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"Harper is my favourite Tilly": Matildas toddler steals the show

<p>In a heartwarming turn of events at Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium, the Matildas' post-game press conference took an unexpected twist when two-year-old Harper decided to steal the show.</p> <p>As her mother, Katrina Gorry, attempted to navigate the world of media interviews, young Harper had other plans, firmly establishing herself as the newest sensation in Australian football – or at least in press conference antics.</p> <p>With the Aussies securing their spot at the Paris 2024 Olympics with a resounding 10-0 victory over Uzbekistan, it seemed fitting that the youngest member of the team would make her mark in the spotlight. Sporting a yellow team jersey and adorned with Taylor Swift-esque friendship bracelets, little Harper made it clear that she was not to be ignored.</p> <p>As Alanna Kennedy patiently awaited her turn to address the media, Harper decided that the press conference desk was the perfect spot for her impromptu playdate. Refusing to budge, she left her mark by placing her bracelets on the table, much to the delight of amused onlookers.</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C35D414PZxD/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <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 style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C35D414PZxD/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by CommBank Matildas (@matildas)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Despite gentle prodding from her mother, Harper was determined to make her presence known. With a polite "bye bye" into the mic, she momentarily bid farewell before settling back down, much to the amusement of the room.</p> <p>Gorry, unable to contain her laughter, gracefully ushered her daughter away from the limelight, but not before receiving a wave and a cheerful "Byyyyeee" from the pint-sized press conference crasher.</p> <p>The Matildas, quick to embrace the adorable interruption, shared the sweet moment on social media, solidifying Harper's status as the unofficial mascot of the team. In a caption that perfectly captured the essence of the moment, they affectionately dubbed it "Crashing Lani's press conference," tagging Gorry for good measure.</p> <p>Fans took to the comments section to praise the Tilly Toddler, with one claiming "Harper is my favourite Tilly", and another declaring that "No offence, but I'd actually like to hear harpers press conference."</p> <p>As the Matildas look ahead to the Paris Olympics, one thing is for certain – they have a secret weapon in their midst, and her name is Harper.</p> <p>Images: Instagram</p>

Family & Pets

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Women's World Cup commentator blasted over "inane" motherhood call

<p>The FIFA Women's World Cup kicked off with a bang on Thursday night, with the Matildas facing off against Ireland in the Sydney opener.</p> <p>And while the match was a tense and ultimately thrilling affair – resulting in a 1-0 victory for Australia – Network 7 commentator <span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">David Basheer's</span><span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;"> statement following a crucial play drew instant attention online when he remarked on Matildas player Katrina Gorry's hard tackle.</span></p> <p>“Certainly motherhood has not blunted her competitive instincts, that’s for sure," remarked Basheer. "She is one fighter for Australia.”</p> <p>The comment sparked anger among some some viewers online, who found it "offensive" and "inane."</p> <p>Several Twitter users raised questions about potential gender bias, wondering if similar comments are made about male players or fathers. Others asked for an end to stereotyping mothers based on their roles.</p> <p>"Wonderful to be watching the women's soccer world cup game, but some unnecessary, inane (and offensive) commentary," one person said.</p> <p>One woman asked the commentator: "An elite athlete at the foremost tournament of her sport and you're surprised she's competing to the best of her ability?"</p> <p>"The commentator finds it appropriate to say: motherhood has not blunted her competitive instincts. ARE YOU SERIOUS? Welcome to 2023 mate," another said.</p> <p>"Dear lord, I thought we were past this kind of ridiculous narrative from male commentators. Do better."</p> <p>Another wrote: "Oh wow! Did the commentator just refer to 'motherhood' in the way that I think he did?"</p> <p>A few people were quick to draw comparisons to male players, asking: "Do they say these things about fathers?"</p> <p>"Never ever heard a male player's parental stays commented upon," another added.</p> <p>"Has anyone heard a similar remark in relation to FATHERHOOD? It's an intriguing side effect of motherhood that seems to have been kept out of the medical journals," one person wrote.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Wonderful to be watching the women's soccer world cup game, but some unnecessary, inane (and offensive) commentary - 'Certainly motherhood has not blunted her competitive spirit' - by the male commentator on the Australia vs Ireland game tonight - FFS 🙄😤😡</p> <p>— Lamilucy (@Lamilucy88) <a href="https://twitter.com/Lamilucy88/status/1681988998783438848?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 20, 2023</a></p></blockquote> <p>"Does motherhood naturally ruin your attacking instinct?" one man remarked.</p> <p>"Maybe male commentators should sit this #WorldCup out?" another man suggested.</p> <p>With both men and women engaged in the discussion, some called for a formal apology, while others simply urged commentators to be more mindful and sensitive in their commentary.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">“Motherhood hasn’t blunted her competitive instincts”</p> <p>Maybe male commentators should sit this <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WorldCup?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WorldCup</a> out?</p> <p>— Darren Levin (@darren_levin) <a href="https://twitter.com/darren_levin/status/1681987018019180550?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 20, 2023</a></p></blockquote> <p>Katrina Gorry, a 30-year-old midfielder, became a mother to daughter Harper in 2021 after undergoing IVF as a solo parent in Norway in 2020. In an interview with nine.com.au in 2021, she expressed how her pregnancy gave her a new appreciation for her body and provided an opportunity to reconnect with her love for the sport.</p> <p>Overall, the incident brought attention to the need for respectful and unbiased commentary during the Women's World Cup, with many hoping for a more considerate approach from commentators in the future.</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

