Vet Pets Magazine

November, 2015

We Meet ASHLEIGH& PUDSEY!

Leading Artist on 3D Pets

Wet Dogs In Focus

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This month, we chat to Britain’s much-loved variety act Ashleigh and Pudsey. The dog trick act, comprising of trainer Ashleigh Butler and her loveable dog Pudsey rose to fame after winning the sixth series of Britain's Got Talent in 2012, becoming the first ever dog trick act to win the competition.

Ashleigh and Pudsey have gone on to star in their own film, as well as David Walliams’ TV adaptation of his children's book Mr Stink and become presenters of CBBC’s Who Let the Dog’s Out? They are the star turns in the newly released DVD Dick Whittington.

It’s been a whirlwind since Britain’s Got Talent, how do you feel?It’s crazy to think it’s been three and a half years since we won Britain’s Got Talent. We’ve had so many incredible experiences and if it wasn’t down to our supporters we wouldn’t be here right now, so we’re very grateful to them.

Has fame gone to Pudsey’s head?No it hasn’t, he’s still the same Pudsey apart from the fact that he gets better treats now. But he’s such a show off now. He loves the cameras and the attention he gets nowadays.

What are Pudsey’s favourite things in the world?Apart from dancing, his favourite things probably are agility, food, sleep, and I like to think he loves me as well, but I don’t know what order those would go in!

What are you both working on at the moment?This year, we’re going to be performing Cinderella in Darlington so that’s going to be lots of fun.

I did Dick Whittington for three years so it’ll be good fun to do something different.

It’s A Dog’s Life On Stage!

Ashleigh and Pudsey in panto

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Starring Ashleigh & Pudsey, Dick Whittington is available digitally and on DVD from this month.

Also starring CBeebies Ben Faulks, AKA Mr Bloom, all the family will love this version of the classic panto story. The panto tells the ‘wags to riches tail’ of a young man on an exciting quest for fame and fortune, but will the evil King Rat thwart his plans or will Fairy Bowbells save the day? All will be revealed in this

magical show! Featuring all the traditional ingredients from sensational songs to a live band, magic, dazzling dance routines,

magnificent slapstick comedy, bags of audience participation, and of course, one very famous dancing dog, Dick Whittington

is guaranteed to delight audiences of all ages. Dick Whittington is available from a variety of retailers

including Amazon.

This year or early next year, we’re going to be launching Pudsey branding and merchandise including Pudsey toys, cards and bedding, so that’s really exciting.

Also, we’re going to launch a stage show next year, which will tour around the UK. It’ll be family focused and Pudsey will dancing in it and there’ll also be acrobats and singing; something really different for all the family.

Does Pudsey have celeb pooch friends?Not yet, but he’d love to meet Lassie!

Does Pudsey still get a chance to be a normal dog? He loves going on walks and just being a normal dog. He also still does agility and competes around the country.

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Dimitris Fotiou recently re-located from Athens to join 3D printing specialists Arty Lobster to support its strong growth in the UK and abroad.

Dimitris, who uses technology as a medium to create art, studied sculpture at the Athens School of Fine Art and achieved his Masters in Fine Arts in Sculpture from the Wimbledon School of Arts in London.

He recently completed groundbreaking work for the Museum of Paleontology in

Athens, where he 3D modeled ancient animal bones and artifacts. He is a Knowledge Expert at Shapeways, the world’s leading 3D printing service, community and marketplace for which he creates beautiful and unique 3D bracelets and other jewellery.  

The artist’s work takes 3D tech to the limits by creating items that are truly bespoke and unique to the individual. Dimitris is recognised as an international expert on 3D art and has exhibited

internationally. He has also spoken on contemporary art and Internet art at conferences around the world, as well as staged two solo shows. Since 2004, he has been a collaborator with the Web Biennial – a Biennial on the World Wide Web and since 2010 he has been a member of the organising team.

Lars Andersen, Founder and MD of Arty Lobster, explains: “Dimitris is a truly exciting 3D artist who is very well-known for his ground-breaking work

We meet DIMITRIS FOTIOU, a world-renowned 3D artist with a passion for pets

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in the industry. We’re delighted to have made this significant new appointment, and I’m sure Dimitris will help to take our business to the next level.

“Pet memorials represent a significant part of our customer base. As our pets are becoming members of our family, we also increasingly want a memento of them to cherish forever, and Dimitris’s experience will help us to create even more accurate models of the beloved pet.

“3D printing is still in its infancy, and as the technology continues to improve and artists like Dimitris continue to push the technology to the limits of what’s possible, we anticipate significant additional growth in the market.”

Here Dimitris talks to Pets Magazine’s MARIE CARTER about his background and his inspirations.

