Latest news with #Rolo
Newsweek
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Woman Adopts 'Cuddly' Shelter Puppy—No One Expecting What He Turns Into
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A woman who adopted a puppy from a local shelter had no idea what he would look like as an adult, only for him to transform into a highly unusual-looking dog. Anna Winning, 34, adopted puppy Rolo from the Cork Dog Action Welfare Group (DAWG) in 2024, when he was around nine weeks old. She had wanted a dog for a long time, and when her sister-in-law sent her a photo of Rolo at the shelter, they organized a visit—and were immediately "smitten." Rolo was tiny at the time, and a shelter worker asked if Winning and her husband, David, were certain, because "he's going to be big." As she told Newsweek: "We didn't realize how right she'd be," as Rolo grew, and grew, and grew—into a uniquely beautiful big dog. "I could tell by his ribcage that he was a lurcher, but based on his colorings, we thought it was crossed with a rottweiler. But as he grew, his face was definitely the wrong shape," she said. "What was most noticeable—apart from his long legs!—was his wispy eyebrows that kept getting longer and longer. His fur also got longer and thicker, and it was coming in quite gray which can make him look older than he is! His blue eyes turned golden, which get loads of compliments." Rolo's transformation has now gone viral, after DAWG shared an update on their former puppy to their Facebook page, Cork Dog Action Welfare Group, on August 1. Rolo as a puppy. Rolo as a puppy. Anna Winning/ Cork Dog Action Welfare Group In the post, they explained how Rolo and his brother had come into their care after a person who claimed to have found them abandoned "dropped off two very young and tiny puppies," with "no idea" of their breed or parentage. At the time, they said, "Rolo was very sick and was touch and go a couple of times"—but as he recovered, and after being taken in by experienced foster Emma, Winning and her husband contacted the shelter. They were "looking for a cuddly friend who likes walking," DAWG said. But, "we couldn't predict just how big and cuddly he would get! Rolo has turned into a STUNNER!" The shelter shared photos of Rolo as a puppy, with his brown, tan and white markings and unusual green eyes, his large paws at such a young age already hinting that he would become a big dog. But no one expected what he would look like as an adult: in updated photos, Rolo is enormous, with brown-and-blonde wiry fur, and bright golden eyes. The dog is tall and long, with a narrow face, long legs and a slender body—and his post racked up more than 1,300 likes, as commenters were in disbelief at the transformation. "Stunning looking dog," one user wrote, with another agreeing he is an "absolute stunner," and more calling him "beautiful." "What a beautiful dog the markings are gorgeous. So glad he is well and happy," another said. Rolo now, at 11 months old. Rolo now, at 11 months old. Anna Winning/ Cork Dog Action Welfare Group Many guessed at what his breed could be, with suggestions ranging from a lurcher and Saluki to an Irish Wolfhound—and many more praised DAWG, Rolo's foster family, and his new owners, for giving him a happy life. And Winning revealed to Newsweek that those commenters were all right: after being "stopped all the time from people asking what he is, as he's just so unusual," they undertook a DNA test. Rolo is a mix of a Saluki, a greyhound, and has 2 percent Scottish deerhound heritage, which she described as a "smaller version of an Irish wolfhound, so people weren't far off." Speaking about her beloved pet, who at 11 months old likely still has "some growing to do," she described a "very sweet," but "stubborn at times" dog who loves a nap "in one of his many beds." "He loves to chew on anything he can get a hold of, but thankfully has mostly left our furniture alone! He has a few friends he likes to play with at the park, and his favorite thing is chasing and being chased. "He's very fast but occasionally meets his match! When he's playing with other dogs, nothing else is as important—not even his favourite treats of chicken or cheese can stop him playing." In the United States, millions of animals like Rolo are in need: in 2024 alone, 5.8 million dogs and cats entered shelters and rescues across the country, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). At the same time, 4.2 million shelter animals were adopted the same year. Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@ with some details about your best friend and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
