tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48972695816766147622024-03-05T18:09:35.881+00:00Hubble & HattieKevin Atkinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06155814277053733532noreply@blogger.comBlogger383125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4897269581676614762.post-88786098659703306442024-01-25T11:21:00.001+00:002024-01-25T11:26:15.283+00:00The charity that’s helping homeless people to care for their pets<br /><br /><br /><br />It’s hard to walk through any town without seeing homeless people who, often through no fault of their own, are living on the street.<div><br /></div>Quite often, they are accompanied by a dog who is their only loyal companion when they have lost a roof over their head: their safety and security. <div><br /></div><div>Sadly, fewer than 10% of hostels and temporary accommodation accept dogs, forcing their homeless owner to continue to live on the street or to surrender the dog in order to be able to accept a refuge.</div><div><br /></div><div>A charity called Street Paws is trying to change this. Its aim is to help homeless people to care for their pets and to remain with them. A team of volunteer vets and helpers provide treatment for pets who otherwise would be unlikely to be able to access it.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvNsjrtrK441KbpT9u10aaf6c7ooE6hwsG6t-oeGYUcD4AeEmQjVjG4Z4F7N4A2E9ycUgoTtJD7QFAuPSATZgqfYEv2bG2TG4SwFln9wKfWQ_5i4Wd2MHzHJlES7tLls1zxyfbN7fgcuh6YLPE5tso6u4dPhXAexTjc3bvqpSP7rcYDCmhergEg8RnIqw/s1162/Screenshot%202024-01-09%20at%2015.51.03.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1008" data-original-width="1162" height="557" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvNsjrtrK441KbpT9u10aaf6c7ooE6hwsG6t-oeGYUcD4AeEmQjVjG4Z4F7N4A2E9ycUgoTtJD7QFAuPSATZgqfYEv2bG2TG4SwFln9wKfWQ_5i4Wd2MHzHJlES7tLls1zxyfbN7fgcuh6YLPE5tso6u4dPhXAexTjc3bvqpSP7rcYDCmhergEg8RnIqw/w640-h557/Screenshot%202024-01-09%20at%2015.51.03.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div> (c) Street Paws </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Street Paws has also founded a growing team of 'Dog Champions' that provides accommodation for homeless dog owners. They may otherwise be rejected by hostels or emergency accommodation that doesn't accept dogs. This brilliant initiative enables dogs and owners to stay together, whilst receiving dog care advice and assistance, in a safe environment away from the street.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnubxnzDeqN17XDWA9bAaAdHkFtHtuvuKUJoNa_iFcMdGOn-QWqjQOtK0UfLAJLp01go2acO22mU4ram38kGdQiGGPNU-fGMqR1mT4hwbObifobrbXlZZ2FOI4hnbu6yEe4YRu41kwWaRikZO6HIBbHRVyP-ZHV7yvGLCuj-qUi2FSiupufaXZ9rSMn1k/s752/Screenshot%202024-01-09%20at%2016.18.48.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="482" data-original-width="752" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnubxnzDeqN17XDWA9bAaAdHkFtHtuvuKUJoNa_iFcMdGOn-QWqjQOtK0UfLAJLp01go2acO22mU4ram38kGdQiGGPNU-fGMqR1mT4hwbObifobrbXlZZ2FOI4hnbu6yEe4YRu41kwWaRikZO6HIBbHRVyP-ZHV7yvGLCuj-qUi2FSiupufaXZ9rSMn1k/w640-h410/Screenshot%202024-01-09%20at%2016.18.48.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>(c) Street Paws</div><div><br /></div><div>Street Paws covers the cost of any treatment the dog may need, including vaccinations, to enable him or her to stay in the accommodation with their owner. Veterinary care can be very expensive, so this is a huge benefit for the homeless owner. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE8jN-vTaaFpPAnkreWTZVGGsgQe-_0mfyrRomBY-cIQ2zMrbID2oCGotYmz9_aw-o2rZt2yYzUTXIsEjAJD1Bsb9yq7bkJWp1zrW_zUANPK08dFhtVY_s2a8QZbErhMD46L6BWEfy6hu5qCGhR1_i3YZ9PV-8oBKB7aHorZNm2tMIi8RB-WHAhQHJ8AU/s3765/nick-fewings-4OFU9yxUvLc-unsplash%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2510" data-original-width="3765" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE8jN-vTaaFpPAnkreWTZVGGsgQe-_0mfyrRomBY-cIQ2zMrbID2oCGotYmz9_aw-o2rZt2yYzUTXIsEjAJD1Bsb9yq7bkJWp1zrW_zUANPK08dFhtVY_s2a8QZbErhMD46L6BWEfy6hu5qCGhR1_i3YZ9PV-8oBKB7aHorZNm2tMIi8RB-WHAhQHJ8AU/w640-h426/nick-fewings-4OFU9yxUvLc-unsplash%20(1).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><i>A homeless man and his dog</i><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>In the winter being homeless is particularly difficult. The cold weather can make a challenging situation even worse. Street Paws is encouraging people to tell them if they see a homeless person and their dog struggling. You can find more information at <a href="https://streetpaws.co.uk/">https://streetpaws.co.uk/</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div>On Street Paws' <a href="https://streetpaws.co.uk/">website</a> there's a lot more information about its fantastic work, and other ways of supporting the charity.</div><div><br /></div><div>Those of us lucky enough to have a roof over our head and a warm bed can only imagine what it must be like to be living on the street. Cold, hungry, tired, and scared not only for yourself but for your beloved canine companion who may be your only friend.</div><div><br /></div><div>This is why the work of Street Paws is so important, providing an essential lifeline for homeless owners and their dogs. Lets hope that it continues to receive the essential funding it needs. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Kevin Atkinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06155814277053733532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4897269581676614762.post-84595746876052480672023-11-09T10:31:00.001+00:002023-11-09T10:33:46.552+00:00Do people care more for dogs or cats? Recent research puts this age-old question into focus<p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0nls_9aamcQkjs2NCT5OvPIkJ-aXqt5qUOkh1KvAXkbNfjjktygQ7X3TbC8cPg7cooXy8I6ztM9Gfigsx3TauzrQx1h_X_1ESBnEYXnA9PPSVLTThCvxS4geOIzBewZQpxAdkGFPVS_FPH_W6cbP4DyNKD_SkPmSlJFpVH3_jqaf7_2Dnh00zO543-CU/s7360/chewy-gWzTum_yMCg-unsplash.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4912" data-original-width="7360" height="429" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0nls_9aamcQkjs2NCT5OvPIkJ-aXqt5qUOkh1KvAXkbNfjjktygQ7X3TbC8cPg7cooXy8I6ztM9Gfigsx3TauzrQx1h_X_1ESBnEYXnA9PPSVLTThCvxS4geOIzBewZQpxAdkGFPVS_FPH_W6cbP4DyNKD_SkPmSlJFpVH3_jqaf7_2Dnh00zO543-CU/w640-h429/chewy-gWzTum_yMCg-unsplash.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p align="left" class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;">It’s a debate as old as time – dogs versus cats – and how much their owners care for them.</p><p align="left" class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;">Are people really either a ‘dog’ or cat’ person? Do they have to be different, and must they be one or the other?</p><p align="left" class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;">Now new research published in <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/canine-corner/202310/do-people-care-more-for-their-dogs-than-for-their-cats" style="color: navy;">Psychology Today</a> sheds light on owners’ attitudes and devotion to their beloved companions, investigating whether dog or cat owners have a stronger emotional attachment for their respective pets.</p><p align="left" class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;">A difficult thing to determine, you would think, as it would be based on loyalty, devotion and love for the companion animal. However the study quantified it by asking how much an owner would be prepared to spend on their dog or cat on life-saving veterinary care, should it be needed.</p><p align="left" class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;">Owners, were asked “if your pet had a life-threatening problem and could be saved by a medical procedure, what would you be willing to pay for treatment?’. </p><p align="left" class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;">The amount dog owners were prepared to spend was approximately double that of cat-owners on cats!</p><p align="left" class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;">However, certain factors need to be considered...</p><p align="left" class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHpBtAfT5mNLGJ9HiJ07PpWpPJt7rEDm7bwX3Q8YEHOvFtcVvB_i2Wk3c7iLlWN8ivxM_Nms1sKSxyy_9-cdJ-IrSTktBQcoNPNB6kI85jG_Yi7o5VmHLJW2p7cAvnecOveRFYp_xM9lzEPoYCUWZnr14gXwZWeG-DzE4YW-tQ_9qkrmXcTf5Lm451ldo/s6720/cynthia-smith-mWoEDIeWQWc-unsplash.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4480" data-original-width="6720" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHpBtAfT5mNLGJ9HiJ07PpWpPJt7rEDm7bwX3Q8YEHOvFtcVvB_i2Wk3c7iLlWN8ivxM_Nms1sKSxyy_9-cdJ-IrSTktBQcoNPNB6kI85jG_Yi7o5VmHLJW2p7cAvnecOveRFYp_xM9lzEPoYCUWZnr14gXwZWeG-DzE4YW-tQ_9qkrmXcTf5Lm451ldo/w640-h426/cynthia-smith-mWoEDIeWQWc-unsplash.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p align="left" class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;">For example, dogs, on average, are taken to the vet twice as often as cats, and are more likely to receive preventative care such as vaccinations and dental treatment. This could show that dog owners are more used to the financial demands of ownership, and therefore more willing to accept that they will pay more for an emergency medical procedure.</p><p align="left" class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;">Many owners of both dogs and cats have medical insurance, and this is also likely to affect their answer.</p><p align="left" class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;">Dogs can also be ‘high maintenance’, with owners willing to pay for regular grooming and in some cases day care for walking or drop in visits for their dog. Cats, on the other hand, are usually more ‘low maintenance’, can be groomed by the owner or groom themselves, and being more independent, can be left without company for longer periods.</p><p align="left" class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZBK8f13pSIP-K4nigALnjcn8ewdtAh9ool9xru4uqY1SSGqruSm4Gs71ThPi38Jb8WgEJGXRAZTQc2s7OhsEIuauNNbpDpmlPeGECUNzIRQSk170Tk0Ck4J-QuONy-JoWk616UaDLlp9pAMFd3coTx0qrDrSKqsiuP3-lYNBKZunHmB-1D6Q0k4FHpFw/s6000/yerlin-matu-GtwiBmtJvaU-unsplash.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZBK8f13pSIP-K4nigALnjcn8ewdtAh9ool9xru4uqY1SSGqruSm4Gs71ThPi38Jb8WgEJGXRAZTQc2s7OhsEIuauNNbpDpmlPeGECUNzIRQSk170Tk0Ck4J-QuONy-JoWk616UaDLlp9pAMFd3coTx0qrDrSKqsiuP3-lYNBKZunHmB-1D6Q0k4FHpFw/w640-h426/yerlin-matu-GtwiBmtJvaU-unsplash.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p align="left" class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p><p align="left" class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;">Whilst the findings are interesting, it is hard to accept that simply because dog owners are willing to spend more on emergency care, it means they are more devoted to their animal companion.</p><p align="left" class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;">Many cat owners are utterly devoted to their pets, and will do whatever is necessary for them if needed. As a lifelong cat owner, I can certainly vouch for this. The bond that a cat and its owner has is every bit as special as dog and owner. Cats are sometimes more selective about who they give affection to, so to be ‘chosen’ by a cat is indeed special. Cat owners are more likely to have more than one pet, too.</p><p align="left" class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;">Many people have both cats and dogs (or have owned both but not simultaneously) and love them equally. Those who have both would be unlikely to prioritise one over the other, as they are all part of the family.</p><p align="left" class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;">So, whilst the research produced interesting findings, it is difficult to quantify by money alone how devoted owners are to their animals. The bond between any good owner and companion, no matter what species or breed, is priceless.</p>Kevin Atkinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06155814277053733532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4897269581676614762.post-21959758464092990932023-09-28T10:03:00.002+01:002023-09-28T10:21:16.861+01:00Greyhound racing - dogs deserve better than to be put at risk in the name of 'sport'<p align="left" class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;">A night at the dogs… a traditional evening of eating, drinking, maybe a little wager on a winner, watching excited greyhounds chase round a track after an artificial prey that they never catch.</p><p align="left" class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;">Fun? Or cruel, exploitative and potentially fatal for the Greyhounds?</p><p align="left" class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYjvkVh_aj7B_OBPThFNZIWFilGEKJiYeSsj0GVMinBa1HZz4vloVLLXDGDU9Jy8OiKO53LR_r_cuyR_ONpH_FjamE8iM2vSBvdhXXpDfXuVaWGMd9S8ubZY1p8bynOenbdiaBgzgSalMB1xsiYRW-Ky-7VnbR6UX1_wRULxeV1YSkcMJumAfiqhOLLUY/s1692/Screenshot%202023-09-07%20at%2014.35.28.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="832" data-original-width="1692" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYjvkVh_aj7B_OBPThFNZIWFilGEKJiYeSsj0GVMinBa1HZz4vloVLLXDGDU9Jy8OiKO53LR_r_cuyR_ONpH_FjamE8iM2vSBvdhXXpDfXuVaWGMd9S8ubZY1p8bynOenbdiaBgzgSalMB1xsiYRW-Ky-7VnbR6UX1_wRULxeV1YSkcMJumAfiqhOLLUY/w640-h314/Screenshot%202023-09-07%20at%2014.35.28.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p align="left" class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;">There are only 10 countries in the world where Greyhound racing takes place legally, and four of those are in the UK. It is a minority interest activity, with research showing that 91% of the British public don’t follow or participate in Greyhound racing (source YouGov poll).</p><p align="left" class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;">So it would seem that only a few people enjoy a ‘sport’ that causes thousands of injuries to the dogs that are bred for racing and have no choice but to participate (22,284 from 2018 to 2022). Sadly there are many fatalities too: in fact, 2,392 in the same time period. The average age of a racing Greyhound is 2-3 years.</p><p align="left" class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;">Greyhounds are sighthounds – a type of hound with amazing vision, bred to run fast and with a hunting instinct, so it would seem that they are naturally adapted to racing. However, there is nothing natural about running on a curved track at speed, in close proximity to up to five other dogs. The conditions are inherently dangerous, as running on a curve puts unnecessary pressure on their bodies meaning a high risk of injury to their left fore-leg and right hind-leg. With the curve of the track and the uneven forces on their bodies as they run at up to 45mph, the dogs have no option but to slow down or run wider on bends, and this can cause fatal collisions to happen. A study in New Zealand found that 68% of injuries and 75% of fatalities occurred on or approaching the first bend of the track. Some tracks have moved to using sand instead of grass to increase running speed even more.</p><p align="left" class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNGSy-4EYGX1DYN6QlVL0n55sixapYv4zGJJQKUe5E8x1j_4rYMLvxuepsNu5zNOp0Tnky048qtLUiPfc1myJ1g_JeAU0DFhut3nAJiKWgNwuDHfrV-5YIbkoPY-zubpYp4qHeCsxvtRDkMWgs32HaBD0DSrnpCCt9v3JoEJ2WSq8p7urjblv7_GGv9zY/s640/mark-galer-f7-aL0xQd6A-unsplash.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="386" data-original-width="640" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNGSy-4EYGX1DYN6QlVL0n55sixapYv4zGJJQKUe5E8x1j_4rYMLvxuepsNu5zNOp0Tnky048qtLUiPfc1myJ1g_JeAU0DFhut3nAJiKWgNwuDHfrV-5YIbkoPY-zubpYp4qHeCsxvtRDkMWgs32HaBD0DSrnpCCt9v3JoEJ2WSq8p7urjblv7_GGv9zY/w640-h386/mark-galer-f7-aL0xQd6A-unsplash.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p align="left" class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i>Greyhounds enjoying energetic play</i></p><p align="left" class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i><br /></i></p><p align="left" class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;">Greyhounds are by nature gentle and make good family pets when correctly socialised. However, concerns remain around the conditions that racing Greyhounds are kept in from puppyhood. Their kennelling, care standards, lack of socialisation and exercise may all be inadequate. Dogs are only suitable to race for a limited time, then as they age they became superfluous and require rehoming, rehabilitation and medical treatment. Many do not receive this and are inhumanely destroyed.</p><p align="left" class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;">It would be impractical to ban or close down the industry overnight as thousands of Greyhounds would become homeless and may be unnecessarily euthanised. However, c<span style="font-size: 12pt;">harities such as the Blue Cross are campaigning to bring Greyhound racing to an end over a five year period, so that dog welfare organisations can support the requirement to find Greyhounds suitable loving homes and owners, where they can be safely rehabilitated.</span></p><p align="left" class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;">Organisations such as Seaside Greyhounds <a href="https://www.seasidegreyhounds.org.uk/" style="color: navy;">https://www.seasidegreyhounds.org.uk/</a> already exist. It helps retired greyhounds to be re-homed into suitable loving environments with patient owners who can offer them the chance to socialise and live out their retirement happily.</p><p align="left" class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgka8IBL7ifSk-T59IpLRauQ04h4mOcnMF_O6iIBqix9-L1Uj_iyD9jvDsQI5Evk66nVDFtuY-U-JB7UTt_At8MdN4rPmAvy2EFIwpn1V9wmhYZRKZHK_zLTAGi19YGSWcctvnC_TWb43kNmfSOxDhF1dLIAFObpJlkeDGtjSCXyM2DzrIOPt6jW-6BTk4/s1920/juan-gomez-0quBpwn_fNM-unsplash.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1272" data-original-width="1920" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgka8IBL7ifSk-T59IpLRauQ04h4mOcnMF_O6iIBqix9-L1Uj_iyD9jvDsQI5Evk66nVDFtuY-U-JB7UTt_At8MdN4rPmAvy2EFIwpn1V9wmhYZRKZHK_zLTAGi19YGSWcctvnC_TWb43kNmfSOxDhF1dLIAFObpJlkeDGtjSCXyM2DzrIOPt6jW-6BTk4/w640-h424/juan-gomez-0quBpwn_fNM-unsplash.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p align="left" class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;">Let’s hope that legislation changes for the better, to give Greyhounds better lives in the future, without fear of injury in the name of sport.