Have you heard of Kaylen Ward? She’s a 20-year-old Instagram model who now likes to call herself ‘The Naked Philanthropist’.

She was profoundly distressed to hear about the devastating bushfires that have been burning across Australia and wondered to herself what she could possibly do to help.

Kaylen is a nude model, so decided to sell naked pictures of herself in exchange for donations to the bushfire crisis.

This woman is a modern-day hero with a terrific plan – rational and commendable and altruistic. She reportedly had 10 verified direct messages a minute once she had put out her tweet, offering to send a nude picture to anyone who donated $10 (£7.60) and has allegedly raised more than AU$700,000.

However, because a woman’s nudity is still so morally weighted, Kaylen has been bullied, trolled and banned from the platform on which she was famous: Instagram has deleted her account.

The way Kaylen has been treated shows that it’s time we got our heads around the fact that women can do what they want with their time, their bodies and their bank accounts.

There are many thousands of women who put naked pictures of themselves online, for all sorts of reasons – some for money, others just for the thrill – and so long as they’re happy with that, it’s completely fine.

Celebrities do it frequently – think Kim Kardashian or Emily Ratajkowski – and don’t experience the same backlash. Why are we comfortable with famous people taking their clothes off, but not ordinary women who want to use their nudity for a decent cause?

No one deserves to be mocked, judged or punished. Whether it’s for help with climate emergency reparations or for important medical treatment, as is the case for 28-year-old Michelle De Feo.

Michelle has been posing topless for strangers and sharing photos of her feet for fetishists, but in her case it’s to raise funds to pay a specialist to treat her for Lyme Disease; something she wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford.

She’s on the internet in the hope of raising £7000 for specialist treatment in Washington, US.

‘I’m going to get judged and my dad gets upset and other family members do,’ Michelle told Metro.co.uk. ‘But if you were in my situation you would do anything.’

In a better world, Michelle’s treatment would be accessible and affordable through universal healthcare. It’s profoundly sad that it’s not and I wish Michelle didn’t have to get naked for money.

Kaylen Ward wanted to sell nudes, so she did. Michelle De Feo wanted to do that too – so she did.

Michelle’s campaign may not be as joyous or as cavalier as Kaylen’s, but it’s obviously worth doing and I wish her so much luck. I really hope she meets her target and is able to live a better life.

Complain about the systems if you want – an Australian government that refused to act on climate change and failed to support fire fighters right when they need it, or unequal healthcare systems. Those are the real issues here, not whether a woman is taking her clothes off to raise money.

Selling naked photos is absolutely fine. Commendable, sometimes, even.

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If you’ve ever been woken up by your cat’s paw on your face just before your alarm or been aggressively miaowed at when you’re three minutes late with dinnertime, you’ll have wondered: how do cats know what time it is?

They don’t have a tiny wristwatch, after all.

Have they somehow figured out how to read the kitchen clock?

You’re not overestimating your cat’s intelligence.

While cats can’t tell the time from a clock (as far as we know), they do have a general sense of time.

They keep track of when things usually happen and know full well if you’re not sticking to their allotted mealtime or you’ve overslept.

Cat behaviourist Anita Kelsey explains that like humans, cats have a sort of internal clock that keeps their waking and sleeping hours fairly regular.

Anita tells Metro.co.uk: ‘Cats are crepuscular, meaning that they are primarily active around dawn and dusk. This is evolutionary, meaning all cats instinctively and naturally do the same.’

Also like humans, cats can use internal and external cues to figure out what point they’re at in the day.

The same way that you’ll get hungry around lunchtime and know it’s been a few hours since breakfast, cats will judge how long it has been since their last meal – and that’s how they know to tell you off if a dish is overdue.

Animal Behaviourist Rosie Bescoby tells us: ‘Internal cues such as hunger, thirst and other internal motivations, will cause the cat to predict food etc at certain times.

‘External cues will also be ‘back chained’ which means that the cat can chain together numerous cues that predict something is about to happen.

‘For example, the sun coming up predicts the owner’s alarm clock is about to go off, or the neighbour arriving home predicts their owner is about to arrive home, or the owner eating dinner predicts they are about to be fed, etc.’

