To professional walkers, dog days are the best kind

It's no secret that in many households, dogs are more like family members than pets.

And when pet parents are away, they go to great lengths to make sure Fido is cared for and happy. The services and activities available run the spectrum from simple dog walking to luxury perks. They can take the form of day care and camps, boarding resorts, training, grooming and even concierge services.

But independent dog walkers in many ways have become like nannies, offering daytime and overnight pet sitting or more comprehensive service — some animals require insulin or have other medical needs.

Local pet owners can find all variety of such services.

For instance, Kevin Burke, owner of Dog Republic in Newport Beach, served as an escort to a pet party. He recently accompanied four of his canine clients to a "Sip N' See," a puppy shower at the Newport Beach Tennis Club thrown by Scott and Hillary Simon for their 10-week-old pug, Eloise.

For some dog walkers, it's a part-time job to supplement their income.

Kat Austin, who works full time as admissions coordinator for Toni & Guy Hairdressing Academy, juggles caring for her "fur babies" in the same way she would a family member.

The Newport Beach resident's day begins at 5:30 a.m., when she picks up a neighbor's dog, Harley, for a 30- to 40-minute walk before she goes to work. Austin then dashes home during her lunch break to tend to the pups in her care.

"I run more of a VIP service. I don't take a lot of dogs, and they have to get along with mine, a Pomeranian and long-haired Chihuahua, which is why I ask for a meet-and-greet first," she said. "My dogs go everywhere with me along with the dogs I'm sitting for. My husband and I even took the two that I was dog sitting on a recent road trip to Aspen."

Word spreads about Austin's dog-walking business as people see her out and about with extra dogs. She's also a member of Rover, an online service that provides a list of independent contractors for pet walking, sitting and boarding.

Michelle Arino, also of Newport Beach, works in real estate and as an assistant at college planning seminars when she's not staying with dogs in their homes. She prefers not to use her home because "I don't let my two Pomeranian dogs get in the way of taking care of other dogs."

Arino, who walks dogs and provides day and night care, doesn't limit her territory or clientele. She's willing to drive to San Diego or Los Angeles for overnight stays and has fed watermelon, grapes and even a platter of vegetables to other animals, such as a ferret, tortoise and chameleon. She draws the line, however, at sitting for tarantulas and snakes.

For other walkers, the business has become their livelihood.

Kim Jones began her full-time pet service, No Place Like Home, 22 years ago when she lived in south Orange County.

"No Place Like Home describes what I do," said Jones, who now lives in Costa Mesa but continues to travel to clients in Lake Forest, San Clemente and Irvine. "Everything stays the same when the dogs remain in their home. It avoids the stress, the crying or thinking they've been abandoned.

"I love my clients and I've met some great people who have become my lifelong friends," Jones added. "Animal care just makes your life fuller, and I love animals."

Jocelyn Militante has a bachelor's degree in English literature but has chosen a different path in a career where she found her passion — caring for animals. Ten years ago, she established a successful dog-walking business that she named East Meets West Pet Care — a reference to moving from New Jersey to Newport Beach six years ago.

"I can't have a bad day in this business," she said. "I could be sad when I walk into my first client's house, and when the dogs greet me with love and happiness, it makes me so happy. It's so rewarding to be with animals all day long."

Militante works seven days a week because she likes to do the walks herself. She limits her walks to one family at a time, unless a client requests a buddy walk with another dog.

"Certain dogs, like rescues, can feel insecure or intimidated in a pack situation," Militante said. "My biggest goal is to make sure the dog is happy, secure and comfortable, which is why I stay in their home for overnights. That's where they are happiest."

Dog Walkers Are Basically Texting Novels to Pet Owners

Are you ending 2018 on a very single note? Did you try to find someone this year? Were you simply unable to get a text back, no matter how middling or promising the date? Why not get a dog?

Yes, adopting a furry roommate would mean there's someone who is always excited for you to come home, and a snuggle buddy should you be the kind of person to share your couch and/or bed with your pooch. But according to the Washington Post, adopting a dog and subsequently hiring a dog walker means you'll also get lots of texts. (They can't really help you on the dating front, though.)

Dog walking can be a cutthroat gig; in 2017, The Wall Street Journal reported on the high standards services like Wag! have for potential walkers. Jenna White, the director of dog-walking operations for Rover, explained to the Post that, "Ongoing, two-way communication is actually one of the most important components to a successful walk.” The company requires walkers to complete a report card after every walk, which includes space for details like bathroom breaks, route, and interaction with other dogs. But even freelance walkers have upped the communication ante, to the point where one said troubleshooting a dog's issues and ailments with pet owners can feel like "co-parenting."

A dog walker named Christy Griffin told the Post that after each walk she "give[s] a full report that includes not only peeing and pooping but also kind of general well-being, and if the dog socialized with other dogs." Bonus: She'll send "six to eight” photos of your dog living their best doggy life, all posed expertly because Griffin holds a treat in her hand as Insta-bait.

There is a lot you could say about expecting that dog walkers, whose rates often vary, to go above and beyond for the gig. But dogs can't give verbal updates the same way children can ("Mommy, the babysitter let me watch Frozen three-and-a-half times in a row!") and caring for a dog often takes more nuance than plant-sitting (either they're alive or they're dead, there is no in-between).

Anyway, I give it between six months and two years before the New York Times vows section reports on a couple who met because one fell in love with another's text updates about Fido, details about poop and all.

Women sleep better next to dogs than other people: study

Let sleeping dogs lie!

Women sleep better next to dogs than their human partners, according to a study published this month by researchers at Canisius College in Buffalo, New York.

Of the 962 women living in the U.S. interviewed by the school, 55 percent of them shared the bed with at least one dog and 31 percent of them shared the bed with at least one cat. The study found 57 percent of the women shared the bed with a human partner. Dogs were less likely to wake their owners in the middle of the night than cats and humans, results revealed.

The study found that both cats and humans were equally disruptive to women's sleep and provided them with fewer feelings of comfort and security than dogs.

Dog owners also reported earlier sleep and wake times than cat owners and participants without pets.

"Dog ownership and its associated responsibilities may cause individuals to adhere to a stricter routine," researchers said. "Keeping to a consistent sleep schedule may be beneficial to dog owners."

