Man's Best Friend

Today I am going to dedicate my post to Man's loveliest & Best friend, the dog. I have some very beautiful stamps on these smart creatures from Australia, United Kingdom and India.The set of five stamps issued by Australia on 10 June 2008 looks the important roles that "man's best friend" plays in protecting and supporting our current lifestyle. Originally, the primary roles for domestic dogs were in guarding the home and livestock, and in hunting. Our canine friends have since developed to meet our own needs and enable us to take advantage of the intelligence and natural instincts unique to these animals. The dogs featured on the above stamps issued by Australia are: German Shepherd, Australian Cattle Dog,, Beagle ,Border Collie & Labrador. All are in the denomination of 50c. While writing about these smart creatures, how can I forget to write about my own lovely pet 'Snowy' who is so cute, smart and absolutely a hero. I hope you dont mind if I write something off philately. Sometimes I can take this liberty just for a break. If you have a lovely pet at home, you are never alone. He is always there to greet you when you return home and comes for a 'see off ' through his longing eyes when you leave home. He makes your home always lively like your own kids. Here is my Snowy who is favourite of all, my family, my kids, friends and all those visiting us. Meet my pet and also some other smart ones on Stamps of United Kingdom issued on 5 February 2008.! In the last part some nice and very smart Indian breeds from the se-tenant album of Shri Shrikant Parikh.

I am the best....I am the best ....Yes I am....


Working Dogs

The Working Dogs stamp issue by UK on February 5, 2008, celebrates the centenary of the introduction of the first trained police dogs in Hull in 1908.The Working Dogs stamp issue comprises of six stamps designed by the Scottish design consultancy Redpath with photography by Tim Flach. The stamps show six different kinds of working dog in action.

1st Class – Assistance Dog
Throughout the UK, there are a range of charities shrewdly using dogs to help disabled people to lead fuller, more independent lives. These include people suffering from epilepsy, deafness or mobility problems, who rely on specially trained dogs to raise the alarm or help with a range of everyday tasks, from opening and closing doors, switching on lights, retrieving slippers or keys, helping someone dress and undress – even taking the laundry out of the washing machine.

46p – Mountain Rescue Dog
The intrepid Search and Rescue Dogs Association was set up by Scots mountaineer Hamish McInnes in the 1960s. It trains dogs to ‘air scent’ – picking up a human scent blown towards them by the wind or air currents, a technique which has proved highly effective in pin-pointing lost or injured unfortunates. And not a St Bernard bearing a cask of brandy in sight.

48p – Police Dog
The first British police dogs didn’t cut the mustard. A pair of Bloodhounds conscripted to track down the notorious Jack the Ripper in 1888, they bolted after one of them bit the Metropolitan Commissioner. But today, several hundred highly trained animals provide valuable canine back up to police forces up and down the country, helping to apprehend criminals, uncover evidence, keep unruly crowds under control, as well as sniffing out explosives and drugs.

54p – Customs Dog
It takes around three months of intensive ‘hide and seek’-based training until a customs dog has the nose and expertise to uncover anything from hidden contraband and banknotes to illegal immigrants. Reporting for duty at our ports and airports, these determined animals are a boon to national security, ably inspecting passengers, cars, freight vehicles, aircraft, shipping and any other nooks and crannies that arouse the suspicions of their handlers.

69p – Sheepdog
The sheepdog has become synonymous with the familiar black-and-white Border Collie, popularised by the long-gone TV programme One Man and his Dog. With a fierce intelligence and steely glint in their eye perfect for intimidating their bovine charges, working border collies can be directed by voice and whistle at long distances. And they’re capable of herding more than sheep… they’ll happily take on cattle, poultry, deer and even the odd ostrich.

78p – Guide Dogs
Dogs have led the blind since Roman times, though the modern guide dog programme was introduced in Germany for veterans who lost their sight during WWI. The system relies on close partnership between dog and owner, in which both parties are carefully matched and rigorously trained. There are some 4,700 guide dogs in the UK, provided by Guide Dogs for the Blind for a nominal 50p.

From Se-tenant Album of Shrikant Parikh

Fauna- Indian Breeds of Dogs

1.Himalayan Sheep Dog 2. Rampur Hound 3. Mudhol Hound 4. Rajapalayam
Date of Issue : 9 January 2005