Ian

Congratulations & best wishes for the future

All 288 dogs pts by the MOD over the last 3.5 years were listed in yesterdays Sun along with reasons for their death. Some were possibly only for reasons that may have happened similarly in a domestic situation at stage - eg malignancy (I take this to mean cancer) others were ridiculous - skin disease. Even blindness did not necessarily mean these dogs could not be homed with someone. It seems that 318 dogs were homed (the MOD apparently prefers service personnel) versus the 288 were pts between Jan 2010 & Jun 2013 (I make that 47.5% v 52.5% approx.) whilst in the states the Sun reported "just" 219 dogs were pts v 1052 rehomed (2009 - 2011. I make that 17.25% v 82.75% approx) after a handler raised the plight of his dog and a politician & animal welfare groups called for action resulting in "Robbies law" being signed by Bill Clinton in 2000 The Sun is running a petition which reads Give all retired MoD dogs a chance. I call on the ministry of defence to review its policy on retired military dogs and give them a better chance to live. Signed ........................ Name ................................ Address ........................................ Post code ......... Send to MOD Dogs, The Sun 3 Thomas More Square, LONDON E98 1SN or join the petiton at the sun.co.uk if registered with their website They appear to be making progress as whilst it's a very weak looking statement to my mind & incredibly implies that vets haven't even been involved in such decisions to date - so much for the health reasons being untreatable then ! - why not consider adding your name to ensure the message that dogs are not just pieces of kit goes home! http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/defence/10324850/Prince-Williams-guard-dogs-MoD-says-no-more-will-die.html Previous response before the Suns 3 days of reports & launching a petition http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-24139769

There will probably always be those who fiddle systems but if it helps just some of those dogs I think it could be a good thing personally

Petitions begin to circulate asking people to oppose the enforcement of pet passports for dogs coming from Ireland but could the EU ruling requiring passports for Irish dogs (as with other imports) actually be a good thing? Presumably more puppy farmed dogs than rescued dogs come over & they too will now need passports? With 10,000 or so dogs already here dieing in pounds each year perhaps they too will benefit if fewer dogs are imported? What do you think?

Well done, pups look to be coming on well too

Of those left last night I was hoping either Vicky or Abs would win it. What on earth does vulgar Charlotte and OTT Rylan winning this year say about the way this country is headed? Although I don't like her behaviour I wouldn't be surprised to see Charlotte replace AJ on BOTS now.

Sounds like things got quite extreme so it may be that it's for the best but I'm sorry to hear it hasn't worked out as you hoped. Is Jack going to be an only dog now or are you still hoping to find one he will accept?

I think Bruce will probably go - as the voting audience appears to be / support the younger ones - but I'd like to see Lauren or failing that Louis go (to me he's just as bitchy as Carol). If I were to vote to save I'd save Sophie & Bruce - I'm pretty indifferent to Courtney really - but I do wish they'd pick one or the other and stick to it (I prefer the traditional vote to evict I think). Is it just me that looks at Laurens mother & thinks that Lauren appears to be trying to adjust her appearance to look as much like her mother as possible? Lauren was indeed the Suns look alike winner this week - not as Jar Jar Binks though but as Rowan Atkinson in drag (and they were quite similar)

Bless, she looks a happy little soul

I hadn't realised either until he said it on there. To be fair to Sophie I think she was genuinely well intentioned / trying to help him based on her own experiences. Was that a few days ago? I vaguely remember him sat in the chair / a warning but can't even remember what he'd said now. I think Louie is faking his pleasure at nominaton / desire to be evicted. Ultimately I think Ron will only do what he wants in the end, he's too old to change now I suspect. I thought he was going to put his foot in it and Lauren was going to kick off at him last night for even suggesting the nomination - probably would have done if they'd gone ahead

What is sirius?

Love Island, I did watch that series but I'd forgotten all about that one, must be a while ago now & possibly when she was still using at times I suspect. Saved by the bell was a C4 / US comedy about a group of teenagers in high school Had to look up Jar Jar binks but, whilst it's a little mean perhaps, having found it on wikipedia I couldn't help but grin myself. I won't steal your idea but you may get £100 out of Ally Ross if you send that to the Suns tv look alike competiton "Geordie" was a bit OTT re her reaction to Rons nomination, I couldn't really get into it last night somehow

