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Pet owner fined $806 over simple mistake

A poodle owner has been fined $806 over a 10-metre walk to the beach. John, who lives a few minutes away from Budd's Beach in Queensland, took his van down to the water's edge and walked roughly 10 metres across the shoreline with his dog Emma by his side. Little did he know that this common act would cost him $806 under new regulations that came into effect on July 31, where pet owners can get fined for not having a pet on a leash or not maintaining proper control of the leash while in public. "I thought that it was very unfair ...I was only traveling from my van to the water," John told A Current Affair. "I wasn't wandering along the footpath or in public areas or anywhere. "I was just passing, travelling from the car to the water... I really didn't think that I was doing anything wrong." John was fined for “failure to exercise effective control of a non regulated dog in a public place”. There are signs further up Budd's Beach that state dogs must be on a leash at all times, and John said he does use a lead when he takes his pup out for a walk. The massive fines are a part of the Queensland government's crackdown on dog attacks, with fines of up to $112,910 for more serious dog attack offences as well as up to three years imprisonment. “Changes were made to the AMCDA due to a rise in complaints about aggressive dogs and dog attacks, and the large number of dog-attack victims admitted to hospital each year in Queensland,” the Queensland government said in a statement online. Another Queensland resident has also been fined under the same laws for having her dog's lead under her foot during a coffee break. “It’s wrong, we are trying to survive and it is another stress I didn’t need,” the resident said. “She was on a lead and collar and she was behaving properly." Images: Nine

Legal

Common mistakes pet owners make

While most pet owners have the best of intentions, sometimes not everyone is aware of the mistakes they are making or the things they could be doing better. Here’s a list of common mistakes pet owners make. How many are you guilty of? Lack of exercise While each breed and species is different in reference to their specific exercise needs, one thing stays the same: every animal requires daily exercise. When working out what is the correct amount for your animal, you need to look at their age, species and breed. And before you go thinking of daily exercise at a chore, remember this: exercise should be fun! It can include play time, walks, jogs, runs, agility training and more. Always consult with your local vet if you want to know the specific exercise guidelines for your pet. No behavioural training When bringing a new animal into your home and family, adequate training is so important. Does your animal know how to take commands? It’s important to be able to teach your pet things and that they respect you. Remember the saying: You can’t teach an old dog new tricks? Well, that’s right. Investing the time to go through behavioural training from the start will help save you time and frustration in the long run. Your pet is bored often Just like humans, pets too get bored. Playing games with your furry friend – such as teaching them tricks or providing them with the toys and space to do interesting things – will do wonders in ensuring their mind is constantly developed. If your pet is stimulated, it should stop them from destroying the house, and your things, when you’re out. Poorly looked after teeth A common mistake a lot of pet owners make, is not brushing often enough – or at all – their pet’s teeth. After all, dental hygiene is one of the most important health issues animals face. The good news is this is avoidable by regularly brushing your pet’s teeth and checking on their oral hygiene. Anything out of the ordinary may be an indication of infection, but when caught early, can be more easily treated. So ensure you book in regular visits at the vet to check your furry friend’s mouth too. Not enough trips to the vet Just as it is important for humans to go to the dentist and doctor for check-ups and shots regularly, visiting the vet and keeping up with a vaccination schedule is equally as important. If not more so, as pets cannot tell you when something is wrong. Booking into to see the vet every so often will ensure your pet is healthy and blossoming for years to come. Image credits: Shutterstock

Family & Pets

"SHEER INSANITY": Dog owner slammed over bizarre request

A cat owner was left purr-plexed after receiving a bizarre note from her neighbour about her cats. She took to Facebook to share the "unhinged" letter, racking up over 15,000 comments from other people who were furious on her behalf. "Hey neighbour! Can you please keep your cats out of the window?" the letter read. "They are causing my dog to sit in the window and bark all day long." The anonymous letter ended abruptly with: "I work from home so this is very difficult, thanks, K." The cat owner said that she has three cats and two new kittens in her house, and although they occasionally sit on the window when it's a nice outside, they "do nothing but sleep." "We keep the windows open because we don’t have aircon yet," she added. The dog owner had barked up the wrong tree, as many commenters slammed them for their "entitled" behaviour. "Tell them to train the dog," one said, echoing the thoughts of many. "LMAO, you cannot stop a cat from sitting in a window. Cats will find a way, but you can absolutely do a number of things to stop a dog from barking at a window," another added. "This can’t be real. What a crazy neighbour," a third wrote. "I’m totally a dog person, but trying to make your neighbour discipline their cat for sitting in a window because you won’t discipline your dog for nuisance barking is SHEER INSANITY. I mean, what the hell?" a fellow dog owner added. "Train your cat not to chill in a window because training a dog not to disturb the s*** out of everyone is too hard? I can’t believe this neighbour had the nerve." "Imagine being so entitled that you think it’s someone else’s responsibility to control your pet’s behaviour," another wrote. Another person pointed out: "If ‘your dog’ is barking when they look out the window, then cover 'your window'." Image: Facebook

Family & Pets

How 8-year-old Ruby McLellan became Australia's youngest home owner

Move over, monopoly tycoons and pretend princes of pretend kingdoms – meet Ruby McLellan, the pint-sized powerhouse who's rewriting the rules of real estate and giving the term "property ladder" a literal twist. That's right: Ruby is just eight years old and already owns a four-bedroom house. Meanwhile, most of us can barely find matching socks in the morning. Now, before you start picturing a tiny landlord with a playhouse adorned with "No Girls Allowed" signs, let's delve into Ruby's remarkable tale of fiscal responsibility and pocket money prowess. While most kids her age were still trying to figure out if they preferred chocolate or strawberry milk, Ruby was busy checking out property market trends and crunching numbers like a seasoned Wall Street mogul. With the help of her siblings, Angus (14) and Lucy (13), Ruby pooled their collective pocket money - a grand total of $6000 - to secure a deposit for their first property. Their weapon of choice? Not lemonade stands or tooth fairy funds, but good old-fashioned hard work and frugality. The result? A four-bedroom home in Clyde, southeast of Melbourne, bought by the McLellan kids for $671,000. Their dad, Cam McLellan, CEO of a property investment company, guided them through the labyrinth of real estate jargon, teaching them about positive gearing and growth corridors. While other kids were learning their times tables, Ruby was calculating potential rental yields. Talk about a head start in life! And while their friends were blowing their allowances on the latest toys and gadgets, these pint-sized property moguls were saying no to impulse buys and yes to long-term investments. It's like they were born with calculators instead of rattles. Now, you might be wondering, what's next for these mini-magnates? Well, they plan to hold onto their property until Lucy and Angus hit their early 20s, ensuring they've waited through one full "growth property cycle". After that, it's off to the races, with hopes that their humble abode will fetch a cool million bucks. But Ruby's not stopping there. She's already asking about tax implications and property sales, proving that she's got the brains to match her business acumen. Who needs a lemonade stand when you can have a diversified investment portfolio? So, while most kids are busy mastering Fortnite dances or perfecting their TikTok routines, Ruby McLellan is out here making moves in the property market. Who knows? Maybe one day we'll all be renting from her property empire. But just remember, when you're paying rent to an eight-year-old landlord, be sure to pay on time. Late fees might include extra homework assignments or a mandatory bedtime story session. Hey, it's all in the lease agreement... Image: The Today Show