Women aren't the only ones who report better sleep with dogs, according to a study published last year.

Researchers from the Mayo Clinic in Arizona conducted a study of 40 healthy adults, both male and female, and found that people who slept with a dog in the bedroom got more rest than people who didn't. Although, the Mayo study found sleeping with a dog in the bed, as opposed to another place in the bedroom, could disrupt the sleep cycle.

Dog harness or collar? The best way to control your pet revealed

It's difficult to change traditional behaviour. People get used to doing things a certain way, and even when science and logic suggest that there's a better way, old habits are hard to get rid of.

In the animal world, there's an obvious area that stands out as being stuck in the past: using collars to restrain dogs.

Of course there's a place for dog collars: they are a handy way to permanently attach an ID tag around a dog's neck. Once put in place, a light dog collar can be impossible for a dog to remove, similar to a festival-style wristband on a human.

A well-fitting dog collar can also function as a way of reminding dogs that they are with you and that you want them to stay close to you. There should be no tugging or tightening of the collar: if the collar was not there, the dog should still want to be in the same place. The collar should act in the same way as gently holding a child's hand.

But as a way of controlling a dog? There are now alternatives that are far better than dog collars.

As a well-known behaviourist said at a veterinary conference: "We call dogs 'man's best friends', then we put a noose around their necks and drag them around after us".

One of the developments in contemporary veterinary science is the recognition that animal sentience is far more like our own than we used to believe. It's now understood that if an animal displays behaviour that would mean distress, fear or pain in a human, then almost certainly, the animal is feeling distress, fear or pain too.

So when it comes to collar use, the same parallel can be made. If you'd feel uncomfortable being hauled around by a collar, a dog is likely to have just the same level of discomfort. When tightened and pulled, collars twist the neck in an uncomfortable way, and they apply pressure to the windpipe and blood vessels, causing severe discomfort. Choke collars do exactly what their name implies: they choke dogs. So-called "prong-collars" take this a level further, with metal spikes digging into the neck as the collar tightens. How did we ever think this was humane and fair? And as for electric shock collars: it's astonishing that it took until 2018 for them to be made illegal in England.

There are a number of effective, humane alternatives to dog collars. They have been around for many years, used for working animals like sledge dogs and horses, but it's only relatively recently that they have been adapted for daily use in pets.

Head collars

Head collars, similar to those used widely in horses, are now commonly used in dogs. The fabric straps fit neatly around the dog's head and muzzle, and the dog's leash clips on to a metal ring on the head collar under the dog's chin.

If you need to exert control on the dog, when you pull on the leash, the dog's head and muzzle are pulled around so that the dog is forced to look at you. This immediately removes any visual distraction which may have grabbed the dog's attention, making it easier to regain their focus. In contrast, if you pull on a traditional collar, the dog continues to look at  (and strain towards) the object that's distracting them.

Dogs need to learn to tolerate head collars: the better brands come with detailed instructions on how to do this. If this process is rushed, or done wrongly, or if the head collar is poorly fitting, it can be easy for a dog to wriggle out, and even to damage the head collar by chewing it. But when care is taken to use the products properly, they can be highly effective.

Body harnesses for dogs

Body harnesses are the latest method of dog control to become popular. In essence, they are similar to the safety harnesses that parents use to keep control of wayward toddlers when out in public. We recognise that they are the kindest way to restrain boisterous little humans, so it seems logical that they should also be appropriate for our canine companions.

There are different styles of dog harnesses, but broadly, there are two types:
 
Nylon strap harnesses

The simplest dog harnesses are almost identical to the human toddler harnesses: it can be fiddly to work out how they need to be fitted, but once you've got that sorted out, they are easy and quick to put on, and they're tolerated well by dogs. Some are designed to follow body contours and movements so that if a dog strains on the harness, the straps tighten at certain pressure points, sending the dog a message to ease back. A simple, well-fitted harness of this type is far more humane than a dog collar, and often more effective at controlling a dog, especially for smaller animals.

Webbing and buckle harnesses

A sturdier, more substantial type of harness for dogs has also become widely available in recent years. These are derived from the types of chest harnesses that have been used in horses for hundreds of years, since the time of Boudicca and the Roman Empire.

These harnesses have thicker nylon webbing, and tough plastic buckles that snap securely into place. There's often a thickened loop of webbing at the centre of the harness that functions as a handle to lift the dog comfortably (e.g. into the car), and there are other slots that can be used to allow the harness to double up when used with seat belts to restrain a dog safely for travelling in a car. They can also sometimes be used to attach directly to the car seat anchor, the metal attachment point that's used for child car safety seats.

Some types of dog harnesses have reflective strips along the side, allowing dogs to be seen in low light conditions,  and velcro-detachable strips can also be attached in these areas, allowing messages (e.g. "Sniffer dog") to be carried by the animal. Bags and panniers can sometimes be attached too; owners can use their (larger) pets to help them, by carrying shopping or other objects.

The best of these dog harnesses have been designed with the help of mobility scientists in the laboratory who have analysed the way that dogs' bodies move. They have been fitted with padding to protect the dog at pressure points, and in contrast to dog collars, they avoid placing pressure on airways, nerves and blood vessels. As with all other types of restraint, it's crucially important that these harnesses are carefully measured and fitted before being used for daily activities.

Studies have shown that far from hindering movement, they help animals move  ergonomically and comfortably, whilst still being able to be controlled by the humans working beside them.

As well as being highly effective for pet dogs in normal daily activities like walks in the park, harnesses of this type also have specific professional uses. Dog sledge teams, and people who run with dogs – the new sport called CaniCross – use special padded harnesses that are similar to the types of harnesses that are now used for pets.

Dog collars should be consigned to the past; science and new knowledge should be put into practice. Try fitting a dog harness to your dog, and you - and your pet - will appreciate the difference.

Lubbock dog in wheelchair wins in worldwide pet calendar contest

Kardi, a special needs French Bulldog from Lubbock, Texas, is one of 13 winners in a worldwide 2019 calendar contest featuring dogs in wheelchairs. Walkin' Pets by HandicappedPets.com, an e-commerce pet product company, hosts the annual calendar contest to help spread awareness of how disabled dogs can live active, happy lives.

