Latest news with #Labradors
Scoop
3 days ago
- General
- Scoop
Is There Freedom From Man's Dark Current, If Only Temporarily?
Two dogs play with abandon in the water upstream. Light-coated Labradors, they have the look and manner of canines without masters, doing exactly as they please. At one point the larger of the two looks like he's going to gallop downstream to where I'm sitting, but he turns around, and they vanish. The mirror of nature begins to dissolve the accretions within, and I forget about the dogs. Just then I hear them bound down the steep bank behind me, running headlong directly toward me. Instinctively, I shout three times in quick succession: 'Go on!' They turn on their paws and bounce back up the bank without protest or fear. A moment later I realize they were just being friendly. Perhaps they thought I was a kindred park animal, as free as they are. As I resume my meditation, the dogs' joie de vivre remains with me, along with their sense of complete freedom. Then, as one's concerns and conditioning melt away in undirected attention to everything without and within, a feeling of peace, joy, and freedom comes over me. I realize that the dogs have shown me something about freedom. But it raises more questions than answers. Why are we humans not free? Clearly, peace, joy and freedom go together. Why are they increasingly rare in this world? Indeed, why do people resign to the situation? We're not dogs that need to be released from our masters. For many people who don't have to worry about where their next meal is coming from, we enslave ourselves with what we call our 'responsibilities.' Later on during my walk I come across the makeshift bed of some homeless wretch, tucked under a small grove of bay trees. A tattered pair of pants is slung over one of the branches, and the place has the look of habitation for at least a few nights. Ever since I was a teenager, I've investigated the question of whether something besides random chance on one hand, and ridiculous beliefs on the other, is going on in the evolution of 'higher thought. Given how dark man's consciousness has become, it appears there is no cosmic intelligence operating on the mind/brain of man. Is there just the possibility of temporary negation and freedom in a few fortunate individuals? Or is that only true at this point in human history? I'm only sure that there are two streams of consciousness. There isn't a duality between them, because the negation of the former is what allows the latter to emerge. The first, darkness and enslavement to conditioning and propaganda, is the overwhelming reality; the second, negation and freedom, remains a rare and fleeting potentiality. It's in the nature of the consciousness we know, based on thought and mediated by memory, to be in shadow. And the movement of darkness has become synonymous with consciousness as we usually know it. The more pernicious form of darkness, which is as old as man but more pervasive now than it's ever been in human history, includes the intentionality of man-made evil, with its death-wish of the complete deadening of the human spirit. Intense passive watchfulness ignites the movement of negation, which is the remedy to perpetually living in the darkness of content-consciousness. For the individual, the movement of negation is the antidote of the collective and individual accretion of content-consciousness. But what relevance does the meditative state, which flows from the spontaneous movement of negation in attention, have for human consciousness as a whole? After all, the temporary quieting and freedom from thought is not liberation from the dark current of man's destiny, even for the individual. What's more, as the few illumined human beings in history attest, one individual's liberation does not set man free, even though humankind's freedom cannot occur without individual liberation. Is intelligence growing in collective consciousness at present, or only the movement of darkness? There may be a flowering of insight in a few individuals, but there is no discernible effect on human consciousness as a whole at this point. Even so, cosmic intelligence, being inseparable from the energy, matter and evolution of the universe, can only operate through the awakening of insight in the human being. Martin LeFevre - Meditations Scoop Contributor Martin LeFevre is a contemplative and philosopher. His sui generis 'Meditations' explore spiritual, philosophical and political questions relating to the polycrisis facing humanity. lefevremartin77@gmail
Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Politics
- Scottish Sun
‘You wouldn't risk the lives of cute Labradors,' campaigners demand greyhound race ban
The whole of the UK needs to come together, say campaigners. Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A GREYHOUND rescuer has called on the Scottish Government to follow Wales' footsteps in banning 'horror' races. Activists want a nationwide axe on such events after 109 greyhounds died trackside and a further 4,238 were injured according to the last official UK figures in 2023. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Scottish Green MSP Mark Ruskell with former racing greyhounds outside the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh. Credit: PA 4 Lorraine Baker who runs the Scottish Greyhound Sanctuary. Credit: Supplied 4 Racing can cause catastrophic injuries. Credit: Getty 4 They make brilliant pets when rescued. Credit: Getty It was announced in February the sport would be banned 'as soon as practically possible' in Wales after a mass petition led to a decision to outlaw the practice. Now campaigners in Scotland have called on decision-makers to curb what they view as barbaric animal cruelty — a stance backed by Scottish Green MSP Mark Ruskell who lodged a members bill in parliament proposing a ban last month. Lorraine Baker, who runs the Scottish Greyhound Sanctuary, told us: 'Apparently we're a nation of dog lovers — unless it's a greyhound. If you took six Labradors and put them on a greyhound track with some food at the end, one of them would win. 'But nobody would think it's ok. For some reason it's different with greyhounds. 'The racing has only been happening for about 100 years and if you go back further than that it didn't exist. 