Eukanuba... what were you *thinking*??

As some of you will know, I have recently set up CRUFFA - the Campaign for the Responsible Use of Flat-Faced Animals (in advertising and the media).  Cruffa's aim is to persuade companies/organisations to not use brachycephalics as a selling tool for their products/services/events - and where only a brachy will do to encourage the use of dogs/cats with more moderate features. 

Cruffa is not much more than a Facebook page at the moment and in truth I have had little time to do much, but there's been a fantastic response, with pledges of support (and/or a commitment to not use stock photographs of brachycephalics where a more normal dog/cat would do) already in from:

Dogs Trust

RSPCA

PDSA

Dogs Today Magazine

Total Pet Publishing

International Cat Care

Dog Breeding Reform Group

Registrations of the extreme brachycephalics are at an all-time high (one in seven dogs registered with the Kennel Club is now a Pug, French Bulldog of a Bulldog - compared to one in 50 ten years ago). 

These three breeds in particular are being used to flog everything from car insurance to mobile phone networks, contributing to their demand and the 'normalisation' of features that are anything but normal - flat faces, over-large eyes, pinched nostrils, obesity. Particularly worrying is the amount of ads/editorial use in the mainstream and online media which feature brachy dogs "smiling" but whose drawn-back + up lips betray that they are hot and/or are struggling to breathe.

But I digress.

I was really shocked to see the GSD above on this Eukanuba dog-food.  And they've also used the same dog, flipped, in this branding. Note the caption on the dog's hips...what irony.

GSDs do not come under Cruffa's remit but I thought it would be good to use the same tools Cruffa is using (personal communication and social media pressure) to encourage Eukanuba to commit to changing the image of this dog to one that is not struggling to stand or cow-hocked.

You can tweet them @eukanuba.

Here is their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Eukanuba/

As you'll see on the pack, Eukanuba also carries a Kennel Club logo boasting that they are "partners in nutrition", so lobbying the KC via its Facebook page or Twitter - @KCLovesDogs - should also be effective.

I have already posted/tweeted to the above, and the more voices/comments received, the more likely it is that they will commit to changing the image.

With a bit of luck to one that looks like this.

Or this.

*****UPDATE*****

Delighted to report that I've received this from Eukanuba this evening (22/6/16). Thank you to everyone who commented on the links above to help secure this commitment - and well done to Eukanuba for the quick response.

Hi Jemima  

At Eukanuba, we are pet owners first and foremost and care deeply about the animals we serve. 

To offer some insight and background to the current image of the German Shepherd Dog; Spectrum Brands only acquired the Eukanuba brand in Europe on 1 January 2015 from its previous owner Procter & Gamble. The current German Shepherd Dog image was chosen by Procter & Gamble in the United States back in 2013 and was then also applied to the European packaging. At that time no-one from Spectrum Brands was obviously involved in the brand or choice of images that would be shown on the packaging.  

Moving forward, we are reviewing all assets that we acquired from Procter & Gamble including the packaging of our German Shepherd Breed Specific formula. We have recognised that the image is not a fair representation of the ideal conformation of the German Shepherd Dog. Therefore we will look to change this image to be in line with the ideal representation of the breed as part of our future asset review. 

 
The Eukanuba Team

Goodbye Little Korra.....

Some really sad news.....

Yesterday little Korra lost her fight against Lymphoma leaving behind her new family who loved her dearly. The rapid deterioration we were expecting arrived much sooner than we'd all hoped, and the world lost a loving little soul, who was enjoying her new life so much.

I'd like to thank everyone who got behind Korra and supported her fight by donating towards her veterinary costs, you helped give her every chance. 

I can't put into words how much I'd like to thank Frankie, Kris and Rook for giving Korra everything. It was a fairytale come true..... the vet nurse falling for a real sweetheart when she needed it the most. They are all heartbroken right now, but they can be incredibly proud of what they did and of the fight shown by their little girl.....

Fraser Hale rocks

I laughed out loud today at a post by veterinary dentist Fraser Hale on Facebook which features the above pic. But it carries an important and serious message.

