Latest news with #BostonTerrier
Yahoo
7 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
New puppy boosts morale, lowers stress among Birmingport first responders
BIRMINGPORT, Ala. (WIAT) — The Birmingport Fire Department said cardiac arrest is the number one killer of firefighters. Firefighters said stress on the mind and body is a big contributor to deadly cardiac events. To help lower this stress among first responders, the Birmingport Fire Department has brought a new member on board. 'It's hard to imagine him not being around, and it's only been a few months that I've had him,' Birmingport Fire Chief Wade Holley said. Epi, short for Epinephrin, is a 6-month-old Boston Terrier who has already brought lots of smiles to Birmingport's firefighters. Holley adopted Epi, and he's quickly become the emotional support dog of the fire station. 'He's really become a tool for stress relief in the department,' Holley said. 'You have a bad call, you're having a bad day, all you have to do is come to the station and sit down on the recliner, and Epi's going to curl up next to you and lick you to death, and that just makes your day go better.' Birmingport firefighters said their days have gotten better with Epi around. 'Morale has changed dramatically over the last couple of months,' said Birmingport firefighter Ryan Ross. 'This is a small area, small community, but our department seems to be growing and progressing in a positive direction.' 'We've actually had an increase of volunteers coming and hanging out at the station not because of me,' Holley said. 'It's because of Epi. They want to come hang out with Epi and when we get a call, we have more people here at the station to respond immediately.' Brighton City Councilman Jerome McMullin charged with releasing video of double homicide during active investigation Epi might not be the stereotypical fire house dog. But despite being small, he helps in a big way. 'More than 100 years ago, Dalmatians were used in the fire service to keep away animals in the bay when they used horses to pull some of the carriages and things like that,' Ross said. 'This is our Dalmatian. This is our firehouse dog.' Epi's helping more than just the firefighters. Over the weekend, some kayakers capsized in Valley Creek in west Jefferson County. While the families waited at the department's fire station for their loved ones, Epi was there to comfort the children. 'When they came into the station, that family seemed pretty down, especially with the kids,' Ross said. 'They were kind of confused about what's going on and scared. It's a new environment. It's something new, and of course the dog was here. Bring Epi in, and it's just like that. You can definitely tell how the children seemed to react. They seemed to chill out little bit. They weren't so anxious.' Because Epi was present for most of the basic emergency medical technician classes this spring, the Birmingport Fire Department considers him an honorary EMT. 'They know when you're sick. They know when you're scared. They know when you're anxious,' Ross said. 'They want to sit in your lap. They're a huge comfort. They can definitely lower your blood pressure and stress. For me, coming by and seeing Epi cheer others up that may be down or have something going on, that makes me feel good.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Daily Record
29-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
Vet explains adorable reason dogs stretch when they see you
Dogs stretching around you should be "taken as a compliment" Does your dog do a big stretch as soon as you walk in the door? It might not be because they've just woken up or are feeling bored; it's actually a positive sign that owners should "take as a compliment". Understanding what our beloved pooches are trying to tell us can be challenging since they can't speak to us. But dogs use their entire bodies to express their emotions. Learning how your dog communicates is beneficial for recognising if they're feeling confident, relaxed, or anxious and stressed. Knowing these cues helps you better understand what your pet is attempting to convey. Vet Dr Alex Crow, Chief Veterinary Officer at The Net Vet, has shed light on this behaviour, especially when a dog greets you with "front legs out, hips up, tail wagging," which he discussed on TikTok, reports the Express. "It's not just coincidence. It's called a greeting stretch," he said. "It's more than just shaking off a nap. It's a sign that your dog feels safe, relaxed and happy that you're home," he continued. Dr Alex also mentioned that while dogs might stretch to "loosen up stiff muscles", doing so specifically when you arrive home is "intentional". He further noted: "It's their version of a calm, friendly hello and if you've ever reacted to it with praise, you've probably reinforced it without realising." Nevertheless, it's important to keep in mind that "not all stretches are about affection". A pet whose belly is low to the ground might be signalling discomfort or pain, and owners should "keep an eye" on such postures. Dr Alex mentioned: "Most of the time though it's just your dog's way of saying hello." In response to the observations, a dog owner shared in the comments section: "I always thought it was because they knew I was about to take them for a walk." Another contributed: "Yes! Every morning when I go downstairs, he is laying in his bed waiting for me and when I open the door he jumps