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Telegraph
19 hours ago
- General
- Telegraph
My dog ate the hamster I was looking after… and other tales of pet-sitting woe
As the summer holidays draw near, pet owners face the perennial question: who will look after the dogs, cats – and lizards – while they're away? Some splash out on luxury pet hotels, others check their sulky felines into the local cattery. But many of us turn to friends, neighbours or relatives for help. Whether that's wise is another matter. Professional pet sitters come with experience (and a price tag to match), but your teenage neighbour may be less well-versed in animal care – as these cautionary tales reveal… Our Staffordshire bull terrier ate the hamster in the night – Shelina, 37, digital creator My dog Louis was a Staffordshire bull terrier and a total softie. I had guinea pigs at the time and he was scared of them and the cat. So I wasn't worried when family friends asked me to look after their children's hamster while they were away. But the hamster's cage was fastened shut with a thin strip of Sellotape, which my younger sister idly fiddled with as we chatted. They also hadn't told us the Sellotape was there because the hamster regularly escaped. That night we went to bed, hamster safely in its cage – or so we thought. During the night, Louis let out one big 'woof!' He never barked, and it woke the whole house up. We went back to sleep but the hamster cage was wide open, and there was no hamster. We searched the entire house, beds, cupboards – but there was only one conclusion. Louis' big woof was followed by eating him. I was horrified – but when we told them, the parents' reply was, 'Oh thank God! That hamster's been a total pain.' My babysitter blew up – Caroline, 46, publicist We were looking after the rabbit from the children's nursery when we had to go out one evening and booked a babysitter. We had no idea she was allergic to fur – but she had a massive reaction, and her face swelled up to an unrecognisable size. The poor girl ended up in A&E. It turned out it wasn't the first time: she was an animal lover and couldn't resist picking the rabbit up, despite her medical history. I had to forage in a heatwave – Sophie, 30, pet sitter I'm a pet sitter, and I had one very tricky client with a tortoise, a chameleon and two fish-tanks. I had to go foraging greens for the tortoise in a heatwave because it would only eat fresh dandelions, so I was told. When I had to miss one evening, and my cover – a vet specialising in reptiles – had to stand in, the client was furious with me about disrupting her animals' routines, because apparently the chameleon's bedtime was strictly 7pm. The dog took my contraceptive pills – Emily, 33, behaviourist As a student, I used to house-sit. Once, I looked after a dog that broke through two stair gates, got upstairs, into a suitcase and ate a packet of contraceptive pills. Thankfully, I was on the kind that aren't toxic to dogs. Even so, it required an emergency vet visit and a long phone call to the poison centre to find this out. I stopped pet-sitting after that. The sitter wouldn't wake up – Natalie, 40, business owner We had a bit of a disaster on our first holiday after getting a dog. We'd booked a lovely pet sitter who already knew him, but the day before we were due to fly, she texted to say she couldn't do it – her own dog was in season. Instead, she promised her younger employee would stay at the house and look after him. By that point, we didn't really have a choice. On day two, the next-door neighbour texted to ask what was going on, as the dog had been barking for over an hour. It turned out the sitter had slept in and hadn't heard him barking to go out for a wee. Unbelievably, the same thing happened for the next two days. We were sitting by the pool in Lanzarote, trying to get hold of the business owner to go and wake her employee. Throughout the week, we were also getting regular WhatsApp photos of the dog's poo, as the sitter was worried he had a tummy issue. It looked fine to us, but eventually we agreed to a vet visit just to appease her – £80 later, we were told there was nothing wrong. The cat disappeared on day one – Jacqueline, 67, women's club founder We were living in Germany in military housing – and we volunteered to look after one of my then-husband's employees' cats. There was no information at the handover, it was just, 'here's the cat, see you in two weeks.' She was a beautiful, white, fluffy cat… and she disappeared on the first night. I was frantic. I got everyone in the flats involved in looking for her – every flat was checked, we walked miles searching, and drove down all the local roads. I was convinced she'd been cat-napped because she was so pretty, or even worse, run over and concealed. There was no sign of her, and for two weeks, I desperately ran through all the ways I might apologise. Then on the day her owners were due back, she wandered in through our patio doors. I was so relieved – until it transpired that she was pregnant. It must have happened when she was with us because the owners never let her out. Thankfully, she only had two kittens, and we took both of them. It was the least we could do. The cats