Hey Londoner, are you a Dogs Trust Superhero?

CALLING ALL LONDONERS: Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No! It's a Dogs Trust Superhero! Be a Dogs Trust Superhero and join us for the Superhero Run in Regent’s Park, London, on Sunday 19 May - register now!

This is a fun run so it’s not competitive – run, jog, walk or a bit of each! And you can choose a distance of 5K or 10K, perfect for beginners or a family day out. Entries open to 8 years and over - under 16s must be accompanied by an adult - and you can even bring your dog (if you take your pooch you must start at the back and please keep your dog on a lead).

Not only will all participants get a medal but you get a FREE Superhero outfit to take part in and keep! It costs £22 to register and all we ask is you try and raise some sponsorship for Dogs Trust:

• Under 16s to try and raise £30 
• Adults to try and raise £70 
• Or raise even more!

Register now on DoItForCharity.com - we hope to see you there!

Christmas Dog of the Week: Tiger @ Dogs Trust Evesham

Although our Rehoming Centres do not send any dogs home during the upheaval of the Christmas period, there are some dogs who are hoping that, as much as they love their carers, this is their last Christmas without a family of their own. One such is this little fellow, who is about to celebrate his 2nd Christmas at Evesham Rehoming Centre.

Introducing... Tiger!

Age: 4-5

Breed: Terrier

Likes: I'm a bouncy, energetic chap who loves toys and needs plenty of long walks and an active family. I was found as a stray in June 2007 and no-one can work out why I've been overlooked for a new home so far!

Dislikes: I am not very keen on kennels; I'm so ready for a proper family life that it's stressing me out a bit. As a result I don't want to share my space with other pets.

Needs: I'm told I'm a very bright boy, so people who like to train and teach dogs tricks would find a very rewarding companion in me! I'm happy to live with older children (12+), too.

Contact: Call Dogs Trust Evesham on 01386 830613 or see more dogs needing homes online.

Previous Dogs of the Week: Isobel @ Ilfracombe | Dollar @ Canterbury


REHOMING UPDATE: Tiger found a new family and as now settled in with his forever owners! Thanks all for your interest in his progress.

Dog of the Week: Benji @ Dogs Trust Evesham

Introducing... Benji!

Age: 6

Breed: Collie Crossbreed (Black & White)

Likes: I love being out and about; my Collie half means I love taking long walks and especially playing with toys like my favourite football.

Dislikes: Loud noises and startling handling make me nervous.

Needs: I need a home without children so I can live in a calm environment. I'm good with other dogs, but if I lived with one they'd have to be really relaxed so that they're not affected by my nerves. I could do with socialising with other dogs more so that I can gain confidence.

Contact: Call Dogs Trust Evesham on 01386 830613 or see other dogs for rehoming online.

Previous Dogs of the Week: Jake @ Darlington | Connor @ West Calder

Fitness for free with four-legged friends at Dogs Trust Darlington

With pet and human obesity on the rise, there is an increasing number of initiatives in place to try and fight the flab, both human and canine. As well as planned programmes like Active Family, Active Dog, there are plenty of ways to work off the extra summer ice creams and help a rescue dog get out and about.

Volunteers at Dogs Trust Darlington have been making the most of the Co. Durham countryside to improve their fitness by walking, hiking and running with residents from the Rehoming Centre. With room for 65 dogs at any one time, there's a rescue pooch there to suit everyone's fitness level.

Amanda Meeks (pictured) has been one of Darlington's most sprightly volunteers for the past three years. In all weather conditions she pops down to the Sadberge centre to take the most energetic hounds out for vigorous six mile runs across the surrounding countryside.

Tailoring her runs to suit the needs of the canine companions, Amanda's routes taken in local moor land, woods and river banks to give her charges a really stimulating break from kennels. Their confidence and social skills soar along with their fitness, and Amanda has a long-distance running partner that can keep the pace!

There are also rehoming benefits, as Sue Embleton, Dogs Trust Darlington's Centre Manager, explains:

"Some dogs can find kennel life stressful, meaning they find it difficult to settle and show their best sides to potential owners.

