Staffordshire Bull Terrier Who Loyally Served Regiment Honored With Special Farewell

Stormer the Staffordshire Bull Terrier was given special military honors. Photo: Express UK

A Staffordshire Bull Terrier named Stormer was given a special ceremony and military honors after he passed away at age 15. Stormer served as regimental mascot of the Staffordshire Regiment in the United Kingdom for 10 years. The loyal dog honored a tradition of Staffie mascots that dates back to 1882 and the Siege of Khartoum, where the British were at war. As history has it, the Watchman mascot tradition came about because of the loyal actions of a Staffordshire Bull Terrier named Boxer. According to The Staffordshire Regiment Museum :

"In 1882 The South Staffordshire Regiment was ordered to march with Lord Wolseley to the relief of General Gordon who was besieged in Khartoum. They entrained at Cairo with their Staffordshire Bull Terrier “Boxer”. Unfortunately Boxer leapt from the moving train and was seen lying unconscious or dead at the side of the track.

 A few days later when the Regiment encamped at Assiut awaiting orders for the final phase of their march, a very thin and bedraggled dog staggered into their camp and collapsed. Boxer had walked for over 200 miles along the scorching desert railway track to rejoin his regiment, a true soldier. 

From then on, the tradition of having a Bull Terrier as a mascot continued with the battalions until after the Second World War.

Stormer retired as Colour Sergeant Watchman IV in 2009 after his handler, Colour Sergeant Malcolm Bower, passed away. Well loved by his regiment, Stormer was carried by soldiers in a coffin covered with a Union Flag and buried alongside his predecessors. 

At the ceremony, Charlotte Bower, the daughter of Malcolm Bower, told the audience "Stormer was a wonderful and loyal dog. When his coat was put on he knew exactly what was expected of him.

Read more about Stormer's ceremony here.

Stormer, Colour Sergeant Watchman IV and his handler, Colour Sergeant Malcolm Bower. 

Winter Care For Canines

General Concerns

Winter's cold air brings many concerns for responsible dog owners. Keep the following precautions in mind: 

Don't leave your dog outside in the cold for long periods of time. Wind chill makes days colder than actual temperature readings. Be attentive to your dog's body temperature, and limit its time outdoors.

Adequate shelter is a necessity. Keep your dog warm, dry and away from drafts. Tiles and uncarpeted areas may become extremely cold, so make sure to place blankets and pads on floors in these areas.

Be extra careful when walking or playing with your dog near frozen lakes, rivers or ponds. Your dog could slip or jump in and get seriously injured. 

Groom your dog regularly. Your dog needs a well-groomed coat to keep properly insulated. Short- or coarse-haired dogs may get extra cold, so consider a sweater or coat. Long-haired dogs should have excess hair around the toes and foot pads trimmed to ease snow removal and cleaning. If you do the trimming, take care not to cut the pads or other delicate area of the foot.

Feed your dog additional calories if it spends a lot of time outdoors or is a working animal. It takes more energy in the winter to keep body temperature regulated, so additional calories are necessary. 

Towel or blow-dry your dog if it gets wet from rain or snow. It is important to dry and clean its paws, too. This helps avoid tiny cuts and cracked pads. A little petroleum jelly may soften the pads and prevent further cracking. 

Don't leave your dog alone in a car without proper precautions. If the car engine is left on, the carbon monoxide will endanger your dog's life. If the engine is off, the temperature in the car will get too cold.

Thor Amstaff

Health Tips

Dogs cannot talk to us when they are sick. As a responsible dog owner, it is important to pay special attention to your dog's well-being during the winter season. Remember the following health concerns: 

Antifreeze, which often collects on driveways and roadways, is highly poisonous. Although it smells and tastes good to your dog, it can be lethal. 

Rock salt, used to melt ice on sidewalks, may irritate footpads. Be sure to rinse and dry your dog's feet after a walk. 

Provide plenty of fresh water. Your dog is just as likely to get dehydrated in the winter as in the summer. Snow is not a satisfactory substitute for water. 

Frostbite is your dog's winter hazard. To prevent frostbite on its ears, tail and feet, don't leave your dog outdoors for too long. 

