Horses & dogs

HORSES and dogs may have arrived in Britain with the Vikings, new research has shown.

and not treated in time.

Animal welfare associations warn that contact with the caterpillar can cause necrosis of the tongue in dogs if they lick or bite the insect, or if they accidentally step on it and then lick their paw to stop the itch.

Symptoms to look out for depend on the site of contact and can include excess salivation, reddening and swelling in the affected area.

Dog owners are strongly advised to avoid areas with pine trees at least between February and May, or alternatively to keep their pets on a short leash and not allow them to wander off.

According to the BBC, recent analysis of bone remains from the ninth century has revealed that Vikings sailing from Scandinavia to England brought horses, dogs and perhaps even pigs with them.

It is now believed that the animals travelled on Viking longboats across the North Sea, a journey that could take several weeks. Horses were said to be smaller then than they are now, which can explain how they were made to fit on board the ships.

This would contradict previous beliefs that invading Vikings largely stole animals from villages in Britain.

The findings also reportedly provide evidence that Viking leaders had a close relationship with their animals.

Bone fragments found on funeral pyres in Heath Wood, Derbyshire ­ the only known large Scandinavian cremation site in Britain ­ show that the animals were burned together with their owners, and were therefore more important to the Vikings than merely being used for economic purposes.

The findings were published in the scientific journal PLOS ONE.

Feeding time

AM I feeding my pet correctly?

THERE are now more pets in European households than children.

A survey undertaken by phone giant, Samsung, shows that close to two­thirds (63 per cent) of pet owners consider their pets as beloved family members.

The survey shows that tech­savvy owners would like to be able to use technology to clean up after their pets using vacuum cleaners (53 per cent), keep them fed using automatic feeders (49 per cent) and use location trackers to monitor their movements (48 per cent).

At a time when households are facing the ongoing cost­ofliving crisis, pet owners aren’t looking to compromise when it comes to their pets.

A huge 59 per cent of surveyed respondents said they do not plan to cut down on overall spending for their pets ­ while a majority (61 per cent) said they would make other sacrifices first before they consider cutting back the amount they spend on their pets.

Some owners stated they would reduce their spending on everything from necessities such as utilities (27 per cent) and socialising with friends (40 per cent) before cutting back their spending on their animal companions.

This has always been one of the main concerns for owners, who can become confused and overwhelmed with the sheer amount of different options and conflicting advice available today.

A growing trend reported recently shows that vegan and vegetarian pet owners are increasingly trying to change their pets’ diet to plant­based products ­ which can be dangerous for the animals’ health.

Dogs and cats are carnivorous by nature. Experts suggest that dogs must be fed on a predominantly meat­based diet but can live on vegetable­based products, while cats are strictly carnivorous and cannot survive without animalbased food, as well as having higher protein requirements than most mammals.

Pet food manufacturers reveal that the ideal menu for dogs consists of 80 per cent meat and 20 per cent fruits and vegetables, while cats need at least 95 per cent meat and 5 per cent fruit and vegetables.

A 2020 Spanish study also revealed that owners who are conscientious about eating healthily themselves are also more likely to feed their pets with higher quality products.

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CARE HOME

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS IS ALCOHOL COSTING YOU MORE THAN MONEY? Drinking to excess not only affects your health it can spill over into every other aspect of your life - damaging everything that is important to you. Englishspeaking AA meetings are held throughout the Costa Blanca from Valencia City to Murcia. Anyone wishing to attend a meeting or discuss a possible drinking problem contact Costa Blanca North: 648 169 045 or Costa Blanca South: 625 912 078 or Costa Calida 679 385 105 All calls are treated in the strictest confidence. AA in German: 645 456 075; Spanish: 679 212 535; Flemish: 635 047 053; and Scandinavian: 659 779 222. www.aa-costablan ca.org (93323)

CAMPELLO CONTRA CANCER in conjunction with AECC Association Español Contra Cancer. Please support your local Cancer charity and if you wish to obtain literature or simply talk to someone. Please contact Mina or Trisha. Tel 650 071 278 or 610 921 413 e-mail aecc_campello@hotmail.com

CANCER SUPPORT GROUP (MABS) MURCIA/MAR MENOR

Help and support is just a phone call away, Avda Rio Nalón, Tel: 693 275 779 (95462)

CHURCH SERVICE IN ENGLISH Tel: 950 617 549 www.giving light.com.(10006)

CARS FOR SALE

FREEMASONRY. Are you aware that Freemasonry is thriving on the Costa Blanca? There are various Lodges meeting up throughout the Valencia region. If you already are a Mason or simply wish to know more about Freemasonry in Spain please contact sec@ glpvalencia.com Tel 600 841 064

