A UK pet food company is looking for a willing taste tester for its new dog food, and is willing to pay them handsomely.
If you've ever wondered what your dog's food tastes like, this is likely to be well up your street.
£5,000 is certainly enough to sway me. They say that curiosity killed the cat, after all, but everyone forgets the other half of the saying - that satisfaction brought it back.
Oh, and the dog food is all vegan, so you're not going to find any cheap and nasty animal by-products in there.
To get that £5,000, the successful dog food taster will be required to eat an all-vegan dog food diet for five days, reports The Manc.
They'll also be expected to keep a daily record of their experience, reporting back - not just on the food's taste, but also on their mood, energy levels, and bowel movements.
The dog food, created by company OMNI, is entirely plant-based and made up of a mix of sweet potatoes, lentils, brown rice, pumpkin, blueberries, peas and cranberries. It actually sounds pretty tasty.
The founders have eaten it themselves, and they're super proud of using human-grade ingredients that are not just 'good enough' but actually desirable.
Shiv Sivakumar, co-founder of OMNI, said: "OMNI is a clean label, meaning that it doesn’t have any mysterious ingredients.
"While all dog food has to use human grade ingredients by law, many brands use cheap animal by-products and unwanted leftovers that humans would definitely not want to eat themselves given the choice.
"We firmly believe that OMNI is good enough for even humans to eat, and more importantly enjoy, that we’re going to put our money where our mouth is.
Image: Omni Pet Food
"We decided to recruit a human taste tester to prove just how tasty and healthy plant-based dog food can be.
"Me and the other founder of OMNI would even eat our products - and we're sure many other dog food brand producers wouldn't.
"So, if you are looking to try out a new diet change and earn a little extra on the side, please sign up!"
The successful taste tester will have access to a registered dietician and will be sent a number of recipes over the week. Expenses will be covered on the food, and once the five days of testing is complete the £5,000 payment will be made.
If you'd like to apply, you can do so here before 31 May. Applicants must be over the age of 18 and live in the UK.
Classic FM will be back playing calming music for anxious pets during this year’s fireworks season.
Bonfire Night may be loved by us humans for the spectacular firework displays and all the festive-themed activities that come along with it… but sadly, the November holiday isn’t quite so fun for our four-legged friends.
Loud bangs, flashing lights, and unpleasant strong smell of spent explosives are just some of the reasons why fireworks are frightening to pets.
Not only that, but with multiple bangs occurring from numerous displays across this time of year, pets are rarely able to pinpoint when and where the booming explosions are coming from, therefore creating even more anxiety around this time of year.
Classic FM will play calming music for anxious pets during this year’s fireworks / Credit: DESIGNECOLOGIST (via Unsplash)
Which is why, for the ninth year running now, Classic FM is once again teaming up with the RSPCA for two Pet Classics programmes packed with ‘the most soothing and comforting classical music’.
The music has been handpicked to help calm and settle any anxious pets.
A survey by the RSPCA revealed that almost two-thirds (63%) of animal owners reported their pet was distressed during fireworks season, and that playing relaxing music was the most common way (36%) to help calm or prepare their animal.
Presenters Dan Walker, Aled Jones, and Dawn O’Porter will each host a night of the specially created programme to help keep the nation’s pets calm through the whizzes and bangs.
Dan will present the first programme on Bonfire Night itself (Thursday 5 November), and then as celebrations continue throughout the weekend, Aled will be on hand to bring some peace to Friday 6 November, and Dawn picks up the baton on Saturday 7 November.
All three Pet Classics programmes will be broadcast from 5pm to 10pm, and you can listen on Classic FM or Global Player available across the UK.
Leeds station to undergo £303m transformation in biggest upgrade for a generation
Clementine Hall
Leeds train station set for biggest transformation in a generation as Government backs growth.
If you thought the work was over for Leeds station, think again.
Because passengers are set to see major improvements as the Government injects a further £200 million into the development of the transport hub.
The additional funding was announced at the Budget today, with upgrades set to be delivered by 2030 and will include the construction of a new central overbridge, three new entrances, more space on the concourses and a longer Platform 14.
Image: Supplied
It means passengers will benefit from more direct routes, less crowding, and nearly 40% more ticket barriers.
Three new entrances will strengthen links between the station and town, improving access to the South Bank, the Dark Arches and Princes Square.
Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander, said: "Leeds station is the gateway to West Yorkshire, and this extra £200 million investment will turn it into a station this city can be proud of: modern, welcoming and built for the people who rely on it every single day.
"The great cities of the north deserve better transport, and that’s exactly what we’re delivering. We're paving the way for Northern Powerhouse Rail, forging stronger connections across the region, and backing the infrastructure that creates jobs, builds homes and puts passengers first as we work to set up Great British Railways."
Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin said: "Leeds Station is the beating heart of our region's transport network, connecting millions of people to jobs, education and opportunity every year – and it’s only going to get busier.
“This investment will benefit passengers and businesses, help to unlock the capacity we need for future growth and create a gateway to West Yorkshire that reflects our ambition.
“Together with our wider plans for West Yorkshire’s Weaver Network, we're building a better-connected region which works for all.”
Georgina Pellant -
20th May 2022 
