Woof Woofington

Bilbo The Lifeguard Dog - Sacked by the RNLI in Penwith, Cornwall

OK, so let me get this right. The ever-so-fabulous Bilbo, a seven-year-old Newfoundland, who has helped educate kids to be safe on the beach, has prevented lots of people getting into difficulties in the sea and has even directly saved people's lives...has got the chop.

Because he's a dog.

According to news reports today, Bilbo is now a redundant lifesaver, even though he "had to pass fitness and swimming tests before he could join patrols on the beach at Sennen Cove in Cornwall", according to The Daily Telegraph.

But why? Well, Britain's most popular charity, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) has recently taken over the running of the beach from Penwith Council (who interestingly are still promoting Bilbo and his services).

A spokeswoman said: "The RNLI is contracted to provide a professional lifeguarding service on the beach and has fully trained lifeguards to do this.

"Bilbo is a privately-owned dog and does not belong to the RNLI. The RNLI will not be using the dog to save lives at sea but does not have the authority to ban dogs from the beach."

If you check out the video, you can see Bilbo sporting his lifeguard's vest which - it should be remembered - "carried a number of safety messages on it, warning swimmers about the dangerous areas".

The BBC explains how Bilbo's owner - the beach's head lifeguard - could face a fine if Bilbo ventures on the beach because of the bans in place (many UK beaches have dog bans during the summer months).

"He is the biggest asset for beach safety and for the RNLI to disown him is a scandal." Absolutely! The RNLI proposes that he is taken to schools to promote his beach-safety messages but surely, the whole point of Bilbo's presence - on the beach - was because he reminded kids, there and then, that the water could be dangerous.

As Mr Jamieson says, "...Bilbo was there in case they needed him." Exactly. I am sure if your life has been saved, you wouldn't care if it was a dog or a human lifeguard. You'll just be glad you were given a second chance.

Another case of shooting the messenger, methinks.

Woof Woof

American Cocker Spaniel Wins Gundog Category at Crufts 2008

Help me because I am struggling...

Struggling to see how a pampered pooch (not unlike the one pictured above) has just managed to bag the Best of Breed title in the Gundog Category at today's Crufts?

Let me tell you that dog had been groomed within an inch of its life; it would not last five minutes out in the field with a coat (or should that say, skirt?!) like that.

And don't get me started on the docked tail...

Yes, folks, Crufts is back!

Woof Woof

One Man and His Dog

The Mistress is in bits. This is not good.

One of her friends gave her a copy of Dogs Today magazine, which she sat down to read, cover to cover, on the long train journey home. First, it's The Labrador Rescue Trust's 20th birthday this year, and, quite frankly, this wonderful charity deserves all the publicity it can get. Yes, I am biased but if you are thinking about getting a Labrador, why not consider a rescue one? The best dogs are!!! Only joking! You can see the article here

But, there was also a piece by my favourite vet, Bruce Fogle, referring to the loss of his dog, Macy. This was a massive shock; Macy is younger than me. Anyway, Bruce wrote an amazing piece for The Independent, which you can read here BUT BE WARNED, there will be tears. That's why the Mistress is in bits. Bruce Fogle is an amazing vet and a deeply compassionate human being; I am very lucky to have been treated by him. It was when he described burying his dog that was too much for the Mistress:

"Mock me if you must, but I buried with her all the lost tennis balls that she'd found in the park during the previous month and proudly carried back to the car, 11 of them."

This year I will be 12 - it sounds so young - but for a dog that's beginning to be old age! I know the Mistress thinks about my passing, a lot. Only in the way that she utterly dreads it. But in the meantime, I'm here, enjoying life, still me, just ever so slightly more eccentric. And less energetic - unless snacks are involved, of course.

Fancy Dress for Dogs

Do you know that there is an email doing the rounds called, "Why Dogs Bite Humans" and it's full of images like this - see above for dog in fancy costume. (Of course, I would NEVER condone such behaviour!)

According to yesterday's Sunday Times http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article2890989.ece, doggy fancy dress costumes are all the rage. Yes, because the owners need to express some inner desire to dress up and they have imposed this on their poor pooches. I had to stop going on MySpace because it was full of dogs wearing clothes!

"Favourites include Star Wars, Superman and witch costumes.

Angels Fancy Dress, a shop on Shaftesbury Avenue, London, that started selling to humans in 1840, has seen a 300% leap in demand this year. There was a boom around Hallowe’en as owners bought ghoul, witch and devil costumes and further growth is expected over Christmas. Owners who might previously have tried to throw together a homemade costume for their dog on occasion are now willing to pay for a ready-to-wear outfit.

Emma Angel, who runs the shop, said: “So many people dress their dogs up - they are becoming very much an accessory these days.”

I have no desire to dress up to be Superdog, Bat Dog or a canine Wonderwoman so, what does this say about me? And more important, what does this say about the Mistress?