Be very careful of supplemental heat sources. Fireplaces and portable heaters can severely burn your dog. Make sure all fireplaces have screens, and keep portable heaters out of reach. 

Like people, dogs seem to be more susceptible to illness in the winter. Take your dog to a veterinarian if you see any suspicious symptoms. 

Don't use over-the-counter medications on your dog without consulting a veterinarian.

Holiday Safeguards

The winter season brings lots of fun holiday festivities, but pet-owners should keep in mind the following special precautions:

The holidays are not ideal for introducing a pet into your family. New puppies and dogs require extra attention and a stable environment, which the holiday season doesn't permit. Also, a puppy is not a toy or gift that can be returned. Instead, the AKC suggests giving a gift representative of the dog to come, such as a toy, a leash, or a bed. 

Holly, mistletoe and poinsettia plants are pet poisons! Make sure they are kept in places your dog cannot reach.

Review holiday gifts for dogs to make sure they are safe. Items such as plastic toys and small rawhide sticks may be dangerous. 

Remove holiday lights from lower branches of your tree. They may get very hot and burn dogs. 

Watch out for electrical cords. Pets often try to chew them and may get badly shocked or electrocuted. Place wires out of reach.

Avoid using glass ornaments. They break easily and may cut a dog's feet and mouth.

Refrain from using edible ornaments. Your dog may knock the tree over in an attempt to eat them. Also, commercial ornaments may contain paint or toxins in the preservatives.

Whether your tree is live or artificial, both kinds of needles are sharp and indigestible. Don't leave your dog unattended in the room with the tree. 

Tinsel is dangerous for dogs. It may obstruct circulation and, if swallowed, block the intestines. 

Alcohol and chocolate are toxic for dogs, even in small amounts. Keep unhealthy, sweet treats and seasonal goodies out of reach. 

The holiday season is a stressful time for dogs. Try to keep a normal schedule during all the excitement.

Sources : AKC

Police Enter Home Without Knocking, Shoot 16-Year-Old Senior Dog

Angel Fretwell describes her family’s 16-year-old senior dog, Belle, as gentle, with a caring soul that would never hurt anyone and never has. Now the family are looking for answers as to why their beloved furry family member was shot by Baldwin County Police at their home in Rabun, Alabama.

Last month, four deputies from the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Department were serving a warrant at Fretwell’s brother’s home. Upon entering the home, unannounced and without knocking, they were met by Belle, the family dog.

Belle is a 16-year-old senior pit bull, she has no teeth left in her mouth, and can barely get around in her old age. She’s lived to see generations of the family grow up and now the family are hoping she’ll live through being shot by police.

A spokesperson for the Baldwin Country Sheriff’s Department says Belle “came after them” and that “they feared for their lives” when she was shot. But, Fretwell told WPMI 15 News that Belle was actually trying to run away from them when she was shot in the shoulder.

What’s more, after Belle was shot, police would not let the family enter the home or provide care to the dog for another hour while the senior lay bleeding.

Belle was eventually taken to the nearby Bay Minette Animal Clinic for surgery, where veterinarians said she may survive, but will lose her leg. 
Baldwin County Sheriffs are investigating the incident. Fretwell’s brother has yet to be
apprehended.

It’s clear that police nationwide have little-to-no training in animal behavior and handling. This “shoot first, ask questions later” mentality so common with law enforcement that encounter family pets on the job MUST stop.

What Foods are Dangerous for Dogs

Many breeders of dogs recommend various goods, treats and sweets to their four-legged friend, but do not realize that the digestive system of dog carnivores and omnivores humans are fundamentally different.

Chocolate is toxic to dogs and cats. Besides caffeine contains theobromine, which is similar substance. This is dangerous for the animals, since the animals of the body is excreted very slowly long time it has influence. In addition, the chocolate is dangerous for the reason that contains a huge amount of fat and some animals may cause damage to the pancreas, which enough to exclude enough enzymes to digest them. Theobromine in the body affects a substance called adenosine, and is responsible for regulating heart rhythm. Once the theobromine occupy space that should normally occupy adenosine, there is a failure of heart rhythm, which may be fatal. Theobromine also increases the amount of calcium in cardiac cells, which leads to a significant Gain heart beats. Patients with a heart or circulatory system are at risk of poisoning even at low of chocolate, healthy animals with higher income.

