Latest news with #Slinky
Newsweek
2 days ago
- General
- Newsweek
Dog Who Endured Trauma and Tragedy Faces Biggest Test Yet: 'Never Give Up'
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. Dog lovers are rallying around a brave rescue Dachshund after her owner shared her heartbreaking story on social media. In a post shared on Reddit, u/frasnet introduced the online pet community to his senior rescue dog, Slinky, alongside three simple words: "never give up." It's an apt statement to include, given everything Slinky has been through. Frasnet, a British national living abroad who requested his real name be omitted from this story, told Newsweek he adopted Slinky in 2022. Their vet estimates Slinky to be around 7 years old when they brought her home. From the moment he laid eyes on her, it was clear Slinky had endured a difficult life. Even so, Frasnet was shocked and saddened at just how difficult it had been. "She was surrendered from illegal breeders with severe gum disease and gave birth to a stillborn puppy," he said. "She had all but 5 teeth removed and suffered nerve damage that affected her tongue and possibly her vocal cords as she doesn't bark normally." Slinky had to undergo reconstructive surgery to plug a hole in her gums that had left her nasal cavity exposed and uncomfortable. Frasnet and his wife already had two dogs, Belle and Zeina, but there was something about Slinky, when they first came across her online adoption profile, that made them determined to adopt. "We both just knew we could help her," he said. "Nobody wanted her. We saw her, listened to her backstory and immediately made arrangements to adopt her." Slinky the rescue dachshund lying on the grass. Slinky the rescue dachshund lying on the grass. Reddit/u/Frasnet Slinky could so easily have fallen between the cracks and ended up being consigned to a future stuck waiting in the shelter for a family that never comes. A 2021 study published in the journal Animals saw researchers attempt to narrow the most commonly seen characteristics of a long-term, shelter dog—a dog living in a shelter for 12 months or more. The results concluded that long-term shelter dogs were more often older in age, male, of large size, and considered a "dangerous breed." Slinky may not have fit all of those criteria, but her age undoubtedly counted against her. Frasnet and his wife preferred to focus their mental energies on making this dog, who had suffered so much, smile again. "It took about 18 months of nurturing to bring her out of her shell; she looked defeated," Frasnet said. "My wife cuddled her constantly, we started to take her on walks and she really started to get a personality." It seemed like Slinky was getting the happy ending she so richly deserved. But everything changed. "In January 2025 she started stumbling and we took her immediately for a checkup," Frasnet said. "Nothing showed on her blood tests or X-ray." It seemed like Slinky was on the mend from whatever illness she had been struck down by, but then a month ago, they noticed she was rapidly losing weight. Further X-rays, blood tests and two biopsies followed before it was confirmed she had cancer. Frasnet didn't waste any time getting Slinky the treatment she needed. "We decided she was losing weight so quickly we didn't have time to investigate and booked her in for surgery," he said. Slinky has had her tumor removed. Slinky has had her tumor removed. Reddit/u/Frasnet Though the operation was essential, Frasnet feared Slinky might not make it. "I made casts of her paws because she was so thin I didn't think she could handle the surgery," he said. But Slinky had already overcome so much and appeared determined to do that again. "She would have died in days without it, but [it] looks like she is pulling through," Frasnet said of the surgery. "She really is a fighter and is not ready to give up." Those words, "never give up," appeared as part of the Reddit post about Slinky's situation. The post has gotten a huge response with over 2,500 upvotes and a slew of comments offering support and encouragement during her cancer journey. "I'm cheering for you, Slinky. You go girl, stay strong," one user wrote. "Sending much love and wishes for healing," a second Redditor said. "May the feisty Doxie spirit carry you through recovery," a third person commented. Though Slinky is recovering well from the surgery, Frasnet is taking things one day at a time. "The mass has been sent for analysis to see what future treatment plan she needs. A lot is unknown right now with the key factor on her immediate healing, which is happening," he said. Right now, the outpouring of support has been much appreciated. Frasnet hopes Slinky's story serves as an important reminder about certain kinds of rescue dogs. "Old, disabled, ill-health animals need love too, especially when humans did this to her, breeding the next insta-pup, the mums just discarded," he said. "It really breaks our hearts how humans can be so horrible to animals that show such love."
