Manchester-based rescue centre Dogs 4 Rescue has issued a heartbreaking plea for people to get their dogs vaccinated after the tragic death of one of their pack.
The kennel-free shelter shared yesterday that Staffordshire Bull Terrier Sophie has passed away with parvovirus after a stay in the emergency vets.
Parvo is a relatively common virus in dogs in the UK, but pets can be protected from it with vaccinations.
Dogs 4 Rescue has urged people to keep up with boosters and jabs, warning of mounting pressure on vets after lockdown.
Sophie the staffie died with parvovirus. Credit: Dogs 4 Rescue
They say that the puppy boom during lockdown may be partly responsible for rising cases of Parvo.
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Sophie wasn’t able to have her vaccination until she had finished her course of medication, and the shelter believe she may never have had a vaccination.
The charitable organisation added that ‘beautiful’ Sophie had an ‘old body and weak immune system’ which left her unable to fight off the deadly virus and an infection.
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The staffie’s name had been changed once she came into Dogs 4 Rescue’s care to give her a fresh start.
She had been in the care of a special foster family.
They said that the death of the ‘wonderful little dog’ has left them all ‘beyond devastated’, especially the volunteer who was fostering her.
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You can find out more about Dogs 4 Rescue and make a donation at dogs4rescue.co.uk.
Dogs 4 Rescue’s full statement
We are heartbroken to tell you about the loss of beautiful Sophie at 3am yesterday morning.
Rescued from the pound only a few weeks ago she had been in the emergency vets since Wednesday trying to fight infection.
She had parvovirus and her old body and weak immune system was unable to cope with this, the most brutal of infections.
Sadly Sophie came to the pound with chronic skin problems from neglect and was unable to be vaccinated until she had finished her course of steroids.
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She had had such a bad background her name had been changed to give her a fresh start.
Her age, and the likelihood she has never had any vaccinations, along with the steroids put her at increased risk.
But post lockdown and because of the puppy boom there has been a huge rise in parvovirus in the UK – stretching vets to their limits.
Devastatingly Sophie was in special foster with our lovely Jess who is beyond devastated, as are we.
Jess not long ago lost her gorgeous old Maz a staffie rescued from us and she knew as soon as she saw Sophie’s first photo she was the special one that could help heal her heart.
We send her all our love and thanks for giving Sophie love and care like she had never known. She was such a wonderful little dog, so happy with her new life.
Losing Sophie has hit us all hard, but we must carry on with our resolve to rescue as many of the unwanted staffies as we can. And to love them as much as we loved Sophie.
Please everyone get your dogs vaccinated and keep up with their boosters. It is not just puppies who need the protection.
Breeders and those who support them cause so many problems and Sophie was one of the vulnerable caught up in it all.
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Thanks to the lovely vets at Animal Trust Bolton who took such good care of her and tried everything and for keeping us up to date. We will love you forever Sophie.
Featured image: Dogs 4 Rescue
Manchester
A hilarious and award-winning Star Wars burlesque show is coming to Manchester
Danny Jones
In a galaxy not so far away, a smash-hit Star Wars parody and burlesque show is coming to Manchester city centre in the New Year.
You may have heard of the funny Star Wars stripper show or even seen clips of it online, but rumour has it that nothing can quite prepare you for the cheekiness of seeing this romp in the flesh.
In case you’ve been completely immersed in the dark side until now, here’s what you can expect:
Now well over a decade into its success and more than 200 Las Vegas shows, ‘The Empire Strips Back’ made its long-awaited transatlantic debut earlier this year.
Getting away at London’s Riverside Studios from May and enjoying a run until this past August, the comedy-driven twist on the classic Star Wars stories and beloved sci-fi characters was an instant hit with us Brits.
It started in Australia way back in 2011 and has gone not only to tour across Europe, but land a coveted residency at the Rio Hotel and Casino in Nevada.
Fast, funny, feisty and by all accounts, fantastic.
Now set to seek out new padawans and storm-strippers all over the cosmos, and by that we mean the UK, ‘The Empire Strips Back: Burlesque Parody’ is coming to Manchester.
Set to land at Depot Mayfield in the New Year – next spring, specifically, we cannot wait to see how this goes down with Northern crowds.
The Manc leg is scheduled to kick off on 6 March and last until 8 May, 2026, with various dates and times of day available.
It’s also worth noting that this two-hour show, including intermission, is a strictly 18+ only event; if you’re interested, you can find out more info and grab your tickets right HERE.
Manchester Open exhibition to return in 2026 with ‘biggest celebration’ of local creative talent
Emily Sergeant
The biggest celebration of Greater Manchester’s creative talent is making a much-anticipated return next summer.
Taking place every two years and now in its fourth iteration, Manchester Open exhibition sees the HOME Gallery walls filled with hundreds of artworks selected by a panel consisting of art experts and community representatives.
The exhibition is open to all and welcomes entries from people of any level of experience, including established professionals, students, graduates, new and emerging talent, enthusiastic amateurs, and even first-time artists.
Artists are invited to submit work into eight different categories, with the aim of creating an exhibition ‘rich in variety’ for visitors to explore.
Manchester Open exhibition is set to return in 2026 / Credit: Jason Lock Photography
This means you’ll get to explore works of ceramics, digital/moving images, drawings, prints, paintings, photography, sculptures/installations, and textiles.
Several awards will also be up for grabs throughout the exhibition – which is set to run from Saturday 20 June and Sunday 6 September 2026 – including a prestigious new award in honour of philanthropist and business leader, Kate Voke.
Three artists will also be awarded with artist development packages, managed by HOME and Castlefield Gallery.
“Following our 10 year anniversary in 2025, we are looking forward to 2026 and welcoming applications to HOME’s biggest celebration of Greater Manchester’s artistic talent,” explained Karen O’Neill, who is the CEO of HOME.
“With a record number of applications to the last Manchester Open, we’re hoping for even more in 2026 and to demonstrate how the city continues to grow as a place where artists and creativity can thrive.”
Manchester Open exhibition is taking place in 2026 from Saturday 20 June and Sunday 6 September, and the application and submission process is now live – with all submissions being reviewed by the selection panel who make the final selection of work to be included in the exhibition.
Artists will only be able to submit one artwork, and the selection panel members will be announced in spring 2026.
Featured Image – Jason Lock Photography (Supplied)
Daisy Jackson -
22nd February 2022 