For orientation, the dose: lethal dose of theobromine for a healthy dog is about 300 mg / kg weights for healthy cat about 200 mg / kg body weight. The dark chocolate ja about 500 mg of theobromine per 100 gram table, the milk is about 200 mg per 100 gram table.

It follows that the greatest risk of poisoning patients at risk animals, young, and then when accidents, such as when a dog eats a box of chocolates or chocolate cake. If anyone serves your dog chocolate as a reward several times a day, then there is a risk too, theobromine, thanks poor excretion accrued on, and poisoning may occur for several days.

Because heart defects are invisible to the eye, and a lot owners need not even know that their dog suffer from hidden heart disease or arrhythmia, it is recommended chocolate treats animals better it does not.

Photo By Elevage Les Etoiles De Gallilée

Human Diet

The human diet is not suitable for dogs. It is usually flavored with various spices, which dog stomach is not used to. This can lead to health complications. Moreover dog that gets used to human food, stop eating dog pellets because they are flavored like our food. Leftovers from lunch or expired foods are not good for dogs. The dog is not garbage, which would serve to remove the old sausage that we did not eat.

Never give food directly from the refrigerator. The dog needs feeding, which is at room temperature. Too cold or hot food it can damage the digestive tract , then the animal may suffer as diarrhea.

Coffee

Coffee is also dangerous for animals. Like chocolate contains caffeine, but there is in much higher concentration. Conversely theobromine in it there are only traces, so that the coffee not cause poisoning. Caffeine is a substance which, like theobromine occupies and blocks adenosine receptors, thus leading to disturbances in heart rhythm. It also increases the amount calcium in heart muscle and strengthens heart contractions. Moreover, there has stimulated nerve tissue and can cause seizures. Caffeine is metabolized in the dog faster than theobromine, so much there is no accumulation.

For dogs lethal dose of caffeine is about 100-200 mg / kg, the cat 80-150 mg / kg. Poisoning occurs If swallowed, caffeinated drinks, or then combined poisoning of some painkiller Title that contain caffeine to accelerate the effect (often they Extra epithet). Symptoms of poisoning is more rapid than chocolate and include vomiting, diarrhea, restlessness, increased blood pressure, abnormal heart rhythm and cramps. Death may occur when throes of exhaustion or failure circulatory system.

Salty Foods

The dog has a taste for salty food to more and more bites, and thus takes more than he needed. The result will be the same as for the people that will get fat . Besides, excess salt may occur in dogs as well as humans lead to high blood pressure. But it is not true that the dog did not receive any salt at all, without it he could not digest.

Candy

Sweets can cause big problems. A substance Xylitol, which is part of candies, pastries, biscuits and cakes. Xylitol is a natural sugar alcohol but is also found in fruits and vegetables - plums, strawberries, raspberries, cauliflower and corn, although in small quantities. Xylitol in dogs significantly increased insulin levels , and this may cause a drop in blood sugar and dog-threatening life.

The effects of Xylitol are reflected about 30 minutes after ingestion of large quantities of products containing it. The first symptoms are weakness, loss of coordination abilities and cramps. Xylitol was found even suspect that dogs damage the liver.

Cat Food

Many farmers give dogs feline diet because they taste better, but it is not the best solution. The feline diet is a higher percentage of proteins , which may lead to permanent digestive problems.

Onions & Garlic

Despite the fact that we humans thrive as a natural antibiotic , for dogs are toxic in large quantities . If you want to make your dog healthy, give him a special dog food. Choices of dog food are huge. Lowest canned meat or pellets designed for all dogs over the more expensive and higher quality, which is divided by determining the size of the dog, its age and performance. Your four-legged pet will reward you for it devoted friendship that is for every breeder man the ultimate gift.

Bones

People often think that raw bones are causing injury to the stomach and intestines. In fact, it can injure a dog cooked bones. The bones become brittle cooking, easy to break off and cause trouble. Raw Bone even fish dog easily spend. In addition, you can give the dog raw chicken bones, chicken necks and wings whole, or a raw beef bone or ribs. Never feed a dog chicken bones can break down and damage the stomach or intestines.

