Latest news with #St.Bernard
Newsweek
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Girl's Bond With 'Nanny' St. Bernard Puppy Melts Hearts
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A friendship between a 3-year-old and beloved St. Bernard puppy has melted hearts on the internet. Mom Beth Richardson (@teddy_the_saintbernard) posted a reel on Instagram with moments from Teddy's first year, where the 140-pound "nanny dog" is shown growing up alongside her daughter Runa. Richardson, 34, who shares 8-year-old Lillah and 3-year-old Runa with husband James Richardson, 31, told Newsweek her love for big dog breeds started when she watched Beethoven as a child. Girl, 3, cuddling St. Bernard puppy. Girl, 3, cuddling St. Bernard puppy. @teddy_the_saintbernard "We also grew up with Great Danes who are also supersized and my adoration for giant dogs just didn't end," she said. Though she once had a rescue chihuahua in her 20s, life with two young children felt like the right moment to bring a gentle giant into their home. "After searching for a while, we found Teddy—and it just felt meant to be," Beth said. When Teddy joined the family, Runa had just turned two. Since then, the two have grown up together—and grown into best friends. "She's really never known life without him," Beth told Newsweek. "At first, Runa was completely besotted with Teddy—maybe a little obsessed! Now, she's learned to watch out for his big paws and to brace herself when he has the zoomies." The two do everything together: brushing, feeding, playing. If Runa's doing something, Teddy's usually a part of it—even if he's just in the way. As a giant ball of "floof," Beth told Newsweek that he has little spatial awareness. "[He] crushes our feet every day, I think he thinks he is the size of a 'normal' dog. But we honestly wouldn't have him any other way. He loves strokes and belly rubs, and he loves having his ears stroked best," she said. Beth's reel has clocked up a million views and over 73,000 likes. Dozens of Instagram users found the bond between Runa and Teddy adorable, flooding the comments section with heart emojis. Beth told Newsweek her goal is to bring a dose of reality to social media. She also hopes the video helps change perceptions about large breeds. "Just because Teddy is a giant dog, it doesn't mean he's more difficult or dangerous," she said. "As a mom, it's been wonderful to see them grow together. Knowing that Runa's earliest memories will include Teddy as her first dog feels really special." Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@ with some details about your best friend and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
Newsweek
22-07-2025
- General
- Newsweek
Pregnant Rescue Dog Gives Birth, Moment She Attacks Owner Caught on Camera
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A couple who brought in a pregnant foster dog experienced a brief scare after the mother went after the woman, trying to protect her babies. JJ Knight and his partner, Ella, quickly stepped in to foster a pregnant St. Bernard named Daisy. Her previous owner surrendered her due to being unable to fund her birth. They were told Daisy would give birth in a few weeks, but only four days into fostering, the day arrived. She gave birth at the veterinarian's office after the couple took Daisy there for a health check. They learned she was underweight, low on calcium, and had been overbred; this became her third litter in three years. They transferred her from the vet's office, which was closing, to the emergency vet mid labor, as they did not feel comfortable bringing her back home knowing she still had low calcium. "Once the puppies started feeding on her, they could deplete her calcium levels so much, she could end up having a seizure," Knight told Newsweek via email. Daisy gave birth to nine puppies, and despite the health scare, both momma and her babies all survived. They received the all clear to go home, where the couple had a whelping pen ready for her to use. Screenshots from a July 7 Instagram video of a St. Bernard mother attacking her rescuer while trying to protect her puppies. Screenshots from a July 7 Instagram video of a St. Bernard mother attacking her rescuer while trying to protect her puppies. @thegoldenkobefamily/Instagram While caring for this mother and her pups, Knight and Ella noticed Daisy change, almost giving up on her babies, which the couple thought could be because this was her third litter in three years. She stopped feeding the puppies. She kept leaving the whelping pen. Daisy became protective, but not caring, Knight said. That's when Daisy went after Ella one day when she came in to check on them. Their July 7 Instagram video, posted to the account @thegoldenkobefamily, showed a feeling coming over Daisy as she attacked Ella, barking and snipping. "It was strange because we were with her the whole time during the birth, and helped her, and she was more than happy to be helped," Knight said. "Once she had given birth, she was happy for us to place the puppies on her teat for milk, happy for us to come and feed her." Because the puppies were not getting enough food or stimulation, the couple consulted experts and was advised to separate them from Daisy. They began bottlefeeding all nine puppies every two hours, which they said became the hardest nights of their life. Luckily, the couple received help. Another foster parent took in five of the puppies, with another St. Bernard mom who accepted the new babies as hers. Someone else brought in Daisy and a few other pups. Knight and Ella kept three to hand-feed. And now, all nine puppies and Daisy have been adopted. Looking back on Daisy's moment of attack, Knight said Ella didn't take it to heart. "It was scary at the time, but she was just being a protective mother," Knight said. But this incident led Knight and Ella to be more cautious around Daisy, taking precautionary steps to make sure she didn't feel the need to become protective of her babies around them. Knight said they've received hate on Instagram for the incident, with many comments stating the warning signs were there and they meddled too much. But Knight explained the whole story couldn't be told in a three-minute reel. They shared a longer YouTube video, with the help of their strategist Leroy ter Braak, to explain the situation. "We know we did things wrong, but we got as much help from professionals as we could," Knight said. "And at the end of the day, we managed to save Daisy and help her deliver nine healthy puppies, who all survived, so we were really proud and happy about that."
