A Dog’s Tale review – quirky musical takes Crufts for a walk
1 DAY AGO - Scarcroft Allotments, YorkThe performers’ tail-wagging joy at being back in front of audiences Expand
1 DAY AGO - Scarcroft Allotments, YorkThe performers’ tail-wagging joy at being back in front of audiences can’t sustain this uneven history of the canine showIn many ways, Mikron’s touring model is ideally suited to this not-quite-post-pandemic summer. Taking pint-sized shows to venues that are often outdoors, reaching communities that are otherwise ill-served by theatres, the company offers an accessible reintroduction to live performance after a year in which theatre buildings have mostly been closed. And this year’s quartet of actors are clearly thrilled to be back in front of audiences, bringing infectious enthusiasm to their latest performance.Unfortunately, Poppy Hollman’s quirky musical look at the history of Crufts struggles to sustain that energy. In classic Mikron style, A Dog’s Tale delves into a very British institution, combining fictional storylines at the present-day dog show with titbits from its past. Shy but sweet Linda (a charming Rachel Benson) races around the exhibition Collapse
Country diary: there’s no taming of the pygmy shrew
4 DAYS AGO - Langstone, Hampshire: Two velvet-coated shrews tumbled down the slope, landing at our feet. The Expand
4 DAYS AGO - Langstone, Hampshire: Two velvet-coated shrews tumbled down the slope, landing at our feet. The creatures were locked in battleWalking along the hollow way – a sunken, tree-lined path that cuts through the coastal grazing – we were stopped in our tracks by a continuous high-pitched chittering. It was a curious sound, reminiscent of bat echolocation or cricket stridulation.Our eyes roamed over the bank in search of the source of the increasingly strident vocalisations. Although numerous rodent burrows could be seen among the oak and field maple roots, there was no movement at any of the tunnel entrances. We heard a scuffle of paws in the leaf litter, but our vision was obscured by the lush overlying vegetation – brambles, holly, ivy, rosettes of dock, sticky skeins of cleavers, the arrow-shaped leaves of lords-and-ladies, and a froth of cow parsley. Continue reading... Collapse
Puppy trafficking ring that allegedly docked ears uncovered in Italy
03/06/2021 - Forty people under investigation, including 11 vets involved in the illegal docking of ears and Expand
03/06/2021 - Forty people under investigation, including 11 vets involved in the illegal docking of ears and tailsItalian police have uncovered a puppy trafficking ring which involved vets allegedly docking their ears and tails to make them more attractive to foreign buyers.Police in Ancona are investigating 40 people, among them 29 dog breeders and 11 vets, on charges of animal abuse, trafficking of puppies and the unlawful practice of a profession. Continue reading... Collapse
Pets at Home hits £1bn sales record as lockdowns spur ‘pet baby boom’
27/05/2021 - Chain says home working has changed market and fuelled surge in sales of kitten and puppy Expand
27/05/2021 - Chain says home working has changed market and fuelled surge in sales of kitten and puppy productsCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coveragePets at Home achieved sales of more than £1bn for the first time as the number of people in the UK with pets rose during lockdowns.The retailer and vet chain estimated that pet numbers increased by 8% during a year in which many people were stuck at home. The boom has led to pet food shortages. Continue reading... Collapse
Tim Dowling: the cat needs food. But whose turn is it to go?
