<p>A wild kangaroo reportedly killed an elderly man in Australia who was keeping it as a pet, police said, in the first fatal kangaroo attack in 86 years.</p>

<p>The kangaroo's species was not identified but is believed to be the western grey. It can be found in Western Australia's Great Southern region. Western grey males grow up to nearly 2.2 metres (more than seven feet) and weigh about 70 kg (154 pounds).</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/watch-this-is-how-australian-people-reacted-when-a-kangaroo-walked-into-a-bar-473783"><strong>Also read |&nbsp;Watch | This is how Australian people reacted when a kangaroo walked into a bar</strong></a></p>

<p>A police officer stated that the unidentified man was discovered by a relative on Sunday (September 11) afternoon at his home in the southern town of Redmond, Western Australia, with severe injuries.</p>

<p>The officer said that the kangaroo is thought to have assaulted the man earlier in the day. The man passed away at the spot despite the medical crew's fast arrival. Because of the kangaroo, the ambulance personnel were unable to reach the injured man.</p>

<p>The animal was posing a continuous threat to emergency responders and had to be shot and killed, said police. The department believed that the man was keeping a wild kangaroo as a pet.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/dogs-get-more-teary-eyed-after-being-reunited-with-their-owners-study-509392"><strong>Also read |&nbsp;Dogs get more teary-eyed after being reunited with their owners: Study</strong></a></p>

<p>One such incident happened in 1936, according to Australian media. William Cruickshank, 38, was killed in the incident while trying to save two dogs from a huge kangaroo.</p>

<p>Similar reports of attacks by pet dogs have also been reported.</p>

<p>A recent attack in Noida, India was reported where a 10-year-old boy was attacked by a labrador. The CCTV footage was then upheld by the local police authorities and the owner was then arrested.</p>

<p>Another similar incident took place in Lucknow, where a retired teacher was fatally assaulted by her American Pit Bull Terrier. The woman died from her injuries in the ambulance on her route to the hospital.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe></p>


A wild kangaroo reportedly killed an elderly man in Australia who was keeping it as a pet, police said, in the first fatal kangaroo attack in 86 years. The kangaroo's species was not identified but is believed to be the western grey.

A wild kangaroo reportedly killed an elderly man in Australia who was keeping it as a pet, police said, in the first fatal kangaroo attack in 86 years. The kangaroo's species was not identified but is believed to be the western grey. It can be found in Western Australia's Great Southern region. Western grey males grow up to nearly 2.2 metres (more than seven feet) and weigh about 70 kg (154 pounds). Also read | Watch | This is how Australian people reacted when a kangaroo walked into a bar A police officer stated that the unidentified man was discovered by a relative on Sunday (September 11) afternoon at his home in the southern town of Redmond, Western Australia, with severe injuries. The officer said that the kangaroo is thought to have assaulted the man earlier in the day. The man passed away at the spot despite the medical crew's fast arrival. Because of the kangaroo, the ambulance personnel were unable to reach the injured man. The animal was posing a continuous threat to emergency responders and had to be shot and killed, said police. The department believed that the man was keeping a wild kangaroo as a pet. Also read | Dogs get more teary-eyed after being reunited with their owners: Study One such incident happened in 1936, according to Australian media. William Cruickshank, 38, was killed in the incident while trying to save two dogs from a huge kangaroo. Similar reports of attacks by pet dogs have also been reported. A recent attack in Noida, India was reported where a 10-year-old boy was attacked by a labrador. The CCTV footage was then upheld by the local police authorities and the owner was then arrested. Another similar incident took place in Lucknow, where a retired teacher was fatally assaulted by her American Pit Bull Terrier. The woman died from her injuries in the ambulance on her route to the hospital. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Australian man killed by pet wild kangaroo in first fatal attack in 86 years

<p>When in love is it okay to marry your pet?&nbsp;</p>

<p>With immense love for her pet cat India, UK woman Deborah Hodge tied the knot in a civil ceremony. This was the best plan the 49-year-old managed to devise after facing eviction a couple of times. After having had to vacate multiple homes as landlords had objections over pets, the mother of two now considered marrying her 5-year-old pet cat.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/kelloggs-launches-legal-challenge-to-counter-new-rules-in-uk-to-limit-sugary-foods-474449">Kellogg's launches legal challenge against UK's new rules to limit sugary foods &nbsp;</a></strong></p>

<p>The move also comes after she had to let go off two of her pet dogs and a cat in the past. If a marriage can save you from eviction and ensure the company of your beloved pet, isn't it a good idea?</p>

<p>Hodge and India's wedding took place earlier this month and was ordained by the former's friend, there were guests who witnessed this union as well. At the ceremony, India sported a tuxedo and was draped in gold lamé.</p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe></p>

<p>“I recited vows under the universe that no man will ever tear myself and India apart," Hodge told The Post. 5-year-old India was meowing as the vows were being recited, she added.</p>

<p>“I refuse to be parted with her. I'd rather live on the streets than be without her," Hodge expressed. Conveying the message to her future landlords that they are now inseparable.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/united-kingdoms-defence-ministry-investigating-russian-hack-targeting-its-army-recruits-473963">United Kingdom's defence ministry investigating Russian hack targeting its army recruits</a></strong></p>

<p>Her kids and India are the most important to Hodge and this union is testimony to the fact.</p>

<p>Now, Hodge fears eviction yet again this time as she unexpectedly lost her job as a life coach.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from Agencies)</em></p>


When in love is it okay to marry your pet? With immense love for her pet cat India, UK woman Deborah Hodge tied the knot in a civil ceremony. This was the best plan the 49-year-old managed to devise after facing eviction a couple of times.