Woof Woof

Dogfighting Undercover

Want to be depressed? I mean really depressed? Then watch tonight's Panorama. One thing's for sure, the Mistress definitely WON'T be tuning in; she'll keep her evening light with Big Brother - it's the penultimate night, after all. Tomorrow night we'll all know if Brian's won or whether the Twins will romp home!

Of course, if it were up to me, I'd vote Ziggy but that's because of Molly. That guy LOVES his dog - you can't fake that emotion! Forget Chanelle; Molly's his girl!

Anyway, back to the pitiful lives of the pitbulls and the very dirty business of dog fighting. I don't know what the answer is but I know what I'd like to see done to these guys. According to BBC online news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6970354.stm

"The team went to Finland and bought a pit bull from a breeder, who provided fake documents identifying the dog as a boxer-Labrador cross.

"They also witnessed a fight in Finland which ended in the death of one of the dogs, and where a badly injured dog was wired to the mains and electrocuted."

I'd fry those f***ers alive! Sorry, I don't normally resort to such bad language but I'm incensed!

And as if we didn't need further proof of the breakdown of society in inner-city Britain (the shocking murder of Rhys Jones to name but one), the Pananorama reporter observes:

"Even before Ellie Lawrenson was mauled to death by her uncle's pit bull on New Year's Eve, people in Liverpool knew what the dogs could do," she said.

How is it that these people have become so disconnected? Why has it happened? One things for sure, innocent people and pooches are paying the price.

Shocking and shameful.

If you check out Radio Times, this is what they say about the Panorama programme on BBC One tonight:

Investigation into the secret and dangerous world of international dogfighting. For a year and a half, a BBC undercover team operated alongside dogfighting gangs in the UK and Europe, capturing on camera the savagery of organised fights. The film also reveals how American pitbull terriers - a banned breed created to be the ultimate canine gladiator - have been sold by the gangs into inner city Britain.

"That's sum pet!"

I can't take credit for the great headline, which featured in this week's Sunday Mirror. It made me laugh but not as much as the story....

Apparently, a dog owner in China has trained his pooch to do...maths!

" Clever Wa Wa barks out answers and can add, subtract and even multiply."

Well, of course, a dog can do maths. Just remember the saying...try hiding three biscuits, giving your dog two and see if he knows that one is missing. You know the answer already! A dog will always know that the third biscuit is not where it should be...in him!

Woof Woof

Crufts 2007 Winner - and my prediction was 100% accurate

So, Crufts is over for another year.

The 2007 official winner was chosen by judge Zena Thorne-Andrews and he is none other than Willy or, to give him his full name, Araki Fabulous Willy. Oh, I forgot the important bit, this year's Best in Show (ie the Crufts champion) is a Tibetan Terrier AND grandfather to Clare Balding's (co-presenter of the BBC programme) pet dog, Archie.

So the winner was without controversy - his is NOT a tail that may or may not be docked. Although, legislation has now been passed, this issue will run and run and run. And don't expect The Kennel Club to be anti-docking! But that's for another day so let's not spoil the fun.

Reserve Best in Show went to Fox Terrier (Wire) Ch Travella Show Stopper, owned by S. Browne-Cole and W. P Allen.

I am sure both these dogs are indeed fabulous show stoppers - literally - but it would be so nice to see dogs and owners/handlers without a hairbrush in hand at the winner's podium!! I mean, they're dogs!

For the second year running, I have predicted the real winner of Crufts - through The Friends For Life award - organised by the Kennel Club.

Hearing Dog (and rescue dog, yay!), Molly, got the top prize and I am thrilled. I shall write more about Molly tomorrow with all the right links!

So congratulations to all the winners. Of course, the Mistress always tells me, at the end of every Crufts, that if I were to enter, I would win. Paws down! She also says I will always be a Crufts champion of champions to her!

What can I say?

Woof Woof

An (un)welcome house guest

One of the Mistress's friends runs a pet sitting agency and, today, she needed the Mistress's help at very short notice. Could we look after a canine guest for the day? The Mistress said fine, if I got on well with him. Cool.

He arrived at lunchtime and wasn't too bad at all. A little excitable - to say the least - and he did not sit down once. In the end, the Mistress took us on the longest walk ever. Unfortunately, this very cute chap is named after the King - the King of Rock and Roll - and the Mistress felt very foolish calling his name!

The only problem with this arrangement is that the Mistress has told her friend that she'd be happy to have any other dogs, anytime. Now I don't mind the odd one but I hope she isn't going to make this a
permanent arrangement!

Maybe next time I won't be so welcoming to these unexpected guests...

Woof Woof

Crufts 2007 - let the judging begin

Goodness me, it's THAT time of year again and the annual dog fight (no, of course they don't really fight!) that is Crufts is upon us again!

Of course, it will be another year that the Labrador doesn't get a look in, in the main ring, but hey, who cares? Last year, we know that Yogi the Labrador was the REAL winner of Crufts even if he didn't get a year's worth of the sponsor's grub! (Remember, only the supreme champion gets a year’s supply of food.)

While everyone this year will be debating the issue - to dock or not to dock, that is the question - I like to focus my Crufts attention on the real dogs doing real things helping real people. And this year is no exception.

