October 17th, 2011
Shunsuke, an adorable Japanese Pom, has recently stepped forward as a rival of Boo, the World’s Cutest Dog.
At the ripe old age of 9, Shunsuke may not have his American counterpart’s youth on his side but he is quickly becoming a phenomenon in his home country. With the unofficial title of ‘the Cutest Dog in Japan’, a teddybear-like face and a wardrobe of snazzy accessories, he is set to take on Boo in the cute stakes.
Shunsuke has made several TV appearances in Japan and is the subject of a calendar and two picture books. While Boo is Facebook’s favourite close-shaven Pomeranian, Shunsuke is top dog over on Twitter – he has over 60,500 followers and counting.
Check out his owner’s Twitpics for more ridiculously cute pictures of Shunsuke.
So, which Pom do you prefer? Do you think Shunsuke (left) is a worthy opponent for Boo (right)?
By Sinéad. Posted in Dogs, News
October 13th, 2011
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Celebrity chef Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall has caused uproar in the UK after comments he made about the eating of dogs. The star of the Channel 4 River Cottage series, who calls himself a ‘real food campaigner’, put forward the notion that eating puppy meat is no different than eating pork – it is simply an artificial social construct that we view dogs as pets and pigs as food.
Speaking to the Radio Times, Fearnley-Whittingstall said “In principle, but not in practice, I have no objection to a high-welfare organic puppy farm. You can’t object, unless you also object to the farming of pigs… Both animals could be used the other way round – although pigs probably do make better meat than dogs and dogs better pets than pigs. But it’s not a foregone conclusion.”
The controversial chef, who caused a stir in 1998 by cooking and eating human placenta on his TV series, added that he would only resort to eating canine meat if he “was on the point of starvation”.
His remarks have been met with disapproval from animal welfare organisations in the UK. A spokesperson for the RSPCA called his views on puppy farming ‘crude’, while the Dogs Trust stated, “We believe that the concept of breeding dogs for food in any conditions, high welfare or not, is wholly unacceptable… (Dogs) have an innate ability to form real bonds with humans and their loyalty is unquestionable. They also contribute so much to society through their vital roles with our armed forces and the police, and they help people in need such as those who are sight and hearing impaired or otherwise disabled.”
What do you think of Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall’s unconventional comments? Do you think he might be courting controversy as a means of gaining publicity for his upcoming series of books? Does he makes a valid point on how society places more value on domesticated animals than on livestock?
By Sinéad. Posted in Dogs, News
October 12th, 2011
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Reports this week say that the Dublin Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals are facing a funding crisis, forcing them to reject unwanted pets and to let 17 of its 41-strong staff go. They say that they will now focus on caring for suffering and lost animals rather than taking in pets that owners are unable to cope with, or have simply become tired of.
It takes almost €2 million a year to keep Ireland’s oldest animal welfare organisation afloat. The society receives only 3% of its funding from the government, with the rest kindly provided by their supporters. You can do your bit to help the DSPCA and the many animals that are surrendered every day by making a donation, fundraising, volunteering or even by buying your Christmas cards early this year.
If you are thinking of getting a pet, please consider adopting from the DSPCA. Visits to their animal rescue and rehoming centre in Rathfarnham are encouraged – they are open to the public 7 days a week, house all kinds of animals and entry to the centre is free.
By Sinéad. Posted in Animal Welfare, Cats, Dogs, Horses, Lost & Found, News
October 4th, 2011
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Known on the streets of Brussels as Monsieur Pingouin, Belgian pensioner Alfred David has revealed his wishes to have a penguin-themed funeral in Antarctica. The 79 year old is often seen shuffling about the Schaerbeek district of the city in his homemade black and white penguin costume.
Since 1968, David has had a passion for the flightless birds. It all started when, after a car accident, he began to walk with a distinct waddle, prompting his co-workers to dub him Mr. Penguin. Consequently, the eccentric senior took a serious interest in his namesakes, amassing a 3,500-piece collection of penguin toys and memorabilia. The kind-hearted kook later donated much of his museum-worthy mementos – which included such treasures as toilet paper, underpants and countless figurines – to raise money for a local football team.
His obsession has lead to a certain level of celebrity for David. He has made several TV appearances and was even invited to the 1992 premier of Batman Returns – which starred Danny DeVito as The Penguin. However, his fixation with all things penguin also caused a rift in his marriage. His wife left him once he announced that he was to officially change his name to Mr. Penguin.
David, who eats plenty of fish and loves to ‘talk’ like his preferred birds, recently detailed his burial plans: ‘My ultimate dream is to be buried in a deep ocean close to where penguins live.’ Of course, he will don his favourite penguin suit and will repose in a penguin-shaped coffin lined with penguin-patterned fabric.
By Sinéad. Posted in Funny, News, Random
October 3rd, 2011
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A cat with two faces, or Janus Cat, has made it into the Guinness Book of Records. Named Frank and Louie, the cat has three eyes, two noses and two mouths – but just one brain. At 12 years of age, he is the oldest Janus Cat on record. Those born with the congenital defect will usually only live between 1 and 4 days.
His owner, Marty Stevens from Massachusetts, adopted him after his previous owner wanted to have him put down. She says that every day with the resilient cat is ‘a kind of blessing’ and told of the public’s usual reaction to him: “It’s funny because people walk up to him thinking it’s a nice, fluffy white cat and they’re walking up with a big smile on their face to pat him, like, ‘Oh, what a beautiful cat’ and I see a look of horror when they actually see his face.”
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