The longest resident dog at an animal sanctuary in Bury has been successfully rehomed after nearly a decade.
Humbug has finally found his forever home… and we honestly couldn’t be happier for him.
The Akita-cross – who was described as being a “popular pooch” among the staff at Bleakholt Animal Sanctuary in Edenfield, near Ramsbottom in Bury – was actually born at the rescue site all the way back in 2014.
He was initially rehomed along with his siblings, however ended up being returned to Bleakholt as a youngster due to being wary of strangers, and then sadly struggled to find another home as he was considered to be, in Sanctuary Manager Karen Weed’s words, “a complex little soul”.
Due to his extended kennel life, Humbug unfortunately had insecurities and phobias, so he needed ltos of training and a patient owner.
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The longest resident dog at a Bury animal sanctuary has finally been rehomed after nine years / Credit: Bleakholt Animal Sanctuary
The lovable pup waited and waited, and in that time, went on to become a firm-favourite of staff and volunteer dog walkers, who he would often “shower with cuddles and smooches” once he got to know them well, and was known for being everyone’s “very best friend”.
Although Humbug was taken home at weekends by who Bleakholt called a “fantastic and devoted” foster carer to get him used to going on long walks and being within a domestic environment – which was said to have helped to “greatly improve” his confidence and behaviour – staff at the sanctuary wanted nothing more for him to “leave his heated kennel and find a heated house” for good.
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And finally, that day eventually came earlier this month.
Humbug was successfully rehomed by Ken Marsh and his partner Sandra Rothwell after nine long years at Bleakholt, and he’s said to already be “settling in well”.
Explaining why they knew Humbug was the one for them, and giving a little update on how he’s settling into his new surroundings after being welcomed into their loving home, Ken said: “Humbug is my seventh dog from Bleakholt. I went to get Herbie five-and-a-half years ago, and asked for the dog that had been there longest.
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“When Herbie died, I went to Bleakholt, and asked again for the one who had been there the longest, and also looked at a few others. We went home and talked about it, and then decided on Humbug.
“It’s the longest I have ever been without a dog since I was 21-years-old, so it was good to pick him up. It’s so far so good. He has two beds, one downstairs and one upstairs, he loves his squeaky toys, and he is a slow walker – I have a 25 minute walk to the canal, but it takes me 45 minutes with Humbug.
“He has settled in well, and it’s a pleasure to have him.”
Featured Image – Bleakholt Animal Sanctuary (via Facebook)
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More adult virgins needed for next series of Channel 4’s hit reality show Virgin Island
Emily Sergeant
Channel 4 is back looking for more adult virgins to take part in the potential next series of its hit reality show Virgin Island.
You may remember that early last year, we brought you the breaking highly-important news that Channel 4 was currently in the process of producing a new reality TV series that, at the time, had the working title of ‘The Intimacy Retreat’ and was looking for a group of adult virgins to apply to take part, if they were brave enough.
But now, well over a year on, we all know that show turned out to be the hit show Virgin Island – which has just finished airing its first series this week.
Channel 4 needs more adult virgins for the potential next series of its hit reality TV show Virgin Island / Credit: Channel 4
If you’re unfamiliar with Virgin Island, it’s unlike anything ever seen on TV before, as it follows the journey of a group of adult virgins who are whisked off to a Mediterranean island retreat to learn life-changing skills in the art of intimacy.
Working with leading international therapists, the aim is to help the young people overcome their fears and insecurities when it comes to intimacy and sex.
Channel 4 said it chose to commission the show after a recent study into intimacy found out that one in eight British 26-year-olds is, apparently, still a virgin.
Virgin Island aims to help young people overcome their insecurities around intimacy and sex / Credit: Channel 4
A casting call for the new series on the Channel 4 website reads: “Are you a virgin and do you need help and guidance with your fears and insecurities around intimacy and sex? Double Act Productions is casting adults for a potential second series of Virgin Island.”
You just need to be over 21 years of age to take part in the show.
Fancy it then? Or know someone who may be up for the ride? Applications for the potential next series of Virgin Island are now open, and there’s still plenty of time left to put your name down.
You can find out more and register your interest here.
Featured Image – Channel 4
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New survey finds most drivers can’t complete a car journey without using their mobile
Emily Sergeant
A shocking new report has revealed that most Brits are unable to complete a car journey without using their mobile behind the wheel.
After shocking images taken with an AI camera of drivers using mobiles and not wearing seatbelts on the roads across Greater Manchester were released to the public last November, a new report has now shed some more light on drivers’ excessive phone use while on the roads, proving that they’re the ultimate distraction.
In fact, nine out of 10 drivers struggle to complete a journey without being distracted by their phones, according a recent report from IMS and the RAC.
The research – which is based on survey results from 500,000 drivers over the past year, originally shared exclusively with This is Money – shows that only 10% of motorists manage to drive from start to finish without interacting with their mobile device.
And this is despite the risk of consequences such as £200 fines and six penalty points on their license, if caught.
A new survey has fount that most drivers can’t complete a car journey without using their mobile at some point / Credit: Geograph | Vincent Wachowiak (via Unsplash)
As mentioned, it’s also despite the increasing use of advanced artificial intelligence roadside cameras to detect ‘distracted drivers’ and their illegal mobile phone use.
Government data showed that mobile phone use was a contributing factor in 23 road fatalities last year alone, and official statistics also show that ‘distraction or impairment’ was the third most-common cause of fatal crashes, having played a role in 34.9% of deadly incidents.
The RAC is now encouraging police forces across the UK to start taking immediate action.
“We saw a reduction in motorists admitting to illegal handheld phone use after the penalties were toughened in 2017 following pressure from the RAC, but numbers are on the rise again now,” explained RAC road safety spokesperson, Rod Dennis
“In fact, our research shows the proportion of young drivers making and receiving calls illegally hit its highest rate in eight years in 2024.
“Enforcement of the law is critical, so we encourage police forces to roll out more roadside cameras to catch people in the act and get them to change their ways.”
Emily Sergeant -
26th January 2024 