Fraser is a campaigner regarding brachycephalic mouths/teeth, pointing out that dogs with squished muzzles are suffering much more than we realise from the consequences of shoving the normal number of teeth into a mouth where they can't fit - i.e. misaligned teeth banging against gums and a way-above normal rate of periodontal disease

Here's his post:

We are prone to anthropomorphising (attaching human emotions/behaviours to non-human beings/objects). For instance, the geode pictured (above) looks super-happy. It is not happy. It is a rock. But it sure looks happy and it makes us smile to see it and we think "how cute, I want a happy rock like that in my life because I like to be around happy stuff". But it is a rock. It is neither happy, nor sad. It is a rock.

We do the same thing with animals whose anatomy makes it look (to us) as if they are smiling. Have you ever seen a dolphin that looks grumpy? Of course not, because their fixed craniofacial anatomy makes it look like they are smiling. 

Have you ever seen a happy bald eagle? Of course not, because their fixed craniofacial anatomy makes it look like they have a permanent scowl. So we assume all dolphins are happy and all bald eagles are noble and serious. That is anthropomorphism.

So what about the Boston terrier or French Bulldog, or other short-face breeds who have such distorted craniofacial anatomy that they often gasp for every breath they take? Their struggle to get enough oxygen causes them to breathe with an open mouth, lips pulled way back and this makes it look like they are super-happy, with a big, gape-mouthed smile. They are not super-happy. 

The very briefest of trawls will find a host of images of brachycephalics with the same drawn-back-and-up lips. It really does look like a smile so it's hardly surprising people think it is.  Of course sometimes it really is just a relaxed and happy dog - this, for instance, is my Irish Water Spaniel x, Curly.

The difference lies in the overall tension in the face - and very often a dog that is too hot and/or in respiratory distress will have half-closed, glazed eyes.

Another common sign is pinned-back, immobile ears.

  

#DontIgnoreTheSnore

Hospital And Holiday For Cheech.....

As always things are busy, and its been a great distraction having a little guest for a couple of days whilst he's been neutered. Cheech had a retained testicle so it was vital we got him done, but his operation also meant I was able to give him a break from the stress of kennel life and let him enjoy the Northumberland countryside.....

I think anyone who has met Cheech will know exactly how special these pictures are.

New Name And A New Start When She Needs It The Most.....

It seems even more fitting after the new that I have just broke to you about Gema that I follow up on the story of little Pippa from last week. I promised you there was a fantastic twist.....

Frankie who was the vet nurse that looked after Pippa when she was in for the blood tests and scans last week fell head over heels for her. It was love at first sight, and just a couple of hours after I'd picked her up from the vets I received an email from Frankie offering her a home!

It really is a dream come true, and along with her new start and home, Pippa also got a new name.....Korra.

Korra is having a fantastic time, and is already getting out to see the world with her new brother and best friend Rook! As you can see from the pictures below she is loving every minute of this opportunity, and a life we didn't know whether she'd get.....

Of course there is a serious part in all this and we know that Lymphoma is a horrible, aggressive cancer. Now we have secured her a home we have upped her medication to include a drug called Cyclophosphamide and of course that means a greater financial outlay. All in all Korra's medication will cost around �100 per month, that's where we are asking for your help.....

Can you afford to give a little bit extra to help Korra? If so you can donate via PayPal to shak@shak.org.uk or you can send a cheque made payable to SHAK to SHAK, Greenwell Road, Alnwick, Northumberland NE66 1HB.

Frankie and Kris have also set up a page on Instagram @korrasadventures so you can follow her progress.

I am extremely grateful to them both for giving Korra this chance. Having just gone through so much with Gema I think they are wonderful for loving her knowing their hearts will break. Very special people and a very special dog.....

Farewell To An Amazing Girl.....

Sunday was another hard day as me and Rachel had to make the decision to say goodbye to a dog that has left a huge imprint on our hearts and memories. Six months to the day from coming home with us after being diagnosed with a bone tumour, Gema lost her fight against such a horrendous disease. She had been so brave and fought so hard to hang onto the home she'd waited years for.....

Gema had been a SHAK dog for so long and made so many friends over the years, but it wasn't until she came home that we really got to see the 'real' Gema..... one that was perfect in every way. I know it sounds stupid to say with us having so many other dogs here, but the house really isn't the same without her.

Gema had a lasting influence on so many people, turning so many hearts and minds from 'devil dog' to 'perfect dog'. She was a brilliant ambassador for the Rottweiler breed, and one I am so proud to of had in my life.

Six months was too short a time, but all I wanted was for her to see the summer. She loved being out in the sunshine so much..... On Sunday the weather was glorious. We're all going to miss you so much Gems.