When it's not an option to have your dog inside with the cooler on during the hot weather, keep these tips in mind on how to keep your doggy cool at the temperature rises. 

​Throughout Australia, there are many wonderful groups that work tirelessly to train and raise dog's to assist those in need.
A fantastic group we are excited to share with you is 'Australian Lions Hearing Dogs' who are also branching into raising, training and pairing Medical Alert Dogs too for people living with complex and chronic illnesses. 

​Airlie is the first Interstate Diabetic Alert Dog to be placed in their home by ALHD. Her new home is now in Melbourne where she has settled in straight away.
Airlie does amazing work, she is trained detect naturally occurring low and high blood glucose level events in her human. She is scent and saliva trained on her human too. How incredible is that?!
Airlie is also trained to retrieve a medical kit to help treat a low or high blood glucose event, get assistance from another member in the household if needed or pressing an emergency button to alert emergency contacts in case her human falls when home alone and becomes unresponsive.
Along with the other amazing medical alert dogs, Airlie could not only save the life of her owner but will also drastically improve their quality of life. 

Want to learn more? Visit the Australian Lions Hearing Dogs website HERE for more information?

How can you help? The training and placement cost of ALHD  is just under $40,000. There is no cost to their human for this, so donations are greatly appreciated. All donations of $2.00 or more are tax-deductible and will receive a receipt in return for your donation. Click here if you would like to make a life changing donation. 

Origin:
It is unknown when or where the Basenji originated, they are considered one of the oldest breeds of dogs. Drawings of the Basenji have been found in ancient depictions all over the world including Egyptian tombs. Back in 1937, when they were known as the ‘Congo Dog’, the Basenji was first introduced to England, it was from here that they were bred and exported around the world.     
 
Purpose:
The earliest recording of the working Basenji indicates they were used in Africa. Natives would use the dog when hunting in the forest as the Basenji was a great warning dog, alerting them to any approaching dangers. They would also assist in driving small game into catching nets and retrieving the game. 

Coat care:
The Basenji is the perfect dog for anyone wanting no coat maintenance and any allergy sufferers as they shed almost no hair all year round and require no grooming. They don’t even require to be bathed as they will clean themselves as a cat would.

Health & Temperament:
The Basenji is a happy, alert and curious breed of dog. When handled well from a young age and raised around other animals, children and people, they make a fantastic pet. Great for families or individuals.
Unlike other dogs, they have a different shaped larynx which prevents them from being able to bark. They can vocalise by howling or growling but it is uncommon for them to make noise.
The breed is not a fan of wet weather, so needs lots of stimulation indoors during the wet months. They have plenty of mental and physical energy to burn so daily walks are a must. The Basenji thrives best with consistent rules and good exposure to new situations.
They are prone to kidney, eye and intestinal problems which can be well managed if addressed at the first sign of symptoms.