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Blind dog guided around by cat
Unlikely best friends are pawfect companions

Before stray cat Pwditat was allowed into his home, eight-year-old Terfel would mostly spend his days curled up in his dog basket. His vision deteriorated after being diagnosed with cataracts, and is now only able to tell light from dark.

However, Terfel's situation changed when his owner, Judy Godfrey-Brown, decided to let a stray cat, which she'd seen lingering outside, into her home.

"Pwditat immediately seemed to know that Terfel is blind," said Ms Godfrey-Brown. "I've never seen anything like it."

She explained how, before Pwditat's arrival, Terfel would bump into things around the house, but now he has his very own guide cat. When they first met, Pwditat led Terfel straight out of his basket and into the garden and she has been helping him find his way around ever since.

"It's a great help when Pwditat's around to show him about," added Ms Godfrey-Brown, who said Pwditat uses her paws to help guide him.

The pair have since become best of friends and now even sleep together.

"She's very, very affectionate around Terfel and Terfel's obviously enjoying the companionship of Pwditat too. Lots of dogs and cats actually do get on well together, but these get on particularly well."

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Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here

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News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.