Kardi was voted into the calendar by popular vote on the company's Facebook page out of a pool of 240 entries from 26 countries around the world. Kelsey Glen, a veterinary technician, rescued Kardi from a puppy mill when she was two years old. Two years later, Kardi became paralyzed from IVDD. The Animal Medical Center in Amarillo where Glen worked put together a secret collection to buy Kardi a Walkin' Wheels wheelchair; she's been on a roll ever since!

When Kardi first became paralyzed, Glen was living with her sister Kadie; the two of them figured out how to express Kardi's bladder and deal with her mobility challenges. Now Glen is living on her own with Kardi and another special needs rescue, a Boston Terrier named Bonnie Rose. Glen has also found the time to help Kardi become a certified therapy dog. They visit schools and nursing homes, where Glen reports that Kardi is especially good with the Alzheimer's patients.

“She is just the sweetest, most laidback little dog,” says Glen. “Kardi surprises me every day. She doesn't let her disability define her; she gets up every day and lives life to the fullest!”

Fox attacks beloved pet dog while owner makes dinner in Earley home

A tiny Chihuahua/Yorkie crossbred dog caught by a marauding fox in her own garden managed to escape being eaten alive.

The fox had its teeth gripped round little Morag's body as her owner Claire MacKenzie, 59, made dinner in her kitchen.

"There are foxes round here all the time so I'd checked there were none in the garden before letting her out," she said.

"I'd seen her dancing round the back door. Then out of the corner of my eye I saw a fox come from nowhere and grab hold of her.

"She managed to wriggle free, came in screaming and hid under the television.

"She was covered in puncture wounds from the fox's teeth and lost some of her fur. She was very shocked.

"I took her to the emergency vet and she didn't move for two weeks. It doesn't bear thinking about what could have happened. I was very stressed."

She urges owners of other small dogs to keep a careful eye on them when foxes may be about.

And she has asked residents around her area, Beech Lane, Earley, not to encourage foxes by leaving out food for them. She suggests it would also help if Wokingham Borough provided wheelie bins so household rubbish was not left out in bags for collection. 

Ducklings and cygnets have disappeared from nearby Maiden Erlegh nature reserve lake, she said. She suggested foxes, rats or larger birds may have been responsible.

The Wokingham Paper was told there are no cygnets this year because the female is away being treated for an injury.

Brave Morag's wounds later recovered well enough to beat dogs many times her size to gain second place at Hurst Show's terrier race earlier this summer. Morag, weighing just over a kilo, is famed for her speed: she has been fastest dog at Swallowfield Show.

Cllr Norman Jorgensen, Wokingham Borough council's executive member for Environment, Leisure and Libraries, and a member of the Public Protection Partnership board, said: "We were very sorry to hear of the unfortunate attack on a resident's dog, and understand that this is distressing both for the animal and the owner.

"The council does not have a remit to control the local fox population and there is no legal responsibility for councils to do so. But there is advice we can give.

"Make sure small dogs and puppies are inside at night, and take the right fox-proofing precautions for outside hutches, if that is where you keep guinea pigs or rabbits. Raise the hutches above ground level, and check for any signs where a fox may be trying to get access.

"We also suggest that if you witness your animal getting into a scrape with a fox, you should take your pet to the vet for a check up to make sure no parasites have transferred."

He added that the council had not recorded any complaints about foxes for the last two years.

"In relation to our rubbish collections, we will be staying with blue bags and do not have any plans to change this system to wheelie bins at this time," Cllr Jorgensen continued. "We know that it is not always convenient to put your rubbish out first thing, with many residents needing to place their rubbish for collection, outside at night.

"From April next year we will start collecting food waste, as well. We will provide containers which will keep the food waste safer. And it will also help reduce blue bags being attacked by animals.

"We do advise residents to present their blue bags in the following ways: on the top of their recycling boxes to avoid bags being ripped; contained in a dustbin that our crew will collect from; and if possible to present their rubbish and recycling by 6.30am on collection day."

Dogs can interpret owners' feelings and show empathy, study suggests

WASHINGTON — Does your dog know how you're feeling? A small study suggests those that have strong bonds with their owners do.

"Every dog owner has a story about coming home from a long day, sitting down for a cry and the dog's right there, licking their face. In a way, this is the science behind that," said lead author Emily Sanford of Johns Hopkins University in a news release.

The research published in the journal Learning & Behavior involved 34 dogs of various breeds separated from owners by a clear, magnet-secured door. The owners were instructed either to hum the song "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" or to cry. Of the dogs that pushed through the doors, the ones responding to owners who were crying acted three times more quickly.

"We found dogs not only sense what their owners are feeling, if a dog knows a way to help them, they'll go through barriers … to help them," said Sanford, a graduate student in psychological and brain sciences at Johns Hopkins University who did the research as an undergraduate at Macalester College.

The experiment was prompted by the behavior displayed by the pet of co-author Julia Meyers-Manor, a former faculty member at Macalester who is now an assistant professor of psychology at Ripon College.

While playing with her children, Meyers-Manor was buried in pillows by her kids and began calling for help as if in distress.

"My husband didn't come rescue me, but, within a few seconds, my collie had dug me out of the pillows," she said in a news release. "I knew that we had to do a study to test that more formally."

The study's title, "Timmy's in the well: Empathy and prosocial helping in dogs," refers to an American cultural icon: Lassie, the canine superhero of 1950s TV, known for rushing to retrieve help for her person Timmy, a boy who had fallen down a well.

The research team also included Emma R. Burt, who's now a research technician at Cleveland Clinic.

Get ready for dogs – Phoenix is No. 6 city for pet-friendly vacation spots

Apparently, for 40 percent of people, going a week without the dog is more difficult than going a week without the significant other.

That's according to a series of surveys related to pet travel done by Orbitz, a travel company, and Rover, a pet care service.

They ranked Phoenix as the No. 6 city for pet-friendly vacation destinations.

It has lofty company: Los Angeles, Washington D.C., Chicago, New York and Houston make up the top five. Behind Phoenix is Atlanta, Denver, San Diego and Dallas.

It's not just significant others that take a back seat to pets. More people traveling with pets stayed at pet-friendly hotels than with friends or family or at a short-term vacation rental. Pet-friendly hotel searches rose 30 percent from the start of 2017 to that of 2018.