</p>Kevin Atkinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06155814277053733532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4897269581676614762.post-38763837542463626332023-08-31T10:28:00.003+01:002023-08-31T14:42:37.807+01:00Beagles used in animal testing experience freedom for the first timeSadly, many animals are still used in laboratory testing across the world, never experiencing freedom or the love of owners in a domestic setting. <div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqKhz4MmREXzCgijefcN2ChdRQfE0W5xpHtz62WWTISZWcU3k6WU3Ku-bVPA0UJ4XyWx2Uyj46hfJe04flIcBmLtsRaPEhJfAMoAwMD0R4XOWIs5rp0EkI5n5YxTEXmrKB3e5AsK27h3TGcTIDAI8Z7ikaoI_w2dW-S1ZNGe_FgNDWwz-8vlPe5bNvhXA/s1598/Screenshot%202023-08-24%20at%2010.13.49.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="896" data-original-width="1598" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqKhz4MmREXzCgijefcN2ChdRQfE0W5xpHtz62WWTISZWcU3k6WU3Ku-bVPA0UJ4XyWx2Uyj46hfJe04flIcBmLtsRaPEhJfAMoAwMD0R4XOWIs5rp0EkI5n5YxTEXmrKB3e5AsK27h3TGcTIDAI8Z7ikaoI_w2dW-S1ZNGe_FgNDWwz-8vlPe5bNvhXA/w640-h358/Screenshot%202023-08-24%20at%2010.13.49.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><p align="left" class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: 8pt;"><i>Photo credit © Beagle Freedom Project UK</i></span></p></div><div><br /></div><div><div><br /></div>However for seven lucky Beagles, life is about to change for the better. They were rescued from a European testing centre by Beagle Freedom Project UK, and have been taken to start a new life at The Retreat Animal Rescue Sanctuary in Kent.<div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRGrWgx3H-yqixuHOYvVHuQO0KXxbmq9fmTWFR8qAiFH6f6mfg_k5ujkp8Ec9wgi6OFJ5vwegYkFX7G-LDkO4TQwfxD3Yqk_Lc3TAbk9YBOKTMQmX_p1Y93AyK58Jkz-z36rLDgUBE8tyWOTfZ6oKIywiA1QI1YFfmL6aKOd9lqEPb5NvrQaiMa4NOkVk/s1570/Screenshot%202023-08-24%20at%2010.18.09.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="832" data-original-width="1570" height="340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRGrWgx3H-yqixuHOYvVHuQO0KXxbmq9fmTWFR8qAiFH6f6mfg_k5ujkp8Ec9wgi6OFJ5vwegYkFX7G-LDkO4TQwfxD3Yqk_Lc3TAbk9YBOKTMQmX_p1Y93AyK58Jkz-z36rLDgUBE8tyWOTfZ6oKIywiA1QI1YFfmL6aKOd9lqEPb5NvrQaiMa4NOkVk/w640-h340/Screenshot%202023-08-24%20at%2010.18.09.png" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><p align="left" class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: 8pt;"><i>Photo credit © itv News/Beagle Freedom Project UK</i></span></p></div><div><br /></div>Heart-warming footage appeared on the UK news channel itvX of the Beagles (pictured above) shortly after they arrived at the Sanctuary. It’s hard to imagine what it must be like for them to see the sky and sunshine for the very first time: to feel grass under their paws, and have kind and compassionate people to care for them. Some of the dogs were born in the testing facility and spent their entire lives there until their rescue.<div><br /></div>In the group of seven rescued dogs, five are male and two female. Three of the males, Jonesy, Davey and Ringo, are 11 years old and so have spent a large part of their lives in the laboratory. <div><br /></div>They were checked by vets outdoors, as taking them back into a clinical environment could be stressful for them. The rescuers at the Beagle Freedom Project UK described them as “new-borns in adult bodies” as they have never been properly socialised, learned to react to other dogs, or respond to cues to walk on a lead. They also suffer from PTSD.<div><br /></div>Foster carers, carefully selected for their patience and skills, will be identified to eventually help the dogs to adapt to their new way of life.<div><br /></div>Beagle Freedom Project UK offer full support throughout the fostering process, and funds all veterinary visits. It also look for fosterers to have a ‘normal’ well-adjusted dog in the home already, as this helps with the transition and teaches the Beagle how to ‘be a dog!’<div><br /></div><div>All of the dogs will go through vet checks and receive any treatment they need. They appear to be generally in good health, despite their confinement in laboratories, however some have dental problems and dermatitis, and a few have ruptured cruciate ligaments, for which they will receive veterinary treatment where needed.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioaZxstlsZ24BZOEjGzPTSaRlopIKILr9L7HpSgAP3q0K-vdy_3UyC_tY2e2NVG6OwyK1RxNbp4q1GdJ0KaOuXxVrovYSx4qOHyOjsKEnODT6H178t0IOcLBd9yCtyGIsXs8Wwz8GYZdMYUF5H_eqRYC6J0nj1yvDcTxu5x0AnCk5u6pvZdg8ggDl-J-0/s1250/Screenshot%202023-08-24%20at%2010.14.38.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="832" data-original-width="1250" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioaZxstlsZ24BZOEjGzPTSaRlopIKILr9L7HpSgAP3q0K-vdy_3UyC_tY2e2NVG6OwyK1RxNbp4q1GdJ0KaOuXxVrovYSx4qOHyOjsKEnODT6H178t0IOcLBd9yCtyGIsXs8Wwz8GYZdMYUF5H_eqRYC6J0nj1yvDcTxu5x0AnCk5u6pvZdg8ggDl-J-0/w640-h426/Screenshot%202023-08-24%20at%2010.14.38.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p align="left" class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: 8pt;"><i>One of the rescued Beagles enjoying freedom. Photo credit © Beagle Freedom Project UK</i></span></p><p align="left" class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p><br /><br />Beagle Freedom Project is part of a worldwide organisation that rescues and re-homes animals used in experimental research: since 2010 it has liberated thousands of animals. It campaigns to end their abuse and has received endorsement from UK-based celebrities including Will Young, Graham Norton and Deborah Meaden. Find out more about the Project’s work <a href="https://bfpuk.org/">here</a>.<br /><br />The Duke and Duchess of Sussex even adopted a Beagle called Momma Mia from the US-based arm of the organisation. Momma Mia was rescued from a research facility in Virginia, but now lives with the VIP couple in California!<p align="left" class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheSnA-mUGcooQCsb9UsWDB63ib3T7dhdLe3lBHTZ5u5b_8zKN_AG2xGOMNZOZcH6jRC3YpTVNg1a0HIRcTUZf9ZzgadHh9boEerP3m3l9bf-Uyr09T7Pl210LbimrGve9vLW5MYpf7w8CG64TtMGi6yJckrxYfsxkAmmdpmSoDcaV32MDeoGycCX2HEpY/s1110/Screenshot%202023-08-24%20at%2012.39.18.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="722" data-original-width="1110" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheSnA-mUGcooQCsb9UsWDB63ib3T7dhdLe3lBHTZ5u5b_8zKN_AG2xGOMNZOZcH6jRC3YpTVNg1a0HIRcTUZf9ZzgadHh9boEerP3m3l9bf-Uyr09T7Pl210LbimrGve9vLW5MYpf7w8CG64TtMGi6yJckrxYfsxkAmmdpmSoDcaV32MDeoGycCX2HEpY/w640-h416/Screenshot%202023-08-24%20at%2012.39.18.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p align="left" class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: 8pt;"><i>Momma Mia, rescued by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex photo © Beagle Freedom Project UK</i></span></p><p align="left" class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /><br />Beagles are often chosen for animal testing as they have docile natures. Sadly, whilst animal testing continues, the role of the rescue and campaigning organisations like Beagle Freedom Project is key in increasing awareness, and helping to save innocent animals like these Beagles, and give them the chance to experience freedom to live as they should.<br /><br />There are many ways to help the Beagle Freedom Project, you can find out more on its website:<span style="font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><a href="https://bfpuk.org/" style="font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt;">https://bfpuk.org/</a></p></div></div>Kevin Atkinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06155814277053733532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4897269581676614762.post-23899995590690161312023-07-06T12:00:00.004+01:002023-08-17T09:12:13.942+01:00Pet food banks - helping those struggling to feed their animals<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj04D7iqM9XGoHOqywOwOgsRJaCh4PBSTGudsYF4geBgH8Wyz4TyQiZEc6pEfEVMCDI85UcCYvcPsgyXhONWBzAJlN2-DO0z6jvnS2lNy-AvaHN-J17JhqINKqLzo9_bkFWDi2a9w6tautPpLDW1gLn1l8h5W7g4cloEC1VNgztbMqULcX7xACYjDCLTw0/s4578/sandy-millar-bhO_wSXegfI-unsplash.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4578" data-original-width="3172" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj04D7iqM9XGoHOqywOwOgsRJaCh4PBSTGudsYF4geBgH8Wyz4TyQiZEc6pEfEVMCDI85UcCYvcPsgyXhONWBzAJlN2-DO0z6jvnS2lNy-AvaHN-J17JhqINKqLzo9_bkFWDi2a9w6tautPpLDW1gLn1l8h5W7g4cloEC1VNgztbMqULcX7xACYjDCLTw0/w445-h640/sandy-millar-bhO_wSXegfI-unsplash.jpg" width="445" /></a></div><p></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Most people have been affected by the increasing cost of living in the last couple of years. With interest rate rises, price increases on essentials such as food and heating, and having to make income stretch further than ever, it is a challenging time for many.</span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Sadly, this includes pet owners, who may struggle to feed and care for their animals as the cost of pet food increases, and are having to make tough decisions.Feeding themselves, their family and their pets can be difficult. Ultimately it can lead to heartbreaking choices, with pets being abandoned or taken to rehoming centres, simply because there isn’t the money for pet food.</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"> </span><div><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><br /></span></div><div><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; line-height: 1px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif">However, some animal charities and pet food retailers have stepped in to help. </span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; line-height: 1px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><br /></span></p></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div>Pet food banks are being established nationally as drop-in centres where people can pick up supplies of donated food, equipment, and other essentials. </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif">By searching online for ‘pet food banks near me’ local collection points can be found in your area. </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif">The RSPCA, Dogs Trust, Blue Cross and Animal Friends are amongst many charities that have set up drop-in centres for concerned owners, </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif">who don’t need to provide proof of any benefits claimed or vouchers; they can simply visit to collect what they need.</span><div><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Some of these organisations have partnered with large supermarket chains, and there are donation points near the tills where customers can leave pet food to be collected and distributed to local rehoming centres and pet food banks.</span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOBBeM0lLthlL4_RXYK1Isd9UooTBpA_9_uVbjz8ykUSjrx1-_LTc50Of0QmeN_wBEe_OtxflcQ82dbchEWmDYRA_5mY6GgPI9HGT-ntXm-OXOzOuN_471mvJSdTrnr2pFqbV2eAldD6gkg-OUkKR1hR3D2qU_Q71GSb14PXVg-q16EbwOzf9mF3noI98/s1586/Screenshot%202023-06-29%20at%2015.44.51.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="850" data-original-width="1586" height="344" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOBBeM0lLthlL4_RXYK1Isd9UooTBpA_9_uVbjz8ykUSjrx1-_LTc50Of0QmeN_wBEe_OtxflcQ82dbchEWmDYRA_5mY6GgPI9HGT-ntXm-OXOzOuN_471mvJSdTrnr2pFqbV2eAldD6gkg-OUkKR1hR3D2qU_Q71GSb14PXVg-q16EbwOzf9mF3noI98/w640-h344/Screenshot%202023-06-29%20at%2015.44.51.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; line-height: 1px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><i>A Blue Cross charity pet food bank (c) image thanks to Blue Cross</i></span></p></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br />Local to us here at Hubble & Hattie in Dorset charity Dorset Dogs have 23 drop-off points for food donations across the county, and can even arrange to collect! </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif">Dorset Dogs also has seven dog food banks – a lifeline for local dogs and owners in difficult times. </span></div><div><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Thanks to all those charities helping to keep pets and owners together by providing much-needed food!</span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWVmltHxvExlQ3D5z2TMYW9RMbg6D6iXhjQxTnmsaaavZKdW7diIpRlXs4BlkL7BlbzxnoW87kPWvgMZ7ulzr94xOCZPn6-xrCETIGdtFdtPyDcJT4WuMy8rM247TEPF3N26jLOEhU9DtJe2neSVGfrpZsuARuKtpvPnofMV0OnP0gxc7qSE3dpHMURRc/s596/Screenshot%202023-06-29%20at%2014.50.28.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="402" data-original-width="596" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWVmltHxvExlQ3D5z2TMYW9RMbg6D6iXhjQxTnmsaaavZKdW7diIpRlXs4BlkL7BlbzxnoW87kPWvgMZ7ulzr94xOCZPn6-xrCETIGdtFdtPyDcJT4WuMy8rM247TEPF3N26jLOEhU9DtJe2neSVGfrpZsuARuKtpvPnofMV0OnP0gxc7qSE3dpHMURRc/w640-h432/Screenshot%202023-06-29%20at%2014.50.28.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div></div>Kevin Atkinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06155814277053733532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4897269581676614762.post-73224300602599155322023-05-04T14:21:00.003+01:002023-05-04T14:21:43.724+01:00Emotional support animals - a trusted friend providing companionship and comfort All animal lovers know how well a beloved pet can ‘tune in’ to our moods, sensing when we are unhappy, upset or stressed and offering reassuring snuggles and warmth.
However, more recently, animals have been more formally recognised as being able to provide a key therapeutic role in helping people with a mental health or psychiatric disability. They are known as ‘Emotional Support Animals’ (ESAs).
<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_dEaoHl9usVbM6npFzRYxW12ipqr5WBSfAiz5RbSetmq17jStuQi8CfL4yueIY4B1SNsvp4d4g2HnI8sv82zm24L6dnSZ5i-xR1Li8rJWVLj_66yR-If2L3bvBH-xM8q1X-5J1kPubC6lvJF6nno3683Z6Dtw2Ey3KqZs4g83uMGdf8FILQNfYeWB/s640/leiada-krozjhen-vwEPTXwU7g8-unsplash.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_dEaoHl9usVbM6npFzRYxW12ipqr5WBSfAiz5RbSetmq17jStuQi8CfL4yueIY4B1SNsvp4d4g2HnI8sv82zm24L6dnSZ5i-xR1Li8rJWVLj_66yR-If2L3bvBH-xM8q1X-5J1kPubC6lvJF6nno3683Z6Dtw2Ey3KqZs4g83uMGdf8FILQNfYeWB/w640-h360/leiada-krozjhen-vwEPTXwU7g8-unsplash.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; line-height: 1px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>The comfort provided by an emotional support dog</i></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; line-height: 1px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><i><br /></i></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; line-height: 1px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p></div>
An emotional support animal is first and foremost a companion animal, not a service animal. However, in some countries, for example the USA, they have a legally recognised status, whilst in the UK they currently do not. This means, for example, that some US airlines are more lenient about having a support animal onboard a flight, whilst in the UK most don’t allow it. The majority of ESAs are dogs, but other animals can fulfil the role, too, including cats and other small animals.<div><br /></div><div><br /></div>
The role of an ESA is distinctly different to that of a ‘service animal,’ and providing emotional support and companionship to someone with mental health or emotional needs is their key role. Service dogs generally require extensive training to do specific tasks for someone with physical or mental needs. The difference is that, as an ESA, just the animal’s presence helps the person to cope.
Whilst the value of the comfort that an emotional support animal provides cannot be denied, it’s important to remember that the welfare of the creature should not be overlooked. Most people have a great bond with their animal(s) and treat them with respect, but there have been examples quoted in the media that throw into question whether the animal in the role of ESA was in a stressful situation. A peacock was denied a seat on a US flight although it was said to be an ESA, and in the UK an ‘emotional support’ cat was banned from a supermarket when accompanying its autistic owner. Not all creatures are happy in the company of strangers, and in busy and unfamiliar situations.
<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXcqCDUbxTvKPNi9T0K31VFuFkaPhCmeqyVhlb4aI8Mj9oDGJVP_yxxJSPTuUAwLY3ZonLOWpdASIm6SdvUEQ-hkYqGDvUXnYYHyxm4jfvWDnkR70-9dh3qoRX2n1iopqDPSr0yI3KemOqKM3VBIm2CcN58gGOthweBiFbwtNxYs6eTYRh8aEkjQqS/s960/jonas-vincent-xulIYVIbYIc-unsplash.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXcqCDUbxTvKPNi9T0K31VFuFkaPhCmeqyVhlb4aI8Mj9oDGJVP_yxxJSPTuUAwLY3ZonLOWpdASIm6SdvUEQ-hkYqGDvUXnYYHyxm4jfvWDnkR70-9dh3qoRX2n1iopqDPSr0yI3KemOqKM3VBIm2CcN58gGOthweBiFbwtNxYs6eTYRh8aEkjQqS/w426-h640/jonas-vincent-xulIYVIbYIc-unsplash.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; line-height: 1px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>Cats can ‘tune in’ to emotions and provide comfort</i></span></p></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4kddtzyexpXjJaEx59jR17PxRE_I0_6MHWYvN9wC11-fp-8JFfdGipCpZp8b40tXpDUowKrSTSxlcqHkqAiHjS80VEPcBGWogzoo7J0dmFaIxMgnVy1rW-UW2BHNnLMyxkIrH8iVXyxxrJARS2X9q-qjtSSVKoAaIiGAOGhK5v3VdLMCy7pOaT21s/s640/jonathan-cooper-r2_RcJxDEWk-unsplash.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4kddtzyexpXjJaEx59jR17PxRE_I0_6MHWYvN9wC11-fp-8JFfdGipCpZp8b40tXpDUowKrSTSxlcqHkqAiHjS80VEPcBGWogzoo7J0dmFaIxMgnVy1rW-UW2BHNnLMyxkIrH8iVXyxxrJARS2X9q-qjtSSVKoAaIiGAOGhK5v3VdLMCy7pOaT21s/w640-h640/jonathan-cooper-r2_RcJxDEWk-unsplash.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><i><span style="font-family: arial;">
A valuable role in emotional support
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Several studies have shown that animals help to bring health benefits to humans. Through companionship, exercise, comfort and caring for another being, all have proved to lower blood pressure and increase the hormone levels associated with bonding. Research by the University of Toledo paired eleven people with mental illness with a rescue dog or cat, and results showed an improvement in their mental wellbeing.
