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Daily Mirror
16 hours ago
- General
- Daily Mirror
Independent dog breeds that can be left alone and are great for busy pet owners
Independent dog breeds are often better at being left alone than their more needy counterparts, and are ideal for people who work long hours, but want a furry friend to welcome them home Getting a dog is a massive commitment and many potential pet owners worry that they will be too occupied to properly care for them properly. This concern is particularly prevalent among shift and office workers who might be out of the house more often than home workers. Individuals who spend lengthy periods away from home may decide against having a dog due to the constant anxiety that their pet might be feeling lonely, having been left alone. However, all dog breeds are unique, and actually, some dogs are independent and confident enough to spend a few hours at home by themselves. Of course, it's crucial to provide your dog with the care and attention they require, and a dog should never be left alone for more than two to four hours without being checked on. For those exploring different dog breeds, Purina has compiled a list of the most self-reliant pups that can comfortably handle some alone time while you're out during the day. Here are their top five independent dog breeds that are okay to be left to their own devices, reports the Daily Record. Top five independent dog breeds that can be left alone. 1. Chow Chow The Chow Chow is recognised for their adorable teddy bear appearance, but not many are aware of their independent personalities. They are not overly social and, in fact, some would argue that they enjoy their own company a bit too much. This is a dog breed that can be left alone for a few hours, making it perfect for busy individuals who are constantly on the go. 2. Greyhound These gentle giants are renowned for their athletic abilities, but they are often just as content lounging around. The Greyhound is a great choice for those who need a dog that can handle being alone for a bit, but remember to shower them with attention when you're home. It's also crucial to train them to behave when left alone in the house as these large dogs can easily cause chaos. 3. Lhasa Apso These dogs may be small, but they're known for their feisty nature, so early training and socialisation are essential to ensure they can be trusted without human supervision. However, once they're well-trained, they're unlikely to feel anxious when you're out of the house without them. 4. Shar Pei Shar Peis are devoted to their human families and are recognised for their reserved nature. They're another breed that can cope with being left alone with the right training. But like all dogs, they shouldn't be left for more than four hours a day, so those working long hours should arrange for someone to check on them while they're away. 5. Miniature Schnauzer This pup can handle being left alone, but they require plenty of toys to keep their active mind occupied. They're intelligent, easy to train and eager to please, making them ideal for those seeking a laid-back pet parenting experience. But don't forget to lavish your Schnauzer with affection whenever you're leaving or returning home so they know they're cherished.
Daily Record
18 hours ago
- General
- Daily Record
11 low-shedding dog breeds perfect for pet parents who hate hoovering
If you want a dog but don't want to commit to the extra housework, these low-shedding breeds are ideal for you. Getting a dog is a huge commitment and anyone planning on doing so must take everything into consideration. Something that may put people off becoming a pet parent is the thought of having fur all over your house. Dogs' hair can get everywhere - on the bed, your clothes, the carpet and even the kitchen. And this increase in mess and muck inevitably leads to a lot of extra housework. But for those looking for a pooch without the extra hoovering, there are many breeds that are less likely to carpet your home in hair. And despite what you might think, some of these dogs are still super fluffy without you having to constantly clean up after them. Doggie experts at Purina share an extensive list of dog breeds that don't tend to shed on their website. We've picked out 11 of the best breeds from the low-shedding bunch so that even those who hate hoovering can adopt themselves a furry friend. Here are the top low-shedding breeds they mentioned. Top 11 low-shedding dog breeds 1. Border Terrier These small pooches have a short coat that won't leave you or your house covered in fur. They're also full of energy and need plenty of exercise, so keep this in mind if you're looking to adopt one. 2. Bichon Frise They may be fluffy, but they won't leave tufts of fur all over the house. The Bichon Frise is a gentle pup that the Kennel Club calls an outstanding 'personality dog'. 