When in love is it okay to marry your pet? With immense love for her pet cat India, UK woman Deborah Hodge tied the knot in a civil ceremony. This was the best plan the 49-year-old managed to devise after facing eviction a couple of times. After having had to vacate multiple homes as landlords had objections over pets, the mother of two now considered marrying her 5-year-old pet cat. Also read | Kellogg's launches legal challenge against UK's new rules to limit sugary foods The move also comes after she had to let go off two of her pet dogs and a cat in the past. If a marriage can save you from eviction and ensure the company of your beloved pet, isn't it a good idea? Hodge and India's wedding took place earlier this month and was ordained by the former's friend, there were guests who witnessed this union as well. At the ceremony, India sported a tuxedo and was draped in gold lamé. WATCH WION LIVE HERE “I recited vows under the universe that no man will ever tear myself and India apart," Hodge told The Post. 5-year-old India was meowing as the vows were being recited, she added. “I refuse to be parted with her. I'd rather live on the streets than be without her," Hodge expressed. Conveying the message to her future landlords that they are now inseparable. Also read | United Kingdom's defence ministry investigating Russian hack targeting its army recruits Her kids and India are the most important to Hodge and this union is testimony to the fact. Now, Hodge fears eviction yet again this time as she unexpectedly lost her job as a life coach. (With inputs from Agencies)

Fearing separation, UK woman marries pet cat

In pics | Funny finalists from comedy pet show awards 2021

<p>According to a survey, 62&nbsp;per cent Americans consider their pet as their "best friend".</p>

<p>The poll was conducted among 2,000 dog and cat&nbsp;owners. It found 81 per cent would leap to rescue their pet from immediate danger and 59 per cent people wouldn't mind fighting with another person to save their favourite friend.</p>

<p>Interestingly, three out of five people in the poll thought of their pet as their "soulmate".&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also, those in the 18-24 age group are most likely to include their pet in their wedding celebrations.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/covid-common-in-pet-dogs-and-cats-reveals-study-395073">Also Read:&nbsp;Covid common in pet dogs and cats, reveals study</a></p>

<p>The survey found that 67 per cent people believe they can read each other's minds and most feel a pet positively influences their mental health.</p>

<p>According to the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, there are several health benefits of owning a pet which includes encouragement&nbsp;for a person to exercise and importantly pets help to decrease blood pressure and cholesterol levels.</p>

<p>A pet also helps its owner to fight against loneliness, anxiety and symptoms of PTSD, the CDC claims.</p>

<p>However, the top US health agency warns children below 5 and those over 65&nbsp;are&nbsp;likely to get diseases spread by their animals with even pregnant women at risk.</p>

<p>CDC says pets teach kids responsibility and compassion although children under 5 should be under supervision while interacting with them.</p>

<p>(With inputs from Agencies)</p>


According to a survey, 62 per cent Americans consider their pet as their "best friend". The poll was conducted among 2,000 dog and cat owners. It found 81 per cent would leap to rescue their pet from immediate danger and 59 per cent people wouldn't mind fighting with another person to save their favourite friend.

According to a survey, 62 per cent Americans consider their pet as their "best friend". The poll was conducted among 2,000 dog and cat owners. It found 81 per cent would leap to rescue their pet from immediate danger and 59 per cent people wouldn't mind fighting with another person to save their favourite friend. Interestingly, three out of five people in the poll thought of their pet as their "soulmate". Also, those in the 18-24 age group are most likely to include their pet in their wedding celebrations. Also Read: Covid common in pet dogs and cats, reveals study The survey found that 67 per cent people believe they can read each other's minds and most feel a pet positively influences their mental health. According to the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, there are several health benefits of owning a pet which includes encouragement for a person to exercise and importantly pets help to decrease blood pressure and cholesterol levels. A pet also helps its owner to fight against loneliness, anxiety and symptoms of PTSD, the CDC claims. However, the top US health agency warns children below 5 and those over 65 are likely to get diseases spread by their animals with even pregnant women at risk. CDC says pets teach kids responsibility and compassion although children under 5 should be under supervision while interacting with them. (With inputs from Agencies)

People consider their pet a ‘soulmate’, reveals study

<p>An 11-month-old 80-pound cougar was removed from an apartment in New York where the big cat was being kept as a pet illegally.</p>

<p>The owner surrendered the female cougar to animal welfare officials, Kelly Donithan, director of animal disaster response for the Humane Society of the United States, said in a news release on Monday.</p>

<p>According to the Associated Press, the cougar, nicknamed Sasha, spent the weekend at the Bronx Zoo receiving veterinary care and is headed to the Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge in Arkansas.</p>

<p>The Humane Society coordinated with zoo officials, the state Department of Environmental Conservation and the New York Police Department on the big cat’s removal.</p>

<p>“I’ve never seen a cougar in the wild, but I’ve seen them on leashes, smashed into cages, and crying for their mothers when breeders rip them away. I’ve also seen the heartbreak of owners, like in this case, after being sold not just a wild animal, but a false dream that they could make a good ‘pet’,” Donithan said.</p>

<p>He said the cougar was “relatively lucky” because her owners, who live in the Bronx, recognised that their flat was not a hospitable environment for a wildcat, and surrendered her.</p>

<p>“The owner’s tears and nervous chirps from the cougar as we drove her away painfully drives home the many victims of this horrendous trade and myth that wild animals belong anywhere but the wild,” he said.</p>

<p>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/un-report-identifies-migratory-species-as-most-vulnerable-to-plastic-pollution-409772">UN report identifies migratory species as most vulnerable to plastic pollution</a></p>

<p>Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos asserted that while cougars “may look cute and cuddly when young, these animals can grow up to be unpredictable and dangerous”.</p>

<p>Bronx Zoo director Jim Breheny said the exotic pet trade makes no contribution to the conservation of endangered species.</p>

<p>“These animals often end up in very bad situations, kept by private individuals who don’t have the resources, facilities, knowledge, or expertise to provide for the animals’ most basic needs,” Breheny was quoted as saying.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


An 11-month-old 80-pound cougar was removed from an apartment in New York where the big cat was being kept as a pet illegally. The owner surrendered the female cougar to animal welfare officials, Kelly Donithan, director of animal disaster response for the Humane Society of the United States, said in a news release on Monday.