Money & Banking

Virgin Australia announces big news for pet owners

Virgin Australia has made a major announcement for pet owners who worried about leaving their furry friends at home when they travel. Outgoing Virgin Australia CEO Jayne Hrdlicka announced on Thursday that they will be the first Australian airline to let small animals travel in the cabin. The revolutionary move is subject to regulatory approval, but if it gets through, Virgin will launch the pet flights on specific domestic routes within the next 12 months. Only small animals will be allowed to travel under the new rules, with specific rows on pet flights reserved for those travelling with their small dogs and cats. They will also be required to be held in a pet carrier under the seat in front of the owner for the duration of the flight, and will not be able to roam around freely or sit on people’s laps for the entirety of the journey. “Overwhelmingly, our guests tell us they want to travel with their pets, and we are now on a journey to make that a reality. It’s something that commonly happens overseas and is proven to work well,” Hrdlicka said. “Almost 70 per cent of Australian households have a pet, so this announcement is really significant for a large proportion of the country." “It’s also a great thing for pet-friendly accommodation providers who will benefit greatly from increased connectivity and the ease for travellers to fly with their pets. It really will be a whole new economy for pet travel in Australia.” This change will not affect existing arrangements for approved service animals, and passengers travelling with larger pets could still pay for them to be transported as cargo. Image credits: Virgin Australia

Domestic Travel

"Other cities will follow": Big trouble ahead for SUV owners

Paris residents have voted to charge SUVs triple the cost of parking compared to standard sized cars in a bid to tackle air pollution and improve safety. 54.6 per cent of residents voted to pass the plan, with the new parking tariffs expected to start in September. The price increase will apply to on-street parking for vehicles with combustion or hybrid engines weighing more than 1.6 tonnes and electric vehicles weighing over two tonnes. The change means that the vehicles will pay €18 (A$29.69) an hour for parking in the centre of Paris, up from €6 (A$9.90), and €12 (A$19.79) an hour in the rest of the city, up from €4 (A$6.60). "Parisians have made a clear choice … other cities will follow,” Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo said. Experts are onboard with the move and believe the Australia should do the same thing. Urban access consultant and author of the book Rethinking Parking David Mepham said that the move could help improve safety as: “SUVs are actually some of the most unsafe vehicles on the road for pedestrians with a fatality rate that is significantly higher than other vehicles.” “The injury and fatality rate should be a concern in highly pedestrianised areas such as city centres.” In 2022 alone, SUV and light commercial vehicles made up 76.8 per cent of car sales, coming in eighth on the top 10 vehicle sales according to the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries. With spaces in the cities limited, Mepham added: “If you’ve got a larger car you should expect to pay more for that, you should pay for what you use.” Standards Australia has recently proposed to increase the size of off-street parking spaces by 20 centimetres in Australia, from 5.4 metres to 5.6 metres, which would make it easier for larger vehicles to park, but would limit car spaces. Executive director of the Australia Institute, Richard Dennis also said that SUV owners need to face the consequences of owning a larger vehicle. “If we want to drive much bigger cars, are we going to widen all of our city streets, are we going to have less car parking spaces?” he said. “Because if we want to drive these cars we need to own the consequences.” Marion Terrill, an independent transport expert, also agreed that higher parking fees for large vehicles are “absolutely reasonable.” “If you want more of it you can pay more, it’s the same principle as paying for parking at all," she said. Image: Getty

Travel Trouble

Our dogs can terrify (and even kill) wildlife. Here’s how to be a responsible owner this summer

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/melissa-starling-461103">Melissa Starling</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sydney-841">University of Sydney</a> In Australia, dog ownership often goes hand-in-hand with a love for the great outdoors. Whether it’s walking on the beach, going camping, or having a barbecue in the park, we tend to keep our canine companions close as we soak up the sun. But many of us forget a key fact about our dogs: they are predators. Even the fluffy little 5kg ball that spends most of its time in your lap derives from an apex predator – and its predatory instincts can kick in at any time. And while many of our dogs don’t have the same hunting skills as their distant ancestors (who had to hunt for a living), wildlife doesn’t know that. The impacts of domestic dogs on wildlife aren’t well studied, and likely vary depending on the environment. Nonetheless, there’s good evidence domestic dogs, when left unobserved, can have detrimental effects in the places they visit. With that in mind, here are some things to consider next time you take your pup out for a bushwalk. <h2>How dogs impact ecosystems</h2> There are <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0006320717305967">five main ways</a> domestic dogs can negatively impact the natural environments they visit. These are: <ol> <li>direct physical harm through predatory behaviour</li> <li>disturbance through chasing and harassment</li> <li>increased exposure to diseases</li> <li>interbreeding, which can alter the gene pool of wild canid populations</li> <li>increased competition for resources.</li> </ol> The good news is the last three points aren’t particularly relevant in Australia. For one thing, there’s little overlap between diseases common in domestic dogs and Australian wildlife. There’s also little resource overlap, except perhaps in some areas where feral or semi-feral dogs live alongside dingoes. And regarding potential interbreeding, while it was once thought this could threaten the dingo gene pool, <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/mec.16998">recent research</a> suggests it’s not nearly as common as we thought. As such, the main harms Aussie dog owners should focus on are physical harms through predatory behaviour and disturbance to ecosystems. <h2>Dogs can kill</h2> We know dogs are capable of injuring and killing wildlife, but it’s difficult to determine how common this is, because many events go unreported. While smaller animals such as lizards, gliders and possums are at higher risk, larger species such as koalas can also fall prey to dogs. <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0206958">One study</a> that looked at wildlife coming into care at Queensland rehabilitation centres reported dog attacks as the cause in about 9% of cases. These cases often resulted in severe injury or death. Dog owners should be especially wary of small, localised populations of vulnerable species. A <a href="https://ri.conicet.gov.ar/bitstream/handle/11336/202640/CONICET_Digital_Nro.29048152-7a5c-4ea2-8068-e73d42cba01d_B.pdf?sequence=2&isAllowed=y">study</a> in Argentina’s Patagonia region details several cases of dogs decimating local penguin populations after gaining access to protected island areas during low tide. Not to mention, dog attacks on wildlife can bring risk to dogs as well. Kangaroos can defend themselves with <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-10-16/mildura-man-fights-kangaroo-to-protect-dog/102983926">their powerful limbs</a>, monitor lizards are equipped with sharp claws and teeth, and many snake species <a href="https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/queensland/dogs-twice-as-likely-to-die-from-snake-bite-as-cats-research-finds-20200519-p54ufd.html">are highly venomous</a>. <h2>The impact of harassment</h2> You might think it’s harmless for your dog to chase wildlife if it never manages to catch the animals it chases, but that isn’t true. Wild animals optimise their behaviours to meet their needs for foraging, breeding and resting, and being chased by a dog can disrupt this. For example, certain threatened bird species will nest on the beach and find foraging opportunities based on the tides. One dog forcing one bird to abandon this important activity may have a small impact. But if it happens repeatedly throughout the day, it can become a <a href="https://wilderness-society.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Dogs-as-agents-of-disturbance-Michael-A.-Weston-and-Theodore-Stankowich.pdf">much bigger problem</a>. It may even drive animals out of the area. <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2391219/">Research</a> conducted in Sydney has shown the mere presence of a leashed dog is enough to temporarily, yet dramatically, reduce the number of bird species detected. <h2>Keep an eye on your furry pal</h2> Responsible dog ownership involves making sure our dogs have a minimal impact on others, including wildlife. How can we achieve this when our dogs are simply engaging in behaviours that come naturally to them, and may even be rewarding for them? Training your dog to have general obedience – especially to come when called – is worth sinking considerable time and effort into. This can save both your dog and any wildlife they may be after. For instance, calling a dog away from a snake is one of the most effective ways of managing snake bite risk. One <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/333344634_Applying_Social_Marketing_to_Koala_Conservation_The_Leave_It_Pilot_Program">pilot study</a> in Victoria found positive outcomes from a program that helped owners train their dogs to be more obedient around wildlife. That said, recall training is an art form, and recalling a dog that likes to run off and chase animals can be a huge challenge. Another solution is to rely on leashes when passing sensitive areas, or where there’s a risk of wildlife harassment. In Australia, many beaches that allow dogs have signs with information about vulnerable birds in the area and how to protect them from your dog. This could mean keeping your dog off rock platforms, leashing them when you see birds foraging on the beach, or keeping them out of fenced areas. Some areas are simply too vulnerable for dogs to run amok, so always look for signs and read them carefully. If you’re hiking, use a long line (a leash that’s more than five metres long) and look for signs of your dog detecting something of interest. Often their ears will come up high and forward, and they will freeze and stare intently. At this point, it doesn’t matter what they’re excited about: take the opportunity to leash them or shorten their leash, and get their attention before they can take off. Investing in a long leash will allow your dog more freedom without putting wildlife at risk. If your dog does injure an animal, you should quickly contact a wildlife rescue organisation or take the animal to a veterinary practice or sanctuary. For small animals, even minor injuries from a dog will usually require veterinary attention. It’s our responsibility to be respectful visitors when we’re out in nature, and to make sure our dogs are too. <img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/214722/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/melissa-starling-461103">Melissa Starling</a>, Postdoctoral Researcher in Veterinary Science, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sydney-841">University of Sydney</a> Image credits: Getty Images This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/our-dogs-can-terrify-and-even-kill-wildlife-heres-how-to-be-a-responsible-owner-this-summer-214722">original article</a>.