3. Bergamasco Taking a look at this dog, you'd definitely expect them to shed, but their special coat is made of three types of fur - their undercoat, 'goat hair', and an overcoat that doesn't typically fall out. 4. Airedale Terrier The Airedale Terrier's wired coat is less likely to shed or trigger allergies, and this intelligent dog is known to play roles in the police, rodent control and hunting, as they were originally bred as guard dogs. 5. Bearded Collie Also known as the Highland Collie, this is another super-hairy pooch that won't leave your house covered in furballs. This devoted companion is one of the UK's oldest dog breeds. 6. Dachshund One of the most stylish pups of the last few years, the teeny tiny Dachshund was originally bred to hunt badgers in Germany. And despite being so low to the ground, they won't leave a trail of hair on the deck. 7. Greyhound The super-speedy Greyhound has a short coat that won't shed. And the iconic breed also made our list of the most independent dogs that can be left home alone for a couple of hours. 8. Cane Corso These smart dogs may appear intimidating, but once they're trained up and know who's boss, they're very loyal. And a plus is that they won't cover your clothes in fur. 9. Miniature Schnauzer Another wiry-coated pooch, the Schnauzer is a fantastic watchdog who is friendly and eager to please. And, like the Greyhound, this breed was one we picked out as very independent. 10. Scottish Terrier Our very own Scottish Terrier is another pooch that won't leave you having to hoover every day. The Scottie dog is also known for being charming and gentle. 11. Poodle The posh Poodle was originally bred as a water retriever, which perhaps explains why they are unlikely to shed their fur. These pooches are also a fantastic choice for those with allergies. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
Time Out
20 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time Out
Review: ‘Burlesque the Musical', Savoy Theatre
The omens were not good for this stage musical adaptation of the 2010 Christina Aguilera screen vehicle Burlesque. Foremost among them: it debuted in Manchester and Glasgow last year, but most of its creative team was summarily axed and replaced by one Todrick Hall, an erstwhile American Idol contestant who the bumpf describes as 'one of the most high-profile and prolific storytellers in the world'. I am slightly exaggerating here. The hugely talented British set designer Soutra Gilmour, for instance, was replaced by Nate Bertone, another American. And Hall was already involved. But he now directs, choreographs and has written most of the songs, plus he stars in not one but two roles. Oh, and while the book is officially written by Steven Antin – who wrote and directed the film – it's hard not to see the hand of Tod in the larky, metatheatrical script, which is not only very different in tone to the film, but also gives all the larkiest, most metatheatrical lines to Hall's brace of characters. Anyway, Burlesque isn't totally inept, but it's ultimately just bludgeoning, a clangorous three-hour pantomime on steroids that makes the original film look like a model of tastefully plotted restraint. It feels like being trapped in a warzone Jess Folley is Ali, a young lass from Iowa with an impressive pair of lungs, her virtuosic singing encouraged by her sassy lady choirmaster (Hall). One day she discovers that her birth mother Tess (US cabaret star Orfeh) is still alive and living in NYC. Ali hops on a Greyhound and tracks Tess down to the ailing burlesque club she runs alongside her sassy underling Sean (Hall, again). Ali accepts the offer of a permanent stay on the coach of hunky bartender Vince (George Maguire), a man she has just met. At no point does she tell anyone she is there because she's Tess's daughter, but instead becomes the club's star singing attraction with the vague intention she'll fess up about her parentage when everyone's in a better mood. (NB the mother-daughter storyline is simply not in the film). It's very silly and very loud: Folley is a sensational singer but across a three hour, 30-song night her weapons-grade vocals are so piercing and so constant it feels like being trapped in a warzone. She is also saddled with some astonishingly unflattering wigs and costumes in the second half, genuinely some of the worst I've ever seen on stage. And the book's glib fourth wall breaking becomes draining, not least because it soon becomes apparent that almost nothing is allowed to happen on the stage without Hall's Sean making a quip about it, some of which are bewildering. The tenuous topical asides about Baby Reindeer and the Coldplay jumbotron incident are agonising. And FWIW it's pretty odd as a show about burlesque: I'm not an expert on the form, but only one minor, male character even takes their clothes off and I'm not convinced NYC dive burlesque bars have ever been a thing. If you want to see a musical show about burlesque – Moulin Rouge! is right there. Basically if you're a big fan of Todrick Hall, this show will be a real treat for you. Everyone else should approach with extreme caution.
