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Pet owner’s tribute to dog goes viral
Jennifer left boxes of tennis balls along her late dog's favourite walk. (Stock photo)
Tennis balls for local dogs left along Loki’s favourite walk

A pet owner’s tribute to her late dog has gone viral, after she left boxes of tennis balls for local dogs along their favourite walk.

When Staffordshire bull terrier cross Loki (not pictured) died last month, his owner Jennifer McKnight left the toys on Kelvin Walkway in Glasgow, alongside posters urging owners to cherish their time with their dogs.

Photos of the tribute were shared on Twitter by actor Colin McCredie and have since gone viral.

Jennifer’s flatmate originally adopted Loki in 2007, from the Scottish SPCA’s rescue and rehoming centre in Cardonald, BBC News reports. But when her friend went to visit her sister in New Zealand, Jennifer and Loki formed a strong bond and became inseparable.

He was diagnosed with canine lymphoma last December and euthanised at home on 11 July.

Ms McKnight told BBC News: “He was just wonderful. I know everyone thinks they have got the best dog in the world but he really was an absolutely special wee soul. He was just gentle, sweet, good with children and good with other dogs. I took him everywhere with me.”

She added: “I feel a little bit as if I have lost my shadow. He was always there, always with me, always following me around.”

Jennifer said she wanted to do something positive in his honour. She also acknowledged that, as well as losing her dog, she has lost the links she formed with other dog owners and their pets.

“Leaving that memorial was a way of having a final connection with them, maybe saying goodbye to them as well.”

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Equine Disease Surveillance report released for Q4 2025

News Story 1
 The latest Equine Disease Surveillance report has been released, with details on equine disease from Q4 of 2025.

The report, produced by Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance, includes advice on rule changes for equine influenza vaccination.

Statistics and maps detail recent outbreaks of equine herpes virus, equine influenza, equine strangles and equine grass sickness. A series of laboratory reports provides data on virology, bacteriology, parasitology and toxicosis.

This issue also features a case study of orthoflavivus-associated neurological disease in a horse in the UK. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NSA webinar explores sheep tailing and castration

The National Sheep Association (NSA) is to host a free webinar on the castration and tail docking of lambs.

The webinar, 'Understanding the tailing and castration consultation: A guide for sheep farmers', will be hosted online on Monday, 2 March 2026 at 7.30pm.

It comes during a government consultation into the methods used for these procedures. Farmers are encouraged to engage before the consultation period closes on Monday, 9 March 2026.

The webinar offers clear and actionable guidance to support farmers to contribute meaningfully to the consultation and prepare for potential changes.

On the panel will be former SVS president Kate Hovers, farmer and vet Ann Van Eetvelt and SRUC professor in Animal Health and Veterinary Sciences Cathy Dwyer. Each panel member will utilise their own specialism and expertise to evaluate risks and outcomes to sheep farming.

Find out more about the webinar on the NSA website.