Pets of the pandemic! True stories of how animals are 'helping' in self-isolation | First Dog on the Moon
1 DAY AGO - Thank you Obi, thank you Chifley Sign up here to get an email whenever First Dog cartoons are Expand
1 DAY AGO - Thank you Obi, thank you Chifley Sign up here to get an email whenever First Dog cartoons are publishedGet all your needs met at the First Dog shop if what you need is First Dog merchandise and prints Continue reading... Collapse
Working like a dog: an Instagram account capturing the bright side of social distance
18/03/2020 - Dogs Working at Home made its first post during the onset of the coronavirus crisis, and already Expand
18/03/2020 - Dogs Working at Home made its first post during the onset of the coronavirus crisis, and already has hundreds of submissionsAn errant ear appearing in the bottom right corner of the screen. A blur of fur flashing in the background, followed by a crash. The chance to check out our colleagues’ pets during video conferences can be a voyeuristic joy for workers stuck at home during the novel coronavirus pandemic.It took Mark Polchleb, a brand manager from Melbourne, just one day to realise that experience deserved its own home online. “I just took advantage of the fact that my dogs are at my feet. I thought ‘we all need a bit of happiness in our lives right now’.” “If I stand like this long enough, she’ll assume this is how hard I work every day she’s not here” - @thecuriousmaxx Are you one of us @dogsworkingfromhome with their hoomans all of a sudden? My dads want to share all your pics, so follow their page and send ‘em your best. Time for me to boot up the computer for another day. - Collapse
Thousands of pets could be abandoned in China over coronavirus, char…
15/03/2020 - Chinese animal charities fear there could be a "second wave" of animals being abandoned in China Expand
15/03/2020 - Chinese animal charities fear there could be a "second wave" of animals being abandoned in China thanks to incorrect reports that pets carry the coronavirus. Collapse
Crufts organisers blame Brexit as fewer dogs take part
06/03/2020 - Uncertainty over pet visa rules may have kept some European owners away, says Kennel ClubAs Expand
06/03/2020 - Uncertainty over pet visa rules may have kept some European owners away, says Kennel ClubAs Frankie the miniature poodle strutted along the astroturf at Crufts on Thursday, the cheers from the crowd were notably muted. The poodle, winner of the utility group presentation, in which dogs are assessed on their weight and measurements, could be mistaken for looking slightly dejected.Much has been written about the impact of Brexit on education and the arts, but few have been concerned about another industry affected by new immigration rules: the world of canine performance competitions. Continue reading... Collapse
Dog breeders urged to act over high levels of anxiety in pets
05/03/2020 - Finnish study finds three-quarters of dogs exhibit highly problematic behaviourDog breeders need Expand
05/03/2020 - Finnish study finds three-quarters of dogs exhibit highly problematic behaviourDog breeders need to take action to improve canine mental health, scientists have said, after research found almost three-quarters of pet dogs have highly problematic anxiety-related behaviour.While physical problems such as breathing difficulties and other health concerns relating to squashed-nosed breeds have become a hot topic, the study suggests breeders also need to focus on dogs’ behaviour. Related: Think twice about buying 'squashed-faced' breeds, vets urge dog-lovers Continue reading... Collapse
New laws making it easier for Victorian renters to have pets come into
29/02/2020 - Other changes include long-term leases and allowing tenants to make minor changes, such as putting Expand
29/02/2020 - Other changes include long-term leases and allowing tenants to make minor changes, such as putting in picture hooks Long-awaited laws to make it easier for renters in Victoria to have a pet come into force on Monday, and long-term renters such as Hayden Cribb are standing by to submit their applications.“I have wanted to get a dog for about five years,” Cribb said. “I asked for permission to get a dog at my last rental place but was refused. I am super excited about the new laws.” Related: Landlords charge 'pet rent' to recoup losses after ban on unfair fees Related: Landlords to fight Victorian rental plan that allows tenants to have pets Continue reading... Collapse
The queens of agility: America’s most famous canine athletes race for glory
19/02/2020 - The fast-growing sport of dog agility has become one of the most popular events at shows like Expand
19/02/2020 - The fast-growing sport of dog agility has become one of the most popular events at shows like Westminster and a welcome alternative for those who believe conformation shows are archaic and outmodedThe sport of dog agility is easy to grasp for a first-time spectator. The object is simple: Unleashed dogs negotiate a serpentine obstacle course – clearing a series of jumps, weaving their way around poles, darting through tunnels, hurdling through tires, sprinting up and down ramps and a seesaw – as quickly as possible under the guidance of their handler, who can rely only on voice cues and body language.At the highest form it’s dressage on uppers, marrying the human-animal bond and precision of equestrian sports with the frenetic pace and inherent volatility of alpine skiing, where the margins that separate first place and disaster are often down to hair-trigger decisions imperceptible to the untrained eye. To the unfamiliar, it can seem like magic. Continue reading... Collapse
