Worship Your Cat

by chris on January 27, 2012

Most of you may not know this, but 90 years ago was the discovery of the ancient Egyptian pharaoh Tutankhamen.  This is actually quite a big deal because the discovery of his tomb is what triggered major interest in ancient Egyptian civilisation.  There had been mummies found before him and after him but what was so special about Tutankhamen is that he was the youngest pharaoh ever to have lived.

He was discovered by Howard Carter in 1922, and since then there has been the rumour of “the curse of Tutankhamen” as quite a few of the archaeologists died within a few years of the tombs discovery and Carter himself died fairly young at age 65.  The Egyptians were light years ahead of their time in many ways, mainly masonry and metal works.When his body was discovered it was concluded that he was around 17 years of age when he died, meaning he would have inherited the throne at age 9.  Although his reign seems to have little historical importance in ancient Egypt, the reason we all know his name is because of the solid gold death mask that he was buried in.  Here is a picture of this fascinating artefact, I’m sure you all recognise it.

In ancient Egypt cats were seen as god-like creatures and were the first domesticated animal recorded of this time period.  Also, in 1888, an Egyptian farmer found a burial ground of mummified cats that had their own tombs.  The cats were obviously very special to the Egyptians in a different way than they are to us today – they were worshipped!

If your cat is like a little Egyptian god then why not worship it like the Egyptians did!  What better for a king-like cat than a comfortable throne?  Obviously, this won’t be some solid gold throne, but what I can recommend is the Classic Hooded Cat Bed from PurelyPetBeds.  This cat bed proves very popular among our feline friends and I wouldn’t be surprised if the ancient Egyptians had a cat bed similar to this!  Worship you cat and treat them to the Classic Hooded Cat Bed.  Get in now and save 30%.

Classic Hooded Cat Bed – From £11.89

Two happy customers!

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Help Put an End to Puppy Farming

by chris on January 11, 2012

Whether you currently own a dog, have owned one in the past, are looking to purchase one in the future or just love them in general then this will interest you.  Over the last few years there has been a dramatic increase in the number of puppy farms in the UK.  These are not proper breeders who supply the majority of the UK; these are the breeders who are looking to make easy money by selling dogs cheaply.

The dogs used to breed the puppies are kept in horrific conditions and are bred constantly for most of their lives until they are unable to do so, resulting in upsetting consequences.  There have been up to 200 breeding dogs found in a single puppy farm in the UK, often kept alone 24 hours a day and in the dark.  The puppies, too, are kept in these unfathomable conditions until they are ready to be sold on to pet shops or to dealers.  98% of the puppies bred in puppy farms are sold in pet shops, so if people stopped buying from pet shops then these farms would be dramatically reduced.  Unfortunately due to the way these puppies have been brought up they will often have various behavioural or physical difficulties that mean they are often sent to rescue centres or just abandoned.

Even though these puppy farms have been exposed in the media, some people still seem to want to go for the “cheap deal” and even more shockingly the government still allow this to go on.  I will not show any pictures of the puppy farms as they can be distressing but if you would like to put a stop to puppy farming then signing this e-petition would be a good start:

http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/8557

It will only take a few seconds of your time and could help thousands of puppies all over the country.

Seeing videos of this made me want to adopt all of the dogs in these farms and give them a nice home with somewhere warm and comfortable to sleep.  The first thing that came to my mind was the Orthopaedic Slab Bed by Purely Pet Beds.  This bed is specifically designed to soothe the aching joints of older dogs.  With carrying puppies their whole lives those girls will certainly need a good lie down on a comfortable dog bed.  I would recommend it as a comfortable lie down for any aged dog after a long work or a run on the beach!

Orthopaedic Foam Dog Bed – From £29.99

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Pet Bed Sale

by chris on December 30, 2011

It’s that time of year when the prices go back and the purses come out!  When you think of the January sales you’re thinking for things you can treat yourself to, maybe some new jeans, new shoes and I’m sure you will find them somewhere from any high street retailer!  But have you thought about getting anything for another member of the family?  Maybe someone who you forgot to buy for at Christmas after all the stress and panic of it all?  Well here is your chance to redeem yourself.