Scottish Sun
14-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- Scottish Sun
Ex-royal gardener reveals the everyday kitchen staple to help give your flowers a boost in the garden this summer
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A FORMER royal gardener has revealed the kitchen staple that can give your flowers a boost for summer. With temperatures set to remain high this weekend, it's the perfect time to get outside and get stuck in to your gardening tasks. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 A young woman gardeninghttp://195.154.178.81/DATA/i_collage/pi/shoots/ Credit: Getty 3 Jack Stooks is a former royal gardener who worked for the Highgrove Estate Credit: Twitter/X 3 Coffee grounds can be used as compost to give plants a boost Credit: Getty And although you may think that getting your garden in tip top shape will involve the use of pricey products, Jack Stooks, a former royal gardener, has revealed that a throwaway item has a multitude of uses in the garden. The gardener, who previously worked at the Highgrove Estate, revealed that leftover coffee grounds are great to use as compost. "They are great to use in compost, they break down well and add to the mix, so that's definitely something worth doing," he said, on behalf of Coffee Friend. "You can also add them directly to garden beds. Read more gardening stories UP IN SPACE The 7 expert hacks to help your garden feel bigger from colours to furniture "If you're producing a lot of grounds, they can even act a bit like a mulch and get worked into the soil.' Compost provides essential nutrients to plants, helping to give them a boost so they bloom bright in summer. However, Jack warned that since coffee is acidic it is not suitable for all types of plants. He explained that ericaceous plants - things like rhododendrons, azaleas, and hydrangeas prefer acidic soil, so will tolerate the coffee grounds well. However, he added that for plants that don't like acidic soil, coffee grounds are best avoided. The gardening whizz also revealed that coffee grounds can be used as a hack to deter squirrels. Grow your groceries - how to grow tomatoes from tomatoes! Simply place them around bird feeders and the strong smell of the grounds will keep the pests away. However, he added that the hack is messy as the grounds will turn to sludge once it rains. "Birds will walk through it, and that mess can then turn into a breeding ground for disease, which could spread among the bird population," he warned. Sharing an alternative tip, Jack advised using Slinky to keep squirrels at bay. 5 ways to save money in your garden Garden design experts at Lighting Legends have revealed the ways you can lower gardening costs. 1. Install a water butt Water butts are a large container that sits in your garden and collects rainwater. This water can then be used to water plants, top up ponds or water features and wash the patio and other garden furniture. The natural outdoor water could help you save money on your water bills as you are less likely to use a hose during the summer months. 2. Use solar powered or LED lighting Solar powered lights get their energy from the sunlight in the day so they can illuminate your garden at night. They're easy to install and are a great choice for keeping electricity bills low. LED lights are another option that are long lasting and energy efficient. 3. Grow your own salad and vegetables Growing your own salad and vegetables will not only save you money but it can also feel really rewarding. Things like lettuce, radishes, and spinach are all fairly easy to grow. 4. Upcycle waste and rubbish Get creative and start upcycling items instead of throwing them away. Use sticks from ice lollies as plant tags or turn old watering cans and wheelbarrows into planters instead of buying new pots. Once you get creative the ways to upcycle are endless. 5. Start composting Start composting your kitchen scraps like vegetable peelings and coffee grounds and combine them with garden waste such as leaves and grass clippings to create a nutrient rich compost. This could reduce your need to spend money on expensive fertilisers. 'You can simply thread it down the pole of your bird feeder, and when a squirrel tries to climb it, they simply can't, " he said. "It's a much cleaner and safer solution than spreading coffee grounds everywhere, just in case they get wet.' Jack previously revealed the one mistake gardeners should never make to their lawns, if they are keen to keep grass green and healthy. "When it gets too hot, what you definitely don't want to do is keep mowing the grass and keeping it as short as possible", he told Big Fat Links. "You want to forgo cutting for a week or two so that the grass keeps growing by itself, rather than depleting it. "Wait until you have some moisture back in the soil."