An 11-month-old 80-pound cougar was removed from an apartment in New York where the big cat was being kept as a pet illegally. The owner surrendered the female cougar to animal welfare officials, Kelly Donithan, director of animal disaster response for the Humane Society of the United States, said in a news release on Monday. According to the Associated Press, the cougar, nicknamed Sasha, spent the weekend at the Bronx Zoo receiving veterinary care and is headed to the Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge in Arkansas. The Humane Society coordinated with zoo officials, the state Department of Environmental Conservation and the New York Police Department on the big cat’s removal. “I’ve never seen a cougar in the wild, but I’ve seen them on leashes, smashed into cages, and crying for their mothers when breeders rip them away. I’ve also seen the heartbreak of owners, like in this case, after being sold not just a wild animal, but a false dream that they could make a good ‘pet’,” Donithan said. He said the cougar was “relatively lucky” because her owners, who live in the Bronx, recognised that their flat was not a hospitable environment for a wildcat, and surrendered her. “The owner’s tears and nervous chirps from the cougar as we drove her away painfully drives home the many victims of this horrendous trade and myth that wild animals belong anywhere but the wild,” he said. Also read | UN report identifies migratory species as most vulnerable to plastic pollution Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos asserted that while cougars “may look cute and cuddly when young, these animals can grow up to be unpredictable and dangerous”. Bronx Zoo director Jim Breheny said the exotic pet trade makes no contribution to the conservation of endangered species. “These animals often end up in very bad situations, kept by private individuals who don’t have the resources, facilities, knowledge, or expertise to provide for the animals’ most basic needs,” Breheny was quoted as saying. (With inputs from agencies)

11-month-old female cougar kept as pet removed from New York apartment

<p>An American woman from San Francisco has issued a reward of $7000 and spending over $2000 to search for her Australian Shepherd pet stolen last weekend.</p>

<p>Emilie Talermo, a resident of San Francisco, United States, on December 14, 2019, lost her adored pet named Jackson - to what she claims to be theft.</p>

<p>Talermo's 5-year old pet dog was 'stolen' from outside of a Good Life grocery store in the 'Bernal heights' locality of the city.</p>

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<p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B6PXj6Ggx0J/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">$7,000 REWARD. We’re at the cap on our GoFundMe. Anything else will be donated to @rocketdogrescue 🖤please please please download from the website (www.bringjacksonhome.com), print and tag/pass out on your commutes to wherever you’re going. You all are keeping my hope alive 💔</a></p>

<p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/emilie.talermo/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px;" target="_blank"> emilie talermo</a> (@emilie.talermo) on <time datetime="2019-12-19T04:11:36+00:00" style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;">Dec 18, 2019 at 8:11pm PST</time></p>
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<p>To recover Jackson from this unfortunate incident, Ms Emilie Talermo has gone all-in, in an attempt to bring Jackson home; proving the extent to which the value of 'man's best friend' stands.</p>

<p>A website has been set up which contains the details of the mishap, with a surveillance tape showing the suspect in a hoodie walking by outside the grocery store, from where Jackson was stolen. The website also displays affectionate photos of Ms Talermo with her beautiful dog - with a black, grey and white fur, gifted with bright blue eyes.</p>

<p>The owner has also employed the use of an aircraft to fly a banner with the name of the website across the city, at the heavy cost of $1200. Such an attempt has been made to gather alertness among the residents of the city, which would increase the chances of Jackson coming back home.</p>

<p>The cost of putting up a website and of employing an aircraft could not have been easy. However, the owner has decided to spare no costs in an attempt to achieve her goal as soon as possible. A donations fund has been set up to help recover the stolen pet, which will help cover the cost of this recovery.</p>

<p>The reward for finding and reuniting the pet with his owner, which initially started at $1,000, is now up at its cap of $7,000. The astonishing amount has been reached thanks to the donations fund Ms Talermo set up.</p>

<p>Talermo and her dog, whom she got in New York, moved from the east-coast hub to the west, in Los Angeles, and ultimately moved to San Francisco. Sources quoted Ms Talermo as saying "Those people I've met over the years know my love for this dog, I'm just blown away by everyone's support".</p>


An American woman from San Francisco has issued a reward of $7000 and spending over $2000 to search for her Australian Shepherd pet stolen last weekend. Emilie Talermo, a resident of San Francisco, United States, on December 14, 2019, lost her adored pet named Jackson - to what she claims to be theft.