TV

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Tips to train your pet at any age

<p><strong><em>Dr Katrina Warren is a veterinarian and one Australia’s most loved and trusted pet experts. She is the PAW by Blackmores ambassador.</em></strong></p> <p>Dogs are often an integral part of our family, a loving and loyal companion throughout the years. We educate ourselves with a plethora of media when bringing home and raising other members of our family with love and care, why not pay the same attention to our furry family members as advised by one Australia’s most loved and trusted pet experts, Dr Katrina Warren.</p> <p><strong>Bringing baby home: Puppy</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">A guide to vaccinations</span></p> <p>Just like human babies, puppies need vaccinations to protect them from the many infectious diseases out there. They need a series of vaccinations to protect them against Parvovirus, Distemper, Hepatitis and Canine Cough. Your puppy will need to receive these injections by a veterinarian and should have received their first vaccination prior to coming to you – ask the breeder for the vaccination certificate. Vaccination costs for your pup may seem steep, but consider the veterinary bills for treating your dog if it develops one of these illnesses – it could easily run into the thousands.</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Dental care </span></p> <p>To keep your dog’s teeth and gums healthy, it is important to include some hard food in their diet. You can offer raw chicken necks and wings from 12-14 weeks of age. Brushing is also a great idea - it may seem like a novelty, but dogs have just as many dental problems as humans, which can cause pain (not to mention terrible breath!) in the long run. Train your puppy from a very young age to let you brush its teeth, to make it a normal part of their routine. Be sure to use specific dog toothpaste, as human toothpaste can be irritating to a dog’s digestive tract.</p> <p><strong>Teenage angst: Adolescence</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Chewing</span></p> <p>Dogs are curious by nature and will chew almost anything they can get their mouths on, especially while they’re puppies and are teething. This is great if it’s a dog toy or a tasty bone, but not so great if it’s your new pair of expensive running shoes or the leg of a couch. Although chewing usually subsides within a year, it can become a bad habit if it’s not managed early on.</p> <p>If you have a young dog, puppy-proof your place by moving easily chewable items such as plants or electrical cables so they’re not easily accessible. Try not to leave your puppy unsupervised in areas like your garden or living room - there’s no point in getting angry at the puppy for an action that is natural for them, which happened because they weren’t being supervised.</p> <p><strong>Young at heart: Mature Dog</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Barking </span></p> <p>Firstly, find out what your dog is barking at. As dogs usually bark the most right after their owners leave home for the day, give your dog something to do every time you leave the house, like a chew toy stuffed with food. </p> <p>Dogs left outside are exposed to many more disturbances than indoor dogs and their barks are more easily heard by the neighbourhood.  Ideally leave your dog inside preferably in a room away from the street with a radio or TV playing to mask the sound of outside noise. Reward your dog often for quiet behaviour – if he starts barking, use a word like ‘quiet’ and reward only once your dog stops barking.</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Jumping on people</span></p> <p>When he was little, everyone was probably entranced by the cute little puppy who jumped up at them, laughing and wagging his teeny tail. Now he's a bigger dog, no-one wants his dirty paw marks all over their clothes. But his behaviour is not his fault, because your loving attention has trained him to think that jumping up is a fun and rewarding thing to do.</p> <p>Now you have to do the opposite from what you did when he was little. Instead of making eye contact and touching him when he jumps up, do the opposite. Turn around and stand still completely ignoring him. Wait until he has all four feet on the ground and then give him a little treat. Keep on doing this, and it will take many, many times, and he will eventually learn that he only gets a treat and your attention when he is sitting. As before, there is no point in shouting and pushing, because to a dog this is still attention and will only confuse him about what you want him to do.</p> <p><em>This is an excerpt from PAW by Blackmores eBook: <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://pawbyblackmores.uberflip.com/i/714306-20-things-no-one-tells-you-about-raising-a-healthy-dog" target="_blank" rel="noopener">20 things no one tells you about raising a healthy dog</a></strong></span> - a go-to-guide for pet owners to help through the different ages and stages of raising a healthy dog.</em></p> <p><em>Images: Getty</em></p>

