Helsbury Park Dog Photo Competition 2008/09 Entry 13

This lovely pack of dogs had a wonderful time earlier in the year, Anne Chambers bought Finn, George and Mia down to show them a bit of North Cornwall and they loved it.

New collar tag helps dog owners meet new friends

It's a well-known fact that dogs can be conversation starters that help break the ice with people their owners meet. Taking the notion a step further, a new collar tag from Boston-based SNIF Labs lets pet owners forge new connections with fellow dog-walkers, both online and off.

Available in a range of colours and patterns, the SNIF Tag is a small RFID device that attaches to a dog's collar and records his or her daily movements and social encounters. On the social side, each SNIF Tag emits a unique signal that is sensed by the SNIF Tags worn by other dogs. When Fido meets such tag-bearing playmates during a jaunt to the park, his collar stores that information and later uploads it automatically into the accompanying base station, which stays plugged into the owner's PC at home.

The dog's owner can then log in to view the profiles of the owners of those other dogs and decide if they want to connect online as well. In addition to monitoring social interactions, the SNIF Tag also uses an accelerometer and motion-analysis software to record a pet's activity. Owners can monitor the dog's movements in real time while he's home but they're at work, for example; alternatively, when Fido is out with the walker, information on his activities will be automatically uploaded when he returns. Activity levels can be reviewed by the hour, day or month, and owners can compare them with those of the other SNIF Tag-wearing dogs in the neighbourhood.

As ever the Americans are one step ahead and we'll probably pick up on this next year but it could be big and you saw it here first!

Helsbury Park Dog Photo Competition 2008/09 Entry 12

Well, he's back! Murray, the biggest dog ever, was back at Helsbury last week picking up his prize for winning the photo competiton last year. He was in great form and really enjoyed his week, even when Solly was being particularly annoying ;o) Nick said "Once again guys, thanks a lot for the holiday, we all had a fantastic time. Murray has taken several days to regain his energy levels!!!!! Looking forward to seeing you again in the future."

Helsbury Supports Hope Rescue

We recently supported Hope Rescue , a very worthwhile charity who try and manage the stray dog population, collecitng them from pounds and moving them to safe places where they can be rehomed and looked after. We donated a week's holiday here at Helsbury and helped raise a record total for the charity. Elspeth Cameron, the fundraising coordinator said "Helsbury Park raised us an amazing £340 which will make a considerable dent in our vets bills or cover our boarding costs for 7 weeks. We can't thank you enough for your donation." To help with donations visit their website or click here for more information on how to help them for free.

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Buddies doing a good thing...

It pays to get up early round here...

Helsbury Park Dog Photo Competition 2008/09 Entry 11

Jim Mundy sent this great shot of Jake, watching Mum putting the washing out in the farmhouse. Jim said "As you may have already guessed Helsbury is Jake's favourite place in the world!"

Barn owls on site...

We've been very lucky with wildlife this year and even more so recently when we've had a paid of barn owls hunting on the land every evening. They are lovely and quite enchanting birds with total confidence and presence, they are not scared of being approached and have flown extremely close to get a proper look at us while we're walking Solly.