NOTE TO SELF: WHEN A PERSON IS DROWNING, A LIFEGUARD IS A LIFEGUARD IS...
Britain's only lifeguard dog, Bilbo, who is on guard duty patrolling Sennen in west Cornwall, has lost his job.
His beach duties have been assumed by the RNLI - Royal National Lifeboat Institution due to a dog ban on the beach. Understandably, Bilbo's owner is barking mad but the Penwith council who decide on these things, is backing the RNLI.
Seems that the canine has been part of the lifeguard team for three years and has been praised for helping to prevent a swimmer experiencing problems. Wearing a special yellow jacket, he can paddle (presumably the dog paddle) out to swimmers in distress, pulling a rescue float with him.
His owner, Steve Jamieson, was informed by the RNLI that a concession which got Bilbo round a beach ban, was no longer acceptable for safety reasons. Bilbo had been allowed to carry out his life guarding duties in the past because he had been carried on an all terrain bike (ATB) when he was not at the lifeguard hut or in the sea.
Now that the RNLI has taken over life guarding duties, it is not allowing him on their ATBs.
Read the rest of this sad dog's tale here in addition to a photo of Bilbo in action: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/cornwall/7408021.stm
I dunno. To me, this could be personal. It was alright to have the pooch help out for three years and suddenly he's personna non grata? They are offering to allow Bilbo help out in public relations/marketiing work and safety education in schools but still...it was his (Bilbo's) career and now...
Meanwhile in Italy where they obviously see the value in dog rescuers, scores of specially trained dogs have been deployed as lifeguards on Italy's busiest beaches this summer. The dogs, mostly of the Newfoundland or Labrador breeds, are trained to jump out of helicopters and boats and swim to the rescue of struggling swimmers. They are credited with having saved several lives by taking lifebuoys to swimmers and towing them to safety.
Read how Italy values its dog lifeguards here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6924827.stm
You can voice your opinion regarding this issue by contacting the Penwith District Council here:
Penwith District CouncilSt ClarePenzanceCornwallTR18 3QW
Tel: 01736 362341 (0845 672 2124 out of hours emergencies)Fax: 01736 336575
Email: web@penwith.gov.uk
Showing posts with label personal. Show all posts
Showing posts with label personal. Show all posts
Monday, May 19, 2008
Monday, August 6, 2007
TOILET SEATS TAKE A REAR VIEW
NOTE TO SELF: GOING IN STYLE?
The first thing that hits your field of vision when surfing on to the Toto/Washlet site, http://www.cleanishappy.com/, is the row of bare buttocks with smileys drawn accross, which slowly evolves into the happy faces of three males and females. A mouse click on the first female on the left informs surfers - and toilet seat aficionados - all about a special washlet. Not just any washlet mind you but one that is neither a bidet or a fancy toilet and in the words of the manufacturer: "a pretty remarkable toilet seat."
Oh? This bares further investigation.
According to Ms Washlet 101, who relates all the information, the device is easily installed, on any toilet and uses pure clean water that uses and a "bunch of nifty technology."
Again, oh? One ponders the usage and definition of 'nifty technology.' Perhaps - just perhaps - it doubles as an entertainment centre or something similar. Then again, 'nifty technology' could also be extended to frying an egg or even a mobile device. Nifty is a tricky word!
Is there no end to this modern marvel of technology?
Go figure that all of this is offered in what - your humble toilet seat! And most of us assume a toilet seat was strictly the means to an end.
http://www.cleanishappy.com/
Writers & Friends
www.jrslater.com/forum
The first thing that hits your field of vision when surfing on to the Toto/Washlet site, http://www.cleanishappy.com/, is the row of bare buttocks with smileys drawn accross, which slowly evolves into the happy faces of three males and females. A mouse click on the first female on the left informs surfers - and toilet seat aficionados - all about a special washlet. Not just any washlet mind you but one that is neither a bidet or a fancy toilet and in the words of the manufacturer: "a pretty remarkable toilet seat."
Oh? This bares further investigation.
According to Ms Washlet 101, who relates all the information, the device is easily installed, on any toilet and uses pure clean water that uses and a "bunch of nifty technology."
Again, oh? One ponders the usage and definition of 'nifty technology.' Perhaps - just perhaps - it doubles as an entertainment centre or something similar. Then again, 'nifty technology' could also be extended to frying an egg or even a mobile device. Nifty is a tricky word!
Our host, Ms Washlet 101 goes on to relate that the way it works is simplicity personified. First-time users sit down and do what they came to do (quaint but succinct) and reach for the remote.
Oh? A remote?
Next the user selects the area to be washed presumably after the person does what they came to do, and with the push of the button, the washlet does the rest. A small wand located below the seat extends, and a gentle stream of warm water cleans you.
Oh happy days!
Nothing touches the user but water and the wand cleans itself automatically.Is there no end to this modern marvel of technology?
Go figure that all of this is offered in what - your humble toilet seat! And most of us assume a toilet seat was strictly the means to an end.
http://www.cleanishappy.com/
Writers & Friends
www.jrslater.com/forum
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