WEIRD, WEIRD

Dogs can predict health emergency - Study

Family dogs may be able to predict a medical emergency for their owner, research has revealed.

It was previously thought that the ability to sniff out health problems such as epileptic fits was only possessed by the most intelligent animals or in those with special training, but a new study suggests otherwise.

Experts gave a group of 19 dogs samples of sweat from epilepsy sufferers and volunteers without the condition. The pooches were then observed pawing at their owners when they smelt the seizure odour that had been pumped out through a tube.

Lead researcher Dr Neil Powell, from Queen's University Belfast, said: "This study suggests any dog, of any breed, could predict a seizure before it happens. The dog senses something is not right and tries to get their owner's attention."

The findings could provide a vital early warning for the 600,000 epilepsy sufferers in the UK.

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Friends billed for not attending wedding

A couple have defended their decision to send invoices to people who didn't turn up to their wedding.

Doug Simmons and Dedra McGee had asked those invited to their nuptials at a resort in Jamaica to confirm if they would be attending but felt left down when a number of guests stood them up.

The couple, from Chicago in the United States, decided to charge those who didn't show up US$120 -- the amount they had paid for them to be part of the event.

Simmons has hit back at those who criticised the decision and is adamant that the move wasn't about the cash.

He told The New York Post: "Four times we asked, 'Are you available to come, can you make it?' and they kept saying 'Yes'.

"We had to pay in advance for Jamaica -- this was a destination wedding.

"No one told me or texted me, 'Hey, we can't make it.'

"That's all I was asking. If you tell me you can't make it, I would be understanding -- but to tell me nothing, but then let me pay for you and your plus-ones?

"Four people became eight people. I took that personally."

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People urged to stay clear of sex-crazed dolphin

Swimmers have been warned to stay away from a dolphin that is becoming too sexual with humans.

Experts say that the bottlenose dolphin, which has been filmed among bathers in Cornwall and has been named Nick by locals, is displaying signs of "sexual aggression" and had to be lured back out to sea after thrashing his tail at swimmers.

TV naturalist Chris Packham told The Sun newspaper: "Dolphins play with interesting things in the water and this can include people.

"They can get sexually aggressive, and there is a chance this dolphin could be loved-up and confused.

"Imagine you got lost and ended up in the middle of a herd of elephants. It would be pretty confusing. That's like Nick, surrounded by people -- but dolphins are immensely powerful, and therefore dangerous."

Katheryn Wise, of the World Animal Protection charity, added: "Lone dolphins may employ this behaviour to create social bonds.

"This behaviour can be worsened if the dolphin is increasingly habituated to people's presence. It is strongly advised to keep a safe distance in the water."