Germans Outraged By Government's Demand Of Comatose Boy's Dog

Outrage is spreading across Germany after the government recently made the decision to enforce breed specific legislation against a Staffordshire terrier named Tascha, who has been a comatose boy’s chief ‘carer’ for the last six years. Now there are petitions asking for their town’s mayor to let Tascha stay. 

The Gerzmehle family’s son Dylan was born in a vegetative state ten years ago, but since Tascha came into his life six years ago, his condition has improved. Every morning she comes into Dylan’s room and gently pulls back his blanket with her teeth. She licks his feet, and then curls up next to his face where she can protect him all day. 

Machines that monitor his respiration and heart rate show how both improve when she is next to him. But because of a minor skirmish with another dog, the Gerzmehles are being forced to ship her off or have her surrendered to be destroyed. 

Parents Barbara and Eckhard moved from Berlin to the small town of Schonwalde in the state of Brandenburg so Dylan could have more tranquil surroundings. Brandenburg has a dangerous dog breed law that does not allow Staffies. Because Tascha is licensed, spayed, had passed temperament tests and was trained by certified dog trainers, the state looked the other way on her presence. 

Recently she was involved in a fight that caused minor damage to a neighbor’s dog. The Erna Graff Animal Welfare Foundation said Tascha wasn’t even the one who started the fight. The Gerzmehles apologized and paid for the other dog’s treatment, anyway.

Because of the incident, the state has now demanded that Tascha leave the area or be executed. The EGAWF is on the family’s side, and stated: 

“If necessary, we will bring this matter before the Federal Constitutional Court – the highest in Germany.

” Dylan’s doctor has also shown his support for Tascha, saying that she is a therapy dog to the boy, and “strongly advises” against their being separated. 

“We could really use the support of the authorities. We must keep Tascha for Dylan’s sake, for every little spark of happiness that she brings to him,” Eckhard said. “Whenever the dog is with him, our son responds. He is happy. His breathing becomes quieter, his heart rate falls. That could only be because of this dog.

” But town mayor Bodo Oehme says there is nothing he can do.

 “My hands are tied. The case is clear: the dog bit another. What happens if he was to bite a person, or the child himself ?

” But the Gerzmehles will have a meeting with the mayor and other officials next week after a nationwide protests. The mayor’s office now says if it can be proven that Tascha is a therapy dog, they will”try to find a solution to this problem.”

 “They have already been around several times trying to take her away to kill her,” Eckhard said. “I will believe it when I see it. But it is a hopeful sign.”

Eckhard Gerzmehle with Dylan.

There are two petitions that have been started for Tascha, as well as a Facebook page. They are in German, but can be roughly translated using Google, Babylon or another translation site. 

The first petition has the option to sign at the bottom of the page. It asks for (in order) first name, last name, state, country and email address, and asks if it is ok for your signature to be publicly shown. There is an English translation of the petition letter. 

The second petition, asking for the mayor to pardon Tascha, is roughly translated as follows: 

“We demand that a seriously ill 10-year-old boy not have taken from him the only thing he has. Let Dylan have his Tascha, please! 

“Dear Ladies and Gentlemen, 

We call the non-seizure of female Tascha. How can you be so heartless to a child in a vegetative state and take his only comfort? Until recently, the Office had not objected to the properly reported and trained dog. You want a child that has nothing at all to have his beloved dog taken away because he has unfortunately bitten another dog? Even the doctor strongly advises against it taking away a seriously ill child’s therapy dog. Dylan’s parents are convinced he misses her. They are desperate because no one could calm their youngest son, and his dog, his friend, is so caring. We appeal to your compassion. You’re all mothers and fathers! Would you want taken the only thing your child has? We’re not talking about a felon here, we’re talking about a seriously ill 10-year-old boy who is in a coma! Please bring Tascha back! Germany says ‘no’ to animal killings.

” The form at the side asks for your first name, last name, email address, address, state (or country – click the question asking if you’re outside of the USA next to it if you live outside of the USA), zip code and an optional comment as to why you’re signing. Click the checked box to uncheck if you do not want to subscribe to Change.org emails.