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.