Barking mad? British taxi driver paid to pick up pet dog - from Madrid

Stock photo: PA

Us English folk are well-known for being dog-lovers, but one British pooch might be more pampered than the rest.

A British taxi driver has been commissioned to pick up a lady's dog - all the way to Madrid and back.

John Jupp said he was called by the owner of the dog who lives in Knightsbridge, London, and was offered a fare for a round-trip to the Spanish capital

According to the Metro, he told the London Evening Standard: 'As she had previously been a good customer, I said yes. She then asked me to give her a price to pick the dog up and bring it to her house in Knightsbridge, so I asked her for the address. Her reply was truly a moment I will not forget – Madrid.'

Mr Jupp is keeping tight-lipped about exactly how much he charged to do the job, but he revealed that he took a 16-hour drive to Calais from Madrid, where he came across a problem because the do's vet certificate had expired by six hours.

But, after a fee of £100 was paid, the taxi man and his dog were allowed to continue their journey to Knightsbridge.

That's one much-loved mutt.

Article by Ruth Doherty, for AOL

How to Determine a Dog's Age in Human Years

Determine a Dog's Age in Human Years

It has always been commonly believed that each year of a dog's life is equivalent to seven in human years. However, this isn't exactly accurate, since a one-year-old dog can give birth, whereas a seven-year-old child cannot. And how would you explain the world's oldest living dog on record making it to 29? (That would be 203 in human years!) Then, of course, there's your 11-year-old dog that sure seems frisky for 77. That is why veterinarians have determined that 77 is the "new 60" and have come up with a more accurate way to calculate a dog's age in human years. The following steps will show you how.

Difficulty:

 

Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• A calculator (depending on how good at math you are)

1. • 1
     If a dog is a year old, that is the equivalent of 15 in human years (not seven as we always thought).
   • 2
     When a dog reaches the age of two, he is already approximately 24 in human years (not 14 as commonly believed). But not to worry, read on.
   • 3
     Add four years to every year after age two. For example, a three-year-old dog is equivalent to 28 in human years; a four-year-old is 32, a five-year-old, 36, a six-year-old, 40--and so on.
   • 4
     Take the dog's size into consideration, since smaller dogs generally have longer life spans than larger dogs, with toy breeds tending to live the longest and giant breeds, the shortest. For example, according to the above method, a six-year-old dog is considered 40 in human years, when in fact a larger dog may actually be closer to 42. However, veterinarians consider this a good general chart to follow for all dogs.

Tips & Warnings

• The average canine life span is about 12 years, but varies by breed.
• Most dogs are considered seniors when they reach the age of seven, however it's generally a year or two older for toy or smaller breeds and a year or two younger when a giant breed becomes a senior.
• A border collie in Britain lived to be 27 on a vegan diet, although there is no conclusive evidence that a vegan diet will make a dog live longer.

By Melissa Maroff, eHow Contributor
How to Determine a Dog's Age in Human Years

Mushing beneath the Northern Lights

Huskies. Arctic Circle. Wilderness. Aurora Borealis. All words and phrases evocative of mystery and adventure at the end of the world. And they’re all there waiting for you when you go dog sledding in Swedish Lapland.

SWEDEN is a wonderful destination for dog sledding, and Swedish Lapland, in the far north of the country deep within the Arctic Circle, offers some of the country’s most spectacular scenery and a wide variety of ways to experience the thrill of driving your own dogsled.

From the vast lowland landscape of deep forests, frozen lakes and rivers to the majestic mountain regions; from the magic of a display of the Northern Lights in the night sky to the joy of working closely with your own team of huskies, the reasons to go dog sledding in Swedish Lapland are many and varied!

Giving a Husky hug

For dog lovers with a taste for adventure, dog sledding is an obvious holiday choice. Contrary to many people’s expectations, the dogs are extremely friendly and thrive on human contact and attention. There is nothing a sled dog likes better than a hug at the end of a day on the trail! The dogs typically used for mushing in Swedish Lapland are Siberian Huskies. Their strength, energy and their thick coats make them ideal for dog sledding in a region where typical winter temperatures can be anything from just a few degrees below zero to -30 degrees C or less.