We play a role in reinforcing certain time-specific behaviours, too.

Your cat probably doesn’t wake you up at 6am because they don’t want you to be late for work, but because they know you’ll reward that behaviour with plenty of head strokes and snuggles.

‘If they begin crying at 5am (when they’re naturally awake) and they get attention from that, whether negative or positive, they will continue to wake their owners up at this time,’ Anita says.

‘The same goes for our patterns of coming home from work. They know that when we arrive home they will get fed and cats are good at memorising time lengths if it means they get what they want at the end of it.

‘For example: My cats always get a midnight snack and they always wake up or sit by the kitchen around midnight, which is actually the only way I know the time then!’

In short: Yes, your cats can figure out the time without the need for a clock or an alarm. It’s all down to their natural body clock, their observation of external cues such as daylight and your behaviour, and internal cues such as their own hunger.

Yes, they do know that you’re having a major lie-in this morning. And yes, they probably are judging you.

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For those taking part, we’re on to the home strait of Veganuary – but many of you might be thinking about keeping the plant-based diet going even once the month is over.

With Greggs’ vegan steak bake and Subway’s Meatless Meatball Marinara, it might not even feel like you’ve changed much of your habits.

Things might get more complicated once you’re in the big supermarkets though, especially if you don’t know what foods are vegan.

To help out, we’ve taken a look at what’s vegan from Marks & Spencer.

What’s include in the M&S vegan range?

If you thought you’d struggle finding vegan goodies, M&S are clearly here to help you out.

They have a pretty extensive vegan range, with over 100 new vegan-friendly products recently launched in store through their Plant Kitchen and other ranges.

You can see details of the full range here – but here’s a selection of what’s in store that’s vegan-friendly.

• Plant Kitchen Beetroot Carrot Bourgignon
• Plant Kitchen Mushroom Stroganoff
• Planet Kitchen Margherita Pizza
• Plant Kitchen No Chicken Kiev

• Plant Kitchen Green Thai Curry
• Plant Kitchen Roast Aubergine
• Plant Kitchen No-Duck Spring Rolls
• Plant Kitchen No-Beef Burger
• Plant Kitchen No Chicken Smokehouse Wrap
• Plant Kitchen ToFish and Chips

• Plant Kitchen No-Pork Sausoyges
• Plant Kitchen Sweetcorn and Chickpea Burger
• Plant Kitchen Cauliflower Popcorn Bites
• Plant Kitchen Sweet Potato Biriyani Wrap
• Plant Kitchen Rainbow Veg Sushi Wrap
• Plant Kitchen Roasted Veg Sandwich
• Plant Kitchen Crunchy Apple Wedges

(The range also includes almond, soya and cashew milks as well as soya cream and coconut yoghurt).

Veg Pots

• The Roasted One
• The Bang Bang One
• The Fiery One
• Smoking Salsa (side)
• Ooh, Saucy! (side)

Snacks

• Popped Corn Triangles Sweet and Salty
• Popped Corn Triangles Spiced Coconut
• Popped Corn Triangles Wasabi
• Popped Potato Chips Smoky BBQ
• Popped Potato Chips Hummus and Lime
• Popped Potato Chips Sea Salt and Apple Cider Vinegar
• Chilli and Lime
• Smoky BBQ
• Hot Pepper Kick
• Balsamic and Sea Salt

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Meet Miss Rigby – an American-Burmese cat who has lived on a boat since she was a kitten.

Also known as Rigs, Riggles or Chicken, the champagne-coloured kitty loves nothing more than exploring the waters of the USA and the Carribean with owners Shane and Maryvonne.

Shane, 53, and Maryvonne, 52, previously owned an architectural business together before quitting 10 years ago to pursue their passion for sailing.

They now live on their boat and travel full-time with their pet.

‘Miss Rigby comes from a breeder in Connecticut,’ Maryvonne says. ‘Burmese cats are known to be the most “dog-like” of all cat breeds.

‘They are extremely loving and loyal and also trainable – well, as much as you can train a cat.

