A “happy-go-lucky” puppy has been found in the back of a van in a British scrapyard with a note on her collar saying: “My name is Valerie and I’m six months old, take me too.”
The German shepherd-cross was found locked in the windowless vehicle in the Watford area of Hertfordshire, the Dogs Trust said. Valerie’s rescuers had taken her home for a night before taking her to Dogs Trust Harefield to help her find a new home.
Sian Fairle, supporter relations officer at Dogs Trust Harefield, said: “Valerie has had a pretty rough start to her short life, but this hasn’t knocked her happy-go-lucky nature. She is a typical puppy who loves everyone and everything.”
Plane speaking wins over girlfriend
An air show fan travelled more than 1,000 miles to propose to his girlfriend of eight years in front of hundreds of people.
Australian Paul Neill asked Emma Cox to marry him on stage and over a giant TV screen at Eastbourne’s air show, Airbourne, in East Sussex, UK. He had made the journey from Montenegro, where he is working as a chief officer on a private yacht, to do so.
Cox, 34, from Eastbourne, delighted the crowd, and her 36-year-old partner, with a “yes”, before they embraced on the beach to a round of applause, an air show spokeswoman said.
The couple, who have two children, Tia, six, and Marco, two, met while working on a yacht together eight years ago and see each other once or twice a month during the summer.
Customs’ piercing looks at tattoos
A heavily tattooed German man whose face is embellished with horn implants and more than 100 piercings said he was refused entry to Dubai without reason, forcing him to skip a planned appearance at a nightclub.
Rolf Buchholz, 55, was travelling to the Middle Eastern commercial hub for the first time last week to appear at a circus-themed venue that woos partygoers with over-the-top attractions such as sword swallowers and burlesque dancers.
He said immigration agents initially stamped his passport and let him through, but he was stopped again before he was able to exit customs and found himself in a room with other deportees.
Yorkshire home for polar bear
England’s only captive polar bear has been unveiled at his new home. Victor, who weighs 480kg, arrived at the Yorkshire Wildlife Park in Doncaster after making the journey from Holland by ferry.
The 15-year-old animal will be housed in a new facility, named Project Polar, which covers about 10 acres (four hectares).
Park officials said they collaborated with experts to create an environment that reflects the Arctic summer habitat.
Director John Minion said: “We are delighted to welcome Victor to the park and be able to contribute to polar bear conservation.”
Last year the park offered to rehome polar bear Yupi, who was being held in a zoo in Mexico.
Love steals woman’s good sense
A woman allegedly stole a bottle of cheap wine to get arrested and see her jailed boyfriend.
Alicia Walicke stole a $3.99 (€3) bottle of wine from a Texas petrol station, a police report said. Officers found her drinking the wine outside the business.
She told police she wanted to see her boyfriend, who was arrested hours earlier, and said she wanted to go to jail. Walicke was charged with misdemeanour theft and freed on a $5,000 (€3,700) bond.