughts and diagnosis on everything to ingrown toenails to fatty lumps on young Maisie’s neck. I do smile and use the same stock answer, "I am not a vet, please go and see your practitioner".

Yesterday, a very worried customer dropped by to ask do I know anything about Lungworm as her dog was suffering and undergoing tests with her Vet. I have a very informative Veterinary tome which I study from time to time and to further my knowledge on canine care. I looked up the latest information on this rather worrisome disease.

Lungworm which is potentially life threatening is scientifically known as Angiostrongylus vasorum and is spread by slugs, snails and occasionally frogs. These last few years have presented more and more cases of Angiostrongylosis amongst the canine population. Strangely enough lungworm had been confined to South Wales, the South West and in South East England, but more and more cases are being recorded throughout the UK, Scotland and latterly Ireland.

Dogs become infected usually by ingesting infective larvae. These are present in Slugs, Snails and sometimes Frogs. Though most dogs might not eat these creatures they can still become infected if their toys are left in the garden or their water bowls have been visited by these infected hosts. The life cycle usually starts when adult worms are found in the heart and pulmonary arteries of our dogs. The worms lay eggs which hatch into larvae which then pass into the airways of the lungs. The larvae are subsequently coughed up, only to be swallowed and then pass out in the dog’s faeces. Slugs and snails will then swallow the larvae. Frogs eat slugs and snails and this is why some frogs often become infected and so can be also part of the lungworm cycle. Foxes will also act as natural hosts, and so can be responsible for the spread of the disease.

Do be aware of any young puppies or dogs at play, as they are usually more inquisitive than older dogs and are more likely to play with these slimy creatures. Symptoms of lungworm infection can be confused with other illnesses, but if you notice your dog seem to have a general lack of energy, have breathing problems due to coughing, has paleness around the eyes and gums. Loss of appetite and subsequent weight loss with vomiting and diarrhoea, don’t delay in getting your dog to your Vet. Early diagnosis and treatment will give your dog the best chance of recovery. There are now effective treatments available so please ask your Veterinarian.

STAR OF EDUCATION

In the March Cavaliers as Companions we mentioned a new Cavalier book called The Promising Puppy written by Leila Grandmange from Virginia. It tells the story of Star, a promising show puppy who ends up in a home where love and affection seems to be lacking. The book is particularly great for children as is shows them in a most interesting way how to care for a dog and explains so clearly the meaning of responsibility when taking a dog into your family. In the second edition of the book Leila also included a discussion guide at the end of the book. In her quest to teach children more about responsible pet ownership Leila recently took Star, (the six month old puppy), along to a school where she read the book to three classes of first and second graders. Her objectives were to teach about being a responsible dog owner; the proper and safe way to greet a dog and how to react if approached by a stray.

The kids really seemed to love it, especially when she had them take turns practicing greeting Star, who patiently sat and allowed each child to pet him. Star who is working on his Canine Good Citizens award, and will then become an official pet therapy dog! She also hopes to be enrolled in the AKC Canine Ambassador Programme.

Leila reading from her book Leila reading from her book

Leila reading from her book

Above are photos of Leila reading from her book and explaining to the children what responsible dog ownership should be. Below is Star arriving at the school in his carry cage. For the children he was indeed the star of the day.

Star arriving at the school

Further details about the book can be found at
http://www.grandvillecavaliers.com/SunnyVille/SVpop-up_puppybook.html

And don’t forget to check out Leila’s monthly Wags and Wiggles page at
http://www.grandvillecavaliers.com/wagsandwiggles/indexww.html


SPONSORED WALK

Last month we mentioned a sponsored charity walk that Kate Hughes was intending to do in Coventry with her two Cavaliers Oliver and Aled. We’re pleased to say that they raised £250 for Rupert’s Fund which raises money for MRI scans for research into SM. Kate’s target was for £200 so she was very pleased that she raised in excess of this sum.

Kate Hughes Walk
Kate, Oliver and Aled crossing the finishing line.

AN INTRODUCTION TO DOGS

The dog is man’s best friend,
He has a tail on one end.
Up in front he has teeth.
And four legs underneath.

Dogs like to bark.
They like it best after dark.
They not only frighten prowlers away.
But also hold the sandman at bay.

A dog that is indoors
To be let out implores.
You let him out and what then?
He wants back in again.

Dogs display reluctance and wrath
If you try to give them a bath.
They bury bones in hideaways
And half the time they trot sideways.

Dogs in the country have fun.
They run and run and run.
But in the city this species
Is dragged around on leashes.

Dogs are upright as a steeple
And much more loyal than people.
Well people may be reprehensibler
But that’s probably because they are sensibler.
Ogden Nash


A FEW DOGGY FACTS

A dog’s whiskers are touch-sensitive hairs called vibrissae. They are found on the muzzle, above the eyes and below the jaws, and can actually sense tiny changes in airflow.

Dogs can be traced back 40 million years ago to a weasel-like animal called the Miacis which dwelled in trees and dens. The Miacis later evolved into the Tomarctus, a direct forbearer of the genus Canis, which includes the wolf and jackal as well as the dog.

Dog don’t like rain because the sound is amplified and irritates their sensitive ears

The only sweat glands a dog has are between the paw pads.

Quite a lot of dog’s eyes reflect the colour green in the dark, but some also reflect orange or red.

Two dogs were known to have survived the sinking of the Titanic. They escaped on early lifeboats that carried so few people that no one objected. Miss Margaret Hays of New York brought her Pomeranian with her in lifeboat No.7, while Henry Sleeper Harper of the publishing family boarded boat No.3 with his Pekinese, Sun Yat Sen.

Dogs have far fewer taste buds than humans, less than two thousand. It’s the smell that initially attracts them to a particular food.


NEWS IN BRIEF

According to a recent survey carried out by the Pet Food Manufacturers’ Association 46% of household in the UK own a pet (excluding fish). The UK pet population is around 22 million plus more than 40 million fish. Cats and dogs are noe level pegging with around eight million each. 75% of dogs are pedigrees but 92% of cats are moggies.

*******

Another interesting finding from this survey was that 60% of people with pets claim that their pet makes them a happier person and a similar number say that a pet makes them feel more relaxed. Whether or not they own a pet, 81% of people surveyed felt that a pet was an antidote to a bad mood.

*******

Firefighters and the RSPCA in West Sussex spent five hours trying to rescue Chester, a West Highland White Terrier, after he was trapped in a small gap in a footbridge. He had first chased a fox but then became trapped. They tried everything to coax him out and even had boats below the bridge and abseil ropes. Eventually that had to use a chainsaw to cut through wood and tarmac to release him. He then emerged unharmed and simply ran off.


PHOTO OF THE MONTH

Tula, a young puppy owned by Roslyn

This is Tula, a young puppy owned by Roslyn from Scotland. Roslyn had every intention of taking her to training classes, but she did not expect Tula to enrol at the Open University and train herself!


THOUGHT FOR THE MONTH

‘My little dog – a heartbeat at my feet.’
Edith Wharton


QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

If you have any questions about owning a Cavalier then click on the envelope to email Dennis and Tina who will only be too pleased to try and help you.

However please remember that we are not Vets or Lawyers so questions on these topics should be addressed to the professionals for advice.

Questions and answers that are of interest to other owners may be published on this page.

The Cavalier Club is not responsible for external website content.
 
Back to Top
 
This document maintained by the webmaster@thecavalierclub.co.uk.
Material Copyright © 2011 The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club