‘She has lived on the boat with us her whole life since she was an 11-week-old kitten. The boat is her home and she loves it.’

For the last two years, Miss Rigby’s adventures have been documented on Instagram, where she’s quite the star.

Her journey started in Long Island, New York, and she has since sailed up and down the East Coast and into the Bahamas several times.

The lucky cat has travelled through the Caribbean and stopped at most of the islands with her doting humans.

Maryvonne said: ‘We have so many memories but the main one is how happy she makes us and how much we laugh at her and love her.

‘We can be in terrible sea conditions but she makes it bearable with her purring and cuteness. I can’t imagine not having her onboard.

‘Our walks/hikes are also a lot of fun and watching her do crazy runs makes life better. We have trained her to be like a dog and she hasn’t let us down.’

As fun as it is to have a cat on a sailing boat, the couple has to make sure it’s safe for Miss Rigby to roam around.

‘Our main concern always is her safety,’ Maryvonne says. ‘Whilst at sea she is mainly locked down below and is only allowed on deck in the cockpit in calm conditions and under strict supervision.’

Maryvonne continued: ‘We are often asked about why she doesn’t wear a life jacket.’

‘We tried one on her but it just made her more clumsy. She can swim well and we would pick her up quickly if she fell in. I would jump in after her.’

In case of an emergency, the couple also has a net hanging from the back of the boat in case Miss Rigby slips off the boat whilst at anchor.

Maryvonne added: ‘This has never happened thankfully. She is very sure-footed and aware of the water around her.’

Clever cat.

If your cat has an unconventional life, email metrolifestyleteam@metro.co.uk to tell us more.

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Longer lashes feature high on many of our aesthetic wishlists and luckily for us, it’s a highly achievable dream.

Lash extensions, fancy mascara and false eyelashes are all viable options, but what about those of us low maintenance (read: lazy) types who just want naturally longer lashes with minimal faff?

There are many eyelash serums on the market claiming to give us longer, stronger lashes, but are these just snake oil dressed in fancy packaging, or can they really give us the lashes we so desire?

‘While lash serums do seem too good to be true, in my past experience they have been very beneficial for anyone who wants to give their lashes a boost,’ Hollie Bennett, senior therapist at Cecily Day Spa, who has 12 years experience working with lashes, tells Metro.co.uk.

‘They help by stimulating the root of the lash making them strong and thicker and have given plenty of desirable results.’

How do they work?

‘Most lash serums have a combination of vitamins and oils in them which help to protect the lashes from everyday life such as pollution,’ explains Hollie.

‘It is these vitamins and oils that work to strengthen the hair follicles and improve each individual lash’s health.’

Still slightly sceptical, I dished out some popular lash serums to my pals to get their honest, non-biased reviews.

1. Advanced eyelash conditioner, Revitalash, £52 for 1ml

How to use: ‘Once a day, apply a thin line to clean and dry eyelashes above the level of the skin.’

The claim: ‘A proprietary blend of scientifically advanced technology and natural botanicals join in concert to protect against breakage and brittleness and improve flexibility, moisture, and shine for more dramatic-looking eyelashes.

‘Daily use provides immediate conditioning benefits; leading to healthier-looking, more luxurious lashes.’

Metro.co.uk’s review: ‘This was super easy to use with a liquid eyeliner style thin brush tip which you swipe across your lashline just before bed.

‘This definitely made a difference to my lashes and was most noticeable when I used my usual mascara after a few weeks of using the product – my lashes were definitely longer than they normally look with that mascara on. They looked great.

‘My lashes definitely fell out less and felt healthier, although once I stopped using the product, they seemed to go back to how they were.

‘£52 seems an awful lot of money for 1ml of product but it lasted for six weeks, which was really surprising.

‘I liked that the instructions stress not to use more product than advised as it won’t have any added benefit, as this stops you wasting the product.

‘This product is definitely something I’d like to use again, but as a treat due to the high price point.

‘I also love the story behind the product – RevitaLash’s ophthalmologist founder created it to help his wife when she was going through treatment for breast cancer.’

