Woof Woofington

What are your thoughts on “cellular memory”?

Do you even know what it is? Well, it’s apparently all the rage at the moment, with any number of doctors, ethics experts and people with transplants talking about it.

The press has been full of stories about one particular couple, a really nice, down-to- earth pair, who have been married for 30 years. The husband had a kidney condition and, in short, needed a transplant to survive. His wife was a perfect match and so she donated one of her kidneys to save her spouse.

But, apart from the obvious act of love, this donation has got everyone discussing cellular memory because the husband – once averse to any shopping, cooking or matters domestic - is proving to be a domestic goddess. He loves baking, cleaning and generally manages the housekeeping!

And they want to know why! Well, according to some experts, it’s cellular memory – organs contain cells and those cells have a “memory” that, I guess, belongs to the donor. There are stories of people who have had transplants and find themselves doing things they may once have hated, like the classical musician who hated rap but now, post-transplant, is happy to rap with the best of them.

At the moment, most transplants are for humans (human to human but in the past, humans have received animal organs) but I am sure that pet transplants are on their way. There is already a blood transfusion service for dogs! Yes there is!

So that means, in the future, I, as a Labrador, might get the heart of a Poodle! Imagine! Or a Pekingese – even worse. Could my fur grow long because of cellular memory?

Questions, questions, questions…what do you think?

Woof Woof

RIP. The People's Whale

So, in spite of the very best efforts, we must bid farewell to the northern bottlenose whale who captivated the capital. And who captured our hearts. Will Tony Blair be venturing onto Westminster Bridge to pay tribute to the People's Whale?

Quite rightly, the Times has called our visiting mammal, a Prince of Whales.

Sky News has been running the story all day, giving us unlimited access as the drama of the whale's rescue unfolded. The Mistress went to the gym and everyone was watching to see what happened. Even the instructors said they wanted to "do something" to help. Sadly it did not have a happy ending.

But surely something (well, maybe many things) can come out of this tragic tale. First, now we all know about the people who dedicate their lives to rescuing such creatures. Check out British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR), amongst others: http://www.bdmlr.org.uk. Second, remember we live on a island, we're surrounded by sea. Let's enjoy the coast whenever we can. And third, maybe when so much effort has been put into trying to save one whale, you can think about how you might save the many thousands that are killed each year. If the People's Whale has captured your imagination, then just do..something! Let's ensure he doesn't just become tomorrow's fish and chips wrapping!

And just when it seemed that nothing else could grab the news editors' attention, the whale disappeared from our screens to be replaced by..a politician. In disgrace. Liberal Democrat MP, Mark Oaten has - apparently - been spending too much time with a rent boy.

I advised Charles Kennedy to ditch the booze and get a dog. I fear the same advice may not be right for Mr Oaten. For all I know, the only dog he'd be interested in, is a bit of ....ruff!

Whoever said January was dull?

Woof Woof

Having A Whale of a Time

No sooner than you say London is scary and lonely and even desperate, then the city comes together to try to save a whale, seen swimming upstream in the capital.

Yes, no need to go to far flung places for whale watching holidays, just come to the heart of London and stand by the Thames and you too may see a whale.

Sadly, in spite of everyone being concerned to try to save the lost mammal - because let's face it, just how did it manage to swim so far off course ? - it may lose its fight for life. The whale is injured and clearly disorientated and according to Terry Nutkins (a man to be trusted, surely?) efforts to protect the whale from the River's traffic have probably done him or her more harm than good.

Some people are interested in the power of positive thinking or prayer when done en masse. So, spare a special thought for the whale today and let's hope he or she finds their way home.

Woof Woof