They say that dogs are a man’s best friends, and who can argue when this clever hound has learned to open her owner’s fridge and pick up a beverage on command. She also fetches creature comforts such as slippers and blankets and can even empty the washing machine.

‘If I come in from work after a hard day and Kalula fetches me a beer, it makes everything seem so much better,’ said owner Nicole Jennings. ‘I attached a tea towel to the handle of the fridge, which Kalula tugs at to open the door.

‘She always closes it behind her, though.’

So take note grotty teenagers of Britain, if your too lazy to help around the house invest in a pooch like Kalula – I cant guarantee they can do your homework though..

Read more: http://www.metro.co.uk/weird/869259-kalula-the-booze-hound-probably-the-best-dog-in-the-world-#ixzz1S4HacQir

Photo: babygood.com

My recent days have been spent surfing the interweb for a flat to share in the city, somewhere to call home and be able to enjoy the London experience without the 2 hour commute home.

Last nights viewing was a bit of a washout, a two-bedroom house above a Chinese restaurant with 3 people living there. Two Russian escorts sharing a bed and a polish man on the sofa. All you need now are some immigrants locked in the wardrobe and you’d have a full house. And how much do I have to spend to live in such a sort after property? £800 a month, 800! Needless to say I left with a smile on my face (in fear of being gagged and/or beaten) with no intention on ever returning!

Determined not to fail I scurried home and got straight back online. Checked yourface and twatbook before stepping up the hunt a few huskies? (Name of hunting dogs). High on orange juice and property rage I finished with 5 flats with some potential, and to my knowledge no eastern European escorts that may pounce on me!

The hunt continues!

Check out this superb piece of filmmaking in its entirety below. Genius.

Thrill seeking horse riders are being offered a once in a life-time opportunity this August to trek through Iceland’s magnificent Snæfellsnes peninsula National Park and raise money for the Brooke, the UK’s leading charity for hardworking horses, donkeys and their owners overseas.

The six day trek will lead participants past snow capped mountains, steaming waterfalls, green valleys and the majestic Snæfellsjökull volcano. It culminates with a visit to the famous Blue Lagoon where riders can relax in the thermal pools. Riders will cover an average of 35km a day so this is perfect for those who are up for a challenge!

“The Brooke Icelandic Horse Trek is set to be a really exciting, unique challenge taking participants through some of the world’s most beautiful landscape. All you need is enthusiasm, confident horsemanship, a good level of fitness and a commitment to support the Brooke” says Gemma Laragy, Brooke’s Community Fundraising Manager.

By taking part you’ll be helping to improve the lives of hard working horses, donkeys and mules in some of the world’s poorest communities. Many of these animals toil for up to 12 hours a day in unbearable conditions. Through their mobile veterinary teams, the Brooke ensures these animals are healthy, happy and fit for work, thus maintaining the livelihoods of the millions of poor people who rely on them. And, by taking the time to educate and train owners on how to properly care for their animals – the Brooke continues to improve animal welfare throughout communities.

Spaces are limited and filling up fast so people are advised to sign up as soon as possible. The challenge runs from 14^th – 21^st August 2010. To sign up, you need to pay a registration fee of £250. Participants are then asked to raise a minimum amount in sponsorship.

For more information or to sign up, please visit www.thebrooke.org/iceland, contact the Brooke’s Fundraising Team on 020 7653 5812, or e-mail community@thebrooke.org.

All about… The Brooke

The Brooke is the UK’s leading overseas charity dedicated to alleviating the suffering of horses, donkeys and mules working in the poorest parts of the world, and improving the lives of the poor people who depend on them.

Millions of these animals toil in some of the world’s toughest environments, but much of their suffering is entirely preventable. Our network of mobile vet teams, field clinics and community animal health workers provide care and treatment in conjunction with education and training to promote good animal welfare practices. Our work inspired HRH The Duchess of Cornwall to become our President.

From humble beginnings in Cairo, the Brooke has grown into an international life saver, reaching 700,000 animals each year across 10 countries. For more information about the Brooke visit www.thebrooke.org

Anyways, the reason for this post is because I heard some gossip through the grapevine  (I do work in PR after all) that I would like to share – not because I find it interestimg, but it would be interesting if what I have heard is right, and in reality the only people that win from this whole story is the tabloids…. and Max Cliffords pocket!

So here it goes, apparently the News of the World have won the bidding war to tell all on Vanessa Perroncel’s affair with John Terry &  the following will be revealed this Sunday:
Not only did Vanessa Peroncell sleep with John Terry behind his wife’s back, but also with Ashley Cole behind Cheryl.. hmmm Scandalous!

So there you have it folks, my first and last gossip post. No doubt I am way off the mark, but hey it would be interesting to see what happens!

Back in November I had a little stone chip my windscreen – nothing major and Aviva quickly put me onto Auto Windscreens who look after their windscreen repairs. They came out, fixed the chip and off they went. In the process – they left a small crack to the side of the dent which I was told was for the glue to enter the chip. I thought nothing off it.

Friday night comes and I am driving on the M25 to essex and I notice a huge crack across my windscreen – the initial chip had now turned into a full width crack!

So I called Aviva again and I am told the Reading department of Auto Windscreens will call me first thing Saturday (I am also told I will have to pay for new glas.. I dont think so!)… 4 phone calls made to Aviva later and late Saturday afternoon – I get a call from Head Office saying that the Reading branch wont be calling me anymore, they are closed. Hmph! But I will get a call on Monday morning (I wont hold my breath!)