The Irish Sun
14-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- The Irish Sun
Ex-royal gardener reveals the everyday kitchen staple to help give your flowers a boost in the garden this summer
A FORMER royal gardener has revealed the kitchen staple that can give your flowers a boost for summer. With temperatures set to remain high this weekend, it's the perfect time to get outside and get stuck in to your 3 A young woman gardeninghttp://195.154.178.81/DATA/i_collage/pi/shoots/ Credit: Getty 3 Jack Stooks is a former royal gardener who worked for the Highgrove Estate Credit: Twitter/X 3 Coffee grounds can be used as compost to give plants a boost Credit: Getty And although you may think that getting your garden in tip top shape will involve the use of pricey products, The gardener, who previously worked at the Highgrove Estate, revealed that leftover coffee grounds are great to use as compost. "They are great to use in compost, they break down well and add to the mix, so that's definitely something worth doing," he said, on behalf of Coffee Friend. "You can also add them directly to garden beds. Read more gardening stories "If you're producing a lot of grounds, they can even act a bit like a mulch and get worked into the soil.' Compost provides essential nutrients to plants, helping to give them a boost so they bloom bright in summer. However, Jack warned that since coffee is acidic it is not suitable for all types of plants. He explained that ericaceous plants - things like rhododendrons, azaleas, and hydrangeas prefer acidic soil, so will tolerate the coffee grounds well. Most read in Fabulous However, he added that for plants that don't like acidic soil, coffee grounds are best avoided. The gardening whizz also revealed that coffee grounds can be used as a hack to deter squirrels. Grow your groceries - how to grow tomatoes from tomatoes! Simply place them around bird feeders and the strong smell of the grounds will keep the pests away. However, he added that the hack is messy as the grounds will turn to sludge once it rains. "Birds will walk through it, and that mess can then turn into a breeding ground for disease, which could spread among the bird population," he warned. Sharing an alternative tip, Jack advised using Slinky to keep squirrels at bay. 5 ways to save money in your garden Garden design experts at 1. Install a water butt Water butts are a large container that sits in your garden and collects rainwater. This water can then be used to water plants, top up ponds or water features and wash the patio and other garden furniture. The natural outdoor water could help you save money on your water bills as you are less likely to use a hose during the summer months. 2. Use solar powered or LED lighting Solar powered lights get their energy from the sunlight in the day so they can illuminate your garden at night. They're easy to install and are a great choice for keeping electricity bills low. LED lights are another option that are long lasting and energy efficient. 3. Grow your own salad and vegetables Growing your own salad and vegetables will not only save you money but it can also feel really rewarding. Things like lettuce, radishes, and spinach are all fairly easy to grow. 4. Upcycle waste and rubbish Get creative and start upcycling items instead of throwing them away. Use sticks from ice lollies as plant tags or turn old watering cans and wheelbarrows into planters instead of buying new pots. Once you get creative the ways to upcycle are endless. 5. Start composting Start composting your kitchen scraps like vegetable peelings and coffee grounds and combine them with garden waste such as leaves and grass clippings to create a nutrient rich compost. This could reduce your need to spend money on expensive fertilisers. 'You can simply thread it down the pole of your bird feeder, and when a squirrel tries to climb it, they simply can't, " he said. "It's a much cleaner and safer solution than spreading coffee grounds everywhere, just in case they get wet.' Jack previously revealed the one "When it gets too hot, what you definitely don't want to do is keep mowing the grass and keeping it as short as possible", he told "You want to forgo cutting for a week or two so that the grass keeps growing by itself, rather than depleting it. "Wait until you have some moisture back in the soil."