At PurelyPetBeds we have loads of quality pet beds ready for sale in the New Year making your pet nice and warm in the cold seasons to come.  With pet bed prices as low as £3.49 there is no reason why your pet shouldn’t be lying in luxury while you try on your new clothes!  There’s plenty to choose from in the sale and you might even treat your pampered pooch to one of our designer dog beds when you see how comfortable they are!

One of our reduced items is the Classic Oval Dog Bed, which design is familiar with every dog owner, but I bet you’ve never seen one at these prices.  Down from £18.99 to starting from an amazing £13.99 there’s no reason not to.  This dog bed is available in a variety of sizes and colours, making it a fantastic, if not belated Christmas present to show your dog how much you care.

Classic Oval Dog Bed – From £13.99

Another customer favourite is the Collapsible Pet Bed, prices starting at £12.49 down from £24.99, which is great for storage and travelling.  If you don’t leave home without your dog then you won’t want to leave home without a Collapsible Pet Bed to take with you!  When popped up, its high sides provide the utmost comfort for any furry friend.

Collapsible Pet Bed – From £15.99

Another great product is the Fleecy Bolster Mat which was £15.99 and is now only £12.79, again at a handsome price.  This bed is the classic “dog in front of the fire” image that I know you all have running through your heads right now.  Now whatever that image looks like I know the bed will look very similar to the one we have on offer.  This bed is available in a variety of colours and sizes too, but I would always say the bigger the better for my dogs!

Fleecy Bolster Mat – From £12.79

These are just 3 of the many fabulous dog beds we have on offer for the New Year as our present to you; why not make it a present for them?

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Top Dog Gifts

by chris on December 14, 2011

If you haven’t already done so, you need to seriously start considering what to get your pet for Christmas.  There’s nothing better on Christmas morning than watching your dog trying to rip into a tightly wrapped present filled with whatever you think they will love.  If you are struggling for ideas, I am here to help with a few suggestions of very popular dog gifts.

I’m sure you all know what your dog will like the most, whether that be a few tasty treats or a nice new toy for them to chew on all day long.  Maybe you could even get them more than one present if you’re feeling really generous!

A good present for dogs that like to chew is a Kong dog toy as they are very durable and are resistant to strong jaws.  You can get different types and sizes of Kong toy that will appeal to different breeds and personalities of dogs.  My personal favourite is the Kong Classic due to the fact that you can stuff treats into it and have a great time watching your dog try to get them out.  It’s fun for you and the dog!  They have plenty of stuff available that you can stuff into the Kong, great to leave a dog with while you’re at work.

Another good present is what we used to call a ‘Raggy’.  I’m sure you’ve all seen them, the thick pieces of rope with knots at either end, I’m not sure of their technical name but I know they’re available at nearly every pet shop across the UK!  They’re really good for interacting with your dog, making them fetch it or playing tug of war which is always fun on Christmas day!

I’d say the number one gift to get your dog this Christmas is a new dog bed for them to curl up in and shelter them from the cold floor in the cold weather.  Dog beds are essential for any dog to have a place that they know is their own.  If you can see your dog curling up in a little nest then I would recommend the Poi Dog Oval Dog Bed as it has high sided walls and a comfortable, soft pillow on the inside to keep them warm.  The outer material is waterproof and the pillow is washable for when the summer comes and they get soaking wet and jump on the bed!

Whichever present you choose for your dog they will be happy with it and most importantly you will enjoy watching them rip it open on Christmas Day!

 

Poi Dog Oval Dog Bed – From £30.99

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UK Top Wheelchair Friendly Dog Walks

by chris on November 29, 2011

Everyone dog owner has their own favourite walk, a regular walk that you and your dog both know and are comfortable with doing.  I know I’ve had my favourite dog walks in the past and there is nothing wrong with that, but continuity can get boring for most people.

I recommend that you take the family away somewhere for the weekend, including the dog of course, and head off towards some of the greatest dog walks that the UK has to offer.  This can be a great bonding experience for the whole family, young or old.