There is certainly more work to be done in this interesting area, but it does appear to confirm what animal lovers have always known: that the love and companionship of a companion animal is indeed therapeutic and life-enhancing, as long as the animal’s needs are respected, too.Kevin Atkinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06155814277053733532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4897269581676614762.post-82639632143740973432023-03-09T12:43:00.000+00:002023-03-09T12:43:30.022+00:00Dogs help to find earthquake survivors, and animals rescued by charities<p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; line-height: 1px; margin-bottom: 0cm;">No one can fail to be moved by the scenes in the aftermath of the devastating earthquakes that hit </p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; line-height: 1px; margin-bottom: 0cm;">Turkey and Syria last month. Sadly, the number of those who lost their lives has been high in </p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; line-height: 1px; margin-bottom: 0cm;">both countries, and the the damage to buildings and infrastructure huge.</p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; line-height: 1px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; line-height: 1px; margin-bottom: 0cm;">In the following days, countries around the world rallied to send resources and expertise </p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; line-height: 1px; margin-bottom: 0cm;">in search and rescue to help find survivors.</p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; line-height: 1px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; line-height: 1px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtyQr6t6M2RW2WpcEfv_VgBFmpzPk5BukxpsEWrtyV5hmMboqDfdJpfLDshbsHOTNJVPsG73fUyfNjFhYRESnSZN8S19W6-3Wcsh_01Ck0VE5J5llXWczMnV4DAp7X3XwI5AyxJSyog7JbjHY4Daf8aaVo5RD430er--FXei_uvO1oYGVYTBn6bTTq/s1600/Screenshot%202023-03-02%20at%2011.56.03.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="894" data-original-width="1600" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtyQr6t6M2RW2WpcEfv_VgBFmpzPk5BukxpsEWrtyV5hmMboqDfdJpfLDshbsHOTNJVPsG73fUyfNjFhYRESnSZN8S19W6-3Wcsh_01Ck0VE5J5llXWczMnV4DAp7X3XwI5AyxJSyog7JbjHY4Daf8aaVo5RD430er--FXei_uvO1oYGVYTBn6bTTq/w640-h358/Screenshot%202023-03-02%20at%2011.56.03.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; line-height: 1px; margin-bottom: 0cm;">(c) Twitter M_Ebrard One of the Mexican dogs sent to hlp in Turkey</p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; line-height: 1px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; line-height: 1px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; line-height: 1px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><b>International search and rescue dog teams help find survivors</b></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; line-height: 1px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; line-height: 1px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; line-height: 1px; margin-bottom: 0cm;">Mexico sent 16 experienced search and rescue dogs to Turkey. The country is itself prone </p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; line-height: 1px; margin-bottom: 0cm;">to earthquakes and during one in 2017 the dogs saved many lives and won the hearts of Mexicans. </p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; line-height: 1px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; line-height: 1px; margin-bottom: 0cm;">A yellow Lab called Frida was credited with saving 12 lives across Mexico, and other quake sites in </p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; line-height: 1px; margin-bottom: 0cm;">Haiti, Guatemala and Ecuador.</p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; line-height: 1px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; line-height: 1px; margin-bottom: 0cm;">Dog teams and handlers were also sent from Croatia, the Czech Republic, Germany, Greece, </p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; line-height: 1px; margin-bottom: 0cm;">Libya, Poland, Switzerland, the UK and the US. If a dog detects signs of life, debris often has to </p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; line-height: 1px; margin-bottom: 0cm;">be moved away very carefully and quietly, due to the risk of collapse and danger to those searching.</p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; line-height: 1px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; line-height: 1px; margin-bottom: 0cm;">The dogs are highly trained to sniff out survivors, and can differentiate between them </p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; line-height: 1px; margin-bottom: 0cm;">and bodies, enabling the prioritisation of rescue of any people still alive in the rubble.</p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; line-height: 1px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; line-height: 1px; margin-bottom: 0cm;">Amazing stories of survivors being rescued from collapsed buildings after many days have emerged, </p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; line-height: 1px; margin-bottom: 0cm;">thanks to the help of the dedicated rescue teams and their dogs.</p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; line-height: 1px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; line-height: 1px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLFo0QbFXryZ8ITovf14_LzM_gsVrl6grsPz_nE_JUMKxQoK9XBavn4eqwCOIV4-dTO7-DwoOIfY2noJSkZo3e7w_Ui77dN2fRdiKtKvbBeoCt74tyPenhdGEKhG9GBQo2qIHvax-3StY_tPSDJPCWtWKMD_Pvb57R-5k9zKVrFOmZe_Jb5RCRX24Q/s1434/Screenshot%202023-03-02%20at%2012.12.10.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="872" data-original-width="1434" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLFo0QbFXryZ8ITovf14_LzM_gsVrl6grsPz_nE_JUMKxQoK9XBavn4eqwCOIV4-dTO7-DwoOIfY2noJSkZo3e7w_Ui77dN2fRdiKtKvbBeoCt74tyPenhdGEKhG9GBQo2qIHvax-3StY_tPSDJPCWtWKMD_Pvb57R-5k9zKVrFOmZe_Jb5RCRX24Q/w640-h390/Screenshot%202023-03-02%20at%2012.12.10.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; line-height: 1px; margin-bottom: 0cm;">(c) Twitter M_Ebrard Search dogs and thier handlers waiting to board a plane to Turkey from Mexico</p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; line-height: 1px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; line-height: 1px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; line-height: 1px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; line-height: 1px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><b>Charities help rescue animals from the quake devastation</b></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; line-height: 1px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; line-height: 1px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; line-height: 1px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; line-height: 1px; margin-bottom: 0cm;">Not only people but animals have been rescued from collapsed buildings, sometimes weeks after the </p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; line-height: 1px; margin-bottom: 0cm;">earthquake. Charities such as Ernesto's in Syria, the Humane Society International (HSI) are </p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; line-height: 1px; margin-bottom: 0cm;">still rescuing both domestic pets separated from owners or sadly orphaned by the quake, and </p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; line-height: 1px; margin-bottom: 0cm;">farm animals found wandering or injured.</p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; line-height: 1px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; line-height: 1px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyY7POtW39xZUt9n68-665c5lU-O4-BBD1ErKtUjhlbY6d2nrEMgG0xyqW58JnPiXeoi4TX0I6jtHfg_YykE2LEVYPAxEiq8z_LFapJA6skvvlT9paHgXeX5E9WWYxaX_Q0qeGsnAOCSB6fYeDpxU2n8v2L8B_QZHNdYHcz7rbqVIEivisi231HTUx/s1184/Screenshot%202023-03-02%20at%2012.42.18.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1184" height="554" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyY7POtW39xZUt9n68-665c5lU-O4-BBD1ErKtUjhlbY6d2nrEMgG0xyqW58JnPiXeoi4TX0I6jtHfg_YykE2LEVYPAxEiq8z_LFapJA6skvvlT9paHgXeX5E9WWYxaX_Q0qeGsnAOCSB6fYeDpxU2n8v2L8B_QZHNdYHcz7rbqVIEivisi231HTUx/w640-h554/Screenshot%202023-03-02%20at%2012.42.18.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; line-height: 1px; margin-bottom: 0cm;">(c) HSI/facebook. Humane Society International worker rescuing a dog from the devastation</p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; line-height: 1px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; line-height: 1px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; line-height: 1px; margin-bottom: 0cm;">Amazingly, a dog was found alive in the rubble 23 days after the earthquake in Turkey (pictured </p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; line-height: 1px; margin-bottom: 0cm;">below), and a horse was also rescued, having survived after 21 days under rubble.</p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; line-height: 1px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; line-height: 1px; margin-bottom: 0cm;">In Syria, the team from Ernesto's, an animal rescue charity, have been scouring the damaged towns</p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; line-height: 1px; margin-bottom: 0cm;">and villages for animals who need help. They either provide medication and food onsite or take </p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; line-height: 1px; margin-bottom: 0cm;">abandoned or orphaned pets back to their sanctuary where they can offer them a safe and happy life,</p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; line-height: 1px; margin-bottom: 0cm;">along with many other rescued cats, dogs and farm animals.</p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; line-height: 1px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; line-height: 1px; margin-bottom: 0cm;">Amidst the heart-breaking loss of life, it is heartening to see that animals are both helping to </p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; line-height: 1px; margin-bottom: 0cm;">save lives, and themselves being rescued by caring people.</p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; line-height: 1px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; line-height: 1px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoWoDMoyhdVsCnF2Hkj61ou3T0ZtHbVIk348hiKmahQjhd4XADg5Fm9w_oXIwHcofhP7LHSxMCxyAE5qiKtW9SlU2hWgqxCCQqS9fa8KJ4F_E0W4mH2WI1lvsqHyijkkesn1tUP3pJzlwDrOH0v1woSmytW1mtYPZjT7IGnlbkb8NDcWLFh5jea2-x/s2188/Screenshot%202023-03-02%20at%2014.58.52.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1348" data-original-width="2188" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoWoDMoyhdVsCnF2Hkj61ou3T0ZtHbVIk348hiKmahQjhd4XADg5Fm9w_oXIwHcofhP7LHSxMCxyAE5qiKtW9SlU2hWgqxCCQqS9fa8KJ4F_E0W4mH2WI1lvsqHyijkkesn1tUP3pJzlwDrOH0v1woSmytW1mtYPZjT7IGnlbkb8NDcWLFh5jea2-x/w640-h394/Screenshot%202023-03-02%20at%2014.58.52.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; line-height: 1px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; line-height: 1px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; line-height: 1px; margin-bottom: 0cm;">Members of the team from Ernesto's helping a young cat after the earthquake</p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; line-height: 1px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; line-height: 1px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; line-height: 1px; margin-bottom: 0cm;">Below, the dog found alive in Turkey 23 days after the earthquake (screenshot from film footage)</p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; line-height: 1px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf-zeDkymH76RdF9pq5FYkfyy67VL4NyKleMxzNai3Xs7aFAdk2KZr-RDeQIMmcWIkse__qH8HeXrYglQSYcU_rFRcID_N7Ryl1Xl5XaFiGG0Qc_iHK8H3aFGPpKOtsH6YdrZi1KidGW521Qok1seK42rc3BJXo-bxMLN6NP70iogy010I1S8tfb26/s956/Screenshot%202023-03-02%20at%2013.05.07.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="956" data-original-width="814" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf-zeDkymH76RdF9pq5FYkfyy67VL4NyKleMxzNai3Xs7aFAdk2KZr-RDeQIMmcWIkse__qH8HeXrYglQSYcU_rFRcID_N7Ryl1Xl5XaFiGG0Qc_iHK8H3aFGPpKOtsH6YdrZi1KidGW521Qok1seK42rc3BJXo-bxMLN6NP70iogy010I1S8tfb26/w544-h640/Screenshot%202023-03-02%20at%2013.05.07.png" width="544" /></a></div><br /><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; line-height: 1px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; line-height: 1px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; line-height: 1px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; line-height: 1px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; line-height: 1px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p>Kevin Atkinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06155814277053733532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4897269581676614762.post-872276786223603002023-01-26T12:37:00.026+00:002023-01-26T13:23:51.061+00:00Amazing medical alert and assistance dogs - trained to save lives<br /><br /><br />Animal lovers already know that many creatures, including dogs, have the power to calm and de-stress humans, and they can often sense our moods. But some can do something even more amazing. <div><br /></div><div>With training, they can detect a potential medical episode or emergency before it begins, giving enough time to alert the person to take preventative action. They can also be trained to provide valuable support to those requiring physical or emotional assistance.</div><div><br />There are different types of training depending on what type of assistance the dog will provide. </div><div>Broadly, these are the three types of support dog:</div><div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Assistance dogs</b> provide support for various conditions, including Autism, where they are trained to<br />provide a sense of safety and reduce stress in social environments. Below, you can read about the rigorous process for training dogs to ultimately become assistance dogs, and how they help to keep their owner safe.<br /><br /><b>Medical alert dogs</b> are trained to provide a reliable alert for those who experience potentially dangerous medical conditions, such as epileptic seizures, for example. Some can even detect various types of cancers from a urine sample.<br /><br /><br /><b>Disability assistance dogs</b> help people with physical limitations and disabilities, as they are trained to<br />perform specific tasks.<br />Training an assistance dog can take up to two and a half years, and most animals are acquired and trained by special charities that rely on donations.<br />In the UK, Helpful Hounds, Support Dogs, and Medical Detection Dogs are all charities that provide<br />training and support for the identification and training of dogs, and for their future owners.<br /><br /><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; line-height: 1px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><b>The journey to becoming an assistance dog</b></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; line-height: 1px; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><br />Puppies destined to become assistance dogs are identified at a very young age. Pups need to be sociable and confident, as well as enjoy human interaction. They must also be healthy and active.<br />Some charities have volunteer breed stock holders who own special breeding females whose pups are temperamentally suited to assistance. They live with a volunteer family at home, and are mainly<br />Labradors, Golden Retrievers and Working Cocker Spaniels, as these breeds are well suited because they love to carry and retrieve, and are happy to work with people.<br /><br /><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; line-height: 1px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihhz8lPnp24_0618xdMGHaNdR5IrX_iIY1vw2bafh9JnDolltJsA5l2HgaWBNuKWo5IAsKaa3N1YCFULchANufiVPPFO8oLa7UWlKggEKJ2G32Tvw92xVN1WAaMlgrpH2-bUP5sQ11taGhCLCGG01AtGoXvwwbajBFdkB3qpR6kcqOzcgumAo_l-du/s399/pup%20.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="399" data-original-width="299" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihhz8lPnp24_0618xdMGHaNdR5IrX_iIY1vw2bafh9JnDolltJsA5l2HgaWBNuKWo5IAsKaa3N1YCFULchANufiVPPFO8oLa7UWlKggEKJ2G32Tvw92xVN1WAaMlgrpH2-bUP5sQ11taGhCLCGG01AtGoXvwwbajBFdkB3qpR6kcqOzcgumAo_l-du/w480-h640/pup%20.png" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; line-height: 1px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i>Puppies are trained from a young age to become an assistance dog</i></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; line-height: 1px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i><br /></i></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; line-height: 1px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p><br />Aged around 8 weeks, the puppy is placed with a volunteer puppy socialiser who looks after him for the next 18 months. As well as the usual responsibilities of looking after a growing puppy, the socialiser begins to develop the pup's training. They are socialised, are acclimatised to meeting different people, and learn to become comfortable in different environments.<br /><br /><br />At around 14-18 months of age the youngsters move to a training centre, where they begin to learn tasks such as walking next to a wheelchair, and picking up dropped items and handing them back. It is here that the matching process with a potential owner begins. The dogs get plenty of 'downtime' where, just like any dog, they can play, run and interact with other dogs.<br /><br /><br />During advanced training the dog will learn to meet the specific needs of the person for whom he'll<br />provide support, and also learn to feel comfortable with that person. He or she needs to learn that<br />mobility aids are part of the owner's needs, to retrieve items on command, to provide an alert if the<br />owner requires it, and help with, for example, dressing or getting up.<br /><br /><br />Some dogs help support children with Autism, and learn how to distract the child during behaviour that a parent wants to interrupt, helping the child to focus and stay calm in a challenging environment.<br /><br />There is ongoing support through a transition period of settling into a routine with the new owner, to help to develop this lifelong partnership.<br /><br /><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; line-height: 1px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrFD3ogVjtcdULHyeiiYTD78TEWEUmaigq2JKfgxz__AF1o85hbsH473kHXuM3SqRoq44INb0D38WJGJzUbgZ7YadDHgi4C8oNK4_ZmNAhtmFDI4SKZtKuQIryeLTSlUnOeJO3OQ_9sY2LcOjoxXRmxOTHhWcwsYmuIniCp8VavQFATND1bJkkHEHp/s864/Screenshot%202023-01-12%20at%2014.40.42.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="732" data-original-width="864" height="542" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrFD3ogVjtcdULHyeiiYTD78TEWEUmaigq2JKfgxz__AF1o85hbsH473kHXuM3SqRoq44INb0D38WJGJzUbgZ7YadDHgi4C8oNK4_ZmNAhtmFDI4SKZtKuQIryeLTSlUnOeJO3OQ_9sY2LcOjoxXRmxOTHhWcwsYmuIniCp8VavQFATND1bJkkHEHp/w640-h542/Screenshot%202023-01-12%20at%2014.40.42.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>Image (c) Medical Detection Dogs</i></div><br /><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; line-height: 1px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p><br /><br />Dogs who will be used for medical detection are trained to employ their incredible sense of smell to<br />identify minute changes that indicate a particular medical episode (for example an epileptic fit or a<br />diabetic coma) is imminent. By alerting the owner, he or she can take preventative action to avert danger.<br />Again, long and specialist training is required to ensure that the dog's scenting skill is accurate, and that mutual trust exists between dog and owner.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeNKkjnUcs1xTkfqMZ5L-mCp27uY7E0pXst0gaDTNdvJeReUo6GV8LVoNhZDNNcEahBJwRFL2TLGqIb7S8Z54fMeLsaWRFOP6ykCJRTNtRKD18bnDnH6oEVKWtRIPiJMhES5CsSaHbmfv7rFIgK9lfqRIwIff7dg6qDHokJa8d_oID_-htf_GFAHwv/s1100/service%20dog%20sml.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="476" data-original-width="1100" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeNKkjnUcs1xTkfqMZ5L-mCp27uY7E0pXst0gaDTNdvJeReUo6GV8LVoNhZDNNcEahBJwRFL2TLGqIb7S8Z54fMeLsaWRFOP6ykCJRTNtRKD18bnDnH6oEVKWtRIPiJMhES5CsSaHbmfv7rFIgK9lfqRIwIff7dg6qDHokJa8d_oID_-htf_GFAHwv/w640-h277/service%20dog%20sml.png" width="640" /></a></div><i><div><i><br /></i></div>Service dogs come in all shapes and sizes<br /></i><br /><br />All of these dogs are highly skilled in specialist areas, using their amazing senses to support people, and providing valuable help as well as being much loved and loyal companions. </div></div>Kevin Atkinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06155814277053733532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4897269581676614762.post-41475264757336869162022-12-15T11:39:00.003+00:002022-12-15T11:54:55.169+00:00Globetrotting service dog Finnian becomes a social media star<p class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;">Finnian the Golden Retriever is a medical alert service dog whose primary job is cardiac alert for his owner. </p><p class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;">He has amassed a huge following on Instagram and TikTok, that enjoys seeing his travels around the world with his owners and their two other dogs. Finnian’s family live in Massachusetts, and travel around the US in their converted van, as well as venturing further afield, overseas.</p><p class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1VSBTy6pkzxDGcWGt1DfisrLqQKPHy0PldaDdj2bS3sP356CAffeGS7WTCIOn5BOCEKpeegcw2vriumuY2D2Da1wlZ-l8t8UglSPIzhD5Y8eYGXfWEp517wRUpmFeUDe7cQF_Xoilj2hbBNhuWZq5eCfG6o9_ZILKFNL4LAxOnrMD8kl34MtqWFiZ/s1620/Finnian%20Screenshot%202022-12-08%20at%2011.25.27.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1138" data-original-width="1620" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1VSBTy6pkzxDGcWGt1DfisrLqQKPHy0PldaDdj2bS3sP356CAffeGS7WTCIOn5BOCEKpeegcw2vriumuY2D2Da1wlZ-l8t8UglSPIzhD5Y8eYGXfWEp517wRUpmFeUDe7cQF_Xoilj2hbBNhuWZq5eCfG6o9_ZILKFNL4LAxOnrMD8kl34MtqWFiZ/w640-h450/Finnian%20Screenshot%202022-12-08%20at%2011.25.27.png" width="640" /></a></div><i> (c) Finnian, pictured on his travels</i><br /><p class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p><p class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;">Finnian, who has lived with his owner since he was two months old, has formed an extremely strong bond with her, that travelling together has helped to strengthen; she has complete trust in Finnian to alert her should a medical episode occur. Finnian has a fulfilled life, exploring new destinations including Spain, France, Gibraltar, Iceland and Canada, as well as half of the American states. His globe-trotting is captured in photos shared via his social media accounts.