New Straits Times
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
Funny old world: the week's offbeat news
PARIS: From a hero lapdog Lassie to why tennis stars can't stop pinching Wimbledon towels. Your weekly roundup of offbeat stories from around the world. --------------------------------------- A chihuahua saved a hiker who fell eight metres (26 feet) into a glacier crevasse high in the Swiss Alps. The lapdog's "extraordinary" heroics surely saved his master, the Air Zermatt rescue service said, refusing to leave the spot where the man disappeared into the crevasse, leading rescuers straight to him. While the man was able to call for help with a walkie-talkie, rescuers struggled to locate him. "The glacier surface was wide and the hole was barely visible," they said. But then they spotted the tiny shivering Chihuahua perched on a rock, refusing to budge. "Thanks to the dog's behaviour, the crew was able to abseil down to the casualty and save him." --------------------------------------- In the past, stricken alpinists could count on a sup of warming brandy from a St. Bernard dog. But these days, the gentle giants are more likely to be getting a massage, a manicure or a spot of hydrotherapy at the new Barryland theme park over the mountains at Martigny, where Switzerland's national dog is a major tourist attraction. Helicopters have now taken over their mountain rescue role, allowing the St. Bernards to enjoy their retirement as pampered pensioners or care dogs. --------------------------------------- Life can get a little dull on the flat Friesian polders, which may explain why the Dutch came up with one of the world's maddest sports, "fierljeppen." This involves crossing canals by clambering up a 12-metre (40-foot) pole – roughly the height of a four-storey building – so you can land (or be catapulted) to the other side. The uniquely Dutch sport combines pole-vaulting, long jump and, when misjudged, some unplanned swimming in the soup. Farmer and fierljeppen world record holder Jacob de Groot told AFP that the sport may not have caught on elsewhere because "in the rest of the world there are not so many canals and also maybe the people are not so crazy." --------------------------------------- Polish tennis ace Iga Swiatek powered through the women's singles at Wimbledon, bagging as many of the tournament's trademark towels as she could carry. "No one talks about it, but we love your towels," she admitted after dispatching Russian Polina Kudermetova on Monday. "Every time I come back 10 members of my family want the towels. Sorry Wimbledon, I am not sure if I'm allowed." But the 24-year-old makes sure to keep some for herself. "I have lots at home. If I play on the circuit for another 15 years, I will have to build another room to keep them in," she laughed. - AFP
Hindustan Times
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Funny old world: the week's offbeat news
From a hero lapdog Lassie to why tennis stars can't stop pinching Wimbledon towels. Your weekly roundup of offbeat stories from around the world. Funny old world: the week's offbeat news A chihuahua saved a hiker who fell eight metres into a glacier crevasse high in the Swiss Alps. The lapdog's "extraordinary" heroics surely saved his master, the Air Zermatt rescue service said, refusing to leave the spot where the man disappeared into the crevasse, leading rescuers straight to him. While the man was able to call for help with a walkie-talkie, rescuers struggled to locate him. "The glacier surface was wide and the hole was barely visible," they said. But then they spotted the tiny shivering Chihuahua perched on a rock, refusing to budge. "Thanks to the dog's behaviour, the crew was able to abseil down to the casualty and save him." In the past, stricken alpinists could count on a sup of warming brandy from a St. Bernard dog. But these days, the gentle giants are more likely to be getting a massage, a manicure or a spot of hydrotherapy at the new Barryland theme park over the mountains at Martigny, where Switzerland's national dog is a major tourist attraction. Helicopters have now taken over their mountain rescue role, allowing the St. Bernards to enjoy their retirement as pampered pensioners or care dogs. Life can get a little dull on the flat Friesian polders, which may explain why the Dutch came up with one of the world's maddest sports, "fierljeppen". This involves crossing canals by clambering up a 12-metre pole roughly the height of a four-storey building so you can land to the other side. The uniquely Dutch sport combines pole-vaulting, long jump and, when misjudged, some unplanned swimming in the soup. Farmer and fierljeppen world record holder Jacob de Groot told AFP that the sport may not have caught on elsewhere because "in the rest of the world there are not so many canals and also maybe the people are not so crazy". Polish tennis ace Iga Swiatek powered through the women's singles at Wimbledon, bagging as many of the tournament's trademark towels as she could carry. "No one talks about it, but we love your towels," she admitted after dispatching Russian Polina Kudermetova on Monday. "Every time I come back 10 members of my family want the towels. Sorry Wimbledon, I am not sure if I'm allowed." But the 24-year-old makes sure to keep some for herself. "I have lots at home. If I play on the circuit for another 15 years, I will have to build another room to keep them in," she laughed. bur-fg/giv/sco This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Kuwait Times
