Cymdeithas Hanesyddol Caerwys - Caerwys Historical Society -
Friday, 28 January 2022
Caerwys History
How Much Sleep Do Dogs Need?
Sleep. We all need it, humans and animals alike. Humans need between 6-8 hours per night. But have you ever thought about dogs? How much sleep DOES a dog need? Do they have the same type of sleep as a human or is it different?
Sleep. We all need it, humans and animals alike. Humans need between 6-8 hours per night. But have you ever thought about dogs? How much sleep DOES a dog need? Do they have the same type of sleep as a human or is it different?
Believe it or not, sleep remains a neurological mystery. No one knows exactly why mammals sleep. What we do know is that sleep is consistent across the mammalian and avian species. Though there are approximately 5,400 mammal species on earth, the patterns of sleep, including rapid eye movement (REM) and slow-phase, are markedly similar amongst them. So too are the patterns noted on an EEG (electroencephalogram)—a machine that records brainwaves.

Sleep needs change throughout life. This is true for our canine friends, as well. Puppies sleep more than adult dogs. Elderly dogs will also tend to sleep more. Why do these changes occur?
Puppies are growing rapidly. Growth requires intense bursts of energy, after which the body needs to recover. It is normal for puppies to sleep up to 20 hours a day. On the converse, elderly dogs sleep more because of a slowing metabolic rate. This is a normal part of age. However, it is important to note that “slowing down” with old age can also be a sign of underlying conditions like arthritis or cancer. This is why it’s a good idea to have annual examinations (or even every 6 months) with your veterinarian to ensure that your dog doesn’t have any physical problems. Early management of arthritis and other conditions can dramatically improve quality of life for senior dogs.
Activity can also affect sleep time for dogs. Working dogs sleep less than inactive dogs. Inactive dogs also may have unusual sleep/wake cycles. This might be because many dogs are home alone during the daytime, and thus, they sleep. When owners come home, the dog becomes active. This daytime inactivity can lead to wakefulness at night, when the rest of the house is asleep. It’s a good idea to leave interesting toys for your dogs when you are gone for the day. Daily exercise for at least 15-30 minutes also promotes healthy sleep patterns…in everyone!

Breed and size can affect sleep too, but the reasons are less clear. Large and giant breed dogs in general seem to sleep more than their smaller counterparts (think Chihuahua versus Mastiff). This might be due to higher energy demands for bigger muscles and internal organs.
Much about sleep remains shrouded in mystery, but one thing is clear: we all need it!
Does my dog need a bedtime?
We all know that as humans, if we don’t get enough sleep, our cognition suffers. Here’s the beauty about being a dog—you can sleep anywhere, anytime! Like all animals, dogs do require a certain amount of sleep, but since they aren’t reading, writing, driving, or otherwise operating heavy machinery, you don’t need to worry about setting a bedtime for your canine companion. He will do that for himself. Maybe us humans should take a page from our dog’s playbook and rest when our body demands it!
My dog sleeps all day. Is this normal?
The truth is, sleep varies dramatically between individual canines, just as in humans. There may be correlations between breed and size, but in the end, each dog is unique. Dr William Thomas, a veterinary neurologist at the University of Tennessee, estimates that dogs sleep anywhere from 48-58% of the time. If your dog is active and alert when awake, has a good appetite, and seems otherwise normal, then perhaps your dog just needs the extra Zzzzzzs. On the other hand, if your pup is exhibiting lethargy, decreased appetite, or any other unusual signs, it is time for a check-up.
Here are some recent survey results on over 10,000 dogs’ sleeping habits.
The Jack Russel Terrier
Thursday, 27 January 2022
Donal's Chilli, Coconut Sweet Potato & Red Lentil Soup

Celebrity Chef
This warming curry-style soup is packed with hearty goodness and velvety sweet coconut.
Ingredients
Equipment: Large saucepan, hand-held stick blender or food processor
Serves: 6, or 4 generously
- 4 tbsp sunflower oil
- 2 red onions, finely chopped
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- 1 tsp chilli flakes, plus extra to garnish
- 600g (1lb 5oz) sweet potatoes, peeled and diced
- 250g (9oz) yellow split peas
- 1 x 400ml (14fl oz) tin reduced fat coconut milk
- 1.5 litres (6 cups) vegetable stock, plus more if needed
Method
- Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a large saucepan, add the onions and allow to soften over a low heat for 5 minutes. Add the ground coriander, cumin seeds and chilli flakes and fry for about 1 minute before adding the sweet potatoes and the split peas.
- Pour over the coconut milk and stock and season with salt and pepper. Bring to the boil and cook for 10 minutes, then reduce the heat and simmer gently for 15 minutes until tender.
- Use a hand-held stick blender or food processor to blitz until smooth, adding more stock if needed. Garnish with a scattering of chilli flakes and serve.
Wednesday, 26 January 2022
Cheese, Onion and Potato Pasty

Ingredients
- 450g / 1lb packet puff pastry
- 2 medium potatoes diced small
- 1 medium onion
- 220g / 8oz Cheddar Cheese
- 1 egg
- 1 Tablespoon chopped parsley
- Salt and pepper to taste
Method
- STEP 1Peel and chop the potato into small chunks and the onion finely chopped and grate the cheese. Finely chop the parsley.
- STEP 2Mix all the ingredients together well in a bowl.
- STEP 3Divide the pastry in 4 and roll each piece into a round about 15 cm (6 inches) in diameter.
- STEP 4Put a quarter of the cheese mixture on each one, dampen the edge with a little water, then fold over and crimp the edges.
- STEP 5Lay the pasties on a floured baking sheet and brush them with milk or beaten egg.
- STEP 6Bake them for 45 minutes.
The Old Sea Dog
By Elfin.


