dog

These two Labradors were used to eating their food from the same bowl, and Stitch taught Cookie to share the portion between them. (Aren't dogs amazing?) And now, even after Stitch's death, Cookie still leaves half the food in the bowl for her friend.

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On Saturday, hundreds of Essex residents and their four-legged companions took on one of the biggest canine events of the year – Battersea’s Muddy Dog Challenge, supported by LV=.

Local residents have raised over £70,000 for the stray and unwanted animals in need of care at the Home.

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Dogs Trust, the UK’s largest dog welfare charity, is extremely disappointed that MSPs on the Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform Committee (ECCLR) have today voted to reintroduce the painful procedure of tail docking for certain breeds of dogs in Scotland (Tuesday 13 June).

The new legislation on tail docking would see spaniel or hunt point retriever puppies less than five days old have the end third of their tails amputated, with no anaesthetic or pain relief, where there is a chance that they may become working dogs.

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As dog lovers, we know that the worst aspect of loving a dog is losing a dog. Their lives are too short; never long enough. We must love them and make every day as happy as possible, and when they die keep them secure and cherished in our hearts.

Actor Tom Hardy is grieving for his dog Woody, and has put together the tribute video (above) and written a moving tribute here - http://tomhardydotorg.tumblr.com/

Make the most of every day with your dog, and make memories to sustain you when they are gone. I'm often reminded of these words from Rudyard, warning of the dangers of, "giving your heart to a dog to tear".

“The Power of the Dog”

THERE is sorrow enough in the natural way
From men and women to fill our day;
And when we are certain of sorrow in store,
Why do we always arrange for more?
Brothers and Sisters, I bid you beware 5
Of giving your heart to a dog to tear.

Buy a pup and your money will buy
Love unflinching that cannot lie—
Perfect passion and worship fed
By a kick in the ribs or a pat on the head. 10
Nevertheless it is hardly fair
To risk your heart for a dog to tear.

When the fourteen years which Nature permits
Are closing in asthma, or tumour, or fits,
And the vet’s unspoken prescription runs 15
To lethal chambers or loaded guns,
Then you will find—it’s your own affair—
But … you’ve given your heart to a dog to tear.

When the body that lived at your single will,
With its whimper of welcome, is stilled (how still!). 20
When the spirit that answered your every mood
Is gone—wherever it goes—for good,
You will discover how much you care,
And will give your heart to a dog to tear.

We’ve sorrow enough in the natural way, 25
When it comes to burying Christian clay.
Our loves are not given, but only lent,
At compound interest of cent per cent.
Though it is not always the case, I believe,
That the longer we’ve kept ’em, the more do we grieve: 30
For, when debts are payable, right or wrong,
A short-time loan is as bad as a long—
So why in—Heaven (before we are there)
Should we give our hearts to a dog to tear?

Run free Woody, you had the best thing a dog can have - a loving owner.

Take care,

Julie xx

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Ten-year-old Ziggy finally coaxed from drain after spending night underground!
A dog who disappeared down a drain pipe spent 19 hours underground after refusing to come back up to the surface!

The 10-year-old Patterdale terrier’s worried owner, Lauren Flintoft, contacted the RSPCA and fire and rescue service after Ziggy disappeared underground at the farm owned by her in-laws in Ripon, North Yorkshire.

Ziggy had been out on a walk on Monday evening last week (29 May) when he disappeared down the drain pipe and refused to re-surface.

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Charity aims for pet owners to be prepared in a crisis
Do you know how to carry out CPR on your cat, what to do if your dog is choking or how to help a pet in shock? The RSPCA’s brand new free downloadable Pet First Aid Guide has everything owners need to know in an emergency.

As the UK’s oldest and largest animal welfare charity, the RSPCA hopes pet owners will download the guide onto their smartphone so they can be as prepared and knowledgeable as possible, should a crisis happen. The guide is available to download free* from now.

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