Golfer enjoyed different type of birdie – when parrot joined game
By Izzy Hawksworth and Sarah Marshall
A stunned golfer has told of how he enjoyed a different type of birdie – when a parrot joined him on the green.
Tom Kelson, 31, was enjoying a game of golf with dad Pete Kelson and father-in-law Steve Jessop, when they spotted a bright green bird in the trees.
The parrot then flew over to the trio at Tinsley Golf Course in Sheffield, South Yorks,. and perched on their shoulders as they attempted to take their shots.
The funny footage shows the group playing the game and walking around the course, while the parrot sat on them.
Tom said: “It flew over and I gave the parrot a bit of my cereal bar and it wouldn’t leave us alone.
“It would fly back to the trees but then fly back to one of us – it ended up landed on all of our shoulders.
“The parrot was that comfortable so it stayed on our shoulders as we were playing.
“We just found it really and we just knew it was a once in a lifetime thing to happen, especially because we were playing a game of golf.”
While the group were still playing, Tom went on Facebook and discovered the bird had escaped from a nearby salon a couple of days before.
But luckily, he managed to help the owner reunite with his pet.
Tom said: “I think the parrot sits on his owner’s shoulder as he’s cutting hair but had blown out one day.
“He went over to Tinsley but when he was there, the parrot had left at this point but we pointed him in the right direction.
“We were packing our things up in the car park and saw that they had been reunited.”
Pampered pooch rocks $20k designer wardrobe – and struts down runways all over the globe
By Katie Storrie
Meet the pampered dog who has a wardrobe of custom-made designer clothes worth $20k - and struts down runways all over the globe.
Tika, a 12-year-old Italian Greyhound, loves to get dressed up in stylish outfits and attend glamorous events - such as Paris, New York and Milan fashion week - with her owner Thomas Sharpio, 32.
Tika is spoilt and has a wardrobe of 400 items - as well as being treated to a raw and fresh diet.
Thomas and his partner, Louis, 36 also have a one-year old Italian greyhound called Kala who they also dress up- and they both share a king sized bed with the couple.
Thomas, a full time content creator, from Montreal, Canada, said: “All of her clothes are custom made.
“They can range anywhere from £60 to £100 pounds per item.
“Most dress are worth between £100 to £300.
“I like that she is a bit of a trend setter."
Thomas and Louis, a project manager, have always dressed Tika up in clothes - as the climate in Montreal is often very cold.
Thomas said: “Breeds like Greyhounds are like humans, she had a wardrobe before we even started sharing photo’s online.
“We live in Canada and it is always cold and rainy.
“You have to be prepared."
Thomas began posting Tika's outfits online in 2016 and she has now worked with big fashion brands such as Boss, Dior, Channel, Fendi and Vogue.
She has also had the opportunity to walk down the catwalk at fashion weeks across the world.
Thomas has all Tika's outfits custom made - and has taken inspiration from the likes of Lady Gaga, Celine Dion and Cher.
He said: "I get most of my inspiration from current runways, but also from people like Lady Gaga, Celine Dion and Cher - you know the icons."
Day to day Tika wears more practical clothing and layers up in a onesie, overcoat, boots, hat and snood.
Thomas said: “When picking an outfit it can vary. If it is day to day we aim for comfort.
"For her she is wearing a onesie, she is very used to it."
Younger pooch Kala is also ready to follow in Tika's footsteps when she retires.
Thomas said: “When Tika is ready to retire, after all she is 12, Kala will take over.
“She is really not slowing down though and we won't ever force her."
Tika and Kala have a strict diet to ensure they stay fit, healthy and camera ready.
Their diet consist of food full of proteins and high fibres.
Thomas said: "We always feed them freeze dry raw food.
“The girls love it and they are in great shape.
“We give them supplements and we give them fresh veggies and fruit."
Tika and Kala can sleep for up to 21 hours a day and have 12 dog beds throughout the house - but curl up in the couple's bed at night.
Thomas said: "They sleep in a kings size bed with me and my husband.
“They are always looking for heat, they love to be near you.
