Before You Go

Pull the udder one

Last week we brought you news of an unusual Valentine’s Day gift for the animal lover in your life. However, if a £999 matching necklace and dog tag is out of your price range then fear not.

The Gentle Barn, an American non-profit animal rescue and sanctuary, will let you send a virtual “cow hug” to that special someone for only $10 (£7.50).

These “moo-ving” (their pun, not ours) Valentines support the Gentle Barn’s cow hug therapy programme which helps trauma victims de-stress and find emotional solace and healing in a safe place.

Which is all very laudable. Times are hard and charities are struggling to make ends meet just like everyone else.

However, one can’t help but think that there will be sharp uptick in the number of (blunt force) trauma victims wandering about dazed and confused come 14 February after their partners, anticipating a box of Milk Tray at the very least, open a personalised digital greeting from Chico the cow.

TAKE A BITE OUT OF TYSON

Online vegan supermarket the Vegan Kind has unleashed Tyson the Chihuahua, a new cake which promises to help people lower their daily carbon footprint and fund a campaign to reduce testing on animals.

The cake includes only animal-free ingredients which are friendly to the planet and are also ethically sourced and crueltyfree. It has been inspired by Tyson the Chihuahua, the ironically-named family pet of Vegan Kind owners Scott and Karris McCulloch.

Mind you, Tyson does look like he’s a bit of a heavyweight, for a chihuahua.

Ten pence from every purchase will go to Animal Free Research UK, a fundraiser hoping to create a world where human diseases are cured faster without any animal suffering.

What’s more, a tree will be planted for every order placed. And for that, dogs everywhere will be eternally grateful.