2. RapidLash Eyelash enhancing serum, Lookfantastic, £39.99 for 3ml

How to use: ‘Apply RapidLash to the base of the upper eyelashes using the applicator brush. RapidLash is to be used once daily in the evening before bedtime.’

The claim: ‘Improve the appearance of your natural lashes with a multi-award winning formula clinically proven to give up to 50% longer-looking natural lashes.

‘Promoting fuller-looking eyelashes, the lash-enhancing serum utilises a Hexatein® 1 Complex (combining a scientifically advanced blend of Polypeptides with Amino Acids, nourishing Pumpkin Seed extract, Biotin and Panthenol) to condition, nurture and hydrate lashes.

‘Promoting lash durability and shine, the high performance serum will leave lashes looking healthier, luscious and stronger.’

Metro.co.uk’s review: ‘This had an eyeliner style pen tip rather than a mascara wand, which I wasn’t a fan of.

‘I feel like if it was a mascara wand it would get to the root and tip better, whereas with the pen tip, you can get a bit glooping next to your lid which isn’t always ideal. Especially as this is applied once a day before bed, so you end up with gooey eyes going to sleep.

‘However, the stuff does feel really good, like a nourishing conditioner for your lashes. My lashes definitely feel stronger but this may also be because I’ve stopped wearing mascara, so have less cosmetic buildup on them.

‘I’ve not noticed a difference in length though.’

3. Beauty brow and lash enhancement serum, Image Skincare, £50 for 4ml

How to use: ‘Apply twice a day to clean, makeup-free brows and the base of the upper lash line.’

The claim: ‘Frame your eyes with lengthier lashes and full, healthy brows with this specialty serum, an intensive blend of peptides, conditioners and plant stem cell extracts that supports healthy follicles and protects against breakage. It enhances short or sparse lashes and brows by visibly improving thickness and length.’

Metro.co.uk’s reviewer says: ‘The Image serum was super easy to use with a twist-up brush pen that you could wipe on your lashes and brows in a matter of seconds. The pen had a clear section so you could see when it was running out, which was handy.

‘I was keen to try this as I have dark but fairly short eyelashes, and I’d just had a facial laser treatment that had burned off a lot of my eyebrows.

‘I was really pleased with how this worked on my brows – my eyebrow hair is usually quite coarse with some rogue hairs growing in weird directions but after a few weeks of using this serum, the hair was much softer and less wayward.

‘New hairs coming through were also a lot softer than their predecessors.

‘The effect wasn’t as obvious on my eyelashes – there was no real growth, but I noticed a definite reduction in lashes falling out when I rubbed my eyes.

‘I’d definitely use this again on my brows if it was cheaper but sadly, I can’t justify £50 on the money I earn.’

4. Prevage clinical lash and brow enhancing serum, Elizabeth Arden, £90 for 3.84ml

How to use: ‘Apply every night with applicator brush to skin along clean lash line, from inner to outer corner.’

The claim: ‘Our exclusive triple peptide complex, boosted by vitamins, botanicals and lash conditioners, supports the natural lash cycle so they look lush, healthy and revitalised – and eyes appear younger than ever.

‘Not intended to prevent or reduce hair loss or to promote the growth of hair.’

Metro.co.uk’s reviewer says: ‘Unlike my other body hair, my eyelashes are worryingly conservative and prefer to play things straight. There is literally no curl or depth. In short, they’re mundane (and short).

‘I was excited to try this serum as the online reviews waxed lyrical about its lengthening and conditioning properties, and I too, am now one of these waxers.

‘My routine consists of swiping the little brush along my upper lash line once a day (FYI, there’s a slight tingly sensation, but I think this is the serum waging war on my lifeless yet iron-willed lashes).

‘Three weeks down the line, my eyelashes are longer, thicker and yes, more malleable. It’s a 10/10 from me.’

5. Lipocils expert collector edition eyelash growth and pigmentation gel, Talika, £39 for 10ml

How to use: ‘Morning and night, as a 28-day treatment, repeated every three months. Apply to the base of the lashes using the foam tip, then along the entire length of the lashes, from the roots to the ends.’

