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LONDON, May 11, 2012 /PRNewswire/ –

Discover your ideal furry friend or pamper the one youve got with treats, goodies and gadgets all under one roof.

After pulling in record numbers of visitors last year, the London Pet Show, which takes place on 12-13 May, has moved to a bigger venue – Earls Court Two.

Its the largest event of its kind in the UK, showcasing different breeds of cats and dogs as well as smaller furry animals, aquatics and exotic pets. If youre thinking about becoming a pet owner, youll have the chance to find out more about whats involved. Here are just some of the things to do over the weekend:

Discover Dogs:

• Find out about different breeds – and meet them to see if theyre right for you in terms of size, temperament and coat length
• Watch some doggie dancing with the canine stars of Britains Got Talent
• Check out the Dog Display Ring, where the pooches will be showing off their talents with obedience, agility and heelwork to music
• Watch The Quack Pack, a group of border collies who herd ducks!
• See dog grooming demonstrations, and pick up gadgets and treats for your pet

Discover Cats:

• Enter the World of Cats, where you can meet different breeds and get advice from experts
• Say hello to the Blue Peter cats, Socks and Cookie
• Watch grooming demonstrations
• Get advice on which age of cat might be right for you, from kittens to elderly pets
• Shop for goodies and gadgets for your cat

Discover Small Furries:

• Meet different breeds of rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas, rats, mice, gerbils and hamsters
• Watch grooming demonstrations and attend talks to find out which small furry pet is right for you – and get tips on how to look after them
• Be amazed by the bouncing bunnies in the rabbit show jumping display
• Keep your children happy with colouring competitions and toy-making.

Discover Animals, including Aquatics and Exotics:

If youve always wanted to own an exotic pet, find out more about whats involved and how to look after them.

• Meet geckos, snakes, frogs and more with Crocodile Joe and his amazing collection of reptiles and snakes
• Take your chance to get up close to birds of prey
• Have a look at the fish display and watch miniature ponies in action.

Once youve spent a day at the London Pet Show, you might be inspired to take the plunge and become a pet owner. Remember that its a huge responsibility and vets bills can be costly. Its worth taking a look at a good Pet Insurance policy, such as John Lewis Pet Insurance, which offers up to 10,000 cover for vets bills for your dog or cat.

The London Pet Show is at Earls Court Two from 12-13 May. For more information, and to get tickets, got to http://www.londonpetshow.co.uk or call 0844-873-7332.

About John Lewis Insurance

With John Lewis Pet Insurance you can choose from four levels of cover for vets fees so you can find the right level for you and your pet.

Dont worry about unexpected vets bills – you can claim up to 10,000 each year if your pet gets injured or falls ill.

If your pet falls ill your vet is paid directly, provided theyre set up to receive payments.

If your pet causes an accident, the policy protects you against legal liability up to 2 million.

There are no upper age limits on the policy for vets fees, and your cat or dog can be covered from eight weeks old.

Visit http://www.johnlewis-insurance.com/pet for further information and to get a quote.

Lauren Baldwin
Email: customerservice@johnlewis-insurance.com
Tel: +44(0)207-592-6677

SOURCE John Lewis Insurance

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We are very loud. I mean, text your friends sitting next to you because theywont be able to hear you, dont bother wearing earplugs because they wont do any good, lock up the small furry animals because the reverb will probably peel their fur off, call the police because laws will be broken loud. And thats just before the anthems get belted out.

We like shiny objects. And the Portland Winterhawks arent afraid to touch them. Many players consider it a supersition to touch things like the Western Conference trophy, as it will jinx their chances of winning the league title. I say the heck with that. You earned it, put your little mitts all over it. Feed it snacks. Take it out for an afternoon stroll. Stop by the Portland Winterhawks business office and pet it now and again. Whatever floats your boat. Touching a shiny object makes it real, and it makes believing that the next big shiny thing is real, too.