2020 Westminster Kennel Club dog show – in pictures
12/02/2020 - The first Westminster show was held on 8 May 1877, making it the second-longest continuously held Expand
12/02/2020 - The first Westminster show was held on 8 May 1877, making it the second-longest continuously held sporting event in the US behind only the Kentucky Derby, which was first held in 1875. The annual competition features hundreds of dogs from around the world Continue reading... Collapse
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Quarantine companions: 'If you can give a pet a home whilst self-isolating it’s fabulous
1 DAY AGO - As shelters brace for fewer volunteers and more surrendered animals, Australians are being urged Expand
1 DAY AGO - As shelters brace for fewer volunteers and more surrendered animals, Australians are being urged to consider adopting or fosteringSee all our coronavirus coverageRead more in the Good Place seriesAndrew has always wanted a cat of his own. When he was 10 he presented his parents with a dossier that laid out the case for getting him a kitten. His request was denied. Twenty-three years later, he brought home Maximum “Max” Tony Valentine, named in part after his grandfather.What better time to bring home an animal than during a global pandemic, right? All those days at home, all the soothing chin scratches at a time of profound anxiety. Andrew is self-isolating because he has a compromised immune system, which makes him especially vulnerable to Covid-19. He and his fiance, Cameron, have just had to postpone their April wedding until the end of the year.We had 15 kittens this past weekend alone Continue reading... Collapse
‘Dogs have a magic effect’: the power of pets on our mental health
17/03/2020 - Canine companions trigger similar neural pathways to the parent-baby bond, and reduce loneliness Expand
17/03/2020 - Canine companions trigger similar neural pathways to the parent-baby bond, and reduce loneliness and depression. Now new pet therapy trials are reporting dramatic effectsWhat is it about animals? As the bad news about the coronavirus continues, “send me dogs and cats” has become a regular cry on social media, an easy-to-grasp shorthand for “I feel terrible, cheer me up”. The response is always the same: a torrent of pictures of animals doing daft things – but somehow it has a magical, calming effect.The therapeutic value of our relationship with our pets, particularly dogs, is increasingly recognised by researchers. Cats can be wonderful too – but dogs have been domesticated by humans for much longer, and, as even the most devoted cat lover will admit, dogs are far easier to train for companionship. Most cats, as we know, are admirable for entirely different reasons. Marion Janner, a mental health campaigner and all-round animal lover, says that dogs teach us a whole range of Collapse
Meet Xherdan, the world’s scariest-looking cat
10/03/2020 - The hairless sphynx from Switzerland has faced some tough competition for one of the internet’s Expand
10/03/2020 - The hairless sphynx from Switzerland has faced some tough competition for one of the internet’s biggest prizes …Name: Xherdan.Age: Six. Related: 'World's worst cat' Perdita finds new home after purrfect publicity campaign Continue reading... Collapse
The dog that knows the names and categories of its 100 toys
06/03/2020 - There’s something about a really smart dog that makes it seem as if there might be some hope. Expand
06/03/2020 - There’s something about a really smart dog that makes it seem as if there might be some hope. The world is in the midst of a frightening viral outbreak, and nobody knows what will happen. The warming Collapse
I would clone my dog – and I’m not ashamed to admit it | Arwa Mahdawi
04/03/2020 - A couple called the Tschirharts spent $50,000 to recreate their beloved pooch. If I had the cash, Expand
04/03/2020 - A couple called the Tschirharts spent $50,000 to recreate their beloved pooch. If I had the cash, I would definitely do the sameYou are at level one of crazy dog parent when you throw your pooch a birthday or bark mitzvah. You are at level two when your dog has more clothes than you do. And you are at level 100 when you store your dog’s skin samples and spend $50,000 (£39,000) to clone it.David and Alicia Tschirhart are level 100 pet parents. The Californian couple made headlines recently for cloning Marley, their pet Labrador. Marley was an extremely good boy; he once fought off a rattlesnake, possibly saving a pregnant Alicia’s life. When Marley died from cancer, his owners had a hard time letting him go, so they didn’t: they used a pet cloning company to create a genetically identical puppy called Ziggy. “They have the same personality, they play the same, they favour the same toys,” Alicia told reporters. Continue reading... Collapse