</p><p class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p><p class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;">Finnian’s travel companions are Lacey, a six-year-old Pomeranian, and Keegan, a four-year-old Goldendoodle.</p><p class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p><p class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;">Finnian and Lacey are pictured below.</p><p class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHONRkUnmn7RE3FKM7I27nly3XQnoUoDmxVOU7lIHSjjsztHKy_xByNwMb6KnRyLui55WMOGsBf9D20AHs89Kbj2ZS2evIz_eAMjRntT6urmrQewaA5N6mDqrnD85GPsc2cvWh-TvFf2_eom-TRlolnNUKgkXEfoiQWA9eT2mw_5Qs_eLID5BbE0k5/s2002/Screenshot%202022-12-08%20at%2011.29.15.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1214" data-original-width="2002" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHONRkUnmn7RE3FKM7I27nly3XQnoUoDmxVOU7lIHSjjsztHKy_xByNwMb6KnRyLui55WMOGsBf9D20AHs89Kbj2ZS2evIz_eAMjRntT6urmrQewaA5N6mDqrnD85GPsc2cvWh-TvFf2_eom-TRlolnNUKgkXEfoiQWA9eT2mw_5Qs_eLID5BbE0k5/w640-h388/Screenshot%202022-12-08%20at%2011.29.15.png" width="640" /></a></div><i> (c) finnianthegoldie</i><br /><p class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p><p class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p><p class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;">Finnian has enjoyed trips to several European destinations including Madrid, Spain (below). He enjoys an adventure, and one of the most viewed posts was of him exploring canyons in Utah using an abseiling-type harness that helped him to access the rocks safely.</p><p class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p><p class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3CbtWlQn320nQi5xVK-7Wm6PYhGZKX7JV8v2oBLuc9pV3t7iouqbI0rn9WPEyO-_V0Qoavuz5UeiDaKDtuIzMwd5iJ5LEqhTbl3znFLZvCK_PxGv1suinPrMouIj1bKfhCM2YLlxE6GMHevbyzTweIraV33G-tV333Ufjv9NB8gjV-7aAVeq70XU8/s1868/Screenshot%202022-12-08%20at%2014.06.41.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1868" data-original-width="1722" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3CbtWlQn320nQi5xVK-7Wm6PYhGZKX7JV8v2oBLuc9pV3t7iouqbI0rn9WPEyO-_V0Qoavuz5UeiDaKDtuIzMwd5iJ5LEqhTbl3znFLZvCK_PxGv1suinPrMouIj1bKfhCM2YLlxE6GMHevbyzTweIraV33G-tV333Ufjv9NB8gjV-7aAVeq70XU8/w590-h640/Screenshot%202022-12-08%20at%2014.06.41.png" width="590" /></a></div> <i> (c) finnianthrgoldie</i><br /><p class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p><p class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p><p class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;">You can follow Finnian’s adventures at:</p><p class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px; margin-bottom: 0.25cm;"><span style="color: navy;"><u><a href="https://www.instagram.com/finnianthegoldie/" style="color: navy;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #d10404;"><span face="graphik, Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 8pt;"><b>www.instagram.com/finnianthegoldie</b></span></span></span></a></u></span></p><p class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: navy;"><a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@finnianthegoldie" style="color: navy;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #b60606;"><span face="graphik, Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 8pt;"><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><b>www.tiktok.com/@finnianthegoldie</b></span></span></span></span></a></span></p>Kevin Atkinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06155814277053733532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4897269581676614762.post-53651794053484092122022-11-10T11:56:00.001+00:002022-11-10T11:58:59.263+00:00Yellow Dog UK - some dogs need their space<div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Have you heard about 'Yellow Dogs'? No, not adorable Golden Labradors, but a campaign to raise awareness that some dogs need space.</div><div><br /></div><div>This is done by the dog wearing yellow to alert other dog owners and passers-by. Yellow Dog UK is part of an international initiative introduced in 2012 to increase awareness for dogs who need space whilst they're training, recovering from surgery, or being rehabilitated, for example.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8tksUa_oY1Lv1KlKexHpQygUTHrk9iW5bRqD-aJMSbTMVxicPrCSdqHQ7_uHwyRqL4w6DUsT6FR9pXqPSWea3-7y9cViYb07PQWU2_niCKTleT-YGmWWgQQLKrag3ASB6Y7ORbhrgmPspHgqygyYcDLlaS6x-lbwIYtp29HsdBOn5pg9hjLzPCDJn/s529/yellow%20dog%20pic%203.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="529" data-original-width="385" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8tksUa_oY1Lv1KlKexHpQygUTHrk9iW5bRqD-aJMSbTMVxicPrCSdqHQ7_uHwyRqL4w6DUsT6FR9pXqPSWea3-7y9cViYb07PQWU2_niCKTleT-YGmWWgQQLKrag3ASB6Y7ORbhrgmPspHgqygyYcDLlaS6x-lbwIYtp29HsdBOn5pg9hjLzPCDJn/w466-h640/yellow%20dog%20pic%203.jpeg" width="466" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>(c) Image thanks to Yellow Dog UK</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The concept was originally developed by Swedish dog behaviourist Eva Oliversson, recognising that a clear signal to others that a dog needs space will help his behaviour and enable him to feel more safe and secure. Indicated by wearing yellow, at first this was by yellow ribbons, but a whole range of yellow jackets, collars and bandanas are now available.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There can be a number of reasons for a dog wearing yellow. He may be a rescue animal who is being rehabilitated, or he may have health issues that make him nervous or vulnerable. Other reasons include his having had a bad experience with other dogs: for example by being attacked, or a bitch who is on heat.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Any of these reasons can lead to a dog needing space, and this should be respected both by other dog owners, and those who simply want to greet or pet the dog.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In the UK, 'Yellow Dog UK' at <a href="https://www.yellowdoguk.co.uk/">https://www.yellowdoguk.co.uk/</a> provides a lot of helpful information and advice, as well as enabling owners to buy from a range of yellow merchandise for dogs to wear. Owners can contact Yellow Dog UK for free poster and ribbon, too.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">If you think your dog would benefit from wearing a 'yellow dog' identifier, the website is a great place to start.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFAd8RN_ORMuwha2D4sul4L0XDKDuuvEYh-GMu6f8Bcd5xpKINMYyWjHdoDeaXxaln_cPDoKXUlMyAhIbyFa3CzaF3TWvK0YKFRHYfY3z_jcrDWR_flD3lMffvIV1S5n58cmwUG71To3p68tXfZvTtHOkogWhgudsZCd5CtBCUftbv0rbg7wv3Q5a8/s741/yellow%20dog%204.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="654" data-original-width="741" height="564" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFAd8RN_ORMuwha2D4sul4L0XDKDuuvEYh-GMu6f8Bcd5xpKINMYyWjHdoDeaXxaln_cPDoKXUlMyAhIbyFa3CzaF3TWvK0YKFRHYfY3z_jcrDWR_flD3lMffvIV1S5n58cmwUG71To3p68tXfZvTtHOkogWhgudsZCd5CtBCUftbv0rbg7wv3Q5a8/w640-h564/yellow%20dog%204.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <i>(c) Image thanks to Yellow Dog UK</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div>Yellow Dog UK also promotes dog ownership and encourages both children and adults to always ask permission before touching a dog who they don't know. </div><div><br /></div><div>Promoting responsible and careful dog ownership, as well as the 'Yellow Dog' message, is worthwhile for all dog owners and lovers. Let's hope more take it up in the future.</div><div><br /></div><div>Check out Hubble & Hattie's range of helpful books on dog behaviour, including:</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.hubbleandhattie.com/shop/HH5079/">https://www.hubbleandhattie.com/shop/HH5079/</a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.hubbleandhattie.com/shop/HH4890/">https://www.hubbleandhattie.com/shop/HH4890/</a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.hubbleandhattie.com/shop/HH4384/">https://www.hubbleandhattie.com/shop/HH4384/</a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Kevin Atkinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06155814277053733532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4897269581676614762.post-48103749086544855942022-10-13T12:33:00.086+01:002022-10-13T14:27:13.987+01:00Do Animals Feel Emotion?<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi2l6brVk2ayPIEu9lsVE43IlVDXifqGmVMDkAxaqwXr3y1xL7K2V9SOtxBBKuqhsX2S-qJ5dQOsTbj7q5ENj953ITUq230dzngVSN64QvJ1xQuVavzEiP3wSgeu8B04qn_Z2mXCMmQEg8xeAet_zBIVM-uUTYpLDAE15RX7i5fktGSBPaP0JFFln2f" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi2l6brVk2ayPIEu9lsVE43IlVDXifqGmVMDkAxaqwXr3y1xL7K2V9SOtxBBKuqhsX2S-qJ5dQOsTbj7q5ENj953ITUq230dzngVSN64QvJ1xQuVavzEiP3wSgeu8B04qn_Z2mXCMmQEg8xeAet_zBIVM-uUTYpLDAE15RX7i5fktGSBPaP0JFFln2f=w640-h428" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p> <i> Contented?</i></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; line-height: 1px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; line-height: 1px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p><p class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">When you look at the images in this blog, what do you see? A relaxed happy cat, and a sad lonely dog? Or are we simply imposing our human emotions upon animals, because that’s what we think they are experiencing and expressing?</span></p><p class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">We’ll never know for sure, of course, whether animals’ brains are wired in the same way as ours, so we can only observe their behaviour and interpret it as best we can, based on our own emotions and learned behaviour. Owners believe that they understand how their pets are feeling through their behaviour and body language, and, let’s be honest, animals have also learned to be pretty good at communicating what they want to us, whether it’s their food bowl topped up, a walk, or just some pampering!</span></p><p class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">However, how much they really feel we’ll probably never know. Humans are very good at anthropomorphising creatures. Just look at the number of cartoon and fictional animal characters who speak, dress and interact with each other just like people. This must influence our perception of animal behaviour, if only subconsciously.</span></p><p class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">The jury is still out as far as science is concerned. Philosopher Philip Godfrey-Smith’s work Metazoa: Animal Life and the Birth of the Mind' explores three behaviours that provide clues in animals:</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; line-height: 1px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p><p class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;">• <span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Do they tend to and protect injured body parts?</span></p><p class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Most creatures except insects do</span></p><p class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;">• <span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Do they consider costs and benefits?</span></p><p class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Some do, for example by tolerating minor pain in order to be safe</span></p><p class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;">• <span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Do they seek pain-killing chemicals after injury?</span></p><p class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">It’s been proven that some animals will opt to undertake behaviour that alleviates pain</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; line-height: 1px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-CwyO79zQheIRT-R6aQ7ogo7TIdTaA42sAgHK1PGu-1IssHdkE1gh7g2F3sNNWl8irubuT6BsDAIWcQ8B2HDI4d5Btg2-f0p1Cc_pbWrgPavbKqKfIjNz4kjZ5ONWMZ07vuhnU49mdJ7SfQK3okSU7vPmkiOGx9wTg3dUpDT8xCOeY67OP2QbV20s/s640/jesse-schoff-i2DefZ6PCN0-unsplash%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="429" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-CwyO79zQheIRT-R6aQ7ogo7TIdTaA42sAgHK1PGu-1IssHdkE1gh7g2F3sNNWl8irubuT6BsDAIWcQ8B2HDI4d5Btg2-f0p1Cc_pbWrgPavbKqKfIjNz4kjZ5ONWMZ07vuhnU49mdJ7SfQK3okSU7vPmkiOGx9wTg3dUpDT8xCOeY67OP2QbV20s/w640-h429/jesse-schoff-i2DefZ6PCN0-unsplash%20(1).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><i> Sad and lonely?</i></div><div><br /></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><p class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">But behaviours and emotions are different. It can be argued that animal behaviour is, to a large extent, instinctive and reactive: ie. driven by hunger or self-preservation. Reactions between different creatures to fear and threat also show that we can’t interpret behaviour consistently across species. Some may ‘freeze’ when threatened; others may run, and some attack. Some may do nothing at all. So even the ‘fight or flight’ response that we humans instinctively show is not the same for animals.</span></p><p class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Ultimately we may never completely understand how animals experience the world. We know that some of their senses (sight, smell, hearing) are more highly developed than our own, whilst others (communicating) are less so.</span></p><p class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Perhaps it’s best to simply respect and admire their differences to us, and enjoy the fact that we can share our lives with domesticated creatures who enjoy our company.</span></p></div><div><br /></div><p></p>Kevin Atkinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06155814277053733532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4897269581676614762.post-45236308991229327492022-09-15T14:59:00.000+01:002022-09-15T14:59:08.218+01:00Sight and scent are strongly connected for dogs<p align="left" class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">A new study has discovered that dogs have an extensive pathway in their brains that enable them to 'see' as well as sniff with their highly-developed sense of smell.</span></span></span></span></p><p align="left" class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Scientists in Cornell University, New York, found that sight and scent is integrated in dogs, to the point where even blind dogs can function extremely well by navigating their environment by smell.</span></span></span></span></p><p align="left" class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">All dog owners know how much dogs like to sniff, and navigate their way around by their nose. This new research, carried out on 23 dogs of various breeds, </span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Arial, serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">revealed through MRI scans that big neural pathways, or “information highways” exist between the olfactory part of the brain (responsible for interpreting the scents from the nose) and the part of the brain tied to vision. This pathway that links smell to vision isn’t found in people but is “thick and obvious” in the dog’s brain.</span></span></span></span></p><p align="left" class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"></span></p><p align="left" class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Arial, serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">This appears to confirm that in dogs, the sense of smell is so highly developed that seeing and smells are interlinked in a dog’s perception.</span></span></span></span></p><p align="left" class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p><p align="left" class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Arial, serif;"></span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Arial, serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHUK8T7zESA3ETlULeX5V8xpn5gD5j-f3TUX2Pv0W9imQNQqUkY9g2iM9G2zWNk27KO6RKq-1g9dGg5PPhtBXV7GU79NeVBFiyhoy1VM9VtsPAJvTVBpj4faxUS4Kg6174zHUxtGB1S0AJoUyDR9gxz4Zf9Fu-nVKr97ed89iowXDF_DOzXTuMrJ2j/s640/florencia-potter-yxmNWxi3wCo-unsplash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHUK8T7zESA3ETlULeX5V8xpn5gD5j-f3TUX2Pv0W9imQNQqUkY9g2iM9G2zWNk27KO6RKq-1g9dGg5PPhtBXV7GU79NeVBFiyhoy1VM9VtsPAJvTVBpj4faxUS4Kg6174zHUxtGB1S0AJoUyDR9gxz4Zf9Fu-nVKr97ed89iowXDF_DOzXTuMrJ2j/w640-h480/florencia-potter-yxmNWxi3wCo-unsplash.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></span></div><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Arial, serif;"><br /><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></span></span><p></p><p align="left" class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Arial, serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />As humans we can only imagine what the world must be like for dogs. Everything must be ‘hyper-real’ with a scent to accompany all they see. As owners, we must respect the dog’s need to stop and sniff at every opportunity. Sniffing and storing information is an enriching experience for dogs, and we can only admire their sensory powers.</span></span></span></span></p><p align="left" class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"></span></p><p align="left" class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Arial, serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Humans do of course utilise dogs’ highly developed smelling skills for tracking, by training sniffer dogs to search out certain substances or to track missing people.</span></span></span></span></p><p align="left" class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Arial, serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2z7Td5xWlIRR_8vzI2WMMrHHrxHVUCs5yQvKOjEuPdJprPos8O3zkf8XsfuBaf8EqVRIHe3PByd9gE7yT6rpuouXFnSymGOdVcPe7gN8vAZDH9qmzoHwQR5zAGClAUznwTHk_EcZQ4ZYro8en_Vdq22jhJekVouyDGBdmFu_4_j6dL-XeXRyqcDYH/s640/cdc-CMhVRKI6vSY-unsplash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2z7Td5xWlIRR_8vzI2WMMrHHrxHVUCs5yQvKOjEuPdJprPos8O3zkf8XsfuBaf8EqVRIHe3PByd9gE7yT6rpuouXFnSymGOdVcPe7gN8vAZDH9qmzoHwQR5zAGClAUznwTHk_EcZQ4ZYro8en_Vdq22jhJekVouyDGBdmFu_4_j6dL-XeXRyqcDYH/w640-h428/cdc-CMhVRKI6vSY-unsplash.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p align="left" class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"></span></p><p align="left" class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Arial, serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">S</span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Arial, serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><i>niffer dogs play a vital role at airports</i></span></span></span></span></p><p align="left" class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Arial, serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">This research is just starting, as the same team want to investigate cats’ link between scent and sight, as it is believed that cats have the same strong neural pathways as dogs. Watch (or sniff!) this space.</span></span></span></span></p><p align="left" class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Arial, serif;"></span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Arial, serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIGENmk45NTCp5sEOLDto9WweizYW1nD_NCcvHtjBJuK5kIwmeU5DkwY8zLg64AwoWtuKo56ussMuE1rT5KY1i-ZlOuh__bgzxdPEDOZDz8yvkL1S3dHQgA9F5ZiEF8UvzV8HD9xG_mcd5sm4YGAdM3H2PQhranTzM2SIMysYhU0biqUh4sPiLW0Ao/s640/curvd-21ENYh9ycZo-unsplash%20(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIGENmk45NTCp5sEOLDto9WweizYW1nD_NCcvHtjBJuK5kIwmeU5DkwY8zLg64AwoWtuKo56ussMuE1rT5KY1i-ZlOuh__bgzxdPEDOZDz8yvkL1S3dHQgA9F5ZiEF8UvzV8HD9xG_mcd5sm4YGAdM3H2PQhranTzM2SIMysYhU0biqUh4sPiLW0Ao/w640-h428/curvd-21ENYh9ycZo-unsplash%20(1).jpg" width="640" /></a></span></span></div><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Arial, serif;"><br /><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></span></span><p></p><p align="left" class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Arial, serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></span></span></span></p><p align="left" class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Arial, serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></span></span></span></p><p align="left" class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Arial, serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></span></span></span></p><p align="left" class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Arial, serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></span></span></span></p><p align="left" class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Arial, serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><i><br /></i></span></span></span></span></p><p align="left" class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Arial, serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><i><br /></i></span></span></span></span></p><p align="left" class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Arial, serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><i><br /></i></span></span></span></span></p><p align="left" class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Arial, serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><i><br /></i></span></span></span></span></p><p align="left" class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Arial, serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><i><br /></i></span></span></span></span></p><p align="left" class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Arial, serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><i><br /></i></span></span></span></span></p>Kevin Atkinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06155814277053733532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4897269581676614762.post-82935631404319959642022-07-28T10:55:00.000+01:002022-07-28T10:55:42.494+01:00Paws on board? Dogs in cars – how to travel safely with your dog on board<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTgD5cxgIuW6RyjxUc601mo_mjfLDIWpkz9S36pfw9eINDBqhFsAMuozKwfHtNJ3QA1205EtkJZx-7vbpLyi4ENn4AZpNWh4ZlHPZWPv5orVkertFDSFsjq6uMaCZBw2d1IdkyFa-EvkhHcCIHtigXeKF_kf3G6JHaJWyGpyKx9xRa3vrv1bVEeHLD/s500/dog%20car%20seat%20.