I love my dog. But why must walkies involve horrendous social interactions? | Emma Beddington
13 HRS AGO - Dog people report reduced feelings of social isolation, partly because of all the walks with all Expand
13 HRS AGO - Dog people report reduced feelings of social isolation, partly because of all the walks with all the other dog owners. But what if you want solitude?Dogs combat human loneliness: German research last year comparing older dog owners, cat owners and people without pets found that only the dog people reported reduced feelings of social isolation. It is partly the dog’s company (our brains release the bonding hormone oxytocin when we’re around them) but it’s also about all those walks, bringing you into contact with cheery, like-minded souls, pockets stuffed with poo bags and fetid liver-based treats. Related: Is owning a dog good for your health? Continue reading... Collapse
Petflix and chill: does your dog need a streaming service?
7 DAYS AGO - The attention economy has turned its eye to a new audience: household petsHas it ever occurred to Expand
7 DAYS AGO - The attention economy has turned its eye to a new audience: household petsHas it ever occurred to you that your dog might like to watch television? Or that maybe your cat could be into music?Spotify has just announced that it will design a special playlist specifically for your dog, cat or hamster. You simply log in, answer a few questions about your pet’s personality (whether they’re relaxed or energetic; shy or friendly), upload a picture and wait while the app scans your existing music catalogue to curate a playlist. Related: I don't have a favourite dog or child. Any more | Paul Daley Continue reading... Collapse
Tell us about your cat disputes with your neighbours
17/01/2020 - After one disagreement over a cat resulted in a £20,000 court case, we would like to hear about Expand
17/01/2020 - After one disagreement over a cat resulted in a £20,000 court case, we would like to hear about your experiencesCats: they love us, they hate us - they might even actually be genuinely attached to us.But having a cat can make life difficult – especially when it comes to relationships with our neighbours. One dispute over a Maine Coon in west London resulted in a £20,000 court case this week. Jackie and John Hall were perplexed when their cat Ozzy kept coming home with a new collar – they soon found out that he had been making himself at home with a neighbour, who now has an injunction against her that will ban her interacting with the cat. Continue reading... Collapse
Spotify releases new playlists for your pet
15/01/2020 - Spotify has launched music for iguanas. The streaming service has released playlists that are Expand
15/01/2020 - Spotify has launched music for iguanas. The streaming service has released playlists that are tailored for pets, as well as a podcast for dogs to listen to. Users can get special songs chosen Collapse
A bag for life that’s keeping its promise | Brief letters
08/01/2020 - Patriotism | Geography | Longevity | WordsearchReading Gary Younge (Nationalism needn’t be Expand
08/01/2020 - Patriotism | Geography | Longevity | WordsearchReading Gary Younge (Nationalism needn’t be negative – but it has to be honest, Journal, 3 January), I couldn’t help but view it all through the lens of the comment by Stephen Maturin, in Patrick O’Brian’s novel Master and Commander, that patriotism is a word “that generally comes to mean either my country, right or wrong, which is infamous, or my country is always right, which is imbecile”.Tony RimmerLytham St Anne’s, Lancashire• Hannah Fry (Journal, 6 January) suggests a problem about deciding on the location of decontamination units boils down to maths, needing top minds to solve. The “where” in the problem should have suggested geography, which even 10 years ago would have provided a speedy solution, neatly coloured in as well. Otherwise, I agree with her.Jan RigbyProfessor emerita, department of geography, Maynooth University, Ireland Continue reading... Collapse
Pet snake cut free after getting trapped under car’s gearstick
31/12/2019 - Allan, who is 1.5m-long, was travelling to Oldham with its owners over ChristmasA 1.5 metre (5ft) Expand
31/12/2019 - Allan, who is 1.5m-long, was travelling to Oldham with its owners over ChristmasA 1.5 metre (5ft) snake named Allan had to be rescued from inside a car after escaping while travelling with its owners over Christmas.The pet corn snake got out of its vivarium as it was travelling with owner Ellie Bond from Nottingham to Oldham to spend the Christmas break with family. Continue reading... Collapse