MC - Where did you learn to be a 3D artist?I am self taught. 3D printing was either unknown or inaccessible to art institutions when I was a student. Unlike today where dozens of tutorials and resources are available online, the learning curve wasn't that easy when I started in early 2008 and I had to resolve almost everything myself. Small steps each time, lots of failures, but I managed to print my first sphere in early 2009.

MC - Why is it so exciting to be a 3D artist today?The term 3D artist consists of many subcategories of working areas such as modeling,

lighting, rendering, animation, coding, where usually someone specializes and excels to one field.

I am a 3D artist specialising in 3D printing which is the next revolution after the Internet and social media. 

MC - Is the UK leading the way in 3D? If so, why?Historically, the UK has made a significant contribution and has been a pioneer in various areas such as film, music, fine arts, research and much more, so why not 3D as well?

However, I consider 3D printing more as a social good, similar to Internet access or even electricity and not as a patent limited to countries and local communities.

Some of Arty Lobster’s 3D pet sculptures

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MC - What are the three main differences about working in 3D here compared to Greece?The main differences are:

• More job opportunities in the industry.

• Many more opportunities to get exposure for your work.

• In technological developments, such as 3D, Greece is lagging behind in developing new technologies as well as in importing and properly exploiting technological advances being developed abroad.

When I started working in 3D, in 2008, only a few people were aware of what 3D is and

how it can be used in sculpture. Conversely, the UK is among the pioneers in emerging technologies.  

MC - Why do you love what you do?I am an artist who comes from a sculptural background and a lot of studies in the field of Fine Arts. The ability to 3D print a sculpture of any shape, perfect in terms of accuracy, with no accidental errors, only by using computer software as a tool and nothing else is a challenge for a sculptor.

MC - How do you feel about specialising in pet sculptures?I enjoy working on pets. There are moments that I have the

feeling that animals, especially our pets, are superior in their behavior in comparison to human beings. For example, I watched recently on Facebook horrible cruelties being committed by humans, such as the stoning to death of a young girl. I don't think that I will ever forget this.

MC - Are you perfecting new techniques in 3D sculpture at Arty Lobster?Whereas 3D has mostly been used for the creation of prototypes or art, we are one of the first companies in Europe to make a consumer product using 3D printing.

Arty Lobster specialises in all types of pets

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MC - What are the three best things about working at Arty Lobster?I very much enjoy the fact that I am working as a 3D printing professional for an already successful startup.

We are a nice team, in a lovely working environment, talking about interesting and inspiring topics all the time, about how we can improve and get even better, while every day is a new challenge and every pet is different and unique.

MC - What inspires you most in your work?I seek inspiration from the world I live in, politics, the economic crisis, the Internet, mathematics, or even nature. Speaking of inspiration, I tend to avoid being only concerned with aesthetics.

MC - Where do you see the future of 3D generally?3D now has the potential to revolutionize the way we make almost anything. 3D has already been embraced by many areas such as film, education, medicine, fine arts, architecture, engineering etc.

For more information about Dimitris: http://www.fotiou.net/ and http://www.shapeways.com/shops/df.

For more information and to order your 3D sculpture, visit the Arty Lobster website at: www.artylobster.com.

Dimitris with Lars Andersen, MD of Arty Lobster

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WWW.ARTYLOBSTER.COM

3D Pet Sculptures

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This month, Pets Magazine features adorable photos from the newly published book ‘Wet Dog’ by Sophie Gamand. Most dogs loathe a bath or shower and these photos show just how grumpy pooches can get when wet!

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Bath time!This pooch is clearly less than

impressed at being soaked.

‘I hate you so much right now!This chap’s grimace says it all! A bathing beauty...

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Wet Dog is a series of dogs captured at the groomer during their least favorite activity: bath time. Many of the featured pooches are adopted rescue dogs.

The author and award-winning photographer Sophie Gamond explains: “I chose this activity because it is a very unnatural one for the dogs, yet it is a direct consequence of their cohabitation with humans.

“Domesticated dogs need to be washed for hygiene, health and social reasons.

“Exposing the dogs at a vulnerable moment enabled me to capture their wide range of expressions. Poignant looks, despair, anger and even judgment can be read into their eyes.

She added: “Dogs have become more than animals and have acquired a status of persona, especially in big cities like New York.

“People here have difficulties developing meaningful relationships with their peers, and often turn to dogs instead.”

Wet Dog by Sophie Gamand is priced at £12.99 and published by Aurum

Press.For more information on the book go to: http://www.sophiegamand.com/

wetdogbook/ or Instagram: @SophieGamand

Two soggy peas in a pod...

One dog shows his displeasure by sticking out his tongue!

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Lucy’s calendar is available for £10 plus

P&P from her Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/

lucytherescuecavalier/

Lucy The Rescue Cavalier: Calendar 2016

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This month, Pets Magazine meets LISA MALONE, from Newquay in Cornwall whose dual passions are

pets and photography.