We love the Winterhawks for sentimental reasons. And we wont hesitate to show it. On Saturday, win, lose or draw we know for sure three of our players will play their last game in a Winterhawks jersey on home ice: Captain William Wrenn, Oliver Gabriel and Cam Reid. Four others are very likely off to the NHL next season: Sven Bartschi, Joe Morrow, Marcel Noebels and Brad Ross. And if the Colorado Avalanche get smart and sign him over the summer, Troy Rutkowski. Im sure they wont mind leaving behind early morning bus rides and bad Portland driving conditions, but I hope the boys will always remember that Portland fans showed them how to go out in style.

We love the Winterhawks, period. Sure, we like shiny things and we love scoreboards in our favor. Who doesnt? But there is one thing we love above all others, no matter what. 24, to be exact: the Portland Winterhawks themselves. They dont have to come here. They choose to. They leave their homes, their families, their friends, their high schools and whatever another life may have held to come here. On Saturday night, Portland fans will choose the Winterhawks. Im sure you feel the same way about your Oil Kings. There have been so many great Winterhawks moments to be proud of this season, its hard to pick just one. So I didnt.Here are just a few of my favorites:

– Cheering in a nearly standing room only rink when then-rookie Brendan Leipsic nailed a zinger on a penalty shot.

– Watching the replay after Brad Ross finally scored on a breakaway.

– Putting our jaws back in place after Sven Bartschi sets off whatever fireworks display he decides to put on.

– Attempting to keep track of Ty Ratties hat tricks, new franchise records and first player to whatever.

– Watching Captain William Wrenn lead the team in hoisting the Western Conference trophy.

Behind the great plays, the great goals and the great saves are great people, who for a short time, wereours. All ours. In the end, its not about that trophy that will travel to the Rose City for Saturdays game. Hockey is who we are, and the Winterhawks are who we love and what we believe in. So, Edmonton, Im sure you understand now why Portland is #allin, Saturday nightand always.

It is envisaged that the Rap Slam Competition will encourage youngsters to develop an interest in classical music by selecting a famous classical piece over which they will then create a rap. The competition will initially be conducted (no pun intended) via Twitter and Facebook and from there three finalists will be shortlisted to perform in an X-Factor style competition in the Talk Tent at the Orchestra in a Field on Sunday 1st July. Amongst others judging the performances will be Professor Green and Benny Banks as well as top rap agent Billy Wood.

The winner will then perform his/her winning entry live onstage at the festival with an introduction by Charles Hazlewood and Professor Green. (Rumour has it that Professor Green might also perform with Charles Hazlewood and his full orchestra!!)

Additionally the winner will also have the opportunity to air their piece live onstage at the Glastonbury Festival 2013 (which takes place between 26th and 30th June) and they will also spend a day recording in the studio of the Super Furry Animals in Cardiff, with production supervision by band member Cian Ciaran.

Charles Hazelwood said: People associate big orchestras with stuffy concert halls, and a lot of people are alienated by that image of classical music, ut take the music out of that setting, and its a revelation.

Imagine a brightly lit stage in the middle of a field at night, and the sheer sensory assault of a symphony orchestra at full tilt, plus soloists and a big chorus its an amazing spectacle, let alone the sound.

The Rap Slam competition has just been launched via Twitter (@rap_slam) and the Orchestra in a Field website.

Gershwin tributes are standard fare at pops concerts, but Thursday night’s “Gershwin Spectacular” with Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops found new life in the old concept, and lived up to its title, by going multimedia.

During some sections of the program, a giant projection screen deployed quickly and noiselessly over the Symphony Hall stage.  In the opening number, the orchestra accompanied a slideshow of iconic American scenes with Sid Ramin’s big-shouldered arrangement of Gershwin’s song Love is Sweeping the Country.  The photographs, by Joseph Sohm, included eye-popping landscapes and cityscapes and heart-warming shots of furry animals and people cuddling each other, images guaranteed to raise the emotional temperature in the room.