It’s normal to feel a little uncertain at the start, but you will always be given full instruction from your guide in harnessing your team and managing the sled before departure. Even the most hesitant novice musher will normally be surprised how quickly they gain confidence and after a short time you should be justly proud of your new mushing skills and be able to really relax into and enjoy the adventure. The first time you try to harness your dogs you will probably end up in a real tangle, but it’ll soon become second nature.

Man’s best friend

A dogsled tour is a very “hands-on” experience – in addition to driving your own sled, everyone gets involved in the care of the dogs and the various duties around the cabins. A typical day on a multi-day dogsled tour begins with making a fire in the cabin, heating water for the dogs, then going out to feed the dogs and clear their toilet waste. Four dogs to a team and a maximum of six participants per tour (plus guide) makes 28 huskies, so this part can take some time!

Then you have breakfast, pack everything together, clean out the cabin, load the sleds and take to the trail. During the day, you will stop to have lunch outdoors along the way. When you reach your destination for the day, you will put the dogs on a long wire for the night – while you are tucked up in bed, the dogs will be sleeping outside, but don’t worry, their thick fur is ideally suited to withstand the worst of the Arctic winter. In bad weather, it may be necessary dig a wall of snow for the dogs to protect them from the wind and depending on facilities and your accommodation, you may also need to melt water for the dogs to drink. After feeding and seeing to your team, it’s time to relax and enjoy your evening – reflecting on the day’s adventures with your fellow mushers, preparing and cooking dinner together and maybe even taking a sauna to soothe those tired muscles!

The distance covered in a day’s mushing will depend on a number of factors such as snow consistency and the nature of the terrain, but typical distances are around 20-50km.

Land of the endless nights

Winter in Swedish Lapland comes early and stays late, with the season for dog sledding beginning around mid-November and extending until late April. The later part of the winter season in March and April, known as “Spring Winter” by the indigenous Sami people, is the period when conditions become suitable for dog sledding up in the Lapland mountains.

Anytime during the season is a good time to go, and each part of the Arctic winter has its own special atmosphere. The darkest (and usually coldest) period between November and February offers the unique atmosphere of the deep midwinter, with the long hours of darkness giving very good chances to see a display of the magicalAurora. By March, the longer hours of daylight and normally milder temperatures allow you to experience the best of both worlds – the stark beauty of the snow covered mountains and the warming spring sun on your face!

Mush, mush, mush

A dog sledding holiday is suitable for a very wide range of travellers. While people of any age choose to take part, dog sledding can be a challenging activity – you will need to assist your dogsled team at times by jogging or “scooting” behind the sled for short periods, especially on uphill sections or in heavy snow conditions. But, a general good level of fitness, love of the outdoor life and a willingness to work closely with your team is more important than strength.

Mushing is a unique adventure. The friendliness and energy of the dogs, the joy of working closely with your team and getting to know their individual personalities, the beauty of the winter landscape and the excitement and challenge of driving your own sled all might just add up to a tempting combination for your next winter holiday!

Nature Travels, the UK specialists for outdoor experiences in Sweden, offer a wide range of dog sledding tours in Swedish Lapland. For more info, visit Naturetravels.co.uk

Article by Bob Carter for Australian Times
Mushing beneath the Northern Lights

Strangers Give Blind Dog Gift of Sight for Christmas

Phil Yeomans/BNPS

For Caspar the dog it will be a merry Christmas, indeed.

Generous gifts from thousands of strangers has helped pay for life-changing cataract surgery that restored the dog's sight, according to the U.K.'s Express.

"We've been overwhelmed by the generosity of people," said the dog's new owner, Sally Baker, a volunteer with the charity Dogs Friends which initially rescued the puppy in April. "Caspar has touched everyone's hearts. I can't thank everyone enough."

Baker distributed fliers around town in Bristol, England, seeking donations to pay for the dog's $3,000 eye surgery and in a matter of weeks over $10,000 flowed in. The leftover cash has helped fund procedures for three other dogs.

Among the contributors were children who sent in pocket money and a 93-year-old man who shared a portion of his pension, the Express said.

If Caspar could, he'd probably thank each donor personally. "It's completely changed his life," said Baker. "It's gone from one of total darkness to one of light and happiness."