Bless, I hope they get along

I can't stand Lauren - she was regular on BOTS early in the year (or last year?) as some sort of supposed (fashion) critic but far too OTT for my tastes. At one point they were "campaining" to get her in the house but I didn't think it was serious (or successful) Louie isn't far behind her for me & when I saw them start I was fearing the worst series ever. I think Sophie could be entertaining, she's obviously been on I'm a celebrity before & I have to admire her efforts to overcome drug addiction etc, Ron Atkinson is controversial but has an opinion / "style" about him that should be entertaining, Carol possibly similarly though I'm not really a fan of her myself, Vicky & Bruce should be worth watching and Dustin looks like he could be entertaining (he was Screech in the original saved by the bell which used to be on C4 Loo - though he looked a little different / played the nerd back then http://savedbythebell.wikia.com/wiki/Screech_Powers ) The rest of them don't really strike me as being my cup of tea, particularly the vulgar girl from Geordie shore - is that really what people pay for Sky for? certainly didn't strike me as living upto "the greatest reality show on earth" billing they've been giving but maybe it will prove better than I think.

I was pleased to see Sam win - and put that awful woman Vanessa Feltz in her place - I think it's ended up a good series overall, & I much prefer Emma Willis to Brian Dowling. I read somewhere that average viewing figure are up too. Wonder who we'll get on Thursday for CBB?

So, you like the look and sound of this little JRT girl but feel the barriers to a successful adoption may be insurmountable this time?

Probable lobbying apart, quite why assistance dogs should be treated differently to pets escapes me - surely pets (not just dogs) / owners are just as entitled to walk the streets safely too? There is probably some justification for proposals to change the law but I think there needs to be a clear distinction between those intent on using dogs as weapons, accident with contributory negligence & (largely) blameless / genuine accidents. Sadly I don't entirely have faith in the system to provide it by common sense when I look at some recent cases (human as well as dog related)

Really, they must be losing ground fast now then - they were fractions behind Hazel when I looked at it yesterday - a shame really as they started off a fun pair but have become increasingly tetchy and bitchy since the others have had the "audacity" to start nominating them. I don't mind Hazel myself, she's in there to try and win / boost her career, she's not the first or last to do that, & to me is far preferable to Gina. I consider her far more bitchy, even if it's often done on the sly & enjoyed watching Hazel beat her last night. I thought Sam was great last night (& is increasingly coming into his own) when he put his point to Dexter (again). Although I think there was more to Callums feelings than Dexter alone I think Sam was right - he knew exactly what he was doing and it was no diffferent to what he then slated Callum for in spite of his playing the victim afterwards - & like Gina I think he is far too sly for my tatstes. I hope last nights show comes back to bite him.

I still want to see Dexter go but, whilst the twins are perhaps pushing their luck now I think it may be Hazel that goes this week unfortunately. I can't see it ever happening but Daley has apparently been saying he'd like to go back in and tell Hazel to "tell the truth". In some respects I feel sorry for the guy - he obviously has issues - but I found it a "disturbing" article personally as, despite his PR effort on Bit on the side, he still doesn't really appear to accept that what he did was in any way wrong. http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/s149/big-brother/news/a501882/big-brother-daley-ojuederie-i-want-to-go-back-into-the-house.html

I'm so sorry to read of your loss. It's amazing just how quickly this can happen, DM is a dreadful condition to watch as there's nothing you can do to stop its ultimate advance, you can only delay. From your past posts I think you did all you could to help Jumble & I'm sure he knew he was loved, right to the end. RIP Jumble

Great result, just goes to prove the saying never, EVER give up!

I thought they started well, though having got rid of Sallie & then Jemima they've probably removed a lot of the drama. Dan is starting to get on my nerves too - he seems to have a huge blind spot when criticising others for things he does (eg Joe for butting into something that was not his business) and is he really so camp (whilst claiming not) and easily worked up over nothing or is it just a means of ensuring the cameras are on him - I suspect the latter. I don't think Woolfy was doing herself any favours with her apparent attitude to nomination / "certainty" she will be in the final - though again I'm not at all sure that aspect of her is genuine (though I do think the rest is her). The problem they both appear to have is that Dexter & Gina have already been repeatedly saved by the public - I can only assume that's for possible drama rather than being widely liked. I certainly wouldn't miss them. Apparently tonight BB will reveal some big new secret

So, it could be seen as one law for a police dog handler & dog who burst into a private garden & allowed the dog to bite a 10 year old but another for dogs who haven't actually bitten anyone just because of their looks? Dangerous dogs obviously need to be controlled but I can't see this approach engaging too many dog lovers personally

In some ways Miles got lucky last night as a case could have been made to fire him but I have a feeling he and Leah may yet be the ones to make the final. Ironic, having been accused of looking like a vampire, to see Alex go on a subject like that Any other thoughts?