Then up went the screen, and on came pianist Michael Chertock to perform Rhapsody in Blue with the orchestra.  The show-style lighting — Chertock and his Steinway grand in a pool of light downstage, orchestra in the shadows behind–had the beneficial effect of helping the listener pick out the piano’s sound during the big tutti passages.  Maybe the BSO should try that sometime with, say, the Sibelius Violin Concerto.

In the orchestral opening and the beginning of the first piano cadenza, the performance sounded a little polite, as if this was going to be a proper Bostonian version, a rhapsody in pale blue.  But that turned out to be a ruse; Chertock turned the heat up higher and higher in his solo until the orchestra capped it by entering fortissimo, and the piece was off and running.

That was just the first of many well-executed musical effects that punctuated this performance.  Often criticized for being episodic and slapped together by instinct (but what instinct!), Rhapsody in Blue seems to invite performers to hurry through it before the audience notices how scrappy it is structurally.  Chertok and Lockhart took the opposite approach, lingering over every transition, every little weld, every change in harmonic and instrumental color.

With such a treatment, this piece could easily fall apart, but this performance made one aware not just of the brilliant piano writing and the beautiful melodies, but of Gershwin’s skill at stage-managing the whole, preparing the listener to hear each new idea.

There was a price to be paid for that, of course, in forward momentum; notably, the closing peroration felt tacked-on, like pulling one more trick out of the box, instead of the climax of an exciting rush of music.  But overall, this was a fresh and rewarding take on a familiar classic.

An American in Paris was next–not just Gershwin’s orchestral piece, but the movie of the same name.  That 1951 film, and especially its long final ballet to the Gershwin score, is a reminder of the dizzying heights of imagination Hollywood musicals reached in that era.

On Thursday night, Lockhart and the Pops blared out Gershwin’s splendid score as, on the big screen, Gene Kelly twirled and leaped through a surrealist Paris populated by dancing gendarmes, street hustlers, and Leslie Caron.  Having to synchronize with the screen image meant Lockhart couldn’t be very spontaneous with the score, but his band played with admirable color and energy, and the sonic presence of live music with those indelible images made for a vivid experience indeed.

Gene Kelly in full Hollywood production mode is a hard act for anyone to follow, but eight game young singer-dancers from the Boston Conservatory Theater Division did just that in the evening’s last act.  Performing on a small strip of stage in front of the orchestra, they led off in the Kelly surrealist spirit with a dance to Gershwin’s brief piece Promenade: Walking the Dog.  While Pops principal clarinetist Thomas Martin chirped the jaunty solo, the dancers, wielding those joke dog leashes with an imaginary dog at the end, cleverly mimed getting pulled this way and that, with the inevitable tangles of leashes and bodies.

After that came more conventional fare–a torch song, a romantic duet, a plant-your-feet-and-belt number, a soft shoe, etc.–all winningly done to Gershwin songs both familiar (Fascinatin’ Rhythm, Embraceable You) and somewhat less so (By Strauss, Slap That Bass).  It all went to show that, to succeed in American musical theater, ya gotta have heart–and these young performers did.

Some of these performances will be repeated at the Family Concert, 3 pm Saturday.  The entire Gershwin program will be repeated 8 pm Saturday. bso.org; 617-266-1492.

LONDON, May 11, 2012 — /PRNewswire/ –

Discover your ideal furry friend or pamper the one youve got with treats, goodies and gadgets all under one roof.

After pulling in record numbers of visitors last year, the London Pet Show, which takes place on 12-13 May, has moved to a bigger venue – Earls Court Two.

