A game of tug-o-war can be a common activity in any house with more than one dog, the battle for the last toy standing can be an epic one, so having a third dog who’s happy to be a bystander refereeing proceedings can sometimes be essential to harmony – let alone the lifespan of the toy.
Watch this dog play the role perfectly.
At K9 Magazine it’s no surprise Danny and Christopher are the playing duo while Mia sits on the sidelines watching. Tell us, what role does your dog play?
Is your pet one of the UK’s most heroic hounds? If so, you could win big! A nationwide competition has launched to find an extra special pet to take the title of the UK’s PetSafe® Pet Hero 2015.
The winner will receive a year’s worth of pet toys, as well as a pet friendly holiday worth £500, courtesy of Sykes Cottages. There will also be a £250 goody bag up for grabs for four regional winners along the way.
Celebrating pet heroes from all walks of life – from animals in the services, therapy and assistance pets, or simply a much loved pet who has brought joy in to your life – there’s no hero deed too big or small to qualify for the PetSafe® Pet Hero title.
To start the search, PetSafe® has found inspirational dog, Lucie from Chorley, Lancashire, who was trained by Support Dogs – a national charity dedicated to increasing independence and quality of life for people with various medical conditions.
Her owner, Alice Boardman, whose son Alex was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, explains why Lucie is their family’s pet hero. “Alex and Lucie’s first hour together was simply magical. Lucie, or as they call her at Alex’s school ‘The Wonder Dog’, has made previously stressful activities such as going to the supermarket a pleasure.”
She adds: “Alex would have previously been overwhelmed and agitated, but with Lucie by his side he calmly looked around and walked down the aisles – just breathtaking. He engaged with her immediately and deep down I knew something special was taking place. She is more than a dog to us; she is the key to a better life.”
If you think your pet deserves the chance to win the PetSafe® Pet Hero 2015 title simply send your pet’s name, along with a photo and a brief explanation about what makes him/her a hero in by 15th September.
For full details of how to enter visit bit.ly/PetSafePetHero or alternatively post your entry to PetSafe® Pet Hero, Hattrick PR 6a Framingham Road, Sale, Cheshire, M33 3SH.
Welsh singer Duffy has joined with the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) to call for an end to an annual dog meat event in Yulin, China, which could see around 10,000 dogs butchered and eaten.
The Grammy and multi Brit Award-winning singer/songwriter and IFAW are asking the British Ambassador in China to intervene and help ban the horrific annual mass consumption of dog meat in Yulin City.
The event in Guangxi Province takes place around the summer solstice on 21 June. In the weeks before, many thousands of dogs are reportedly transported huge distances in cramped cages, without food and water, to await their gruesome fate.
A big proportion of the thousands of dogs consumed are in fact reportedly stolen pets, and the theft of dogs by criminal gangs to supply the demand for dog meat is an ever-increasing problem in China.
Speaking about the plight and why she has chosen to speak out, Duffy said: “Each year, around the 21st June, up to 10,000 dogs are slaughtered in a city called Yulin in China, for human consumption. For the love of dogs, I ask China to please #StopYulin.
“I urge the Chinese government to listen to the growing movement of concerned Chinese citizens and animal welfare ambassadors, and the international community, to end this inhumane event and instead to focus on celebrating man’s best friends who have been beside us, loyally, for centuries.”
In previous years, local investigators and the media reported brutal handling and slaughter of dogs, including beatings and live-skinning, all apparently in public view and in front of other dogs awaiting their own slaughter.
The annual mass consumption of dog meat in Yulin is a modern tradition rather than a long-held cultural practice, dating back only a few years. Whilst some defend this event as a local ‘folk custom’, it is profit-driven.
In 2011 a dog meat festival in China, the Jinhua Hutou Dog Meat Festival, was banned completely following similar worldwide condemnation.
Duffy added: “Please take this moment to sign IFAW’s petition letter, share the #StopYulin message and help us to stop the killing and eating of dogs at Yulin.”