Family & Pets

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Betty White’s touching act of kindness during Hurricane Katrina revealed

<p dir="ltr">Betty White has been remembered and celebrated as a hilarious comedian and brilliant actor, but also a wonderfully generous conversationist, philanthropist, and animal activist, since her<span> </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://oversixty.com.au/health/caring/betty-white-s-final-words" target="_blank">passing on December 31 at the age of 99</a>.</p> <p dir="ltr">Animals were one of the big loves of Betty’s life, with her writing on Instagram in April 2021 for National Pet Day, “I have been a pet lover all my life” underneath a photo of her with two of her dogs.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CNi0EYGnn11/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <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 style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CNi0EYGnn11/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Betty White (@bettymwhite)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">But in addition to owning and caring for pets herself, she also dedicated a lot of time and money to advocating for important causes related to animal welfare and protection. One example was shared by Audubon Nature Institute following her death.</p> <p dir="ltr">The Institute tweeted, “We lost a conservationist, animal advocate, and friend. When the penguins &amp; sea otters were evacuated to @MontereyAq for Hurricane Katrina, Betty White paid for the plane to relocate them. She did not ask for fanfare; she just wanted to help.” Attached was a photo of an employee releasing a penguin into the water.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">We lost a conservationist, animal advocate, and friend. When the penguins &amp; sea otters were evacuated to <a href="https://twitter.com/MontereyAq?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MontereyAq</a> for Hurricane Katrina, Betty White paid for the plane to relocate them. She did not ask for fanfare; she just wanted to help. ❤️ <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ThankYouForBeingAFriend?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ThankYouForBeingAFriend</a> <a href="https://t.co/NLneNetezz">pic.twitter.com/NLneNetezz</a></p> — Audubon Nature Institute (@AudubonNature) <a href="https://twitter.com/AudubonNature/status/1477087180816322562?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 1, 2022</a></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">A spokesperson for the organisation told<span> </span><em>PEOPLE,<span> </span></em>"After Hurricane Katrina, a private plane was chartered to relocate Audubon Aquarium's sea otters and penguins to Monterey Bay Aquarium. Audubon did not find out until after the trip that Betty White had paid for a portion of the trip."</p> <p dir="ltr">White was passionate about her animal advocacy work, telling the<span> </span><em>Wall Street Journal<span> </span></em>in 2012 that she was thrilled to be able to highlight issues affecting animals through her work with numerous organisations, including PAWS/LA and the Morris Animal Foundation.</p> <p dir="ltr">She also spoke about her own pets, including her beloved Golden Retriever Pontiac, who had a tracking implant that White helped fund the development of. She added, "But he's never very far from me. He doesn't go very far because wherever I am he is."</p> <p dir="ltr">Pontiac passed away in 2017, and White decided not to adopt more animals due to her advancing age.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Amanda Edwards/WireImage</em></p>

News

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Dr Katrina unleashes on annoying dog owners