Something to chew on: New Zealand man sets up 'stick library' for dogs
19/12/2019 - Andrew Taylor came up with the idea because of a lack of ‘good’ sticks at the local parkA New Expand
19/12/2019 - Andrew Taylor came up with the idea because of a lack of ‘good’ sticks at the local parkA New Zealand man has created a “stick library” for his local dog park as a way to recycle branches from tree pruning.Andrew Taylor, of north Canterbury in the South Island, cut a dozen tree branches down to “stick” size for the community’s four-legged friends, and smoothed away the rough edges using tools he had around the house.Stick library for dogs. pic.twitter.com/VSS550Togl Related: 'Amused us for years': Rob the unappealing albatross finally finds a mate Continue reading... Collapse
CCTV captures dramatic moment man saves dog after leash caught in elevator
13/12/2019 - Houston man Johnny Mathis leaps into action to rescue his neighbour’s dogA man in the United Expand
13/12/2019 - Houston man Johnny Mathis leaps into action to rescue his neighbour’s dogA man in the United States has saved his neighbour’s dog after its leash got caught in an elevator, posting CCTV footage of the dramatic rescue on Twitter.The video showed Johnny Mathis exiting the elevator as his neighbour entered, but the dog, which was on a long leash, failed to follow before the doors closed.Y’all I’m shaking!!! I just saved a dog on a leash that didn’t make it onto the elevator with the owner before the door closed! I just happened to turn around as the door closed and it started to lift off the ground I got the leash off in timeThis could have been a lot worse but thankfully I could help. I’m glad it ended the way it did, truly. All this attention wasn’t my intention but I hope awareness to situations like this are brought to everyone’s attention. It could happen to anyone. A second is all it takes. Continue reading... Collapse
Paws for thought: pet portraits are on the rise. But can they ever truly be art?
11/12/2019 - Want to turn your pet into a Renaissance hero? A new service will let you. But the real artists of Expand
11/12/2019 - Want to turn your pet into a Renaissance hero? A new service will let you. But the real artists of that era treated animals with much more respectWant to make your pet look a bit stupid? Now you can, by commissioning an artwork from Royal Pet Pawtrait. The artists behind this enterprise will turn a photo of your dog or cat into a posed portrait in what is purported to be “Renaissance” style, dressed up as a queen or soldier.The results look like a joke by someone who hates animals. The artists have seemingly taken that painting of dogs playing poker as inspiration. Continue reading... Collapse
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Reigning cats and dogs: why grumpy animals rule the internet
1 DAY AGO - Since the feline known as Grumpy Cat died last year, two furry curmudgeons called Chico and Meow Expand
1 DAY AGO - Since the feline known as Grumpy Cat died last year, two furry curmudgeons called Chico and Meow Meow have emerged to fight for her crown – and merchandising possibilitiesName: Grumpy animals.Age: Young-ish. Continue reading... Collapse
Claws out! Why cats are causing chaos and controversy across Britain
7 DAYS AGO - Whether it is local ‘cat-seducers’, out-and-out thievery or marauding toms, our feline friends are Expand
7 DAYS AGO - Whether it is local ‘cat-seducers’, out-and-out thievery or marauding toms, our feline friends are prompting furious rows and rivalries between neighboursForget teenagers with asbos or improperly demarcated boundary fences. Cats are the great neighbourhood menace of our age, as likely to rip apart once-harmonious communities as Japanese knotweed. They pad between homes, destroying civic feeling, pitting us against each other in our search for their devotion. Think politics creates division? Cats are worse.Last week, it was reported that a Hammersmith couple, John and Jackie Hall, had waged a legal battle to prevent a nearby resident, Nicola Lesbirel, from stealing their maine coon, Ozzy. The Halls accused Lesbirel of repeatedly feeding Ozzy, taking him into her house and replacing Ozzy’s collar with one that had Lesbirel’s phone number and the words “My home” on it. Related: Are pets really good for us – or just hairy health hazards? Continue reading... Collapse
Crufts – the musical! Cat fan writes tribute to top dog show
