Day: September 5, 2018

Sighthounds need new homes

Dogs Trust West Calder reveals most common breed in need of new homes

Sighthounds are amongst the most common dogs to become residents at Dogs Trust’s Rehoming Centre in West Calder. The Centre in Bentyhead currently has six Sighthounds, all looking for happy homes and waiting on their special someone to come forward.

Canine Carers at the rehoming centre are hoping to raise awareness of why Sighthounds can make wonderful companions. They want to give them as much opportunity as possible to find new homes by removing any general perceptions about the breed and promoting their individual personalities and characteristics.

Susan Tonner, Rehoming Centre Manager at Dogs Trust West Calder, said: “We see a lot of Sighthounds come into our care and although every dog is truly unique, Sighthounds can be misunderstood due to certain characteristics.

“There is a perception that Sighthounds need an abundance of exercise as they are extremely fast on their feet; however they generally don’t need any more exercise than the average dog and instead prefer to curl up for a snooze and a cuddle.

“Sighthounds with a particularly high chase drive may be found wearing a muzzle when out walking, in case they get too excited around smaller dogs and animals, however this shouldn’t be taken as a reflection of their need for a loving family.”

The six Sighthounds currently in the care of Dogs Trust West Calder are:

Name: Monty

Age: Four

Monty, who is a handsome Lurcher, loves everyone he meets. He enjoys a game of tug and showing off his toy collection. He is looking for an active, adult only home with someone who has experience of caring for adult dogs and can be at home most of the day.

Name: Bella

Age: Three

Bella is a very pretty Saluki cross, who loves chasing her ball, lazing about in the garden and cuddling up on the couch with her favourite human companions. Bella can live with children aged 12 and above. She can get a little worried about travelling in the car as well as being in crowded places, so would prefer to live in a local home in the West Lothian region; where there is also lots of quiet places to go for walks.

Name: Lady

Age: Four

Lady is a beautiful Lurcher who is a very sweet girl and has a happy and playful nature. She loves going for walks and relaxing with her favourite human companions.

Lady is very clever and is always willing to learn, especially if this involves a tasty treat. She would prefer to be the only pet at home so she can soak up all the attention from her owners.

Name: Blue

Age: Four

Blue loves to have lots of fun running and bouncing around. He enjoys playing with his soft teddy and going for days out in the car to explore somewhere new.

Blue will need patient owners who are around most of the day to continue his training. He is a sensitive boy who doesn’t like a lot of fuss. Blue is looking for an adult only home with owners who have experience of caring for larger dogs; and also a quiet environment where he can have his own secure garden to relax or play off lead.

Name: Lacey and Rebel
Age: Four and three
These new residents are both gorgeous Greyhounds, very sweet and friendly; and are very sociable around new people. They have lovely manners, walk well on lead and adore cuddles and attention; and will make great family pets.

If you are interested in adopting a recue dog, please get in touch with the team at Dogs Trust West Calder on 0300 303 0292 or visit www.dogstrust.org.uk/our-centres/west-calder

Letters: Murky side of Fringe is no laughing matter

Dear Editor

As we enter September and local residents begin to feel comfortable venturing back into Edinburgh’s city centre, it seems an appropriate time to reflect on some of the lesser publicised issues of the many festivals hosted during August by the Scottish capital.
Whilst many celebrated the wealth of incredible domestic and international talents on show at The Fringe and the Edinburgh International Festival, record ticket sales for a sixth successive year, and an unprecedented number of visitors, the exploitative practices of many employers and local landlords were once again hidden in plain sight.
As noted during the Scottish Socialist Party’s fantastic Wheel of Misfortune event (Saturday 25th August 2018), staff at several festival venues earned mere pennies per hour, whilst year-round tenants faced being turfed out of their homes in favour of more lucrative profits to be made thanks to the largely unregulated official festival partner AirBnB.
Whilst there is much to enjoy for those able to afford tickets to witness the musical, comedic, and literary talents brought to our city, should it be permitted to take priority over local communities?
Thanks to pivotal work from not only the Scottish Socialist Party, but also the Fair Fringe, and Living Rent Campaign, worker exploitation, intimidating workplace practices – such as replacing paid posts with ‘volunteers’ (thus avoiding worker rights) – and the disgraceful treatment of many year-round tenants are rapidly coming to light.
Luke Campbell (by email)

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EVOC says thanks to Edinburgh’s voluntary organisations

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