The claim: ‘Lipocils Expert is a unique treatment that no longer acts on eyelash growth only, but also on the lashes’ curve and natural pigmentation. Concentrated in Talika Mythical Botanical Complex, a combination of plants that has been stimulating eyelash growth in women for more than 70 years, Lipocils Expert is rich in anti-aging Peptide Expert, Coleus forskohlii, a natural pigmentation booster, and curling silk proteins.

‘After days of treatment, lash growth is stimulated: eyelashes are 36% longer (+2.1 mm on average**), their pigmentation is naturally darker (by 50%), and their curl is enhanced.’

Metro.co.uk’s reviewer says: ‘I’ve been using the Talika eyelash gel for the last eight weeks and as far as applying it went, found it incredibly easy to use. The packaging was very cute, and gave the impression that you were using a product that was a little bit special.

‘For me personally I would have preferred it to be a once a day application rather than twice a day because like so many others, I am often in a rush to leave the house in the mornings and found that my mascara didn’t seem to work as well if I applied it straight after the gel. 

‘I have always had incredibly short eyelashes, and usually struggle to make them appear longer than they actually are, so I’m pleased to say it’s made a difference to both length and fullness of my eyelashes. As for curling, I didn’t have much to curl to start with so I wasn’t the best candidate for that.

‘However, as I struggled to apply twice a day, I don’t think I gave it the opportunity to work to its potential so I’ll carry on and see if it continues to make a difference.

‘This product seems to last quite a long time, though it’s a little more than what I would usually spend on a beauty product.

‘I’d definitely use it again though, but as something I treat myself to every now and then, as opposed to part of my everyday beauty regime.’

6. Chantecaille faux cils mascara longest lash, Space NK, £62 for 9g

How to use: ‘Pull the mascara brush up from the base of lashes through to the tips, gently wiggling the wand as you go.’

The claim: ‘A super volumising mascara that amplifies, nourishes and defines every single lash. Rich in mineral salts, seaweed extract and rosewater, this mascara will protect and regenerate eyelashes, rather than disguising them.

‘This bold, beautiful mascara boasts the latest innovation in lash technology, which blends powerful peptides to enhance the natural length, thickness and fullness of eyelashes. After just two weeks’ usage, lash growth will have been stimulated by 25%, encouraging stronger, longer hairs to grow. The mascara’s light, creamy texture thickens and curls without clumping, and will condition lashes with each application.

‘The double-helix mascara brush combs and feathers lashes as mascara is applied; the result is longer, stronger and infinitely more striking eyes.’

Metro.co.uk’s review: ‘I liked this as it was a black mascara containing eyelash serum that you could use everyday, so it slots into your normal routine with no faff.

‘Unlike a lot of mascaras I use, it was easy to apply straight away and turned out to be the best mascara I have ever used, especially in terms of making my eye lashes instantly look longer and fuller.

‘Crucially, it’s also really easy to remove.

‘My natural lashes are fairly long but I struggle to make them look full. After weeks of using this, my lashes were noticeably longer when I wasn’t wearing mascara and less were falling out.

‘I applied this to my bottom lashes too and the only downside is that it smudges under my eyes by the end of the day.

‘This is pricey but actually pretty good value for money as it lasts a lot longer than high street alternatives.’

The problem with eyelash serums is that while many do seem to be effective, they only work as long as you’re using them and your lashes will go back to normal after you cease using the product.

Is there a cheaper, DIY solution for those of us who can’t afford to spend the best part of £100 every few months?

Weeks after finishing the lash serum I was testing, I got myself a small bottle of castor oil after reading rave reviews online about its lash growth abilities.

I wiped castor oil on my eyebrows and eyelashes with a cotton bud for a few weeks, every night before bed.

While it didn’t give me longer lashes, the oil did appear to make my brows and lashes seem glossier and more conditioned, which I was a huge fan of.

Glossier lashes give the illusion of fullness and conditioned lashes are less likely to break, so while castor oil isn’t the magic potion your eyes crave, it can work well as a decent, low budget lash conditioner.

Make sure you test a patch first to check for irritation.

If you’re in the market for better lashes, it’s also important to check you’re not screwing yourself over by using old makeup.