Family & Pets

New fines of over $100k for owners of dogs that attack a person

Queensland is taking a strong stance on dog attacks with the introduction of new legislation aimed at holding owners accountable for the actions of their pets. The proposed laws, set to be introduced into the state parliament, come as a response to the increasing incidents of serious harm caused by dangerous dogs. If passed, the legislation will not only significantly increase fines for irresponsible dog owners but will also enforce a ban on five specific breeds deemed as posing a higher risk. The breeds targeted by the legislation include Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, Japanese Tosa, American Pit Bull Terrier or Pit Bull Terrier, and Perro de Presa Canario or Presa Canario. These breeds have been singled out due to their perceived potential for aggression and the severity of harm they can inflict. The legislation aims to mitigate the risks associated with these breeds by implementing strict measures. Under the proposed legislation, owners whose dogs cause death or grievous bodily harm and have not taken "reasonable steps" to prevent such incidents could face fines of up to $108,000. This marks a significant increase from the current fines outlined in the Animal Management Act. Additionally, the legislation introduces the possibility of a maximum three-year jail term for owners found guilty of negligence in preventing their dogs from causing harm. The laws assure that dogs of the prohibited breeds won't be euthanised. Instead, they will be "grandfathered out", meaning they will not be allowed to have puppies. Furthermore, the legislation puts a halt to the importation of these breeds into Queensland, aiming to curb the growth of the population of potentially dangerous dogs. Mark Furner, Queensland's agriculture minister, emphasised that these laws are designed to put dog owners on notice to be responsible. He pointed out that over the last decade, there has been a 64% increase in emergency department presentations due to attacks by dangerous dogs. Furner stated, "On average each year, councils in Queensland declare 500 dogs as dangerous," highlighting the need for a legislative framework that addresses irresponsible ownership. The new legislation is geared towards making the community safer by placing a heightened focus on the owners of dogs deemed irresponsible. Furner shared a harrowing incident involving a toddler girl who suffered severe wounds from a dog attack, underlining the urgency of such laws to prevent similar tragedies. Notably, 81% of dog attacks in Queensland on average are reported to involve children. In addition to the penalties for serious incidents, the legislation grants local council officers the authority to issue fines to owners who exhibit a "lack of control" over their dogs at off-leash parks. This provision aims to ensure that owners maintain control over their pets, even in public spaces where they may interact with other dogs and people. Queensland's proposed legislation marks a significant step towards promoting responsible dog ownership and safeguarding the community from the risks associated with dangerous breeds. If successfully passed, these laws could serve as a model for other regions grappling with similar issues related to dog attacks and irresponsible ownership. Image: Britannica