Chicago Tribune
2 days ago
- Chicago Tribune
Chris Spear: America's truckers need a place to park — before it's too late
Every day, more than 3.5 million professional truck drivers keep America's economy on the move. They haul more than 73% of the nation's freight, ensuring that food reaches our shelves, medicine arrives at hospitals and manufacturers stay in business. But there's one thing many drivers can't count on at the end of a long shift: a safe place to park. For every 11 truck drivers on the road today, there is one truck parking space. When truck drivers are unable to find safe, authorized parking, they're stuck in a no-win situation — forced to either park in unsafe or illegal locations, or to violate federal hours-of-service rules that regulate their daily drive time to search for safer, legal alternatives. Many spend upward of an hour each day searching for parking — time that's unpaid and amounts to an average of $6,800 in lost compensation each year. In the worst cases, they're forced to park on highway shoulders, exit ramps or vacant lots, putting themselves and other motorists at serious risk. Delays in deliveries increase costs for businesses and consumers alike. Worst of all, the parking shortage contributes to thousands of accidents and dozens of fatalities each year. One of those avoidable tragedies occurred in 2023, when a Greyhound bus struck three semitrailers parked on the shoulder of an Interstate 70 rest area ramp in Illinois, killing three passengers on board the bus. In the agency's report on the accident released just a few weeks ago, National Transportation Safety Board Chairman Jennifer Homendy put the cause bluntly: 'Our investigation brought to light a critical shortage of safe truck parking and made clear a painful lesson: Until we address this important safety issue, lives are at risk on our nation's roads.' For policymakers and business leaders alike, the message is clear: If we want our supply chains to remain resilient and our roads to remain safe, we must invest in truck parking infrastructure. More designated rest areas. More capacity at existing facilities. Smarter deployment of real-time parking information systems. Last month, President Donald Trump's administration took a major step toward addressing this crisis, issuing project agreements to move forward more than $275 million in grant funding to expand truck parking access nationwide. Among the projects funded is nearly $180 million targeted at the Interstate 4 corridor in Florida, which will add 917 much needed parking spots across Volusia, Seminole and Osceola counties. Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy's leadership, backed by Trump's commitment to the trucking industry, is a clear signal that Washington is finally listening. By increasing funding specifically targeted toward truck parking, they are addressing one of the most pressing and solvable challenges our industry faces. Congress can protect American motorists by passing the Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act, a bipartisan bill sponsored by Illinois Rep. Mike Bost that would authorize $755 million in dedicated funding over four years to expand truck parking capacity. These funds could have prevented tragedies such as the 2009 murder of New York truck driver Jason Rivenburg, who was shot and killed for the $7 sitting on the dashboard of his truck while parked in an abandoned lot he used out of desperation for rest. The $200 million allocated to truck parking in the House transportation appropriations bill released last week is a welcome start to preventing similar tragedies. A dedicated federal funding stream, paired with state-level grant programs, would cut through the red tape that often sidelines critical parking projects. These resources must be allocated in a targeted, flexible way that allows states to build, expand and modernize truck parking across freight corridors and logistics hubs. It's not enough to authorize projects — we must fund them with real dollars that reflect the scale and urgency of the problem. Accounting for 87% of truck parking spaces, the private sector plays a vital role in providing parking, but it cannot solve this alone. Market forces don't always align with safety and infrastructure needs. Truck stops face high land and development costs, and zoning hurdles often block new projects. That's why a public-private solution is not only prudent. It's essential. Arkansas Republican Rep. Steve Womack has proved himself a staunch advocate who was instrumental in including $200 million toward expanding trucking parking in last year's House transportation appropriations subcommittee funding bill. We need more champions like Womack in Congress who will help prioritize and accelerate funding, treating truck parking as the safety and commerce issue it is, rather than an afterthought. Truckers don't ask for much. They don't expect luxury accommodations or special treatment. What they do expect — and deserve — is a safe place to stop after moving America's economy day and night. Let's make sure they have it. Chris Spear is president and CEO of the American Trucking Associations.
Daily Record
2 days ago
- General
- Daily Record
Five independent dog breeds that can be left alone and are ideal for busy pet owners
These self-assured pooches can be left to their own devices for longer than some other breeds - but it's still crucial not to leave them for too long. Getting a dog is a huge responsibility, and many would-be pet parents worry that they're too busy to look after them. This is especially true for shift and office workers. People who spend long periods out of the house may opt against owning a dog due to the constant worry that they'll be feeling lonely, having been left on their own. But all dog breeds are different, and in fact, some types of dog are independent and self-assured enough to spend a few hours in the house by themselves. Of course, it's vital to give your dog the care and attention they need, and a pooch should never be left longer than two to four hours alone without being checked on. For those browsing dog breeds, Purina have rounded up a list of the most self-sufficient pups that can easily manage some time to themselves while you're out during the day. Here are their top five independent dog breeds that are fine to be left to their own devices. Top five independent dog breeds that can be left alone 1. Chow Chow The Chow Chow is known for their cute teddy bear looks, but not many know them for their independent personalities. They are not overly sociable and, in fact, some would say that they enjoy their own company a bit too much. This is a dog breed that can be left alone for a few hours, and so is perfect for busy bodies that are constantly in and out. 2. Greyhound These gentle giants are known for their athletic abilities, but they are often just as happy lounging around. The Greyhound is ideal for those who want a dog that can be left alone for a while, but be sure to give them enough attention when you're home. It's also important to train them to behave when in the house alone as these big dogs can easily make a mess. 3. These dogs are small but they are known for having an attitude, so training and early socialising are key to making sure they can be trusted without human supervision. However, when they are trained up, they're unlikely to be anxious when you're out of the house without them. 4. Shar Pei Shar Peis are loyal to their human families and are known for their reserved demeanour. They are another breed that are fine to be left alone with appropriate training. But like all dogs, they shouldn't be left for more than four hours a day, so those who work long hours should make sure someone can check on them while they're away. 5. Miniature Schnauzer This pooch can be left alone, but they need plenty of toys to keep their active mind busy. They are smart, easy to train and eager to please, which is perfect for those looking for a relaxed pet parenting experience. But remember to shower your Schnauzer with attention whenever you're leaving or coming back into the house so they know they're loved. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