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="334" data-original-width="500" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTgD5cxgIuW6RyjxUc601mo_mjfLDIWpkz9S36pfw9eINDBqhFsAMuozKwfHtNJ3QA1205EtkJZx-7vbpLyi4ENn4AZpNWh4ZlHPZWPv5orVkertFDSFsjq6uMaCZBw2d1IdkyFa-EvkhHcCIHtigXeKF_kf3G6JHaJWyGpyKx9xRa3vrv1bVEeHLD/w400-h268/dog%20car%20seat%20.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p style="background-color: white; direction: ltr; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;"><br /></p><p style="background-color: white; direction: ltr; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;"><br /></p><p style="background-color: white; direction: ltr; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;">Inevitably, your dog will travel in the car with you, whether you’re off on a well-earned break, or simply going out and about for a long walk somewhere. But thinking about the options for the safest way for you and your dog to travel in the car together is not a subject that all owners consider fully.<br style="direction: ltr;" /></p><p style="background-color: white; direction: ltr; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;">It’s important, as making sure that your dog is restrained properly is part of the Highway Code. Dogs can and do cause accidents when the driver is distracted by them in the vehicle.</p><p style="background-color: white; direction: ltr; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;">Certainly there are plenty of options on the market for the dog-owning motorist. So whether it’s a dog car seat, a seatbelt and harness, or a grille that keeps them safely in the back, there’s lots to consider.<br style="direction: ltr;" /></p><p style="background-color: white; direction: ltr; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;">The size and strength of the dog is a key factor. Whilst some car seats may look cute and appealing, they are usually only suited to small and lightweight dogs, and may not provide enough security and protection to the dog if the vehicle were to be involved in a crash. They may not restrain a heavier or more active dog safely, putting both dog and owner at risk of injury.</p><p style="background-color: white; direction: ltr; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;">Not all dog car seats have been tested in crash conditions, and of course dogs come in many shapes and sizes, so a ‘one size fits all’ product is not going to be right for many.<br style="direction: ltr;" /></p><p style="background-color: white; direction: ltr; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;">Moreover, owners have different views about what is the best way for their dog to travel in the car. Some owners of small dogs prefer a sturdy strap that attaches to the dog's harness and the seatbelt rather than a car seat.</p><p style="background-color: white; direction: ltr; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOtubjCpRtnrQaUnDI6du49ffYVTAZeTltro_b4u2Li-_5cBVTz709SMRsk2romL9jy8q4Ed0YY7Xpmzqf9ZnsaL-HwXmAwOUzo2aRNyldoQHt8MB_mwBTdIFqCFN-mCfv1El4n45iOwFxe78qjJfbVbIIacZbE_iVOzNgvZbiBVB17ETtFkot9Scj/s1000/dog%20in%20boot.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOtubjCpRtnrQaUnDI6du49ffYVTAZeTltro_b4u2Li-_5cBVTz709SMRsk2romL9jy8q4Ed0YY7Xpmzqf9ZnsaL-HwXmAwOUzo2aRNyldoQHt8MB_mwBTdIFqCFN-mCfv1El4n45iOwFxe78qjJfbVbIIacZbE_iVOzNgvZbiBVB17ETtFkot9Scj/w400-h300/dog%20in%20boot.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p style="background-color: white; direction: ltr; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;"><br /></p><p style="background-color: white; direction: ltr; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;"><br /></p><p style="background-color: white; direction: ltr; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;">A sturdy metal grille (or sometimes a crate) may give both owner and dog a sense of security, because the dog is safely contained in the back of the vehicle. These are usually used for larger dogs. However, the dog is not usually restrained within the space in the hatchback or boot, so should there be a collision he or she would be thrown around in the area or within the crate, likely causing them injury.</p><p style="background-color: white; direction: ltr; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial;">A safer alternative to a crate or grille is a crash crate; these have been designed not to deform during an accident, built to withstand side, front and rear impacts, with some also preventing damage caused by cars rolling. You will, of course, pay a premium for this level of protection, but you'll get much better protected from rear-end shunts and side impacts than with a normal crate.</span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; direction: ltr; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Poppins, sans-serif;">Do consider carefully the safest and most comfortable way of securing your dog when travelling by car. It could help to save both you and your dog’s life in an accident.</span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; direction: ltr; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Poppins, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; direction: ltr; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-size-adjust: auto;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpUZVaqiTLXJYc-VsRevldaDgqIt1kDxDRTLPbKw63Ow7pjjY5p9C1e8VqylKF5JPpaVzeVbWUJcnRgmJ9cCU4FWW362j44rzDZVZsy7cCKqy-AsCJaniJbG10sdUMDjj1BG8P9VX4Tq1jwfp7CY3lr8b0aZirfNr-w8LCmcELXaZ9t_EMiw95bhc8/s1200/dog-guard%20grille.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpUZVaqiTLXJYc-VsRevldaDgqIt1kDxDRTLPbKw63Ow7pjjY5p9C1e8VqylKF5JPpaVzeVbWUJcnRgmJ9cCU4FWW362j44rzDZVZsy7cCKqy-AsCJaniJbG10sdUMDjj1BG8P9VX4Tq1jwfp7CY3lr8b0aZirfNr-w8LCmcELXaZ9t_EMiw95bhc8/w400-h266/dog-guard%20grille.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Poppins, sans-serif;"><br /></span><p></p>Kevin Atkinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06155814277053733532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4897269581676614762.post-58002391033347415912022-06-16T15:05:00.010+01:002022-06-16T15:07:10.857+01:00Paws on Board – get on board with your canine companion!<p align="left" class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;">Surf school for dogs takes off in Dorset</p><p align="left" class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p><p align="left" class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;">Vicky Mansfield, based on the Dorset coast, has used her ethical dog-training skills to branch out into making the most of the ideal beaches around Bournemouth and Poole by offering to teach dogs to surf with their owners!</p><p align="left" class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;">A lifelong dog lover, Vicky has immersed herself in all things dog-related for as long as she can remember. A believer in ethical training methods without fear, pain or punishment, she is a member of The School of Canine Science, The Dog Training Academy, The Victoria Stilwell Academy and Dr Dunbar’s Dog Behaviour and Training Academy. Vicky lives and breathes dogs, and loves sharing her knowledge and passion with others.</p><p align="left" class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p><p align="left" class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjUUkJGtDtRA2R15NPkSPFXQ5vuLLwot_e_ojvskkf3d_VI3S7h2Sdg6gVg_qS1l3H7Qqy3Pr34SuAbRrFsDh8PdoHepUrHz5M9EEmYjP5YhhuQqxf0DAEfqPqmxXM5d37eXiS8x7VdoWIB1YDJ-qtUMdE2fkkb7UnLgzfiNrtVj7r0AXI9HSdL-ICC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjUUkJGtDtRA2R15NPkSPFXQ5vuLLwot_e_ojvskkf3d_VI3S7h2Sdg6gVg_qS1l3H7Qqy3Pr34SuAbRrFsDh8PdoHepUrHz5M9EEmYjP5YhhuQqxf0DAEfqPqmxXM5d37eXiS8x7VdoWIB1YDJ-qtUMdE2fkkb7UnLgzfiNrtVj7r0AXI9HSdL-ICC=w640-h512" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p align="left" class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;">As well as offering dog and puppy training, dog owners can immerse themselves (quite literally!) in the Dorset waves, accompanied by their dog on board! By teaching the dogs confidence and calmness in the water, both dog and owner can enjoy the waves safely. All that’s needed, alongside Vicky’s training, is the hire of a dog-safe surfboard and lifejacket. Vicky believes in slow learning techniques that help the dog to digest information in their own time, rather than forcing behaviour on them.</p><p align="left" class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEixjMtEzSjRgZzXFXdMx9ihpO9p0rmNlxjwvZP_q-Ptj6UkeXlycQcWc8jtxS9Df2vnautCPm3bqP6gIXw88C9q_yecHrZsZMQbADCwei42gTLfbfX8VlCJLU4Bhwe3Tka6xYDcsNAxKDN9AmiJY-D13twp87gjQuSS9jwkpphHS5N1XP_b3Jspn78W" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="799" data-original-width="1200" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEixjMtEzSjRgZzXFXdMx9ihpO9p0rmNlxjwvZP_q-Ptj6UkeXlycQcWc8jtxS9Df2vnautCPm3bqP6gIXw88C9q_yecHrZsZMQbADCwei42gTLfbfX8VlCJLU4Bhwe3Tka6xYDcsNAxKDN9AmiJY-D13twp87gjQuSS9jwkpphHS5N1XP_b3Jspn78W=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p align="left" class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"> <i>Dogs and owners start to catch the waves</i></p><p align="left" class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p><p align="left" class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;">Paws on Board offers the only dog surfing lessons in the area. By building confidence, balance and behaviour on a board, it offers a unique way to bond with your canine companion whilst having fun and learning new skills. <span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="en-GB">The organisation</span></span></span> was recently recognised by the local newspaper, the Bournemouth Echo, as a ‘Trader of the Week’ for the enterprising way that Vicky has developed the business.</p><p align="left" class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p><p align="left" class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;">If you would like to find out more about Paws on Board, the website has lots of useful information:</p><p align="left" class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: navy;"><span lang="zxx"><u>https://pawsonboard.co.uk/</u></span></span></p><p align="left" class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: navy;"><span lang="zxx"><u><br /></u></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW0vi0OdbP_3EA7zlRGHxaEEJ9qI4fneLt4tJJF4_vTW0ZaFNeomPn3kTgBkUOxoZ5h1x8JQXTe1CjDqSn5QAvP3I4D7_M3lv-u5p7haHDSOEJin_X_LCQU8AfmxaUBm5Ct92qHG1XonFntLnu3fE3MYPZywv1kegrXVwl_fIAdga9TyvAQfewQwNB/s800/paws%20on%20board%202.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW0vi0OdbP_3EA7zlRGHxaEEJ9qI4fneLt4tJJF4_vTW0ZaFNeomPn3kTgBkUOxoZ5h1x8JQXTe1CjDqSn5QAvP3I4D7_M3lv-u5p7haHDSOEJin_X_LCQU8AfmxaUBm5Ct92qHG1XonFntLnu3fE3MYPZywv1kegrXVwl_fIAdga9TyvAQfewQwNB/w640-h480/paws%20on%20board%202.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p align="left" class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"> <i>Getting ready to hit the surf</i></p><p align="left" class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i><br /></i></p><p align="left" class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;">All photos with thanks and credit to Paws on Board.<span style="color: navy;"><span lang="zxx"><u>https://pawsonboard.co.uk/</u></span></span></p>Kevin Atkinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06155814277053733532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4897269581676614762.post-38703327587186148402022-04-28T14:11:00.002+01:002022-04-28T14:18:56.705+01:00Despite the ongoing conflict, Ukrainian Cat Café remains open <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCGKAQCvgqTojdEmx4TCcCAYtgZs5Z7xjJaqogUtXb7WBjM_HNy88S6SK5DRxAI9N-jz8KZmKXYoe_PKZfkTZyNiZdCmbGbcbbOVczyU5kpthqfvl-8tR58PwK8CVkkRWhGcNY9FtxyBL2BVVVzgU05uf9_Q4Prk9mbfDBSaI_X0G12t8b4BQlZgXk/s1600/cat%20cafe%20lviv%20277297312_5222791054469450_126999132968641324_n.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCGKAQCvgqTojdEmx4TCcCAYtgZs5Z7xjJaqogUtXb7WBjM_HNy88S6SK5DRxAI9N-jz8KZmKXYoe_PKZfkTZyNiZdCmbGbcbbOVczyU5kpthqfvl-8tR58PwK8CVkkRWhGcNY9FtxyBL2BVVVzgU05uf9_Q4Prk9mbfDBSaI_X0G12t8b4BQlZgXk/w480-h640/cat%20cafe%20lviv%20277297312_5222791054469450_126999132968641324_n.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /> <i><span style="color: #444444;">Visitors and residents in the Café</span></i><p></p><p class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: arial;">Cat Café Lviv, in the heart of the Ukrainian city of Lviv, is home to 20 resident felines and, amazingly, has remained open since February 2022, throughout the escalating conflict and fear of air strikes on the country.</span></p><p class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: arial;">Opened over 6 years ago by owner <span>Serhii Oliinyk, the Café is home to cats of various breeds, all used to interacting with the daily visitors who come to enjoy their company, and the refreshments on offer.</span></span></p><p class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: arial;">More recently, the Café has provided a place of refuge for people fleeing dangerous areas, and a calm escape from stress and fear. The location of the Café provides three large rooms, two of which are in a secure basement, should shelter be needed.</span></p><p class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: arial;">Serhii has no intention of closing the Café or moving the cats elsewhere. He says, “we realized that we would never leave our country, that this was the only place where we could see ourselves in the future.”</span></p><p class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: arial;">Images of Ukrainians fleeing their homes due to the conflict show many with their beloved pets. This is undoubtedly a nation of animal lovers.</span></p><p class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: arial;"><span>You can see updates from the Café via their regular posts on facebook, at </span><span><u><span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/catcafelviv">https://www.facebook.com/catcafelviv</a></span></u></span><span> @catcafelviv</span></span></p><p class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: arial;">Almost 18,000 people follow their posts. People are able to support the Café with donations via Paypal, should they wish to do so.</span></p><h3 class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; break-after: avoid; direction: ltr; font-size: 14pt; margin-bottom: 0.21cm; margin-top: 0.25cm;"><span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #444444; font-weight: normal;">In dark times, the Cat Café Lviv remains a place of joy and brings some much-needed positivity.</span></span></span></h3><div><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 12pt;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj284-JQlcJcc17rRQuk9liuFrcfZkiDbPXgaOuyId-ZY-iQR-ffTD0RzacwE-HnFTjr7rfKEvCBF3Nlxa4nln5zdurcMpSp1q1PEfmzz9hEW_hlVyaSp2C3rwL7e0hAAJUyQFLni-o_b4Icj2PLLkTwzGMnZIdrcI0bTKQOQKdeC_fqMJHNhLu6HLt/s1000/cat-cafe-lviv-staying-open-5.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj284-JQlcJcc17rRQuk9liuFrcfZkiDbPXgaOuyId-ZY-iQR-ffTD0RzacwE-HnFTjr7rfKEvCBF3Nlxa4nln5zdurcMpSp1q1PEfmzz9hEW_hlVyaSp2C3rwL7e0hAAJUyQFLni-o_b4Icj2PLLkTwzGMnZIdrcI0bTKQOQKdeC_fqMJHNhLu6HLt/w480-h640/cat-cafe-lviv-staying-open-5.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span></div><br /><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg27n3bmScl8qgiHPeUTLm8pB-bE1xDO1RnLI9Yx-VOqw-_6V-mTLJAsN1u1o2kTzOIPhPC8Tm1iqKvCrWN9ySwd8YC1vX0Ma1633YWirVdV9k5QKzDb0WgaNXgtMXXsmvPraVU7oETPRtB-975GsEf5AHlDwt7123nvtf8qPc4r2NYZ6sM6OVrIRMZ/s1000/cat-cafe-lviv-staying-open-11.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg27n3bmScl8qgiHPeUTLm8pB-bE1xDO1RnLI9Yx-VOqw-_6V-mTLJAsN1u1o2kTzOIPhPC8Tm1iqKvCrWN9ySwd8YC1vX0Ma1633YWirVdV9k5QKzDb0WgaNXgtMXXsmvPraVU7oETPRtB-975GsEf5AHlDwt7123nvtf8qPc4r2NYZ6sM6OVrIRMZ/w480-h640/cat-cafe-lviv-staying-open-11.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span style="color: black;"><i> Serhii and some of the cats </i></span></p></div></span></div>Kevin Atkinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06155814277053733532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4897269581676614762.post-42718080402533546392022-03-17T13:15:00.004+00:002022-04-14T15:31:31.504+01:00Filling a ‘doggy void’ – Borrow my Doggy unites dog owners with dog lovers to share the love!<p class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: Calibri, serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.84px; margin-bottom: 0.28cm;">Have you heard about ‘Borrow my Doggy’? In the UK, it’s connecting dog owners with dog-lovers who, for whatever reason, can’t make a full-time commitment to having a dog, but who want to fill the dog void in their life!</p><p class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: Calibri, serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.84px; margin-bottom: 0.28cm;">‘Borrow my Doggy’ connects dog owners with local dog borrowers for walks, weekends and holidays, finding trusted dog lovers who can spend time with owned dogs, helping out their owners whilst getting all of the fun and love from a ‘part-time doggy’! For dog owners, it can help remove the worry of not being with their dog all the time, knowing that the dog borrower is able to provide quality time, walks and fun. It’s a win-win for the dog, their owner and the borrower!</p><p class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: Calibri, serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.84px; margin-bottom: 0.28cm;">Here’s a real-life story about how it has worked brilliantly for Jane from Dorset. She is a full-time solicitor with a busy social life, and so doesn’t have the time to have a ‘full-time’ dog at present. However, as a dedicated dog lover, she found the perfect solution through ‘Borrow my Doggy,’ as she explains:</p><p class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: Calibri, serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.84px; margin-bottom: 0.28cm;"><br /></p><p align="justify" class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: Calibri, serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.84px; margin-bottom: 0.28cm;">“<i>For a while I’d been wanting my own dog but knew this was impractical, whilst working full-time. My cousin in London recommended ‘Borrow my Doggy.’ I looked on the website for a dog close to my home and, straightaway, there was Percy – an adorable Coton de Tulear – looking for walks and company when his owners are at work. I didn’t need to look any further!</i></p><p align="justify" class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: Calibri, serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.84px; margin-bottom: 0.28cm;"><i>Percy soon arrived for his first walk and, of course, I was immediately smitten. He made himself at home, exploring and generally getting his bearings before jumping onto the passenger seat of my car to have his seat belt secured for a drive to my favourite beach. He was in his element there. That was 6 years ago and we’re still enjoying wonderful walks. Just to see his excitement at reaching the sand, and his exuberance as he races along the beach is so uplifting.</i></p><p align="justify" class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: Calibri, serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.84px; margin-bottom: 0.28cm;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEid67Eg1mLyc7fNQhfcIqkAIk4wpav58Pm3ACwHVmEI2oA2QfQqeDGro03xjY3-S9tjZ9mIrgx3ESOTLJ1CQN2z3H4-zQR3EM-in7awNi4XsKVvLJTl-xZtqzRGChQXw1iaN5HAGYWjnl2SNhZbAb_zlthzbOx4P6UTEC23Ade5b0fhmMJIryKf8nvS=s1600" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEid67Eg1mLyc7fNQhfcIqkAIk4wpav58Pm3ACwHVmEI2oA2QfQqeDGro03xjY3-S9tjZ9mIrgx3ESOTLJ1CQN2z3H4-zQR3EM-in7awNi4XsKVvLJTl-xZtqzRGChQXw1iaN5HAGYWjnl2SNhZbAb_zlthzbOx4P6UTEC23Ade5b0fhmMJIryKf8nvS=w503-h283" width="503" /></a></div><p></p><p align="justify" class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: Calibri, serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.84px; margin-bottom: 0.28cm;"> <i>Percy enjoying Jane’s local beach</i></p><p align="justify" class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: Calibri, serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.84px; margin-bottom: 0.28cm;"><br /></p><p align="justify" class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: Calibri, serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.84px; margin-bottom: 0.28cm;"><i>One of the best things about Borrow my Doggy is its flexibility. It works well for Percy, his owners and for me. It also helps that Percy is local. This is important to me as it’s easier for last minute arrangements to be made for a walk or the occasional ‘sleepover’ if his owners are away for the weekend. There’s no set pattern.</i></p><p align="justify" class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: Calibri, serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.84px; margin-bottom: 0.28cm;"><i>It comes with its responsibilities. I’m always very aware when out walking Percy that he is someone else’s dog and I’m careful about where I let him off the lead. I’ve got to know and love his personality. He’s so expressive and I can tell when he’s considering a ‘bolt’ along the beach!</i></p><p align="justify" class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: Calibri, serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.84px; margin-bottom: 0.28cm;"><i>We’ve got quite a bond now. For me, Borrow my Doggy is the perfect arrangement. I would recommend it to anyone who likes the outdoors and walking. Percy has exceeded all my expectations and I can’t believe how lucky I was to find him.”</i></p><p align="justify" class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: Calibri, serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.84px; margin-bottom: 0.28cm;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgQAFZI5lQ_bfUVG3DMHXbDT2h5Z4Bj5HsiH4V0vsy4QtUk-mt1Ehg79N1HWtgrINEa__k15jWZvVtk4uPtzORal3IZjbhh7vKxAPrYbHKd6VYYFOT9SnixLP6pQrjE8HxRk4R4w7SZPFsF2nBUsFQ__oNuE6q_oRmMmFAKjDMo1up0RRUCxUYr7und=s1600" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgQAFZI5lQ_bfUVG3DMHXbDT2h5Z4Bj5HsiH4V0vsy4QtUk-mt1Ehg79N1HWtgrINEa__k15jWZvVtk4uPtzORal3IZjbhh7vKxAPrYbHKd6VYYFOT9SnixLP6pQrjE8HxRk4R4w7SZPFsF2nBUsFQ__oNuE6q_oRmMmFAKjDMo1up0RRUCxUYr7und=w519-h292" width="519" /></a></div><br /><i> .....and relaxing after his exercise!</i><p></p><p align="justify" class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: Calibri, serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.84px; margin-bottom: 0.28cm;"> </p><p align="justify" class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: Calibri, serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.84px; margin-bottom: 0.28cm;">It’s heart-warming to hear how much both Jane and Percy enjoy their time together. They wouldn’t have been able to meet without ‘Borrow my Doggy’ introducing them and now have the perfect arrangement.