Family & Pets

The 15 dog breeds perfect for first-time owners

First-time pup parent Becoming a first-time dog owner is a truly rewarding experience. You’re gaining a new loyal best friend and have a wonderful adventure before you. That said, we’d be remiss if we didn’t acknowledge that the process also comes with some little curveballs as you learn the ropes of pup parenthood. In addition to the dog’s size – be it a toy breed, medium breed, or giant breed – it’s also important to consider the dog’s personality. For example, do you want a <a href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/food-home-garden/pets/the-best-low-maintenance-dogs-for-busy-people" target="_blank" rel="noopener">low-maintenance dog</a> or a <a href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/food-home-garden/pets/11-dog-breeds-that-can-be-left-alone" target="_blank" rel="noopener">dog breed that does well when left alone</a>? Or are you perhaps seeking the <a href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/food-home-garden/pets/the-best-dog-breeds-for-kids" target="_blank" rel="noopener">best dog breeds for kids</a>? “When you are thinking about getting a dog for the first time, the first thing to ask yourself is what you envision your life with a dog looking like,” says Marissa Sunny, a canine behaviour specialist. “If you want a dog to get you out of the house and go running with, then a high-energy working breed may be for you! If you are looking for a Netflix buddy, then an adult or senior dog may be for you.” And while purebreds are wonderful, there are many mixed breeds available for adoption in your local shelters that make wonderful pets, even for first-time dog owners. To help you determine the best first dog for new owners – and avoid some of the worst dogs for first-time owners – we’re showcasing some of the most popular dog breeds that are easy to train, groom and bond with. Bichon Frise Known for its loving and playful personality, the Bichon Frise is an intelligent and charming lapdog who befriends just about everyone they meet. They are one of the best dogs for beginners since they’re typically easy to train and are great with kids. Another perk is that their fluffy white coat is hypoallergenic, making them ideal for those concerned about dog allergies. They do need to be bathed about once a month and benefit from a good brushing several times a week. A visit to the groomer every four to six weeks can also help keep them looking tip-top. Ease of care: 4/5 Golden retrievers Arguably one of the easiest dog breeds for first-time owners, the golden retriever is one of the most beloved canines for good reason. This lovable pup is exceptionally friendly and devoted to its owners. They are also known for being obedient and easy to train, so teaching them to fetch, sit and stay is likely to be a breeze, which is one of the reasons many service dogs are golden retrievers. Perhaps most important, though, is their gregarious and outgoing personalities, which make them fantastic as first-time family dogs, as well. They benefit from a good brushing once a week and perhaps more during their twice-annual shedding spree. Ease of care: 5/5 Papillon The papillon – which means butterfly in French – is another wee-sized pup weighing in at only 4.5kg tops. They are an affectionate dog breed and they also get along well with children. Though very small, this toy breed is surprisingly athletic and spritely and benefits greatly from playtime. One potential drawback is that they’re not too keen on hanging out with other animals. However, they are surprisingly easy to groom thanks to their lack of an undercoat. A good bath every few months and a once-monthly grooming session are all they need. Ease of care: 4/5 Labrador retriever The Labrador retriever is another popular dog breed. They are most noted for their outgoing personality and friendly demeanour, and they are also one of the best-behaved dog breeds. These playful, easy-going pups – which come in chocolate, black, and yellow – are very sociable. This allows not only for easy bonding with the entire family but with other animals, too. Because they love to make their owners happy, labs are also one of the easiest dog breeds to train. Occasional baths and brushing are all this dog needs to keep it looking its best. Ease of care: 5/5 Cavalier King Charles spaniel A sweet combination of a small toy breed and spaniel, the Cavalier King Charles spaniel is a gentle, graceful, athletic and high-spirited little pup. They make our list of the best first dogs for new owners because of their adaptability and smarts, which make them both easy to get along with and train. These unfailingly sweet pups are also keen on pleasing their humans, making them excellent for a broad ranch of owners, including couples, families, seniors, and individuals. They are also known for being effective therapy dogs, too. They do require a little more grooming than other pups on our list and need daily brushing, weekly ear-checks, and monthly nail trims. Ease of care: 4/5 German shepherd The noble German shepherd is an excellent dog for first-time owners for many reasons. For starters, they are exceptionally smart pups that are easy to train, which is one reason why they are utilised in K-9 units. Second, they are gentle with their owners and unfailingly loyal – to the end that they make great watchdogs. Finally, German shepherds are easy to groom. The AKC says they benefit from brushing a few times a week to remove loose hairs and that they only need occasional baths. Ease of care: 5/5 Standard poodle Recognised for their fluffy, pillow-like hypoallergenic coats, the poodle is a notably smart and athletic family companion. Because of these positive qualities, poodles have been bred with many other breeds to get designer breeds including the labradoodle, groodle, spoodle, and cavoodle. Do note that as puppies, poodles can be high-energy, so they’ll need to be able to run off that steam. They also should be brushed daily and professionally groomed about once every month or two to combat matting and keep their coats lustrous. Ease of care: 4/5 Basenji You might not be too familiar with the Basenji, but this smart and adaptable quiet dog breed makes our list because of how easy-going and low-key it is. Some even describe this dog as “cat-like” in its independence and quiet demeanour. While it’s not overtly lovey-dovey like some breeds, the Basenji is perfect for first-time owners who tend to be gone often and prefer a pup that’s not always at their ankles. The AKC says their short coat is also simple to care for. Just give them a once-over every week or two – and no bathing required unless they get into something. Ease of care: 4/5 Yorkshire terrier A truly petite-sized pup, the adorable Yorkie is a tiny terrier that weighs in at only seven pounds. Though tiny, they do have major personalities! This breed has a reputation for being brave, tenacious and sprightly. They are also exceptionally friendly. The breed’s long, low-allergen coat mimics human hair more than dog fur, making them one of the more popular dogs for those who deal with pet allergies. The trade-off is that their long hair does require daily brushing, weekly bathing and regular professional groomings. Ease of care: 3/5 Pugs Survey any pug owner and they’ll likely be quick to tell you that this breed is one of the best family companions out there. The adaptable pug gets along with basically everyone – including kids, seniors and other animals – and thrives in both the city and country. Pugs also enjoy making their owners happy, which helps make training them a breeze. Another bonus: their coat is considered low maintenance and only needs weekly brushing to control light shedding. Ease of care: 5/5 Whippet Don’t confuse the whippet for a greyhound! Though they do look similar, the whippet is its own breed (and actually quite a bit smaller). This lean and elegant pup is a lightning-quick runner that enjoys having a good chase in the backyard. As long as it’s getting plenty of exercise, this breed can fare well in an apartment or a house with a yard. Another perk is that these guys barely bark. Also, their short coat is very easy to care for and only requires weekly brushing and occasional baths. While smart, the whippet has a bit more of a mischievous personality that can be a little tricky to reign in when training. Ease of care: 4/5 Great Dane Don’t be intimidated by the Great Dane’s mighty stature; this pup is a true gentle giant. This sweet-natured, patient, ultra-friendly pup bonds with its family owners quickly and remains loyal through and through – they’re even great with children. However gentle, the Great Dane also makes for a courageous and vigilant watchdog as well. Regarding training, this breed does benefit from professional obedience training in order to harness its full potential. They also should be brushed weekly, bathed occasionally, and have their nails trimmed monthly. Ease of care: 3/5 Irish setter If you’re in the market for a lovable, friendly pup that’s perhaps not quite as well-known as other breeds, the Irish setter might just be your match. These sweet dogs get along with, and bond quickly, with everyone they meet – including kids, adults, seniors, and other animals. They do tend to be a bit on the rambunctious side, so a playful and active setting is ideal. They are also eager to please and respond well to patient training, notes the AKC. Moderate grooming is required, including twice-weekly brushing, monthly nail trims, and occasional baths. Ease of care: 4/5 Bernese mountain dog The powerful and sweet-natured Bernese mountain dog is a family companion that will bring joy to any home. They’re on our list of the best dogs for beginners because they are easy to train, exceptionally patient with everyone (including kiddos), and get along easily with many personalities and even other animals. Their big size can be intimidating, but they’re big softies who love to stick close to their humans. In fact, they can be a little shy! Frequent shedding is more of an issue with this breed, and they require a good brushing two to three times a week. Ease of care: 4/5 Mixed breeds We’ve included many purebreds on this list, but we don’t want to leave out mixed breeds and “mutts.” Though adoptable animals from the shelter can come with some specific needs, many will be forever grateful to have you as their owner. When seeking a pup to adopt, we recommend looking to their personalities – versus specific breed – to determine if they’re a fit for your lifestyle. “Your local shelter or rescue can help you find the perfect match for your family,” says Sunny. Ease of care: varies Image credits: Getty Images This article originally appeared on <a href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/food-home-garden/pets/15-best-dogs-for-first-time-owners?pages=1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reader's Digest</a>.

Family & Pets

Brave dog owner speaks out after harrowing ordeal

Eleanor Booth has spoken out after she was forced to defend her Jack Russell terrier from a vicious attack by two Irish wolfhounds. The 34-year-old was walking her dog Indi on the popular walking track in south Sydney when they were set upon by the two dogs being walked by a man whose identity remains a mystery. Eleanor ran into a muddy creek to seek shelter, where they stayed for 30 minutes as they tried to fend off the animals until eventually being rescued by police armed with pepper spray. After suffering from critical injuries sustained during the ordeal, Indi <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/family-pets/tragic-end-for-indi-the-jack-russell-after-he-and-owner-mauled-in-vicious-attack">tragically died</a> on Monday evening after being rushed into veterinary intensive care. “It was heartbreaking, she was killed in my arms ... I am genuinely lucky to be alive if they had decided to attack me I could have died,” Ms Booth told <a href="https://7news.com.au/news/dog-attack/pet-dies-after-being-critically-injured-alongside-owner-in-terrifying-sydney-dog-attack-c-11242022" target="_blank" rel="noopener">7News</a>. <iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/TkRfrDQ4gNE" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> Ms Booth said she saw the owner of the vicious dogs run off and initially believed he had gone to get help, but it was the last she saw of him. “I hope he takes responsibility for what has happened to my dog and to me,” Ms Booth said. Police are continuing to investigate the identity of the man and urge anyone with information to come forward. Following the terrifying ordeal, Elle’s husband Tom Dale told <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12286887/Lugarno-dog-attack-Woman-pet-killed-Irish-Wolfhounds-breaks-silence.html">Daily Mail Australia</a> that his wife was “brave as hell” and he was “so proud of her”. 'He [the man] was yelling at Elle to get Indigo to stop running away, as it was exciting his dogs. He was trying to stop them but they were out of control,' Mr Dale said. After Indi was taken to veterinary intensive care, Ms Booth was rushed to St George Hospital after suffering injuries to her face, neck, arms, hands and legs and underwent surgery on her hands and forearm on Monday. Family friend Tess Hutchison said the event had changed the couple's lives “forever” and has filled them with “sorrow, heartache, and unspeakable pain”, prompting her to set up a GoFundMe page for the couple. A GoFundMe page set up for the brave pet owner surpassed its $25,000 goal - the cost of Indi's vet bills - within hours. Ms Hutchinson shared her appreciation for everyone who had rallied to support the couple. “We want to say a huge thank you to each and every one of you who have donated, sent kind words and had both Elle and Indi in their thoughts over the last couple of days,” she said. Image credits: 7News