Time Out
30-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
Previous Next /15 Previous Next /15 Previous Next /15 Previous Next /15 Previous Next /15 Previous Next /15 Previous Next /15 Previous Next /15 Previous Next /15 Previous Next /15 Previous Next /15 Previous Next /15 Previous Next /15 Previous Next /15 Previous Next /15 Review Brigadiers 4 out of 5 stars A swanky Indian grill spot Restaurants
You could call Brigadiers 'Hoppers for people with money'. Not because there's similarity on the menus, but because this 'Indian barbecue restaurant' has all the calling cards of the Sethis (the family behind Gymkhana and Bao). Service is super-slick: as polished as you'd get in a fancy hotel, but friendlier. Interiors manage to be both swanky and sexy. The space has been carved into a warren of smaller rooms, giving each one an intimate, clubby feel. I end up in one bathed in gold and brown tones: it was like eating inside a Rolo. Lighting is low, ceiling fans idle overhead. The music is ace, smoothly flowing from hip hop to laidback bhangra or funk. The star dish had Indo-Chinese leanings. Four dinky lettuce wraps, piled high with tender morsels of fragrant chicken, then smothered in a warm, tangy sauce, crispy onions, a dollop of yoghurt and a sprinkle of sesame seeds. Fusion perfection. Also excellent were fried fish paos, which were essentially Indian fish finger sliders with a chilli chutney and a kickass crunchy batter that had the nutty, irresistible notes of chickpea flour. As were mini samosas, densely packed with clove-scented, actually-not-too-fiery ox cheek 'vindaloo'. And a beautiful falooda, an exotic dessert of soupy vermicelli, here laced with rose syrup and teamed with silky soft-serve mango kulfi (Indian ice cream).
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Incoming Hershey CEO faces wall of challenges, not least cocoa
Fresh perspective might just be what the doctor ordered - in this case the board of Hershey bringing in a new CEO almost a year before incumbent Michele Buck was due to retire from the confectionery and salty snacks maker. Buck's hands have largely been tied over the last 18 months or so by historically high cocoa prices, with limited options but to keep increasing prices and suffer the impact on confectionery volumes, which dropped a whopping 18% in the first quarter based on a positive three percentage points in price. Hershey can arguably ill-afford to keep suffering such pain when its confectionery brands such as Reese's and Rolo generated more than 80% of the $11.2bn in total group revenue last year, especially when salty snacks demand remains subdued in the US as consumers trim discretionary spending amid still-high living costs. Cocoa futures prices have at least come off the record highs reached in December but are currently still more than double what they were in July 2023. And until prices come down to more conservative levels, incoming CEO Kirk Tanner will have his work cut out to avoid raising prices in confectionery further. If he does, he may just have to stomach the loss of volumes. And early indications for the 2025/26 cocoa harvest season suggest a significant correction in prices is not on the cards anytime soon. Tanner's food industry credentials largely lie in snacks and beverages, fostered during a 30-year stint at PepsiCo, another US giant in the salty snacks category that has also been feeling the pinch from stretched consumers. He spent the last 18 months as CEO of the fast-food chain Wendy's and was obviously tempted by a new challenge at Hershey given such a short shift. And a challenge it looks set to be with many of the hurdles to be circumnavigated beyond his immediate control. A case that held true for Buck too, who Tanner will replace as president, chairman and CEO on 18 August, with the retiring chief acting in a senior advisory role to guide the new man at the top through the ropes. Cocoa prices and the consumer-induced pressure on salty snacks sales have already been mentioned, but then add to the equation the rising popularity of the GLP-1 weight-loss drugs, the Make American Healthy Again campaign being waged by the Trump entourage and his reductions in SNAP benefits. John Baumgartner, a managing director at Japanese investment bank Mizuho Securities, said the appointment of Tanner at least brings 'clarity' on the executive front and removes an uncertainty that threatened to linger until Buck's planned retirement next June. Tanner's