'So it's a relatively short term aberration that needs to be ended.' Thornton Stadium in Kirkcaldy was the only operating track in Scotland in recent years. It closed until further notice in March, citing difficulties with finding a betting partner and concerns about the proposed ban. Meanwhile Shawfield, in Rutherglen, ceased operating in 2020 after 15 deaths and 197 injuries to greyhounds in the preceding three years. There were once more than 20 tracks in Scotland but the sport's popularity has dwindled since the middle of the 20th century. Has greyhound racing gone to the dogs? But it's understood there are still 19 licenced stadia across the UK and that Scottish dogs are often taken to England to race on weekends. Lorraine has saved greyhounds with catastrophic injuries and believes the only way to ensure their safety would be a UK-wide ban. She said: 'The impetus for it has gained momentum. I've been involved for 15 years and when I started there was not a great call for a ban. 'But anyone who works in rescue knows it's an unsustainable position. Racing dogs are the most needy. 'They haven't been socialised, 90 per cent are born in kennels. They've been through so much yet are often the easiest dogs to adapt to a new home. 'I think that's because they know they've been rescued and are happy to jump on the couch because they didn't have it before. 'Many dogs are injured and [it's worse] when they die. They often have heart attacks and broken necks. The injuries can be catastrophic.' Gill Docherty, of campaign group Scotland Against Greyhound Exploitation, spent years protesting outside Thornton and other tracks. Her petition for a ban in 2019 was the most signed in Scottish parliamentary history with nearly 30,000 signatures. She said: 'We've been campaigning since 2017, when Shawfield stadium in Glasgow was still operating and had 15 positive drug tests. 'The level of death and injury on UK tracks was wholly unacceptable and our team are all hound owners and rescuers so we know how gentle this breed is, and how loving they are. 'There is no purpose to greyhound racing other than entertainment and gambling and for dogs to have to die for that is appalling.' If passed, Ruskell's Prohibition of Greyhound Racing (Scotland) Bill would create an offence of permitting a greyhound to compete at racetracks, with a maximum sentence of up to five years. The Greyhound Board of Great Britain said the bill had 'no relevance' to Scotland as no licenced racing was presently taking place. But Lorraine reckons Scotland joining Wales in enforcing a ban could force England — where Scottish dogs are allegedly still racing — to follow suit. She said: 'We need an outright ban across the UK. A majority want it banned and the polls seem to indicate that.' Ruskell agrees. He added: 'We are a nation who pride ourselves on being at the forefront of progressive fundamental rights, and that should extend to our dogs. 'We must end racing forever. Gambling on the lives of dogs is cruel, outdated and never worth it, and I urge my fellow Parliamentarians and our Government to back my Bill and give greyhounds a better life. 'The Welsh Government has shown that a ban is possible. It's time to follow suit and put paws before profit.'
IOL News
3 days ago
- Health
- IOL News
Mental health pills for pets? The rise of psychiatric medication in dog behaviour therapy
We love our dogs like family, but putting them on medication for 'behavioural problems' may not be the answer. We love our dogs like family . They greet us with wagging tails, comfort us on tough days and ask for little more than a walk and a treat. But lately, a question has been quietly echoing online and in vet clinics - "Are we medicating our pets for just being themselves?" A recent viral TikTok video by content creator Dr Jef has stirred the pot on pet parenting, sparking fiery debate about whether we've lost sight of what it means to let animals just be animals. The clip zooms in on an unsettling trend: more and more dogs are being prescribed psychiatric medication like Prozac, not for serious mental health disorders, but for simply behaving like right. Barking. Chewing. Running wildly around the house. Behaviours that were once shrugged off as part of the canine experience are now being 'treated' with pills. And it's not just social media buzz. Data backs it up. Dr Diana Neil at the UK's Royal Veterinary College analysed data from over 2.3 million dogs and found that 1 in every 500 dogs was prescribed Prozac for behaviour-related issues. Just a decade ago, that number was 1 in 10,000. The reasons range from barking excessively and chewing furniture to showing separation anxiety or general restlessness. Research confirms that mood stabilisers for pets, often the same ones prescribed to humans are becoming more common, especially post-lockdown. Covid created a generation of 'lockdown puppies' who missed critical early socialisation. When their humans returned to the office, many dogs were left with high anxiety levels they didn't know how to cope with. The stress is real for both the dog and the owner. Are we projecting our mental health struggles onto our pets? Melissa Bain, a professor of veterinary behaviour at the University of California, Davis, told STAT News, "When we start to recognise things in humans, we recognise it in our dogs too." She believes the growing focus on human mental health, especially since the pandemic, has made us more conscious of our pets' emotions. But while awareness is essential, experts warn that not every 'bad' behaviour requires a pill. Breed choices and lifestyle mismatches High-energy breeds like Border Collies, Labradors and Belgian Malinois - historically bred for work - top the list for behavioural drug prescriptions. Why? Because we bring them into small apartments, work long hours, and expect them to be Instagrammable cuddle companions. We're medicating normal animal behaviours because they don't fit into our lifestyles. If a dog has too much energy for your schedule, that's not the dog's fault. That's a mismatch. And let's be honest: many of us pick pets based on cuteness, not compatibility. The rise in popularity of working dogs with strong instincts and high prey drive clashes with our urban, high-stress lives.