Not everybody can find a pet hotel, though, and that affects travel. Almost 30 percent of owners said they have skipped a trip to stay home with their pet.

When they are willing to leave, the pet sitter must be reliable; 60 percent of millennials said they have missed a trip because they couldn't find one.

The average owner planned to take three trips this summer, while millennials averaged five.

And even if the pets can't join them, 70 percent of owners will still bring a souvenir home for their buddy.

Pet Tales: Carnegie's Dogapalooza celebrates and entertains dogs

When Cristy Crawshaw was a junior at Carlynton High School, she wanted to organize a community project that would earn her the prestigious Girl Scout Gold Award.

"She came to me four years ago about doing a public safety program, and I said that is done quite often. I suggested she do something that would highlight dogs and the Carnegie Dog Park," said Jack Kobistek, who was mayor at that time.

Ms. Crawshaw organized and executed the Carnegie Dogapalooza in 2015, and she did get the Gold Award.

The event — with dogs as the honored guests — included a pet parade and costume contest. It was so popular with people and dogs that Ms. Crawshaw made it an annual affair on the first Sunday in June.

Now a rising junior at Point Park University, she's putting the finishing touches on Carnegie's fourth annual Dogapalooza, which will be 10 a.m.-2 p.m. June 3 at Carnegie Park on Forsythe Road. There is no admission charge and parking is free.

The number of vendors has grown from 20 last year to 30 this year, said Ms. Crawshaw, who lives with her family in Carnegie while working toward a bachelor's degree in sports, arts and entertainment management.

Pet Supplies Plus will offer free nail trims, Humane Animal Rescue will have low-cost vaccinations and Allegheny County treasurer John Weinstein will sell dog licenses. Hound Haven rescue in Washington County is bringing adoptable dogs.

The parade and costume contest starts at 1 p.m. with prizes for most creative and unique, funniest costume and Pittsburgh spirit.

There will be giveaways, including tickets for free games at Forsythe Miniature Golf, next to Carnegie Park. There will be raffles and donations collected for a dog-oriented cause not yet announced.

The Franktuary food truck will sell hot dogs and fries, and the Wish 99.7 Street Treat Patrol will hand out free snacks.

Carnegie Dog Park has two separate fenced areas where small and large dogs can play off-leash. They can also cool off at the "dog beach," which has three kiddie pools. There is also a free do-it-yourself dog bathing station, with shampoo.

Ms. Crawshaw credits borough manager Steve Beuter and Mr. Kobistek with helping her get Dogapalooza off the ground. They return the compliments.

"Dogapalooza is a big thing," Mr. Beuter said. "Cristy does a fantastic job and the borough supports her."

The dog park, which opened in May 2013, "is heavily utilized and is open to all, not just Carnegie residents," noted Mr. Kobistek, who is now a district justice in Carnegie.

On a recent sunny Sunday, many dogs and owners gathered in the large and small dog parks.

"The dogs here are all so welcoming," said Leeann Alley of Dormont.

Dogs played nicely, with no aggression. The owners — most of them regulars — supervised their pets while socializing and sharing dog stories.

Ms. Alley brings her high-energy 8-month-old puppy, Bailey, to the park for three hours every day. Ms. Alley said a DNA test indicates he is a Chihuahua-poodle mix.

Adopted last fall from Humane Animal Rescue, "this dog changed my life," Ms. Alley said. She served eight years in the Air Force, including deployments in Iraq in 2004 and 2005. "Bailey is like an emotional support dog for me."

Pet owners told to avoid buying dogs with cropped ears, as illegal trend grows

Pet owners are being urged not to buy dogs with cruelly cropped ears following an increase in reports of the practice.

The RSPCA has said it has seen a rising number of cases in which dogs have had their ears cropped or removed.

The practice is illegal under the Animal Welfare Act but has become more widespread as a result of people sharing pictures of dogs with cropped ears on social media.

There is now a growing trend for certain bull breed types to have cropped ears, such as American bullies, cane corsos, presa canarias and dobermans.

An RSPCA Special Operations Unit (SOU) officer - who works covertly and so cannot be identified for operational reasons - said: "Dogs with cropped ears are coming to our attention for lots of reasons. Many are being advertised on social media while others are being spotted at breed shows.

"We believe ear cropping is being carried out illegally in this country. And we also believe that many breeders, sellers and buyers are sending dogs abroad to have their ears cropped before bringing them back home."

The charity said there had been a 157 per cent increase in reported cases of ear cropping, with the number of going up from just 14 in 2015 to 36 last year. But RSPCA officials fear this may just be the tip of the iceberg.

"This is going on within certain close-knit breed groups so we believe that many cases are slipping through the net unnoticed and that the issue is actually much bigger than we are aware," said the SOU officer.

In November 2015, the RSPCA prosecuted a man and woman from Essex for causing unnecessary suffering to a doberman by 'splinting', the practice of inserting hard wooden or cardboard splints to force the cropped ears to grow upwards.

In some cases dogs are having their ears cropped in the UK illegally, while others are being sent abroad to have the procedure done.

Dr Samantha Gaines, RSPCA dog welfare expert, said: "Ear cropping is a process where ears are removed or surgically altered, usually for the purposes of appearance.

"It's a painful and wholly unnecessary process which does not benefit the dog in any way and can, in fact, be detrimental to their health, behaviour and welfare.

"We do not believe dogs should be mutilated for cosmetic purposes and we'd urge people not to buy a dog with cropped ears as - whether the process was carried out here or overseas - they still will have undergone this very painful process."

A warning to pet owners: Two dogs found dead after eating poisonous mushrooms from owner's yard

A Wake County woman has a warning for other pet owners after two of her dogs died over the weekend after eating poisonous mushrooms from her yard.

Janna Joyner works for a nonprofit that helps foster dogs and had six of her own.

"Her pack was incredibly tight, and she loved every one of them," said Joyner's friend, Nicole Kincaid.

Kincaid said Drago, a 3-year-old Saint Bernard, and Adoni, an 8-year-old lab retriever mix, were great dogs.

"Adoni was her first baby. She adopted him from Wake County Animal Shelter. Drago was a foster of hers. We call it a 'foster fail' when they don't adopt the dog out and they keep it for themselves," Kincaid said.

