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
Independent Chinese street food favourite Little Bao Boy announces closure in Manchester
Daisy Jackson
Little Bao Boy has shared ‘sad news’ this week, announcing its departure from Manchester.
The Chinese street food favourite has been serving freshly-made bao, plus contemporary Asian dishes like loaded katsu fries, tofu bites, and spicy slaws.
But now this much-loved indie, originally from Leeds, has announced it’s baoing (sorry) out from our city for good.
Little Bao Boy has said it has just over a week left in Manchester, where it’s been operating as part of the North Taproom at Circle Square.
The team said it’s been a ‘tough decision’ as they’ve ‘had a blast’ at the new development off Oxford Road.
Little Bao Boy wrote: “I’m afraid to say we’ve got some sad news…
“As of the first of February we will be coming out of Circle square taproom in Manchester. It was a tough decision as we’ve had a blast there the last couple of years but sometimes you need to take one step back to take two more forward.
Credit: The Hoot LeedsCredit: Instagram, @littlebaoboy
“We want to ram all our focus into making Leeds as good as it can be and that’s what we’re going to do moving into this year.
“We just want to say a massive thank you to everyone from Manchester who has come down to support us over the years it really does mean a lot!
“Maybe one day you’ll see us pop back up in the M1 postcode but for now it’s see you later, thanks for having us and the always welcome to come see us in Leeds. James & JB.”
Timings confirmed for Manchester’s legendary Dragon Parade to celebrate Chinese New Year 2025
Emily Sergeant
Manchester’s legendary Dragon Parade will make its way through the city centre once again next weekend.
As Manchester gets ready to celebrate Chinese New Year 2025 – which begins next Wednesday (29 January) and runs through to Sunday 2 February – and mark the ‘Year of the Snake’, the iconic Dragon Parade will be making its grand return to the streets of our city centre next weekend, and bring a spectacular show of colour and light along with it.
In case you’re unfamiliar with what the Dragon Parade is all about, it’s the focal point of the city’s annual Lunar New Year celebrations – and it’s a real spectacle, to say the least.
The parade is known for attracting thousands of visitors from all across the region each year.
— Chinese New Year in Manchester (@ChineseNYMCR) January 14, 2025
Headlining the festivities, the popular parade is set to take place on Sunday 2 February 2025.
Once again, organisers are expecting visitors in their thousands to turn out and watch as the famous 175ft Chinese dragon weaves its way through the city’s main shopping streets.
Kicking off from 12pm onwards, starting on the junction of Oxford Street and George Street, the parade will make its way along Portland Street before concluding in Chinatown for a final performance on Princess Street.
There will also be a night dragon parade in the Chinatown car park at 6:30pm and 7:30pm on the Saturday 1 February, while an illuminated dragon will feature through the streets of Chinatown as part of the celebration’s conclusion from 6:30pm on Sunday.
Manchester’s legendary Dragon Parade is returning to celebrate Chinese New Year 2025 / Credit: Chinese NY Manchester (via X)
There’ll also be even more cultural celebrations and activities to get involved with over in Manchester’s popular Chinatown, with live stage performances, a fun fair, and loads of stalls serving up tasty and authentic street food.
All the action in Chinatown will start from midday right through to 8pm on both days.
And to top it all off, we have also seen the return of Manchester’s famous traditional red lanterns dotted up above all around town too, adding colour to dark winter days.
As always, this year’s celebrations have been organised by the Federation of Chinese Associations of Manchester (FCAM), in partnership with Manchester Business Improvement District (BID) and Manchester City Council.
Daisy Jackson -
22nd February 2022 