Express Tribune
12-05-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Tariff hike puts pressure on LA's Kip's Toyland
Listen to article Kip's Toyland, the oldest toy shop in Los Angeles, may be forced to raise prices or reduce stock as it faces tariffs of up to 145% on Chinese imports — a major blow for the nearly 80-year-old family-run store. Around 80% of toys sold in the United States are manufactured in China. Owner Don Kipper says the store has been receiving letters from suppliers warning of sharp price hikes due to upcoming trade penalties. 'We've been getting letters and other communication from our suppliers that say, 'Fasten your seat belts, this is on the way,'' Kipper told. Some suppliers urged bulk orders before tariff pricing begins, while others warned of halted production ahead of the holiday season. The development highlights renewed pressure on the US toy industry amid President Donald Trump's ongoing trade dispute with China. In 2023, the US imported \$13.4 billion worth of toys from China, according to Commerce Department data. Kip's Toyland sources most of its inventory from China. Kipper said he cannot afford to buy in bulk or store large quantities, unlike bigger retailers. 'It's a hostage situation. If we have to, we have to,' Kipper said of potentially paying higher prices. Founded in 1945 by Irvin 'Kip' Kipper, a former World War II pilot and prisoner of war, Kip's Toyland began as a small shop selling flags and dolls. Today, it remains a nostalgic haven of unplugged, classic toys. While most items on its shelves are now made in China, a few — like the American-made Slinky — are still sourced domestically. Toy analyst Chris Byrne said rebuilding US-based toy manufacturing would take at least five years and still lead to higher consumer prices due to domestic labour and regulatory costs. Parents visiting the shop said higher prices may force them to cut back. 'It's a real treasure,' said Aeri Schwartz, who visits with her toddler. 'Not being able to come here and buy something would be pretty unfortunate.' Chelsea Kwoka, another parent, said she would likely shift spending to local experiences or buy second-hand toys if prices soar. Kipper said he hopes loyal customers will still come in for birthdays or special gifts — but said he would have to 'buy smart' to keep the shop going.
Daily Mirror
03-05-2025
- General
- Daily Mirror
Songbirds will constantly return to your garden if gardeners do 3 tasks
Songbirds chirping away is a sound no one wants to rid from their garden, and there's a handful of tasks you can complete to ensure they keep coming back again and again The dawn chorus is one of the best things about waking up early in spring, hearing the birds chirping away to each other and arguing over their territories. But urbanisation, lack of food and water, and even things like artificial lawns can put off birds from visiting your garden - for good. But one keen gardener has hit upon three key things to do if you want to wake up to the happy noises of songbirds. The Roam Wild UK TikTok account says it's important to have a constant supply of bird-friendly food, so songbirds know your garden is a go-to stop-off point on their long journeys. "Firstly, use sunflower hearts to feed your songbirds. The birds absolutely love them, and they're far less messy," says the account. Sunflower seeds are rich in fats and nutrients, and birds like blue tits, great tits, chaffinches and greenfinches love to peck them out of dried sunflower hearts - so if you're growing sunflowers in your garden this year, remember to save the heads and dry them out over winter. "Secondly, and this is going to save you an absolute fortune, use a squirrel-proof bird feeder. The birds are going to thank you later," says the TikTok account. Squirrels are clever creatures and love nothing more than munching on seeds and nuts left out for birds. While you can buy specialist squirrel-proof feeders that are weight-activated - allowing lighter birds to alight while preventing heavier rodents from having a nosh - you can squirrel-proof your own feeder by attaching a Slinky underneath the feeding platform and outside the pole, which stops rodents from shimmying up. "Finally, place your feeder near trees or a woodland area. Songbirds are nervous creatures and like to fly back and forth to cover," Roam UK adds. The RSPB agrees, but adds that gardeners should never place their feeders too close to bushes, as that's where predators could hide in wait. Think about placing your feeder somewhere quiet, where they birds won't be disturbed, sheltered so they won't be blasted by wind, but open enough so that birds can keep watch all around them while they're feeding. The bird organisation also offers some checkpoints for gardeners hoping to attract more feathered friends in the spring. "During the spring and summer months, birds also require high-protein foods, especially while they're moulting," it says. "Be careful with peanuts, fat and bread during spring and summer. If you want to feed peanuts only do so in rigid mesh feeders that will not allow sizeable pieces to be removed, since these could be a choking hazard to chicks. "Home-made fat balls can melt in warm summer weather, and should be avoided." And lastly, think about getting separate nut and seed feeders so you can attract a wider range of wildlife to your garden. "Nut feeders made of rigid steel mesh are the only safe method of offering nuts to wild birds," says the RSPB. "Seed feeders are designed for sunflower seeds and seed mixes labelled feeder seed. Make sure all feeders drain easily and do not allow build-up of old food."