IFAW is urging people to add their names to a petition for the British Ambassador to China, Barbara Woodward, which can be found here
A two-year investigation by The Mirror has revealed that dog thefts have risen by 20% in the UK. The newspaper has revealed their inquiry found that more than 2,400 dogs have been stolen in the last two years with the illegal activity worth an estimated £100,000 to gangs.
Staffordshire Bull Terriers, which often get a bad rep from the media, are by far the most targeted dog breed, which could worryingly be tied to a rise in dog fighting reports.
Photo Credit: starsandspirals 
Speaking to the newspaper, Sylvia Tabor, chairman of the Dog Theft Action charity, said: “For thieves, the rewards can be high and the risks low. So it’s sadly seen as easy money. In law, dogs are classed as property like a TV, so sentences are low for taking a living creature away from its family. Unfortunately, it can also often be seen as a low priority by police.”
If you’re worried your dog could be targeted, read K9 Magazine’s guide to keeping your dog safe: http://www.k9magazine.com/ebook-keep-your-dog-safe/
TV writers have known for years the impact a dog has on a show. Whether they change a character’s likeability or simply draw audiences in.
For example, did you know that one of the unwritten rules of TV is that if you want to make an audience dislike a character write in a scene which sees them interact with a dog whereby they inflict discomfort or pain on their canine co-star?
Most recently newly crowned winners of ITV’s ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ show, Jules O’Dwyer and her dog, Matisse, came under scrutiny when it became clear Jules had used a stunt dog, yet Matisse isn’t the first canine to win the votes of the British public. In 2012 Ashleigh and her dog, Pudsey, won the talent contest and have gone on to build a career showing the duo’s bond on stage and screen.
So what is it about dogs on TV that we can’t get enough of?
Well, we think we’ve figured it out. Here is K9 Magazine’s five reasons why dogs rule TV.
1. They can surprise even the most professional TV hosts.
2. Readers of a certain age will forever remember coming in from school and watching this soap with it’s bouncy Labrador.
3. They can steal the stage from even the most well-known stars. Celebrities don’t want to talk about themselves, they want to talk about their dogs.
4. Who really wanted to hear about the weather anyway? Ripple rules.
5. Sometimes all you need is a dog and you’ll have one of the Greatest TV Cartoons of All Time as voted by the TV Guide which has been running on and off across the globe for 46 years.
Featured Photo Credit: “Stròlic Furlàn” – Davide Gabino
Who’s your favourite TV dog? Comment below and let us know!
A Staffordshire Bull Terrier who went missing from her family home in Belfast three years ago has been reunited with her family, thanks to a microchip.
Mon, who is four years old, went missing after escaping from the garden at home in Northern Ireland. Her owner, Eoin Markey, tried in vain to find his beloved pooch, putting up posters and searching the local area but Mon was nowhere to be seen.
But on Wednesday 20 May, two railway workers at Yorkgate station came across a lone dog on the track and took her to veterinary charity PDSA’s Pet Branch on Shore Road.
Veterinary Nurse, Gemma Vance, who cared for her at the Pet Branch said: “Mon was brought to us as a stray dog and so we scanned her for a microchip. Much to our relief she had been chipped by her owner and we were able to check the database and find not only her owner’s contact details, but also that she had been missing since 2012.”
Gemma immediately picked up the phone and called a shocked Eoin to let him know Mon was safe and well.
Eoin said: “I answered the phone and a voice told me they had found Mon. I couldn’t believe it. I had to ask if they were sure it was Mon as she’d been missing for so long. It was a bolt out of the blue!
“I’m so grateful to the people who found her and took her somewhere safe, and also to PDSA for checking if she was microchipped. Me and my partner often spoken about Mon, wondering what had happened to her and whether she was still alive. She left a huge hole in our lives and anyone who has lost a pet will know just how heart-breaking it is. But when we saw Mon, my partner burst into tears and I think Mon was pleased to see us too!”
Gemma adds: “Mon wasn’t wearing a collar when she was found, so I was relieved when I scanned her and found her microchip. Sadly, many other pets aren’t so lucky.