Disabilities are far from uncommon and there are a lot of people who require a wheelchair for mobility.  Whether you come into that category or have a close relative in that category then you should definitely try out some of these walks to get out of the house and enjoy some of the best scenery the UK has to offer.  The dog will enjoy himself just as much, don’t worry!  One walk that I have done and is really wheelchair accessible is the Druridge Bay County Park and Beach walk in Northumberland.  This is a beautiful walk around the lake, taking just a couple of hours, where you can enjoy a vast amount of wildlife, especially birds, which makes it a great walk for kids and adults alike.  Then once you’ve gone around the lake you can relax on the beach and watch the dog play in the sea.  It is a fantastic day out for everyone.

If you fancy a walk in the famous Sherwood Forest then the ‘Thieves Wood’ walk will not disappoint.  Don’t be put off that it’s in a forest; it has perfectly solid paths for easy wheelchair access.  There are a number of different marked walks with some shorter than others making them perfect for people with any disability.  The dogs will love to roam the open woods while you enjoy the peace and quiet of nature.

One of my favourite walks in Worcestershire is alongside the Stoke Prior Canal.  It is a path walk next to a beautifully maintained canal where the boats go by on a regular basis.  There is again lots of wildlife to enjoy and places to stop for picnics or just to have a break from the walk!

On your travels you know that car boot is going to get all wet, hairy and muddy once the dog has had a good run around.  Let me take that worry off your mind and introduce the Poi Dog Car Boot Liner dog bed, fitting most car boots in the UK and large enough for any dog.  This wipe clean travel necessity really makes walking in the countryside a whole lot easier!

I’m sure there are many more but these are just a few of my favourites.  Feel free to post you favourite dog walks here!

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Hilarious Halloween

by chris on November 2, 2011

October 31st, or what we all know as Halloween.  Children roaming the streets in search of sugary treats, dressed as all sorts of creatures from werewolves to pumpkins.  I am currently deciding what my outfit should be for a Halloween party I’m going to and there is so much choice.  I saw a full Batman costume on one site for over £900 – crazy!  I think as we get older we move from the vampires and the witches to more recognisable characters.  For example I recently saw my father dressed as Elvis for a fancy dress party which was a rather amusing sight.

Nevertheless, I was sure I had seen every costume out there; at least I thought I had.  The other day I came across some of the funniest and most unique, homemade Halloween costumes around.  But no these costumes were not intended for humans, they were made for dogs.  I do feel sorry for these poor pooches who are getting dressed in these ridiculous costumes, however, I can’t help but laugh.

As much as I’d love to I cannot include every single photo in this blog as there are hundreds, but I will include my top two as I believe they are genuinely hysterical.  Here’s number two:

Excellent.  In fairness to the owner, they clearly have put a lot of effort into that costume.  It’s probably not the most productive use of their time but it’s certainly eye-catching.  I bet you want to see number one?  This fella looks like he’s just had enough of being made to look foolish and just needs a lie down.  Poor old thing.  I bet he’s hoping his owners have bought him Ruff & Barker Memory Foam Dog Bed for a nice relaxation session.  This is the height of comfort for any dog; you may wonder how I know this?  Well I actually have a mattress at home made of exactly the same material, that’s how.  Any dog who’s lucky enough to get a Ruff & Barker Memory Foam Dog Bed should just put up with being dressed up as they know, when it’s all over, they can go and relax on their lovely new dog bed.  Anyway, here’s the one I thought was the funniest costume:

 

Ruff & Barker Memory Foam Dog Bed – From £39.99

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10 Strangest Dog Breeds

by chris on October 26, 2011

When people think of dogs everyone will have their own individual breed that comes into their head – most likely the thoughts of dogs that they have been lucky enough to own.  I know when I think about dogs I think of my two dogs Rocky and Jet.  Rocky was a cross between a Golden Retriever and Jet was a Black Labrador and they are all I can think of when I picture dogs.