appointment, and his experience in snacks, beverages and his record on innovation, 'provides an encouraging foundation for new perspectives', Baumgartner wrote in a research note. However, Alexia Howard, a food analyst at AllianceBernstein, warned the US investment bank has concerns that 'similar pressures will continue to pressure performance in the indulgent snacking space'. She added: 'In particular, increases in GLP-1 use as pill versions emerge in 2026, as well as the elimination of candy from SNAP spending in some states, could be negatives.' Hershey's first-quarter results for fiscal 2025, announced in May, were emblematic of the pressures, despite this year's timing of the Easter celebrations, which in some countries often involve chocolate consumption. Net sales dropped by 13.8% year-on-year on a reported basis to $2.8bn and were down 13.2% in organic terms. Volume/mix fell 15% as prices were increased by two percentage points during the quarter. Organic confectionery sales in North America declined 15.2% to $2.3bn as volume/mix fell 18% on the back of a three percentage-point increase in price. The much smaller salty snacks division – brands such as SkinnyPop popcorn and Pirates Booty - for the same region saw organic sales rise 1% to $277.8m, with volume/mix growth of 4% and negative price of three percentage points. Hershey's international sales were comparative with snacks but with a very different performance outcome – sales down 7.9% at $227.5m, volume/mix retreating by 8% and price a positive one point. The telling story is in Hershey's share price, which has fallen 12% on the New York Stock Exchange in the past year, while adjusted diluted EPS in the opening quarter slid almost 32% to $2.09. However, more than halfway into 2025, the stock is down only 3% and last traded at $164.64. For 2025 as whole, Hershey expects net sales growth of 'at least 2%' but with adjusted EPS likely to be down in the 'mid' 30% range. Whether Hershey chooses to amend that outlook when the second-quarter results are issued at the end of July remains to be seen but Howard suggests Tanner may tweak the longer-term guidance. 'As an outsider coming into a company that has been troubled by sharp increases in cocoa input costs and weak volume trends in recent years, it seems plausible that Mr Tanner will take the opportunity to rebase earnings expectations downwards for next year,' she wrote. 'If this were to happen, it would be a markedly different trajectory from the hypothetical 6%-8% EPS growth (consistent with the company's long-term earnings growth algorithm) that the company presented at the CAGNY conference in February if cocoa input costs were to remain at 2025 levels.' Marley Robinson, an analyst at Just Food's parent company GlobalData, suggests cocoa prices could bounce back up to last year's unprecedented levels if there's another poor cocoa harvest, a scenario that if materialises is likely to test Tanner's mettle soon after he takes the hotseat at Hershey. 'Pod counters in the Ivory Coast have suggested that the upcoming 2025/26 season will see a 10% decline in output. These forecasts are based on elevated mortality rates of flowers and cherelles (young pods), which have occurred despite supportive weather conditions,' Marley says. 'With low cocoa stocks, prices could go back to the highs seen in December 2024 or even higher if we get another poor cocoa harvest.' Meanwhile, Baumgartner at Mizuho wrote that the slope of Hershey's volume declines is likely to moderate but emphasised how 'stubborn cocoa inflation and tariff/health & wellness uncertainties remain limiting factors for visibility into sales and EPS'. Baumgartner added: 'We expect strategic emphasis to remain on consumer segmentation and customer partnerships and, although we believe the long-term growth algorithm is secure in theory (net sales growth of 2-4% and EPS growth of 6-8%), we would be unsurprised to see larger brand-building investments at the outset of Mr Tanner's tenure.' The food-sector analyst explains his theory to Just Food on consumer segmentation by suggesting Tanner might want to 'drill down' on different consumer segments in terms of demographics – how and where they shop, how and where you market to them, what marketing is most effective and how much individuals buy on promotion. 'Not just making one Reese's for the entire country,' he says. 'Hershey's innovation of the last couple of years hasn't been incremental to the category or to the brand. It's probably been more cannibalistic, which is part of the reason it has lost market share consistently,' Baumgartner argues. 