“I Love You” Boosts Dogs Heart Rates By 46%

Aug 22 2024

According to a study conducted by Canine Cottages, it was revealed that dogs are capable of understanding and responding emotionally to their owners’ words. The study found that dogs’ heart rates increase by an average of 46% when their owners tell them, “I love you.”

In the experiment, researchers at Canine Cottages equipped four dogs with heart rate tracking collars to observe changes after specific interactions. Over a one-week period, the dogs had an average resting heart rate of 67 beats per minute (bpm). However, this increased to an average of 98 bpm after hearing “I love you” from their owners, indicating their excitement. Similarly, the dogs’ heart rates decreased by 23%, to an average of 57 bpm, when cuddled by their owners, showing their relaxation.

Though the study’s small sample size is a limitation, it may be clear to many dog owners that their dogs are not only capable of understanding their words but also of receiving, appreciating, and expressing love.

According to Canine Cottages, dogs may express their love in various ways, including kissing/licking, greeting their owners, begging, sharing toys, showing their belly, being loyal, jumping up, destroying belongings, and approaching their owners when hurt, distressed, or in discomfort.

The study also documented the experiences of the dog owners, finding that their blood pressure increased by 10% when seeing their dogs.

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Second Turtle Nest Hatches At Golden Bay

Aug 22 2024

In a remarkable display of environmental resilience, Malta celebrated the successful hatching of its second loggerhead turtle nest of the season, with 35 hatchlings making their way to the sea. The nest, originally discovered at Għajn Tuffieħa, was relocated to Ramla tal-Mixquq by the Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) due to its proximity to the sea, where it was at risk of being lost.

The relocation proved successful as the nest hatched between Tuesday night and Wednesday morning, with the turtles emerging around midnight. The ERA and volunteers from Nature Trust Malta (NTM) have been closely monitoring the nest, ensuring the safe journey of the hatchlings. The efforts mark another achievement in Malta’s turtle conservation initiative, which is spearheaded by the ERA and NTM’s Wildlife Rehab Project.

This is the second nest to hatch this season, following the recent hatching at Ramla tal-Mixquq, where 44 turtles successfully made their way to the sea. The conservation efforts come during a record-breaking year for turtle nesting in Malta, with the discovery of eight nests so far in 2024.

The loggerhead turtle, classified as “vulnerable” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, appears increasingly drawn to Malta’s shores, offering hope for the species despite the island’s urbanization challenges.

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Rain Showers Hit Malta In Various Locations

Aug 22 2024

Videos sent to the Malta Daily newsroom suggest that rain is finally returning to the Maltese islands after a long stretch of hot and humid summer months.

According to the popular Facebook page Malta Weather, the southwestern regions of Malta have already started to experience rainfall. In fact, a video shared with Malta Daily shows rain clearly falling in Mqabba.

This weather change was anticipated by several local sources, with the Facebook page It-Temp Madwarna accurately predicting that certain localities in the western and central parts of Malta would see some rain.

The long-awaited showers mark a welcome relief from the intense summer heat, signaling a possible shift in the weather as the season begins to change.

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Broadcasting Authority Fines RTK For Failing To Give Platform To Far-Right Candidates

Aug 22 2024

The Broadcasting Authority has fined local radio station RTK 103 a total of €4,660 for failing to maintain impartiality by not inviting far-right candidates, such as Norman Lowell of Imperium Europa, onto their program.

This marks the second fine imposed on RTK by the BA, following a €6,410 fine in January when host Andrew Azzopardi stated on-air that he would not allow Norman Lowell to share his extremist, racist, and far-right views on the program.

RTK is currently appealing both fines in court, arguing that they infringe on the station’s editorial freedom by “forcing it to air extremist, racist, far-right political views.”

The station maintains that it fully adhered to the Broadcasting Authority’s directive for “a wide representation of different opinions” during the electoral campaign by inviting over 60 guests with diverse views while excluding all electoral candidates.

The Istitut tal-Ġurnalisti Maltin (IĠM) has expressed solidarity with Andrew Azzopardi and RTK103, stating that “racism needs no protection from the state.”

The IĠM argued that the Authority should not interfere with a station’s editorial policies, nor should it require the airing of content from individuals like Norman Lowell, who has been convicted of racial hate crimes.

#MaltaDaily