Pointers Arthur, aged 4, and Monty, aged 2. Arthur is laid back

and Monty is bonkers.Both love to run on the sand

Photo taken at the The Gannel, Newquay, September 2015

Shot with Lisa’s Canon SLR using high shutter speed to capture the

action.

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This month, Pets Magazine meets LISA MALONE from Newquay, Cornwall. Amateur photographer Lisa is 45 years old and is married with two kids, Libby aged 16 and Oneal who is 12 and who suffers from severe autism. Lisa owns Zodiac Interiors, which she has run since 1998.

The family also has a Boxer dog called Roxy. Roxy plays a special part in family life. The Malones originally welcomed Roxy as a puppy of 10 weeks

old eight years ago. From the day Roxy came to live with the family, she became Oneal's best friend.

Lisa explains: “Roxy has the most wonderful temperament - loves snuggles, kisses and is a real comic who loves to have fun. She is also tolerant of Oneal lying on her and having her nose sniffed and called "stinker nose" much to Oneal’s amusement.

“Oneal does not say many things but Roxy along with some fab 1:1 support at home and school, has come so far for his 12 years and thanks to all these things that are part of his life.”

Lisa loves taking photos of her glorious surroundings and of pets and other animals. Lisa has no formal qualifications in photography, but, as you can see from these amazing images, taking photos is her passion.

This is Marley the Golden Retriever

He is 4 years old and a very loveable chap who loves getting

wet!Photo taken in the surf of Fistral

Beach, Newquay, September 2015 with endless blue skies.

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Where do you take your inspiration from? I take my inspiration from my feelings and emotions - I like to connect with the environment I am working in.

I have a strong bond with all the dogs that I photograph. I like them to get to know me

as it’s really important that they know and trust me.

Do you have any pets yourself?Yes - Roxy is my eight year old Boxer. She is red and white and is my best friend.

She is a real comic and always puts a smile on my face :) Plus she takes a great photo and never grumbles that I spend hours photographing - she loves to be out and about with me.

Is pet photography the favourite part of your work? If so, why?Yes - because you never know how amazing the shots are until you get a chance to look at everything.

And there is always a surprise shot that jumps out above all

the others.

There is no hanging around when you are photographing dogs - they just do their thing and you have to be quick atcapturing them.

What are your favourite places and subjects to photograph?Fave place - toes in the sand in the summer months on my local beach The Gannelor cosy feet in my super comfy wellies means I can wade through even the soggiest of sand in the colder months.Fave subject - all my dogs of course!

Any brief tips for the amateur pet artist?Just keep clicking and practice, practice, practice!Also maybe start with a fast shutter speed if you are photographing dogs on a walk, so you capture those amazing moments in real clarity.

Photo taken on Fistral Beach, Newquay this September

This is Roxy, Lisa’s beloved Boxer and best friend.

‘Billy’

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By Marie Carter

Through the cracked mirrorA pitiful sightDulled eyes and faded plumeWithered bodyA beauty gone too soon.

Once supreme in gilded youthThis still proud birdNow sees a sad truth.

Feet bent and broken wingSpirit stamped outPretending mirror is mateHe stares at this crumpled thing

Feet unmoving on rotted perchTime seems to lurchHis world swimsHe falls, eyes turned jet stone...

Higher higher in to the skyAscending to comfort of sun's raysBlue bird fliesBack to the forest of gilded days.

Sapphire winged soaring through treesMajestic and boldCoasting the breezeOne again, a beauty to behold.

Blue Bird

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Sophie’s ChoicesTop product picks by our canine reviewer Sophie, the

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.

Little Big ElvisWe love the dog treats from this new quirkily named brand. These treats are low in fat and are good for your

dog’s teeth. They’re suitable for dogs of all sizes, but the ‘Rockin’ Bones’

look better for larger dogs than me!

http://nakedelvis.com/products/

Lily’s Kitchen Advent Calendar for Dogs

A tasty treat behind every door, this tasty Advent Calendar is sure to have every dog in the house vying for attention.

What’s inside: This deliciously Christmassy calendar is packed with Lily's favourite doggie treats - a range of beautifully baked biscuits for perfect pups:

Training Treats Little packs of mini bone-shaped biscuits, made with fresh russet apples and organic Farmhouse Cheddar to help keep your dog's attention on a wintry walk in the park.

Rise & Shines Two flower-shaped treats, made with beef liver, fresh carrots, blackstrap molasses and alfalfa to help keep your dog's coat as shiny as a Christmas bauble.

Bedtime Biscuits Single blissful bedtime treats, made with honey, yoghurt, chamomile and passion flowers to promote a Christmas Eve sleep so Santa can get on with his job.

Available from Lily’s Kitchen: http://www.lilyskitchen.co.uk/christmasgifts