'Anybody coming in as an outsider is going to have some fresh perspectives and different experiences that they may be able to apply, whether it's innovation, marketing, supply chain, or whatever.' While the Mizuho MD infers the Bubble Yum and Jolly Rancher's gum brand owner's investment in marketing has not kept up with inflation in the past couple of years, he also says pricing taken by food manufacturers in general, including Hershey, has gone a stretch too far. That, in itself, presents a challenge for volume recovery. Baumgartner suggests prices in a large proportion of food categories have gone up by around 30% since 2021, including confectionery and salty snacks, while food-at-home inflation has climbed about 17% when US household incomes have only gone up by circa 13%. 'You raise the price at double the rate of household income growth. Chocolate in the US has always been a low price point and an impulse purchase but given where prices have gone, it's not really a low-price category anymore,' Baumgartner says. 'We've seen a number of instances where we've had companies reduce prices and volumes have responded fairly quickly.' "Incoming Hershey CEO faces wall of challenges, not least cocoa" was originally created and published by Just Food, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. 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BBC News
03-07-2025
- General
- BBC News
'My assistance dog helps me be part of life'
"When you're dealing with a lot of changes in your life, the last thing you think about is getting a dog."But being paired with Rolo, a dedicated assistance dog, in 2021 has been invaluable for Andrew Miles, who suffered a spinal cord injury in a car crash in Brazil a decade black labrador helps the 70-year-old, who now uses a wheelchair, with a range of day-to-day tasks - from picking up dropped keys to moving clothes in and out of the washing Miles, who lives in Derby, said Rolo also helped him be "part of life", but the charity that brought them together has temporarily closed its waiting list to new applicants due to a lack of volunteers. Canine Partners, based in Leicestershire, has now issued an urgent appeal for people to come forward to train puppies who will go on to become assistance dogs for people with physical Miles had not considered an assistance dog until a chance encounter with another wheelchair user and their canine companion while shopping in the Meteor Centre in said: "We were chatting, comparing notes because we were both in chairs and the penny dropped, because I'd never thought about it." Mr Miles applied to the charity but, with lockdowns due to the Covid-19 pandemic, he was unable to spend the required two weeks at its base in Osgathorpe, near Canine Partners moved Rolo into his home and visited daily for training, and the two have never looked Miles said: "He's trained to pick things up for me - my keys, my gloves. "If I'm out in the workshop doing some jobs, he'll pick up a screwdriver or something."And for me, it may sound quite a minor thing for the onlooker, but actually when you're in a wheelchair and you drop something, it's a real pain."Rolo also opens and closes doors for Mr Miles but said he provided more than practical help."When you're involved in a life-changing accident or you have an illness that comes and changes your ability to be mobile you sometimes sort of step back and let life go by," he explained."Because I've got a dog, I've got responsibility. A canine partner help you be part of life. They don't let you watch the world go by." Canine Partners had about 100 people on its waiting list when it closed to new volunteers look after puppies until they are about 15 months old, teaching them basic obedience and socialisation dogs are then paired with their new companions, who they will live with, and begin specialist training, which costs about £50,000 per dog trainer Steph Dainty said: "Volunteers really do start the dog's first chapter off for us and get them to the amazing standard they need to be to then come in to do the assistance dog stuff."They can really go on to do some amazing things. "People are always shocked by what our dogs can do - and then want one for themselves."Lucy Eldred, chief executive of the charity, added: "Other than the time and the commitment, you don't need any specialist skills or experience."We're looking for anything that anyone would offer any normal dog in puppyhood, which is a loving, caring home and basic obedience and basic socialisation."