However, I don’t know how many people will be thinking of any of the dogs in this list as half of them I have never even heard of!  So without further ado, here are the Top 10 Strangest Dog Breeds:

10 –     Chinese Crested

These dogs are hairless all over their bodies, except for the top of its head, its paws and its tail.  They are a task for their owners as they need to wear sunscreen if the sun is out and be bathed and moisturised regularly to avoid infections!

9 –       Neapolitan Mastiff

These dogs have an unruly amount of loose, wrinkly skin around their face and head which gives them a really droopy face.  These dogs have a very formidable appearance and it is for that reason that they were chosen to play “Fang”, Hagrid’s dog in the Harry Potter films.

8 –       Bedlington Terrier

This dog looks basically like a lamb with a sort of triangular-shaped head.  They have very sweet faces and curly white fur like a sheep.  They were originally bred as fighters and vermin hunters, which is why they are groomed with long fur so that vermin could not hurt them as easily.

7 –       LowChen

These dogs are tiny, growing anywhere between seven and thirteen inches!  They have long wavy hair and are very intelligent so they make great pets.

6 –       Lagotto Romagnolo

This dog has very woolly, curly and thick hair which is considered hypoallergenic.  However, the most special thing about this dog is that it was the first known dog to be able to search for truffles, which was originally a job for pigs!

5 –       Bergamasco

This dog has dreadlocks of what is known as felt.  It gives it a very weird appearance, something I’ve never seen on a dog!  Their coat consists of three different types of hair which easily mats.  Not an easy job for its owners!

4 –       Cambodian Razorback

It’s called Razorback for a reason!  This dog actually has a large ridge on its back that jolts out about halfway down its back.  They are known not to bark unless they really need to, apparently not for the first time dog owner.

3 –       Puli

This is hands down the strangest looking dog I have ever seen.  In fact it’s so weird I’m not even going to describe it.  Just look at this:

2 –       Xoloitzcuintli

Did I spell that right?  Pronounced Sho-lo-eets-quint-lee.  This dog is totally hairless, has a long neck and bat ears.  It originates in Mexico, where the ancient Aztecs believed it would guide the souls of their masters into the underworld…apparently.

1 –       Affenpinscher

This dog earned itself the nickname of the “Monkey Dog” due to its ape like appearance and personality.  It can come in a variety of different colours but the most common is black.  It has more hair on its head and shoulders than the rest of its body combined!  What a weirdo!

Well there you have it.  The 10 weirdest dog breeds.  Those dogs look like they could do with a real grooming session.  Especially that Puli!  I’d recommend them the Orthopaedic Foam Dog Bed from Purely Pet Beds.  This is so that they can lie down all comfy and snuggle up to sleep.  The main reason, however, is for the owners benefit as it has a removable cover to wash away all those hairs!

 

Orthopaedic Foam Dog Bed – From £14.99

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The Wrong Idea!

by chris on October 11, 2011

I was recently sent a photo from a customer of our sister website, Bean Bag Bazaar.  We are used to positive feedback from customers telling us how comfortable our products are…for humans.  However, this little fella seems to be giving it more use than his owners!

Whopper Giant Bean Bag – £89.99

This dog looks like he’s living a very luxurious and pampered lifestyle and he is aptly named ‘Mr Edgar Schnaaps’.  A royal name for the King of the house!

The bean bag that Edgar is sitting on is the Whopper Giant bean bag which is one of the largest products sold by Bean Bag Bazaar.  Sadly for Edgar I don’t think he is quite large enough to fulfil the potential of the Whopper Giant bean bag!

If I were to meet Mr Edgar Schnaaps I’d recommend to him a Purely Pet Bed as I think he would get far more enjoyment from a proper dog bed!  Personally, I think our Ruff & Barker range would be perfectly suited to his “upper class” doggy lifestyle.  This range uses only a luxurious faux suede fabric and a removable washable cover.  Seeing as Edgar is a fan of bean-filled products I’d recommend the Ruff & Barker Dog Bean Bags for him to snuggle into.

This would give Edgar the perfect solution as he could have his own private bean bag bed and feel just as pampered as he would in the Whopper.  Also, his owners could have their Whopper Giant bean bag back for themselves!