Thomas and Louis also have two children together - Harrison, two and Eleanor, one - and says the pair love the dogs and where they wear matching outfits.
Thomas believes Tika is a "trend setter" and "icon".
He said: “Other dogs are now dressing up - I think Tika started this thing.
“When you go into a store there are more options for dogs, than there were five to six years ago.”
With other 400 items of clothing it is estimated they are worth more than $20k.
Thomas however gets the majority of this for free, due to the sponsorships he has.
Thomas spends an average of 60 dollars a week on food.
"I spend about $500 dollar's every two months."
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Mouse hops right up to wildlife photographer and poses for pictures
By Samuel Wightwick
This is the amazing moment a mouse hopped right up to a wildlife photographer to pose for pictures.
Jeffery Cassiers, 39, couldn't believe his luck when the playful rodent approached him while on a family holiday in Norway.
As he and his family were walking back to their rented cabin after a visit to the lake, they noticed the tiny creature coming closer to them.
Jeffery, from De Panne in Belgium, said: "I spotted the mouse coming from the bushes and it seemed to keep getting closer and closer so I laid down on my belly to get the perfect shots.
"I’m no mouse expert so I’m not sure if its normal for mice to come up to people.
"I’ve never encountered a mouse before so that was quite a unique moment for me especially as it came nearer and nearer which provided me with the excellent shots I could take."
Jeffery takes photos of wildlife as a hobby between his day job of running a vape shop six days a week.
He described his encounter with the mouse as his greatest wildlife moment of the year.
He explained: "Normally when I go out to shoot pictures, you’re looking out for animals and it's hard to find them.
"Even if you do find them they’re mostly shy when they notice you they run or fly away.
"This was the first time that something walked towards me, that’s why it was so unique to me with the cute little mouse.
"We all had a lot of fun with this moment."
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Hero dog saves neighbourhood by sniffing out huge gas leak
By Leo Black and Samuel Wightwick
A pet dog saved his neighbourhood after discovering a gas leak in his owner's front yard.
Kobe, a four-year-old husky, was able to alert his owner about the leak by digging a large hole.
Owner Chanell Bell, 28, initially didn't think much of it but as the hole got bigger, she figured Kobe was trying to tell her something.
Chanell, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, said: "I trust his judgment because that isn’t his typical behaviour and he is usually right.
"He has great senses and he never digs holes unless he is helping me dig.
"We’ve been here at our new home for a while now and he never digs holes without me, so I knew something was up."
Chanell had had a gas leak in the house earlier in December so she decided to take out her gas detection device.
Chanell, a business owner, said: "The hole looked ominous. It was very big and you could see that it showed under the sidewalk.
"I had a reader already in the house to make sure there were no leaks coming from my old heater.
"When saw the hole and realized it was odd behavior for my dog. My intuition told me to check it."
Immediately, the reading detected gas.
Chanell alerted authorities who informed her that if Kobe hadn't detected the leak when he did on December 21, the consequences could have been catastrophic.
Channel said: "If it wasn't detected and the gas continued to leak into our homes.
"We were told it could've caused serious health effects like respiratory issues, brain damage and even death.
"They told me that something as simple as a light switch turning on could've caused an explosion too!"
The gas foreman and crew immediately turned off her gas and got to work.
The age of the pipes and rust had caused three main gas leaks in Chanell's neighbourhood.
All in all, the gas engineers worked three and a half days straight to resolves the leaks and fit new pipes.
Channel said: "When they [the engineers] arrived, they were so impressed with Kobe and mentioned what a good dog he was."
Channel feels indebted to Kobe and believes that you should always listen to your animals and their senses.
She said: "It feels amazing to know Kobe saved our block, I am very thankful to have him.
"I hope that this spreads awareness to others about the dangers and severity of gas leaks and to pay attention to your fur babies!"
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Lucky hyena barely escapes being eaten by hippo!
By Safia Azizi
A lucky hyena narrowly escaped being eaten by an angry hippo - that it mistook for being dead.
Safari guide Carlos Ismail was leading a tour in Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania, when he spotted an opportunistic scavenger wading through some water.