staged a dirty protest – Jess, journalist I used to pet sit for various neighbours when I was a teenager, with a very fluffy and friendly rough collie and his two cat cohabitants amongst my clients. I dutifully went every day to water plants and feed the animals, and after a week or so took the opportunity to snoop around the house – just a little. To my horror, the cats had taken it upon themselves to defecate all over the bed of the master bedroom – and had seemingly spread it around. Unfortunately, this act of protest had clearly happened early on in my care of them, and was fully set in. The response of a 15-year-old with very little laundry experience? Call my mother, obviously – who came straight to the rescue. The owners were never the wiser (I think). Never let the dog roll – Bharati, 45, sustainable accessories brand owner I used to look after a friend's two dogs regularly; a Jack Russell and a Pekinese. On one occasion, the weather was good and I decided to take them to a new park to have a good run around. The Jack Russell absolutely loved it, rolling around and running everywhere. When we returned though, I noticed he was scratching more than usual and I knew something wasn't right. I tried to call my friend to get the details for her vet but it kept going to voicemail. So I booked an appointment with the closest vet I could find – £130 later, it turned out the dog had caught fox mange. Incompetence nearly killed the cat – Colm, 28, radio producer My ex-girlfriend was obsessed with her Persian cat, and when she went away for a few days, she asked me to look after her as she didn't trust strangers. She had bought a very expensive food system which meant the cat could trigger her own dinners, and showed me how it worked – I just had to refill it. I filled it up the first morning, then I had to go away unexpectedly overnight. Luckily, I calculated there would be enough food until I got back. It wasn't until I turned up again that I discovered I hadn't flicked the switch, and the poor cat had been unable to access her dinners. When I opened the kitchen door, the cat was lying by her impenetrable food bowl, and I was overcome with horror. I didn't confess, but I still feel terrible about it.
The Herald Scotland
a day ago
- General
- The Herald Scotland
5 pets at Hampshire RSPCA who are looking for new homes
Whether you want to adopt a dog, cat, rabbit or guinea pig, there is plenty of choice. A few animals from The Stubbington Ark are listed below, but more can be found on the centre's website. To help the RSPCA Solent branch carry on its work, you can donate to its website here. Billie Billie (Image: RSPCA) If you want to adopt Billie you can view his profile here. Billie is a male Staffordshire Bull Terrier crossbreed, who is between six and 12 months old and is tan in colour. He is described as a "big bundle of fun with a huge personality" who loves people and will greet them with a waggy tail. Billie enjoys playing with toys, especially a good game of tug, and loves his treats, which helps with training. He is said to be a strong boy who will need ongoing training for walking on a lead. As a result, he will need experienced owners who can provide plenty of exercise and mental stimulation. He will need an enclosed garden with six-foot fences in his new home, and he could live with children of secondary school age. Siren Siren (Image: RSPCA) If you want to adopt Siren you can view her profile here. Siren is a female Staffordshire Bull Terrier who is eight years old and black in colour. She is "full of fun and always on the go" and enjoys playing with toys, especially squeaky ones. Siren is a very clever girl and enjoys training, particularly if food is involved. She does not like other dogs and cannot be socialised with them, so she is fully muzzle-trained as a result. This will need to be worn in any situation where she may be in contact with an off-leash dog. Siren cannot live with other animals, and would be best suited to an adult-only home. Bunty Bunty (Image: RSPCA) If you want to adopt Bunty you can view her profile here. Bunty is a female domestic guinea pig who is four years old and is a tricoloured variety. She was quite timid when first arriving in the care of the RSPCA, but has grown in confidence over time. Bunty is generally okay with being handled and quite likes a stroke. She is looking to be rehomed with either a group of females or one male. The RSPCA adds: "She will require an enclosure of a minimum of 6ft x 2ft, either housed indoors (such as a C&C pen) or outdoors (a large shed set up)." Recommended reading: Tizzy and Shylo Tizzy and Shylo (Image: RSPCA) If you want to adopt Tizzy and Shylo you can view their profile here. Tizzy and Shylo are sisters who are both around one year old and are domestic long-haired breeds. They were both a bit nervous when first arriving at the Stubbington Ark and were found to be noise sensitive. Therefore, the RSPCA recommends starting them from their own unused room to initially settle in before exploring the rest of the property, and eventually a garden. Tizzy and Shylo need to be the only pets in the home and can live with older aged secondary school children who will be quiet around them while they settle.