Its the largest event of its kind in the UK, showcasing different breeds of cats and dogs as well as smaller furry animals, aquatics and exotic pets. If youre thinking about becoming a pet owner, youll have the chance to find out more about whats involved. Here are just some of the things to do over the weekend:

Discover Dogs:

• Find out about different breeds – and meet them to see if theyre right for you in terms of size, temperament and coat length
• Watch some doggie dancing with the canine stars of Britains Got Talent
• Check out the Dog Display Ring, where the pooches will be showing off their talents with obedience, agility and heelwork to music
• Watch The Quack Pack, a group of border collies who herd ducks!
• See dog grooming demonstrations, and pick up gadgets and treats for your pet

Discover Cats:

• Enter the World of Cats, where you can meet different breeds and get advice from experts
• Say hello to the Blue Peter cats, Socks and Cookie
• Watch grooming demonstrations
• Get advice on which age of cat might be right for you, from kittens to elderly pets
• Shop for goodies and gadgets for your cat

Discover Small Furries:

• Meet different breeds of rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas, rats, mice, gerbils and hamsters
• Watch grooming demonstrations and attend talks to find out which small furry pet is right for you – and get tips on how to look after them
• Be amazed by the bouncing bunnies in the rabbit show jumping display
• Keep your children happy with colouring competitions and toy-making.

Discover Animals, including Aquatics and Exotics:

If youve always wanted to own an exotic pet, find out more about whats involved and how to look after them.

• Meet geckos, snakes, frogs and more with Crocodile Joe and his amazing collection of reptiles and snakes
• Take your chance to get up close to birds of prey
• Have a look at the fish display and watch miniature ponies in action.

Once youve spent a day at the London Pet Show, you might be inspired to take the plunge and become a pet owner. Remember that its a huge responsibility and vets bills can be costly. Its worth taking a look at a good Pet Insurance policy, such as John Lewis Pet Insurance, which offers up to #xA3;10,000 cover for vets bills for your dog or cat.

The London Pet Show is at Earls Court Two from 12-13 May. For more information, and to get tickets, got to http://www.londonpetshow.co.uk or call 0844-873-7332.

About John Lewis Insurance

With John Lewis Pet Insurance you can choose from four levels of cover for vets fees so you can find the right level for you and your pet.

Dont worry about unexpected vets bills – you can claim up to #xA3;10,000 each year if your pet gets injured or falls ill.

If your pet falls ill your vet is paid directly, provided theyre set up to receive payments.

If your pet causes an accident, the policy protects you against legal liability up to #xA3;2 million.

There are no upper age limits on the policy for vets fees, and your cat or dog can be covered from eight weeks old.

Visit http://www.johnlewis-insurance.com/pet for further information and to get a quote.

Lauren Baldwin
Email: customerservice@johnlewis-insurance.com
Tel: +44(0)207-592-6677

SOURCE John Lewis Insurance

Hammers and nails, small furry animals and toys, and perhaps some beer and pizza — thats what we are thinking about while watching some cable networks with strong advertising messaging.

DIY Network, PBS Kids Sprout and NFL Network are the top networks when it comes to viewers who are more likely to buy products advertised on a network, according to a new study.

DIY
led with a 35% number, followed closely by PBS Kids Sprout at 34% and NFL Network at 33% — according to Beta Research. All this compares much more favorably to the average broadcast network, which
the survey says garnered an 18% score.

Other channels that scored well include Food Network (31%); Disney XD (30%); Nick Jr. (30%); HGTV (29%); G4 (28%); and Nat Geo Wild (28%).

Beta
Research says some big documentary/reality networks score best as overall view favorites: History earned a 56% score; Discovery Channel, 55%; National Geographic Channel, 52%; Food Network, 50%; H2
(History International), 50%; and ESPN, 49%.

The average broadcast network takes in a 40% number.

What networks do viewers want to see on their smartphones, tablets or computers? NFL
Networks was at 36%; Disney XD, 33%; PBS Kids Sprout, 32%; ESPN, 31%; and ESPN News, 31%.

Its usually a playful scene at Bonnett Pet Center, but the store just received some somber news.