Yahoo
16-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Latest casualties of the cost of living crisis: Rover and Mittens
Shannon Shorten and her family have spent more than $8,000 in emergency vet visits for their 12-year-old cat Rolo — and she's not sure if they can afford yet another expensive procedure amid the current economic climate. Torontonian Shorten, 52, and her husband adopted Rolo and his brother, Toffee, both orange tabbies, more than a decade ago at a cat rescue. 'I am a redhead, my two boys are redheads, so we needed an orange cat,' she said. Having grown up with outdoor cats who required frequent vet visits, she initially believed she might be able to save on these costs since Rolo and Toffee are both indoor cats. But Rolo ended up having pica, the compulsive urge to eat inedible items. He took a liking to Styrofoam and the stuffing inside toys, leading to a blockage in his digestive tract and his first surgery in 2021. The tests and the surgery (which resulted in Rolo getting 18 staples) set Shorten and her husband back at least $4,000. A year later, Rolo's bad eating habits hurt him again. Shorten said they opted for a minimally invasive procedure this time to save Rolo some of the pain and trauma, but it meant an additional $4,000 out of their pockets. 'We always have that fear because he has a heart murmur too: Will he even survive (another) surgery?' Shorten said. She and her husband also aren't sure if they can afford another emergency vet visit that would cost them thousands of dollars, on top of other financial responsibilities such as meeting their mortgage payments and caring for their children. They are among a growing number of Canadians grappling with the rising cost of animal care, resulting in skipped vet visits and even pet abandonment. Half of pet owners have not brought their pets to the veterinarian for care within the past year or have declined previous recommended care, according to research from Gallup, Inc. and PetSmart Charities of Canada. The majority of those that have skipped or declined care (67 per cent) said this was due to financial reasons, such as not being able to afford care or not believing the care was worth the cost. Dr. Maggie Brown-Bury, executive member of the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA), based in St John's, N.L., said cost has always been an issue deterring some Canadians from accessing veterinary care for their pets. But she has noticed a shift in the past year or so, with pet owners making fewer appointments and the topic of money emerging more often in decisions to postpone veterinary care. The cost factor is twofold, she said. 'Everything is becoming more expensive, and so everyone has less to spend on their pets,' Brown-Bury said. 'At the same time, veterinary clinics are staffed with people who are facing those same increases, so we're trying to make sure that we're paying our staff a living wage, which means the cost of labour is going up, and then the cost of our supplies is going up, and so the cost of our services have to therefore also go up.' Shorten, who is self-employed, said the ongoing trade war has taken a major hit to her baby products business, BabyJack Products Inc., resulting in supply issues, fluctuating sales and unstable income. She avoids taking the cats to the vet for routine checkups unless it's necessary. 'To figure out what's wrong with a cat, you start with the basics, so they'll do blood work, and then, all of a sudden, it's an x-ray, and then maybe it's an ultrasound,' she said. 'The bill just rises so quickly with pets.' A March report from found veterinary service costs have surged, with office visits, preventive care and vaccinations increasing by up to 50 per cent for dogs and 25 per cent for cats last year. This appears to be an ongoing trend: A 2023 CVMA report indicated that households spent a total of $9.3 billion on veterinary and other services for pets in 2022, more than double the $4 billion spent in 2019. Sophie (whose surname has been withheld to protect her privacy) said she and her partner spend nearly $4,000 in veterinary bills for their two dogs every year. Diego, a pure-bred American Staffordshire Terrier with a pair of perpetually upturned ears, is a gentle 13-year-old senior, while Murphy is an energetic six-year-old rescue mutt. They feature on Sophie's pet social media account, @murphspaldiego. Sophie, who is in her thirties, works in the information technology sector and lives on Vancouver Island, B.C. She began posting content about her pets in the beginning of 2024 but started a new series this year in which she documents the monthly costs of pet care. 