The DogCast Radio blog

Did you know that chimps and share 98% of their DNA. Well it might be almost 98%, but it's around that figure and it's definitely a lot. The point is chimps and humans are very similar. However, a recent study (which I love) says that humans actually have more in common with dogs. Thousands of years of living together has caused us to share many behaviours, such as cooperating, understanding verbal communication and imitation.

Some people are unaware that there are rescue societies for many dog breeds, so it's a great idea that the Kennel Club has put a link on its site to let people know about them. Now on its "Choosing the right puppy/dog" page, there is a link to "Choosing a Rescue Dog".

Do you remember the post I did about Bilbo the Newfoundland who had been banned by health and safety officials from working on a beach in Cornwall helping to keep people safe in the water? Well there was a petition to have him reinstated, and it worked. 1,500 people have signed the petition and Bilbo's back. You can read about it on the BBC site, but basically people power has put Bilbo back on the beach.

Tim Glass, author of Just This Side of Heaven sent me a link to a cartoon depicting what it can be like being an author with a dog at a book signing. I told him not to take it personally if people want to meet one of his lovely Beagles with more enthusiasm than they do him. Apart from the fact that dogs are usually cuter than their accompanying people, they are just more approachable too. You don't feel at all self conscious when greeting a dog, even a celebrity one.

We get some lovely comments posted on our breed profile pages, and I enjoy reading them all. This week one particularly caught my eye, and I loved it because it combines general traits of the breed with a very personal experience of it. It's about a Miniature Schnauzer, and I suppose what I picked up on is the expression of the love we have for our dogs, and the amazing support they are to us.

Around the world there are many people fighting the very necessary fight against puppy farms and mills, and all those who profit from them. This is necessary, obviously, for the welfare of dogs, and also to stop the exploitation of people looking to buy a puppy. Once people learn the right way to go about buying a puppy, puppy mills will be out of business anyway, so education is an important part of putting a stop to this vile business.

Are you looking for ways to make money amid the credit crunch? Well get a canvas and a paintbrush and let your dog make money for you. A Pekingese called Ziggy, who lives in California is doing just that. His owner straps a paintbrush to a cardboard tube, Ziggy grasps it between his teeth and creates a masterpiece. There's a photo of his work at that link, and to be honest I think it's quite good. Definitely comparable to some modern art! (In my humble opinion, as they say.)

Each painting can sell for up to £170. I don't know what that is in dollars, and I suspect in the current financial climate it's probably about 5 Euros (oooh - satire!) but whatever currency you put it in, it's a lot for doggy daubings. The trouble is our two would probably just chew up the cardboard tube, then the paint brush, and then have a good go at eating the paint. And have you ever tried washing acrylics out of a white Bichon Frise coat? Maybe it's not for us. Pity though.

Another story that caught my eye was that of a dwarf - I'm sorry if that's not a PC word, but it's the term used in the headlines - in Wales, UK who got lost in a forest in Snowdonia. She was lost over night, and only the warmth of her dog saved her from hypothermia. The dog was a Chihuahua. Is it very wrong of me to love that story? - little person saved by little dog. The lady - and dog - in question are safely back at home, and I'm just glad all went well for them.

Take care,

Julie x

Now obviously I know that I live with Britain's smartest dog, but for some reason the folk at The Company of Animals aren't aware of that and are launching a competition to find the smartest dog. It may be that you also think you live with a pretty smart dog, so if you fancy entering the competition, the details are below. I've seen the Nina Ottosson games, and would love to see how Buddy and Star cope with them, so maybe we'll bump into you at the pet shop.

Do you live with Britain’s Smartest Dog?

So I finally got to see the film Marley & Me. Guess what? I cried. I don't mean sniffling in my tissue, and a bit of demure wiping of the odd tear away, I mean the kind of heartfelt sobs that shake you, and leave you fighting to draw the next breath in. I mean when your face screws up of its own accord, your mouth twitches and you feel a wail rising from deep inside you, and doing its best to escape you. (Of course I suppressed the wail for the benefit of those around me.)

Here's a video to make you smile -Alfie the dog who nearly didn't survive due to a serious heart problem has reached his first birthday. You can read Alfie's story in his blog and Emma the kind and devoted woman who rescued and got him the treatment he needed has contributed an article to the DogCast Radio article section.