Episode 7 - Hero Pitbulls, stressed students, empathy and more

The Dog News Show

In Episode 7 of The Dog News Show we start with the amazing story of a Pitbull, Lily, who pulled her unconscious owner off a train track in America. Lily is undoubtedly a hero - but is there more to this story than would first appear? The owner in question has a problem with alcohol. The dog sustained severe injuries when an oncoming train hit her, and she subsequently lost a front leg. There are serious questions here, which Debbie and Julie explore - should alcoholics be in charge of a dog? Did the dog act out of instinct or empathy? One thing is for sure - Lily is a great example of how loyal and courageous a Pitbull can be, and she's made positive headlines for her breed.
Many studies have proved how good dogs are for us - they lower blood pressure, increase endorphins, and help us deal with stress. Many colleges across the United States are getting dogs onto their campus in order to help relax students. Some dogs are companion dogs in training, some belong to staff, some are therapy dogs and some are rescue dogs, but they all help the students cope with what's going on in their lives, especially at times of extra stress like exams. Would you have welcomed a dog around when you were sitting exams? Would you like to see schemes like this becoming more widespread? Would you be willing to volunteer to take your dog to help students relax? Debbie and Julie would love to know what you think.
In Episode 5 of The Dog News Show, the girls discussed the very sad story of a one year old baby who was killed by his grandmother's dog. The dog in question, a was sentenced to be put to sleep, but a rescue group stepped in and said they could train and rehome the dog. However, because the dog had already been slated to be destroyed local law decreed that was what must happen. But is it right that a dog who has killed a child should get a second chance? When a tragedy like this happens who should say what happens to the dog? Would you take on a dog with a past history of killing? Debbie and Julie discuss the story sympathetically, covering the wider issues this case has highlighted.
After the discussion of empathy in Episode 6 of The Dog News Show, Julie is delighted to learn that some scientists think that dogs "catching" yawns from their owners is evidence that they can empathise. Debbie is not convinced and is reserving judgment, but they'd both like to be given funding to investigate the matter further. In their own inimitable way of course. Until the scientific paper of Connnolly and Hill comes out, you can investigate the matter further with a paper considering whether "Canis Empathicus" exists or not. Where do you stand on the question? Are you convinced your dog understands and responds to your feelings, or do you think dogs are ruled by instincts, and we simply project higher emotions onto them?
And in a story that gets both Debbie and Julie showing strong feelings, a school in Nottinghamshire has apparently asked parents to leave their dogs at home when they pick up their offspring. So does the school have the right to make such a request? Do the parents have the right to take their dogs with them? Are teachers overstepping their boundaries? Well Debbie and Julie might well end up doing maths at playtime but they give their forthright opinions on the matter anyway.
To send you away with a smile on your face we have possibly the most touching story yet. When artist Jessica Stone decided to take on a dog with special needs, she brought beautiful Piper into her life. Piper has various challenges, but she has copied her artist owner and taken up painting. YOu can see video of Piper painting here and you can see some of her paintings here. Piper who now has her own Facebook page sells her paintings, and some of the profits go back to San Antonio Bulldog Rescue who rehomed Piper with Jessica. We do like happy endings here at The Dog News Show.