up and does the big stretch on my foot! Gets lots of scratches then picked up for cuddles and kisses. Boston Terrier." A third remarked: "The 'big stretch' must be an international thing. We all say that in our native language, right? At least I do." Many others pointed out that cats exhibit similar behaviour. According to Hill's Pet, animals, much like humans, sometimes need to stretch their muscles. They may require a good stretch upon waking up, or it could indicate a desire to play. Pets might also elongate if they're feeling bored or are seeking attention. If this happens, consider taking them out for a walk or engaging them with playtime indoors or in the garden. However, frequent stretching could also indicate a strained muscle or joint discomfort. Your pet might be trying to ease the pain by stretching the affected area. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you observe a particular body part being stretched more than usual, and they seem sluggish in their movements, it could be a symptom of arthritis or joint pain, warranting a visit to the vet. This behaviour could also be associated with abdominal discomfort. In such cases, they will stretch with their backside raised, front end lowered and flat on the floor. They may maintain this position for an extended period, often when no other dogs are present. You might also notice them whimpering in pain or resisting being petted. If they arch their back into a hunched posture, it could also signify abdominal pain, which is crucial to have examined immediately.
Daily Mail
01-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Vet nurse warns of 'dangerous' act that almost EVERY dog owner does: 'Can be fatal'
A registered veterinary nurse has posted an urgent warning to dog owners, cautioning them against playing fetch with their dogs by throwing them a stick. Jade, who regularly shares pet information videos via her TikTok account Jade The Vet Nurse, shared a one-minute video this week detailing why the common dog play game could be dangerous for furry friends. In the video, which has been viewed over 50,000 times, Jade admitted that she commonly sees pet owners finding sticks on the ground to throw for their dogs to chase and retrieve. Despite the activity being commonplace, Jade warned that the seemingly innocent dog activity could have dangerous and devastating health consequences for a dog. 'I'm afraid to say sticks can actually be very dangerous for your dogs and they are not a suitable toy for your dog's to play with,' Jade said. The animal expert explained that a thrown stick could inadvertently wind up landing with one end of the stick pushed into the ground while the opposite end stick points upright in the air. 'What happens is your dog comes running towards it at a really high speed, they use their mouth to grab it and basically [the end of the stick] can go through the roof of their mouth,' Jade explained. 'It can [even] enter their brain, which will be fatal.' Beyond chasing games, Jade also warned that even allowing your dog to chew on a stick has the potential to cause them serious health issues. The registered vet nurse explained that stick chewing can result in 'trauma' to the dog's mouth and tongue areas, while also opening them up to the possibility of getting 'splinters that get stuck all the way along esophagus and stomach to their intestines'. In serious cases, the vet added that this could even require surgery to remove any lodged stick pieces. An Australian vet nurse previously took to Instagram to share a similar message regarding the dangers of throwing sticks to dogs. Tess Nolan, from Queensland, previously shared a TikTok video calling out the five things that she as a dog owner would never do with her own dog. The vet nurse and practice manager, who has a Boston Terrier named Daphne, explained in her video that throwing sticks for her dog to chase is one of five common acts she avoids. Tess explained in the video, which was viewed more than 236,800 times, that many vets warn against dog owners playing fetch with sticks – and she would therefore never do it. President of the British Veterinary Association Sean Wensley told The Guardian most vets are familiar with 'the very serious, potentially life threatening injuries that can be caused by throwing sticks for dogs'. He said 'of course' not every dog who chases a stick will be fatally injured but they can be. Sean said, the most common injuries occur when: 'the dog is running typically at a pace after it, and the stick is forced down the dog's throat – it's essentially impaled on that stick.' He said some dogs have even been put down due to stick injuries and fatal infections. Critical Care Specialist, Dr. Erin McGowan, from Blue Pearl Vet previously told Daily Mail: 'We see stick related injuries all the time through the ER. Sticks are dangerous to play with and anytime I see an owner throwing a stick for a dog to chase I cringe a little.' In Tess' video, the remainder of the five acts that she lists as things she would never do as a dog owner included leaving her dog in a car, walking her dog off leash near a busy road, leaving them home alone with a collar on and taking them to a dog park. While the reasoning behind most of these rules was fairly self-explanatory, the animal expert explained the last controversial point in more detail. Tess said: 'The most dog fights or incidences that we see come straight from the dog park'.
