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Regulations for dangerous dogs in Lanzarote
Published November 23, 2011 | 
With the recent adoption of our new Billy Boxer puppy here – we felt it necessary to look into the regulations and insurance for dangerous dogs here… so here is a polite reminder for all of us.
All dog owners are required to register their dogs and have them microchipped. Rabies vaccinations are also mandatory. There are fines for owners who don’t have their dogs registered. Indeed when we first had Guido and were chatting to a couple of Guardia… they asked about his information and pet passport. As responsible dog owners we had everything needed – and we advise you to do the same. Irrespective of whether your dog is micro-chipped, it’s a good idea to give them a collar and tag with your phone number on it, in case your pet gets out and is lost. We never had the pet’s name on the tag… as they could be more easily re-adopted… and lost to you forever. We have also heard that it’s a good idea to have the word “Recompensa” (reward) engraved on the tag – as people may be more likely to return your fluffy pal. Continue reading
Our New Puppy!
Published November 12, 2011 | 
Yesterday I spotted a photo of a Boxer pup on a friend’s Facebook wall. This puppy aged approximately 12 weeks had been abandoned by his owner who left him in their garden whilst they flew back to the UK… just leaving an A4 note telling the landlord to put him into kennels. Luckily the landlord was close to the property later the same day… and found him with a little food, no bed, a tiny amount of shelter and about an inch of water left in a sandcastle bucket. There was also a pool with no easy means of escape for a young pup.
Feeling disgusted that anyone could do this? Yes, so are we!!!
Had the Landlord taken Friday off as he had intended… he would not arrived at the property until the Monday… and we do not know if the pup would have survived. He immediately made the decision to rehouse the puppy.
Anyway, that brings us back to the point where I saw the photo on Facebook, and started my plotting to get him here. I immediately suggested to Alan that we have a puppy… and the nagging went on all day and night. Finally…. very late last night… after rather a lot of wine, Alan finally uttered those immortal words, “So tell me about this puppy then”. He’d used exactly the same words when we were getting Pepper… so I knew I had him! I explained that such a gorgeous pup would probably have been rehomed immediately… and Alan was very disappointed. It was that disappointment that made me sure we’d get him… as long as he hadn’t been snapped up.
This morning I posted a message asking if he’d been homed or not, and said that we would love to have him. A quick phone call later and the deal was done. Off we headed an hour or so after that and collected the new member of the family. We have called him Billy, and he’s already settling in. We took him for a walk for over an hour before letting him in the house (as Cesar Millan suggests) and it worked really well. He was off the lead for most of that… and stuck close to our side the whole time.
So now, we’re home. Pepper isn’t too sure about him (jealousy thing… as he’s always been the “puppy”) so we can’t leave them unsupervised for a while, but Guido has been fantastic. We actually expected a lot more teething troubles but are obviously monitoring very closely.
Training has started in earnest already. He is going to be a very big boy… so we’re starting as we mean to go on.
Anyway – welcome to your new home Billy Boxer!
DEFRA Announces Changes in Pet Travel INTO the UK
Published June 30, 2011 | 
DEFRA have today announced changes for pets entering the UK.
From January 1st the required period, from the EU and some other non EU countries, for entry to the UK will be a minimum of 21 days from a rabies vaccination and a blood test will NOT be required.
Conditions for entry will be if you can answer yes to the following questions:
- Is your pet microchipped?
- Is your pet currently vaccinated against rabies?
- Was your pet vaccinated after it was microchipped?
- Have you got an EU Pet Passport or Official Veterinary Health Certificate from
- your vet certifying the microchip and vaccination?
- Have 21 days passed since it was vaccinated?
- Are you travelling into the UK with your pet on an approved route?*
Information about new tick and worm treatment regulations will be announced later this year.
For further information, click HERE
Remember that as of tomorrow, January 1st becomes less than six months away – so you will not need a blood test for your pet as the current regulations mean that it could not travel before the 1st January anyway.
Nice to have some money saved eh?
Locusts in Lanzarote
Published February 10, 2011 | 
Don’t panic – it’s not the swarm of locusts that caused havoc back in November 2004… but on Tuesday night the dogs started going ballistic in the back garden, and there was garden furniture flying in all directions as they worked like raptors to capture a new “visitor”!
Upon investigation, and me trying desperately to control them… this beastie jumped around the garden, eventually landing on our pool cover. I trapped it in a jar to investigate it closer… and couldn’t believe the size of it! It was 4 inches in length, and about 3/4 inch across at its widest point.
