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Pug cross Florence survived being run over twice

Earlier this year, a dog was brought into Battersea Dogs & Cats Home after being hit by a car, not once, but twice - neither driver stopped. The sad little Pug-Terrier-cross had severe injuries to both her front and back legs that left her unable to walk.

The eight-year-old was taken in by a local dog warden when she was found injured on the streets of Enfield, North London, before being brought to the world-famous animal rescue centre. Battersea staff decided to name her Florence.

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Paw-some pooch Fred hoping to bowl over new owner!

Staffie Fred is a good catch and is on the hunt for a new home

This handsome chap is Fred and he’s struggling to find a home. ‘Hozat?’ I hear you ask...

The 10-year-old Staffie arrived at the RSPCA’s Leybourne Animal Centre, in Kent, in September when his owners could no longer care for him.

Fred - like his cricketing legend namesake Freddie Flintoff - loves nothing more than a game of throw and catch so is hoping to bowl over a new owner.

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Does neglected rescue dog’s story Tug on your heart strings?

Poor Tug had to be shaved when he was rescued because his coat was so matted

With huge bat-like ears and a long tongue, Tug is an unusual looking pooch. So much so, RSPCA staff caring for the senior dog are concerned that his unique appearance is putting off potential adopters.

Twelve-year-old Tug, a bearded collie cross, was in a terrible state when he arrived at the RSPCA’s Coventry Animal Centre, run by the Coventry, Nuneaton & District Branch in September.

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Surf Dog Ricochet helps veterans with PTSD recover more quickly through her extraordinary healing power

Most people know Ricochet as the iconic surf dog that made history 10 years ago when she jumped on the board of a boy who is paralyzed, becoming the first ever canine-assisted surf therapy dog.

Since then, she’s assisted hundreds of kids with special needs and people with disabilities.
But what many people don’t know is… Ricochet is a certified goal-directed therapy dog with extraordinary healing abilities. She has been working with service members and veterans with post-traumatic stress (PTSD) for over seven years.

The connection she makes with people defies present-day scientific understanding. "Superman has x-ray vision, but Ricochet can see right into your soul", said retired Marine Staff Sergeant Persons B. Griffith IV (Griff), who suffers from combat related post-traumatic stress.

Ricochet is extremely sensitive, empathic and intuitive. She mirrors the emotions of those she works with through her subtle and not so subtle behaviors. “Somehow she knows their triggers,” said Judy Fridono, Ricochet’s guardian. “She assumes responsibility for their well-being and alerts them to potential triggers in the environment. She will stop and plant (refusing to move), or she’ll redirect them to a less anxiety provoking area”, said Fridono.

“The last time I worked with Ricochet, she alerted to a mall security guard by leading me away from the area we were in. She took it a step further by guiding me behind a bench where we were able to ‘take cover’ like I did when we took fire on the battlefield”, Griff said.

Ricochet’s behavior helps Griff (and others she works with) identify deep seated emotional trauma which can then be addressed with therapists. As a result, the healing process often advances more quickly.

Ricochet and Griff met through a six-week canine therapy clinic provided by Paws'itive Teams, and Naval Medical Center San Diego's Wounded, Ill and Injured Wellness Program.

After the clinic ended, Griff volunteered for Ricochet’s Waves of Empowerment program. From there, Griff was cast to be in the IMAX film, Superpower Dogs with Ricochet because of their soul-to-soul connection. The film premieres in March, 2019.

Both Fridono and Griff’s objective with these videos and IMAX film is that they can be a catalyst that gives hope to anyone with emotional trauma who is suffering in silence or contemplating suicide. The statistics are staggering… 22 veterans with PTSD die by suicide every day!

Fridono believes all dogs have these healing powers. Unfortunately, we often misinterpret their cues as bad behavior. In doing so, we miss the magic every dog is capable of. Her wish is that others will gain a better understanding of the sentience of dogs, and how they are always communicating with us… we just have to listen.