<p dir="ltr">Dr Katrina Warren, beloved veterinarian and television personality, took to Instagram on Monday to vent about her frustrations with irresponsible dog owners.</p> <p dir="ltr">Shared as a caption to a photo of her with her Border Collie Chill, Dr Warren criticised owners who let their dogs run wild without leashes, writing, “I really love dogs but PLEASE PUT YOUR DOG ON A LEAD 🐶🐶🐶 Why has this become so difficult? Do people now buy a dog and forget to buy a lead?</p> <p dir="ltr">“Your dog should be on a lead at cafes, walking on the footpath and at parks that are NOT designated off-leash. It’s for your dog's safety, as well as the safety of other dogs and people. It has become impossible for me to walk around my local area without off-leash dogs running up to us. I don't understand it - your dog may be friendly, but the dog they run up to may not be.</p> <p dir="ltr">“And, why is it OK for your dog to be annoying to others? I've witnessed some dangerous things with fights, knocked-down tables, terrified kids and boiling coffee going all directions, as well as timid dogs and puppies being terrified. Your dog doesn’t need to “SAY HELLO" What if the other dog (or owner) doesn't want to "say hello" back? "My dog just wants to say hello" is usually the excuse people give when their dog has no recall, but why would you let your dog jump in the face of a dog on a lead that you don't know?</p> <p dir="ltr">“It’s so dangerous and I’ve witnessed some dreadful dog fights as a result of this. Please work on your recall or just don't let them off the lead. I just want to walk my dog in peace and I know I speak for many others. I’m thankful that Chill is not a reactive dog but he has still been randomly attacked by off lead dogs on the street, and it’s not OK.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I can’t imagine how stressful it is for people with reactive dogs who are trying to avoid dogs! Thank you for reading 🐕🦮🐩🐕‍🦺”</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CVMXNhYPqoS/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <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 style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CVMXNhYPqoS/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by DR KATRINA WARREN (@drkatrina)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">In addition, she added to the rant on<span> </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.facebook.com/drkatrinawarren/posts/446770713472492?__cft__%5B0%5D=AZWuhGZ9v3q9YH_4zqixb7AAfOO0fPll6bXj2k2BVokNAtDsHR3GTLOqpo5UsN7YHFzDWiMQXrtQyi5IDENulrVvrSfzMbSiPX8Cy1jGGmxjVMT1RFCU6qEMreh7i736l9ewavK0vz0tsq7L5Mokvjol&amp;__tn__=%2CO%2CP-R" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, complaining about what she calls the ‘poodemic’, writing, “Finally, about the current POODEMIC - yes, dog poo is unpleasant, but you need to pick it up! If your dog does a poo on a footpath at night, it might be a shock to learn that you still need to pick it up, even if there were no witnesses!</p> <p dir="ltr">“I know it's hard to get your head around, but I'm getting sick of giant piles of poo on the footpath waiting in the morning!”</p> <p dir="ltr">People were thankful to Dr Warren for identifying and calling out these widespread problems, with some sharing their own horror stories of what can happen when dogs are allowed to run around off-leash. One woman wrote, “We lost our beautiful golden retriever following a dog attack just 4 weeks ago. She was being walked on lead when an off lead wandering dog attacked her out of nowhere, didn’t even see it coming.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Another commented, “I have had my shepherd attacked by a toy poodle off lead. If he had reacted we know which dog would have got the blame. It is just wrong.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Celebrity supporters included Megan Gale, who commented a string of clapping emoji, and Dr Danni Dusek, of Bondi Vet fame, who wrote, “I couldn’t agree more 🙌❤️ Bear is one that is reactive to certain over confident dogs that get in her face and it is so hard to avoid for this exact reason…”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Dr Katrina Warren/Instagram</em></p>

Family & Pets

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John Howard's glowing character reference for George Pell revealed

