Everything about our lovely pets

Hundreds of pets have made Ireland their home with Ukrainian refugees

The Government confirmed the figures on Wednesday, with Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue promising Ireland will continue to operate an open-door policy for Ukrainians and their pets.

‘The new drugs’: Northern Ireland gateway for £150m illegal puppy trade

A BBC and Ulster Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals investigation found puppies were being bred in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland and illegally moved across to Great Britain through Belfast port to cater for the rocketing demand for pets during the Covid lockdown.

Mischievous dog lucky to be alive after eating nine socks

Beau looks positively guilty (Picture: Vets4Pets Lisburn)Beau, a Beagle-Harrier cross, was certainly in the dog house after gobbling up nine socks.Beau’s vets were concerned that the sock would create long-term damage in his gut and would need to be removed by either surgery, induced vomiting or a natural approach.

On my radar: Nick Laird's cultural highlights

Arlo Parks: ‘I love the whole summery vibe.’ Photograph: Thomas Jackson/AlamyThe title is taken from a line in one of my wife’s novels, though I’m not listening to it because of that.Capernaum: ‘Astonishingly powerful.’ Photograph: AlamyThe war in Syria entered its 10th year in March.

Brexit deal is a rubbish gift for a gullible public

• I have been teaching French and Spanish for 37 years and see first-hand the benefits of the Erasmus scheme (UK students lose Erasmus membership in Brexit deal , 24 December).• So the Brexit deal is Boris Johnson’s Christmas gift to the nation.

The new rules pet owners must follow when travelling to EU after Brexit

They will need a new AHC for each trip to the EU or Northern Ireland.

Brexit: pets will need papers for travel to EU and Northern Ireland

From 1 January, people travelling from Britain with pets and assistance dogs will need to ensure they have an animal health certificate (AHC) instead of a pet passport no earlier than 10 days before travel, the UK government said on its website.

Dog not neutered due to lockdown gives birth to ‘largest ever litter’

Owner Mary Killing did everything she could to stop the dogs mating (Picture: SWNS)A dog, that would have been neutered if it wasn’t for the pandemic, has given birth to one of Ireland’s largest ever litters.

Dog has one of largest litters ever - after neutering appointment cancelled

(Picture: SWNS)Mary Killing had planned to get her dogs Bella and Archie neutered back in March but the appointment had to be cancelled because of coronavirus.Mary Killing with her dogs Bella and Archie (Picture: Brendan Gleeson / SWNS).

Dodger the Staffy is every pensioner’s best friend

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier with residents Valerie and George Cook (Picture: Susannah Ireland) The couple love Dodger’s monthly visits with owner Karen Gee (left) (Picture: Susannah Ireland) Dodger ‘knows how to behave with different residents’ (Picture: Susannah Ireland) Karen Martindale, manager of the care home, is a fan of her monthly visitor (Picture: Susannah Ireland).

Bride walks down the aisle with eight disabled rescue dogs by her side

The couple plan to turn their home into a dog-friendly wedding venue for other animal lovers (Picture: Mercury Press).

Cat owners have to stop their pets getting into trouble 1,350 times a year

Amid this, 80 per cent consider their cats to be mischievous, with more owners from the South West calling their pet playful than any other region in the UK.

Cat cuddler job: ‘Crazy cat person’ with ‘cattitude’ wanted

It’ll pay between A$29,970 and A$41,950, but you’ll need the following qualifications:— The ideal candidate must have gentle hands capable of petting and stroking cats for long periods of time.— They need to be softly spoken and capable of cat whispering to calm the nerves of some of the in-patients.— An ability to understand different types of purring is a distinct added advantage in helping you secure this position.