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Boston Terriers compete for top spot ahead of derby weekend
OWENSBORO, Ky. (WEHT) — At the Owensboro Convention Center, hundreds of Boston Terrier owners are competing for one of the most prestigious titles in the country. The Boston Terrier Club of America's National Specialty is drawing in visitors from all over the world. It's a five-day competition of who can put their best paw forward. The Boston Terrier Club of America welcomes over 200 dogs to Owensboro for the first time. EPD and VCSO confirm ICE operations taking place in Evansville Officials say hosting the 130th National Specialty in Owensboro helps handlers with travel time, as its more centrally located. ''…Oregon. I know several people from California. I believe we have entries from overseas,' says Dominic Koon, the President of the Boston Terrier Club of America. This year's competition is called 'Run for the Rosettes' … A tribute to the host state's derby week. Competition judges analyze each canine what they define as the standard. 'Does the Boston Terrier have a square head? Does it have smaller ears? Does it have a level top? Is it square?,' says Koon. Officials say pedigree matters, but a dog's good condition could make room for a higher score. It features everything from obedience to agility trials. For those under 18-years-old, there's a junior competition. 'They're learning how to care for a dog. They actually get graded differently in the round. They're graded on how they handle the dog,' says Koon. Darlus Gerson has over 25 years of experience competing and says the junior competition is what kicked it all off for her family. It was a way to bond with her youngest daughter , who was 12 at the time. 'Our other two daughters that were older were in the malls. We decided to do something that the family could participate in together. It keeps you outside in the park with your dogs and your family. [Boston Terriers] excel at being your best friends,' says Gerson, a competitor from California. She and her husband traveled from the west coast for a chance at a first place ribbon in the bred-by-exhibitor competition 'We started on Friday night, and it took us about 24 hours worth of plane flights and everything,' says Gerson. Officials say competition will close with the Boston of the Year competition. It's only open to those who have scored in the top 20 throughout the year. Each competitor gets 3 minutes to showcase their dog with a song of their choice and develop memories for a lifetime. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Miami Herald
15-04-2025
- General
- Miami Herald
Small dog surrendered to shelter since she can't have puppies. She needs a home
A doe-eyed sweet girl pup is on the hunt for a new home after being left at a Pennsylvania shelter for a disheartening reason. Brenda, a fairly young pup, was left at the Central PA Humane Society in Altoona because she can't breed, the shelter said in an April 10 Facebook post. 'Brenda is a 2 year old female. She is a Boston Terrier mix, she is just hiding her ears! She was dumped after 'not being able to reproduce,'' the shelter said. This pup has a bunch of admirable qualities someone looks for when on the hunt for a new best friend, the shelter said. 'She can live with children. She has done well so far with cats, though she does follow them around out of curiosity and excitement! As far as a canine sibling, she seems to prefer smaller dogs like her,' the shelter said. And her courage level is in top form too. 'She will not hesitate to square up with another dog, no matter how much bigger than her it may be! Brenda may be best suited as an only dog, but she can absolutely meet any new potential siblings!' the shelter noted. For more information on Brenda and other adoptable pets, visit the shelter's website. Altoona is about a 95-mile drive east from Pittsburgh.
