Episode 14 - healthier babies, mourning Inca and more

The Dog News Show

There's a break with tradition in episode 14 of The Dog News Show because it's Debbie that's bringing the research to the discussion, not Julie. The latest research which was done in Finland indicates that babies who live in a household that includes a dog have far fewer health problems. Specifically, they have ear infections, coughs or runny noses less of the time, and are less likely to need antibiotics. So what is it about having a dog in the house that improves the health of children? - Debbie and Julie explore the subject.
Ben Fogle was in the headlines this week as his beloved Labrador Inca was put to sleep. Ben was bereft, tweeting that he had lost his best friend, he was heartbroken and couldn't stop crying. Many dog lovers will empathise and sympathise with him, but why is it that some people just don't understand why we mourn our dogs and other pets so deeply? The Tony Livesey show on Radio 5 Live asked Julie to take part in a phone-in on dog loss inspired by Ben Fogle's very public grief, and they were asking the question, "Is it right to mourn a dog?" - of course Julie pointed out to them that yes it's absolutely acceptable to mourn a four legged family member. So how do we get the message across to people who say, "It's just a dog?" and what's the best way to respond if this is said to you?

Next up Debbie has the story of the pensioner who was attacked by a pack of five dogs. However, while Debbie has sympathy for the lady involved, who has sustained very nasty injuries, she has issues with the way the story is reported. She highlights the fact that there are many problems with the Dangerous Dogs Act in that it causes some owners to unnecessarily fear having their dogs taken away, but also that it can be used to deal with problem dogs before they have actually bitten anyone.
The theme of dog attacks or incidents is continued with a story sent in by listener and valued friend of the show Wendy Morrell. Wendy emailed in a story that happened in Bournemouth where an energetic Doberman knocked a pensioner over, and the owner refused to give his details and left the scene of the accident without offering any help to the victim, who has ended up with a metal plate and screws in her knee and is immobile for six weeks. Since March 2012 there have been at least three other occasions where a woman has been injured by a loose dog with an irresponsible owner who didn't even try to offer help or make amends of any kind. The girls have some innovative suggestions to combat the problem, which Debbie points out is by no means limited to the Bournemouth area.
In Schmaltz Corner, to send you off with a smile on your face, we have the inspiring story of Jacob. Jacob's a Husky cross who won the Most Handsome Dog at the Shropshire heat of Scruffts. He is a rescue dog who was involved in a horrendous accident on the M6 motorway which lead to him going missing for three days, then shortly after his return he was attacked by another dog. This has left him very nervous of both people and dogs, but he and his handler achieved success simply by spending time in such a busy environment as Scruffts, and it's a testament to what a dog can do if he's given the chance, and to how great handling can support a dog and make his life easier and happier.