New Treatment Enables Paralysed Dog to Walk

Pioneering treatment developed by a group of scientists at Cambridge University in the UK, has enabled Henry, a Miniature Daschund who became paralysed after rupturing discs in his spine, to walk again.

It is now hoped that similar treatment could be further developed to treat not just dogs but also humans with all kinds of spinal injuries.

Henry's owner Sarah Beech is overjoyed, after initially being told by vets that Henry would never walk again.

The treatment involved Henry having cells harvested from his nose and injected back into his spine.

Although just starting to walk, Henry is eventually expected to make a full recovery.

Dogs at the White House, Cats at No10

American presidents like their dogs, while British prime ministers appear to prefer cats. In political families it seems to be a straightforward case of dogs versus cats.

Numerous canines have prowled the corridors of power from George Washington to the Obama family. George Washington had three American Staghounds (Sweet Lips, Scentwell and Vulcan) and four Black and tan Coonhounds (Drunkard, Taster, Tipler and Tipsy). The President obviously had a keen sense of humour.

The Obama famiy pet is a young Portuguese water dog, named Bo. Animal experts normally advise against giving puppy dogs as presents, so let us hope that the late Senator Edward Kennedy thought long and hard before handing the puppy over to the Obama children.

Humphrey and Sybil are probably the most famous cats to have occupied London's Number Ten, Downing Street. Both of these cats were named after TV comedy shows. Both were black and white. Humphrey arrived as a stray in 1989 during John Major's premiership and was named after Sir Humphrey Appleby in the series Yes Minister. The animal settled in nicely, made himself at home and was there throughout the reign of Margaret Thatcher. Following the change of politics he welcomed the Blair family and was photographed looking very contented in the arms of the premier's wife Cherie.

Humphrey was the subject of a biography (The Downing Street cat) and survived right through until his death in 2006, when he was greatly missed. Not least by the Blairs and their children.

Sybil belonged to Alastair Darling the Chancellor of the Exchequer and his wife Margaret . She was named after Basil Fawlty's wife in the TV comedy series Fawlty Towers. Unfortunately, Sybil only lasted two years, having died in 2007.

Sumo the Bum Biter

Jacques Chirac, the former French President, has had to get rid of his dog Sumo, a very sweet-looking White Maltese, because the dog has become increasingly violent.

In Sumo's latest attack, he bit Monsieur Chirac on the bottom. Ooh la la!

The dog, according to recent reports, had been suffering from depression and was on medication. Sumo will now spend the rest of his days in a farm in the French countryside.

Daisy & The Coyotes

Jessica Simpson is reported as being distraught after her dog Daisy, a Maltipoo, was snatched by coyotes in an attack last week.

It was an abrupt end to what was a very pampered life for young Daisy. Fed on the best steaks instead of dog food and rarely leaving her mistresses' lap, Daisy had it all.

Searches have been conducted for the poor pooch, but it is unlikely that she will now be found.

From Homeless Puppy to Rescue Dog

It's not every puppy who can progress from one day being a homeless waif in the local pound, to the next being a trainee rescue dog with the Search and Rescue Dogs Association (Sarda).

But Murphy is not any ordinary puppy. Sarda volunteer Chris Daw must have seen Murphy's potential when he first laid eyes on him.

Murphy is now undergoing specialist training and in about two years will be ready to go out on 5-hour search and rescue missions.

Way to go Murphy!