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Kuwait Times
St. Bernards romp at unique Swiss theme park
Syrah walks slowly and deliberately on a treadmill submerged in a large water tank, as two therapists help keep her steady, and a crowd looks on in awe. The eight-year-old St. Bernard is receiving her regular hydrotherapy session, while visitors to the newly reopened Barryland theme park in the Swiss Alpine valley town of Martigny follow every move. 'We give hydrotherapy to older dogs or dogs that have undergone surgery,' Barryland director Melanie Glassey-Roth told AFP. 'Everything here is conceived for the wellbeing of our dogs.' Revamped from a smaller, 'living museum' focused on St. Bernards, after two years of work Barryland has morphed into a large, interactive theme park fully dedicated to Switzerland's national dog. Built in the shape of a paw print, the main building offers interactive experiences and virtual reality tours of the history and myths surround the St. Bernard, as well as the chance to interact with the big dogs themselves. The park is hoping to see its visitor numbers soar to potentially 200,000 a year, up from 83,000 before the renovation. Head of the breeding program Manuel Gaillard holds two puppies of the Saint Bernard dog breed during a press visit ahead of the inauguration of the Barryland museum and parc in Martigny, in the Swiss Alps.--AFP photos Two puppies of the Saint Bernard dog breed are photographed. A Saint Bernard dog receives care during a press visit ahead of the inauguration of the Barryland museum and parc in Martigny, in the Swiss Alps. A journalist films a video of a Saint Bernard dog during a press visit. A Saint Bernard dog mascot reacts during the inauguration of the Barryland museum. This photograph shows an old picture of a Saint Bernard dog and a priest taken at the Great Saint Bernard pass and diplayed at the Barryland museum and parc. A journalist takes a picture of a giant photograph showing a Saint Bernard dog and diplayed at the Barryland museum and parc. A Saint Bernard dog has exercise in a pool during a press visit. 'Emblematic' The St. Bernard breed, which reached a new level of stardom when it figured in the 1992 blockbuster Hollywood comedy film 'Beethoven', was cross-bred into existence centuries ago in the Swiss Alps, not too far from where today's theme park lies. It was originally bred from farm dogs indigenous to the region by a hospice monastery, perched 2,500 metres (8,200 feet) above sea level, to use for rescue work in the perilous Great St. Bernard Pass between Switzerland and Italy. 'This is an emblematic dog that represents the entire region,' said Jean-Maurice Tornay, head of the Barry Foundation, which runs Barryland. Barryland got its name from the most famous and heroic St. Bernard of all. Local lore holds that Barry, who lived from 1800 to 1814 and was credited with more than 40 rescues in his lifetime, carried a little barrel of alcohol around his collar, a welcome drink for weary travellers. In his honour, the monastery always had one dog named Barry -- a tradition that continues at Barryland today. The park's current Barry, a towering 7.5-year-old male weighing around 80 kilograms (176 pounds), is the largest and most decorated of its dogs. The Barry Foundation has 36 St. Bernards in all who live at a nearby kennel in Martigny. Some dogs spend whole summers up at the Great St. Bernard Pass. But with the reopening of Barryland, 16 dogs from the Martigny kennel will crowd into a large van each morning and be driven across to the theme park, ready to play stars. New mission At Barryland, the giant dogs, with their dark-ringed eyes and fur covered in reddish-brown patches, run around in spacious, grassy parks, lounge in large indoor enclosures and submit to grooming, massages and treatments. For Thursday's reopening, the park presented two new puppies, Xcell and Xaver, who tumbled enthusiastically around their mother Lio, nudging her until she sat down to let them nurse. Nearby, dog handler Sahel Robette encouraged Tosca, an eight-year-old female, to climb onto a large weighing scale. 'Sixty-five kilos (143 pounds)!' he exclaimed, as he began brushing her down, searching her fur for tics and inspecting her ears and nails. Once the heroes of the Swiss Alps, St. Bernards today are doing heroic work in other settings, Tornay said. With helicopters having taken over their rescue role, the St. Bernard has 'found a new social mission', he told AFP. The foundation's dogs make hundreds of visits each year to hospitals, nursing homes and prisons, where they are used for therapy and social training, 'sharing a little bit of kindness', he said. The St. Bernard is perfect for these missions, Glassey-Roth said, as one of the dogs laid its giant head on her lap. 'It has a quiet force; it is calm and very social.'—AFP
