The DogCast Radio blog

After telling you about Star' weekend, I'd like to share with your Star's week. Two days ago we let the dogs out for their last toilet break of the day, and they returned as usual to have their last biscuit of the day and settle on their beds. However not long after coming back in, Star started coughing. The couching developed into retching, but every time I checked on her she had only produced a variety of stomach churning noises - nothing else thankfully.
 

Next week on Tuesday 2nd November it will be the Westminster Dog of the Year Competition 2010. I will avoid any puns about politics being a dog eat dog world and so on and simply leave you in peace to read the following information:
 
If a week is a long time in politics, just imagine how long it is in dog years… 

I meant to post these pictures of Star's weekend last week, but other subjects came up (like poor Lennox) that were more pressing so Star got bumped to this week, but I'm sure she understands. Last weekend the forecast was for the last weather resembling anything like summery so we decided to make the most of. On Saturday we headed for the beach. Both our dogs love the beach, but for different reasons. Buddy loves to chase a ball across the sand and then cool off with a paddle. Star loves to dig for all she's worth and then sit and contemplate life. I managed to capture her doing just that in the first picture here, and it's one of my favourite shots of her. She can be a little monkey, but she does have a serious side.

I watched the video about Lennox and I had tears in my eyes thinking how his poor family must be feeling; and thinking how poor Lennox must be feeling, locked away from his people for so long. I wondered how I would bear it if it was one of my dogs, and I was so thankful that I have a Labrador and a Bichon - "safe" dogs, or at least dogs that are safe from the threat of being confiscated. And then I recalled the Poodle Martyrs and a chill ran through me. There are no guarantees, and with all the anti-dog attitudes being bandied about who knows what the future will be for dogs.

Of course, we should all rally round Lennox simply to alleviate the suffering of him and his family. But if you need further persuasion, look at your dog curled up on the couch beside you, or whatever he or she is doing right now and just for a few painful seconds imagine how you would feel if he was ripped from the heart of his family and locked up for months away from you under sentence of death. It's devastating isn't it? - and yet if the dog community doesn't work together and exert pressure, if we stand by and allow this to happen apart from the trauma caused to one family and their dog, who knows what we open the floodgates to.

There's a quote attributed to Pastor Martin Niemoller that came into my mind:

They came first for the Communists,
and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Communist.

Then they came for the trade unionists,
and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a trade unionist.

Then they came for the Jews,
and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Jew.

Then they came for me
and by that time no one was left to speak up.

So today it's the suspected Pit Bulls they're coming for, which breed will they be coming for tomorrow? Let's get Lennox home, and let's make sure this stops happening to dogs - my dogs, your dogs, any dogs.

Take care,

Julie xx

The very sad case of Lennox was brought to my attention, and I wanted to share it with DogCast Radio listeners. You can support the Save Lennox campaign on Twitter and on Facebook and to find out more about how you can help Lennox visit his website where you can read his story:

Animal welfare charities unite to help creature casualties of Hungary’s toxic spill

Several UK animal welfare charities have joined forces this week to help domestic animals and livestock affected by the devastating toxic spill in Hungary.

WSPA, Dogs Trust, RSPCA International and the Worldwide Veterinary Service are sending vital veterinary equipment to help a Hungarian animal welfare charity, Rex Animal Island, in its desperate bid to rescue the hundreds of poisoned and injured dogs, cats, livestock and wildlife.

Another message of hope and perseverance inspired by Ricochet the surfing dog:

SURF DOG RICOCHET INSPIRES AMRLESS WOMAN TO SURF!

Sabine Becker was born without arms. She uses her feet for daily tasks.

One day, on Ricochet's Facebook page, she asked "Do you think I can surf without arms". Ricochet answered YES! And referred her to Ampsurf.
A few weeks later, Sabine drove 1100 miles to attend a surf camp in California. She DID surf!, but is also faced with disappointment while there. This is her video highlighting her & Ricochet's journey of inspiration together.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUfY9tbk0FI 

For more details, please visit: Sabine's website: http://www.nmspiritdancer.com/  
Ricochet's website: http://www.surfdogricochet.com or on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/SurfDogRicochet, AmpSurf's website http://www.ampsurf.org/.

Please feel free to share this video/story with anyone you think would be inspired... or wants to surf!

Thank you!

Surf dog Ricochet, the SURFice dog

A statement from the Bella Moss Foundation on the death of Claire Rayner:
 
The Bella Moss Foundation is saddened to hear of the death of its first Honorary Patron, Claire Rayner.

I loved Ted Kerasote's Merle's Door, and can't wait to get my hands on his new book, Pukka: The Pup After Merle. There's not long to wait now and here's some news from Ted and Pukka:

Pukka: The Pup After Merle will be available at all book dealers on October 27, 2010.

In the meantime you can watch a short video of Pukka’s adventures, “Pukka’s Summer,” on my website and on YouTube.

I hope you enjoy it and I look forward to meeting you

MAD DOGS AND ENGLISHMEN BRAVE WEATHER TO SUPPORT WAGGY WALKS

Dogs Trust thrilled by support for fundraising events

Despite terrible downpours across the UK on Sunday 3rd October, nearly 2000 people supported 10 Waggy Walk events that took place all over the country. Wet but not downhearted, these hardy dog lovers - many with their four legged friends - completed the walks and raised vital funds for Dogs Trust.