<p>Former Australian prime minister John Howard has provided a glowing character reference for disgraced Cardinal George Pell, who was convicted of child sexual offences in December.</p> <p>In the letter directed to the Melbourne County Court dated February 26, Howard described the high-profile Catholic cleric as "a person of both high intelligence and exemplary character".</p> <p>Howard wrote, "I am aware he has been convicted of those charges; that an appeal against the conviction has been lodged and that he maintains his innocence in respect of these charges. None of these matters alter my opinion of the Cardinal."</p> <p>He explained that he first met Pell about 30 years ago, when the latter was working in the Archdiocese of Melbourne.</p> <p>"Cardinal Pell is a person of both high intelligence and exemplary character. Strength and sincerity have always been features of his personality. I have always found him to be lacking hypocrisy and cant. In his chosen vocation he has frequently displayed much courage and held to his values and beliefs, irrespective of the prevailing wisdom of the time.</p> <p>"It is my view that he has dedicated his life to his nation and his church."</p> <p>Since the news about the character reference emerged, Howard had kept his comments on the case to a minimum. </p> <p>"[Pell] continues to declare his innocence, and has lodged an appeal," Howard told <em><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.9news.com.au/2019/02/28/08/02/news-george-pell-john-howard-speaks-character-reference" target="_blank">9News</a></em> on Thursday morning.</p> <p>"In those circumstances, it is not appropriate for me to make any comment at all and I do not intend to do so."</p> <p>Howard is one of the 10 people who provided character references for Pell. Lawyer Robert Richter QC said these people – T.K. Tobin, Sue Buckingham, Anne McFarlane, Chris Meney, Greg Craven, Elsie Heiss, Katrina Potter, Daniel Casey and Michael Casey – do not believe that Pell "is capable of these offences" either.</p> <p>Former Channel Ten newsreader Katrina Lee has also shown support for Pell, staying by his side throughout the trial on <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/why-is-1980s-newsreader-katrina-lee-standing-by-george-pells-side/">Tuesday</a>.</p> <p><img style="width: 450px; height: 253px; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7824144/herogp.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/80878d1c1c364fbbb8a9ae8be6ddc474" /></p> <p>According to <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.news.com.au/national/politics/pm-scott-morrison-moves-to-strip-cardinal-george-pell-of-highest-honour/news-story/39ab44b0543622824957c5a2064f9ed2" target="_blank"><em>News.com.au</em></a>, Howard’s stance seemed to be in contrast with current PM Scott Morrison, who reportedly is looking to strip the cardinal of his Order of Australia honour.</p> <p>In December, Pell was found guilty of five counts of child sex charges committed in 1996 against two 13-year-old choirboys. </p> <p>On Wednesday, Pell withdrew his bail application as prosecutors told the court that the 77-year-old "has shown no remorse" about his crimes and he spent the night in jail on February 27. </p> <p>The Vatican has also confirmed that it is investigating Pell's case, which could see the Australian cleric dismissed from priesthood.</p>

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Why is 1980s newsreader Katrina Lee standing by George Pell's side?

<p>A former Australian and once popular Channel Ten newsreader in the 1980s and '90s has rallied behind Cardinal George Pell throughout his trial for sexually abusing teenage boys.</p> <p>Pell, 77, was found guilty of four counts of indecent assault and one count of rape by a Melbourne jury in December of last year. But Australian media was only given permission to report on the case after the gag order was lifted on Tuesday.</p> <p>Katrina Lee, an executive advisor for the Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney and a long time friend of Pell’s, stood by him throughout the ordeal, as spectators waiting outside of court yelled “rot in hell” to the religious leader.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7824142/gp.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/35b9ec4e2ef94e64af50f96715e802ec" /></p> <p>Ms Lee was employed by Channel Ten from 1978 until 1987 and then again from 1991 to 1994 as a newsreader, and regularly graced TV screens on the Channel Ten news.</p> <p>Throughout the entire trial, Lee did not leave Pell’s side and before his conviction, she posted a series of videos interviewing the Cardinal on YouTube.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img style="width: 500px; height:281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7824143/ten.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/ff02558a08f54324923994f7c47fd282" /></p> <p>The interviews were on a range of topics, one of them being Pope Benedict XVI’s resignation in 2013.</p> <p>That same year, Lee responded to the mother of sexual abuse victim Peter Blenkiron, three years after she had written to her about allegations against the church.</p> <p>Mr Blenkiron’s mother Clare Linan said the reply was “offensive” as it came a few days before Pell was to provide evidence for an investigation into how churches deal with sexual abuse.</p> <p>Ms Linan had written to Lee in 2010 but received a response three years later in 2013.</p> <p>Lee chose the opportunity to praise Pell, Ms Linan told <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/pell-camp-offensive-in-letter-reply-20130526-2n5ar.html" target="_blank"><em>The Age</em></a>.</p> <p>“He said many times that helping victims and ensuring they are heard, believed and treated with compassion and respect must be the church’s first priority,” wrote Lee.</p> <p>But the letter failed to convince Ms Linan, as she said she didn’t believe anything that was written to her.</p> <p>[Pell] doesn’t act like a man of God,” she said.</p> <p>In 1996, Pell molested two 13-year-old boys at St Kevin’s College. While Pell has denied the accusations, evidence brought forward proved that the victim of his crime was telling the truth.</p> <p>Do you remember Katrina Lee from Channel Ten news? What do you think of her supporting disgraced cardinal George Pell? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below. </p>