22/05/2021 - It’s 5.30, I say. Cat food happens at 6It is late afternoon and I have carried the folding Expand
22/05/2021 - It’s 5.30, I say. Cat food happens at 6It is late afternoon and I have carried the folding deckchair over to a small square of sunlight at the edge of the grass. The last warmth of the day is concentrated in this corner, and I intend to absorb it. I am settling into the chair with a book when the cat appears at the open back door, trying to catch my eye. I pretend not to notice.The cat steps into the garden, crosses the lawn and sits down at my feet. I do not look up from my book. Related: Tim Dowling: my middle son has become my boss, and he’s relentless Continue reading... Collapse
Dogs and humans live among the gravestones in Pasay cemetery, Philippines – a photo essay
17/05/2021 - In a project for the Lady Freethinker NGO, photographer Aaron ‘Bertie’ Gekoski has teamed up with Expand
17/05/2021 - In a project for the Lady Freethinker NGO, photographer Aaron ‘Bertie’ Gekoski has teamed up with Ashley Fruno, founder of Pasay Pups, to document the impact of poverty and the Covid-19 pandemic on people and pets living in public cemeteries in Pasay, the PhilippinesIn the photograph, a skeletal white dog stands on top of a tomb, his spiky vertebrae sharply visible through his ghostly fur. His jutting ribs and pelvic bones match the monotone of grey cemetery aisles and a prominent white cross in the background.An emaciated dog stands among the tombstones.Auring Cura, 65, with puppy on a chain sit in the cemetery. She has five dogs and takes care of one of the graves in the cemetery. Eventually, she wants to leave the cemetery and transfer to another province to find a better living.Some children and families in the cemetery resort to eating from bins to survive.Honey, 18, a graduating senior high student of Pasay East. She has eight dogs in her care and currently lives with her mom Collapse
Would-be dog owners told to think twice before buying flat-faced breeds
14/05/2021 - Exclusive: Brachycephalic breeds prone to health issues and may fuel crime, experts say as Expand
14/05/2021 - Exclusive: Brachycephalic breeds prone to health issues and may fuel crime, experts say as registrations soarExperts have urged would-be dog owners to reconsider buying squashed-faced animals such as French bulldogs, warning they are prone to life-limiting health conditions, and that buying such breeds could fuel criminal activity.The pandemic has triggered a boom in dog ownership with Kennel Club figures revealing there has been a 12% rise in puppy registrations in the past year alone. Related: 'Problems from head to tail': craze for pedigree pugs raises health concerns Related: Popularity of pug-like dogs 'could be fuelling rise in canine fertility clinics' Continue reading... Collapse
Sit! Stay! Don’t be sad! How to protect your pet from separation anxiety
09/05/2021 - From dogs and cats to parrots and rabbits, our pets have got used to having us around 24/7 during Expand
09/05/2021 - From dogs and cats to parrots and rabbits, our pets have got used to having us around 24/7 during lockdown. As life gets back to normal, here’s how to save them from loneliness and stressLike an apocryphal butterfly flapping its wings and unleashing untold chaos thousands of miles away, one miscreant virus particle is all it took to alter the human-pet dynamic across the globe.In this lockdown era, many animals initially thrived, like my own cat, Junior. Although he had always known me as a commuter who frequently spent nights away from home, he took to my newfound permanence like a duckling following its mother to water. He loved it so much that, when restrictions eased after the first lockdown last summer, he developed a suite of anxiety-related behaviours. Continue reading... Collapse
UK taskforce to tackle rising number of pet thefts
08/05/2021 - Body will look into what is contributing to surge in thefts and recommend solutions to tackle Expand
08/05/2021 - Body will look into what is contributing to surge in thefts and recommend solutions to tackle problemA taskforce has been set up by the government to look into tackling the “deplorable” crime of pet theft, which has soared during the Covid-19 pandemic.In March, DogLost, a UK charity that helps victims of dog theft, recorded a 170% increase in the crime, from 172 dogs reported stolen in 2019 to 465 in 2020. Continue reading... Collapse
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How Guardian-reading over-70s are staying active | Letters
2 DAYS AGO - Sheila Hunt, Patrick Russell, Michael Shipman and Bob Hely respond to Christian Wolmar’s letter on Expand
2 DAYS AGO - Sheila Hunt, Patrick Russell, Michael Shipman and Bob Hely respond to Christian Wolmar’s letter on his non-locked-down lifeRe Christian Wolmar’s letter (8 June), at 84 my daily activity both during and after lockdown has been an hour’s walk with my dog. I am able to enjoy this partly because of knee replacements 15 years ago and partly because of a walk around where I live that is accessible to wheelchairs and anyone who has walking difficulties. It includes some lovely views and is partly along the banks of the Wear. I was part of a group that set this up years ago when, for me, a 10-mile walk was an every-weekend activity. Keeping active requires more that just wanting to.Sheila HuntWolsingham, County Durham• I can’t match Christian Wolmar’s sporting prowess, but I am halfway through a master’s degree in history at Wolfson College, Cambridge. I am 71.Patrick RussellEaling, London Continue reading... Collapse