The Friends for Life award choose six dogs and owners as finalists and then it's up to you, the public, to choose the most deserving. Of course, they are all deserving but...if I had to pick one?

Hmmm. This year, I'm torn. I want to vote for Larry because he's a Labrador. I want to vote for Bud and Murphy because they are not but they have done amazing things! I want to vote for Emmi and Jaz because of the difference they make to their young owners.

I think Bud may win - his owner is a lovely boy BUT this year my vote goes to Molly, trained by Hearing Dogs for the Deaf. I love this charity because they work with rescue dogs AND because my vet was instrumental in setting them up and I LOVE my vet!

Check out the BBC’s website for the chance to see all six dogs in action:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/birmingham/content/articles/2007/02/23/crufts_2007_friends_for_life_feature.shtml

And if you don’t have time (and enough bandwidth!), here’s a shortened version from the website:

“Friends for Life recognises and celebrates the difference that dogs can make to their owners lives, be it through bravery, support or companionship.

The winner of Friends for Life 2007 is decided by the public - votes can be cast by phone or text from 19.00 on Sunday 4th March.

Mark Pollock, 30, and Larry

Blinded whilst playing rugby eight years ago, Mark has been enabled to pursue his passion for sport with assistance from Larry.

To vote for Mark & Larry:
Tel: LARRY 09015 22 51 01
Text: DOG LARRY to 83199

Yvonne Wright, 14, and Emmi

Emmi acts as "another pair of eyes" for Yvonne's mother. Yvonne has Downs Syndrome and nearly suffocated one night - Emmi protected and cared for her.

To vote for Yvonne & Emmi:
Tel: 09015 22 51 02
Text: DOG EMMI to 83199

Sarah Gearing, 29, and Murphy

Sarah was saved by Murphy, through his special bark one night, from a rapid onset of near fatal illness.

To vote for Sarah & Murphy:
Tel: 09015 22 51 03
Text: DOG MURPHY to 83199

Helen Petley, 15, and Jaz

Sarah's gone from shy and alone, with moderate learning difficulties and an almost constant epileptic state, to happy and open with Jaz who boosts her confidence.

To vote for Helen & Jaz:
Tel: 09015 22 51 04
Text: DOG JAZ to 83199

Tony Higbed, 81, and Molly

Alone, and isolated by his deafness since both his wife and dog had died, Tony found new hope, love and communication in Molly, a rescue and a hearing dog, who has given him a renewed enjoyment of life.

To vote for Tony & Molly:
Tel: 09015 22 51 05
Text: DOG MOLLY to 83199

Nye Thomas, 8, and Bud

Breaking both his arms in four places when he fell into a river, Nye was saved from drowning by Bud who came to his rescue and dragged him to safety.

To vote for Nye & Bud:
Tel: 09015 22 51 06
Text: DOG BUD to 83199

And if you fancy watching Crufts, this is when it is on TV (BBC 2):

Thursday 8th March 20:00-21:00
Friday 9th March 20:00-21:00
Saturday 10th March 19:00-20:30
Sunday 11th March 19:00-21:00

Woof Woof

A Canine Guardian Angel

If you have a car crash and you are alone and injured, the best you can hope for is that someone sees the accident and reports it to emergency services, who will then come to rescue you.

Mother of five, Shannon Lorio was even luckier, in spite of her injuries. Her car "careered down an embankment, tossing her through the rear window and leaving her sprawled, cut and bleeding, on the boot", which is pretty bad.

But, out of nowhere, appeared a stray German Shepherd (Alsatian), who dragged her through the undergrowth to the main road. Incredibly, "he let Miss Lorio, 36, lean against him so she could stand up and flag down a passing motorist".

Miss Lorio is now recovering from the accident with more than 20 metal staples in her arm and she now walks with a limp.

So what of the canine guardian angel?

Well, newly-named "Hero" is now living at an animal shelter run by the Thomasville-Thomas County Humane Society, where they have arranged to have him evaluated for search and rescue work.

Shannon Lorio and Hero were reunited at the weekend. "That dog is always going to have a special place in my heart," she said,
"If he ever needs anything, I'll be there."

Of course, the happy ending scenario would involve Hero moving in with Shannon. I had hoped that once she made a full recovery she may want to give Hero a home. But Shannon already has six dogs and, as she explains, "If I did adopt him, he'd be treated like the king he is."

But maybe this is no bad thing; I think Hero has other work to do and must fulfil his mission in life. Apparently, his previous owners signed him over to the shelter because he kept wandering off. Well, now we know why!

On Monday, Hero will move in with Heidy Drawdy, who works with search and rescue.

"Right off the bat, he showed signs of having natural talent," Ms. Drawdy said. "We'd like to see if we can give him a job because obviously he's meant for something special."

Anyway, Hero, we salute you. You are, as our American friends like to say, AWESOME.

Woof Woof

PS if you want to check out a photo of supermutt, Hero, check out: http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/fea/pets/stories/DN-herodog_03nat.ART.State.Edition1.297d8e0.html