Shenzhen could be first city in China to ban eating of dogs and cats
27/02/2020 - Officials says move reflects bond between pets and people – ‘the consensus of all human Expand
27/02/2020 - Officials says move reflects bond between pets and people – ‘the consensus of all human civilisation’ – rather than coronavirus fearsShenzhen is set to become the first city in mainland China to ban the eating of dogs and cats, if a draft regulation released by the municipal government in a wider push to restrict the consumption of wild animals is approved.On Monday, China’s National People’s Congress issued an order to ban all consumption of wild animal meat and further restrict the wildlife trade nationwide. The measures are expected to be enshrined in the country’s wildlife protection law later this year. Related: Coronavirus closures reveal vast scale of China’s secretive wildlife farm industry Related: 'When the buying stops, the killing can too' – Chinese dog meat festival faces internal pressure Continue reading... Collapse
Toxic kitty? Researchers ponder link between rare venom and cat allergies
16/02/2020 - Queensland scientists are asking if cat allergies may be an evolved defence mechanism, but not all Expand
16/02/2020 - Queensland scientists are asking if cat allergies may be an evolved defence mechanism, but not all experts are convincedWhat’s not to love about a kitten that makes you giggle at its playful capers, or a cat that cuddles its warm body into yours and purrs blissfully while you stroke its soft fur? While many of us relish the company of our feline friends, for others it’s a miserable experience: sneezing, red eyes, hay fever, itchy rash, breathing difficulties and even asthma are some of the allergic reactions cats can trigger in humans.But is this a defence mechanism that they unwittingly evolved to fend off enemies? That’s what a recent study involving an incredibly cute but atypically venomous primate – the dreamy-eyed slow loris – speculates could be the case. It was a chance discovery by Bryan Fry, associate professor at the University of Queensland, who embraced an opportunity to study the scientifically mysterious venom of the endangered Asian primate in an Indonesian wildlife Collapse
Trust your dog': extraordinary pets help solve crimes by finding bodies
12/02/2020 - After grueling training, a rare few civilians and their dogs are allowed to participate in Expand
12/02/2020 - After grueling training, a rare few civilians and their dogs are allowed to participate in criminal investigations by searching for cadaversRob Ward keeps baby wipes, canned soup, and bottled water in his truck. “If I need a bath or a meal, there it is,” he explained in a Walker, Louisiana Waffle House. Calls can come at anytime, and his truck remains loaded, his bag packed.Today is a rare day off from both of his jobs: a nine to five at a printing company and volunteer work looking for dead bodies with his Australian shepherd, Niko. Ward and Niko are one of approximately 500 volunteer cadaver dog-handler pairs across the country who assist law enforcement in recovering human remains.You take the emotions, and you set it aside, because you’ve got a job to do. You deal with the grief, or the anger, afterwards'Talk less,' she’ll say. 'Trust your dog.' Continue reading... Collapse
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What about the other key workers?
4 DAYS AGO - As frontline workers, cleaners deserve better pay and conditions, writes Mike Cash, RMT general Expand
4 DAYS AGO - As frontline workers, cleaners deserve better pay and conditions, writes Mike Cash, RMT general secretary, and Audrey Butler believes we are all key to society. Meanwhile, Lucy Matthews is emphatic that the Pets at Home stores do provide an essential serviceCoronavirus – latest updates See all our coronavirus coverageOwen Jones rightly highlights the vital work of cleaners and other frontline workers in the fight against coronavirus (The undervalued heroes of the coronavirus crisis need our thanks – and our support, 21 March). Cleaners have for decades, to use the business jargon, been deemed “non-core workers” by both public and private corporations, and their work has consequently been outsourced. This has had the (intended) effect of saving money by driving down their pay and conditions compared with “core workers”.An example is on the London Underground, whose 2,000 cleaners are outsourced and despite playing a vital role protecting passenger safety every day, and during the Collapse
Dogs have their day at the National Sheep Dog Trials in Canberra
17/03/2020 - For 77 years, animals and their owners have headed to Australia’s capital to compete At 8am on Expand
17/03/2020 - For 77 years, animals and their owners have headed to Australia’s capital to compete At 8am on Sunday morning, the Hall village showground still feels sleepy, though a dog and worker duo in the “improver” category of the National Sheep Dog Trials are working the circular central paddock.On the course set up for the championships, a sheep dog has to work three sheep around a ground under the direction of its handler, who communicates with the dog using gestures and verbal cues. Continue reading... Collapse
Eau de pawfum: is it barking mad to buy cologne for dogs?