Put on the dog: four easy at-home spa treatments to care for your canine
07/06/2021 - From soothing paw balms to puppy-safe bath bombs, these DIY treatments make wash day a Expand
07/06/2021 - From soothing paw balms to puppy-safe bath bombs, these DIY treatments make wash day a treatEssential oils can have many healing and nurturing effects, not only on us humans but our dogs too. Dogs with generalised anxiety, noise phobias or separation anxiety may benefit from aromatherapy – specifically lavender essential oil.It’s important to only use essential oils that are 100% pure and to choose essential oils that are safe for your dog. These treatments are no substitute for quality veterinary care, and you should consult with your vet before using any essential oil. Related: Snoring, slugs and sarcoptic mange: is it safe for cats and dogs to sleep on our beds? Related: Australian dogs poo the weight of the Sydney Harbour Bridge each month. Where should it go? Continue reading... Collapse
150 years old: how the quest for eternal life found its natural limit
01/06/2021 - A new study reveals that humans could potentially live to 150 – and dogs can also look forward to Expand
01/06/2021 - A new study reveals that humans could potentially live to 150 – and dogs can also look forward to much greater longevityName: 150 years old.Age: 150 years old. Continue reading... Collapse
Share your pictures and stories of pet tattoos
24/05/2021 - Do you have a tattoo in honour of your pet? Tell us all about it – and share your photos – using Expand
24/05/2021 - Do you have a tattoo in honour of your pet? Tell us all about it – and share your photos – using the form belowLast summer saw Orlando Bloom joined celebrities such as Miley Cyrus and Demi Lovato in having the image of his beloved pet inked on his skin. Now, with tattoo parlours reopened and many of us having taken on a new pet during the pandemic, more may be likely to follow in their footsteps.With this in mind, we’d love to hear about – and see pictures of – your pet tattoos. Perhaps you decided to have a cherished cat memorialised forever with a tribute tattoo after they passed away? Or maybe it’s your pandemic puppy that’s inspired a new inking? Either way, please do tell us about your tattoo and share an image of the design below. Continue reading... Collapse
Snoring, slugs and sarcoptic mange: is it safe for cats and dogs to sleep on our beds?
20/05/2021 - Dogs can carry bacteria and parasites, while cats smuggle in gory ‘presents’. So is it best to Expand
20/05/2021 - Dogs can carry bacteria and parasites, while cats smuggle in gory ‘presents’. So is it best to lock them out of the bedroom?Vomiting on the bed. Snoring. The shedding of hair. The stealing of sheets. The passing of wind. Night-time face-licking. A higher-than-average chance of catching sarcoptic mange …If I could sit my dog down and quietly explain the risks associated with him sharing the bed with us, this is the list I would read to him. But I know he wouldn’t listen. Oz, our young lurcher, would only warmly reimagine that scene he recently saw. When, on my birthday, the family let him come upstairs and on to the bed to wake me up. When he saw, for the first time, Upstairs Land. And then widdled with joy. Continue reading... Collapse
Texas police fail to earn stripes as tiger which terrorised suburb goes missing
15/05/2021 - Tiger named India briefly roamed streets in viral videoOwnership disputed but man, 26, charged Expand
15/05/2021 - Tiger named India briefly roamed streets in viral videoOwnership disputed but man, 26, charged with evading arrestHouston police were still searching on Saturday for a tiger that scared locals when it was seen briefly lurking around a suburban neighborhood last weekend. The fugitive felid is not believed to have attacked anyone. Related: Man, 26, arrested after tiger found roaming in Houston suburb Continue reading... Collapse
Pitbull terrier reunited with owner after man charged with dognapping in Sydney’s CBD
11/05/2021 - Man arrested and charged with stealing a dog after Baxter went missing from the intersection of Expand
11/05/2021 - Man arrested and charged with stealing a dog after Baxter went missing from the intersection of George and Liverpool streets last Friday A pitbull terrier has been happily reunited with her owner after being the victim of a mysterious dognapping in Sydney’s CBD.Four-year-old Baxter was tied up by her owner outside a store at the intersection of George and Liverpool streets last Friday night. Continue reading... Collapse
‘Big bark but no bite’: Obamas mourn former first dog Bo
09/05/2021 - Barack and Michelle Obama express sorrow at passing of ‘true friend and companion’Former President Expand
09/05/2021 - Barack and Michelle Obama express sorrow at passing of ‘true friend and companion’Former President Barack Obama’s dog Bo died on Saturday from cancer, the Obamas said on social media.News of Bo’s passing was shared by Obama and his wife, Michelle, on Instagram, where both expressed sorrow at the passing of a dog the former president described as a “true friend and loyal companion.” Continue reading... Collapse
Small dogs: why are tiny hounds more aggressive than big ones?