Article posted on People Pets 

Almost Half Of Britain’s Dogs Will Receive A Christmas Lunch

Christmas is a time the whole family get together, a time to enjoy and cherish the memories made and it seems Britain’s dog owners are taking this message to heart as a new survey reveals. Britain’s lucky canines can expect to enjoy the festive season as much as their owners as an incredible 49% of owners will be preparing them their very own special doggie dinner on Christmas day.

According to the recent survey carried out on behalf of Direct Line Pet Insurance, of the 1,021 dog owners questioned, almost half (49%) are planning to make a special Christmas meal for their dogs and with 46% planning a special family walk with their dog, it will soon be walked off!

Adam Whiteley, head of pet insurance at Direct Line, offered this advice to dog owners:

“Dog owners going to the trouble of cooking a special Christmas dinner for their best furry friend are clearly doing so out of love and festive spirit. It’s worth remembering that there are a few things dogs shouldn’t eat at all, even on special occasions, as doing so can make them very ill or even cause death in extreme cases. Chocolate, raisins, onions, and added salt should all be avoided, as should sharp or small bones. It’s a good idea to make sure that all food items and treats are stored well out of reach of pets, during the holidays and all year round.”

According to the survey, 89% of Britain’s dogs can expect a delivery from Santa left under the tree for them to spend the holidays enjoying.

40% Britain’s dogs will have an average of £10 on presents spent this year with a lucky 9% having gifts worth more than £100 awaiting them.

Toys are the most favoured present of choice, but pampering with collars, leads and clothes also top the list of most desired presents.

However, with 26% of Britain’s dogs enjoying chewing presents, it might be advisable to make sure Santa’s little four legged helpers have someone keeping an eye out for them.

K9 Magazine editor Ryan O’Meara offered this thoughts on the findings,“The fact that nearly half of all dog owners are preparing to fully include their canine pals in the Christmas festivities is indicative of just how much the relationship between pets and their owners has changed in modern times. Dogs are now considered fully fledged members of the family and this research highlights just how seriously owners take that relationship. Dogs bring us so much joy every day, it’s nice to hear that owners take great delight in including them at this special time.”

Posted by K9 Magazine

Architects tour greenest dogs home

Architects from across the Midlands visited the world’s “greenest” dog rescue centre recently. They were among a 60 strong delegation invited to tour the innovative Dogs Trust Shrewsbury complex built by Shropshire construction company McPhillips (Wellington) Ltd which opened in August 2011 and has been described by one local MP as “doggy heaven.”

    
The cutting edge £5.25 million eco-friendly re-development of the Canine Rehoming Centre for the Dogs Trust was sustainably designed and the scheme has been such a success that the company are currently building another Rehoming Centre for Dogs Trust in Loughborough with work running to schedule on the £7.1m project, due for completion in April 2012.

The architects and surveyors from Shropshire, Worcestershire, Staffordshire, Wolverhampton, Birmingham, Sandwell and the Black Country were given a 40 minute exclusive tour of the centre at Roden, near Shrewsbury as part of a half day visit. They were joined by Shropshire Council and Telford & Wrekin Council members and representatives of the PDSA, RSPCA, Chester Zoo and Telford College. Students on a construction course at Shrewsbury College were later given a tour by McPhillips to show them a completed project.

They inspected the new “green technology” including Warmcell insulation from recycled paper, electricity generated from solar photovoltaic panels, a Biomass district heating plant and natural vegetation in the form of a green roof for added insulation. The landscaping and biodiversity of the site has been enhanced by the planting of native trees and the introduction of sustainable drainage and rainwater recycling.

Innovative features have reduced energy consumption by 70 per cent over a traditional rehoming facility and the centre has achieved an A+ rating for energy efficiency under the UK Building Regulations.

“Passivhaus” principles were used in the construction to provided excellent thermal performance, insulation and airtightness, minimising heat waste, and as a result the centre requires very little artificial heating.

Project manager Carl Ayling spoke about the development and how rigorous testing of the air barrier membrane was carried out to ensure very low air permeability and prevent heat loss through air leakage. He praised the very successful close collaboration and working partnership with the designers, Peter Napier and Co.

The centre is carbon neutral and is self-sustainable in its energy requirements, using bio-fuels to provide heating and generating its own electricity through photovoltaic (solar) panels.

The new buildings have been certified as “Outstanding” under the flagship BREEAM accreditation, being one of only a handful of buildings in the UK achieving this top level classification.