16/01/2020 - A Dog’s Tale, written by cat-loving playwright Poppy Hollman, tells the story of a British Expand
16/01/2020 - A Dog’s Tale, written by cat-loving playwright Poppy Hollman, tells the story of a British institution and has a canine/feline rap battleTom Hooper’s extravagant blockbuster may have given cats all the attention but a lovably scruffy new stage musical puts their canine rivals in the spotlight. A Dog’s Tale, written by Poppy Hollman, is a story of terrors and terriers, charting the frayed nerves and fierce competition at Crufts. Hollman’s play, which will tour the UK, explores the famous dog spectacular’s origins in the Victorian era, with the ambitious Charles Cruft – who masterminded the first event in 1891 – emerging as a PT Barnum figure. It is not so much the Greatest Showman, perhaps, as the Best-in-Showman.Hollman says her “guilty secret” about the comedy, which is her first professional commission, is that she shares her family home not with dogs but cats. (Two ginger toms, one fussy and one greedy, who tend to sleep on her laptop.) But she adds that Cruft himself “always Collapse
AOC is setting a terrible example with her adorable new puppy | Arwa Mahdawi
14/01/2020 - The congresswoman’s choice of a French bulldog – a breed prone to serious health problems – is Expand
14/01/2020 - The congresswoman’s choice of a French bulldog – a breed prone to serious health problems – is disappointing. Let’s hope it doesn’t lead others to buy Frenchies they can’t look afterThere’s a new pup in politics. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez recently introduced the world to her freshly acquired French bulldog via Instagram. He is called Deco, after the art deco movement, and he’s very cute. He has also proved very controversial. The congresswoman’s apparent decision to purchase a purebred puppy instead of adopting a rescue dog has set tongues wagging and prompted a condemnation from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta).“AOC had a chance to set a compassionate, responsible example in the face of the homeless-animal crisis, but instead, she apparently inadvertently contributed to the problem,” the animal rights group said in a press release. It further noted that “French bulldogs are inbred in order to produce ‘breed-specific traits’, which cause health problems that many Collapse
AOC finds her perfect puppy – which other politicians have found theirs?
07/01/2020 - The congresswoman says her French bulldog will come with her to the office and to town halls, Expand
07/01/2020 - The congresswoman says her French bulldog will come with her to the office and to town halls, making them an ideal pairToday Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez brought joy to the world, in the form of a video she made announcing a new addition to her family: a dog.Yes! the goal is to train him to be a community pup. Ideally we want to work to the point where he can enjoy town halls, be an Amtrak pup, come to the office, etc.But first, naps pic.twitter.com/ec8beJTrmZ My goal was for my next post to not be of our dogs. I failed. 4 days to go - let's get Brexit done!#tbt to the little one meeting our newest arrival a few months ago. Say hello to Kenzie. pic.twitter.com/G0wuoP9JCe Someone had a bit too much Christmas dinner! It’s the fourth! Check out my story to get patriotic with some #bundo ! Continue reading... Collapse
Glenn Druery’s toughest race: how the preference whisperer set the cat among the dogs
23/12/2019 - The man who disrupted Australian politics is causing another upset by wading into Sydney’s Expand
23/12/2019 - The man who disrupted Australian politics is causing another upset by wading into Sydney’s Scotland Island dog swimming race – with his pet TonkineseThe Scotland Island dog swimming race has taken place in Pittwater, in Sydney’s north, every Christmas Eve for the last 44 years, but in this year’s race a wild-card entrant has thrown the cat among the pigeons (or the dogs more accurately). It’s an 11-month-old Tonkinese cat named Gus.Gus’s owner has a history of shaking up contests. Glenn Druery, when he is not training Gus on Middle Harbour, he is better known as the “preference whisperer” due to his knack for getting minor parties across the line in complex Senate election deals.It should be kept as a dog race. With 50 to 60 dogs, all pretty excited, I would fear for the cat’s safety. Related: Cats bond with their people too, study finds Continue reading... Collapse
Mane attraction: cats beat dogs at the box office – but is the data fishy?