We were worried at first that the dogs had damaged it beyond survival… but after a few minutes it started fidgetting and giving us “evils”… so we set it free at a distance away from the house, where our two fluffy beasts couldn’t get to it.
We’re used to having the occasional insect wander into our garden, and usually the dogs are heavily involved in making the presence known. This is certainly the largest one I have ever seen!
Apologies to you squeamish people!
Fishing in Lanzarote – Last nights dinner!
Published November 10, 2010 | I’m not the best fisherman. But I have to say I’m rather proud of this Sea Bass I caught yesterday.
I only go fishing occasionally – but if I can start bringing fish like this home each time I’d be going a lot more often! It also keeps Elle happy as she gets to try out new recipes. Continue reading
Another Praying Mantis in Lanzarote
Published July 12, 2010 | Some time ago we told you about a beautiful visitor to our Lanzarote garden… a Praying Mantis. This was the first time I had ever seen one that wasn’t on my television screen.
Well, a few nights ago, Guido was once again very interested in something behind one of our outside doors. We couldn’t see anything – but I happened to remark that the last time it had happened, we’d found the Mantis.
Sure enough, yesterday evening I was laying the table outside for dinner guests, and I looked across and saw one sat on another table. His/her head was held high, and they were extremely interested in what I was doing (fancied some gazpacho and paella no doubt). It wasn’t as large as its predecessor – but still stunning! Our dinner guest was very taken with it… as he hadn’t seen one at close quarters either.
It had either thought that our garden, complete with two inquisitive doggie noses and us with a camera… was preferable to the celebrations in the town centre for Spain winning the World Cup – or it fancied having a extra place set at the table.
I had missed out on getting any decent photos of the last one, so Alan did a couple for me today. Click them to see larger.
Of course Alan set it free – expecting it to fly away immediately. But these things really aren’t a timid creature at all. It simply flew to a nearby wall and sat watching Alan for a while before heading off to find a mate (and dependant on gender… eat a head, or lose a head!)
Enjoy!
Rare Bustards in Lanzarote
Published June 1, 2010 | Recently, Alan came across some stunning large birds whilst out and about on the Island. Upon further research, we found out that these are called Houbara Bustards. Continue reading
Hoopoes in Lanzarote
Published May 24, 2010 | One of the most regular visitors to our garden is a bird called the Hoopoe. I remember looking at pictures of them in bird books as a child – and thinking “what a great name!” Continue reading
The Meaning of Flowers
Published March 1, 2010 | 
Next time you give the gift of flowers, consider the meaning of flowers before you buy. As a fantastic way to personalize your present, choose the flower meaning that is closest to the message you’re trying to convey and let your loved ones know that you wanted their gift to be extra-special. Continue reading
Flower Basket Arrangements in Lanzarote
Published February 2, 2010 | Front Facing Basket Arrangements
When using a basket with a handle it’s often the first instinct to make the arrangement circular to the basket shape and to keep the flower and foliage material contained within the basket frame. This isn’t the only way to use a basket as a container and it’s a good exercise to try other style arrangements with baskets just to see what works.
This design is a front facing arrangement, rather than the more common ‘all round’ design which is so often the first choice with baskets.
The design breaks the boundaries of the basket in so far as it has tall placements which exceed the handle and the basket dimensions.
The first picture shows the oasis secured to a floristry dish with post tape and the dish is secured to the basket with oasis fix.
The framework of the flower arrangement is decided by the foliage and you can see the first placements of foliage, ruscus and eucalyptus parvifolia.
In this second picture you can see how the foliage has been grouped (the ruscus to the front) and comes out of the basket frame and down to touch the surface of the table. When using long stems, always try and angle the material downwards by inserting in an upward angle into the oasis foam, it makes the whole design look balanced and that the center of gravity is low, this gives visual balance to the overall design.
White Gerbera, Freesia, Purple Statice and Cerise Alstromaria have been added – small sprigs of foliage inserted deep into the spaces between to add depth and you can, if desired add an organza bow to the handle to set it off. See how the basket handle is still visible and able to be used without interfering with the design.
This is a very simple and reasonably cheap design for a basket arrangement for those of you who are a bit fed up with the usual low round designs often associated with baskets.
So, grab a basket and get creative!!
A huge thank you to Glynis who has kindly provided this article (and future ones). You can order your wedding bouquets, flower arrangements, and gifts for friends via Glynis’ website at www.flowersbyserenity.net
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