Dogs Trust Shrewsbury has been designated as a “Demonstration Project” by Constructing Excellence as an exemplar of how a sustainable building should be built and to influence change in the construction industry. Jon DeSouza, Director of Constructing Excellence said “Dogs Trust Shrewsbury is a fantastic example of how integrated and collaborative working leads to better sustainability outcomes on projects.”

The centre has been constructed to give dogs a stress free environment while awaiting rehoming and has received a tail wagging approval rating from its new occupants who took up permanent residence in August.

The Dogs Trust home was completed in two phases over 12 months allowing the centre to remain open and operational. The first phase from June to December 2010 demolished six buildings and upgraded kennels to temporarily accommodate the rehoming centre on the 14 acre site while the new 2,700sq metre centre was built in phase two and consists of a reception and rehoming building, intake kennels, training and behavioural centre and veterinary facilities.

Article from Green Building Press

What is the Easiest Way to Housebreak a Puppy?

Consistency is the key to housebreaking a puppy. Everyone in your household must be on the same page when it comes to teaching the puppy where to go potty and where not to. One of the easiest ways to housebreak a puppy is to crate train it. Puppies do not like to soil their bedding and learn that they can "hold" their bladders and bowels until it is time to go outside. Positive reinforcement for all good deeds helps the puppy understand when it has done a good job.

Difficulty:

 Moderate

Things you'll need: 

Dog Crate

Baby or pet gates

House training is one of the first things your puppy should learn.

Instructions

1

Set a feeding schedule for your puppy. Feed your puppy at the same time every day and share this schedule with the rest of the household. Take the puppy outside 30 to 40 minutes after it eats. As the puppy gets older, the time between eating and going outside can get longer.

1. • 2
     Supervise your puppy constantly. Never let your puppy out of your sight--an unattended puppy might have accidents. Keep the puppy confined to the room with you by using baby or pet gates, blocking access to hallways and adjoining rooms. If your puppy does have an accident, make sure you thoroughly clean and odor neutralize the area.
   • 3
     Watch your puppy for elimination signs. Recognize the pre-potty pattern of circling and sniffing the floor. Pick the puppy up using a cue word such as "outside," and take it to an elimination area.
   • 4
     Watch the puppy to verify it has eliminated. As the puppy eliminates use a cue words such as "go poopie," "go potty," "go tee tee" or any other comfortable cue words. Share these cue words with the rest of your household, so that everyone uses the same cue words.
   • 5
     Praise the puppy when it eliminates outdoors. Do not play with the puppy until after it eliminates, and then praise it enthusiastically and offer treats for being a good dog.
   • 6
     Crate the puppy when it cannot be watched. Purchase a crate large enough to accommodate the puppy as it grows. Most crates come with partitions that you can move to increase the size available to the puppy as it gets older. Provide the puppy with a blanket and toys; do not provide food and water while crated.
   • 7
     Take the puppy outside to eliminate before you crate it, and take the puppy outside immediately after you take it from the crate. At two months of age, you can leave the puppy in the crate for one hour. Add an hour for each month of its age. A 3-month-old puppy can stay in the crate for four hours.
   • 8
     Leave the puppy in the crate only for short periods of time (except for overnight). Do not leave the puppy in the crate all day while you work. Let the puppy out of the crate at lunchtime or have someone come by and let the puppy out during the workday. According to Dog Breed Info Center, a puppy left in the crate all day can become destructive and unhappy. Make sure to take the puppy outside immediately when you take it from the crate.
   • 9
     Discipline the puppy only when you catch the puppy in the act of eliminating. If you did not see the accident happen, do not discipline the puppy for it. If you catch the puppy in the act, quickly pick up the puppy, sternly but gently say your cue word for going outside and take the puppy out. Praise the puppy when it eliminates outside even if the puppy started indoors.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep the puppy's crate in your bedroom overnight. This encourages the puppy to sleep when you sleep. Younger puppies under the age of three months may need a bathroom break during the night. For example, a 2-month-old puppy may need to eliminate every two or three hours, a 3-month-old puppy may need to eliminate every four hours, while a 4-month-old puppy can sleep all night without the need to eliminate. If the puppy has an accident while confined to his crate, clean the crate and bedding with ammonia free pet odor neutralizer.
  
  
  By Cecilia Harsch, eHow Contributor