Cerberus stood watch at the gates of the ancient Greek Underworld, Anubis had some work to do for the Egyptian dead and Cú Chulainn, the hound of Ulster, dominated Celtic myth. There was Laika, up there, floating in her tin can, looking down on the zen calm of Snoopy. Queen Victoria had her adored spaniel Dash; Queen Elizabeth had her numerous corgis. EB White, he of Charlotte’s Web, wrote brilliantly and widely, though not read enough these days, and a lot of the time it was about his dachshunds.
Cats have their place, but from antiquity and legend through to now, dogs have been our chosen guard and companion. The recent Renters’ Rights Act ushered in an important piece of legislation: renters will no longer be barred from having a pet.
There are more than 11 million private renters in England, so this will have a dramatic and life-bettering impact. As dogs are fundamental to the wellbeing of so many of our vendor co-workers, it is on dogs we focus. On the help, the licking, the obstinacy, the coats – the dog tabard from Animal Friends is a unique addition to the animal wardrobe – and on the reason dogs casually dominate and make everything that bit better. There are other animal elements throughout, from a quiz, some festive Chris Packham and our featured vendor on page 62 with his dog Rolo. Let us take the lead…
What else is in this week’s Big Issue?
MPs rack up huge rent expenses while cutting essential benefits
Senior MPs including Kemi Badenoch, Robert Jenrick and Darren Jones are claiming tens of thousands of pounds a year in taxpayer-funded rent expenses while either calling for or implementing benefit cuts on the poorest. Official figures show millionaire MPs billing the public for well above-average rents, and others claiming more in rent expenses than their constituents earn in a year
Marie Kondo’s letter to my younger self
Marie Kondo’s childhood tidying obsession made her a global icon, with bestsellers and a hit TV show. Since becoming a mother she’s embraced imperfection.
Will you send a Christmas card this year?
The shameful Horizon scandal – which saw hundreds of sub-postmasters wrongfully prosecuted and financially ruined over faulty computer accounting software – has kept the Post Office in the headlines. After more than 20 years of campaigning, some of those impacted are finally receiving compensation. But the Post Office’s troubles are far from over. We look at the difficulties facing the post office network.
