In the last week of every month we take a look back at the crazy creatures and amazing animals that have made the headlines in recent weeks. Here’s a reminder of what March’s headlines told us about some of the animals that share our planet:

Uproar as trainee bomb detection dog shot and killed

Sadly the amazing work done by sniffer dogs hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons this month. Grizz, a 10-month-old bearded collie cross, was shot and killed after escaping from his handler and running across the runways in Auckland airport. He had bolted at the end of a training shift and staff reported they had spent three hours trying to catch him, during which time sixteen flights were delayed. Clearly this was a serious safety issue, but many have struggled to understand why the dog could not have simply been tranquilised and rescued, rather than being killed. New Zealand’s Aviation Security Service is currently investigating the tragic incident.

Iron Man talks to the animals

It has just been announced that Robert Downey Jr. is to star in Universal’s latest epic tale, ‘The Voyage of Doctor Dolittle’. An ever-popular series of tales featuring a doctor who leaves his human patients behind in favour of working with animals, with whom he can converse in their own tongue, the original big-screen version starred British actor Rex Harrison and received a Best Picture nomination at the Oscars in 1967. Subsequent comedy and cartoon versions of the story have been equally successful, but there’s no news as yet as to when the latest film will hit the big screen. Watch this space!

Smaller, but still perfectly formed?

Scientists at the University of New Hampshire have published research suggesting that the average size of the earth’s animals could shrink as global warming takes hold. A study of fossil teeth belonging to early ancestors of the horse revealed that during Eocene Thermal Maximum 2 (a warming event of 3oC that occurred around 54 million years ago), animals shrank in size by an average of 14%. Climate researchers currently estimate that our planet will warm between 2-4oC by 2100 and thus similar shifts in size in future are possible. Watch this shape!

Until next time, very best wishes from Shailen and The Ralph Site team
The Ralph Site, non-profit pet loss support

In the latest of our series of mini interviews with friends of The Ralph Site  we heard from Diane Brodie-Farmer, who has given us some wise words of advice for anyone experiencing the loss of a much-loved companion.

1. Do you currently share your home with any pets? If so, please tell us about them.

Living at home with me at the moment are Nina a Romanian rescue dog, and Benny a tabby cat.

2. What was the name of your first pet?

My first pet was a dog named Lucky.

3. Why did you choose that name?

She was already part of our family before I was born so I didn’t name her, but she had been the last puppy in the pet shop (back in the days when puppies were often sold that way), so my dad called her Lucky.

4. Cats, dogs or another species? Can you choose? And why?

I have always had dogs, but since getting married we have had cats too. If I really had to choose (and hopefully I won’t ever have to!) then I would say dogs, as I love going for walks with them.

5. What is your favourite memory of an animal who has shared your life?

There are so many! One that really makes me smile is the memory of taking my first dog (Pipsey) up to the local park and her playing on the slide with me and my friends, going up and down constantly!

6. Which three words would you choose to describe her?

Faithful, funny and lovable.

7. What is your favourite fictional animal and why?

I would say Garfield – he reminds me of a cat we had once who was a real character.

8. If you could be any animal, which one would you choose and why?

That’s easy – I would be a pampered cat in a good home. What a great life they have, coming and going as they please.

9. What advice would you give to someone grieving for a much-loved pet?

First and foremost I would tell them not to feel guilty about grieving. I found looking at old photos and memories helped me, but I have been lucky that each of my animals has lived to a great age. All my dogs were over 13 years old when they passed, so looking back I think I tried to mentally prepare myself for the inevitable. Of course, even so I was heartbroken each time.
I did find getting another fur baby helped me, and rescuing Nina after losing Lottie was the best thing I ever did, as I hated coming back to an empty home. It’s funny, some parts of her character are so like Lottie and that makes me happy.

10. When and how did you first come across The Ralph Site? What do you think is the most important role of The Ralph Site community?

The community was recommended to me by a friend who had found The Ralph Site after losing her own cat – I have found great comfort in reading the words of others who have experienced the same great sense of loss that I have, and I would encourage anybody missing their four-legged friends to join in.

We’ll be featuring regular mini-interviews with friends of The Ralph Site in future; so do keep an eye out every first and third week of each month!

Until next time, very best wishes from Shailen and The Ralph Site team
The Ralph Site, non-profit pet loss support

Losing a pet is such a personal experience that sometimes it can seem impossible to share your thoughts and feelings with others. Sadly we all know that there is no magic word that anyone can say to make the pain go away, but it’s so true that the simple act of talking about your experience can often take away some of the hurt. The Ralph Site community was founded on, and operates by, this principle with members and friends supporting each other through difficult times. You might also be lucky enough to have a partner, family member or close friend who you can confide in. Or you may find that it helps to speak to someone you don’t know; which is where the Pet Bereavement Support Service (PBSS) can help.

Pet Bereavement Support Service (Blue Cross)

Trained PBSS volunteers offer emotional support and information without judgement or bias. UK callers can access the support line on 0800 096 6606 and it is open from 8.30am – 8.30pm everyday. All calls are free and confidential from a landline, although if you are calling from a mobile phone, please be aware that some phone networks may charge. Alternatively, if you find it easier to put your feelings in writing, you can also email the Pet Bereavement Support Service on pbssmail@bluecross.org.uk and they will reply within 48 hours. More information is available on the charity’s website.

Many of the volunteers working on the PBSS helpline do so because they wanted to share their own experiences of pet loss and give something back to the charity that helped them. Volunteering has proved to be a cathartic experience for many, and perhaps in time you might wish to consider doing the same?