If you'd like to learn how to better interpret your dog's behavior, or if you'd like to unleash their healing power, please visit https://www.surfdogricochet.com/healing-power-of-dogs.html.
If you have PTSD, please visit https://www.surfdogricochet.com/ptsd.html to discover how a pet dog, emotional support dog or service dog can help you.

Poem by Griff
Photos by Heart Dog Studios
Filming by Gear 6 Productions

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Canine companion gives rescue dog Peggy her confidence back

Peggy has learned to enjoy life again thanks to pal Frank.

A young dog dumped cowering and terrified by the roadside now has a second chance at happiness - all thanks to her doggy pal.

Peggy was found in June this year by a member of the public after she was dumped by the A38 near the village Alrewas, in Lichfield, Staffordshire.

She had been found shaking in the grass absolutely terrified - she smelt strongly of urine and was so matted her rescuer thought she was an elderly dog.

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Collosal canine Cane Corso finds contentment

Big softie Sophie has found her forever home. It's clear in this video that Sophie and her new family share a strong and loving bond. Isn't it lovely?

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Cane Corso Sophie shows her soft side with her new family

Left tied up and petrified on the side of a busy road near White Hart Lane Stadium in North London, Sophie the Cane Corso’s luck turned, when she was found by a veterinary nurse working nearby.

After spending some time in the local warden’s kennels, she found her way into Battersea Dogs & Cats Home.

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Bristly Breaks Crowdfunding Records in Pet Category

Bristly, empowering dogs to brush their own teeth, has recently completed their Kickstarter campaign for their DIY dog tooth brushing stick, wrapping up with being over 3,000% funded. They now hold the record for the highest number of backers and the highest amount raised through crowdfunding of any pet campaigns.

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Manchester Muddy Dog Challenge raises almost £100K for Battersea

Nearly 700 animal lovers and their dogs came together at Ashley Hall in Altrincham earlier this month (20 October) to take part in Battersea Dogs & Cats Home’s Muddy Dog Challenge, proudly supported by LV=. The event has raised almost £100,000 so far, which will go towards the vital care of the animals that come into the charity.

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Staffies seeking second chance at love

Trio of neglected dogs ready for a second chance at life.

Staffies rescued by RSPCA after tough start in life are looking for forever homes.

The RSPCA is searching for homes for three Staffies who were all rescued from lives of neglect.


Ten-year-old Lana, three-year-old Scooby and one-year-old Ginge were all rescued from a home in Suffolk when concerns were raised over their welfare*.

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Sharing

279 - mushrooms for dogs and using parenting principles with pets

In this podcast, Dr Rob Silver reveals how mushroom's can be good for our dogs - and us. Wendy Lyons Sunshine explains how implementing parenting methods with our dogs can improve our relationship with them.

189 - The Dog Healers and War Dogs Remembered

In this episode you can hear Mark Winik talk about his debut novel, The Dog Healers, and listen to Julia Robertson explain why she founded the charity War Dogs remembered. Plus there's the DogCast Radio News, and what Mischief the German Spitz puppy has been up to.

188 - Service Dogs UK and Roxie the Doxie Finds Her Forever Home

In this episode you can hear about Service Dogs UK, a fantastic charity which trains assistance dogs to support veterans of any service - military personnel, police, firefighters, paramedics and the coastguard - who develop Post Traumatic Stress Disorder due to their job. Also, listen to Dr Jody A Dean, a clinical psychologist talk about how her book, Roxie the Doxie finds her Forever Home, is helping children understand and talk about adoption and other family issues. Plus the DogCast Radio News and some thoughts on the alpha dog myth.

187 - Muffins Halo and Chorley Fun Dog Show

In this episode you can hear about Muffin's Halo for Blind Dogs, and what motivates people to enter their dog in a fun dog show. In the DogCast Radio News, listen to stories about the latest dog related research. Plus there's a new member of the DogCast Radio team!

186 - Maxwell Muir on wolves

In this episode you can hear trainer, behaviourist, writer, broadcaster and wolf expert Maxwell Muir talk about what wolves mean to him personally, their plight in a modern world, and his hopes for their future. Plus we have the DogCast Radio News.