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With rising human and pet life expectancies, the standard ‘1-to-7’ dog year ratio is becoming obsolete, according to MedicAnimal, Europe’s leading online pet retailer. While most pet owners stand by the “one size fits all” method to gauge their pets’ equivalent stages of life, the reality is more complex, and can negatively affect pet health further down the line.

24 has been revealed as the 'age of payback' - when grown-up children finally start picking up the bill for their long-suffering parents, according to a new study. The research discovered that until that point mums and dads are bombarded with almost daily requests to borrow money for one thing or another. But the tables finally turn when the 'kids' are able to stand on their own two feet – and start chirping up with 'Don't worry, I'll get this ... ' at restaurants, on day trips out, or even lavish holidays abroad.

Generous HomeServe employees have helped raise almost £20,000 for charity Marie Curie in just three months as part of their long-term support for the charity. Staff set to work reaching the mammoth amount by donating spare or unwanted clothes – a scheme that has proven so popular a collection bin has been installed at the company’s Walsall headquarters and Preston site – as well as a host of fundraising activities already this year.

It seems that Brits have a much closer bond with their pets than their partner, a survey has revealed. Eighty per cent of the 1000 people surveyed think that their pet is way cuter than their other half, with three-quarters saying that their pet gives better cuddles. Half admit that they would rather spend a free afternoon with their pet, whilst three-quarters prefer a selfie with their beloved animal.

A young disabled campaigner from the West Midlands has hit-out at local transport that he believes is failing a generation of disabled people; as revealed by a hard-hitting report today. Christian Fulton took part in a nine-month undercover investigation and national survey for Muscular Dystrophy UK Trailblazers – a network of 700 young disabled people across the UK. The End of the Line report shares disturbing experiences across buses, trains, taxis and the underground. 

Proposals to reduce the number of face-to-face fundraisers operating in Birmingham by more than 70 per cent are set to be discussed by councillors this week. Birmingham City Council’s Licensing and Public Protection Committee will consider an agreement drawn up with the Public Fundraising Association (PFRA) to limit charity fundraisers, also known as ‘chuggers’, activity in the city centre.

Macmillan Cancer Support has announced that for the first time urban obstacle race Adrenaline Rush is coming to Birmingham, taking place at Senneleys Park on Saturday 4th June. 35% of all entrance fees will go directly to Macmillan to help ensure that no one faces cancer alone. With a minimum of 20 obstacles in each race including a zip wire, a giant ball pit and a gunge tank, entrants are guaranteed to have their strength, stamina and mental resolve put to the test at every turn.

Veterans will lead the commemorations as Wolverhampton marks the 71th anniversary of VE Day next month. They will join civic dignitaries and members of the public to mark 71 years since the anniversary of the unconditional surrender of Nazi Germany to the Allies – an event on 8 May 1945 which heralded the end of the Second World War in Europe.

Following extensive consultation, cabinet is set to approve changes to the housing advice service on 19 April which will build on the success of the city’s Youth Hub – a specialist homeless service for single young people under 25 years old.  The council is reducing the number of Housing Advice Centres and pooling resources to create a similar centre of excellence for homelessness and housing advice for the over 25s.

Quite simply put by more than half of dog owners, they make us happy and almost two thirds of British dog owners say the reason they got their pet was as an added member of the family or for companionship, while as the nation strives to become fitter, almost a third of respondents (31 per cent) also said that they got a dog to drive them to do more exercise – there's no excuse when you have to take Rover for a walk.

It's National Gardening Week, and people tempted to grow their own fruit and vegetables are being encouraged to take on an allotment plot. There are currently a small number of vacancies at selected allotment sites around Wolverhampton – and with spring now firmly sprung, there isn’t a better time for people to join the city's growing army of allotment holders.

Recent changes to the law on domestic abuse could have helped Archer’s character Helen Titchener to escape her husband Rob before she reached crisis point and stabbed him, according to a leading family lawyer. The long-running BBC Radio 4 soap opera has caused controversy with its storyline featuring Rob’s coercive behaviour towards Helen, which reached a crisis when she lost control and stabbed him.

Many dog owners in the UK view their four-legged friends as members of the family and the thought of their pets going missing, even for a short time, is enough to cause great panic and worry. Such a turn of events, however, is sadly a common occurrence in Cheshire – which new research by MORE TH>N shows is the missing dog capital of Great Britain.

Rt Hon Patricia Scotland QC began her first day in office as Secretary-General of the Commonwealth of Nations last week. Nominated for the post by Dominica, she is the first woman to hold the post. To the rhythm of a steel band, the sound of a gospel choir, and the flair of Quadrille dancers, hundreds of guests welcomed the new Secretary-General at Commonwealth headquarters in Marlborough House. They included well-known figures from the world of politics, sports and broadcasting.

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