Tense footage shows the hyena creeping up on the behind of a seemingly immobile hippo half submerged under the algae.
Suddenly the hyena turned tail and just in time as the hippo swung its huge body around and chased it from the water almost catching it in its powerful jaws.
Carlos said: “This hyena was very lucky. It was on its own and I think it thought that the hippo was dead and would be an easy meal.
“It just managed to escape in time before it was caught in the hippo’s huge jaws. It barely managed to make it to dry land.
“I have been a guide now for nine years and have never seen anything like this before. Although I have seen the same hippo chase after a lioness.
“They are not scared of anything!”
The footage was filmed on November 1 last year.
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Dad wears muzzle in solidarity with his XL bully in protest
By Josie Adnitt
A dad held a one-man protest over new XL bully laws by drinking in his local pub - with a muzzle on.
Eamonn Mcgeady, 51, and six-month-old dog Lexi wore matching protective guards on their visit to the Straw Hat.
Once inside Eamonn sat down at the bar, ordered a pint - and drank it through a straw.
His daughter Elle, 19, said he did it to make a point about new legislation on the breed - and left her feeling proud.
She visited the pub along with her dad and dog on New Year's Day.
Elle, an apprentice engineer from Chester, said: "I just don't agree with the muzzle.
"We’d be happy enough to walk her on a lead but we’re not happy with the muzzle - it’s just not nice to see.
“She hides when going on a walk now because she knows she has to wear it.
"Other dogs want to bully her now that she’s on a lead with a muzzle on.
“Before people would come up and give her a stroke and a pat but now we’re getting more evil looks off people instead.
“We got to the pub and everyone was laughing about it - I was proud [of him] and happy to see him wearing it.
"Dad was drinking pints using a straw through the muzzle and getting on the floor with Lexi to play around with her.
“He wanted to show her there was a person was wearing it and it wasn’t just for her.
"The people we walked past were praising him for it, saying it showed he’s good owner.”
The Government announced a host of law changes around XL bullys after a spate of deadly attacks in 2023.
It became a legal requirement for the dogs to wear a muzzle in public on New Year's Eve.
It is now also illegal to breed, sell, advertise, gift, exchange, abandon or let XL bully dogs stray.
And, from February 1, XL bullys will be banned - unless registered before the deadline.
A Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs statement said: "Owners are also being urged to apply to register their current XL bully dogs, as the Government takes action to safely manage the existing population of the breed.
"There is only a month left to meet the deadline when the ban comes into force on 1 February.
"Owning an unregistered dog after this date will be a criminal offence, with owners who don’t facing a criminal record and an unlimited fine.
"Owners who do not want to keep their dogs after this date should take them to a vet to have them put down. "
Elle and boyfriend Nathan Morrissey, 18, a plasterer, bought Lexi in August 2023 - just weeks before the new legislation was announced.
And they say the pup used to love visiting the pub and socialising with dogs and humans alike.
But that now Lexi is forced to wear a muzzle, Elle says the pooch no longer wants attention, preferring to be left alone to lie down when visiting their local.
And while she agrees that some restrictions are needed, she says she believes it’s unfair to have to muzzle her family pet.
Elle said: “Every time we take her for a walk she’s hurting herself trying to scratch it off.
“[Dad was wearing the muzzle to] show people who think these dogs have a bad reputation that they’re not actually that bad and it’s not fair.
“We completely disagree with the rules, we agree that something needed to happen because of the amount of attacks that were happening, some action should have been taken.
“We've only had Lexi for about four months, and we want her life to be as playful and joyful as we can make it.
“It’s sad to see that she’s so young and for rest of her life she won’t experience being off lead again.”
Eamonn did not want to be interviewed for the story.
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Woman's 47 ferrets live large in the ultimate 'ferret mansion'
By Samuel Wightwick
A woman owns nearly 50 pet ferrets who all live in their own "ferret mansion" - complete with mini-beds, hammocks and slides.
Rosie Stubbs, 31, has acquired 47 through breeding, rescuing and her own collection.