An American woman from San Francisco has issued a reward of $7000 and spending over $2000 to search for her Australian Shepherd pet stolen last weekend. Emilie Talermo, a resident of San Francisco, United States, on December 14, 2019, lost her adored pet named Jackson - to what she claims to be theft. Talermo's 5-year old pet dog was 'stolen' from outside of a Good Life grocery store in the 'Bernal heights' locality of the city. View this post on Instagram $7,000 REWARD. We’re at the cap on our GoFundMe. Anything else will be donated to @rocketdogrescue 🖤please please please download from the website (www.bringjacksonhome.com), print and tag/pass out on your commutes to wherever you’re going. You all are keeping my hope alive 💔 A post shared by emilie talermo (@emilie.talermo) on Dec 18, 2019 at 8:11pm PST × To recover Jackson from this unfortunate incident, Ms Emilie Talermo has gone all-in, in an attempt to bring Jackson home; proving the extent to which the value of 'man's best friend' stands. A website has been set up which contains the details of the mishap, with a surveillance tape showing the suspect in a hoodie walking by outside the grocery store, from where Jackson was stolen. The website also displays affectionate photos of Ms Talermo with her beautiful dog - with a black, grey and white fur, gifted with bright blue eyes. The owner has also employed the use of an aircraft to fly a banner with the name of the website across the city, at the heavy cost of $1200. Such an attempt has been made to gather alertness among the residents of the city, which would increase the chances of Jackson coming back home. The cost of putting up a website and of employing an aircraft could not have been easy. However, the owner has decided to spare no costs in an attempt to achieve her goal as soon as possible. A donations fund has been set up to help recover the stolen pet, which will help cover the cost of this recovery. The reward for finding and reuniting the pet with his owner, which initially started at $1,000, is now up at its cap of $7,000. The astonishing amount has been reached thanks to the donations fund Ms Talermo set up. Talermo and her dog, whom she got in New York, moved from the east-coast hub to the west, in Los Angeles, and ultimately moved to San Francisco. Sources quoted Ms Talermo as saying "Those people I've met over the years know my love for this dog, I'm just blown away by everyone's support".

San Francisco woman hires plane, makes website and offers $7000 reward in search of stolen dog

<p>Juice is a one-foot tall canine wonder who has starred in dozens of Chinese film and television productions.</p>

<p>As he gets older and his illustrious career peaks, his Beijing-based master has one wish for the mutt - to live on. Maybe forever.</p>

<p>A mongrel stray adopted off the streets, the nine-year-old Juice — or "Guozhi" in Mandarin — is unable to reproduce since he was neutered from an early age. But his master, animal trainer He Jun, wants to continue his star pooch's image by making a genetic clone.</p>

<p>"Juice himself is a piece of intellectual property with social influence," said He.</p>

<p>To achieve that, He went to Sinogene, China's first biotech company to provide pet cloning services. Sinogene made headlines when it successfully cloned a gene-edited beagle in May last year. A month later, it launched commercial cloning services.</p>

<p>For at least 380,000 yuan ($55,065), pet owners can clone their pets.</p>

<p>Sinogene's CEO Mi Jidong said the company's pet cloning business is in its initial stages, but he plans to expand services to eventually include gene editing.</p>

<p>"We've discovered that more and more pet owners want their pets to accompany them for an even longer period of time," said Mi.</p>

<p>China's biotech industry is growing rapidly and, compared with similar enterprises in the West, faces relatively few regulatory barriers.</p>

<p>Earlier this year, a Shanghai lab produced the world's first monkey clones, two long-tailed macaques. More controversially, He Jiankui of China's Southern University of Science and Technology last month claimed he used gene-editing technology to alter the embryonic genes of twin girls.</p>

<p>Tin-Lap Lee, an associate professor of biomedical sciences at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, said while China has regulations on the use of animals for lab research, there are no laws explicitly covering animal cloning.</p>

<p>"On the government side, the image of this cloning industry is very high-tech, and definitely...is very supportive of those high-tech industries because of their high-profit-margin," said Lee.</p>

<p>In Juice's case, skin samples were collected from the dog's lower abdomen and within weeks, Sinogene was able to isolate his DNA and fertilise an egg.</p>

<p>The fertilised egg is then surgically inserted into the uterus of a surrogate mother dog - in this case, a beagle.</p>

<p>Juice's copy, "Little Juice" — or "Zhizhi" in Chinese — was born in mid-September and stayed with its surrogate mother in Sinogene's lab for about a month. The puppy was later given to He at a small ceremony at which the original Juice was present.</p>

<p>While He has not committed Little Juice to show business just yet, he sees a lot of potential.</p>

<p>"We believe he'll be even better than the older Juice," He said.</p>


Juice is a one-foot tall canine wonder who has starred in dozens of Chinese film and television productions. As he gets older and his illustrious career peaks, his Beijing-based master has one wish for the mutt - to live on.

Juice is a one-foot tall canine wonder who has starred in dozens of Chinese film and television productions. As he gets older and his illustrious career peaks, his Beijing-based master has one wish for the mutt - to live on. Maybe forever. A mongrel stray adopted off the streets, the nine-year-old Juice — or "Guozhi" in Mandarin — is unable to reproduce since he was neutered from an early age. But his master, animal trainer He Jun, wants to continue his star pooch's image by making a genetic clone. "Juice himself is a piece of intellectual property with social influence," said He. To achieve that, He went to Sinogene, China's first biotech company to provide pet cloning services. Sinogene made headlines when it successfully cloned a gene-edited beagle in May last year. A month later, it launched commercial cloning services. For at least 380,000 yuan ($55,065), pet owners can clone their pets. Sinogene's CEO Mi Jidong said the company's pet cloning business is in its initial stages, but he plans to expand services to eventually include gene editing. "We've discovered that more and more pet owners want their pets to accompany them for an even longer period of time," said Mi. China's biotech industry is growing rapidly and, compared with similar enterprises in the West, faces relatively few regulatory barriers. Earlier this year, a Shanghai lab produced the world's first monkey clones, two long-tailed macaques. More controversially, He Jiankui of China's Southern University of Science and Technology last month claimed he used gene-editing technology to alter the embryonic genes of twin girls. Tin-Lap Lee, an associate professor of biomedical sciences at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, said while China has regulations on the use of animals for lab research, there are no laws explicitly covering animal cloning. "On the government side, the image of this cloning industry is very high-tech, and definitely...is very supportive of those high-tech industries because of their high-profit-margin," said Lee. In Juice's case, skin samples were collected from the dog's lower abdomen and within weeks, Sinogene was able to isolate his DNA and fertilise an egg. The fertilised egg is then surgically inserted into the uterus of a surrogate mother dog - in this case, a beagle. Juice's copy, "Little Juice" — or "Zhizhi" in Chinese — was born in mid-September and stayed with its surrogate mother in Sinogene's lab for about a month. The puppy was later given to He at a small ceremony at which the original Juice was present. While He has not committed Little Juice to show business just yet, he sees a lot of potential. "We believe he'll be even better than the older Juice," He said.