Joyner came home Sunday to find Adoni and Drago dead. The four other dogs were acting strange, stumbling and vomiting.

Kincaid works with Joyner at the nonprofit. She described her fellow pet lover as a "wonderful person and wonderful dog owner."

Joyner didn't want to do an interview, but she told WRAL's Claudia Rupcich that her dogs were like her babies.

"I can't even imagine," Kincaid said.

Joyner took them to the hospital where blood exams showed traces of Amatoxin, a toxin found in poisonous mushrooms.

“The really toxic ones are called Amanita mushrooms,” said David Dorman, a toxicology professor at N.C. State University's College of Veterinary Medicine.

Dorman says those types of mushrooms, nicknamed Death Cap or Death Angel, can cause liver failure. He says there is no antidote.

“A dog that consumes those mushroom can go from healthy to very clinically sick, to dead within 24 to 48 hours. So it's a very rapid disease syndrome,” said Dorman.

Dorman said the toxic mushrooms can vary in size and color. There is no way to know which are safe. He says if you have mushrooms in your yard, you should get rid of all of them.

“(It's) always best to cut them, bag them and throw them away. And then wash your hands yourself so you don't get exposed,” he said.

Kincaid and Joyner hope people will listen to that advice.

“She didn't know they were there, they were under the mulch. It's just scary to know how close it was to home and how it can happen to any dog,” said Kincaid. “That's what we're really hoping, that we can educate people.”

Dorman says if you see your dog eating a mushroom, you should treat it as a medical emergency and take your dog to the vet immediately. The vet can induce vomiting or do diagnosis to see if the mushroom is poisonous.

Family's terror as pet dog is snatched by bird of prey

A FAMILY told of their terror when their pet dog Sally was attacked by a bird of prey as they walked by the side of the River Wharfe in Lower Grass Wood, Grassington.

The bird, believed to be a Harris hawk, pounced on the Jack Russell, digging its talon into her mouth, gouging her tongue and dragging her about 15 metres towards the river as her owner Anthony Woollacott desperately tried to rescue her.

His wife Rachel and children Bethany, 13, and Alexander, ten, watched in terror as their dad struggled to free the seven-year-old dog by pushing the huge bird - the Harris hawk can have a wingspan of up to four feet - with his foot.

 Even after the hawk released Sally, it continued to follow the terrified family until it eventually responded to its owner on the other side of the river.

"The bird came from nowhere. We didn't know what had hit us. It lifted Sally off the path and dragged her down the river bank," said Rachel of Harper Grove, Sutton.

"Sally was trying to fight back as hard as she could but I really thought we were going to lose her.

"We'd seen the owner across the river - he was wearing a glove - and had shouted for him to call the hawk off. He was whistling but it didn't seem to be interested.

"Anthony managed to get the bird off Sally but as we walked away it followed us. I was petrified and the children were crying."

Sally was taken to Ashlands vets in Cross Hills and only then did the family realise how badly injured she was.

She had a talon hole in her gum and serious injuries to her tongue where the hawk had struck She was having to take water by syringe and soft food, said Rachel, who now fears going back to the area.

"She has been left with serious injuries inside her mouth. The vet has said she is very lucky.

"We've done research on these huge birds and found that you do not need a licence. Attacks are becoming more common. I think walkers, especially those with small children and dogs, need to be aware of this danger."

Ashlands veterinary surgeon Sam Burnell, who treated Sally after the attack, said: “I have never before heard of an attack on a dog by a hawk in the 14 years I have been in practice, so it has to be rare. Sally had some serious injuries but we expect her to make a full recovery.”

The Harris hawk is a popular bird for use in falconry because it is easy to train.

Grooming your pet can be a good bonding time

Bringing home a new pet over a holiday has its pros and cons, but supposing you are waking up to a puppy tomorrow, one of the first things you may have to tackle is keeping your little pet clean.

Dogs aren't capable of keeping themselves pristine the way cats do, so usually their human family gives a hand with grooming. However, if you're the type of person who thinks that a bath is a good start, be warned: this may not be a great idea.

Yin Tan, owner of Yin Mobile Pets Grooming Service in the Klang Valley, has been a pet groomer since 2014, and is certified by the Malaysian Kennel Association, Malaysian Groomers Association, and International Society of Canine Cosmetologists, USA.

"Having a bath can be frightening, and as pets will be nervous about being in a new environment with new people, you need to wait until they've settled down," Tan advises. "How long that takes, depends on the dog. A sign they trust you is when they come when you call, and let you hug them and pick them up without crying or barking.

"Also, talk to your vet. If your pet has just had a vaccination or flea treatment, you may need to wait. So get good advice."

While suds are out, a brushing session is a great idea, according to Max Kek, a groomer since 2003 and now owner of Do Do Pet, an ethical pet supply shop and groomer in Subang Jaya, Selangor.

"When you first brush your pet, he will wriggle and you may still be learning, so it won't be easy," he smiles. "You should try, though, because this is where you are building a relationship."

A short-haired dog is simple to maintain. Buy a soft bristle brush, and lean it gently against your pet's flank. Then brush, following the coat. Brush the lower back and flank, the move forward, do the chest, and finish with the tummy.

It's like being petted, so your dog should love it. However, pawpits and tummies are often ticklish.

Also, if your dog is shy, he may be afraid of lying on his back. This is because dogs feel very vulnerable when in that position. So take it slow and if your dog is nervous, stop, praise and leave it till next time. When every experience is positive, your pet will learn to relax and trust you.

For playful pups, expect to have the brush bitten and the session turn into a wrestling match. Be gentle!

Long-haired dogs are more complicated because feathery coats can be thick, layered and need special care.

"You can't use a human comb as they're not tough enough," Kek points out. "You need a doggy comb. Prices start around RM20."

Remember when you were a kid and you squealed when your mum combed the knots out of your hair? Long-haired dogs are prone to tangles and it hurts to have them combed out, too.

Groom your pet gently, starting at the flank, just like brushing a short-haired pet. If there are small tangles, hold the fur above the tangle with your fingers, to minimise tugging.

While you groom, talk nicely to your dog. Make it a loving session aimed at bonding, not a chore.