Rosie has had ferrets ever since she was 12 and once had a staggering 85 of them at her home.
When she left her family's farm five years ago, Rosie moved into a property in Bilsthorpe, Nottinghamshire that had a large outhouse.
She filled the 35 sq ft building with everything a ferret could wish and dubbed it the "ferret mansion".
She said: “The mansion’s got mini-beds, hammocks, slides, tubes and swings. Anything you can think of!
“It’s split into two sections. One side is full of hutches for when rescues come in and the other half is where my ferrets live.”
Rosie said her love for the animal came from her father, who used them on his farm.
"I just love them. They can be so loving," she added.
Even with all of these luxuries, she said it is hard to stop them getting bored so is always looking for ways to keep them entertained.
She said: "I'm very up for going to car boot sales and finding things second hand for the ferrets to play with.
"It helps the environment and you can always find quirky things for the ferrets to enjoy.
"I found this bean bag for £3 and thought they would like it
"Then when it got all grimy, I decided to take all of the beans out and have a ball party. They loved it!
“We tried feathers too, but they didn’t like them as much.”
As well as having her own group of ferrets, Rosie has been breeding the rarer variety of Angora ferrets for 17 years.
Angora ferrets are pretty much the same as their regular counterparts aside from their coat, which makes them much more sought after.
Rosie said: "The thing people like them for specifically is their coat. Angora ferrets are so much fluffier than regular ferrets.
"I love breeding them and seeing what kind of coats they are going to come out with. It's cool when you get some unusual ones."
Rosie spends approximately £200 a month on upkeep but it can go up and down depending on how many she has.
She added: "They're great pets for working people as they actually sleep 20-22 hours a day.
"Having said that, they do go to toilet about 10-12 times a day and I have to clean their cages out very often."
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Hero saves woman and girl, three, from trapped sinking car
By Adam Dutton
A hero dad has told how he saved a woman and her three-year-old daughter after he saw their car being swept away in a flooded river.
Liam Stych, 28, leapt into the raging torrent after hearing the woman screaming “Help me, help me, please save my baby!”
Dramatic video shows the woman’s car being dragged under a footbridge as floods surged through Hall Green in Birmingham.
The fearless dad dangled off the bridge and smashed the rear passenger window and used ratchet straps to lash the woman’s Fiat Punto to railings to stop it sinking.
Incredibly, he saved the little girl by "hurling" her into the lap of his pregnant partner Tia Draper, 27, who was standing on the bridge.
West Midlands Police hailed Liam a “local hero” but the modest dad-of-two insisted he just acted “on instinct”.
He said: “My partner is five months pregnant so we went out for a walk for some exercise.
“We were walking over a bridge and I heard a woman screaming from inside a car.
“She was shouting ‘Help me, help me, please save my baby she’s in the back!’
“The front of her car was pointing down into the water so I dangled off the bridge but was careful not to put any more weight on the car in case it sank.
“I told the woman to remain calm and unwind her window and to hand me her child.
“I said to her ‘Give me babbie’s hand, I’ll get her out’.
"The woman could only get her window half-way down so I took the babbie and literally hurled her behind me and into the lap of Tia who was on the bridge.”
The roadworks engineer and traffic manager then sprinted back to his work van and grabbed a set of 3.5 tonne ratchet straps.
He said: “Once the babbie was safe I ran to get the straps and climbed back to the car and smashed the back passenger window.
“I secured the car to the bridge with the ratchet straps so it wouldn’t drift any further under the bridge.
“I then told the woman to climb into the back and get out the window.
“She managed to get out and we then held hands and just jumped together into the water after a count of three.
“It was about 5ft deep but was really strong and I dragged her out of the water.
“The ambulance crew turned up and checked her and the child over.
“I think if I hadn’t done what I did the car would have been dragged under the bridge and there would have been no way of getting them out.”
Liam, who has two children from a previous relationship, said he wanted people to understand the lethal danger of floods.
He said: “It was pure luck that we were there when it happened.
"I didn't think about what I was doing, I just acted on instinct.