</p><p align="justify" class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: Calibri, serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.84px; margin-bottom: 0.28cm;">If you’re based in the UK and would like to find out more, as a potential borrower or owner, visit <span style="color: navy;"><u><a href="https://www.borrowmydoggy.com/" style="color: navy;">Borrow my Doggy’s website.</a></u></span></p>Kevin Atkinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06155814277053733532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4897269581676614762.post-42248875412046238492022-02-10T12:00:00.001+00:002022-02-10T12:01:16.711+00:00Selective breeding of British Bulldogs and King Charles Spaniels is banned in Norway, recognising that it has caused health problems for the animals concerned<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In a landmark ruling in January 2022, Norway has banned the selective breeding of two iconic British dog breeds, the British Bulldog and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Recognising that the 'practice is cruel and results in man-made health problems' in the reasons given for the ban, it states that breeding breaches the country's Animal Welfare act.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Both breeds are brachycephalic or flat-faced, which can result in respiratory problems. The popularity of flat-faced breeds has escalated hugely in recent years.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In 2018 the case was taken to court by Animal protection Norway, which sued the Norwegian Kennel Club, the Norwegian Cavalier Club, the Norwegian Bulldog Club and six breeders. Since then the Norwegian parliament voted to amend the wording of the breeding clause in the country's Animal Welfare act to say that the clubs, breeder groups and private breeders were responsible for breeding healthy animals, and the lawyers arguing for the ban said that because of historic selective breeding, none of the dogs living there could be considered 'healthy' and so could not be used for breeding.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiRC6SPyOnaFmqJMHfqfq38TT2MSmCnaD5jklc6BYbVQnECIlE_h2T7JA-SzoFbZwCSpu8iaLKSCSEC_FjFChoT6rWsm4OgLeoRxRhSXyuY4ZPs4dAzlwxDUlEd1sBGjWG-8n_QFSIdxVKRm5UTV4aQmBxyBzjhEBYW5WaqCk0R_EceAI7NWQXaD0Y_=s640" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="429" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiRC6SPyOnaFmqJMHfqfq38TT2MSmCnaD5jklc6BYbVQnECIlE_h2T7JA-SzoFbZwCSpu8iaLKSCSEC_FjFChoT6rWsm4OgLeoRxRhSXyuY4ZPs4dAzlwxDUlEd1sBGjWG-8n_QFSIdxVKRm5UTV4aQmBxyBzjhEBYW5WaqCk0R_EceAI7NWQXaD0Y_=w640-h429" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <i>A British Bulldog</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Opinions differ on whether this is a positive move, with breeders arguing that it will be difficult to enforce and will instead push people towards the 'black market' for puppies, whilst those in favour believe it is a victory for the dogs and their right to be healthy.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Selective breeding can cause a range of health problems for flat-faced dogs like Bulldogs, including 'BOAS' or brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome caused by their short skull and snout. This in turn can lead to other medical issues. Sadly, some owners do not recognise that their dogs are suffering or that they are having difficulty breathing.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The Norwegian ban does however allow breeders who are working to end the animal's health problems to continue, giving some hope for future improvements. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg26p4f0I7mT1N534CDYjJQ5tHM9ADldafIsjfwewzKkTYUSwEwfyxqMf-8DINEGXgRr5X4LaqyLtUgnkIMK5G59Or9grlORb2E5w1AbYrIvkdwidIlOuqRg1Tpi7V6x8lpUkZAY5wUDbcZk99PAi1VW1dafX0HLR9lbL2OWY1wKRKmv-Wv4owrgz8F=s640" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg26p4f0I7mT1N534CDYjJQ5tHM9ADldafIsjfwewzKkTYUSwEwfyxqMf-8DINEGXgRr5X4LaqyLtUgnkIMK5G59Or9grlORb2E5w1AbYrIvkdwidIlOuqRg1Tpi7V6x8lpUkZAY5wUDbcZk99PAi1VW1dafX0HLR9lbL2OWY1wKRKmv-Wv4owrgz8F=w640-h428" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <i> A King Charles Spaniel</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; line-height: 1px; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; line-height: 1px; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; line-height: 1px; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><br /></p></div>Geraldine Cetinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00826576499920218264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4897269581676614762.post-81758468589984082612022-01-06T11:59:00.001+00:002022-01-06T12:25:29.758+00:00Microchipping for cats is set to become law in the UK<p class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;">Since 2016, all dogs have had to be microchipped, and around nine million currently have a chip.</p><p class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;">However, it’s estimated that over a quarter of pet cats in the UK aren’t microchipped, as it is not a legal requirement to do so. Leading animal charities have campaigned for many years for this to change and to make the microchipping of cats a legal requirement of the owner … and it looks like things are about to change at last.</p><p class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEif01JS4PD81oTBojEXETDOBV9WZGv-YRebGTkcGrUixq49INpRDx-POlyL5-K1Y381GQpzJUbBCZCy--QZW7eOLF87g3FjJTHnrAunuz6xyds_0-ZHp_rr7GKt1aW_xOrFZo46cNuOKttR_LUzD7vq2mUMzA5V5SIRPXDF3Q1Bln70ITWGSOzf9k0K=s1920" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1920" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEif01JS4PD81oTBojEXETDOBV9WZGv-YRebGTkcGrUixq49INpRDx-POlyL5-K1Y381GQpzJUbBCZCy--QZW7eOLF87g3FjJTHnrAunuz6xyds_0-ZHp_rr7GKt1aW_xOrFZo46cNuOKttR_LUzD7vq2mUMzA5V5SIRPXDF3Q1Bln70ITWGSOzf9k0K=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><p class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p><p class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p><p class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;">From 2022, the UK government is set to introduce new rules dictating that all pet cats must be microchipped by the time they are 20 weeks old (around five months). Owners will face a fine of up to £500 if they are found not to have microchipped their cat, after being given 21 days to have one implanted.</p><p class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p><p class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;">The benefits of microchipping are many, including making it easier to identify cats who are lost or stolen, enabling them to be reunited with their owner. Currently, eight out of 10 cats coming into Cats Protection centres are not microchipped.</p><p class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p><p class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;">It’s important that microchip details are kept up to date, so if an owner moves house, for example, they should update their address on the central database.</p><p class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p><p class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><b>How easy is it for a pet to be microchipped?</b></p><p class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p><p class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;">Usually, it is very easy. The microchip is a tiny device, about the size of a grain of rice, that is implanted just under the skin between the shoulder blades via a quick procedure that is pain-free for the animal. The chip can be scanned by a vet or animal care professional, which will bring up the owner’s details from a database, enabling him or her to be contacted to arrange return or collection.</p><p class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;">Vets can offer advice and appointments for microchipping, which is not expensive, usually around £20, and some animal charities may offer this at reduced rates.</p><p class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p><p class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;">For just a few minutes of your time, chipping can help to alleviate the stress and worry when a cat goes missing. Without a chip, they may be handed into a rescue centre, and could be re-homed to a new owner, as there is no way of tracing their original owner. A chip also enables an injured cat to be reunited with their original owner, or, sadly, if they are killed, at least an owner knows what has happened.</p><p class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p><p class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;">You can read the government’s press release about cat microchipping, issued on 4 December 2021</p><p class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: navy;"><u><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/news/cat-microchipping-to-be-made-mandatory" style="color: navy;">here</a></u></span>.</p><p class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p><p class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i>Below, a cat is scanned for a microchip</i></p><p class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgdwwqeXSIMF2-zbF12aWCdAGACO3mpLLkU7MDC48gOn6tctdMIeL0TRDYU_D6DowmHf-EkdoDIjKQbLXoZ5AQ9jyhWnyiK4gHH0c_o_0kb7XNs7P78jJvB_mVvZ7rAgIjwtvPJEBfRbIdYD8pdiGAN6jLYn-grRQFvF8ev7hRAQmgcq5rFl0yoRNYX=s1920" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1278" data-original-width="1920" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgdwwqeXSIMF2-zbF12aWCdAGACO3mpLLkU7MDC48gOn6tctdMIeL0TRDYU_D6DowmHf-EkdoDIjKQbLXoZ5AQ9jyhWnyiK4gHH0c_o_0kb7XNs7P78jJvB_mVvZ7rAgIjwtvPJEBfRbIdYD8pdiGAN6jLYn-grRQFvF8ev7hRAQmgcq5rFl0yoRNYX=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br /><i><br /></i><p></p>Geraldine Cetinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00826576499920218264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4897269581676614762.post-29552731489348480362021-11-25T16:09:00.001+00:002021-11-25T16:09:57.459+00:00Cats in the news (mews?) - felines can track their owner’s location, and 250,000 are feral in the UK<br /><br />There has been a recent flurry of news stories in the UK media concerning cats, with some fascinating findings.<br /><br /><br /><br />Researchers have discovered that cats have ‘the ability to picture the invisible in their minds’ with findings showing that they can imagine a mental representation of their owners even when they can’t see them. Studies at the University of Kyoto in Japan have discovered that cats can mentally map their location based on their owner’s voice through a series of experiments where cats cold hear only their owner’s voice. When the voice changed location, the cats appeared confused. It’s perhaps unsurprising given how important tracking and location is to cats in the wild, and how domestic cats associate food and security with their owner. <div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEguh3k2oN8rdrL6WMhUeBJX_IPgG6xTDhItwB8B0vjOMTbF1F2hiLyIoANRftou-LGBo7FnB7rjUeFeP6G2PcFMyWJPT4-k8VjBzj6WM69dOZqsaUPkK_wVYBJ9Peyr6tMiEW9gXAX-6YeUj4gSltRtRChRYxkQIvAX-lvf3byllyB3iNLCzZf84IKV=s1920" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1920" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEguh3k2oN8rdrL6WMhUeBJX_IPgG6xTDhItwB8B0vjOMTbF1F2hiLyIoANRftou-LGBo7FnB7rjUeFeP6G2PcFMyWJPT4-k8VjBzj6WM69dOZqsaUPkK_wVYBJ9Peyr6tMiEW9gXAX-6YeUj4gSltRtRChRYxkQIvAX-lvf3byllyB3iNLCzZf84IKV=w400-h250" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>More new research by the charity Cats Protection has found that around a quarter of a million cats (approximately the human population of Southampton) are currently unowned and feral, living in the UK’s streets. Unowned cats can pose problems as their numbers can expand rapidly if not controlled. Numbers vary across the country but are highest in densely populated and deprived areas. </div><div><br /></div><div>Cats Protection helps feral communities by neutering and finding homes for friendly unowned cats, and by giving local residents the means to looks after feral colonies in the community: for example, by building cat shelters and providing the materials to do so. </div><div><br /></div><div>Numbers of feral cats have increased as people return to work after lockdown, and some, sadly, are abandoned. It is good to know that Cats Protection is doing what it can to help the UK’s huge feral cat population. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjRa0kng9XuOAsxcPOaBdCm2NNBmV8NWbtB5cXB93DoC7f7dRCJM48zY3aLynVjsnKnjBFimLX001eoU_RNVextSUhdzav7VtFfKovmvPRbRT2EHJR-ZRTgvzcBK8PuycfYDSkdJxvbQSrHDQbu_lzZptMoHgq0e_xVWk1lEjJN7ZvGTwnA_uF8Pi7Q=s640" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjRa0kng9XuOAsxcPOaBdCm2NNBmV8NWbtB5cXB93DoC7f7dRCJM48zY3aLynVjsnKnjBFimLX001eoU_RNVextSUhdzav7VtFfKovmvPRbRT2EHJR-ZRTgvzcBK8PuycfYDSkdJxvbQSrHDQbu_lzZptMoHgq0e_xVWk1lEjJN7ZvGTwnA_uF8Pi7Q=w400-h268" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>And lastly, a new social media superstar has arrived in the shape of Midas, a Russian Blue kitten from Turkey who has a recessive genetic mutation that gives her two sets of ears. Her hearing is unaffected, and she has been adopted, having originally been a rescue cat. You can follow Midas on Instagram at midas_x24.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; line-height: 1px; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;">Midas is pictured below, on her Instagram page, and has over 100,000 followers.</p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; line-height: 1px; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; line-height: 1px; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; line-height: 1px; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><br /></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi90ZLU5Vh9xXSjSRDSf3XOW3xNKUB-Jqis4i5ZucsCJMk5Wmc0v-v5ngUuMA-xjdV4vBmXBJTypUUDl8r4q-ynVJO8FWevug0A3d4FdMKV4BeylNbRjCrRwlVeswZJ4nfUvlGVI9yPqhg/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1602" data-original-width="1262" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi90ZLU5Vh9xXSjSRDSf3XOW3xNKUB-Jqis4i5ZucsCJMk5Wmc0v-v5ngUuMA-xjdV4vBmXBJTypUUDl8r4q-ynVJO8FWevug0A3d4FdMKV4BeylNbRjCrRwlVeswZJ4nfUvlGVI9yPqhg/w315-h400/image.png" width="315" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: ProximaNova-Regular, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-variant-ligatures: none; margin: 0px 0px 10px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: ProximaNova-Regular, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-variant-ligatures: none; margin: 0px 0px 10px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px;"><br style="box-sizing: inherit; outline: none !important;" /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: ProximaNova-Regular, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-variant-ligatures: none; margin: 0px 0px 10px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: ProximaNova-Regular, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-variant-ligatures: none; margin: 0px 0px 10px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: ProximaNova-Regular, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-variant-ligatures: none; margin: 0px 0px 10px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: ProximaNova-Regular, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-variant-ligatures: none; margin: 0px 0px 10px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: ProximaNova-Regular, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-variant-ligatures: none; margin: 0px 0px 10px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px;"><br /></p></div>Geraldine Cetinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00826576499920218264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4897269581676614762.post-50569048455742804822021-10-21T10:30:00.004+01:002021-10-21T10:30:58.360+01:00Our roads are a serious risk for both wildlife and pets<p class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;">Sadly, thousands of animals die on our roads every year, of which only a tiny fraction are reported.</p><p class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;">Our road network in the UK runs through beautiful rural areas, hills, mountains and cities, but around all of our roads are where our wild creatures also live. In fact, in many cases the animals and birds lived there long before the roads and busy traffic came along, and so humans and their transport impose on natural highways that animals have used for hundreds of years.</p><p class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p><p class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;">Only the hardest-hearted driver can pass a dead animal who’s been a victim of a road accident and not feel pity: another innocent victim of the ever-increasing number of vehicles on the road. The insurance comparison website GoCompare has published <span style="color: navy;"><u><a href="https://www.gocompare.com/car-insurance/uk-deadliest-roads-for-animal-collisions/" style="color: navy;">detailed research</a></u></span> on road traffic accidents involving animals, and it makes for sombre reading.</p><p class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p><p class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDgeaE_MdevBztfmLjfOZNHg1lk3NmQ2Nb6XF5wGI3WcN2KctJSxM-YxzRRnTVMam3ZoDV2OZo-MKQhByrnPsQ31qPZWIZ9wERuEDROZaL1M7t5hj5JMy4mPTU-6hWgWO3D38MdEs5FeY/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1153" data-original-width="2048" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDgeaE_MdevBztfmLjfOZNHg1lk3NmQ2Nb6XF5wGI3WcN2KctJSxM-YxzRRnTVMam3ZoDV2OZo-MKQhByrnPsQ31qPZWIZ9wERuEDROZaL1M7t5hj5JMy4mPTU-6hWgWO3D38MdEs5FeY/w400-h225/image.png" width="400" /></a></div><p class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p><p class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i style="font-size: 12pt;">A pheasant – sadly, one of the most common victims of road accidents</i></p><p class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The UK’s longest road, the A1, is unsurprisingly the most lethal for wildlife accidents by quantity, with deer the species most frequently involved in accidents, followed by badgers, and then cats. The figures show that both wild and domesticated creatures are at risk on our roads. Dead deer are a common sight on rural roads, and they are increasingly likely to live near to residential areas as their habitats are encroached upon for development. ‘Deer crossing’ road signs are put up for a reason, and drivers should heed them and be more aware in those areas; an average of £24,000 is claimed on car insurance each year for deer-related damage.</span></p><p class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p><p class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;">Other animals who don’t fare well on roads are badgers and pheasants, with hedgehogs, foxes and rabbits also the most likely to be hit by cars, as roads encroach on their habitats.</p><p class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p><p class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqLjB8hgoLq6y9LgvZ7mnDGB1xC4inoGaIWSY2vcZjVPOimSi1RN41ztUjdrYps0z-WbQ1EID6l95nL51h17aTRVpSNFvanwYcScaYbLI9PYciiKRebxBIBhjWcchN2bEVEGF22wT1aA8/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqLjB8hgoLq6y9LgvZ7mnDGB1xC4inoGaIWSY2vcZjVPOimSi1RN41ztUjdrYps0z-WbQ1EID6l95nL51h17aTRVpSNFvanwYcScaYbLI9PYciiKRebxBIBhjWcchN2bEVEGF22wT1aA8/w400-h266/image.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p><p class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i>Badgers are often victims of road accidents, too</i></p><p class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i><br /></i></p><p class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i><br /></i></p><p class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;">July is the month when the most accidents occur: unsurprising, given that this month includes the start of the school holidays, when many head off for breaks in cars, camper-vans and caravans, and onto less familiar roads.</p><p class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p><p class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;">A collision with an animal can be a traumatic experience for all concerned, and is often fatal for the animal. The key things to remember if you do hit an animal are:</p><p class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p><p class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;">• Stay calm and pull over safely</p><p class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p><p class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;">• If you have hit a dog or farm animal, you <i>must</i> report it to the police, whether or not the accident results in the animal’s death. Regarding cats, the law is being reviewed, but it is best tell a local vet, and ideally, take the cat to them.</p><p class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p><p class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;">• Be cautious with animals who are still alive after a collision, as they will be scared and in pain and may panic. Call 101 and report the accident, and the appropriate expert will be sent out.</p><p class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p><p class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;">• Report the accident to your insurance company as soon as you can, with full details.</p><p class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p><p class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;">The sad statistics of over 14,600 incidents on the roads involving animals annually (and that’s only those that are reported) paint a sorry picture of the sheer number of accidents involving animals and vehicles. As drivers, we should take heed of these facts and be more aware and cautious, in order to avoid unnecessary distress and injury – possibly death – to our native wildlife and domestic pets.</p><p class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdMHSd7McpoLixKZGkEUL3lhsGgE-jFKHVIS05S2fOz3bOyA44nMQCUMi9zkLz_bXtvF2V4I1hPY2O33w-2ixFd_KskhJ_ZkK3uIUoiKGUGsCUBzJyKHTwSFfIXiw3v5fZfw-83PXtFPo/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdMHSd7McpoLixKZGkEUL3lhsGgE-jFKHVIS05S2fOz3bOyA44nMQCUMi9zkLz_bXtvF2V4I1hPY2O33w-2ixFd_KskhJ_ZkK3uIUoiKGUGsCUBzJyKHTwSFfIXiw3v5fZfw-83PXtFPo/w400-h266/image.