What an inspirational story…

Watching Myron play fetch, you would not believe he is any different from other dogs in the park. With a cheeky personality and a warm, friendly nature, he is a happy dog who loves life.

Myron is one special boy. The Border Collie cross Boxer was born blind, losing his first eye at three months old and the second one at five months. Myron is also environmentally allergic and has epilepsy.

Despite his imperfections Myron lets nothing hold him back. He is an international ambassador for pets and people who live with imperfections and disabilities, proving that “you can” when you think that “you can’t”.

Myron’s message has reached as far as the US,

with a veterinary surgery posting photos of the smiling Myron around their practice, using him as an advocate for blind dogs. He is living proof that without eyes, dogs are very capable and can live happy lives.

Myron has so many supporters in Australia and around the world, that he boasts two (rather full) Facebook pages. Myron updates his status and replies to his supporters everyday, letting people know how he is feeling and what kind of charity work he is up to.

Owner of Myron, Raquel Wood believes everyday with her dog is a blessing. Myron’s imperfections only make Raquel love him more and she has written a book about her beloved dog called 'The Magic of Myron'.

The 200 page novel is about Myron’s life, and sales would go to support Myron’s medical bills. Currently Raquel is on the search for a publisher and already has 3,000 fans who are eager to support Myron and purchase his book.

Despite being on numerous medications which are extremely costly, Raquel would not have her dog any other way.

The Hunter Animal Rescue is a charity run by dedicated volunteers whose aim is to find new homes for abandoned pets facing euthanasia.

Every year Hunter Animal Rescue holds fundraising events, promoting responsible pet ownership.

Earlier this year the fundraising event, “Pet’s Picnic Day” was held in beautiful Speer Point Park, near Newcastle.

Local Lord Mayor Greg Piper, advocate for the banning of animals being sold in pet shops, welcomed the public to the event.

The day was full of fun activities, stalls, competitions and gave locals the chance to meet some of the rescue animals and to encourage pet ownership. Dogs were also invited to test their agility skills on obstacle course.

The biggest attraction was the Hounds High Tea, where volunteer bakers kept the dogs taste buds happy with apple & cinnamon lolly-pups, parmesan cheese tail twisters, and doggy after dinner mints.

The highlight of the day was the unveiling of the new Hunter Animal Rescue Mascot “Hardy Tailwagger”

Hunter Animal Rescue is currently re-homing

The AWL is currently overrun with dogs (and cats!) so they have decided to launch an appeal to coincide with Mother’s Day where they encourage mums to adopt one of their beautiful souls looking for a home and give themselves the gift of eternal love.

There are currently 95 dogs and 193 cats who are ready to start their new lives (and almost 306 in foster homes), what better way to celebrate your (or your mum’s) caring, nurturing nature than a trip to one of the AWL’s Rehoming Centres on Sunday, May 9.

Meet all of their lovely guests, see who chooses you to be their new ‘mum’, and enjoy all the love, affection and gratitude your new companion will bring to your life for years to come.

Hosted by international best-selling author and animal activist “Auntie Lynn” aka Lynn Santer, and held in conjunction with the RSPCA’s Million Paws Walk, the event will include an appearance from ‘Home & Away’ star Lincoln Lewis, and performances by ‘Young Diva’ Emily Williams, iconic star of stage and screen Barry Crocker, along with Dean Vegas (the Coast’s best Elvis) and Joy Jodie in her persona of Marilyn Monroe, in a star-studded performance.

This year, children from the charities that Auntie Lynn’s programs support like the Leukaemia Foundation, Camp Quality and Paradise Kids, have written stories about their favourite animals, including drawn pictures.

These stories and images are the basis for the special edition “Magical Scarecrows” book which Auntie Lynn has generously donated to the RSPCA, which will be available on the day for $20. All proceeds will be going to the RSPCA.

“I have wanted an outlet for children to have their stories published ever since I sent my first Magical Scarecrows story to a publisher when I was only a child myself. The children are thrilled to see their stories in print, the exercise teaches them to think and write creatively, but even more importantly this publication shows our special children that no matter what their ailment or hardship there is still something they can do to positively contribute to society. All in all the whole concept is totally, well, magical!” Auntie Lynn explained.

Lincoln Lewis will also be Marshalling the Million Paws Walk itself, so for an up close and personal encounter with the hunky heartthrob bring your pooch along to Pizzey Park, Miami by 9am 16th May to register for the walk itself (Cottesloe Drive entrance). If you have no pooch, then come along anyway to see the stage spectacular, which will commence at 11.30am.

For more info on The Magical Scarecrows visit www.themagicalscarecrows.com.
Check out their Facebook page 'The Magical Scarecrows'.

Registrations are open now for individuals and teams, and there are some great prizes and trophies to be won. Online registrations will close of the 14th of May, yet individuals and teams are able to register on the day at the local Million Paws Walk location.

Visit millionpawswalk.com

New local laws will require pet owners to get licenses if they wish to breed their dog or cat to have a litter.

The law is intended to cut down on the number of unwanted puppies and kittens, and stop back yard breeding.

If this Gold Coast law proves positive, the State Government could implement the law statewide.

Around 20,000 children are bitten by dogs in Australia each year, with about half requiring hospital treatment.

More than 80% of these dog bites occur at home by the family dog, with children being the most vulnerable.

It is because of this that the Gold Coast City Council (GCCC) is running a dog bite education program.

The GCCC have released a list of safety tips for parents and children who come into contact with dogs.

1. Make sure your child always is supervised by an adult when playing with a dog.

2. Teach your child to be calm and respectful to animals and to play gently with them - dogs can become overexcited or frightened by a lot of noise, rough behaviour or when other children are visiting.

3. Make sure your child knows to stay away from a dog that:
     - is eating or sleeping
     - caring for puppies
     - bares its teeth, growls, or backs away
     - is tied up

4. Demonstrate to your child how, if a dog ever knocks them to the ground, they should roll into a ball, cover their face with their arms and stay as still as they can.

5. Teach your child that if a dog ever runs at them barking, they must stand completely still, avoid eye contact with the dog and wait for it to lose interest and move on. Then the child can slowly walk away.

For more information contact Gold Coast City Council’s
Animal Management Unit on 07 5581 6664.

Tell us what think! Do you have any safety tips to share?
(E-mail us)

Animal lover, conservationist and acclaimed author, Lynn Santer is the authorised biographer of the Dutch-born Australian adventurer and documentary film-maker, Alby Mangels.

Her 2007 release “Beyond World Safari” is currently being developed into a Bio Epic with veteran producers Michael Lake (former Head of Production at Village Roadshow) and Paul Mason (former Senior Vice President at Viacom).

Although no deal has currently been struck, Lincoln Lewis is currently the front runner to land the plumb role of Zwier Albertus Mangels in what promises to be a blockbuster feature due out in 2012.

There’s even a whisper that Alby, Australia’s original wild man and wildlife warrior, is determined to prove he’s as fit and agile as he was when he wowed us in those micro leather shorts of the World Safari era by challenging Lincoln to a push up competition!