“Here in Northern Ireland we’re ahead of the rest of the UK, with microchipping of dogs being a legal requirement. Although any dog in a public place must wear a collar and tag by law, collars can sometimes come loose. It’s also important to remember that cats should be microchipped too, even indoor cats can escape through open doors and windows.”
Bilbo the lifesaving Newfoundland who regularly patrolled the beach at Sennan Cove in Cornwall has sadly passed away. His owner Steve Jamison, known as JMo, was the beach’s head lifeguard announced the news on Facebook saying:
“Just to let you know that my lovely, lovely Bilbo/Best Friend/Saviour, slipped his moorings late this afternoon and has sailed off without me. R.I.P Bilbo, Gwynver supreme 2003 – 2015.”
Take a look at some of his most memorable moments as a lifeguard caught on camera.
Forever remembered for his unique talent and lifesaving abilities, he’s a true canine hero and will be sadly missed.
British comedy legend and the man behind TV shows The Office, Derek and Extras, Ricky Gervais has been presented with the Arthur Broome Bronze Award for speaking out against animal cruelty and championing the work of animal charities to his eight million Twitter followers.
Ricky recently shared this photo on his Facebook page with the caption ‘If you don’t have empathy with animals, you don’t have empathy.’
Gervais, owner of Ollie the cat, was filming in LA at the time of the awards ceremony but was sent his award, which recognises an important contribution in the field of animal welfare.
Ricky and Ollie, his furry bagpipes, shared on Twitter
The campaigning group behind what became known as Harvey’s Law also received the Arthur Broome Bronze Award, during the fifth annual RSPCA Honours. Pets killed on Britain’s highways will now be collected, identified and their owners notified, thanks largely to the petition launched by the group, which was signed by more than 100,000 people.
The campaign was launched by Nina Blackburn after her friend Jude Devine’s dog Harvey was killed on the M62 minutes after he went missing in 2013 – only for Jude to find out months later, after spending thousands of pounds searching for her beloved poodle.
A volunteer RNLI crew from Merseyside were also recognised for their brave rescue of a dog in treacherous conditions at New Brighton in February.
A Care2 petition urging classifieds website Gumtree to discontinue allowing adverts for the sale of animals on their website has gained more than 70,000 signatures.
Many animal lovers feel by allowing the sale of animals on the website, it facilitates the breeding of dogs and cats for profit when there are already more than 100,000 animals waiting in UK animal rescue centres for homes.
Care2 member and petition author Lynsey Clayton says, “Animal welfare is an extremely important issue for me. It breaks my heart to see so many dogs and cats for sale on Gumtree and I just couldn’t sit back knowing that this was happening, when I know that so many of them end up in awful situations. Unwanted cats and dogs should always be taken to a legitimate rescue shelter, where their future safety and security can more adequately be ensured.“
People signing the petition have shared passionate comments in support of the cause: “You cannot guarantee that these animals will be treated well and kept safe. You are encouraging indiscriminate breeding simply to make money without any concern for animal welfare,” writes petition supporter Yvonne Gray. “This causes unnecessary suffering and distress to some unlucky animals and it is just not ethical to be actively playing a part in their ill treatment.”
“It is totally unethical and potentially cruel to advertise animals on Gumtree. There is no vetting, no safeguard, no protection for the animals which are being sold in this way,” writes supporter Michelle Hart. “These are living creatures, not commodities.”
Have your say and join the petition online here
First there was ‘the dog and crow’ playing ping pong together, then came the orangutan and the hound, which saw the duo act like long lost friends enjoying each other’s company, and then we met Bubbles, the baby elephant and Bella, her canine sidekick, who captured the hearts of millions, but did you ever think you might hear about a dog and rat becoming BFFs?
Meet Osiris, a 3-year-old Dutch Shepherd cross, and his friend Riff Ratt, a 3-month-old fancy rat. This Chicago based atypical duo have taken Instagram by storm sharing special moments at home.