I cried because its really hard, KathyGonzales, an employee at Bonnett Pet Center said. She will have to say farewell tothe furry animals and her job.

Its hard to sit there and tell them goodbye. The Bonnetts are amazing, Gonzales said.

David Bonnett has owned and operated the store for 40 years.The centers landlord, Macerich Corporation, has encounteredsome pressure on the west coast.

California stores were selling puppies they had gotten from Midwest puppy mills, Bonnett said.The mall developing company made a choice to not renew leases of pet stores in all of its 70 malls.

In California there were protests in the mall. They couldnt stop the protests so they decided the quickest way was not to lease to pet stores, Bonnett said.If you shut down the pet stores, you shut down the puppy mills. That might be true in California but not here in West Texas.

Alocal Macerich spokeswoman declined to comment on the situation.

We have had dealings with the CEO of Macerich. We really salute his decision to do away with pet stores, said Gemma Vaughn, Cruelty CareWorker with People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, or PETA.

Nancy Constancio, Bonnett Store Manager, said there is nothing cruel going on at this lively location.

We have vets that we work with. We do everything to keep them clean, to keep them healthy and keep them happy, Constancio said.

Regardless, the free-of-charge puppy playroom must lock up its doors for good.

Its corporate world, you know what I mean? Were just a local owned mom and pop shop and you have to answer to big brother, Constancio said.

Bonnett said he doesnt plan on relocating.

Well, I go home. Thats it. Our particular model will only work in a mall. We need the traffic. We need the people coming by to see the dogs, Bonnett said.

Bonnett saidthe furry friends are sold in about three days.He has no doubt the remainingpuppies will find new homes before the store closes May 13.

Small furry animals at the Bath Cats and Dogs Home were given a boost when staff members at a Trow-bridge supermarket donated food, bedding and treats for them to enjoy.

Tesco’s community champion Cheryl Brown joined the Claverton Down home for a day last week as it launched an awareness campaign about the small animals such as rabbits, ferrets and rats which it
also looks after.

Ms Brown said: “When you think of Bath Cats and Dogs Home, cats and dogs come to mind, but often the smaller animals are overlooked.

“When they approached us for help in providing some Easter eggs, we thought we could do even better by giving some bedding, treats, food and drinking bottles.

“It was a good day because they had a lot of children down meeting the animals and finding out more about them.”

Anyone wanting more details on the Bath Cats and Dogs Home can visit bathcatsanddogshome.or.uk, or call 01225 787321.

More women use Pinterest to post pictures of food and furry animals, and more men use Dartitup to share snaps of cars, a new infographic that compares sharing and user habits on the two content-sharing sites reveals.

The London Pet Show, an annual show, is due to open on May 12 and 13 2012, at Earls Court Two, in London, UK.

The show will display many different animals and also include several active displays. Talks and seminars on animal behaviour will also be provided. Visitors have four distinct zones to enjoy, featuring dogs, cats and small furry animals, with the aim of offering animal lovers a place to learn more about their passion.

The show has moved to a bigger venue this year and there will be more animals, bigger rings and displays, additional viewing space and aisles for the visiting animal enthusiasts.

With four zones in this years show, there is claimed to be something for every animal lover. The Discover Dogs zone will showcase talented dogs performing in the Dog Display Ring, as well as dog grooming demonstrations. The Discover Cats zone will be catering for the feline species, with celebrity cats making special appearances. The Discover Small Furries zone allows visitors to mingle with small animals, including mice, rats, guinea pigs, chinchillas and rabbits. The Discover Animals zone will be showcasing dog dancers, duck herding by border collies, and many other activities. The event will also host a rabbit show, and educational activities demonstrated by Burgess Pet Care.

Millennium and Copthorne Hotels, a UK-based hotel company, has announced a discount of 10 percent on room rates for visitors to the London Pet Show. The company owns six hotels in London, with three hotels located near to Earls Court.