HELP VEGA BAJA. We are a nonprofit making organisation that helps and supports anyone, without prejudice, in times of need or crisis within the Vega Baja area. Our offices are based in San Miguel at Calle Lope de Vega 46 (Tel 966 723 733), Torrevieja at Rambla Juan Mateo Garcia 4 (Tel 965 704 282). We are online at www.helpvegabaja.com and also on Facebook. You can email the San Miguel Centre at office@helpvegabaja.com. We also have a 24-hour Emergency helpline which is available to both members and non-members on 966 723 733 (95456)

CARAVANS

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LA SIESTA EVANGELICAL CHURCH on Urbanisation La Siesta, Torrevieja is a friendly, Englishspeaking church. For more information, including details of our services, see our website www.lasiestaevangelicalchurch.org (10005)

PHILIP SCOTT LODGE No 10671 of the RAOB. Please call the secretary, Colin Bird on 693 287 614 for further information. (95459)

PILAR CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY CHURCH. All welcome from any church background or none. For further information, www. pilarchurch.org Reg No: 2009SG/A (95463)

ROYAL Air Force Association Costa Blanca Registered Members Group: The RAFA Costa Blanca RMG replaces the RAFA Costa Blanca Branch 1359 which is now closed. The RMG is a social group of caring people and remains affiliated to the parent Association. Contact with the Royal Air Force Association and the RMG can be made via the RAFA website rafa.org.uk. Tel:0044 800 018 2361. (238593)

ROYAL BRITISH LEGION - Why not make this year the year you volunteer? See how you can help either as a caseworker (with full training) or as a Telephone Buddy. We also visit beneficiaries who are housebound or in hospital. If you feel you could support us here in Spain, and you have a Spanish phone number then why not email us for more info tbuddyhhvisits@gmail.com. If you or your partner served or are serving, and you feel you need help or support then contact us using the details on the card, we are here for the small things as well as the big, sometimes talking to someone is the first step to feeling more in control. It can be a personal need or some help with your home or information on what or who to speak to on a medical issue, we help with signposting if we cannot help directly, just call and have a chat with Pam who will try to guide you to where you need to be. If you would like to go to a branch meeting then find your nearest one at, http://branches.britishlegion.org. uk/branches/orihuela-costa - co vering from Punta Prima to San Javier. More info can be found on branch website www.orihuela costarbl.co.uk. (95457)

ROYAL BRITISH LEGION Gran

INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN ASSEMBLY, TORREVIEJA Calle Beniajan 16, Torrevieja 03185, Alicante Evangelical non-denominational church. Sunday morning Services at 11.00am. All nationalities welcome - Contact 966 752 543 / 966 799 273. For other church matters phone: 966 799 273 / /617 215 463 www.icatorre vieja.org (95476) the Royal Marines. For further details contact Hon Sec P S Wilkins Tel: 966 194 158 email: inkin spain@yahoo.co.uk (10004)

ROYAL NAVAL ASSOCIATION For information please contact Chairman Anthony Jenkins +34 693 866 709, Vice Chairman Dusty Miller +34 711 006 670, Secretary Mike Cockman +34 670 224 822, Treasurer Carl Louden +34 678 518 202, email rnatorrevieja @aol.com (95455)

STROKE ASSOCIATION Spain (formally known as Torrevieja stroke support) Our aim is to help and support stroke survivors and their carers, with rehabilitation, speech therapy, OC therapy and a very active social group. For info please contact 653 588 475 English and 620 907 474 Spanish or email strokesupportgroup@ hotmail.com, website: torreviejas trokesupport.org. We are always looking for volunteers who have the skills and knowledge to support. (95473)

THE AIRCREW ASSOCIATION COSTA BLANCA BRANCH. Former & serving aircrews of the UK or Allied Armed Forces are welcome to join this convivial & friendly organisation, now in its 21st year. www.acacostablanca.org or call the Secretary on: 966 495 042 (95465)

THE ANGLICAN CHURCH, La Fustera. For more info: contact Frank Bentley on 966 495 188. (95461)

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MASSAGE

Alacant & La Marina Branch. For info, contact the branch Secretary at granalacant.secretary@rbl. community

ROYAL MARINES ASSOCIATION

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CHARITY

MOVERS AND SHAKERS We are a non-profit organisation that supports people and their families with neurological diseases such as; HUNTINGTON’S, ATAXIA, MOTOR NEURONE, MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS and PARKINSON’S. Our MOVERS AND SHAKERS CLUB held every Friday @ 1pm – 3pm, is a chance for members to meet up socially, for a drink and a chat on a full range of topics and to

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