Speaking of their unique special friendship, owner Mickey Alice Kwapis, who an experienced foster carer and involved in wildlife rehab said: “Osiris was abandoned as a tiny puppy in a parking lot and from the time I rescued him that night until now, he has received special training to be extremely gentle with baby animals, such as mice, squirrels, kittens, raccoons and puppies, and help keep them warm between sessions on a heating pad, which can be dangerous and overheat. In February, on Valentine’s Day, my boyfriend, Eric and I were at a pet store looking at lizards when we fell in love with one of the baby feeder rats, which they use as live food for reptiles. His eyes were barely open and we knew we had to have him as part of our family.”
Mickey continued, “So we brought him home, named him Riff Ratt and bottle-fed him for a few weeks, and nursed him back to health. Osiris was by our side the whole time, licking up spilled milk and helping groom Riff because he was too small for baths. When his eyes finally opened all the way, Riff was so used to the smell and feel of Osiris that it didn’t phase him in the least, and they were instant best friends. They began playing together as soon as he was old enough and now share toys, eat the same treats, cuddle and play together.”
Speaking with Mashable, the pair’s owner said: “I’m sure you all are wondering if we’re afraid Osiris will eat Riff – NOPE! Osiris has helped foster and care for dozens of animals and he is the gentlest dog I’ve ever met.”
Keep up to date with their adventures and latest photos and videos on Instagram by following them @osirisandriff
It began as a question, ‘are dogs allowed at polling stations?’ and quickly became a top trending term on Twitter on 7th May, so while we await the outcome of today’s election, here are some of the best photos of dogs who visited polling stations across the UK.
1. The dog who showed up, in style and on-trend in tweed.
Photo Credit: Twitter/LilyBaileyUK
2. The dog who looks like he’d like to vote then get ‘Otto’ there.
Photo Credit: Twitter/Edingtonsltd
3. The trio of dogs who came, saw and conquered the polling station.
Photo Credit: Twitter/StumpedMonkey
4. Have directions, will vote.
Photo Credit: Twitter/DennisSkinner
5. This little detective Agatha Christie surely knows the outcome after casting her vote.
Photo Credit: Twitter/SaskiaODonoghue
6. It’s a Pug’s life.
Photo Credit: Twitter/thalestral
7. The dog who opted for the quiet life and chose to vote by post.
Photo Credit: Twitter/BBCPaulMurphy
If you took your dog to a polling station, share your photos and experiences with us – we’d love to hear from you!
Those of you who watched ITV’s ‘The Paul O’Grady show’ this week will have seen The Mayhew Animal Home’s Lacy meet the singer on the show in a bid to find the gentle giant a home.
Stacey, whose latest album #Shy is out now, hit it off with laid back five-year old Lacy, who ended up at the rescue centre in North West London, after being found abandoned on the streets. The dog, who’s an English Mastiff cross Boxer, weighs around 55 kg, or nine and a half stone, is house-trained and incredibly gentle and well behaved. She can be rehomed with other dogs and children over 12.
Paul O’ Grady, who is passionate about animals and has five dogs of his own, said: “Lacy is calm and gentle and needs a home. All the dogs on the show may not be aesthetically pleasing but they’re all gorgeous in their own way.”
Stacey added: “If my children were over 12 she’d be coming back in the car with me now. She’s a lovely dog who’s been overlooked because of her size. “
Stacey’s partner, Jackass prankster Steve-O, last seen on Channel 5’s ‘The Jump’ where the couple met, was also extremely taken with Lacy and smothered her with cuddles.
Photo Credit: Bonnie Baker
Steve-O said: “I love rescue dogs, I have two of my own. I really hope she finds a home. She’s such a great dog despite her size.”
Lacy is currently in foster care with Tony Kay who said: “She’s the best dog I’ve ever fostered. I would take her myself but I can’t commit right now. I really hope someone sees her on the Paul O’Grady show and gives her a second chance home which she really deserves.”
To find out more about Lacy, please contact The Mayhew Animal Home on 020 8969 0178 or read more online here, where The Mayhew Animal Home have featured Lacy on the UK’s largest dog adoption site, DogsBlog.com.
#bringjoy #adoptadog
If you were to rank your dog’s favourite things, what would they be? For K9 Magazine’s own Christopher, he loves watching TV with cricket being his favourite ‘show’ so far, and apparently he’s not alone.