09/03/2020 - A runner-up at Crufts was scented with a calming floral spray – but canine perfumes aren’t just Expand
09/03/2020 - A runner-up at Crufts was scented with a calming floral spray – but canine perfumes aren’t just for show dogsName: Doggy cologne.Age: About 10 years old. Continue reading... Collapse
Can my dog or cat spread coronavirus? – video explainer
06/03/2020 - The number of people worldwide infected with the new coronavirus has exceeded 100,000 and the Expand
06/03/2020 - The number of people worldwide infected with the new coronavirus has exceeded 100,000 and the disease is continuing to spread, but what role do pets - if any - have in the outbreak? After a dog in Hong Kong reportedly tested 'weak positive' for coronavirus, causing some alarm among pet owners, the Guardian's Helen Davidson answers some of the most pressing questions surrounding domestic animals and coronavirusWuhan's cat rescuer: the man saving pets abandoned during coronavirus outbreak – videoCoronavirus: latest developments Continue reading... Collapse
Canine stars at Crufts - in pictures
06/03/2020 - More than 26,000 dogs and 166,000 fans are expected over the four days of Crufts this year at the Expand
06/03/2020 - More than 26,000 dogs and 166,000 fans are expected over the four days of Crufts this year at the NEC in Birmingham. Though two of the event’s major sponsors have asked their staff not to attend amid fears over coronavirus, Crufts organisers The Kennel Club said the event would go ahead, with ‘enhanced measures’ to protect visitors Continue reading... Collapse
The best thing about Wellington': Mittens the cat has paws all over New Zealand capital
04/03/2020 - Turkish Angora roams tattoo parlours, office towers and churches, posing for social media Expand
04/03/2020 - Turkish Angora roams tattoo parlours, office towers and churches, posing for social media snapshots along the wayA feline that roams New Zealand’s capital city and is welcomed into tattoo parlours, hairdressers and office towers has become a social media star, with 30,000 followers who track his every movement online.Mittens first came to attention in 2018 after repeatedly wandering inner-city dwellings, including the university, the post office, and a Catholic church. Mittens was also reportedly taken to the police station by concerned locals. Related: Study finds parrots weigh up probabilities to make decisions Hands down the best thing about Wellington is there is an omnipresent cat called Mittens that roams the city and is basically a celebrity.Often the paparazzi find him in the most random of spots throughout the city and post photos.His Facebook fan page has 30,000 members. pic.twitter.com/sVkZLaDh3XI missed my bus to work, so I'll be a little late in today. But I've got a Collapse
My partner wants a dog but I worry as we go away a lot
22/02/2020 - I fear the cost of care while on holiday could be enormous. How do others solve this problem?Every Expand
22/02/2020 - I fear the cost of care while on holiday could be enormous. How do others solve this problem?Every week a Guardian Money reader submits a question, and it’s up to you to help him or her out – a selection of the best answers will appear in next Saturday’s paper.We’re a couple in our 50s and my partner wants a dog. My concern is that we go on holiday abroad three times a year, so the cost of kennelling/doggy day care/pet sitters will be enormous. How do others solve this problem? Continue reading... Collapse
Catman of Wuhan: the man rescuing pets abandoned amid coronavirus outbreak – video
14/02/2020 - It is estimated that more than 30,000 pets have been left stranded after the Chinese government Expand
14/02/2020 - It is estimated that more than 30,000 pets have been left stranded after the Chinese government sealed off Wuhan following the coronavirus outbreak. In response, people trapped in Wuhan have been volunteering and checking in on the animals whose owners are stuck outside the city. Here's Wu Qian's story of helping those who are currently not allowed to return homeVisual explainer: how the coronavirus spread across China and the worldHow to protect yourself from coronavirus Continue reading... Collapse
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