13/12/2019 - Films with feline stars have generated $1.3 bn more in revenue compared with canine capers, Expand
13/12/2019 - Films with feline stars have generated $1.3 bn more in revenue compared with canine capers, according to a curious new surveyWatch the fur fly: why cat films are better than dog filmsOn a day as dark and sad as this, we as a society have two options: we can seriously explore the reasons that led to Labour’s worst election defeat since the 1930s, or we can cheat and numb ourselves with a procession of empty distractions.What I’m trying to say is this: films about cats are more popular than films about dogs. Related: Feline queasy: eight urgent questions about the Cats trailer Continue reading... Collapse
Man saves dog after leash gets caught in elevator door – video
13/12/2019 - A Houston man, Johnny Mathis, saves the day – and the dog – by leaping into action when the leash Expand
13/12/2019 - A Houston man, Johnny Mathis, saves the day – and the dog – by leaping into action when the leash of a neighbour's pet gets caught in an elevator door. A security camera at their apartment complex captures the entire dramatic rescue. Mathis is thankful he was on hand to help: 'It could happen to anyone. A second is all it takes' • Florida dog drives doughnuts in unmanned car before police rescue Continue reading... Collapse
Mince pies for pets take the biscuit | Brief letters
09/12/2019 - Local theatres | Gina Miller | Festive food | Climate crisis | General election | Boris Johnson | Expand
09/12/2019 - Local theatres | Gina Miller | Festive food | Climate crisis | General election | Boris Johnson | Christmas hitsI read your editorial with a wry smile (Towns and cities across Britain need theatres just as much as the West End, 7 December). Your commendable sentiments about the importance of regional theatre would ring rather more true if the Guardian published more reviews of the existing regional arts performances. Your reviews are heavily weighted towards London theatres and exhibitions. If you really want to encourage audiences and the funding bodies to do more outside the metropolis it would help if you yourself publicised them more.Michael MeadowcroftLeeds• Your piece by Gina Miller (7 December) was a truly inspiring read from a very impressive woman. I kept asking myself why someone of this calibre is not running for parliament. Hopefully next time.Ivor MitchellWellington, Somerset Continue reading... Collapse
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My partner wants to get a cat but I’m not convinced
5 DAYS AGO - After looking after a friend’s cat, I think our flat is too small and I’m concerned about the Expand
5 DAYS AGO - After looking after a friend’s cat, I think our flat is too small and I’m concerned about the messMy partner is desperate to get a male black cat, but I think our one-bedroom flat is too small. We looked after a friend’s cat for a couple of weeks and, while it was lovely (he was great company, made the place feel more homely and offered us great Instagram content), I did have reservations – mostly that the litter tray took up space, sometimes gave off strong smells and I had to frequently vacuum up his hair. I’m worried that having a cat permanently would leave my clean and tidy flat in chaos. If we lived in a larger place I’d be more inclined to get one, but we’ve only just moved into the flat, which we love and have no desire to move any time soon (we probably couldn’t afford somewhere bigger in the area anyway). Continue reading... Collapse
How the world's funniest-looking dog finally found a home
21/01/2020 - Jubilee the wide-eyed husky lay languishing unwanted in a shelter, until her carers hit on the Expand
21/01/2020 - Jubilee the wide-eyed husky lay languishing unwanted in a shelter, until her carers hit on the idea of sharing her sad saga on Facebook Name: Jubilee the cross-eyed Siberian husky.Age: Four. Continue reading... Collapse
Dog tired: will the new podcast for pooches soothe my surly whippet?