Two of a kind: Sinogene, China's first pet cloning service duplicates star pooch

<p>The idea of coming home to your pet after a long day at work is one that most would agree as a great stress buster. The West has already been successful in coming up with a concept called Pet Therapy that involves animal-assisted activities or animal-assisted therapy for those dealing with stress and other related issues.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
Interestingly, the concept is now making its way to a developing country like India where an average middle-class person is constantly juggling between several responsibilities, while making a decent living. Keeping in mind the growing societal pressure on an individual to perform and succeed, a small, yet, bright venture in India called Fur Ball Story is using pet therapy as a model to help people relax, find comfort, recover from serious illnesses and stay happier in general.</p>

<p>They also aim to &ldquo;help those with any form of disability in coming to terms with life and to provide them unconditional love for motivation. At Fur Ball Story, the aim is to alleviate stress at the very basic level so that it does not reach the chronic stages.&rdquo;</p>

<p><strong>Start of a Story</strong><br />
&nbsp;<br />
It all started when Animesh Katiyar, co-founder Fur Ball Story got two Labrador puppies for recreational purposes. The dogs became an instant hit among his peers and became a source of happiness for first year students who were unable to deal with homesickness, absenteeism, result-related pressure and others.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
Animesh then researched about the concept and resolved to start something of his own using this model. The startup got registered in September 2016 with two of Animesh&rsquo;s friends, Srishti Sharma and Arushi Dixit joining him in this endeavor.</p>

<p>Animesh says, &ldquo;If the concept could be successful at such a small-scale (in college), it would probably work wonders at a large-scale. That&rsquo;s how Fur Ball Story began.&rdquo;&nbsp;</p>

<p>Dishiti Titus, a lawyer who has a dog at home agrees that her pet is her stress buster and mood uplifter. She says, &ldquo;Sometimes you just need a shoulder to lean on when you&#39;re low--no advice, no consoling or sometimes you just need to be alone. Whenever I&#39;ve been low and I want a break from humans, I go out and sit on the steps of my house. &nbsp;Everytime without fail, I&#39;ve had muddy paws and a wet nose come inspect. I could scream at my dog and tell her to go away but instead she sits against me and just minds her own business, making sure her presence is felt. My furry friend and her innocent face is a mood lifter. It works every time.&rdquo;</p>

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<p>Ashutosh Uttarwar, another pet owner says, &ldquo;It&#39;s hard to point at one specific thing that he (dog) does for me but he&#39;s &nbsp;been with us for six years and everytime I&#39;m feeling tense or sad, I simply go and hug him. He helps relieve a lot of negativity. Today I was worried about some decisions I had to make and kept freaking out about how the future will turn out, so I got Pablo (dog) to my bed and lay&nbsp;down with him. Not only did he relieve my stress, but slowly I started to think more clearly and realised I needn&#39;t worry and could focus better.&rdquo;&nbsp;</p>

<p>But to be a pet owner is one thing and call for a pet therapy session quite another. Is India, with its blanket vision of stereotypes and strong cultural opposition to therapy, ready for this ?<br />
&nbsp;<br />
Animesh confirms, &ldquo;Yes, India is conservative when it comes to therapy but there are two reasons why this hasn&rsquo;t affected our business:<br />
&nbsp;<br />
&ldquo;People hardly understand the scientific relevance attached to pet therapy. To most, it still is just about playing with dogs. Those who find it interesting, give us a call and while they think it&rsquo;s just some time they are spending with dogs, the therapy does its work and leaves a mark without them knowing. As long as our purpose is served, it hardly matters what stereotypes the client has.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Also, not a lot of Indians are conservative about therapy anymore.&rdquo;</p>

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<p>Furry Army&#39;s Angel at Burger King, CP (WION)</p>
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<p>What keeps them going, I ask?</p>

<p>Animesh answers, &ldquo;The unconditional love of the members of our furry army, and the happy, satisfied faces of our clients. When a parent of an autistic child sees her interacting with our pooches and smiling after a long time, his speechlessness and wet eyes give us all the motivation we require to keep it going, despite the hardships.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Aanchal Kalra, a photographer by profession narrates how pet therapy changed her life. She was able to survive a troubled phase in her life after she came in contact with therapy dogs. She says, &ldquo;My dog had passed away and I started remaining sad during most hours of the day. Every other small problem started adding to the agony. It was a really tough time for me. I had gotten that dog (now dead) for myself after suffering from clinical depression for five years. It was difficult to get over that and lead a normal life.</p>

<p>&ldquo;That&#39;s when I went to Pet Fed&#39;16 as a photographer and came across Fur Ball Story&#39;s stall. After the event, I called them for a residential session and it became a regular thing. After a few weeks, I had to shift to Mumbai for work and it seriously wouldn&#39;t have been as smooth as it was, had there not been the existing support and unconditional love of the furry army.&rdquo;</p>