A study published in the journal, ‘Animal Cognition’, found that dogs observe images on TV just like humans do, and unsurprisingly they can identify the images of other dogs. In fact, some who took part in the study completely ignored humans in adverts, and barked solely at their fellow canines.
The research also revealed that dogs spot images faster than we do, which might account for Christopher’s love of cricket, and in fact football, with the fast pace and his interest in the moving ball.
Here are five dogs who love nothing more than curling up on the sofa – or parking themselves right in front of the TV (who else really needed to see it anyway) – to get a fix of their favourite show.
Scrabbles loves the rabbit show.
Photo Credit: Dwilliams851
We know one dog who will be watching the Madrid Masters, Georges can’t get enough!
Molly refuses to be parted from her ‘Air Buddies’.
Disney’s ‘The Lion King’ can bring a tear to anyone’s eye, including this Chug.
However, Ziggy didn’t quite understand. He’d rather be on the telly than idly standing by watching!
Photo Credit: Brad Frost
Does your dog love TV? Did they enjoy our videos? Share your photos and videos with us, we’d love to hear from you!
A new study from Japan’s Azabu University claims that when dogs look into the eyes of their owners it releases the “love hormone”, oxytocin, in the owners.
The hormone which amongst other things helps reinforce bonds between parents and their children, increases in humans and their dogs when they interact, particularly when looking into one another’s eyes.
Photo Credit: philhearing
Takefumi Kikusui, a professor of veterinary medicine at the Companion Animal Research Lab at Azabu University in Japan, whose research was published in the journal Science, is quoted on Reuters saying, “I personally believe that there is a tight bond between the owner and dogs. I have three standard poodles. I strongly feel the tight bonding with these dogs. Actually, I participated in the experiment, and my oxytocin boosted up after the eye gaze, like 300 percent,” Kikusui added.
According to the news website, in one experiment conducted by the Japanese university, dogs were put in a room with their owners. The researchers monitored the interaction between dogs and owners and measured oxytocin levels through urine samples. People whose dogs had the most eye contact with them (a mutual gaze) registered the largest increases in oxytocin levels, while equally heartwarming to hear, the dogs also had an oxytocin spike, correlating with that of their owner.
The researchers conducted a similar experiment with wolves and found that no such thing happened, despite the fact that the wolves involved in the research experiment had been raised by the people.
Comic legend and musician Bill Bailey visited The Mayhew Animal Home in North West London during National Pet Month where he met Rosie, a one year old Shih Tzu and Chihuahua crossbreed, who arrived at the rescue centre, in Kensal Green, last month due to her owner’s ill health.
Bill who has a veritable menagerie of pets, including five rescue dogs, a cat, a parrot, a snake, some chickens and ducks at his West London home, said: “I am delighted to meet The Mayhew’s rescue dog, Rosie. She’s a great dog and I hope she gets a new home soon. I am passionate about the plight of rescue animals. Having rescue dogs myself I know just how important it is to have places like The Mayhew helping pets to get back on their paws and find new homes. They do a fantastic job.”
Cassie Farndale, Animal care team, at The Mayhew added: “It’s so brilliant of Bill to give his time to Rosie and The Mayhew to raise awareness of the plight of rescue pets. She’s a very easygoing lovable dog. Her owner was ill and had to sadly give her up. She’ll make a great pet for someone. She’s looking for someone with time on their hands and can live with other dogs. “
As well as his extensive stand-up work, Bill is well known for his appearances as team captain on Never Mind The Buzzcocks and Have I Got News For You. He is currently working on his upcoming tour, Limboland, where he recalls his global travels, ponders about the meaning of happiness and treats the audience to some live music. After rave reviews in Australia and New Zealand, Bill’s show will kick off in theatres across the UK, starting in Plymouth on 9th October 2015 and continuing in London’s West End until January 2016.
If you would like to adopt a pet from The Mayhew rescue centre please visit www.themayhew.org
National Pet Month runs until May 4th and aims to promote responsible pet ownership and raise awareness of the value of rescue animals. For more information please visit www.nationalpetmonth.org.uk/