North Wales Live
2 days ago
- North Wales Live
Girl, seven, bitten by dog as neighbours rush to help her
A little girl was attacked by a dog as neighbours rushed to help her. Emergency services were called to Dulas Green in Kirkby, where police were called shortly before 6pm on Thursday, May 29. There had been reports two people had been bitten by a dog. A girl, aged seven, suffered bite injuries to her arm and leg and a 22-year-old woman sustained puncture wounds to the leg, arm and hand. The casualties were taken to hospital for treatment for their injuries which are not believed to be life threatening. The dog, believed to be a Staffordshire Bull Terrier, was seized by police. One neighbour, who did not want to be named, told how he was outside having a drink after work when he heard two children "screaming" and running down the road, reports the Liverpool ECHO. He said one of the girl's managed to get away up his path, however the other was attacked by the dog. He added: "When we looked back, the dog had actually got one of the girls and pulled her to the ground. I ran over then and my wife threw bricks at the dog, which you can see smashed on the ground, and they just bounced off the dog's head." He went on: "I ran to get a brush and by that time it already had a few bites. By the time I got the brush and got it away it was over [the road]." And the man said another neighbour came out to help and the dog reportedly attacked him and his daughters, with one of his daughters also suffering from bite wounds. He added: "[The neighbour] got the dog to the ground and he was holding it down. Then I ran in [the house] to get a cage and I assembled the cage and said 'we've got to get this dog in the cage or it's going to get out'. We then managed to get it in." The man described the dog as "very powerful and had big jaws". He added: "You read about these things and think 'Jesus Christ' but don't expect it on your doorstep." Forensic officers were seen taking photographs in Dulas Green for evidence. During the incident the air ambulance was seen landing on greenery close to the scene. One neighbour said around 15 police cars also attended and two ambulances. Police said enquiries into the incident remain ongoing.
Wales Online
2 days ago
- Wales Online
Boy, 4, attacked by dog and sustained injuries 'like something out of a horror film'
Boy, 4, attacked by dog and sustained injuries 'like something out of a horror film' Amanda Holmes' son, Antonio Quinn, was attacked by a Pocket Bully while outside a friend's house Antonio Quinn was left bloodied with injuries on both cheeks, under his chin, and on his right thigh (Image: Amanda Holmes© SWNS ) A heartbroken mother has recounted the moment her four-year-old son sustained injuries 'like something out of a horror film' after being attacked by a dog. Amanda Holmes' son, Antonio Quinn, was at a friend's home on Monday (May 26) when he was unexpectedly viciously attacked by a Pocket Bully. Antonio was standing just outside the front door when the dog attacked him. A family friend intervened and successfully pulled the dog away. Though the frightened boy escaped, he was left bloodied, with injuries on both cheeks, under his chin, and on his right thigh. Antonio was then rushed to the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, where he underwent three hours of surgery to stitch his wounds. Amanda, 34, said: "It was the worst thing ever, it was horrible. It was so scary. Antonio was rushed to the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, where he underwent a three-hour surgery (Image: Amanda Holmes© SWNS ) "I couldn't believe my son's face was like that, it was like something out of a horror film." Amanda said that Antonio went to his neighbour's house to quickly get a drink, but was unexpectedly attacked by the animal. He then hurried back to his home in Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire, where he was rushed to the hospital. The mum-of-three continued: "I heard a scream - you know your child's cry. "Antonio was then at the front door, he had blood all over his face and his cheeks were hanging off his face. "I was screaming, asking what's happened and then I rang