05/05/2021 - Not only are little dogs more likely to lash out, they also tend to be less obedient and less well Expand
05/05/2021 - Not only are little dogs more likely to lash out, they also tend to be less obedient and less well house-trainedName: Small dogs.Age: Human years x 7. Related: What I’m really thinking: the owner of a 'dangerous' dog Continue reading... Collapse
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Dog daycare: who will look after your pet when you go in to work?
3 DAYS AGO - Dogs became used to owners being around more in Covid lockdowns but there are ways to make being Expand
3 DAYS AGO - Dogs became used to owners being around more in Covid lockdowns but there are ways to make being apart easier and cheaperOver the past year, dogs have provided locked-down owners with comfort, company and a reason to head out for long restorative walks. There are 12 million of them in the UK, according to data from the Pet Food Manufacturers’ Association. And because of the coronavirus pandemic, a whole generation of puppies have never spent any time alone, while older dogs have got used to always having someone around. Now that we can leave the house again, that may be about to change.“Our biggest concern as people start returning to work outside the home is that pets will need to adapt to a very different routine and may experience some anxiety around being separated from the owners they’ve spent every day with during lockdown,” says Daniella Dos Santos, a vet and the senior vice-president of the British Veterinary Association. “Owners should spend time gradually getting pets used Collapse
‘Alice the rat was so special’: readers on their brilliant, beloved pet tattoos
07/06/2021 - During the pandemic, every pet became an emotional support animal – and many people decided they Expand
07/06/2021 - During the pandemic, every pet became an emotional support animal – and many people decided they wanted to commemorate them indelibly and incredibly Alice was a double rex rat we adopted from the local RSPCA. She was such a special girl and we had a great bond, so she was the natural choice for my first tattoo. Sadly, Alice died earlier this year, so I’m getting a second tattoo in tribute in a couple of weeks, on the spot where she loved to sit. Sarah, student, Greater Manchester Continue reading... Collapse
I love my new garden – i just wish it didn't come with a gang of neighbourhood cats | Emma Beddington
01/06/2021 - I didn’t realise that when I moved to the suburbs I would be pushed into a war with so many Expand
01/06/2021 - I didn’t realise that when I moved to the suburbs I would be pushed into a war with so many felines intent on menacing the birds and my plantsI have been wondering why no one eats the bird seed at the front of the house: my husband has the answer. He recently sent me a picture captioned “This is why”: three muscular cats draped over the wall, inches from my feeders. Seemingly relaxed, they nevertheless project an aura of lazy homicidal menace. I wouldn’t want to walk past them myself, so it’s hardly surprising birds are put off.I am learning that, when you move to the suburbs, you are allocated a quota of cats. Not your own: just some cats that are now part of your life, like it or not. By my calculations, it’s approximately 1.5 cats per head. We have the front yard gang, plus a sleek black puma-sized one that sits next to my small hens, appraisingly. The vegetable patch also has a cat tenant: a judgmental tabby who gets annoyed when I interrupt his busy schedule of digging up and Collapse
Faster than a PCR test: dogs detect Covid in under a second
24/05/2021 - Study in London used six enthusiastic dogs in a double-blind trialCoronavirus – latest updatesSee Expand