“The poor lady has lost her car and her shopping which was in the back but she and her daughter could have lost their lives.
“People don’t understand how powerful floods can be.
“It’d been raining heavily but the roads suddenly turned into rivers and the streams turned into raging rivers.
“I just managed to stay calm and thought clearly about what needed to be done.
“I didn’t want to make the situation worse by panicking and sinking the car with my weight. My only thought was to get them both out safely.”
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"Annual strategy meetings transformed our marriage"
By Leo Black
A couple who have annual strategy meetings to plan the year ahead say their marriage has never been better.
Husband and wife Durelle and Samantha Bailey, both 29, go to an industrious office space every year in Washington, D.C. and hold a two-hour strategy session.
In the meetings, they each set out their goals and lay out plans on how to complete them.
Both Durelle and Samantha, who live in the US capital, say their annual strategy meetings have improved their relationship and their marriage.
Durelle said: "It's been overwhelmingly positive.
"It's something we've been doing for years and we're seeing other couples and single people do the same thing.
"We've done well at quite a young age and we attribute this to the mentality behind the meetings."
The meetings, which are their fourth year running, were initially inspired by the couple's corporate life.
They focus on finance, travel, family and personal and professional development.
The couple even have a spreadsheet, which is complete with categories and budget calculations.
Samantha, who owns a marketing company with Durelle, said: "Working in corporate, I was able to see how businesses do it.
"I liked the direction and accountability. Everyone has a piece of the business they own. They know what is expected of them and what the plan is to achieve the goal."
The couple's plans are set out in advance, which prevents clashes in their schedules, which means they are always able to support each other.
Durelle said: "It's an opportunity to get in lock-step with each other, offer support and ask: 'how can I help you achieve your goals'."
Samantha added: "It’s made for a healthier relationship between us. It helps save our quality time and avoid conflict."
The couple also pitch their ideas to each other and ensure they set themselves 'SMART' goals - a known acronym to guide the setting of goals.
Durelle said: "We challenge each other to make sure we don't overextend ourselves.
"We try to make sure we have 'SMART' goals: specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and timely."
While the meetings may seem sterile and clinical from the outside, Samantha says they are in practice very positive.
She said: "If anything, this prevents conflict. The majority of these meetings have been very positive and fun.
"We have a lot of exciting things going on in our lives and the meetings are a great way to stay on track and continue progressing every year
"We don't run our marriage like a business.
"Our marriage is very intimate and loving but you have to be intentional and strategic in this economy and with the way the world is going."
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Newly public domain Mickey Mouse appears in horrifying video game
By Dean Murray
Mickey Mouse may have only just become public domain, but the character has already appeared in a horror video game.
Steamboat Willie, a 1928 cartoon featuring an early version of the iconic rodent, entered the public domain in the United States on January 1, 2024.
Game developers have been quick to capitilise with a gruesome take on the mouse in the title Infestation: Origins.
The game sees a terrifying version of Mickey lurking in the shadows of a warehouse facility.
Up to four players are tasked with acting as exterminators tackling an "outbreak of vermin in various locations".
Game company Nightmare Forge Games say the title "places players in the role of specialist exterminators responding to infestations in various locations."
They add: "The 1928 Steamboat Willie animation short entering the public domain has allowed us to include our own derivation of the film's starring character in our game, which fits perfectly as an antagonist causing an infestation.
"However, rather than focusing on any one particular antagonist, the game will include multiple twisted versions of classic characters and urban legends. For example, another infestation players will need to overcome is caused by the Mothman, inspired by the urban legend popularised in West Virginian folklore."
Despite Steamboat Willie becoming public domain, later versions of Mickey Mouse are still protected by copyright law.
Disney said in a statement: "More modern versions of Mickey will remain unaffected by the expiration of the Steamboat Willie copyright, and Mickey will continue to play a leading role as a global ambassador for the Walt Disney Company in our storytelling, theme park attractions, and merchandise.
"We will, of course, continue to protect our rights in the more modern versions of Mickey Mouse and other works that remain subject to copyright."
Infestation: Origins is available to pre-order on gaming platform Steam.
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