A specially-trained dog has been recognised for his contribution to the
fire service after visiting his 100th fire scene.
CC the Labrador is one of only 17 fire dogs in the UK and has helped
sniff out the cause of fires across the south-east.
He can smell traces of flammable liquid such as petrol even after the
most severe fire and wears protective boots on his paws.
CC's handler Nikki Harvey has been working with him at Hertfordshire
Fire Service since July 2007.
She said: "CC has had an extremely busy first year in his working
life as a fire investigation dog and he is certainly proving a real asset
to fire investigators, assisting them in determining the cause and origin
of fires.
"Working with CC is extremely challenging and rewarding and we have
bonded strongly as a team, which is really important."
Meanwhile, Bracken the German Shepherd is safe at home after he escaped
the clutches of thieves to walk ten miles back to his owner's local pub.
The Chorley Guardian reported that his owner Jimmy Makinson was overjoyed
at his return.
Urban chicks 'lay golden eggs'
Families around the country are flocking to keep their own chickens to
lay eggs during the economic downturn, it has been reported.
According to the Guardian, urban hen keeping is on the rise and the animals
are being touted as the credit crunch pet of choice as they are not only
entertaining but they provide their plucky owners with a source of food
during the recession.
Kirsten Halley, of feed manufacturer Allen and Page, told the newspaper
that the firm has witnessed a "flabbergasting" rise in the amount
of chicken feed sold.
"Over the last two years we have noticed an increase and in the
last 12 months particularly there has been a huge jump in everything to
do with hens," she explained.
Francine Raymond, of the Henkeepers Association, added that hens are
very low maintenance and need little more than food and shelter.
Cat gets contacts
A rescue cat has undergone surgery to have a contact lens fitted after
he was suffering from an eye condition, it has been reported.
Ernest, who lives at the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty
to Animals (RSPCA), was diagnosed with entropion, according to newspapers.
The condition which is the inward rolling of the eyelids hindered the
animal's sight and caused inflammation of his eyes.
Centre manager Paula Sadler, 56, told the publication: "Before Earnest
was given the contact lenses he was quite squinty and had trouble seeing
where he was going. Now his eyes have opened up and he has a new lease
of life."
The 15-year-old cat has lived at the RSPCA centre for 13 years since
he was injured in a car accident.
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