<p><strong>Therapy Training for Dogs</strong></p>

<p>How do the dogs get therapy training?&nbsp;</p>

<p>Animesh explains, &ldquo;The primary requirement of having a therapy dog is, that it must be your pet, it must be your full-time partner in crime. So yes, these dogs are our pets. They live with the founders of the company. We address these dogs as furry army, individually known as Angel (Gold retriever), Muffin (Labrador) and Cocoa (Shih-tzu).&nbsp;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Therapy training is very different from other kinds of training being provided to dogs such as sniffing or protection. In this, the dog is taught two main things: focus and interaction. The dog is trained with a handler, and for that dog, the handler has to become nothing less than a godly figure. And all this is done with the help of treats. We use salami in training our dogs. It&rsquo;s call positive enforcement training or reward-based training.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Therapy training is taught by taking the dogs in public places and teaching him to ignore everyone but their handler. The dog will follow and notice only the handler and when the handler commands the dog to interact with people, the dog does so by sitting next to them so that people pet him.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&ldquo;For a therapy training, the chemistry between the dog and the handler has to be top notch. Therapy dogs are not allowed to bite, bark or lunge as it may scare or worsen the condition of the people, specifically patients such as autistic or other mentally or physically challenged people. (We prefer the term differently abled). Our training is given by Mr. Varun Anand, who is one of the very few people who is internationally certified to train and certify therapy dogs.&rdquo; &nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Human-Animal bond</strong></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

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<h5>Cuddling a pet releases the &lsquo;cuddle chemical&rsquo; oxytocin in both human and pet. This chemical has a calming and soothing effect in both, leading to development of a bond between the two--almost as intense as that between two humans.</h5>
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<p>Several researches indicate that being in proximity with an animal reduces stress substantially and makes one feel lighter.</p>

<p>Millinjyot, a clinical psychologist trained in veterinary medicine says, &ldquo;Studies have been focusing on the fact that interacting with animals can increase people&#39;s level of the &lsquo;hormone oxytocin&rsquo;. Cuddling a pet releases the &lsquo;cuddle chemical&rsquo; oxytocin in both human and pet. This chemical has a calming and soothing effect in both, leading to development of a bond between the two--almost as intense as that between two humans.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Animesh confirms that it&rsquo;s true for his furry friends too, that there has been a considerable change in the nature and mood of his dogs. He says, &ldquo;Our dogs are most happy when they have people around, because that&rsquo;s the way they&rsquo;re trained, so being in sessions is the best time for them.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Studies have continued in this field since a long time. Dr. Aubrey H. Fine, a clinical psychologist and author of several books on human-animal bond can be cited in his books: &ldquo;Use of pets in medical settings actually dates back more than 150 years. One could even look at Florence Nightingale (Founder of modern nursing) recognising that animals provided a level of social support in the institutional care of the mentally ill.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&ldquo;The human-animal bond is a mutually beneficial and dynamic relationship between people and animals that positively influences the health and well-being of both&rdquo;, he adds in his books.&nbsp;</p>

<p>But this exercise must be exhausting for the pets, I ask Animesh?&nbsp;</p>

<p>Animesh ensures, &ldquo;We make sure that the dogs are taken care of even during the sessions--they are given breaks and personal time to relax or sleep. On regulars days, they chill at the house with a family member, or are taken to parks for recreation and exercise. &nbsp;Pre-and post session they&rsquo;re back in the house doing their own thing.&rdquo;</p>

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<p>The Furry Army at Nagarro&#39;s Gurgaon office in a pet therapy session (WION)</p>
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<p><strong>Limitations</strong></p>

<p>Has there been any limitation for a startup like Fur Ball Story while including animals in therapy?</p>

<p>&ldquo;With regard to hospitals, people raise concerns of hygiene but our dogs are fully vaccinated and are given utmost care when it comes to maintaining cleanliness-- as we know our clientele. Another challenge, is to tackle people who might not be receptive to dogs and will object to their presence in the building.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&ldquo;When it comes to bringing the pets to a residence, the only issue is that some people call us in the afternoon and want the session to happen outside in open. We can&rsquo;t do that due to weather issues, obviously. For a therapy session to happen, we always need ample space and an air conditioned environment.&rdquo;</p>

<p><strong>Adopt Pets and Say No to Animal Abuse</strong></p>

<p>With Fur Ball Story, Animesh and his co-founders are trying to build a culture of &ldquo;encourage adoption, increase productivity and decrease animal abuse&rdquo;.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
With an established premise of pet therapy and its benefits to both animals and humans, Fur Ball Story wants to break barriers of just adopting purebred breeds. They want to encourage adoption of indie dogs and discourage abandonment of a furry family member once he or she is old or sick. The startup aims to involve more number of people who can benefit from pet therapy and also increase sensitivity towards animals--lowering rates of animal abuse.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
Animesh says, &ldquo;Upon spending time with a therapy dog, people tend to undergo certain hormonal changes in the body due to which stress reduces, people start feeling happier and thus they end up giving their 100 per cent&nbsp;in whatever work they indulge in. While providing corporate sessions, we advise clients to opt for 3-months long collaboration wherein regular sessions are provided to the employees. This inculcates a feeling of belongingness in employee and he feels like coming to office for something other than money. Such positive changes improve the productivity of the person.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

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<p>A therapy-seeker, Pankaj Gulati is a banker who admits being short-tempered throughout his life. He says, &ldquo;My anger has affected my health at certain times. One day, my son just randomly called Fur Ball Story home with their dogs. I got angry at first but when those little balls of fur approached me with loving eyes and licked me and wagged their tails, I felt something different. It&#39;s hard to explain that feeling--initially I did not support it at all, just kept sitting in a corner but till when can you ignore those eyes. The dogs when they came home, they changed the entire atmosphere. After two to three sessions with those cute dogs, I ended up asking my son to adopt one for our own. My family now believes that playing with the dogs has calmed me down. All I know is that I feel happy around them.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Apart from improving productivity and reducing stress with pet therapy, Fur Ball Story also touches upon an important factor of animal sensitivity. In the wake of several incidents where youngsters all around the country have been seen abusing animals, particularly dogs, it is an important step.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
Animesh says, &ldquo;We are attempting to spread animal sensitivity in India with the help of our sessions. Wherever we go for therapy, apart from telling them the benefits of a therapy dog, we also help them understand how to interact with stray dogs and indies in the neighborhood. We educate kids about the fact that the Indian dogs are not harmful, it&rsquo;s all about how our approach is towards them is, and we make them learn the right approach so that violence against these animals can be reduced.&rdquo; &nbsp;</p>