GMA Network
5 days ago
- General
- GMA Network
Poodle joins dog lifeguard team on Spanish beach
TORROX, Spain — Poodle Nilo has joined four labradors on a dog rescue squad at Las Lindes beach near Malaga in Spain, helping lifeguards tow people back to shore. With his fluffy white coat, a life vest strapped across his chest and sunblock slathered on his long nose, the two-year-old Standard Poodle cuts an unusual figure, as Spanish dog beach rescue squads generally use Labradors and Newfoundlands. Nilo's handler, dog instructor Miguel Sanchez-Merenciano, 45, told Reuters that he enters the water first to reach a swimmer in distress before calling Nilo or other dogs to help them back to safety. Poodles, an originally German breed, were historically used for water rescue, he said, though mainly in hunting and retrieval work in northern European lakes, their lustrous fur protecting them from the cold. Indeed, the name "poodle" comes from the German verb "puddeln," which means to splash, Sanchez-Merenciano said. Poodles are also known for their superior intelligence and exceptional learning ability, according to the American Kennel Club (AKC). Nilo was once scared of loud noises and crowds, so his training had to be done step by step, Sanchez-Merenciano explained. "He has gone from swimming vertically and incorrectly to swimming completely horizontally, with perfect strokes, using his tail perfectly like a rudder to turn and to move." — Reuters
Scottish Sun
14-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- Scottish Sun
5 of the best dog breeds for first-time owners – including super-loving pup that's super easy to train & loves kids
Plus, how much it costs to get a professional dog trainer PAW-FECT POOCH 5 of the best dog breeds for first-time owners – including super-loving pup that's super easy to train & loves kids Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) DOGS are the most popular pet in the UK, with around 13.5 million households owning a pooch. If you're looking to take the plunge and invite a furry friend into your family, there are several breeds worth considering - especially if you've never owned a dog or had experience taking care of one. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Labradors are great with kids Credit: GETTY 1. Labrador retriever The most popular dog in Britain - and there are several good reasons why! Labradors are known for being super friendly, full of energy, and easy to train, hence why they make a great first pet. They also love to eat, and Vets4Pets recommend regular exercise as they are known to become obese. Key facts: READ MORE ON PETS PET WARNING Dog owners warned not to let pooches in garden when doing essential lawn task Lifespan 10-12 years Good with children Easy to train Susceptible to some inherited conditions, such as hip and elbow dysplasia High exercise requirement 2. Shih Tzu According to the PDSA, Shih Tzus were originally bred in Tibet to be companion dogs and were also used as watchdogs to announce the arrival of visitors. They are known for having loyal, loveable natures, but many Shih Tzus are purebred which means they are more likely to develop certain health conditions. Key facts: Lifespan 10-16 years They need regular grooming because of their long fur Known to bark a lot Don't like being left alone for more than 4 hours 'World's most expensive dog' sells for £4.4MILLION as breeder buys 'Wolfdog' that is 'half-pooch & half-wild beast' 3. Bernese Mountain Dog Bernese Mountain Dogs are sweet and gentle, and loyal to their families - this is why they make a popular pet. But due to their size they need to live in a home with plenty of space. Key facts: Lifespan up to 10 years Needs a minimum of 1 hour exercise a day They have incredibly thick coats so be prepared for a lot of shedding, and regular brushing 4. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Kind, gentle and loyal dogs, Cavaliers are so popular, but they need constant company as they get very upset at being left alone, the PDSA says. They are happy to live in either a city or the countryside, as long as they get plenty of exercise and mental stimulation. Key facts: Lifespan 12 years+ Good around children Need to be brushed daily 5. Poodle 2 Poodles can come in three sizes, pictured is a miniature red poodle puppy Credit: Getty Poodles are playful and adventurous, and generally get on well with other pets and kids. But with their beautiful coats, they need daily grooming, and it also requires clipping and shaping by a professional groomer periodically throughout the year. Key facts: Lifespan 10-18 years depending on size Come in three sizes: standard, miniature and toy Need an hour of exercise a day and love to run, swim and retrieve
