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Whilst I love this time of year; bonfires, fireworks and kicking huge piles of golden leaves…spare a thought for the pets and wildlife in this season.
Before lighting up your bonfire, have a look to make sure some hibernating hedgehogs haven’t made a home there. Ideally, if you can, build the bonfire on the day to prevent animals from setting up camp there.
Also the RSPCA has some great advice for pet owners to cope with the scary noises of bonfire night.

Photo : Andrew Milligan/PA Wire

With all the sad recent news of two police dogs being found dead in a locked car on the hottest day of the year, the RSPCA have some excellent advice on how to look after your pet in this hot weather. Even in moderately warm weather, around 22 degrees, the temperature inside a locked car can quickly reach 47 degrees within an hour. If you see a dog locked in a car, people are advised to ring 999.

Today begins the animal charity RSPCA Week! This vital organisation help rescue animals all over the country every year…but they need our help. Find out what’s going on near you and see what you can do to get involved. I’ll be popping down to the London Pet Show (for the rabbit show jumping and pig agility!) where they will have a stand giving out useful pet info and advice.

Meet Zac and Lilli, two of the residents at Blue Cross’s animal shelter. They’ve been friends since they were puppies but when Zac lost his sight five years ago, Lilli became his natural guide dog. Sarah Bussell from the charity says how they’ve bonded, “Their relationship is about Zac’s trust in Lilli. It’s really sweet.”
Their owner emigrated recently so they are looking for a new home…and as they are inseparable, they come as a pair!

The RSPCA are looking for more people to help with their Pet Retreat campaign. They receive hundreds of phone calls from people trying to escape domestic violence with the extra problem of how to look after their pets. Pet Retreat provides a temporary foster home for their pet, so they know they are safe and cared for while they sort their lives out. Then, when they’re ready, their pet is returned to them! But at the moment, there are only 80 foster families in the country. Find out more on their website and see if you could provide a lifeline for not just these pets but their owners too.

Dogs for the blind, dogs for the deaf…and now dogs are being used to help children learn how to read. Danny the greyhound is the perfect listener and the children feel relaxed and comfortable reading out loud to him.
My favourite bit is that when Danny falls asleep, his owner tells the children he is simply dreaming about their stories.

Amidst all the tragedy in Australia at the moment, it’s nice to see a heartwarming story. These animals were both found abandoned outside a factory in Melbourne and have now formed a strong bond at their shelter. The 5 year old terrier is suckling the 8 week old kitten as if she were her own.
Photo : Rex

Brilliant video showing how humans would be too selfish to be a guide dog…
But you don’t have to be a human guide dog to help! Show your support for the Guide Dogs for the Blind at their website. You could volunteer, fundraise or sponsor a puppy.

The winners of the Kennel Club’s Photographer of the Year have been announced! A whole range of doggy exploits are shown including this rather damp dog, which reminds me of our old dog who always did this after trying to drag up immense bits of timber from the seabed…The full line up of winners has been put up on flickr and will be shown at the Discover Dogs exhibition in Earls Court next month.

…these dogs are in trouble. My dog ate what? An intriguing sounding programme on Nat Geo about the weird and wonderful things people’s pooches have ingested.