Family & Pets

Tragic end for Indi the Jack Russell after he and owner mauled in vicious attack

In a heartbreaking turn of events, a NSW woman by the name of Eleanor Booth faced a horrifying ordeal while trying to defend her Jack Russell terrier from a vicious dog attack along a well-known walking track in southern Sydney. Unfortunately, her courageous efforts were in vain, as her beloved pet, Indi, succumbed to the injuries inflicted during the brutal attack. The incident unfolded on Sunday near the Georges River in Lugarno and concluded with both Booth and her pet being rescued by emergency services after she waded into neck-deep mud to escape from two dogs that had escaped from their home. Booth, who confided in her friends that she feared she would meet her end alone while clutching her lifeless dog, underwent surgery on Monday to treat wounds to both her hands. She also suffered bites to her mouth, throat, and cheek, in addition to a broken arm. Tragically, little Indi passed away at the Sydney Animal Hospital on Monday afternoon, having reportedly experienced several heart attacks. The community rallied behind Booth, and a <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-indi-and-elle-after-vicious-dog-attack" target="_blank" rel="noopener">GoFundMe</a> campaign had already raised nearly $25,000 at the time of writing to aid her recovery from this shocking incident – with the funds now being used "to pay the outstanding bills, and any amount raised over and above will be donated to Veterinary Specialists of Sydney (VSOS)". The harrowing ordeal began when Booth took Indi for a routine walk on Sunday morning and unexpectedly encountered two dogs, believed to be Irish Wolfhounds, who launched a ferocious assault on Indi. Booth recounted witnessing a man with the two dogs instructing them to cease the attack. However, when the dogs showed no signs of relenting, the man abandoned the scene. Fuelled by sheer determination, Booth fought desperately to free Indi from the clutches of the aggressors and sought refuge by plunging into the muddy waters of the river. Witnesses attest that the dogs relentlessly pursued Booth into the treacherous terrain. Amidst the chaos, Fire and Rescue NSW personnel came to the aid of Booth and Indi, utilising pepper spray to deter the attacking dogs. In an effort to extricate Booth from the mud, rescuers instructed her to remove her trousers and shoes, facilitating her escape from the perilous predicament. Astonishingly, even two police officers who arrived on the scene found themselves trapped in the thick mud for a daunting 15 minutes. Eventually, thanks to the concerted efforts of firefighters from Fire and Rescue NSW, the woman, her dog, and the two officers were successfully liberated from their muddy entrapment and promptly received medical attention. As investigations into the incident continue, NSW Police representative Paul Callaghan emphasised that the owner would likely bear liability, particularly in cases involving dogs attacking one another. The circumstances surrounding the attack and subsequent events will undoubtedly form a crucial part of the ongoing inquiry. Images: Nine News / Gofundme

Family & Pets

Why we should take our pets more seriously

Janette Young, Lecturer in health policy, politics and promotion, University of South Australia, and Lisel O'Dwyer, Senior Researcher, Social and Policy Studies, Flinders University, explain why we should take our pets more seriously. Pets are a powerful positive influence in many people’s lives. No doubt many people reading this article are part of the estimated <a href="http://animalmedicinesaustralia.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Pet-Ownership-in-Australia-2013-Summary-ONLINE-VER.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">5 million of 7.5 million</a> Australian households with a pet. Although the evidence body is small, pets have been shown to have positive effects for physical health for some time. <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2015/15_0204.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A new study</a> found children with a pet dog were less likely to suffer from anxiety than those without. In the early 1990s researchers showed that pet owners had significantly lower levels of <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1435469" target="_blank" rel="noopener">risk factors</a> for cardiovascular disease like blood pressure. Research has also found <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1295517/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">general health improves</a> after getting a pet and is maintained in the long term, in comparison with a matched control group without pets. However, we are still not encouraging and funding research into how health systems, services and public policy can tap into this resource, especially in mental health. Getting this topic taken seriously in academia is also difficult. It is seen as frivolous and light-hearted, and not part of legitimate health sciences. Consequently, there is only a piecemeal body of academic literature on the role of pets in mental health. Across various fields such as <a href="http://anj.sagepub.com/content/35/3/363.abstract" target="_blank" rel="noopener">criminology</a> and <a href="http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022103111002411" target="_blank" rel="noopener">psychology</a>, we can find ad hoc pieces of research linking human mental health to human-animal relationships with positive benefits. The lack of a coherent body of evidence means it is difficult to show that pets are important in any one population group or field, even after piecing the existing research together. Few health science fields consider there is enough evidence to support publishing new papers, often on the grounds that “evidence is lacking”. We also found animal fields were reluctant to publish articles that suggested animals could be a resource for human wellness. This was seen as devaluing animals. This conundrum of responses results in a lack of published research, leading to a perception that it is unimportant. This perception shapes the views of funding bodies, so researchers have difficulty in obtaining funding. In turn, there is a dearth of research and a fragmented undeveloped field of understanding. Are pets good for us? Scanning the fragmented body of literature that does exist suggests that pets are highly significant in the mental wellbeing of many people. The field of domestic violence is the most advanced in considering the role of pets in health and wellbeing. Some women will stay in a violent relationship because of threats to their pets by an abuser. If services assisting women to escape domestic violence don’t allow pets, they will <a href="http://works.bepress.com/elizabeth_strand/5/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">stay with the pet</a>. Some services have been implementing <a href="http://alliephillips.com/saf-tprogram/saf-t-shelters/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">pet-friendly approaches</a> in response to this evidence. This level of attachment between women and their pets suggests that pets may also act as a coping or support mechanism, whether they stay or leave. Young homeless people <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24728815" target="_blank" rel="noopener">have reported pets</a> as providing unconditional love, reducing loneliness and improving quality of life and wellbeing. Pets may provide helpful structure in the lives of people experiencing mental illness: addressing a pet’s needs <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=Krupa+and+Zimolag+2009" target="_blank" rel="noopener">provides a reason</a> for depressed pet owners to get up in the morning. Pets also add to older people’s <a href="https://animalsandsociety.org/assets/library/774_s5.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">quality of life</a> by providing social support and companionship and reducing loneliness, fear and <a href="https://www.animalsandsociety.org/assets/library/638_morethanafurrycompanion.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">social isolation</a>. Some of the most recent research in this area is returning to <a href="http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1467-9566.12176/abstract" target="_blank" rel="noopener">old data</a> and discovering that pets have been overlooked and even removed from older people’s stories of what adds to their quality of life. Recent yet-to-be-published research undertaken with colleagues found some older people are giving up pets early on in their ageing because they are afraid of not being able to take them into care, or because they are concerned for their pet if something happens to them. Not taking pets seriously in how we consider and support ageing means we may be condemning some older people to <a href="http://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc5493/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">isolation and loneliness</a>. We should develop ways to support older pet owners and ensure pets do not have to be relinquished when people go into full-time care. At present this process is ad hoc and informal. Just because people want their pets with them does not necessarily mean that pets help with health outcomes and wellbeing. But the evidence that does exist shows that they do help. For example, PET (positron emission tomography) scans show that <a href="http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.2752/175303712X13240472427311" target="_blank" rel="noopener">pets reduce stress</a>, and most <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20180089" target="_blank" rel="noopener">cancer patients with pets</a> claimed their pets helped them during their treatment. By not treating pets as a serious part of human wellbeing, we are overlooking a powerful health-promoting resource. Exploring and supporting the role of pets in human lives and health may be far cheaper, with fewer side effects and greater unanticipated positives than the continual search for new drugs and technological solutions to human wellness. Image credit: Shutterstock Written by Janette Young and Lisel O'Dwyer. Republished with permission of <a href="http://www.theconversation.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>.<img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/47774/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-advanced" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />

Family & Pets

Cafe owner responds to extortionate avocado drama

A Sydney cafe has responded after being slammed for their $10.90 side of avocado. Little Jack Horner, situated right in front of Coogee Beach, also charges $11.90 for halloumi and $9.90 for a side of bacon, all of which are meant to be shared. Cafe owner BJ McHatton spoke to 9Honey about the avocado side dish that made waves. "The smashed avocado is portioned at almost one and a half avocados, as well as containing other ingredients to make it a dish, not just an avocado in a bowl," he said of the dish. "The price of avocados does fluctuate, two months ago we were paying double what we are today," he said, adding that the venue works with local providers who go to the market daily to provide them with quality produce. "Of course, this comes at a higher cost that allows us to have a quality offering for our customers.” He pointed out that this is the first price increase in 10 years, with "the hospitality industry as a whole all the way from the suppliers to the actual venues himself have seen prices explode over the last 12 months.” McHatton added that the cafe is in a prime location, with live music five nights a week, 160 indoor plants that are professionally cared for, and their efforts to support local teams, clubs, schools and charities all contribute to their prices. "Obviously, running a business of this size, and in this destination has a lot of associated expenses. All of this has to be taken into account when we set prices for our products.” Despite increased media coverage, McHatton says they haven’t received any backlash. "Obviously being on a few radio stations and covered by a few news stations it has generated some interest on those stories. However, after reading the comments, most of them are supportive. Most people genuinely seem to understand how hard running a business is the associated cost to come with running a business," he told 9Honey. However, he expressed disappointment at the Google reviews that were allegedly left overnight by people who had never been to the cafe. "[It's] disappointing that people will go to the trouble of leaving a review having never actually experienced the venue. If anyone has ever been to our place, they know it's a lot more about an experience, which includes the food than just the food and the price," McHatton said. Other reviewers have dubbed the food “grossly overpriced”, with one reviewer revealing their Easter lunch of two breakfasts and fruit juice was almost $100. Another added that the prices were "pushing close to that of what you would expect for dinner," though they did say the food "was great". Image credit: Shutterstock

Food & Wine

Destructive dog ruins owner’s cherished Monstera

All pet owners know their furry friends can get up to mischief, and there’s nothing quite like coming home to discover half your lounge has been eaten and that book you love so much has been torn to shreds. One dog owner fell victim to her dog's destruction and headed to Reddit to share the story. "My dog ripped basically all the leaves off my husband's monstera and he's devastated," she wrote. "He's been growing this thing for years." The woman called for gardeners and plant enthusiasts alike to find out whether the plant would survive such a devastating blow. "The base and roots are still intact," she wrote. "Will new stems/leaves grow from the base? Is there any hope of salvaging it?” Some saw the funny side of her most, making jokes the dog must have been jealous of the attention the plant was getting. "This is some plant gore right here," one person teased in response. Aside from making light of her post, one plant fiend was able to tell her that her husband’s beloved monstera is in no danger. "You're in luck – monstera deliciosa is an incredibly hardy plant," the person advised. "It'll likely regrow multiple leaves from the broken stem! I would cut off the broken leaves personally, as they're probably not much use. "Water a little less than usual as it doesn't need as much water without all the leaves." Image credit: Reddit

Family & Pets

Restaurant owner weighs in on Jobseeker furore

A restaurant owner from Melbourne has made his thoughts on Jobseeker clear, just days after Australian Unemployed Workers’ Union president <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/finance/money-banking/get-a-job-ben-fordham-slammed-over-interview-with-welfare-recipient">Jez Heywood spoke to Ben Fordham in a tense interview</a>. Chris Lucas - the owner of a number of establishments including Chin Chin and Grill Americano - offered his take on that exchange, even informing Fordham that he had “plenty of opportunities” available should Heywood want to apply. “The good news is we’ve got over 150 full-time and part-time jobs currently vacant in Melbourne and about 30 vacancies in Sydney,” Lucas explained. His invitation took a turn, however, when he went on to add that those opportunities were for “anyone who wants to pull their finger out and get on with life and get a real job”, completely disregarding the numerous reasons someone may not be the right fit for - or able to take on - a specific role. “We’d obviously like to meet Jez and see what kind of character he is,” he continued, “but at the end of the day if you’ve got a good character and a good work ethic, and are serious about making a contribution to society rather than being a dole bludger, of course [we want to hear from you].” After noting that he was having a difficult time drawing in potential employees, Lucas asked why anyone would “at a time of record employment go and increase the dole by another $20 a week?” He declared that it “doesn’t make any sense to him”, and shared his opinion that “it’s like taking a slab of beer to an Alcoholics Anonymous picnic.” From there, he reiterated the fact that he had “nearly 200 vacancies” and that he knew of numerous other restaurants that had found themselves in a similar situation, “struggling to get workers”. Superior People Recruitment’s Graham Wynn agreed, noting that he’d “run this business for about 15 years, I’ve got more work on my books than I’ve ever had and yet we’re still finding it difficult to find people to fill these vacancies. “I’m happy to look at anybody’s resume at the moment, certainly to see if we can help them. We’re crying out for jobseekers. “I think we all accept there are people out there who don’t want to work, but if they do want to work there is work out there definitely. “For your own self esteem, getting back into work is critical.” Images: Twitter

Money & Banking

Dog groomers give owner wrong dog

One dog owner has left the groomers with a different dog than the furry friend he brought in. Taking to Reddit, the owner posted an image of two dogs in the front seat of their car, one being of his own dog, and another of the one he got back. "Dog groomers gave me the wrong dog," they wrote in the post. Reddit users flocked to the comments to share their thoughts. "Is the bottom one yours? He looks happier," someone wrote, to which the owner responded, "yes lol.” "Dog smiling like, I don't know who this person is, but what a nice person. Are you taking me to my parents? :)," another person wrote. This isn’t the first doggy mix-up to have occurred. In 2022, a woman from Chesapeake, Virginia told People she was given the wrong dog. "I was like, 'This isn't my dog, where's my dog? Where's my puppy?'" the woman said, explaining when she received the dog. "I didn't get a chance to get a good look at him, all I saw was white. I go to the car and I put him in. He turned around and I thought, 'He looks so different, am I tripping?’" One person shared their own experience, "The city pound once gave me the wrong dog when I went to pick up my newly adopted dog from her spay.” "When I was younger and worked at a dog kennel boarding house there were to yellow labs that came in around the same age and same size looked pretty freakin similar," another user wrote. "I could tell the difference by their personality; one was a little more friendly. My boss had no idea obviously because the day I wasn't working he gave the wrong dog to its elderly owner she had him for a week." Image credit: Reddit

Family & Pets

Salon owner loses $40,000 from one $60 deposit

When beautician Thuy Le received a call from a supposed customer’s ‘husband’ regarding an accidental payment, she could never have foreseen the devastating turn her life would take from that point on. The mother of two, whose husband is living with Parkinsons and unable to work, recounted how her harrowing ordeal started with that one phone call, and the man on the other end requesting she return the $60 his wife had ‘accidentally’ paid. Le checked her bank statements to verify his story, and after noting one deposit that matched, she transferred the funds into the account he provided. She did not provide any of her own personal information, her passwords, or any critical numbers for her accounts. And yet, in the time to follow, Le could only watch in horror as more withdrawals were made from her account, into the very same one owned by the customer’s ‘husband’. The withdrawals totalled a devastating $41,600 stolen from Le’s life savings. Le also recounted how she was refused access to her business account, and that she got in touch with her bank as soon as she realised what had happened, suspecting she had been scammed. Her quest for support in her time of need was cut short, with the financial institution placing the blame solely on Le and ruling that they were not liable for the losses she had endured - this was despite the suspicious withdrawals raising no alarm with the bank, and the lack of personal information involved in the scam. Of their questionable red flag system, the bank claimed that it is “nearly impossible for an unauthorised third party to guess”, referencing the way that the logins for the costly transaction all succeeded on the very first try. Furthermore, as stated in a letter to Le, they declared that “the only reasonable explanation for these logins would be that your online banking credentials were known to the unauthorised third party, which would be in breach of the passcode security requirements.” “I am in financial hardship,” Le admitted of her dire situation, and the need to have the funds returned for her family and her husband’s crucial medication. “I have two little kids, I have a husband with Parkinson’s disease, he cannot work,” she continued. “We are still in the process of applying for government help and I have carried the financial burden on my shoulders.” While Le’s bank offered $200 to resolve her complaint, she was offered no further assistance, and took matters to the Australian Financial Complaints Authority, hoping to have her money returned to her. “I can’t sleep,” she confessed. “I want to know why this happened to me and how it happened to me. “I’m not a liar, not a criminal, not a fraud.” Images: Supplied to 7News, Facebook

