5 Cute Animals To End The Week: Dogs At Polling Stations Win Our Vote And Kittens Help Girl's Recovery

Happy Fur-day šŸ¾

This week marked a big one in the electoral calendar and while much of the nation deliberated over who to vote for in the European elections, the rest of us were looking out for... well, photos of dogs of course.

1. Dogs At Polling Stations.

Every time the British public has to vote on something, the photos of furry friends at polling stations come flying in thick and fast ā€“ providing much-needed relief from the fractured political landscape. And these snaps from Thursday are too good to be missed. (Iā€™ll say it time and time again, we do not deserve dogs.)

One #dogsatpollingstations2019 who is proud of his owner for voting for a party that does not support white supremacy, xenophobia, racism, sexism, protectionism, populism, or any other kind of -ism that damages people or the planet. pic.twitter.com/cGS3OxUoba

ā€” Hope McGowan Eaton (@Hope_Eaton) May 23, 2019

Oscar at Beaminster polling station - a Crufts runner-up!@DorsetCouncilUK #dogsatpollingstations2019 pic.twitter.com/tI2FNAbQQf

ā€” Tony Hurley (@TonyHurley10) May 23, 2019

Met Hayley, who's recovering from a stroke šŸ’š #dogsatpollingstations2019 pic.twitter.com/j8rZjZU6hM

ā€” PšŸŠ (@pg_quips) May 23, 2019

Little Cookie used as a political pawn. #dogsatpollingstations2019 pic.twitter.com/mPt1YKtPoH

ā€” Chris Seward (@crsewar) May 23, 2019

Poppy already has a blue passport so we had to #VoteRemain to help her keep it. #dogsatpollingstations2019 pic.twitter.com/SrrXsWQyXY

ā€” Jan Colley#FBPE (@janat34) May 23, 2019

Groundog Day! #dogsatpollingstations2019 pic.twitter.com/KfyQODsAKe

ā€” Sarah L Foster (@SarahLFoster01) May 23, 2019

We could look at these pics ā€“ of which there are many ā€“ all day.

2. Backwards Dog.

One poor German Shepherd is slightly traumatised by a past experience which involved him running straight into a glass patio door (weā€™ve all been there. Well, I have anyway and can confirm itā€™s traumatic).

Now heā€™s too scared to go through doorways head-first, so heā€™s devised a unique (and clever) strategy...

My friends dog wonā€™t walk through doorways forward. He ran into a glass patio door when he was a puppy and now heā€™s scared pic.twitter.com/QyghrggBSd

ā€” šŸ’œCORYšŸ’œ (@Cory__1077) May 12, 2019

3. Mental Health Moggies.

In heartwarming news, two rescue kittens from Mayhew have been instrumental in the recovery of a teen with severe anxiety and suicidal thoughts.

After being signed off from school and spending time with the kittens, called Rafiki and Zazu, 12-year-old Amyā€™s mood was significantly improved and her panic and anxiety attacks have become less frequent. She is also looking forward to returning to school in the future, which her mum Sophie believed would never happen.

ā€œThe kittens gave Amy a reason to get up in the morning, and a reason to smile,ā€ Sophie said. ā€œShe now laughs at their funny games and gives them cuddles; and she is already a much happier person all round. Having the kittens to love has made a huge difference to Amyā€™s mental health.ā€

Mayhew

4. Pets Vs Diet Food.

Nine overweight cats and dogs are about to embark upon a six-month diet and exercise challenge via the PDSA Pet Fit Club. (Who knew this was even a thing?!) The winner will receive a yearā€™s supply of healthy food and an animal-friendly holiday.

Among the contestants is seven-year-old Alfie, a Labrador from Liverpool who is nearly double his ideal weight at 9st 7lb; Bonnie, a spaniel from Blackpool whose penchant for sausage rolls has left her 7.7kg overweight; and Sox, a large cat from Gateshead, who once got stuck in a childā€™s safety gate due to her size.

Good luck, gang.

Sox the cat looks less than enthralled about the prospect of diet food. (Same Sox, same.)
PDSA
Sox the cat looks less than enthralled about the prospect of diet food. (Same Sox, same.)

5. Saying Goodbye To Two Legends.

This week was a sad week for fans of cats, big and small ā€“ firstly, we heard of the sad passing of 95-year-old Judith Kerr, the author who penned many childhood favourites including The Tiger Who Came To Tea and Mog books.

Then, Edinburgh Zoo revealed Jambi the Sumatran tiger has passed away at the age of 16, after experiencing health issues related to his age. The zoo said he was put to sleep so he didnā€™t have to endure suffering. Rest in peace.

PA Archive/PA Images
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