Country diary: Trouble beneath the blackthorn

Country diary: Trouble beneath the blackthorn

A calf from last year stands alone, nibbling bramble leaves, more bored by the idleness than hungry.‘Fed before dawn, the beasts now lie cudding, eyes half closed, contented.’ Photograph: Sarah LaughtonI move among them familiarly; all born on the farm, they have been handled from an early age.

It's Football 'Fright' in America! See TODAY's big Halloween 2021 reveal

It's Football 'Fright' in America! See TODAY's big Halloween 2021 reveal

TODAYThose Bucs jerseys may not have been a welcome sight to the next costumed TODAY co-host, as Craig Melvin came out in a red Kansas City Chiefs uniform and headband dressed as superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

Lilac dogs: the cruel new craze that commodifies our faithful friends

Lilac dogs: the cruel new craze that commodifies our faithful friends

Go anywhere where people have more money than sense and you’ll be inundated with lilac dogs.Why are rich people spray-painting their dogs lilac?These people aren’t painting their dogs lilac.And the Kennel Club knows a thing or two about canine health issues.

Adorable sleeping habits of dogs revealed in infographic

Adorable sleeping habits of dogs revealed in infographic

Almost half of dogs have amused their owners by waking themselves up after breaking wind (Image: SWNS)Six in ten (59 percent) admitted they should educate themselves more on dogs and their sleeping patterns to ensure they're living a healthy life.

These common home and garden plants are actually poisonous to dogs

These common home and garden plants are actually poisonous to dogs

Daffodils Tulips Clematis Geranium Hydrangeas Bluebells Snowdrops Rhododendrons Irises Azaleas The charity advises that owners also need to watch out for substances such as insecticides and poisons used in treating common garden nuisances (used by 39% of dog owners) that can be potentially toxic to dogs.

Mum's warning to dog owners after pet nearly dies eating an Easter egg

Mum's warning to dog owners after pet nearly dies eating an Easter egg

PDSA Senior Vet Soo Ming Teoh, said: ‘We estimated that Bailey had eaten about half an Easter egg, which is an extremely dangerous amount for a dog of his very small size, therefore we knew he was at risk of serious disturbances to his heart rhythm or even seizures.

What’s worse than discovering a mouse problem? Half a mouse problem

What’s worse than discovering a mouse problem? Half a mouse problem

In the afternoon, the oldest one throws away all the old seeds and hoovers the drawers, but the mouse returns at night.

Deaf cocker spaniel rescued by JCB after 30 hours down 20ft rabbit hole

Deaf cocker spaniel rescued by JCB after 30 hours down 20ft rabbit hole

Dizzy was lifted from the hole and reunited with an emotional Duncan as onlookers cheered (Picture: Duncan Flowers / SWNS) The dog was stuck down a 20ft rabbit hole for 30 hours (Picture: Duncan Flowers / SWNS)The self-employed roofer, from Worcestershire, said: ‘We started digging, we didn’t even know she was in there, but I just had an inkling.

Small dog surrounded by six police officers and tasered but it still escapes

Small dog surrounded by six police officers and tasered but it still escapes

This is the shocking moment half a dozen police officers surround a dog in the street before attempting to taser it.A taser is fired but the dog gets away (Picture: SWNS)An eyewitness said: ‘It’s crazy how many police cars and vans were there.

Half of Brits worried about leaving pets at home as people return to work post-lockdown

Half of Brits worried about leaving pets at home as people return to work post-lockdown

Half of respondents also said they were worried about leaving their pets at home post-lockdown, with younger people the most concerned about the impact returning to work will have on their pets.

Sausage dog rescued from meat market will fly to Florida to meet family

Sausage dog rescued from meat market will fly to Florida to meet family

Wally was being sold as meat (Picture: PLUSH BEARS SHELTER / MERCURY PRESS)‘With that in mind I thought it would be perfect to save this dachshund and for him to have a home if he survived.

Travel website is searching for dog critic to rate the best pet-friendly hotels

Travel website is searching for dog critic to rate the best pet-friendly hotels

The winner will get to review 10 hotels across the world (Picture: )The site now has a new category in its annual Loved by Guests awards: Best for Pets to help pet-owners find the best place to stay for them and their furry friend.

Dog owners at risk of serious hand injuries caused by collars and leads, surgeons warn

Dog owners at risk of serious hand injuries caused by collars and leads, surgeons warn

Incorrect usage of leads and collars is contributing to “many serious injuries” amongst pet owners, according to the British Society for the Surgery of the Hand (BSSH).

Heartless fly-tippers dump AQUARIUM filled with fish gasping in half-inch of water

Heartless fly-tippers dump AQUARIUM filled with fish gasping in half-inch of water

Heartless fly-tippers dump AQUARIUM filled with fish gasping in half-inch of water ANIMAL cruelty investigators are looking into something fishy – the fly-tipping of an aquarium with four prized goldfish floundering in grubby water.

Over a third of people prefer their pets to their partner, study finds

Over a third of people prefer their pets to their partner, study finds

And although adults spend more quality time with their partners during the average day – around 20 minutes longer than with their pet - a third admit to missing their cat or dog so much more than their other half when they’re away from them.