Money & Banking

New perspectives on navigating grief for owners of companion animals

The loss of a pet can be difficult, but the latest research suggests we can do better to help owners navigate their way through the grief process. For many, the pandemic resulted in more time spent in the company of pets while working from home and because of restrictions designed to limit the movement of people. In many cases, pets became key to maintaining a sense of normality, routine and motivation, not to mention <a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/nature/dogs-sense-of-smell-detect-human-stress/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">providing company</a> during times of social and physical isolation. Strangely, though, as the research highlights, society has a bias towards supporting certain circumstances of grieving over others. According to the authors of the review, published in Human–Animal Interactions, some types of trauma such as the loss of a pet, <a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/people/society/can-we-blame-the-famous-for-their-suicides/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">death by suicide</a>, a lost pregnancy or miscarriage and death from AIDS, can be stigmatic for the bereaved. These types of loss tend to be underacknowledged by others or given less attention or empathy. “When relationships are not valued by society, individuals are more likely to experience disenfranchised grief after a loss that cannot be resolved and may become complicated grief,” said Colleen Rolland, President and pet loss grief specialist for <a href="https://www.aplb.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement</a> (APLB). This stigma can interrupt the natural process of grieving, meaning that pet owners often ‘go it alone’, without social support when dealing with the loss of their companion animal. “The present review builds on research in the field of pet loss and human bereavement and factors in the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on human-animal attachment,” says Dr Michelle Crossley, an Assistant Professor at Rhode Island College in the US. “A goal of the present review is to provide counsellors with perspectives to consider in their practice when working with clients who have attachments to their companion animals. It also aims to acknowledge the therapeutic benefits of working through the grief process to resolution as a way to continue the bond with a deceased pet.” The review presents practical ways in which counsellors can help people grieving the loss of a pet through in-person and online approaches, such as group sessions and web-based chatrooms – “counselling interventions and coping strategies already being used in the therapeutic space,” notes Crossley. Practical activities such as providing safe spaces and materials to paint, draw or write about their anxieties and fears about loss are effective tools for helping children and adults navigate the grief process. <a href="https://petsandpeople.com.au/about/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pets and People</a>, an online initiative founded by Dr Michael O’Donoghue and Penny Carroll, seeks to provide pet owners with resources and information across a whole host of issues associated with pet loss, including those discussing social stigmas. It also provides links to counsellors with experience in pet loss and lists Australian and New Zealand numbers for the Pet Loss Support Line which connects callers with counsellors.  <img id="cosmos-post-tracker" style="opacity: 0; height: 1px!important; width: 1px!important; border: 0!important; position: absolute!important; z-index: -1!important;" src="https://syndication.cosmosmagazine.com/?id=226139&title=New+perspectives+on+navigating+grief+for+owners+of+companion+animals" width="1" height="1" data-spai-target="src" data-spai-orig="" data-spai-exclude="nocdn" />  <div id="contributors"> <a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/australia/new-perspective-navigating-grief-pets/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">This article</a> was originally published on Cosmos Magazine and was written by Clare Kenyon. Clare Kenyon is a science journalist for Cosmos. Image: Getty Images </div>

Family & Pets

Restaurant owner praised for hiring policy that targets "oldies"

Like many in the hospitality business, Barry Iddles was struggling to find staff to fill shifts at his restaurant 360Q in Queenscliff when he was struck by inspiration. The 67-year-old decided to put the call out to “oldies”, adding an invitation to retirees to come and work at his waterfront venue on the back of his winter postcards. “We sent out 42,000,” he said. “I put, ‘We’re recruiting – juniors, come and learn the skills of hospitality. Millennials, come and show us what you can do. And seniors and retirees, come back to the workforce for one or two shifts per week.’ “I sent it out by mail and off we went. We had a great response.” He stressed that potential employees didn’t need a resume or hospitality experience and could just come in for a chat. Now, Iddles has 12 staff working for him aged over 50, including former nurses and healthcare workers, a mechanic, small business owner and florist. "We've got two 74-year-olds, a 70-year-old, and then we've got [people aged] 57, 60, 64, 66 and 67," Mr Iddles said. "There is a labour shortage and a labour crisis, [but] I don't have one. I have five too many staff at the moment. And I could actually open another venue to keep them all gainfully employed." <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CgNZSgSvoqP/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CgNZSgSvoqP/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Barry Iddles (@barryiddles)</a> </div> </blockquote> Iddles said most of his older staff at the 150-seat restaurant, which also includes outdoor dining and an upstairs function venue, work during functions and that there has been a major benefit to both older and junior workers working alongside each other. “It’s amazing, the interaction is absolutely incredible,” he said. “It’s good for their life skills – the oldest have got a great work ethic.” Since his story was shared by the <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-11-15/defying-ageism-older-workers-fill-gaps-in-workforce/101651806" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ABC</a> on Tuesday, Iddles said his phone has been ringing non-stop and his hiring practice went viral. “Everyone wants to talk about hiring old people,” he said. One of Iddles’ employees, 67-year-old Kenton Savage, told the ABC he wanted to retire after selling his distribution business - but his plans went awry when it went bankrupt during the pandemic. Without super and amidst rising living costs, Savage and his wife had no choice but to find jobs. "The pension just didn't pay enough. So I looked around for a job and Barry was hiring," he said. "I think it just keeps me fit and healthy and happy. Being able to get out and about, it's really been good for me," he said. 73-year-old Susan Borton, another employee, said she applied to boost her confidence and contribute. “Covid made a lot of people depressed,” she said. “And I know amongst the older ones, we’re all saying we’re actually finding it quite difficult to get out and about again. [Working] makes me feel better. And I love putting in, I love contributing.” The Council for Older Australians chief executive Ian Yates praised Iddles for his hiring practice. “Many older people will have experienced a lot of knock backs and not being taken seriously as prospective employees,” he told the ABC. “The labour market is so tight, that employers are being forced to look at channels and groups that they wouldn’t normally look at, including older Australians.” Speaking to <a href="https://www.news.com.au/finance/work/at-work/queenscliff-restaurant-360q-sees-huge-response-after-inviting-oldies-to-come-and-work/news-story/7e08f752c17bc86dd109581ef602b4c5" target="_blank" rel="noopener">news.com.au</a>, Iddles said others should adopt his policy too, and that it applies to both young and old. “Age discrimination can be quite bad, at both ends of the spectrum,” he said. “If I’ve got a 15-year-old coming for a job I’ll give them a job immediately. Too many people go, you’ve got no experience. But they actually want to work. “It’s a great mix to have [employees ranging] from 15 to 75.” Image: Facebook