ALLY

One organisation training people to provide support is ALLY, a community-based service for anyone experiencing the loss of their companion animal. From their base in the SW of England they are gradually expanding their network across the UK, and training opportunities are available for anyone wishing to become an accredited supporter and help others currently going through the loss they have themselves experienced. Find out more at their website.

Just remember that however you may be feeling, you are not alone. Countless others are going through the same painful experience, whilst many more have come through it with the help and support not only of friends and families, but also from strangers. Sometimes help is only a phone call or a click away.

Until next time, very best wishes from Shailen and The Ralph Site team
The Ralph Site, non-profit pet loss support

Please note: The Ralph Site is not affiliated with the third-party organisations in any of the links shared here, and the views, ideas and suggestions expressed in this and other blogs are simply shared with the intention of helping you, our friends, take care of the special animals in your lives.

In the latest of our series of mini interviews with friends of The Ralph Site  we heard from Barbara Nunnemacher, who has given us some wise words of advice for anyone experiencing the loss of a much-loved companion.

1. Do you currently share your home with any pets? If so, please tell us about them.

I have a one-year-old German Shepherd – her name is Hannah and she is a bundle of energy! She can be challenging in this ‘teen period’ so I do have to remind myself that it is just a phase she is going through.  I went through a similar experience with my other two GSDs and they both were amazing fur children.  Hannah will get there too.

Hannah

Then there are my indoor cats:

Allie and Abbie, two baby Torties who were rescue kittens.

Sandman is blonde and Andie a muted Calico – they think they own the house, and that’s OK!

We also have four barn cats and I have seven orphaned kittens living in my greenhouse. On the farm we have four horses, a donkey and twenty five chickens, with two goats coming this spring.
My animals are my children.

2. What was the name of your first pet?

My first pet was named Hobo, a Cairn Terrier.

3. Why did you choose that name?

My husband found him crossing a bridge and brought him home, hence his name. He lived to be 18 years old, and was a truly wonderful companion.

4. Cats, dogs or another species? Can you choose? And why?

I think I would have to say cats, just! They are my babies.  We have four cats that take care of our farm: Momma cat, Cupcake, Chester 1 and Chester 2.

5. What is your favourite memory of an animal who has shared your life?

Taking our therapy German Shepherd Tessie to visit war veterans one Christmas Eve and meeting a veteran dying of cancer.  He looked up at us, his hand on Tessie’s head, smiled and said “Thank you, a dog to pet on Christmas Eve was the best gift I ever received”. Needless to say there was not a dry eye in the room. She was a great girl, working for twelve years with our veterans.

6. Which three words would you choose to describe her?

Loyal, kind-hearted and loving.

7. What is your favourite fictional animal and why?

Lassie. I grew up watching the television show and movies – she was exactly what a family dog meant to me.  Also Rin Tin Tin, because I love German Shepherds!

8. If you could be any animal, which one would you choose and why?

I would be an eagle, so I could soar through the sky.

9. What advice would you give to someone grieving for a much-loved pet?

I would tell them to let the grief happen, cry when you need to and gather all the wonderful memories you can about your much-loved fur baby. That is what I am doing now, as I am still grieving for Katie who passed over a year ago.

Katie with Sarah (donkey)

10. When and how did you first come across The Ralph Site? What do you think is the most important role of The Ralph Site community?

Very soon after Katie passed I was searching online for information to help me learn about grieving, and I found this site.  The best thing I ever did for myself – thank you Shailen.

Katie’s memorial garden

We’ll be featuring regular mini-interviews with friends of The Ralph Site in future; so do keep an eye out every first and third week of each month!

Until next time, very best wishes from Shailen and The Ralph Site team
The Ralph Site, non-profit pet loss support

In the last week of every month we take a look back at the crazy creatures and amazing animals that have made the headlines in recent weeks. Here’s a reminder of what February’s headlines told us about some of the animals that share our planet:

Brave dogs honoured with PDSA Gold medal

Ozzy the German Shepherd and his handler PC Brian Tennant received this prestigious accolade this month for their fearless capture of a knife-wielding attacker in Falkirk, Stirlingshire. The award was presented at a special ceremony at the Scottish Parliament, where two other dogs received the PDSA’s Order of Merit:

•  Fellow police dog Sweep, a cocker spaniel, was recognised for his outstanding service as a detection dog, tracing drugs, weapons, cash and poisonous substances during his eight-year law enforcement career
•  Sabakka, a 13 year old Labrador, was honoured for her role within the NHS, helping people with learning difficulties
  How lovely to see our four-legged friends recognised for their outstanding achievements!

Trump’s planned Mexican wall threatens 111 endangered species

Scientists recently revealed the results of environmental impact work undertaken following the president’s proposed wall along the US-Mexico border. The likely route of the 1,000-mile wall will pass through four wildlife reserves in the US side, and a number of nature reserves on the Mexican side. Writing in The Ecologist, Dr. Shonil Bhagwat, a senior lecturer in Geography at the Open University, finds that “as well as destroying natural habits, building a concrete wall would split animal populations in half, making it harder for them to breed and increasing the risk of disease.” Species at risk include ocelots, bears, Bighorn sheep, the US’s last remaining wild jaguars, and the bald eagle – the national bird of America.

Give a dog a home

Finally, in very welcome news from across the pond, this month officials in San Francisco have banned the sale of non-rescue cats and dogs at pet stores across the city, along with banning the sale of any animal under the age of eight weeks. The move is designed to help combat puppy farming and ultimately work towards ensuring that all pets start their lives in safe, hygienic and caring environments. San Francisco city council’s animal department, along with the city’s branch of the SPCA charity, currently re-home more than 6,000 animals each year and it is hoped that this new law will raise numbers even further. A happy note to end on this time!

Until next time, very best wishes from Shailen and The Ralph Site team
The Ralph Site, non-profit pet loss support