Did You Know… Welsh Fairies Rode Corgis Into Battle?
June 24 is International Fairy Day — a date chosen because it falls near Midsummer, when the boundary between our world and theirs is said to be at its thinnest.
In Welsh folklore, the Tylwyth Teg — the mysterious and enchanting Fair Folk — were said to ride into battle on the backs of corgis. Small but swift, these fairy steeds were loyal companions and fierce fighters, perfectly sized for their supernatural riders.
Even the name “corgi” may hint at this magical origin. Cor means “dwarf” and gi means “dog” in Welsh — making corgi the “dwarf dog,” or as some like to call it, the “dog of the fairies.”
And if you’ve ever noticed the faint dark markings across a corgi’s shoulders, take a closer look. Folklore calls it the fairy saddle — a lasting trace of their time in the service of the Tylwyth Teg.
So today, if you pass a corgi, be polite. It might not be alone...
As a child Ribena was special, that sweet black cordial was a treat. Nowadays, it contains sugar - not a problem but also sweeteners - a big problem. So, last weekend was gifted a bowl of blackcurrants. Only thing to make was my version of Ribena, or rather someone elses version, and here it is. I actually added more sugar as I like to have a sweet version.
Put the sugar in a large saucepan with 300ml water. Bring to a simmer then add the lemon zest and juice followed by the blackcurrants. Cook the mixture over a medium heat until the blackcurrants start to soften and burst.
Step 2
Pour the mixture through a sieve lined with muslin into a clean, heatproof jug then transfer to sterilised bottles. Keeps in the fridge for up to 1 month.
Step 3
Serve approx. 25ml of cordial per 100ml sparkling or still water, or dilute to taste.
Lick features nearly 100 dogs of all different breeds pulling hilarious expressions as they lick their snouts
Photographer Ty Foster chose to work with dogs on Lick after finding himself laughing at their expressive features
The American snapper said he was inspired to create the project while on another shoot back in March 2012
From a cheeky French bull dog sticking out its tongue, to the slobbering chops of a pit bull, a new photo project shows man's best friend cleaning up as nature intended.
Professional photographer Ty Foster's new book - Lick - features nearly 100 dogs of all different breeds pulling hilarious expressions as they lick their snouts.
The American snapper, who trained in London, said he was inspired to create the project while on another shoot back in March 2012.
Professional photographer Ty Foster's new book - Lick - features nearly 100 dogs of all different breeds pulling hilarious expressions as they lick their snouts
Zelda - the tiny adorable French Bulldog - is caught mid-lick in the photography project by the American snapper
'Close to a year ago, I was finishing shooting a job for a client and while going through and pulling an edit I kept stopping on these 'throw-away' images of dogs licking in studio,' he wrote on his blog.
'I was laughing out loud at these images because for me, what their expressions were saying and what their tongues were 'saying' were complete opposites.'
'I remember thinking that these images would make a phenomenal book and from that point on I was determined to capture some more intentional images of dogs licking in studio.
'The best way to describe it would be an 'a-ha' moment, I just kept thinking to myself, 'this would be a great book!''
The slobbering chops of pit bull Jewel are featured in the new photo project shows man's best friend cleaning up as nature intended
Ty Foster, who trained in London, said he was inspired to create the project while on another shoot back in March 2012
Foster shot a wide range of dogs, such as Campbell the Maltese, after posting a casting call on his Facebook page
Foster shot a wide range of dogs, after posting a casting call on his Facebook page.
'We just asked for as many different breeds as we could get. We weren't picky at all, we wanted a large variety of breeds, he told Fstoppers.
He told Petapixel: 'One of the driving reasons I work with dogs specifically is they're always genuinely expressing how they feel, and the personality that is reflected in these portraits is my favorite aspect.'
Ty said he used a dollop of peanut butter on the pet's noses to create the shots.
'It would keep them licking for a whole minute,' he explained. 'It was like children trying chocolate for the first time.'
Ty said that one of the driving reasons he works with dogs is because 'they're always genuinely expressing how they feel'
Ty said he used a dollop of peanut butter on the pet's noses to create the shots. 'It would keep them licking for a whole minute,' he explained
The project aimed to get as many different sizes and breeds of dog as possible to feature in the new book Lick
It's a 'ruff' day being a model for Ty Foster's 'Lick' photo series, like the pet cross breed named Nica
He later became a photo editor for WWE, where he was inspired to create another project - WWE Unleashed. His Timeout series showed dogs in the 'cone of shame' and was another viral hit
Lick Book, which came out earlier this month and published by Knock Knock, is available from Amazon for £9.95
The photographer, from Connecticut, USA, and started his career as an insurance underwriter, but quickly realised photography was his true passion.
He later became a photo editor for WWE, where he was inspired to create another project - WWE Unleashed. Again using dogs, the project features a variety of breeds dressed in wrestling gear to represent the WWE stars.
His Timeout series showed dogs in the 'cone of shame' and was another viral hit.
The internationally recognised animal snapper's latest project had him working with Alpacas on a farm.
Lick Book, which came out earlier this month and published by Knock Knock, is available from Amazon for £9.95
A 2,000-year-old tile floor at the entrance of a home in Pompeii has a message that's instantly recognizable: 'Beware of the Dog.'
This famous mosaic, known as "Cave Canem," was found at the entrance of a lavish building called the House of the Tragic Poet.
It depicts a large, chained dog, looking ready to protect the home. The words "Cave Canem" are written clearly below the animal.
The city of Pompeii was tragically buried under volcanic ash from Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD, preserving striking details like this for centuries.
While the city was destroyed in 79 AD, archaeologists date this particular mosaic back to the 2nd century BC.
When the house was excavated in 1824, this sign gave a direct look into the daily life and concerns of the ancient Romans.
It's a common misconception that this was the only sign of its kind. In fact, similar "Beware of the Dog" mosaics have been found in other houses throughout Pompeii and the Roman Empire.
These warnings served a practical purpose, letting visitors know a guard dog was on the premises, much like the signs we use on our own fences today.
The mosaic remains one of the most vivid and relatable artifacts from the ancient Roman world, a simple warning that transcends time.