<p>An organisation like Fur Ball Story in India is one-of-a-kind. The startup is planning on expanding to cities Mumbai and Bangalore, and are also working on coming up with India&rsquo;s first therapy and recreational centre using animal-assisted therapy. Animesh adds, &ldquo;Once we are settled with pet therapy, we might start a range of organic dog food and other healthcare products.&rdquo;&nbsp;</p>

<p>(WION) &nbsp;</p>

<p><br />
&nbsp;</p>


Pet therapy is emerging as a model to help people relax, find comfort, and recover from serious illnesses

The idea of coming home to your pet after a long day at work is one that most would agree as a great stress buster. The West has already been successful in coming up with a concept called Pet Therapy that involves animal-assisted activities or animal-assisted therapy for those dealing with stress and other related issues. Interestingly, the concept is now making its way to a developing country like India where an average middle-class person is constantly juggling between several responsibilities, while making a decent living. Keeping in mind the growing societal pressure on an individual to perform and succeed, a small, yet, bright venture in India called Fur Ball Story is using pet therapy as a model to help people relax, find comfort, recover from serious illnesses and stay happier in general. They also aim to “help those with any form of disability in coming to terms with life and to provide them unconditional love for motivation. At Fur Ball Story, the aim is to alleviate stress at the very basic level so that it does not reach the chronic stages.” Start of a Story It all started when Animesh Katiyar, co-founder Fur Ball Story got two Labrador puppies for recreational purposes. The dogs became an instant hit among his peers and became a source of happiness for first year students who were unable to deal with homesickness, absenteeism, result-related pressure and others. Animesh then researched about the concept and resolved to start something of his own using this model. The startup got registered in September 2016 with two of Animesh’s friends, Srishti Sharma and Arushi Dixit joining him in this endeavor. Animesh says, “If the concept could be successful at such a small-scale (in college), it would probably work wonders at a large-scale. That’s how Fur Ball Story began.” Dishiti Titus, a lawyer who has a dog at home agrees that her pet is her stress buster and mood uplifter. She says, “Sometimes you just need a shoulder to lean on when you're low--no advice, no consoling or sometimes you just need to be alone. Whenever I've been low and I want a break from humans, I go out and sit on the steps of my house. Everytime without fail, I've had muddy paws and a wet nose come inspect. I could scream at my dog and tell her to go away but instead she sits against me and just minds her own business, making sure her presence is felt. My furry friend and her innocent face is a mood lifter. It works every time.” I could scream at my dog and tell her to go away but instead she sits against me and just minds her own business, making sure her presence is felt × Ashutosh Uttarwar, another pet owner says, “It's hard to point at one specific thing that he (dog) does for me but he's been with us for six years and everytime I'm feeling tense or sad, I simply go and hug him. He helps relieve a lot of negativity. Today I was worried about some decisions I had to make and kept freaking out about how the future will turn out, so I got Pablo (dog) to my bed and lay down with him. Not only did he relieve my stress, but slowly I started to think more clearly and realised I needn't worry and could focus better.” But to be a pet owner is one thing and call for a pet therapy session quite another. Is India, with its blanket vision of stereotypes and strong cultural opposition to therapy, ready for this ? Animesh confirms, “Yes, India is conservative when it comes to therapy but there are two reasons why this hasn’t affected our business: “People hardly understand the scientific relevance attached to pet therapy. To most, it still is just about playing with dogs. Those who find it interesting, give us a call and while they think it’s just some time they are spending with dogs, the therapy does its work and leaves a mark without them knowing. As long as our purpose is served, it hardly matters what stereotypes the client has. “Also, not a lot of Indians are conservative about therapy anymore.” Furry Army's Angel at Burger King, CP (WION) × What keeps them going, I ask? Animesh answers, “The unconditional love of the members of our furry army, and the happy, satisfied faces of our clients. When a parent of an autistic child sees her interacting with our pooches and smiling after a long time, his speechlessness and wet eyes give us all the motivation we require to keep it going, despite the hardships.” Aanchal Kalra, a photographer by profession narrates how pet therapy changed her life. She was able to survive a troubled phase in her life after she came in contact with therapy dogs. She says, “My dog had passed away and I started remaining sad during most hours of the day. Every other small problem started adding to the agony. It was a really tough time for me. I had gotten that dog (now dead) for myself after suffering from clinical depression for five years. It was difficult to get over that and lead a normal life. “That's when I went to Pet Fed'16 as a photographer and came across Fur Ball Story's stall. After the event, I called them for a residential session and it became a regular thing. After a few weeks, I had to shift to Mumbai for work and it seriously wouldn't have been as smooth as it was, had there not been the existing support and unconditional love of the furry army.” Therapy Training for Dogs How do the dogs get therapy training? Animesh explains, “The primary requirement of having a therapy dog is, that it must be your pet, it must be your full-time partner in crime. So yes, these dogs are our pets. They live with the founders of the company. We address these dogs as furry army, individually known as Angel (Gold retriever), Muffin (Labrador) and Cocoa (Shih-tzu). “Therapy training is very different from other kinds of training being provided to dogs such as sniffing or protection. In this, the dog is taught two main things: focus and interaction. The dog is trained with a handler, and for that dog, the handler has to become nothing less than a godly figure. And all this is done with the help of treats. We use salami in training our dogs. It’s call positive enforcement training or reward-based training. “Therapy training is taught by taking the dogs in public places and teaching him to ignore everyone but their handler. The dog will follow and notice only the handler and when the handler commands the dog to interact with