The DogCast Radio blog

New research by Mars Petcare UK and Battersea Dogs & Cats Home has revealed that eight out of 10 dog owners in the UK are planning to put their pet on top of their Christmas gift list this year.

RSPCA and the FAB Firework Abatement UK hand in petition today
Fireworks campaigners today handed in a petition backed by 358,000 people, calling on the government to restrict their use.

The RSPCA and FAB Firework Abatement UK today visited the Office for Product Safety and Standards in Birmingham with the petition which renews calls for an urgent review into the existing, outdated fireworks regulations in place.

A nine-year-old Mongrel named Daisy has been at Battersea Dogs & Cats Home for nearly 100 days, but so far no one has come forward to give her a cosy and warm home this winter.

Daisy’s owners got her from Battersea eight years ago as a young dog, before bringing her back to the charity earlier this year after a change in circumstances made it difficult to keep a large dog like her.

Steve Craddock, Centre Manager at Battersea said:

Earlier this year, a dog was brought into Battersea Dogs & Cats Home after being hit by a car, not once, but twice - neither driver stopped. The sad little Pug-Terrier-cross had severe injuries to both her front and back legs that left her unable to walk.

The eight-year-old was taken in by a local dog warden when she was found injured on the streets of Enfield, North London, before being brought to the world-famous animal rescue centre. Battersea staff decided to name her Florence.

Staffie Fred is a good catch and is on the hunt for a new home

This handsome chap is Fred and he’s struggling to find a home. ‘Hozat?’ I hear you ask...

The 10-year-old Staffie arrived at the RSPCA’s Leybourne Animal Centre, in Kent, in September when his owners could no longer care for him.

Fred - like his cricketing legend namesake Freddie Flintoff - loves nothing more than a game of throw and catch so is hoping to bowl over a new owner.

Poor Tug had to be shaved when he was rescued because his coat was so matted

With huge bat-like ears and a long tongue, Tug is an unusual looking pooch. So much so, RSPCA staff caring for the senior dog are concerned that his unique appearance is putting off potential adopters.

Twelve-year-old Tug, a bearded collie cross, was in a terrible state when he arrived at the RSPCA’s Coventry Animal Centre, run by the Coventry, Nuneaton & District Branch in September.

Most people know Ricochet as the iconic surf dog that made history 10 years ago when she jumped on the board of a boy who is paralyzed, becoming the first ever canine-assisted surf therapy dog.

Since then, she’s assisted hundreds of kids with special needs and people with disabilities.
But what many people don’t know is… Ricochet is a certified goal-directed therapy dog with extraordinary healing abilities. She has been working with service members and veterans with post-traumatic stress (PTSD) for over seven years.

The connection she makes with people defies present-day scientific understanding. "Superman has x-ray vision, but Ricochet can see right into your soul", said retired Marine Staff Sergeant Persons B. Griffith IV (Griff), who suffers from combat related post-traumatic stress.

Ricochet is extremely sensitive, empathic and intuitive. She mirrors the emotions of those she works with through her subtle and not so subtle behaviors. “Somehow she knows their triggers,” said Judy Fridono, Ricochet’s guardian. “She assumes responsibility for their well-being and alerts them to potential triggers in the environment. She will stop and plant (refusing to move), or she’ll redirect them to a less anxiety provoking area”, said Fridono.

“The last time I worked with Ricochet, she alerted to a mall security guard by leading me away from the area we were in. She took it a step further by guiding me behind a bench where we were able to ‘take cover’ like I did when we took fire on the battlefield”, Griff said.

Ricochet’s behavior helps Griff (and others she works with) identify deep seated emotional trauma which can then be addressed with therapists. As a result, the healing process often advances more quickly.

Ricochet and Griff met through a six-week canine therapy clinic provided by Paws'itive Teams, and Naval Medical Center San Diego's Wounded, Ill and Injured Wellness Program.

After the clinic ended, Griff volunteered for Ricochet’s Waves of Empowerment program. From there, Griff was cast to be in the IMAX film, Superpower Dogs with Ricochet because of their soul-to-soul connection. The film premieres in March, 2019.

Both Fridono and Griff’s objective with these videos and IMAX film is that they can be a catalyst that gives hope to anyone with emotional trauma who is suffering in silence or contemplating suicide. The statistics are staggering… 22 veterans with PTSD die by suicide every day!

Fridono believes all dogs have these healing powers. Unfortunately, we often misinterpret their cues as bad behavior. In doing so, we miss the magic every dog is capable of. Her wish is that others will gain a better understanding of the sentience of dogs, and how they are always communicating with us… we just have to listen.

If you'd like to learn how to better interpret your dog's behavior, or if you'd like to unleash their healing power, please visit https://www.surfdogricochet.com/healing-power-of-dogs.html.
If you have PTSD, please visit https://www.surfdogricochet.com/ptsd.html to discover how a pet dog, emotional support dog or service dog can help you.

Poem by Griff
Photos by Heart Dog Studios
Filming by Gear 6 Productions

Peggy has learned to enjoy life again thanks to pal Frank.

A young dog dumped cowering and terrified by the roadside now has a second chance at happiness - all thanks to her doggy pal.

Peggy was found in June this year by a member of the public after she was dumped by the A38 near the village Alrewas, in Lichfield, Staffordshire.

She had been found shaking in the grass absolutely terrified - she smelt strongly of urine and was so matted her rescuer thought she was an elderly dog.

Big softie Sophie has found her forever home. It's clear in this video that Sophie and her new family share a strong and loving bond. Isn't it lovely?

Left tied up and petrified on the side of a busy road near White Hart Lane Stadium in North London, Sophie the Cane Corso’s luck turned, when she was found by a veterinary nurse working nearby.

After spending some time in the local warden’s kennels, she found her way into Battersea Dogs & Cats Home.