the ambulance. Luckily, the dog didn't remove any skin - they just ripped it. "They've managed to put it all back together, they've done a really good job with him." Amanda, who owns a Siberian Husky crossed with a Pomeranian dog, added that despite Antonio's injuries, he now seems to be doing well. She said: "I thought that bringing him home from the hospital, when we've got a dog, might be an obstacle for him, but he's been absolutely fine. "The dog knows that he's been injured so she hasn't left his side. Antonio is doing okay, you can tell that he's shocked by it. He's still in a lot of pain, but he's doing well." Antonio was standing just outside the front door when the dog attacked him (Image: Amanda Holmes© SWNS ) A spokesperson for Lancashire Police confirmed the seizure of the Pocket Bully and a Staffordshire Bull Terrier, which were present at the scene. Article continues below They said: "We're appealing for information and footage after a child suffered a dog bite in Oswaldtwistle. We were called at shortly after 1.30 pm on Monday 26th May following reports that a child had been bitten by a dog on Thwaites Road, Oswaldtwistle. "The child, a four-year-old boy, was taken to hospital with injuries to his leg and face. Thankfully, those injuries are not life-threatening. "Two dogs have been seized by police – a Staffordshire Bull Terrier type and a Pocket Bully Type and the dog owner has been identified and will be spoken to in due course."
Metro
3 days ago
- Metro
Boy, 4, left with 'horror film' injuries after Bully dog attack
A mum whose four-year-old son was viciously attacked by a Pocket Bully said his injuries were something like 'out of a horror film'. Amanda Holmes' son, Antonio, was at his friend's house on Monday when the dog attacked him, before a family friend managed to pull it off. Antonio managed to run away from the dog, but he was left covered in blood and had injuries to both of his cheeks, underneath his chin and his right thigh. Mum Amanda recalled: 'It was the worst thing ever, it was horrible. It was so scary. I couldn't believe my son's face was like that, it was like something out of a horror film.' He was then rushed to the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, where he underwent a three-hour operation to stitch his wounds. 'I heard a scream – you know your child's cry. Antonio was then at the front door, he had blood all over his face, and his cheeks were hanging off his face,' Amanda said. 'I was screaming, asking what had happened, and then I rang the ambulance. Luckily, the dog didn't remove any skin – they just ripped it. 'They've managed to put it all back together, they've done a really good job with him,' she added. Amanda, who owns a Siberian Husky crossed with a Pomeranian dog, says that despite Antonio's injuries, he seems to be doing well. She said: 'I thought that bringing him home from the hospital, when we've got a dog, might be an obstacle for him, but he's been absolutely fine. 'The dog knows that he's been injured, so she hasn't left his side. Antonio is doing okay, you can tell that he's shocked by it. He's still in a lot of pain, but he's doing well.' A Lancashire Police spokesperson confirmed that the Pocket Bully and a Staffordshire Bull Terrier, which were also at the scene, have been seized. They said: 'We're appealing for information and footage after a child suffered a dog bite in Oswaldtwistle. More Trending 'We were called shortly after 1.30 pm on Monday, May 26, following reports that a child had been bitten by a dog on Thwaites Road, Oswaldtwistle. 'The child, a four-year-old boy, was taken to the hospital with injuries to his leg and face. Thankfully, those injuries are not life-threatening.' Police said the dog's owner has been identified. Pocket Bullies are a smaller version of the famous XL Bully, but the smaller breed is often an American Bully crossed with the British Patterdale Terrier. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Peak District visitors could face £1 entry fee to 'access incredible landscape' MORE: Baby in hospital after vicious dog attack in Manchester MORE: EasyJet passenger hurls homophobic abuse at staff before dramatic punch-up