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p><p class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i>Foxes are often the victims of road accidents</i></p><p class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i><br /></i></p><p class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;">With thanks to GoCompare.</p>Geraldine Cetinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00826576499920218264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4897269581676614762.post-69653722210406511452021-09-30T10:27:00.000+01:002021-09-30T10:27:01.916+01:00What makes us judge some animals unfairly? <p class="p1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Why do some animals have a bad reputation, and what makes us judge some creatures unfairly?</span></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Many animal lovers claim to like all animals, however, some creatures seem to get a bad deal and are harder to ‘love’ because of their appearance, reputation, or myths about their behaviour.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Appearance counts for a lot, whether or not we admit it. Cute, fluffy, big-eyed beasts are the ones who steal our hearts first. Perhaps they appeal more to our nurturing instinct, and over many thousands of years, animals who have become domesticated reflect this. Either that, or they are ‘useful’ to us for protection, transport or, in some cases, food.</span></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;">But what about the much-maligned species – the ones that we don’t want to like?<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Is it because they are visually unappealing, or because they have a bad reputation, or perhaps because we don’t understand them?</span></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDl9MIzvpLYCwDDEmecKUAKjKXB3GPxH0s0uWX9YhwnBn_HZAGauCC0Cf_5RVd3m-RkzZJNtceirrHlOdXtGxgZQ8jM2r5mEyYnkc24g16ZBnEvmO8nS6iIAqOdtHkjbYwRZ75cXUCYnw/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDl9MIzvpLYCwDDEmecKUAKjKXB3GPxH0s0uWX9YhwnBn_HZAGauCC0Cf_5RVd3m-RkzZJNtceirrHlOdXtGxgZQ8jM2r5mEyYnkc24g16ZBnEvmO8nS6iIAqOdtHkjbYwRZ75cXUCYnw/w320-h320/image.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"> The wasp is a pollinator with bad PR?</p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Take the humble wasp. In summer they annoy us, buzzing around our garden while we enjoy drinks and snacks, threatening to sting us if we annoy them. Not as cute as the fluffy bumblebee, but not as terrifying as hornets (even worse). But how, exactly, do they help nature? Well, wasps are effective predators of small insects, keeping down aphid numbers, and so providing a useful service. Some are also pollinators, helping certain fruits to thrive. Perhaps we’ll not be so quick to swat them away in future.</span></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixK65uGuxEUgMwxW-7Is_XYZu146_4qTLFtiSQWBDmrSRVj3sKUQ9ufZkHnK7JQnPYYS6Dg5RPsXXQkYrQRKhpwfKwC5GnSUkf-AhWNv34JpvxYnrrm83Fm2XGJdc0IZo3rFPoyCpNw0w/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixK65uGuxEUgMwxW-7Is_XYZu146_4qTLFtiSQWBDmrSRVj3sKUQ9ufZkHnK7JQnPYYS6Dg5RPsXXQkYrQRKhpwfKwC5GnSUkf-AhWNv34JpvxYnrrm83Fm2XGJdc0IZo3rFPoyCpNw0w/w400-h266/image.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"> Wolves have an undeserved bad reputation</p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Another animal that has an undeservedly bad reputation in the wolf. Handsome, regal, aloof and dangerous? But not so far away from the domesticated dogs that we love and welcome into our lives, with many similar traits. They are pack and family animals, loyal to their group, and only hunt because they are carnivores and need to eat. Unscrupulously hunted in many countries, they have managed to survive through intelligence and by adapting. Myth and folklore have added to the bad reputation of the wolf - undeservedly so.</span></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Other creatures who have an undeserved ‘bad press’ include sharks, spiders, pigeons, bats and rats. Think of a horror film, and perhaps one (or more) of these is almost certain to appear. But each species has a highly refined set of skills that enables it to thrive. So before we flinch at their appearance, perhaps stop for a moment and consider what they can do…. Build an intricate web, navigate over thousands of miles, use sonar to ‘see in the dark’ – just some of the amazing behaviours they demonstrate.</span></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTzvekFnmHRyQ0CemxjccFqc2WHewZWyBDwigNasZSGvvxjZ72k6JVTbQBVBtODWzLFhn7-Ioa7Flo4AhWEPDhnkOq1jz-qPaV1l1czxYwKuBe4IQ4u0PZSCxLIo7n9HiQxTQmtb8tz7Q/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTzvekFnmHRyQ0CemxjccFqc2WHewZWyBDwigNasZSGvvxjZ72k6JVTbQBVBtODWzLFhn7-Ioa7Flo4AhWEPDhnkOq1jz-qPaV1l1czxYwKuBe4IQ4u0PZSCxLIo7n9HiQxTQmtb8tz7Q/w400-h268/image.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> Bats are associated with horror, but are extremely smart</span></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Every creature has a unique set of skills and qualities, so let’s appreciate them for the amazing things they can do!</span></span></p>Geraldine Cetinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00826576499920218264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4897269581676614762.post-41771457087566628312021-09-09T11:17:00.005+01:002021-09-10T09:34:56.783+01:00SITT, stay and learn<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVVdgd4D4Slj73Zz9iBpNfzdFxU3OXgajkdMHr8APF0m1BVmXczNoFNNM5mYOnfU2POQyR0FZTdt4k0HOodqgOOflPM9zKjaqNh_uuT46MzbK83c2h8_EU3rZG92ZyZKdby51HcGHfDGA/s650/SITT-Header.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="416" data-original-width="650" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVVdgd4D4Slj73Zz9iBpNfzdFxU3OXgajkdMHr8APF0m1BVmXczNoFNNM5mYOnfU2POQyR0FZTdt4k0HOodqgOOflPM9zKjaqNh_uuT46MzbK83c2h8_EU3rZG92ZyZKdby51HcGHfDGA/s16000/SITT-Header.jpg" /></a></div><br /><b style="text-align: left;"><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b style="text-align: left;">Dog training: something every responsible dog owner has to consider. But with so many methods and trainers, finding one right for you and your dog can be hard. Add the pandemic into the mix, and accessing good quality paw-to-paw training has become almost impossible, understandably increasing anxiety and frustration for owners who wish to properly train their dogs, or address any behavioural issues.</b></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /><span style="text-align: left;">But, if the pandemic has proven one thing, it’s that technology can be highly effective in connecting directly with people we can’t meet in person. Doctors and therapists, office workers and family gatherings; the Zoom meeting has become a new, vital way for many of us to communicate in real time. And now we can add dog trainers to the list …</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCxZNjWXOF6JXPRkL-OqHGwnsvlfYzhBz0YHoWajBOfBLAuEAoj7mszOABCPujUwz1C2hOatk5RQkZhvHpskiBDQK-lpHQ9qN4jTcg3np7Leq_A8Hy584QQpDRdwhIj4215_7VvvQG1XY/s800/MoJo+LoGo.final.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="666" data-original-width="800" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCxZNjWXOF6JXPRkL-OqHGwnsvlfYzhBz0YHoWajBOfBLAuEAoj7mszOABCPujUwz1C2hOatk5RQkZhvHpskiBDQK-lpHQ9qN4jTcg3np7Leq_A8Hy584QQpDRdwhIj4215_7VvvQG1XY/w400-h333/MoJo+LoGo.final.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP-T3wbv57Roy8Yt2uvJbX6FRNoYOO0SOR_xGovC5_3ne3DFb9hz2KvJm1XgoRTzbfh2OcmO_nzNhuEaDIUOQ3ahvsMphsa6Vg_k0SLyK35FAauDPLtcflcglAneB791rAx9iV2ZSpoF0/s2048/Pat-Blocker-Penny-Jettt-2021.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP-T3wbv57Roy8Yt2uvJbX6FRNoYOO0SOR_xGovC5_3ne3DFb9hz2KvJm1XgoRTzbfh2OcmO_nzNhuEaDIUOQ3ahvsMphsa6Vg_k0SLyK35FAauDPLtcflcglAneB791rAx9iV2ZSpoF0/s320/Pat-Blocker-Penny-Jettt-2021.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div>Hubble & Hattie subscribers will be familiar with dog trainer Pat Blocker CPDT- KA of <a href="http://peacefulpaws.net/" target="_blank">Peaceful Paws Dog Training</a>. Pat, pictured right with her fellow 'behaviour experts' Penny and Jett, has been solving canine behavioural issues utilising force-free methods for over 20 years, and has written <i><a href="http://peacefulpaws.net/taking-lead-without-jerking-leash/" target="_blank">Taking the Lead without Jerking the Leash</a> </i>and the Hubble & Hattie-published <i><a href="http://www.hubbleandhattie.co.uk/shop/HH5305/" target="_blank">Letting in the dog</a></i>. <div><br /></div><div>A member of the <a href="https://apdt.co.uk/" target="_blank">APDT</a> and a <a href="https://fearfreepets.com/" target="_blank">Fear Free Certified Professional</a>, Pat is co-founder of <a href="https://professionaltherapydogsofcolorado.com/" target="_blank">Professional Therapy Dogs of Colorado</a>, an organisation providing education in animal assisted therapy for mental health professionals. It's fair to say that Pat knows a thing or two about dogs!</div><div><br /></div><div><h2 style="text-align: left;">Say <i>what</i>?</h2><p>We all know that dogs use scent (hence all that p-mail checking on your walks) and sound to communicate, but a dog’s main channel is posture, tail signalling and facial expression: body language. <i>Letting in the dog</i> focusses on how to better understand how dogs communicate, and what they are trying to tell us. Exploring both the intuitive and the intellectual sides of human-canine communication, Pat shows how to better read and interpret and understand how our dog communicates with us, and perceive what they are trying to 'say.'</p><p>The message may be science based, but <i>Letting in the dog</i> is no dry academic tome; Pat takes a light-hearted yet earnest approach to exploring how to connect with dogs, showing how to stop talking <i>at</i> your dog, and start having effective two-way communication <i>with</i> them. Amusing and thought-provoking anecdotes and illustrations help show that we can all learn as much from our dogs as they do from us, and, by connecting with them, we learn how to connect with and understand ourselves better. </p><h2 style="text-align: left;">SITT? Stay!</h2><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdEnZHJLWXdTVKvtt9-NdD3Q9FeA-0AvYh2CxDkOJwQ6dhZbJX1mqzrRkxE4szQF1waifa07XPFXVNvHVrCMfrSLhsdIa3x5-zAY_AakdRk8OgCsHDgsR_rp3yX1DoFH8iZ8QtIGhdKZg/s720/SITT-logo.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="720" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdEnZHJLWXdTVKvtt9-NdD3Q9FeA-0AvYh2CxDkOJwQ6dhZbJX1mqzrRkxE4szQF1waifa07XPFXVNvHVrCMfrSLhsdIa3x5-zAY_AakdRk8OgCsHDgsR_rp3yX1DoFH8iZ8QtIGhdKZg/w320-h240/SITT-logo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>During the pandemic, Pat has turned her skills to developing a method that will enable dog owners to access effective, ethical training advice, despite being unable to meet 'muzzle-to-muzzle,' so to speak. The result is the SITT programme. SITT – Science, Intuition, Trust, Training – is a live, interactive webinar hosted via <a href="https://zoom.us/" target="_blank">Zoom</a>. <p></p><p>Based on the methods Pat describes in <i>Letting in the dog</i>, SITT is much more than a training method; it’s a way of transforming our life with our dog, and takes a deeper dive into training, canine communication, and personal bond with our dog. </p><p>SITT sessions provide your very own private 90-minute one-on-one, comprising a presentation by Pat, followed by a consultation so you can address any concerns you may have about your dog’s training or behavioural issues.</p><p>Pat covers much ground in 90 minutes, but to help you fully digest your SITT session, you’ll also receive a recording of the webinar to refer to as needed. Of course, being based on <i>Letting in the dog</i>, you could do no better for your first port of call than to get yourself a copy, and start on the path to a deeper understanding of you and your dog’s relationship.</p><h2 style="text-align: left;">International rescue</h2><p>Pat is based in Colorado, USA, but Peaceful Paws training is exclusively virtual. By holding Zoom SITT sessions, Pat can connect with anyone anywhere in the world. The UK, Europe, South America … maybe even the Arctic: if you can access Zoom, you can access your own SITT session. Of course, you’ll need to work around time-zone differences, so check the details when arranging yours.</p><p>If you’re thinking this all sounds brilliant, but is bound to be expensive, think again. Pat is currently offering SITT sessions for just $110 (just under £80 in UK money), so it's not only incredibly effective, but incredibly affordable.</p><h2 style="text-align: left;">SITT yourself down today</h2><p><b>To find out more about Peaceful Paws Dog Training, head over to the website and facebook pages and see how Pat has been helping owners build-in better dog behaviour with empathy and expertise:</b></p></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div><p><b>Peaceful Paws Home Page: <a href="http://peacefulpaws.net/">http://peacefulpaws.net/</a></b></p></div><div><p><b>Peaceful Paws Facebook Page: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pat.blocker.peacefulpaws">https://www.facebook.com/pat.blocker.peacefulpaws</a></b></p></div><div><p><b>You can find further details of the SITT programme at <a href="http://peacefulpaws.net/webinars/">http://peacefulpaws.net/webinars/</a></b></p></div></blockquote><div><h2 style="text-align: left;">A head-start</h2><p>If you want to get properly prepared for your SITT programme, or if you simply want to increase your understanding of your dog and improve your relationship with them, you’ll need a copy of <i>Letting in the dog: Opening hearts and minds to a deeper understanding</i>. Click the link below to get your copy from Hubble & Hattie at only £7.41 (excluding P&P) when you use our STAYINANDREAD discount code. </p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">Letting in the dog<br /></span>Opening hearts and minds to a deeper understanding</i></h3><p><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivQaVVlh2uYjlLc_99qOtOcintMiyjcsPjHpdZctja6kpjEwYiGb3ZJgzaTFbNQbBMYHziHZkDmA7HgV4w-XgTaGz4JevlsKcHYUH6LVdulspXrsJCmEywCjUmF7oFz_b9MIma3GF5xsw/s1776/HH5305_main.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1776" data-original-width="1199" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivQaVVlh2uYjlLc_99qOtOcintMiyjcsPjHpdZctja6kpjEwYiGb3ZJgzaTFbNQbBMYHziHZkDmA7HgV4w-XgTaGz4JevlsKcHYUH6LVdulspXrsJCmEywCjUmF7oFz_b9MIma3GF5xsw/w135-h200/HH5305_main.jpg" width="135" /></a></b></div><b>Where hearts and minds meet, true understanding begins!</b><p></p><p><i>Letting in the dog deals</i> with the fascinating subject of reading canine body language and more, finding the intersection between academic and spiritual. The book explores the intuitive and intellectual sides of communicating with canines, in which space, we build trust and better relationships.</p><p>Communicating with and understanding dogs builds trusting relationships, relieves frustration and improves lives on both ends of the leash. Apart from simply reading canine body language, this book explores the juncture between hearts and minds where true understanding begins.</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>How to follow your intuition in understanding dogs</li><li>Developing intuitive communication with dogs</li><li>How we’re more like dogs than different from them</li><li>How our dogs mirror us</li><li>How dogs teach us to tune in to energy</li><li>How listening to what dogs are telling us opens doors to understanding</li><li>How removing the ego from the conversation opens the lines of communication</li><li>Seeing and interpreting the metaphors that dogs present to us</li><li>Getting the message from dogs and understanding how they are our teachers</li><li>How connecting with dogs connects us to ourselves</li></ul><p></p></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div><p><b><span style="font-size: large;"><strike>£10.99</strike> <i><span style="color: #800180;">ONLY £7.14 with our STAYINANDREAD code</span></i></span></b></p></div><div><p><b><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://www.hubbleandhattie.com/shop/HH5305/" target="_blank">CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE AND BUY NOW</a></span></b></p></div><div><p><b>SKU</b> HH5305 <b>Format</b> Paperback • 15.2x22.5cm • 96 pages • 15 pictures <b>ISBN</b> 978-1-787113-05-3 <b>UPC</b> 6-36847-01305-9</p></div></blockquote><div><p><span style="color: #800180; font-size: large;"><b>Don’t forget you can use our <a href="https://www.hubbleandhattie.com/offers/stay-indoors-and-read.html" target="_blank">STAYINANDREAD</a> discount code to get 35% off the RRP, making for fantastic bargain at just £7.14, excluding P&P.</b></span></p></div>Kevin Atkinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06155814277053733532noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4897269581676614762.post-22759187708247725482021-06-24T15:40:00.000+01:002021-06-24T15:40:45.233+01:00Cool cats and canines – help keep your four-legged friends comfortable and safe in hot weather<p class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: black;">With the welcome arrival of warm weather, many of us enjoy basking in the sunshine. Whilst cats and dogs may look happy to be feeling the sun on their coats, it’s easy for them to suffer in the heat, so be aware of the risks and help to keep them cool, comfortable and healthy in heatwaves.</span></p><p class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: black;">For our pets, hot weather can be a challenge. As responsible owners, it’s important to prevent heatstroke, sunburn and dehydration by knowing and recognising the signs.</span></p><p class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: black;">Keeping cats cool -</span></p><p class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: black;">• Always leave out plenty of fresh cold drinking water - including a bowl outside if they go there and refresh it regularly</span></p><p class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: black;">• White and light-coloured cats in particular can get sunburn, which in turn can lead to skin cancer. Speak to your vet about safe sunscreen for cats, and apply it to their ears and nose before they go outside. Don’t use human sunscreen, though, it must be animal-friendly</span></p><p class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: black;">• If your cat is happy to be brushed do this more regularly: she may be moulting more and extra fur means extra heat, so helping with natural shedding will assist in keeping her cool</span></p><p class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: black;">• Cats may naturally eat less in hot weather, so don’t worry. If this happens Don’t leave wet food out in the heat, however, as it will attract flies and go mouldy more quickly</span></p><p class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJLt10me-59k98jYwd3EInJVPNkMv-fN_bAnhk9R-FxnyVnDY48S_opvT5DYgI38zu3I5xSLVHVJA7pQ1Brx4vr5oUaMPTKSpjFMedXwkz7dd5NhHXJFs4IWo77_D2ofhNHb8oeEvOOys/s640/carolien-van-oijen-E5HmmWbknoQ-unsplash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJLt10me-59k98jYwd3EInJVPNkMv-fN_bAnhk9R-FxnyVnDY48S_opvT5DYgI38zu3I5xSLVHVJA7pQ1Brx4vr5oUaMPTKSpjFMedXwkz7dd5NhHXJFs4IWo77_D2ofhNHb8oeEvOOys/w400-h268/carolien-van-oijen-E5HmmWbknoQ-unsplash.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: black;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p><p class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: black;">Recognise the signs</span></p><p class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: black;">If your cat begins panting, appears unsteady and anxious, and has dry gums, she is showing signs of heatstroke. Contact your vet immediately, offer clean fresh water, and cool her paws with a cold compress.</span></p><p class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></p><p class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: black;">Chilled canines, not hot dogs!</span></p><p class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: black;">Dogs can suffer in the heat, too, so, as with cats, ensure that yours has shade and cold water available all the time.</span></p><p class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipXhMphsOVDBkewOYDkkfv9jWhWlioLjbDEfLffbQy_xpbA9eqhgt3WFX7iXkUgmZpLkEPWg2zg5c3PHZQt6OwMZxzcPeEeQAbLj1nEpNcbp5CRsP0J_jVdkmQUQKuMarXfQ7xXQMswF4/s640/josh-rakower-zBsXaPEBSeI-unsplash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipXhMphsOVDBkewOYDkkfv9jWhWlioLjbDEfLffbQy_xpbA9eqhgt3WFX7iXkUgmZpLkEPWg2zg5c3PHZQt6OwMZxzcPeEeQAbLj1nEpNcbp5CRsP0J_jVdkmQUQKuMarXfQ7xXQMswF4/w400-h300/josh-rakower-zBsXaPEBSeI-unsplash.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: black;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p><p class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: black;">• Think before walking your dog in hot weather. Pavements can become very hot and easily burn paws, so test the heat by placing your hand on the surface – can you keep your hand there for more than a few seconds? If you feel pain, so will your dog, so walk after sunset or on real grass if during the day. Astroturf or artificial grass can become dangerously hot, so don't walk dogs on it</span></p><p class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: black;">• Many dogs like playing in water, so if you have the space, put out a paddling pool for your dog to splash in, helping helping him to keep cool. Don’t fill it so much that there is a danger of drowning</span></p><p class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: black;">• Never EVER leave your dog in a car in warm/hot weather. In a matter of minutes the temperature will become unbearable, with potentially fatal consequences. Every summer, the police have to break into cars and rescue dogs who have been left to overheat</span></p><p class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: black;">• Pet product manufacturers now make cool mats for dogs. Some are kept in the fridge, and stay cool for a while, and others become cool by reacting to the dog’s weight. Also available are cool vests that, when made wet, help regulate temperature</span></p><p class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: black;">Enjoy the summer safely with your pets, and keep cool!</span></p><p class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyomKZRdOQ1sA8btrd9QtseloAI-0sQOutRJZ-haSRpCEpmliw-tK009lsUJaRaJuQVEsJo4RV7YmWF2jDAazXIVEyXnxe6XyPbL5qsF7IOnNJDGWCxiB3mezSdVqSOOj3mcwhBIb6_y4/s853/louis-philippe-poitras-sJgucUmcaKE-unsplash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyomKZRdOQ1sA8btrd9QtseloAI-0sQOutRJZ-haSRpCEpmliw-tK009lsUJaRaJuQVEsJo4RV7YmWF2jDAazXIVEyXnxe6XyPbL5qsF7IOnNJDGWCxiB3mezSdVqSOOj3mcwhBIb6_y4/w300-h400/louis-philippe-poitras-sJgucUmcaKE-unsplash.