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Dog Lovers Show returns to Sydney

<p>If you’re obsessed with all things dogs and puppies, you won’t want to miss this year’s Dog Lovers Show at the Royal Hall of Industries and the Hordern Pavilion in Sydney August 6 and 7.</p> <p>This celebration of our favourite four-legged pals is back again after a hugely successful run last year, which attracted more than 20,000 doggie devotees, and the show’s CEO and Founder Jason Humpris says 2016’s expo will be even bigger and better.</p> <p>“A love of dogs is something that unites literally millions of Australians because they enrich our lives, contribute a wide range of benefits to the community and make us fundamentally happier,” he said. “We have no doubt that visitors will not only enjoy a fantastic day out but will leave with a greater respect and understanding for the dogs in their life.”</p> <p>Headlining this year’s show is the Bondi Vet himself, Dr Chris Brown, who will not only be on hand to offer some of his veterinary wisdom, but will also be leading a pack of talented pups in the Weave Pole Challenge. The show will also feature an all-new performance from Dr Katrina Warren and the Wonderdogs, the canine aquatics competition DockDogs and an exclusive chat with celebrity dog trainer Peta Clarke, who will be bringing along some of her star pupils from <em>Legally Blonde the Musical</em>.</p> <p>Attendees will also bear witness to a World Record Attempt at Extreme Dog High Jump, where some of the Australian Working Dog Rescue’s most talented pooches will be aiming to smash last year’s record of 2.951 metres, set by Bailey at the Casterton Kelpie Muster.</p> <p>The Military Working Dog Tribute is the perfect place to pay respect to the canine troops who have loyally served our country over the past century. Nigel Allsop, founder of the Australian War Animal Organisation and Major Kendell Crocker, our first full-time Veterinary Officer, will take a look back at the history of these courageous animals and how they are cared for both during and after service.</p> <p>Last year around 2,000 dogs were rehomed thanks to the show, so if you’re looking for a new family member, this could be the perfect opportunity to do so, with more than 20 rescue groups showcasing dogs up for adoption.</p> <p>For more information about this family-friendly event and to purchase tickets, <a href="http://dogloversshow.com.au/sydney/" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">click here</span></strong></a>.</p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="/lifestyle/family-pets/2016/07/winter-wisdom-for-pet-owners/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>4 pearls of winter wisdom for pet owners</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="/lifestyle/family-pets/2016/06/dr-chris-brown-plea-to-keep-australia-pet-friendly/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Dr Chris Brown’s plea to keep Australia pet friendly</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="/lifestyle/family-pets/2016/06/do-our-pets-dream/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Do our pets dream?</strong></em></span></a></p>

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Air Force veteran aims to find girl he rescued during Hurricane Katrina

<p>A US Air Force Veteran has launched a social media campaign to find the young girl he helped rescue in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.</p><p>Ten years ago, Michael Maroney’s helicopter flew over a family standing knee-deep in water, waving up at him. The family’s house was in ruins and they wanted desperately to get out.</p><p>The young girl was a source of comfort on the rescue flight, soothing the fears of her mother while pointing out familiar locations from the sky. “I’ve seen a lot of destruction in my time, and New Orleans was intense, but for this girl to be happy, smiling and resilient despite the devastation was such a powerful moment,” Maroney told ABC News.</p><p>When the rescue team delivered the family to an airport, the girl grabbed Maroney and embraced him – a moment that was caught on camera. The image became an iconic symbol of hope for those touched by the disaster.</p><p>The veteran has been searching for the girl for five years, wishing to tell her how much she inspired him, and to check how she’s doing. The hashtag #FindKatrinaGirl is gaining momentum on social media as Maroney continues his search.</p><p><img width="500" height="699" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/4408/katrina-girl_500x699.jpg" alt="Katrina Girl" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"></p><p><strong>Related links:</strong></p><p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="/news/news/2015/03/girls-reaction-to-being-big-sister/" target="_blank">Watch this little girl’s reaction to finding out she’s going to be a big sister</a></strong></em></span></p><p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="/news/news/2015/03/queensland-police-new-puppies/" target="_blank">Meet Queensland’s newest canine police puppies</a></strong></em></span></p><p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="/news/news/2015/03/man-rescued-from-under-bus/" target="_blank">Watch this group of people lift a bus off a trapped man</a></strong></em></span></p>

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