A Welsh bus company has upset some dog owners by charging dogs for every trip.  A single fare of £1 might not seem a lot but if you are travelling with half a dozen dogs it couuld be expensive.  And if you are carrying a Chihuahua tucked into your coat is it fair to pay the same as a Great Dane sprawled in the aisle?  Tell me what you think?  Should dogs pay to travel on buses and if so, should it be a standard fare irrespective of size?

A few weeks ago Defra announced plans to tackle welfare and irresponsible dog ownership - a key measure of which is compulsory microchipping.  A symposium to discuss the latest government proposals to protect the public from dangerous dog attacks ( a 210% increase between 1997 and 2010, costing the NHS £3.3million) and explore innovative solutions for more responsible dog ownership will be held in London on April 24.  Topics include the change in criminal law and its implications, a possible Dangerous Dogs Index fee and the seizure and kennelling of suspected dangerous dogs.  Also, the possibility of adding other breeds to the banned list, amendments to include all livestock, the recommendation to develop a voluntary code of practice for any internet site ofering puppies and dogs for sale and whether local authorities need a clearer set of powers.  The organisers suggest dog wardens, breeders, charities, rescue centres, pet shops, dog clubs amongst many others should all attend but I would advise any interested dog owner to register.  Although I believe compuslory micorchipping will have absolutely no effect on dog attacks, I fully support looking more closely at how dangerous dogs can be controlled and promoting more responsible dog ownership. 

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Losing a dog is always painful, whatever the circumstances, but I've always thought the worst thing of all is when you don't never know what happened to it.  I feel immensely sorry for the owner of Angel, a German short haired pointer, who has re mortgaged her house to put up a £10,000 reward and I do hope she finds her dog soon.

But there was happier news for Maisie's owner who, coincidentally, lives in the next door village.  While walking on Dunwich heath, Maisie went missing in the snow.  Friends and neighbours turned out to help in the search - but eventually she was found, sheltering under a snow laden bush by another dog.  What a relief all round!