The Times newspaper tells us that there has been a 6% rise in demand for pest control because of the coronavirus pandemic. Rats have moved into buildings such as storage facilities and office blocks which were temporarily abandoned as the … Continue reading →
Dachshunds are particularly popular at the moment, during coronavirus lockdowns. But they’ve always been popular. The second reason is layered over the first. The short legs of the Dachshund have been created through selective breeding with tunnelling duties in mind. … Continue reading →
This is Poppy a goldendoodle before and after her haircut. Quite a transformation I think you will agree. In fact she looks like a different dog entirely. Perhaps the barber went a bit too far. I’m sure some people would … Continue reading →
In an interesting twist, the US Geological Survey has advised American researchers to wear personal protective equipment and take Covid-19 tests before handling bats in order to protect them from a potential transmission from the researchers to the bats. It’s … Continue reading →
Leaving your dog alone while you work is problematic. The pandemic is about to create a fresh problem with respect to dog ownership. Workers have suddenly found themselves with long hours and days with their dog companions during lockdowns. They’ve … Continue reading →
NEWS AND COMMENT: This is an update on the viral news about the surge in dog thefts in the UK and I assume in other countries. The dramatic increase in dog thefts has been brought about by the Covid pandemic … Continue reading →
Sniffer dogs have proved to be more accurate than Covid-19 tests devised by scientists, which is why they are being deployed at places where normal testing is difficult such as at airports. They are being used already in some EU … Continue reading →
If you are reading the newspapers from cover to cover as I do you would be unlikely to miss the almost weekly stories of dogs being stolen sometimes under violent conditions by determined thieves. The most recent and perhaps most … Continue reading →
There is a report in The Times today about dogs bought and adopted during the Covid pandemic lockdowns becoming fractious and difficult. They are showing signs of distress and they are starting to snap. We know that people have become … Continue reading →
The RSPB runs an annual garden birdwatching survey which anyone can participate in and they report the birds that they spot in their back garden online on the RSPB website or an affiliated website. The charity says that participants in … Continue reading →
NEWS AND COMMENT: News media is currently bombarding readers with news about dog theft in the UK. It appears to be an epidemic brought about by inflated prices for pedigree dogs because of demand and the increased demand has in … Continue reading →
In the UK there has been a 150% increase in Google searches for “buy a puppy” since the first lockdown. This indicates an almost manic desire by some people to adopt a pet dog. This attitude has been brought about … Continue reading →
Joe Wicks, the fitness guru who achieved celebrity during these extensive coronavirus lockdowns while providing online exercise regimes on his YouTube channel, has made a bit of a blooper by promoting the French bulldog which is an inherently unhealthy animal. … Continue reading →
Yesterday I had my first dose of the AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine. Within about three hours I started to feel a bit feverish. Today, about 12 hours later, it feels like I have a low level fever. My joints ache a … Continue reading →
There is an increased demand for “lockdown pets”. These are companion animals designed to keep people company during these frequent lockdowns due to the coronavirus pandemic. There’s been a surge in demand for puppies and fancy-looking toy dogs such as … Continue reading →
Zoo gorillas should be given the Covid-19 vaccination because scientists have discovered that captive gorillas at a zoo in California have contracted the disease from, they believe, an asymptomatic member of staff. It is the first known instance of the … Continue reading →
NEWS AND COMMENT: Phoenix Rehoming are a dog rescue organisation with a presence online including on social media. They are based in Fareham, Hampshire, UK. On occasions they import what I believe to be rescue dogs from Romania. In their … Continue reading →
There is a fear in some quarters that Covid-19 will mutate in an animal reservoir where it will then be transmitted to people who will have no defence against it despite being inoculated with one of the current vaccines. There … Continue reading →
Edinburgh Zoo may have to return their giant pandas to China due to financial limitations brought about by the coronavirus pandemic. Currently Edinburgh Zoo is leasing, under a 10 year deal with the Chinese government, a pair of giant pandas … Continue reading →
As predicted by the dog rescue organisations in the UK, including the RSPCA and the Dogs Trust, people who adopted pupies for the first time during the initial lockdown in the spring of 2019 (and later) are now, in quite … Continue reading →