16/01/2020 - It has specially composed music, a background soundscape including a washing machine, and Expand
16/01/2020 - It has specially composed music, a background soundscape including a washing machine, and voiceovers from well-known actors. A brilliant idea – or barking mad?“I wish I could stay here with you,” says actor Jessica Raine. Her voice is Caramel Bunny delicious, low and soft. “But you don’t need to worry about that … take the opportunity to chill out, focus on you.” She is not talking to me, though: she is talking to Oscar, my surly whippet, on Spotify’s newly released My Dog’s Favourite Podcast.There are two episodes, each five hours long, aiming to provide dogs with a relaxing aural comfort blanket when their owners are out. The podcasts combine soothing speech, specially composed ambient music and a background soundscape (birdsong, a washing machine and ironing). Continue reading... Collapse
Forget cat ladies: the real tribes of modern dating, from fantasists to routiners
14/01/2020 - Finding a mate now involves navigating the perils of sword enthusiasts, 9/11 ‘truthers’ and the Expand
14/01/2020 - Finding a mate now involves navigating the perils of sword enthusiasts, 9/11 ‘truthers’ and the risk that it’s your beagle they really want, rather than youTen years ago, in my second year at university, I threw a Lord of the Rings-themed party. I would be embarrassed about committing this to print had it not been in New Zealand, where all parties are Lord of the Rings-themed.I was a Ringwraith, having spent an unfeasible amount of money on eBay for a hobby horse. Some guests on the way to my house in costume, were accosted by strangers of about our age, who asked: were they going to a Lord of the Rings-themed party?At its worst, dating can be thought of as an anthropological survey Related: What is a softboi? You might be dating one – and you don't even know it Continue reading... Collapse
Dog abandoned in church just before Christmas with 'I am so so so so…
02/01/2020 - A six-year-old dog was found abandoned inside a church in Lancashire with a note from his Expand
02/01/2020 - A six-year-old dog was found abandoned inside a church in Lancashire with a note from his heartbroken owner saying: “I am so so so sorry.” The brindle and white Staffordshire terrier cross was found Collapse
I disliked giving and receiving presents – until Mum bought me an ear-flapping delight
20/12/2019 - No Christmas present will ever come close to how excellent that little jack russell was – it Expand
20/12/2019 - No Christmas present will ever come close to how excellent that little jack russell was – it taught me about love, and the value of a perfect giftI remember when the magic of Christmas burst. I must have been eight or nine, and it was the year my parents gave me a plastic green sledge. It was huge – by far the biggest present under the tree. I didn’t have the foresight or inclination to furtively feel what it was through the paper, and I have no memory of what I was expecting. But when I unwrapped it, I immediately burst into tears, which I think we can all agree made me an ungrateful little brat. In my defence, Christmas Day that year was – like so many – wet and grey, and I had only one very vague memory of British snow, so the present of a sledge seemed to taunt me with that mythical white Christmas; a perfect day that I was already sure couldn’t exist.Once my tears had dried, I decided that I would never invest hope in Christmas presents ever again. I went on to become a lousy Collapse
I couldn't prise its jaws open': the woman who fought a mountain lion to save her dog
13/12/2019 - Ilene Dondlinger of California says she does not want the big cat killed, despite its fatal attack Expand
13/12/2019 - Ilene Dondlinger of California says she does not want the big cat killed, despite its fatal attack on her miniature schnauzerWhen Ilene Dondlinger jumped on the mountain lion attacking her miniature schnauzer in the early hours of 5 December, she reacted without thinking. The 54-year-old wrestled with the big cat in her backyard, desperately trying to open its jaws to save her beloved dog Pumba. But there was nothing she could do.“I couldn’t prise its jaws open, no matter what I did,” Dondlinger said, detailing how she punched, kicked and jumped on the big cat, even putting her knee to its throat in desperation. Related: Los Angeles to build world's largest wildlife bridge across 10-lane freeway Continue reading... Collapse
Left out in the cold: dogs at polling stations – in pictures
12/12/2019 - A now classic feature of election coverage, the UK’s dogs are heading to polling stations around Expand
12/12/2019 - A now classic feature of election coverage, the UK’s dogs are heading to polling stations around the country, and waiting outside as they are not allowed in with their ownersFollow the live blog here Continue reading... Collapse
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