The dogs who have had a good run with Amanda are likely to spend the rest of the day relaxing, and this makes them more appealing to centre visitors. We're always trying to think of new ways to enrich the lives of dogs in our care until a new home is found, but nothing beats a good, long run!"

Amanda adds:

"It's a joy to volunteer for Dogs Trust. I get an enthusiastic and entertaining running companion as well as a warm glow from knowing that an overlooked canine is getting a well-deserved adventure."

If you have some pounds you'd like to shift, are interested in adopting a dog or want to volunteer in another role, call Dogs Trust Darlington on 01325 333 114.

Dog of the Week: Olive @ Dogs Trust Snetterton

Introducing... Olive!

Breed: Labrador Cross

Age: 6

Likes: I love to play fetch or raggy - anything active that compliments my jolly nature. I also like keeping things clean and am perfectly housetrained.

Dislikes: Noise and fuss; I'm finding kennel life a bit hard because I had a quiet home before.

Needs: My owners moved and couldn't take me with them, but I know I would become a very loyal pet to a new family. I do need to be the only pet, though.
Contact: Call Dogs Trust Snetterton on 01953 498 377 or visit www.dogstrust.org.uk.

Pet Owners Parliament helps launch Active Family, Active Dog campaign

Ryan at Pet Owners Parliament dropped me a line today to let me know that they've reported on our Active Family, Active Dog campaign. It's great that the word is getting out there and people are being reminded of the benefits to health and family dynamics that simply walking a dog can reap.

The Pet Owners Parliament is a free forum for discussing pet topics from dog ownership tests to breed specific legislation and everything in between. It is completely free and voluntary and is a hub for debates, commentary and petitions.

There are several interesting topics being discussed at the moment. Dogs Trust cannot comment on any particular debate and does not necessarily agree with all of the views expressed, but supports the rights of dog owners to discuss the way in which the law affects them. As I said before when writing about Dog Control Orders, telling us how you feel can help us be instrumental in shaping legislation and putting pressure on relevant groups.

Active Family, Active Dog: Dogs Trust and Joanna Hall launch fitness campaign

Obesity isn't just a problem in people, but in dogs, too. The solution is to eat well and get plenty of exercise, and what better way to solve the problem in both two and four-legged creatures than by exercising together?

Dogs Trust has teamed up with fitness guru Joanna Hall to launch the 'Active Family, Active Dog' campaign and research trial. We're reminding everyone that walking a dog is a great way to:

• Burn calories
• Lower blood pressure
• Reduce stress
• Boost your immune system
• Improve your family life
  

Joanna explains: "Research shows that getting families to be more physically active as a whole improves group dynamics, increases family cohesion and significantly increases motivation. We're now asking real families to 'walk out' with a dog and see how they too can get healthy and still have fun together."

So not only will your family be fitter, they'll be happier and more confident too. You can learn more about the Active Family, Active Dog campaign from flyers distributed at the Summer Open Day at Harefield on the 8th of June, where you'll also get a chance to have fun and hang out with dog-loving TV celebs.

If you can't make it, or want to register your email, contact the campaign at activefamilyactivedog@walkactive.co.uk

What is Active Family, Active Dog all about?

Dogs Trust is looking for committed volunteers to sign up to a six-week family fitness and dog walking programme, running from 7th September to 12th October. You don't need to have a dog of your own, but must be willing to introduce one into your home for the six week period. You must also be able to make yourself available for fitness tests, health monitoring and practical active tasks throughout the trial.

Each family will be allocated a specific rescue dog according to their lifestyle and will be responsible for his or her care throughout the six weeks, as well as bringing them to Harefield for weekly updates, tests and activities. Sunday morning sessions from 9am - 12 noon will take place at the centre. Measurements of the benefits of walking your dog will be taken at the start and throughout the trial, along with simple physical and psychological tests to gauge self-esteem, fitness and family cohesion.

If successful, the trial may extend to all 17 Rehoming Centres. Media (photographers and TV) might be present during the trial.