'I thought it was good to show how (these costs) fluctuate so much, like none of those numbers are ever remotely the same any month,' she said, noting that emergency vet bills can boost expenses significantly. Diego, for example, requires a monthly injection for his arthritis, which has gone up from about $107 to $126 a month since he started taking it. But he has also undergone four surgeries in his lifetime to have melanomas removed, which set Sophie and her partner back thousands of dollars. As a dual-income household with no children, the couple has the leeway to afford veterinary care, so far. Sophie said she and her partner have started stashing about $100 a month into an emergency savings account in case of these surprise expenses. But others struggle to afford the cost of caring for their animals. The Ontario SPCA and Humane Society told Financial Post it is seeing a 16 per cent increase in the number of animals entering its care for re-homing year-over-year across the province. PetSmart Charities of Canada president Aimee Gilbreath said advancements in veterinary care result in more potential for pets to recover from illness or injury and to live longer, but noted many of these treatments and procedures are expensive. 'Unlike human healthcare, those are not subsidized by the government or by your employer,' Gilbreath said. 'You have to pay the full cost.' The veterinary care most often declined included diagnostic procedures such as blood tests and preventive care such as annual check-ups and vaccinations, according to the CVMA report. However, some respondents also said they had forgone recommended medications and declined elective and even life-saving surgeries for their pets. 'The most significant consequence to people hesitating to spend the money is what could have been a small problem becomes a bigger problem, which unfortunately also can mean a more expensive problem — or in the worst-case scenario, a problem that we can no longer fix,' said Brown-Bury. 'There has been an increase in people giving up their pets … and people opting for humane euthanasia (to ensure their pet is not suffering) when there may have been a treatment option that they can't afford to pursue.' Chantelle Archambault, communications director at the Vancouver Humane Society, said its McVitie program, which provides emergency funding for life-saving veterinary care for pets in low-income households across B.C., has ballooned from less than 200 applications in 2020 to about 1,600 in 2024. 'This year, we have already processed more than 900 applications,' Archambault said in an email, noting more people are struggling to afford veterinary care as the cost of living has gone up. 'Increasingly, applicants … mention that their rent alone is nearly the same as their full monthly income,' she added. 'Many applicants report having only $100 to $200 per month left for food for themselves, their pet and other necessities.' Christine Van Tol, 54, is a two-time recipient of this funding for her three-year-old orange cat, Milo, who has been prone to developing urinary tract blockages. Van Tol, who has multiple sclerosis, fibromyalgia and other autoimmune issues and relies on disability paychecks to make ends meet, said she had not intended on adopting another cat when she already had one and was grappling with much higher rent payments. However, after rescuing the scrawny kitten and being unable to find him a home, Van Tol decided to keep Milo, who developed a special bond with her other cat, Leia. Unfortunately, Leia underwent kidney failure a year later and Van Tol made the difficult decision to opt for humane euthanasia at the vet, scrounging up $800 from birthday money and her income tax refund to cover all the costs. But when Milo had a urinary tract infection that took a sudden turn for the worse, Van Tol could not afford an expensive surgery so soon after paying for Leia's veterinary care. She went to three different clinics until she found out about financial aid through the McVitie program. She received $500 through the program and managed to raise the remaining $1,200 she needed through GoFundMe within two days. However, 10 months later, Milo was suffering from yet another blockage. Van Tol knew she had to either end his suffering or try one last procedure: a $3,500 perineal urethrostomy (PU) to surgically open the urethra. Luckily, she was able to get funds from the McVitie program and GoFundMe again to get the procedure, done this year. I sacrificed everything ... I wasn't ready to say goodbye Christine Van Tol 'I sacrificed everything,' she said. 'I wasn't ready to say goodbye.' Milo is faring much better today, though Van Tol still has him on a special diet. While pet insurance can save owners money, this can cost pet owners anywhere from $120 to $1,200 or more per year, according to It is also much easier to get coverage for a pet in the early stages of its life, with few providers willing to cover treatment for pre-existing conditions. Gilbreath advised pet owners to be open and transparent about their financial circumstances with their veterinarians. She suggested asking about payment plans and grants, creating a rainy day fund and searching for clinics with lower cost options. High cost of living forcing Canadians to make concessions on auto theft prevention Tariffs causing rising uncertainty in Canadian businesses: StatCan 'The reality is that the magnitude of the problem in Canada alone is billions of dollars a year,' Gilbreath said. 'Addressing this is going to really require all of the facets of the industry to come together.' • Email: slouis@ Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
