Hi folks,

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

- Right, that's the obligatory bit out of the way.

2010 has been a year of many firsts for me, culminating in my first TV appearance on national Australian TV, my first cricket match, and today my first try at playing golf!

It turns out I am not too bad... but it still isn't a sport (there was a recent debate about that in the local pub I go to when in England). Anyway, here's to 2011 seeing more TV, and maybe another round of golf... but the latter is not a New Year's Resolution.

On a more serious note, A friend of mine is a nurse, and she has dubbed this time of year "Grannie Drop Time". Many families get their elderly relatives admitted to hospital for "health reasons", when in fact they are getting shot of the oldies as they have plans over Christmas and New Year. Nice...

The same thing is happening with dogs as owners either get rid of their pets due to social engagements, or as unwanted Christmas presents. Add into the mix the huge number of dogs that escape their homes in fear as the fireworks welcome in the new year and the animal shelters are bracing themselves for an influx of new furry residents.

However, depressing as this sounds, here's how you can give this situation a silver lining. Giving a rescue dog a loving home is an immensely rewarding experience and using Dog Listener techniques it can be an extremely successful one.

One of my students - now a very respected dog trainer - was instrumental in reducing the return rate of rescue dogs to her local refuge from 35% to 3%. That is an impressive result, and one would think that there must be something in this 'dog listener' system to achieve such a dramatic result.

So if you're still thinking about a New Year's Resolution that will seriously make a difference, why not think about giving a rescue dog a chance to have a great life with you.

Here's to a great 2011. Cheers, Tony