Retirement Life

Why Elon Musk’s first week as Twitter owner has users flocking elsewhere

It’s been a week since Elon Musk strode into the Twitter headquarters with a kitchen sink, signalling <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2022/10/27/technology/elon-musk-twitter-deal-complete.html">his official takeover</a> of the company. Having had some time to let the news of his <a href="https://www.reuters.com/markets/us/how-will-elon-musk-pay-twitter-2022-10-07/">US$44 billion</a> (about A$70 billion) purchase “sink in”, Twitter users are now wondering what he’ll do with the platform. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Entering Twitter HQ – let that sink in! <a href="https://t.co/D68z4K2wq7">pic.twitter.com/D68z4K2wq7</a> — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1585341984679469056?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 26, 2022</a></blockquote> What’s Musk going to do with Twitter? After months of <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/link/follow-20170101-p5arm0">trying to walk away</a> from his commitment to buy the platform, and just before entering what was looking to be a long, <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2022/09/30/elon-musk-texts-twitters-ceo-revealed-court-filings/8138829001/">potentially embarrassing</a> and costly court battle to enforce his original agreement, Twitter is now privately owned. If we wade through some of the early reactionary media punditry, we see Musk has paid far too much for a platform that has not yet fulfilled its business potential to investors, nor its social potential to users. This probably explains some of his first moves since taking over, such as <a href="https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2022/11/1/want-the-blue-tick-on-twitter-pay-up-8">planning to charge</a> users US$8 (adjusted by country) for a blue tick, and <a href="https://gizmodo.com/elon-musk-fire-3700-twitter-employees-friday-50-percent-1849736018">threatening to fire</a> half of Twitter’s staff. He has <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-fires-4-top-twitter-execs-including-ceo-parag-agrawal-2022-10">already fired</a> previous CEO Parag Agrawal, chief financial officer Ned Segal, head of legal Vijaya Gadde and general counsel Sean Edgett. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> We need to pay the bills somehow! Twitter cannot rely entirely on advertisers. How about $8? — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1587312517679878144?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 1, 2022</a></blockquote> Will Twitter turn into (more of) a bin fire? Musk’s intentions were perhaps best signalled with <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1585841080431321088">his first tweet</a> after he bought the platform: “the bird is freed”. Before the purchase, one of his oft-tweeted criticisms of Twitter was that there were too many limits on “free speech”, and moderation would need to be reframed to unlock Twitter’s potential as a “de facto public town square”. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Given that Twitter serves as the de facto public town square, failing to adhere to free speech principles fundamentally undermines democracy. What should be done? <a href="https://t.co/aPS9ycji37">https://t.co/aPS9ycji37</a> — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1507777261654605828?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 26, 2022</a></blockquote> There’s no doubt Musk is quite good at performative <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1585619322239561728?s=20&t=zbwsuDL05RH8n3VSJeiw7w">social media statements</a>, but we’re yet to see any actual changes made to content moderation – let alone Musk’s utopian vision of a digital town square. The “chief twit” has suggested the <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1586059953311137792">future appointment of</a> “a content moderation council with widely diverse viewpoints” that would be charged with making decisions about moderation and account reinstatements. This isn’t a new idea. Meta has convened such an oversight board since 2018, made up of former political leaders, human rights activists, academics and journalists. The board oversees content decisions and has been known to oppose CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s decisions, in particular his <a href="https://oversightboard.com/decision/FB-691QAMHJ/">“indefinite”</a> Facebook suspension of former US president Donald Trump after the US Capitol building riots. It’s unclear whether a council would convene to discuss Musk’s suggestion to “<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/10/technology/elon-musk-donald-trump-twitter-ban.html">reverse the permanent ban</a>” Twitter imposed on Trump, or if Musk would allow a board to override his decisions. Nonetheless, Musk’s suggestion of a moderation board is a step back from his previously self-described “<a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1499976967105433600?lang=en">free speech absolutist</a>” views on content moderation. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Starlink has been told by some governments (not Ukraine) to block Russian news sources. We will not do so unless at gunpoint. Sorry to be a free speech absolutist. — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1499976967105433600?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 5, 2022</a></blockquote> Many <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2022/oct/28/elon-musk-twitter-hate-speech-concerns-stock-exchange-deal">have been concerned</a> his approach to moderation may fuel more hate speech on Twitter. In the past week, co-ordinated troll accounts have tried to test the limits of a Musk-run Twitter by flooding the platform with racial slurs. According to the US-based National Contagion Research Institute, the use of the N-word skyrocketed by <a href="https://twitter.com/ncri_io/status/1586007698910646272">more than 500%</a> on October 28. However, the head of safety and integrity at Twitter, Yoel Roth, said many of the offending tweets came from a <a href="https://twitter.com/yoyoel/status/1586542286342475776">small number of accounts</a>. <a href="https://www.montclair.edu/school-of-communication-and-media/wp-content/uploads/sites/20/2022/11/Montclair-State-SCM-Study-Increases-in-Twitter-Hate-Speech-After-Elon-Musks-Acquisition.pdf">Another study by</a> Montclair State University researchers found a massive spike in hateful terms in the lead-up to Musk’s acquisition. Both <a href="https://twitter.com/yoyoel/status/1586542287416217600">Roth and Musk</a> have confirmed “Twitter’s policies haven’t changed”. Rules on “hateful conduct” remain the same. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Nearly all of these accounts are inauthentic. We’ve taken action to ban the users involved in this trolling campaign — and are going to continue working to address this in the days to come to make Twitter safe and welcoming for everyone. <a href="https://t.co/1hUnb1WYPZ">https://t.co/1hUnb1WYPZ</a> — Yoel Roth (@yoyoel) <a href="https://twitter.com/yoyoel/status/1586542287416217600?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 30, 2022</a></blockquote> Musk remains a loose cannon Perhaps more concerning than troll reactions is Musk’s decision to tweet and then delete <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/oct/31/elon-musk-paul-pelosi-tweet-twitter">a conspiracy theory</a> about US house speaker Nancy Pelosi’s husband, Paul Pelosi. We could dismiss this as Musk’s love of <a href="https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Shitpost">sh-tposting</a>, but if the right to post disinformation and personal attacks is the kind of speech he wants to protect, it’s worth questioning what kind of public square he envisions. Musk takes a technocratic approach to the social issues that emerge from our use of online communication tools. It implies free access to technology absolves “free speech” of its cultural and social context, and makes it easily and readily available to everyone. This is often not the case. That’s why we need content moderation and protections for the vulnerable and marginalised. The other question is whether we want billionaires to have a direct influence on our public squares. If so, how do we ensure transparency, and that users’ interests are being upheld? In less bombastic reportage of the takeover, Musk this week directed Twitter to find more than US$1 billion in annual <a href="https://www.reuters.com/technology/musk-orders-twitter-cut-infrastructure-costs-by-1-bln-sources-2022-11-03/">infrastructure cost savings</a>, which will allegedly occur through cuts to cloud services and server space. These cuts could put Twitter at risk of going down during high-traffic periods, such as around election times. This might be where Musk’s digital town square vision fails. If Twitter is to resemble such a space, the infrastructure that supports it must hold up at the most crucial moments. Where to go if you’re sick of Twitter? While there’s so far no indication of a mass Twitter exodus, <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2022/11/03/twitter-celebrities-leaving-elon-musk/">a number of users</a> are flocking elsewhere. Shortly after Musk acquired Twitter, #TwitterMigration began trending. In the week since, micro-blogging platform <a href="https://mastodon.social/explore">Mastodon</a> has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/media/2022/nov/01/mastodon-twitter-elon-musk-takeover">reportedly</a> gained tens of thousands of followers. <a href="https://mastodon.social/explore">Mastodon</a> is made up of independent, user-managed servers. Each server is owned, operated and moderated by its community and can also be made private. The downside is servers cost money to run and if a server is no longer running, all the content may be lost. Twitter defectors have also moved to sites such as Reddit, Tumblr, CounterSocial, LinkedIn and Discord. Of course, many will be waiting to see what Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey comes up with. While Dorsey retains a stake in Twitter, he has launched a decentralised social media network, Bluesky Social, which is now in beta testing. <a href="https://blueskyweb.org/blog">Bluesky</a> aims to provide an open social network protocol. This means it would allow for multiple social media networks to interact with one another through an open standard. If this experiment is successful, it would be more than a competitor for Twitter. It would mean users could easily switch services and take their content with them to other providers. It would be a totally new user-focused model for social networking. And it might force traditional platforms to rethink their current data harvesting and targeted advertising practices. That might just be a platform takeover worth waiting for.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/193857/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> Writen by Diana Bossio. Republished with permission from <a href="https://theconversation.com/why-elon-musks-first-week-as-twitter-owner-has-users-flocking-elsewhere-193857" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>. Image: Getty Images

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