I receive press releases every day, and this morning when I went through my emails, I spotted two which highlight the plight of too many dogs at this time of year. We know that Christmas can be a difficult time for dogs, and there are various reasons for that, the saddest being abandonment by their owner. For Rottweiler, Roger, and Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Tugz, this nightmare became reality.

Roger and Tugz were fortunate in as much as they were found and taken to Batersea Dogs & Cats Home, making them the charity’s first arrivals of 2017.

Roger is a six year old Rottweiler who is partially sighted, and was found on New Year’s Day

I don’t really make New Year’s Resolutions anymore. Mainly because I know I’ll break them way before the year’s finished, and also because I’ll make changes when I need to, thank you, not in response to some arbitrarily agreed date.

However, this year, I’ll make an exception.

This year I’ll resolve to strive to keep Buddy as happy, healthy and active as he can be.

Animals may do the funniest things, but sometimes the consequences of their actions can be serious. But luckily for accident prone or over-adventurous animals, the RSPCA is always there to help. So here are the charity’s to 10 best, unusual, or just plain wacky rescues of 2016.

1. Bar-king mad!
An enthusiastic pooch got herself into a bar-king mad situation after getting her head wedged between two bars during an afternoon walk.

Five-month-old Schnauzer, Juno, was released following an operation involving the RSPCA and Greater Manchester Fire & Rescue Service on 23 March.