people, the dog does so by sitting next to them so that people pet him. “For a therapy training, the chemistry between the dog and the handler has to be top notch. Therapy dogs are not allowed to bite, bark or lunge as it may scare or worsen the condition of the people, specifically patients such as autistic or other mentally or physically challenged people. (We prefer the term differently abled). Our training is given by Mr. Varun Anand, who is one of the very few people who is internationally certified to train and certify therapy dogs.” Human-Animal bond Cuddling a pet releases the ‘cuddle chemical’ oxytocin in both human and pet. This chemical has a calming and soothing effect in both, leading to development of a bond between the two--almost as intense as that between two humans. × Several researches indicate that being in proximity with an animal reduces stress substantially and makes one feel lighter. Millinjyot, a clinical psychologist trained in veterinary medicine says, “Studies have been focusing on the fact that interacting with animals can increase people's level of the ‘hormone oxytocin’. Cuddling a pet releases the ‘cuddle chemical’ oxytocin in both human and pet. This chemical has a calming and soothing effect in both, leading to development of a bond between the two--almost as intense as that between two humans.” Animesh confirms that it’s true for his furry friends too, that there has been a considerable change in the nature and mood of his dogs. He says, “Our dogs are most happy when they have people around, because that’s the way they’re trained, so being in sessions is the best time for them.” Studies have continued in this field since a long time. Dr. Aubrey H. Fine, a clinical psychologist and author of several books on human-animal bond can be cited in his books: “Use of pets in medical settings actually dates back more than 150 years. One could even look at Florence Nightingale (Founder of modern nursing) recognising that animals provided a level of social support in the institutional care of the mentally ill.” “The human-animal bond is a mutually beneficial and dynamic relationship between people and animals that positively influences the health and well-being of both”, he adds in his books. But this exercise must be exhausting for the pets, I ask Animesh? Animesh ensures, “We make sure that the dogs are taken care of even during the sessions--they are given breaks and personal time to relax or sleep. On regulars days, they chill at the house with a family member, or are taken to parks for recreation and exercise. Pre-and post session they’re back in the house doing their own thing.” The Furry Army at Nagarro's Gurgaon office in a pet therapy session (WION) × Limitations Has there been any limitation for a startup like Fur Ball Story while including animals in therapy? “With regard to hospitals, people raise concerns of hygiene but our dogs are fully vaccinated and are given utmost care when it comes to maintaining cleanliness-- as we know our clientele. Another challenge, is to tackle people who might not be receptive to dogs and will object to their presence in the building. “When it comes to bringing the pets to a residence, the only issue is that some people call us in the afternoon and want the session to happen outside in open. We can’t do that due to weather issues, obviously. For a therapy session to happen, we always need ample space and an air conditioned environment.” Adopt Pets and Say No to Animal Abuse With Fur Ball Story, Animesh and his co-founders are trying to build a culture of “encourage adoption, increase productivity and decrease animal abuse”. With an established premise of pet therapy and its benefits to both animals and humans, Fur Ball Story wants to break barriers of just adopting purebred breeds. They want to encourage adoption of indie dogs and discourage abandonment of a furry family member once he or she is old or sick. The startup aims to involve more number of people who can benefit from pet therapy and also increase sensitivity towards animals--lowering rates of animal abuse. Animesh says, “Upon spending time with a therapy dog, people tend to undergo certain hormonal changes in the body due to which stress reduces, people start feeling happier and thus they end up giving their 100 per cent in whatever work they indulge in. While providing corporate sessions, we advise clients to opt for 3-months long collaboration wherein regular sessions are provided to the employees. This inculcates a feeling of belongingness in employee and he feels like coming to office for something other than money. Such positive changes improve the productivity of the person.” I got angry at first but when those little balls of fur approached me with loving eyes and licked me and wagged their tails, I felt something different × A therapy-seeker, Pankaj Gulati is a banker who admits being short-tempered throughout his life. He says, “My anger has affected my health at certain times. One day, my son just randomly called Fur Ball Story home with their dogs. I got angry at first but when those little balls of fur approached me with loving eyes and licked me and wagged their tails, I felt something different. It's hard to explain that feeling--initially I did not support it at all, just kept sitting in a corner but till when can you ignore those eyes. The dogs when they came home, they changed the entire atmosphere. After two to three sessions with those cute dogs, I ended up asking my son to adopt one for our own. My family now believes that playing with the dogs has calmed me down. All I know is that I feel happy around them.” Apart from improving productivity and reducing stress with pet therapy, Fur Ball Story also touches upon an important factor of animal sensitivity. In the wake of several incidents where youngsters all around the country have been seen abusing animals, particularly dogs, it is an important step. Animesh says, “We are attempting to spread animal sensitivity in India with the help of our sessions. Wherever we go for therapy, apart from telling them the benefits of a therapy dog, we also help them understand how to interact with stray dogs and indies in the neighborhood. We educate kids about the fact that the Indian dogs are not harmful, it’s all about how our approach is towards them is, and we make them learn the right approach so that violence against these animals can be reduced.” An organisation like Fur Ball Story in India is one-of-a-kind. The startup is planning on expanding to cities Mumbai and Bangalore, and are also working on coming up with India’s first therapy and recreational centre using animal-assisted therapy. Animesh adds, “Once we are settled with pet therapy, we might start a range of organic dog food and other healthcare products.” (WION)

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