24/05/2021 - Study in London used six enthusiastic dogs in a double-blind trialCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageFaster than PCR and more accurate than lateral flow tests, the latest weapons against Covid-19 have four legs and a wet nose. A study published on Monday found that people who are infected with coronavirus give off a distinct odour, which these highly trained dogs can detect with pinpoint precision. Continue reading... Collapse
The dog has a cough – and I’m £80 poorer | Adrian Chiles
20/05/2021 - I thought my pet insurance would cover the routine vet bills. I was wrongThe writing is on the Expand
20/05/2021 - I thought my pet insurance would cover the routine vet bills. I was wrongThe writing is on the wall for gas boilers, I understand. Not a moment too soon, in my view. I think it was Auberon Waugh who said that you don’t truly become an adult until both your parents have died. I think the moment comes (hopefully) sooner than that; I think it comes when, for the first time, your boiler is your responsibility, and you realise how expensive the bloody things are. Sadly, I can’t imagine that whatever replaces them will be any cheaper. Either way, boilers join the long list of everyday things I don’t understand how people can afford if they don’t happen to have loads of money. Also in this category: cars, insurance, pensions, residential care and mobile phone contracts. Do feel free to add to this list.To my own, I have recently added dog ownership. The costs are simply astounding. I knew vets’ bills could be painful, but I assumed you just took the hit with pet insurance premiums and then Collapse
‘He grabbed the lead and said: give me the dog’: can pet detectives stop the rise in animal theft?
15/05/2021 - Dogs are more valuable than ever – which is why so many are being snatched. But some owners and Expand
15/05/2021 - Dogs are more valuable than ever – which is why so many are being snatched. But some owners and pet detectives are fighting backThe village of Partridge Green in West Sussex on a gorgeous spring morning. The early mist has burnt off; a wood pigeon coos; a flurry of pink snow falls from a showy cherry tree; outside the butcher’s, an orderly, socially distanced queue has formed; a chap out for a morning spin motors along the high street in his vintage MG. It is, as my companion, Colin Butcher, says, a scene straight out of Midsomer Murders.There are no murders today in Partridge Green, but it is a crime scene, and the crime is one that appears to be sweeping the nation. Butcher – ex-police (you can tell), then private investigator, now company director and chief investigator of The UK Pet Detectives – is on the case. He steps from his Range Rover wearing a fleece with an official-looking badge and “UKPD” emblazoned across the back; a twist on NYPD, except PD stands for Pet Detective. Collapse
Down boy: why grumpy dogs are more intelligent than happy-go-lucky hounds
10/05/2021 - Worried that your canine companion is disobedient, territorial and quick to bark? Research Expand
10/05/2021 - Worried that your canine companion is disobedient, territorial and quick to bark? Research suggests it’s probably a clever clogs Name: Grumpy dogs.Appearance: Just adorable. Continue reading... Collapse
From the archive: the alarming rise in exotic pets, September 1965
09/05/2021 - Boa constrictors, giant water dragons, gorillas – house pets take a wild turnThe Observer Magazine Expand
09/05/2021 - Boa constrictors, giant water dragons, gorillas – house pets take a wild turnThe Observer Magazine of 19 September 1965 (‘Is the pet business getting out of hand?’) reflected worries about the surge in exotic pets from Africa, Asia and South America. In 1952, 80 foreign animals arrived at London Airport every month; in 1965 the average was 8,000.‘They are the affluent society’s new pampered prestige symbols’ and are ‘becoming more flamboyant every year’ wrote a horrified Charles Bloomberg. ‘People are even installing private zoos in their backyards.’ Continue reading... Collapse
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