Its now 17:29 on Monday afternoon, I have called twice already and got told they would get someone to call me “straight away”.. gues what? Still no call. I did ask to be put straight through to Reading but got told a polite… no! Their excuse? Reading branch are busy with other customers and cant help me right now.

Rant over – I understand they are busy, i just expect when I am told 3 or 4 times that I would “be called straight back” that they would do so. I just hope my windscreen doesn’t crack even more.

Shame on you aviva!

Its Monday morning and I have had goose bumps for the last 2 hours, my car windscreen has a very large crack in it, the wing mirror has officially snapped off which is now homed in the boot of my car & this man is offically a legend in the world of dance.

If this isn’t enough to get yourself off your chair and dance yourself warm, I dont know what is!

Enjoy

This novel fitness drive is being supported by athletics legend and Olympic medallist Kriss Akabusi who was in the Army Physical Training Corps for fifteen years. His trademark motivational talent features on the podcasts.

These podcasts provide free, motivational support when people work-out as well as providing valuable support for recruits getting themselves ready for Army assessment.

A survey released today reveals that cost, time and lack of motivation are the biggest barriers to exercise for most Brits.  Around half of people say they do minimal exercise as there’s no one to motivate them or they find exercising on their own boring.

Combining fitness expertise, companionship and motivation, Army Fit: Personal allows listeners to take advantage of the Army’s unique and highly motivational style of working out.  Listeners will be provided with guidance from their own ‘personal Army trainer’ for a variety of 40-minute workouts, designed as an alternative to the gym or paid-for fitness programmes.

Sergeant Paul Tucker from the Army Physical Training Corps comments: “This year will mark the 150th anniversary of our Corps and we’re delighted to kick if off with this new initiative.  For years the public has been telling us how much they respect our fitness expertise, but it’s the benefit of our motivational ability they really crave.   To answer this we have developed these audio podcasts available via armyfit.mod.uk so the public can benefit from the encouragement of our instruction any time and anywhere.”

The research also shows that good intentions formed around New Year often fizzle out as early as Valentine’s Day.  With around 84% of people planning a New Year’s health kick, the Army hope to help more people stick to their resolutions in 2010.

Kriss Akabusi comments, “This research shows how much us Brits need some free and easily available support to motivate them to keep fit, and who better to do this than the British Army. I loved my time with the Physical Training Corps and I’ve never forgotten all I learnt about motivating people, awooga!”

Head to armyfit.mod.uk to download the podcasts, giving you access to your Army Fit: Personal training experience.

New research published today by Euro RSCG Biss Lancaster amongst 1200 UK social media users reveals that more than 40 per cent say they feel less inhibited online. A quarter admit to having lashed out online about companies or brands, 16 per cent at their employers and 17 per cent have lashed out about their friends. Fourteen per cent have even posted compromising photos or information – rising to 19 per cent for men who seem more uninhibited than women online.

Commenting, Graham Lancaster of Euro RSCG Biss Lancaster says, ‘The message for business – be it the record industry, banking or consumer goods – is look out! Social media has given ordinary people the power to change things. The day of the compliant consumer and deferential citizen is over. And it’s a warning for politicians too. People online are far less inhibited about speaking out individually and en masse, and online communities are growing. Over a third of all the time spent socialising is now online for those we surveyed – up 10 per cent on a year ago with a third expecting this trend to continue.’

Other highlights of the research include the belief amongst those surveyed that electronic media and social networking have for many led to greater political and humanitarian engagement. Twenty seven per cent say it has increased their knowledge of other parts of the world, 22 per cent about global humanitarian issues and 22 per cent about British political issues. As an example of this Euro RSCG Worldwide created ‘tck tck tck’, a global online campaign to help deliver a strong climate deal at Copenhagen: taken up by leading NGOs, companies and individuals across the world it has to date achieved over 15 million signatories in a mass online collaborative petition.

Only 3% of Brits said that Gordon Brown would be their choice of Beer Buddy (no suprise there!) with reality TV’s Kerry Katona being voted the least popular woman, closely followed by Victoria Beckham.

The Europe-wide research revealed distinct cultural differences in opinions of what different nationalities look for in a Beer Buddy. New US President Barack Obama was voted Europe’s Beer Buddy of choice with other political figures also fairing well including Vladimir Putin who topped the Russian vote and Silvio Berlusconi who was the perfect drinking partner for 18% of Italians. Queen Elizabeth achieved her highest score in Russia, where 23% of respondents fancied a jar with Her Majesty.

Here we have it, the Top 10 Beer Buddies & babes as voted by you:

Beer Buddies Top 10

1. Stephen Fry
2. Jeremy Clarkson
3. Barack Obama
4. Will Smith
5. Jonathan Ross
6. Ross Kemp
7. Nelson Mandela
8. Robbie Williams
9. Daniel Craig
10. David Beckham

Beer Babes Top 10

1. Cheryl Cole
2. Angelina Jolie
3. Helen Mirren
4. Holly Willoughby
5. JK Rowling
6. Beyonce
7. Babs Windsor
8. Maria Sharapova
9. Queen Elizabeth II
10. Katie Price

Seeing as I didn’t vote & only one of the above names would appear on my list, I thought I would put my own list together. So here is my Beer Buddy list for 2009 – not that I drink much beer – so I shall call it the Vino List!

Joe’s Vino List:

1. Blake Lively
2. Michael McIntyre
3. Scarlett Johansson
4. Danny Wallace
5. David Attenborough
6. Jessica Alba
7. Jimmy Carr
8. Lee Evans
9. Linda Papadopoulos
10. Will Smith

Merry Christmas everyone