You should be combing a long-haired dog every day, but even then, the occasional knot is inevitable.

"You can't ignore knots because they pull on the skin, leaving it red and painful," Kek warns. "They have to be dealt with. Comb it out if you can. But if it's a bad tangle, you may need to cut it out. If you've never seen it being done, then go to the groomer and get a lesson."

After a week or two, when you and your dog have bonded and there's trust between you, you can start to think about bathing your pet. Short-haired dogs are easy as they dry fast. Just be certain to use a very mild shampoo that preserves the skin and natural oils.

As long-haired pets may have difficult coats, do consult a groomer first to see if you need special gear. You don't actually need to sign up for a bath; you can book a consultation where you get a lesson in what needs to be done.

"I'm always happy to teach," Tan says. "We all are, I think." And Kek agrees.

For that first bath, make sure you are working at a height you're comfortable with and have all your gear ready. You don't want to be searching for a towel with soaked pup in your arms!

"When you wash your pet, always start with the back of the body, and go slowly," Tan cautions. "Your furbaby may be frightened. Soap gently, and rinse carefully.

"The head is the most sensitive part of the dog, so whatever you do, don't start there. You don't want to get soap in their eyes or nose. In fact, if you want, leave the face, and just wipe afterwards with a damp cloth."

When you're done, stand back. Dogs with a fresh, clean coat tend to be frisky and ready for a game. So be prepared for zoomies, lots of barking and a happy face. If they've had your vaccinations, go to the park and play a bit of fetch.

Merry Christmas!

Meghan Markle has already charmed the Queen's corgis, Harry reveals

Meghan Markle has already charmed the Queen's notoriously unfriendly corgis, Prince Harry has revealed. He laughed as he described the moment he introduced Miss Markle to the Queen, saying the dogs took to her straight away.

"I've spent the last 33 years being barked at - this one walks in, absolutely nothing," he said. "Just wagging tails - and I was just like, argh."

Miss Markle added: "Just laying on my feet during tea. It was very sweet."

The 36-year-old American confirmed that one of her other great loves, her rescue dog, had moved to London with her.

She said Guy, a five-year-old labrador-shepherd cross, had arrived in the UK from their former home in Toronto several weeks ago.

Her other dog, Bogart, a six-year-old beagle, had remained in Canada with close friends.

"I have two dogs that I've had for quite a long time, both my rescue pups," she said.

"And one is now staying with very close friends and my other, little Guy, is - yes he's in the UK, he's been here for a while. I think he's doing just fine."

Miss Markle has described the dogs as "my boys," and said they “mean the absolute world" to her. They have made repeated appearances on her Instagram account, where she advocates adopting dogs in need of a home with the hashdag #adoptdontshop.

It was American comedian and chat show host Ellen DeGeneres who convinced the actress to adopt Bogart - her first pet - after she bumped into her in a shelter.

"She turns around and comes and taps on the window glass and she yells 'Take the dog!' And so I brought him home. Because Ellen told me to," she has said.

It has been claimed that Miss Markle declared Kensington Palace as her place of residence in early summer when she signed the "Notice 3" form, which is the Customs paperwork for the dogs.

Pets have to to be micro-chipped, given a rabies vaccination and a blood test 30 days later to secure a move to the UK.

Choi Siwon Reportedly Attacked By His Own Pet Dog When He Was On Military Leave

Recently, the accident that the pet dog of Super Junior's Siwon causing death to a neighboring woman has been gathering much attention from public and media.

Due to the shocking accident, the singer was even asked to drop out of his new drama titled Revolutionary Love. It is reported that the heartthrob also decided to sit out from Super Junior's recent fan event, which took place on October 23 and 24 in Japan.

On October 24, according to a local outlet, one of Choi's colleagues revealed that the idol was even bitten by his own pet when he was on his military leave. He said: “Choi Siwon went on leave and when he returned, he had a band-aid on his nose. He said his dog had bitten him.”

During his military service, the Super Junior member was usually the host of police ambassador's concerts. However due to his facial injury caused by his dog, the idol was not able to participate the event for a month. After that, he had to make an apology to other colleagues for affecting the event's schedule. Moreover, during that time, Choi's position in performances was also changed from the center to the edge of the stage.

Handmade With Love – Bridal Accessories From New Zealand

Now I know of late we've been showcasing lots and lots of beautiful new bridalwear collections but today, we're all about adorable finishing touches for your wedding day ensemble.

Yes indeed, this feature is an indulgent look at the glorious new bridal accessories collection from the incomparable Missy Dress. From their gorgeous boutique and workshop in  From New Zealand, the small talented team creates all of their bridal accessories by hand.

Missy Dress offer extraordinary service and whether you're purchasing online or treating yourself to a dedicated appointment in the boutique, you'll be spoilt from start to finish. Missy Dress's collection includes the most beautiful hair vines, headbands, combs, pins, belts, earrings, necklaces, bracelets and even gorgeous gifts for bridesmaids.

We're always adding to our collection and these new designs are inspired by our wonderful brides.

As our veils are ever popular, we wanted to expand the choice we offered to our brides so we've added a few different edging options with a beautiful simply braided edge in Nyla and a more statement horsehair edge veil with Atlas .

We've also had a play with our lace placement and have created a few cut edge veils with lace around the train like Poppy. These appeal to brides who still want lace but don't want their veil to detract from their dress.

Our Juliet cap veil collection has also been expanded and these veils are so popular with 1920s and 1930s style dresses. One of our favourite new designs is Saffron, a two-comb drape veil in silk style tulle. We also offer the option to personalise your veil so you can have your initials and wedding date hand embroidered to any part of your veil to make it extra special.

Veils can be a bit tricky to understand at first so we've written a comprehensive guide to wedding veils, which you can find on our website, and we always recommend brides buy our lace and tulle samples as colours on screen can vary from real life!

For our boho style brides, we've expanded our vine collection with some really intricate pieces like Mila, Sadie and Lori (pictured in that order below). These hand wired pieces take hours to make but we think the effect is worth it.

We've also created Lorna with a little bit of sparkle and this piece can be woven through your tresses so you just get glimpses of sparkle – a lovely effect. The Ginger vine is more of a glamorous piece and looks beautiful pinned to the side for real wow factor.

