A new year is upon us, and as is tradition, resolutions to eat better and exercise more usually make the long list for the New Year’s self-improvement journey.  So why not include your dog in the quest to live healthier.

Ocean View Estate Winery & Restaurant are the proud winners of the Queensland Tourism Awards in the category of Tourism Wineries, Distilleries and Boutique Breweries 2011 recently announced at the Gala dinner held at The Brisbane Convention Centre on Friday 4th November.
The win was a great surprise to owners and managers Thomas and Kate Honnef who nearly didn’t make the night as it was held on the same weekend as the busy Good Food and Wine Festival.  Up against so many great contenders, Kate said “Although we know we have a great product, we never expected to be voted best in Queensland!”

With Christmas fast approaching, it has come time to remind all of you the surgery will be closed over the Christmas/New Year period.  We will be open until 5:00pm on Friday 23rd December and will re-open on Tuesday 3rd January, 2012.  During this period an emergency-only service will be available, and the vet can be contacted by calling the surgery on 3425 1544.

No need to leave town to get your Christmas party supplies.  Our retail store stocks basic white and coloured disposable plates, bowls, cutlery, cups, napkins and table covers, as well as Christmas themed paper plates, napkins and cups, all very reasonably priced.  Poppers, sparklers, streamers and bulk bon-bons are available as are Christmas table centrepieces and balloons. 

During the last month we got all of our clients to cast their vote for Pet of the Year.  You have chosen “Dixie” Paton to be the Old Mill Vet Pet of the Year 2011.  Thank you all for voting, your compassion is greatly appreciated by Tegan, who deeply misses her little girl every day. 

OTHER STOPOVER OPTIONS TO EUROPE
by Joanne Harding-Smith
In the next issue we will be releasing our European Earlybird deals for anyone traveling to Europe next year, so I thought it timely to talk about combining a classic European holiday with an off the beaten track destination by adding in one of these stopovers.  It’s also an economical way of seeing some place different without going there as a separate holiday.

Positive feedback and word of mouth has now brought Hoovesnall to Dayboro and Ocean View!
A local of the Samford Valley, Carla has been the owner/manager of Hoovesnall pet sitting for the past 3 years.  Requests for her high standard of pet care and services have now spread into Dayboro, Mt Pleasant & Ocean View.

What makes it so difficult to make sustainable changes in your life?
How many times have you wanted to make a change in your life like lose some weight, eat more healthily, clear the clutter or create some space for yourself?  Every time you try to make a change and fall back into old habits you feel more disheartened and create a cycle of try and fail over and over again.
There is so much information out there to help you to achieve whatever your goal may be…then how could you possibly fail?  For me there are several questions that come:

With summer coming up fast, many of our local reptiles are starting to become more active and on the move. Unfortunately this means that our curious and frisky pets will also find any snakes hanging around your property an irresistible novelty play thing.  The most dangerous time for pets interacting with snakes is the beginning and end of the warmer months.  As snakes are more sluggish during these times they are less alert and less able to get away from playful pets.
Their only defence is a bite, which (if the snake is venomous) can have disastrous consequences.

Just some of the fun activities at the recent Open Day included pony rides, Wild Care wildlife display, snake handling, freshwater turtle display and sled-dog display.
A big congratulations to all of the major prize winners on the day.  They included Effie Bennett, Cara Diak, Janelle Luck and Eleanor.