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(c) photos Unsplash</div><br /><span style="color: black;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></p><p class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></p><p class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></p><p class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></p><p class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></p><p class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></p><p class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></p>Geraldine Cetinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00826576499920218264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4897269581676614762.post-18160398384858604282021-06-03T11:15:00.000+01:002021-06-03T11:15:42.938+01:00A step towards improved animal welfare - UK law is set to recognise animals as sentient beings<p><br /></p><p align="left" class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;">In a victory for animal welfare campaigners, UK law is to formally recognise animals as sentient beings. Through a series of bills, including an Animal Sentience Bill, wide ranging topics will be covered by reforms, including live animal exports, the banning of the import of hunting trophies, the microchipping of cats and tackling puppy smuggling.</p><p align="left" class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Ge4R74NQAhjToHJSYp1BKnj2p27vRhDp0HEwdWUMFldWyeF3hOiIuDq5KXtgImoBRzl_-NKFGZsfWDDbuwfkyJQ-C-W7t0KdSmxx1I23npFf1Ek7LMuAN0NAcsJsFNcQWOS81dAe4SU/s853/cat+and+dog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Ge4R74NQAhjToHJSYp1BKnj2p27vRhDp0HEwdWUMFldWyeF3hOiIuDq5KXtgImoBRzl_-NKFGZsfWDDbuwfkyJQ-C-W7t0KdSmxx1I23npFf1Ek7LMuAN0NAcsJsFNcQWOS81dAe4SU/w300-h400/cat+and+dog.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #111111;"><span style="font-family: apple-system, system-ui, San Francisco, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Ubuntu, Roboto, Noto, Segoe UI, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 8pt;"><u><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255);">Photo by </span></u></span></span></span></span><span style="color: navy; font-size: 12pt; text-align: left;"><span lang="zxx"><u><a href="https://unsplash.com/@madalyncox?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText" style="color: navy;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #111111;"><span style="font-family: apple-system, system-ui, San Francisco, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Ubuntu, Roboto, Noto, Segoe UI, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 8pt;"><span style="background: rgb(245, 245, 245);">Madalyn Cox</span></span></span></span></span></a></u></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #111111;"><u><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255);"> </span></u></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #111111;"><span style="font-family: apple-system, system-ui, San Francisco, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Ubuntu, Roboto, Noto, Segoe UI, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 8pt;"><u><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255);">on </span></u></span></span></span></span><span style="color: navy; font-size: 12pt; text-align: left;"><span lang="zxx"><u><a href="https://unsplash.com/s/photos/cat-and-dog?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText" style="color: navy;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #767676;"><span style="font-family: apple-system, system-ui, San Francisco, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Ubuntu, Roboto, Noto, Segoe UI, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 8pt;"><span style="background: rgb(245, 245, 245);">Unsplash</span></span></span></span></span></a></u></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: 12pt; text-align: left;"><span lang="zxx"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: 12pt; text-align: left;"><span lang="zxx"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: 12pt; text-align: left;"><span lang="zxx"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: 12pt; text-align: left;"><span lang="zxx"><br /></span></span></div><p></p><p align="left" class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;">Whilst undoubtedly a big step in the right direction for improvements in animal welfare, some issues have yet to be fully considered. Campaigners have long called for farming methods seen as needlessly cruel and inhumane, such as cages for poultry and farrowing crates for pigs, to be banned. However at present these are not subject to an outright ban, as was called for. Their use will be examined, and farmers will be offered incentives to improve animal health and welfare through the future farm subsidy regime. The government also pledged to uphold animal welfare in future trade deals, (but not put this into law).</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p align="left" class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;">The Government says that the Bill is the first step in the Action Plan for animal Welfare, which will “...further transform the lives of animals… “.</p><p align="left" class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;">(Source: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/animals-to-be-formally-recognised-as-sentient-beings-in-domestic-law)</p><p align="left" class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><br /></p><p align="left" class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirKp1ikbQdb8N89-1Zh0lH67f8bBjx2h1YHtce6o1XK9iAb6pOvv1PpbB-UQjpix1fwZSgN1wa_HdJ_9jMCO-McyjKQDg1GVA9owT7Q4czUeCaP8rb7J3uUS0Q0HHcEtT6_S6Vu-tqTbU/s960/chickens.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirKp1ikbQdb8N89-1Zh0lH67f8bBjx2h1YHtce6o1XK9iAb6pOvv1PpbB-UQjpix1fwZSgN1wa_HdJ_9jMCO-McyjKQDg1GVA9owT7Q4czUeCaP8rb7J3uUS0Q0HHcEtT6_S6Vu-tqTbU/w266-h400/chickens.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p align="left" class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #111111;"><span style="font-family: apple-system, system-ui, San Francisco, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Ubuntu, Roboto, Noto, Segoe UI, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 8pt;"> Photo by </span></span></span></span><span style="color: navy;"><span lang="zxx"><u><a href="https://unsplash.com/@weanimalsmedia?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText" style="color: navy;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #767676;"><span style="font-family: apple-system, system-ui, San Francisco, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Ubuntu, Roboto, Noto, Segoe UI, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 8pt;"><span style="background: rgb(245, 245, 245);">Jo-Anne McArthur</span></span></span></span></span></a></u></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #111111;"><span style="font-family: apple-system, system-ui, San Francisco, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Ubuntu, Roboto, Noto, Segoe UI, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 8pt;"><span style="background: rgb(245, 245, 245);"> </span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #111111;"><span style="font-family: apple-system, system-ui, San Francisco, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Ubuntu, Roboto, Noto, Segoe UI, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 8pt;">on </span></span></span></span><span style="color: navy;"><span lang="zxx"><u><a href="https://unsplash.com/s/photos/chicken-farming?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText" style="color: navy;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #767676;"><span style="font-family: apple-system, system-ui, San Francisco, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Ubuntu, Roboto, Noto, Segoe UI, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 8pt;"><span style="background: rgb(245, 245, 245);">Unsplash</span></span></span></span></span></a></u></span></span></p><p align="left" class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span style="color: navy;"><span lang="zxx"><br /></span></span></p><p align="left" class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;">However, questions remain around the definition of ‘animals’. Defined for the sake of the Bill as ‘vertebrate animals’, it is concerning that this will exclude, for example, highly intelligent creatures such as the octopus. And whilst there is a lot of debate and positive steps to encourage people to help depleting numbers of pollinators such as bees, wasps and butterflies to thrive, there is no direct correlation between the new Bill and them.</p><p align="left" class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6nURewdhTWqsQG3vQWNalIVeq2mbJqfr7coMuTzjNn-vZcbwxeiD8XdVzjA3DukwJMZbKRaakvO8z4ZzBLYDDppCfcjuZI66yFBkbcMfit7FTQRHBgRahzKz16W0WBmx6UVAlohmu7AE/s2048/bee+on+flower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1469" data-original-width="2048" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6nURewdhTWqsQG3vQWNalIVeq2mbJqfr7coMuTzjNn-vZcbwxeiD8XdVzjA3DukwJMZbKRaakvO8z4ZzBLYDDppCfcjuZI66yFBkbcMfit7FTQRHBgRahzKz16W0WBmx6UVAlohmu7AE/w400-h288/bee+on+flower.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p align="left" class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><br /></p></div><p align="left" class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255);">So, whilst undoubtedly a big step </span><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255);">forward</span><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255);"> for animal welfare in the UK, we hope that the breadth and scope of the Bill continues to broaden to take into account </span><b><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255);">all</span></b><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255);"> sentient beings, not just those that are ‘vertebrates’.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p align="left" class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><br /></p><p align="left" class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255);">What are your thoughts about the introduction of the new Bill? Do you think it goes far enough to protect animals? We’d love to hear your thoughts. Please add your comments, thanks.</span></p></div><p align="left" class="western" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; direction: ltr; font-family: "Liberation Serif", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: 12pt; text-align: left;"><span lang="zxx"><br /></span></span></div><p></p>Geraldine Cetinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00826576499920218264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4897269581676614762.post-52919320490323946832021-05-19T14:50:00.000+01:002021-05-19T14:50:15.845+01:00Watch Paul Williams on the Great British Photography Challenge<style type="text/css">
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</style><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHssHu1wYWtFkQr7Ji1wy_hyDl725p8IYJbMG4OfclrIliJrhUuGid2mp2IASoDejnLaTKoruWlKSjoBqIvuLqYnrM-BMYuGJej6o1EWnJVJdrmdYq0kNB38f3EvPoaEvaKQvC4C7bINA/s2000/HH5416-Wilidlife-Photography-TV-mailerBanner.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHssHu1wYWtFkQr7Ji1wy_hyDl725p8IYJbMG4OfclrIliJrhUuGid2mp2IASoDejnLaTKoruWlKSjoBqIvuLqYnrM-BMYuGJej6o1EWnJVJdrmdYq0kNB38f3EvPoaEvaKQvC4C7bINA/w640-h320/HH5416-Wilidlife-Photography-TV-mailerBanner.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><b><br /></b><p></p><p><b>Fans of photography, wildlife, and a good challenge will be as excited as we are to hear that Hubble & Hattie author and photographer <a href="https://www.hubbleandhattie.com/authors/Paul-Williams/" target="_blank">Paul Williams</a> will be a contestant on BBC Four's </b><b><a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/2021/rankin-photography-challenge" target="_blank"><i>The Great British Photography Challenge</i></a>.</b></p><p>The four-part masterclass series sees six passionate photographers tutored by fashion icon and world-famous portrait artist <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rankin_(photographer)" target="_blank">Rankin</a>, as well as celebrity guests and leading art and fashion creatives.</p><p>A range of themed challenges will be set each week, taking the contestants around the UK, with their journeys monitored as they demonstrate their flair and creative vision.</p><p>The challenges are varied, from an on-the-spot challenge set by Rankin each episode, to be completed in no more than an hour using just a mobile phone, to projects by celebrities and specialists in their field, and big-budget, high-pressure briefs with all the elements they require – client models, make-up artists, picture editors, etc. </p><p>The contest isn't simply a stress test, though: each contestant will be mentored, tutored, and encouraged to push creative and photographic skills to the maximum, and create their best work. A winner will be chosen at the end of the series, but there won't be eliminations, so we can enjoy every contestant's efforts and talents throughout the series.</p><p>Here's what Rankin has to say on the series:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxTNMdXCEN4DutJNEdR4hFcbRUdUrPAa_CUAXoPiG-5eFbS7t9YCfxAr4K6NDAjS3axkfvkETTM_VvceHF-KmBJ6IL5ozmnBfLiz5HFMKhBn1OIEjvQF2yeUU7tkXV1gGaSOl5JC5f1q4/s1978/HH516-Wilidlife-Photography-TV-mailerQuote-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1216" data-original-width="1978" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxTNMdXCEN4DutJNEdR4hFcbRUdUrPAa_CUAXoPiG-5eFbS7t9YCfxAr4K6NDAjS3axkfvkETTM_VvceHF-KmBJ6IL5ozmnBfLiz5HFMKhBn1OIEjvQF2yeUU7tkXV1gGaSOl5JC5f1q4/w640-h394/HH516-Wilidlife-Photography-TV-mailerQuote-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>As well as challenges set by Rankin, each contestant will be set assignments by personalities including <a href="https://www.chrispackham.co.uk" target="_blank">Chris Packham</a>, who is himself an award-winning nature photographer, <a href="https://www.maryamwahid.com">Maryam Wahid</a>, whose work explores her identity as a British South Asian woman, and street photographer and creative <a href="https://the-dots.com/users/lamarr-golding-583188">Lamarr Golding</a>.</p><p>Actress <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anna_Friel" target="_blank">Anna Friel</a>, fashion editor <a href="https://www.cherylkonteh.com">Cheryl Konteh</a>, and upcoming bands <a href="https://waltdisco.com" target="_blank">Walt Disco</a> and <a href="https://theninthwave.online" target="_blank">Ninth Wave</a> are also set to feature. <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/2021/rankin-photography-challenge" target="_blank">You can read the full press release here</a> … and watch the teaser trailer below …</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KSUlRsnFAuo" width="320" youtube-src-id="KSUlRsnFAuo"></iframe></div><p>Hubble & Hattie readers will know Paul from his book <i>Wildlife Photography: saving my life one frame at a time</i>, which was recently awarded the honour of joining the ranks of the <i><a href="https://bookauthority.org/books/best-wildlife-photography-books" target="_blank">Best Wildlife Photography Books of All Time</a></i> by <a href="https://bookauthority.org/about" target="_blank">BookAuthority</a>.</p><p>Paul's book is unique, taking a look not only at photography and how to achieve great results in the field, but also the power it has to improve mental and physical wellbeing. Paul's knowledge comes first-hand, having used his photography to help deal with PTSD and life as an ex-soldier, physical training instructor, and police officer. The help, tips, and insights into the the life of a working photographer that he provides are genuinely practical and useful.</p><p>Don't take our word for it; as Chris Packham says, "… it's uplifting and beautiful in its simplicity."</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ2DBPCkZ9rFNfwfNV9fQ4wC5nyHbCul94W-n71zo5HAzs3APTR5ixJ2QMSdge15DE68Ec-dS4lehZps0bP46S8dXimjE0frfaslay8630cMSVWf3NKa4KfgoQHXYfYe8sKqq5Y6YavNE/s1798/HH516-Wilidlife-Photography-TV-mailerQuote-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="690" data-original-width="1798" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ2DBPCkZ9rFNfwfNV9fQ4wC5nyHbCul94W-n71zo5HAzs3APTR5ixJ2QMSdge15DE68Ec-dS4lehZps0bP46S8dXimjE0frfaslay8630cMSVWf3NKa4KfgoQHXYfYe8sKqq5Y6YavNE/w640-h246/HH516-Wilidlife-Photography-TV-mailerQuote-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><b>We'd like to wish Paul the very best of luck in the programme; we can't wait to see it!</b></div><div><br /></div><div><b>The <i>Great British Photography Challenge</i> airs on BBC 4 on May 24th, and will be streamed on <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcfour" target="_blank">BBC iPlayer</a>. Keep your eye on the TV listings and Hubble & Hattie's social channels for more details. While you're waiting for it to air, why not grab yourself a copy of Paul's book and start snapping … !</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><h2 style="text-align: left;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsZ5NaYIBFzbOD2h7igCTOfVHlkdjpXjTaArrAtKc_4ME4UuY20JxdMMmAfDynaOpSFbPbMvXUolNX_rPzjc-uZ-PLMbT6VYbDowIyO0TbTC77FaLD7V9S0s-T2rLe5HnB4C3l5x6QJWs/s2048/HH5416-WildlifePotography-double-product-BA.png" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsZ5NaYIBFzbOD2h7igCTOfVHlkdjpXjTaArrAtKc_4ME4UuY20JxdMMmAfDynaOpSFbPbMvXUolNX_rPzjc-uZ-PLMbT6VYbDowIyO0TbTC77FaLD7V9S0s-T2rLe5HnB4C3l5x6QJWs/w320-h213/HH5416-WildlifePotography-double-product-BA.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a class="myButton" href="https://www.hubbleandhattie.com/shop/HH5416/"><span style="color: white;">Buy now!</span></a></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Wildlife photography<br /><span style="font-size: medium;">Saving my life one frame at a time</span></h2><p><a href="https://www.hubbleandhattie.com/authors/Paul-Williams/" target="_blank">Paul Williams</a></p><p>Powerful words from the heart and striking wildlife images – photography for total wellbeing</p><p>Long overdue, this is a unique book about wildlife photography and the power it has to improve physical and mental wellbeing. Paul Williams has used photography to help deal with his PTSD and the physical reminders of careers as a soldier, physical training instructor, and police officer, and here provides practical help, tips, and insights into the life of a working professional photographer.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7zEK1HJ-QLRNLAlFX0zamyC3RqeQGRvR1SZmHPSJOnwVBm2AHOqoJGrVqaY5I2104L6gj-0bZU67v7MiKtiIh_ply63cWRBXaEfyrYDqCGd3NyhryUWodCRj_iDshVLrGWgdHRnwVG84/s2000/HH5416-Wildlife-Photography-MultiSpreads-1.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="396" data-original-width="2000" height="126" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7zEK1HJ-QLRNLAlFX0zamyC3RqeQGRvR1SZmHPSJOnwVBm2AHOqoJGrVqaY5I2104L6gj-0bZU67v7MiKtiIh_ply63cWRBXaEfyrYDqCGd3NyhryUWodCRj_iDshVLrGWgdHRnwVG84/w640-h126/HH5416-Wildlife-Photography-MultiSpreads-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><i>Wildlife photography: saving my life one frame at a time</i> is designed to appeal to a wide range of individuals, from beginners with very little photographic experience, through to those further along on their photographic journey. Paul covers every aspect, from the type of equipment you'll need, to clothing, fieldcraft, and techniques, and seamlessly aligns photography with creative suggestions around mindfulness, wellbeing and holism, to create a blueprint for anyone experiencing poor mental or physical health, and who would like to express themselves creatively in the natural world.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirmeMw5fj2q6tnK0qwfoWZ2wi_WBWKdFbcOyrXd5wc2oE2SXub5xotFWqWvhFpEuTQNvs4HbMIR65qdatkeinSL33Ms-MqhMjfUdqUuEuwwZZAH_Zfn6JetlDhqrqyH3K2hva0T3yEP5Q/s2000/HH5416-Wildlife-Photography-MultiSpreads-2.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="396" data-original-width="2000" height="126" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirmeMw5fj2q6tnK0qwfoWZ2wi_WBWKdFbcOyrXd5wc2oE2SXub5xotFWqWvhFpEuTQNvs4HbMIR65qdatkeinSL33Ms-MqhMjfUdqUuEuwwZZAH_Zfn6JetlDhqrqyH3K2hva0T3yEP5Q/w640-h126/HH5416-Wildlife-Photography-MultiSpreads-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="text-align: left;">Whether you want to go into your garden to photograph the wildlife there, or head further afield, Wildlife photography: saving my life one frame at a time will empower you to take the next step towards regaining your sense of wellbeing and improve your quality of life.</span></div><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>A unique glimpse into the life of a professional wildlife photographer</li><li>Insights from a soldier, mental health specialist, police officer and professional wildlife photographer</li><li>Stunning wildlife images taken on the road to recovery from PTSD</li><li>Never quit. Inspiring stories and wildlife photographs from a trauma survivor</li><li>A guide on how to capture the best wildlife images</li><li>Inspiration for absolutely anyone interested in wildlife photography</li><li>Photographing wildlife – professional hints and tips for your photographic journey</li><li>Secrets to successful wildlife photography</li><li>A road well travelled: Paul Williams’ journey from despair to award-winning professional wildlife photographer</li><li>The big book of patience: how to become a successful wildlife photographer</li></ul><p></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>Wildlife photography</i> costs £29.99 RRP</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b style="font-size: medium;">SKU</b><span style="font-size: medium;"> HH5416 </span><b style="font-size: medium;">Format</b><span style="font-size: medium;"> Hardback • 26x26cm • 224 pages • 200+ original colour images </span><b style="font-size: medium;">ISBN </b><span style="font-size: medium;">978-1-787114-16-6 </span><b style="font-size: medium;">UPC</b><span style="font-size: medium;"> 6-36847-01416-2</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>USE OUR STAYINANDREAD DISCOUNT CODE and get your copy for just £19.49! <a href="https://www.hubbleandhattie.com/offers/stay-indoors-and-read.html" target="_blank">Click here for details</a>.</b></span></p><p><br /></p>
<p></p>Kevin Atkinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06155814277053733532noreply@blogger.com0