Our new jewellery includes bracelets, statement necklaces, back drop necklaces and earrings. We're really excited about our lariat back drop necklaces and they look amazing with a backless dress or our Saffron drape veil.

Jewellery is a great way to add your something blue' without going overboard. We love these sweet flowers with a tiny Swarovski ‘something blue' crystal twinkling in the centre.”

Lots of our brides have requested a greater range of belt designs so we have created the Avani belt, the silver leaves are such a favourite with brides, and Rylee, which is a classic bridal combination of crystals and pearls. There are more to come so watch this space!

I think our favourite piece from the new collection has to be River, a lovely head chain design and we can't wait to see lots of lovely brides styling this in lots of different ways. However, we're adding new pieces to the collection all the time so there's lots get excited about!

Pet swap: are chickens really the new dogs?

Are you a dog person or a chicken person? It is, by some accounts, the question bouncing around the gardens and smallholdings of the UK as more established pets cry “fowl” over a chicken coup. No longer happy to employ poultry as egg suppliers, we are reportedly embracing them as pets, with names and roaming rights.

“I keep finding eggs in the cat basket!” says Lucy Deedes of her own avian interlopers, Mrs Rochester and Miss Bates. The hens live in Deedes' Sussex garden but enjoy coming inside (the kitchen is off-limits lest the birds endanger the council hygiene rating Deedes requires for her marmalade business.

Hen expert Kathy Shea Mormino, AKA the Chicken Chick, says in her new book, The Chicken Chick's Guide to Backyard Chickens, that new owners, like her, soon realise hens make good companions. “It was a shock to me when I started giving them names,” she told the LA Times. Deedes, 62, agrees: “If I'm lying in the garden on a sunny day they come and flop beside me and when the dog jumps in the car to go somewhere, I'll see the chickens standing there thinking, ‘shall we hop in, too?'” She does not walk her hens but did once incubate a rejected egg in her bra; she says it hatched while she queued at the post office. But are chickens really the new dogs? Britain's domestic fowl population has been a fairly stable 500,000 since 2010, according to the Pet Food Manufacturers' Association's annual survey (about the same as guinea pigs, but no threat to our 8.5m dogs). But anecdotal evidence of warming relations is rife, and is expected to grow after the release of Pecking Order, a documentary set inside New Zealand's cutthroat show hen scene (think Crufts with clucks).

“A lot more of our members are treating them as pets, particularly those with young children,” says Pedro Moreira, chair of the Surrey Poultry Society. “They're very sociable animals and all have their own characters and routines.” He advises would-be hen-keepers to first consult neighbours and the council (they're classed as livestock and not always allowed in gardens) and to research coop size.

Deedes says her hens have passed peak egg production, but she has no plans to dispatch them. Meanwhile, her friends are getting chickens, too.

“One has a hen called Sir Cliff, because she looked like a shirt Cliff Richard once wore,” she says, before getting back to her marmalade.

Are Dogs Probiotic?

Archaeological records suggest we've been close with our pets for some time: About 10,000 years ago we started to co-habitate with cats drawn to the well-fed rodents scurrying around our farms. In ancient Egypt millions of pet dogs were buried in elaborate tombs adorned with expensive gifts and inscriptions. As a result, we've likely been swapping cuddles and microbial critters with domesticated animals for many generations.

Today those pets are clearly still at home in our homes. And plenty of headlines tout that beyond snuggles and companionship our four-legged friends offer other benefits—like improved mental and physical health.

But not so fast. A rash of recent research presents a more muddled picture of what pets bring into our lives—from microbe swaps that can alter our gut environment to emotional well-being. Just consider the family dog: Fresh from a romp through the woods or an inquisitive sniff of a butt or two, he will impart a nip, nuzzle or slobbery smooch—perhaps transferring legion microbes with each encounter. Current science suggests that might be a good thing—but only for some of us.

First, let's talk allergies. Numerous works tell us that having a dog appears to reduce rates of pet allergies if first exposure takes place very early in life. Many microbiome researchers believe those exposures to pets' microbial milieu during infancy—in the form of pet dander—may specifically train the immune system to deal with pets and other allergens. (The theory goes: without those early exposures to certain bugs and infectious agents the natural development of the immune system is essentially stunted.) But as one May 2017 study of thousands of kids and adults concludes, the timing of such exposures appears to be key: When first pet exposures occur as a teen or young adult, risk of pet allergy actually appears to increase.

There's more bad news: Pets can also cause other problems. Lizards and turtles can carry salmonella. Parrots can carry the causative agent of psittacosis—which causes severe pneumonia in humans. And evidence has accrued that many of our furry friends can carry serious infectious agents including "superbug" MRSA, giardia, and other pathogens and parasites.

Even our modern understanding about the mental health benefits from pet ownership continues to evolve. For many decades there was widespread acceptance about the mental health benefits of unwinding with a pet. But that picture was complicated by a 2010 study of nearly 40,000 people in Sweden that found pet owners were physically healthier than those without pets yet they suffered from more mental health problems than their sans-pet peers. Now the science remains unsettled about who may benefit from pet ownership or even why such relationships could help.

We do know pets help us get outside to play or walk them, which increases physical activity. Some of these positive effects may be mediated by microbiome changes in response to decreased cortisol levels, but scientists are still looking for definitive answers, says Rob Knight, who studies these questions at the University of California, San Diego.

What about other physical health benefits? Several research groups are looking into that now. In one ongoing study Knight and collaborators have asked 17 lucky senior citizens to agree to be randomized to receive a dog or not. Then they (and the dogs) submit to months of regular health checkups and share their poop with researchers who map out its microbial makeup. Knight's group plans to have some results from this study in the next year.

Meanwhile other research groups are also looking for connections between pet ownership and obesity—exploring if certain microbial swaps might help or hurt the midlines of pets and people. Current evidence actually suggests heavier people have heavier pets—a puzzling phenomenon, which some scientists believe could be due to microbial swaps that go in the person-to-pooch direction. It may sound far-fetched but there are some early hints that "fat" microbe transfers are possible: Studies in the past few years do suggest we can make mice fatter or thinner by transferring microbes from fatter or thinner people to them.