Everyone wins!

Ruff & Barker Dog Bean Bags – From £28.99

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Louis Cat Tulisa

by chris on September 28, 2011

It’s that time of year again and everyone already appears to be engulfed in the controversy that is draining out of this years’ X Factor.  Stories of the contestants being involved in rumours such as drugs, assault and allegedly one contestant has even served a sentence in prison!

This weekend it will be the judges’ houses part of the show where the contestants travel around the world to the luxurious homes of their mentors.  They meet the relatives and helpers of each judge, but there is always some story attracting attention to the show and putting things in an over exaggerated light.

However, this year, one story that seems to be popular among X Factor fans is the relationship between the judges Louis Walsh and Tulisa Contostavlos.  They have admittedly got on the best out of the shows’ new judging panel and their relationship doesn’t just end at music.  They both have a passion for animals, too!  In fact, their relationship goes to the extent that Louis has named his new cat Tulisa!

The music mogul Louis said that he called the cat Tulisa because she “could get scratchy during the show”.  However, what Louis failed to mention was that his new cat is actually a boy!  He jokingly said “I’d better call it Gary now”.  Louis should probably invest in a Cat Hood Cat Bed, after all the it is a stray so it deserves some pampering in a snuggly, warm bed.

But not all is bad for Tulisa as she herself has just got herself a brand new puppy called Prince.  If I was her friend Louis, I’d recommend getting the puppy a blue Classic Oval Dog Bed as they are the comfiest things on the market; just check out these dogs:

Classic Oval Dog Bed - Blue

Classic Oval Dog Bed – From £11.39

I’m sure you will all enjoy the show and hopefully we might catch a glimpse of one of the judges’ furry friends this weekend!  Here’s a sneak peak of Prince now:

Tulisa's Dog, Prince

Tulisa's Dog, Prince

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Rise of the Smartphone!

by chris on September 14, 2011

As a pet owner do you think you have all the knowledge and understanding to love your pet as much as possible?  I thought I did…but when I was checking out my iPhone one day I found the 5 NECESSARY Apps to ensure the happiness of your pet.

‘Pet Phone’

There’s one called ‘Pet Phone’ which I really like where it allows you to track the weight and health of your pet every time you go to the vets to make it as simple as possible and as painless for your pet as possible!

‘ Dog-a-Log’

If you don’t yet own a dog then the app that you need is’ Dog-a-Log’.  This app shows you the different types of dog breeds and all the information you need to know about that particular breed.  This makes it the perfect app for people considering or new dog owners.

‘Dog Tricks 101′

All dogs need training, but some owners like to make their dogs into a bit of a show off and if you fit that description then the ‘Dog Tricks 101′ is the app for you.  It gives you a photo and video walkthrough of how to train the dog to doing simple things like sit, to the circus show hoop jump!

‘Dog Fails’

Or if you’re just up for a good laugh then the app ‘Dog Fails’ is truly hilarious.  This app is filled with dogs doing stupid things and even getting beaten up by cats!  A very funny app for those with a sense of doggy humour.

‘Off Leash’

If your dog loves frolicking in the wide open spaces, then also be sure to download the ‘Off Leash’ app which is a dog friendly park tracker to locate the nearest or biggest parks imaginable to let them loose to have the time of their lives.

But let’s face it, the summer is nearly over and the weather has taken a turn for the worse and if your dogs are anything like mine they’re going to get absolutely soaking!  It’s a nightmare trying to dry the off with a towel too!  Why not invest in a ‘Poi Dog’ car boot liner to save all that mess in the back of your car?  The fact its wipe clean is a Godsend!  Trust me…it’s worth the price of £34.99.

When you return from that long day in the local park or just for a stroll down the road (getting dragged I should say) you’ll want nothing better than to just lie down and fall asleep in front of the fire.  Well how do you think your pets feel?  Be sure to treat them to a pleasurable, pampered, Purely Pet Bed.

Poi Dog Car Boot Liner – £34.99

Dog Tricks App

Dog Tricks App

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