An Olympic Boost For Rare British Dogs
This article in the Independent suggests that those rarer British dog breeds like the English Setter have had a boost in 2012.
And the Olympics could be the reason!
I see a couple of English setters round here and they really are the friendliest of dogs. We also had two, when our children were in their teens and you rarely find one, that can’t get on extremely well with everybody and especially children. They also don’t shed hair like other breeds, I could name.
Puppies Will Be Puppies
Another story from the BBC web site, shows that puppies love to chew anything they can get their teeth into.
The worst dog, we ever had for chewing was a dachshund, that really liked C’s expensive shoes.
But then so many of these short-legged German terriers, are itching to start World War 3. She was also very racist and would immediately take on any black dog, who walked past her. Even a friend’s Doberman was frightened of her. Luckily, she didn’t have the same feelings for black people.
Soft Staffies
It may be cold in London today, but I’ve seen several Staffordshire Bull Terriers with coats on.
Has the breed got that soft now?
Hope For The Paralysed
I say hope, but this story from the BBC is a good news story to start the week. This is the first few paragraphs.
Scientists have reversed paralysis in dogs after injecting them with cells grown from the lining of their nose.
The pets had all suffered spinal injuries which prevented them from using their back legs.
The Cambridge University team is cautiously optimistic the technique could eventually have a role in the treatment of human patients.
The study is the first to test the transplant in “real-life” injuries rather than laboratory animals.
It may only be a first step on the long road to getting the paralysed to walk again. But it is a very significant first step.
I also think it’s very good, that the scientists did the research on dogs that had been injured in the normal course of life. It shows that often you don’t have to do experiments on healthy animals. All it needs is to think hard about what you’re doing.
So congratulations to Cambridge and its vets and scientists!
I think Jasper the dachshund will be one of the most famous dogs in the world.
Are Chinese Dogs More Intelligent?
This story from the BBC, about a Chinese dachshund is a bit over the top.
But it does seem to be an intelligent dog. Hopefully, it isn’t too intent on starting World War 3, like so many other dachshunds I’ve met and even owned. One was distinctly racist and would attack any black dog she saw.
Please Can I Come In?
I took this picture outside Carluccio’s in Upper Street.
Please Can I Come In?
At least they provide a proper place to which to tie a dog
Meet Frank!
This is a dachshund, I met on a 38 bus.
Meet Frank!
You really do meet a good class of dog on that route.
Bassets Hunting In Primrose Hill
I took this picture on Primrose Hill this morning, as three bassets met up to do what bassets do best – hunt.
Bassets Hunting In Primrose Hill
Obviously, there aren’t any hares on Primrose Hill in the middle of London, but a share of a substantial picnic would do just nicely.
Gorilla Joy
There has been a lot of pictures of the reunion of two gorillas at Longleat after a couple of years apart. Here‘s some on the BBC.
I don’t think it is as remarkable as some are saying. I’ve seen horses return to the stud, I used to own, who’d been born there or had spent a long time there, renew old friendships with other horses, if they’d never been away. I’ve also read of similar behaviour with dairy cows. And after all, we all know how how when we visit a friend with a dog, the dog generally remembers us.
The Queen Does It In One Take
According to this piece in Her Majesty’s Daily Telegraph, The Queen played herself all in one take.
According to Nicholas Brown, the BBC’s director of Drama Production, she gave a flawless performance. “She got it in one take. That’s what she does, and she does it very well. She is a professional.
The piece also indicates that the corgis were the Queen’s too! Fox News in the United States had the headline Corgis Win The Opening Ceremony. If the latter is true, they must be the first dogs to win a Gold Medal at the Olympics.
I would think that if your corgi is expecting a litter of puppies, you won’t have any difficulty finding good homes for them!
The Anonymous Widower 