Personally, though, right now I'm not counting on any big benefits from pet ownership except looking into those adorable puppy eyes. For me, that's enough.

Your Dog Can Easily Learn How to Dial 911 and Save Your Life

In the pet adoption world the phrase, "Who rescued who?" is popular. Pets bring so many positive things into our lives, it can seem like they are the ones who saved us. Now, it turns out they really can.

Melody Jackson, an associate professor and director of the animal-computer interaction lab at the Georgia Institute of Technology, and her team are working on finding new ways dogs can help their owners during medical emergencies, reports CNN.

One of their most recent developments is a touchscreen designed for dogs to use during an emergency. Jackson has found that canines can be trained to use this device, which is similar to a telephone, to contact help when they see their owners fall or when they hear a specific signal from their human.

"The dog could go over to a touchscreen and touch a series of icons on the touchscreen and call 911 with your location," says Jackson, who was inspired to start the FIDO Project at Georgia Tech, after her grandmother fell and could not reach anyone for help. "We think that, literally, this could change lives, make lives so much better, and be a life-saver."

Along with improving communication between dogs and humans, Jackson also works as a dog trainer, and is confident that the touchscreen her team is working on will be easy for dog owners and their companions or service pets to learn.

"A medical alert dog may need to summon 911 for their person who is having a seizure. Or a military working dog might need to tell their handler what kind of explosive they just found," she said. "The dogs had no way reliably to do this. So we started focusing on technology to allow working dogs and specifically service dogs to communicate."

Jackson and her team have already trained several dogs to approach the touchscreen and press three different buttons when they hear the 'help' command. In the real world, this action would trigger the device to call a preprogrammed emergency contact like a family member or 911.

This command requires three buttons to prevent accidental bumps and misdials. From the color of the buttons to the size of the device, FIDO Project has designed everything about the touchscreen to be dog-friendly.

Along with this touchscreen, FIDO Project is also working on a vest for dogs that comes equipped with an emergency cord either owners or pets can pull. When activated, this cord would be able to call emergency contacts, or play a pre-recorded message to alert others in the area. This last option would be especially helpful to diabetic alert dogs and seizure detection dogs, allowing them to tell bystanders that their owner is having a seizure and in need of help.

The future of health care is looking optimistically furry!

Pet dogs are the new must-have accessory at the smarter office

After a half-hour walk to work each morning, Joy likes to grab a drink and head to her desk … where she promptly curls up underneath it and has a nap.

Joy is an eight-month-old golden retriever and she goes to the office with her owner, Carol DuPuis. These days, especially at tech companies, you're as likely to find a dog in the office as you are a pot plant or watercooler. For startups particularly, allowing dogs is an easy, cheap way of attracting and retaining millennials, on top of the free snacks, pinball machines and gym membership.

The Google code of conduct states "affection for our canine friends is an integral facet of our corporate culture". At Amazon, around 2,000 employees have registered their pets at its headquarters in Seattle so they can take them in – reception desks are stocked with biscuits, some water fountains are set at dog height, and there's an off-leash park – also open to the public – where staff can exercise their pets.

DuPuis is a partnerships manager at ReachNow, a US car-sharing app. "My favourite part about bringing Joy into the office is the joy she brings to my colleagues – pun intended. It's tough not to love the puppy energy, it just feels so nice," she said. Joy spends part of her day sleeping, but she also joins DuPuis for meetings and likes to sniff around for bits of peanut butter pretzel that have fallen on the floor.

Gemma Huckle, head of content and culture at London brands agency Rooster Punk, knows all about the pleasure dogs can bring. Her French bulldog, Amelie, has changed the mood in the office since her arrival two years ago.

Huckle said: "She's made it feel like a home from home: the atmosphere is warmer and more sociable. If someone's feeling a bit down in the dumps or stressed out, they usually come and see the dog. Just five minutes pampering or playing with her seems to perk everyone up. Having the dog is also great for our physical health, as it gives everyone an excuse to get out of the office and get some air."

Amelie was crowned StartPup 2016 after Rooster Punk shot a video of her in the office and entered her in the world's first competition to find the best dog belonging to a startup. Huckle recommends having dogs at work. "It helps staff bond and I think it reinforces positive work behaviours – people seem to be more friendly and approachable."

Around 8% of US and UK employers allow dogs at work. A 2016 survey by Banfield pet hospital found that 82% of employees feel a greater sense of loyalty to pet-friendly companies, 88% think pets at work improve morale and 86% say they reduce stress.

Laura Wolf, global content manager at digital creative agency Possible, based in Seattle, said her chihuahua-dachshund mix, Boomer, is a "real morale booster". She also helps break the ice with new colleagues. "You get to know people through your dog, people stop to cuddle her. She'll sit on my lap during meetings; sleep next to my desk while I'm working; visit colleagues she knows who'll give her a treat."

Being able to take dogs to work was a major perk, Wolf said. "Younger people are getting married way later and choosing to have a pet instead of a child early on. Doggy daycare is expensive and it's great to have that flexibility of being able to take your dog around with you.

"It's beneficial to the company as well. The likelihood of people having to leave to get home to their dog or come in late because they're walking their dog is much less."

Companies have rules to ensure workplaces are safe, especially for staff or clients with allergies. At Possible, for example, dogs must be vaccinated, they can't be aggressive or run around off-leash, and they are asked not to return if they foul the office more than three times.

In the UK, dogs have long been going into offices in the pet sector, such as Pets at Home, Mars Petcare and the charity Blue Cross, and they are becoming welcome at other types of businesses too, for example model agency Next Management and online retailer Firebox.

In the US firms such as Ben & Jerry's and Build-a-Bear Workshop allow dogs, and the idea is spreading to the public sector. The department of the interior is to trial take-your-dog-to-work days, the first federal government office to do so. Dogs are also becoming more common in places such as dental surgeries, boutiques and hair salons.

Dentist Cameron Garrett and his wife Debra, a hygienist, take their elderly rescue dog, Karma, to their practice in Corte Madera, California. Debra said: "Some of our patients are dental-phobic and say that having Karma on their lap makes all the difference – and many more just like dogs.

"Karma keeps me calm too and makes my day feel that much nicer. I'm dental-phobic myself. I needed a filling recently and bought Karma with me and it does help. I know from both sides of the chair."