‘The most common mistake people make that can have a big impact on lash growth and health is using old mascara,’ says Hollie.

‘Mascara should only be kept for three months before being thrown away and replaced with a new one as they can cause a nasty build-up of bacteria.

‘Another common mistake is the use of strip lashes. The glue that is used to apply these block and clog up the tiny lash pores. This causes damage to the natural lashes and can potentially cause long term loss and damage.’

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A mum-of-three, who got dreadlocks after struggling to style her thin hair, has let her three-year-old have the same hairstyle.

Kristin Miller from Maui, Hawaii, says she always admired dreadlocks and decided to lock her own hair two and a half years ago.

The 34-year-old, who works as a karaoke MC, lets her daughter Loretta have the same style.

Loretta hated having her hair brushed and found the experience painful. The youngster’s active outdoor lifestyle meant her hair was constantly in knots.

After seeing her mum’s dreads, Loretta asked Kristin if she could have the same look.

Since the mum and daughter have started sporting the same hairstyle, Kristin has started an Instagram page @dreadyloretty as she wants to ‘normalise’ children with dreads.

Kristen has also created a children’s Kindle book, Dready-Loretty: No Time to Brush about a little girl who loves adventures but can’t find the time to brush her hair.

Her Instagram account has amassed 11.8K followers and while she’s received a lot of support, Kristin has also been accused of neglect, abuse and cultural appropriation.

Ignoring the comments, Kristin wants to encourage other parents to listen to their children and to allow them to express their own individuality.

‘I always thought dreads were beautiful and my hair was very thin, hard to style and always worn up, so dreads seemed like a good idea,’ explained Kristin.

‘I was not surprised at Loretta’s interest in dreads. She was always touching mine and saying “deez your dweads?”.’

‘She would cry when I would suggest it was time to brush. I was trying to be gentle. I even used a detangler. She wasn’t having it. I gave her the choice and at two she vocalised, “I keep da dweads”.’

So Kristen sectioned Loretta’s hair and put in rubber bands to separate each naturally-forming dread. She documented the growth week by week on Instagram.

She added: ‘I knew there was some stigma attached and wanted to help normalise kids with dreads. I wanted to show it was just a part of her life and how she lived it.

‘The reaction is not always positive; some people have accused me of neglect, abuse, and cultural appropriation.

‘Everyone is entitled to their opinion I suppose and not everyone will be convinced one way or the other. It’s not about them. It’s about what Loretta wants.

‘Children should be forming and discovering their own identities as early as they desire.’

Kristin says she also lets Loretta choose what to wear which can sometimes include her older brother’s hand-me-downs.

She washes Loretta’s hair once or twice a week with a special eco-friendly dread shampoo.

Through sharing Loretta’s story, Kristin hopes to encourage parents to let their children form their own identities.

‘Let their natural desire to be an individual come out if they so choose, kids aren’t trying to stand out and be different, they are trying to be themselves.

‘I want other parents to see her decision was not a philosophical one but a practical one. I wanted to promote dread acceptance and understanding.

‘It’s important to remember people choose to have dreads for many reasons; religion, culture, or love of the style.

‘I think dreads are one of those things that help us practice respect, love, and understanding for things or people we don’t necessarily understand.

‘Always keep an open heart and mind for your earthly brothers and sisters. We are all in this together.’

If your children have an unconventional lifestyle, get in touch with metrolifestyleteam@metro.co.uk to tell us more.

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Do you have a graveyard of cacti and succulents littering your windowsill?

Find yourself wracked with guilt for all the plants you’ve destroyed?

The good news is you’re not alone.

While seven in ten millennials consider themselves ‘plant parents, the average person has killed seven plants they’ve brought into their home.

Seven. That makes us serial plant-killers.

A study conducted by OnePoll in conjunction with Article found that people’s experiences of ending plants’ lives has made them scared to love greenery again – 22% of the 2,000 millennials surveyed said they were apprehensive about owning a plant because they’ve accidentally killed one in the past.

All the pressure to be a good plant parent leads to anxious feelings for many, with the pressure simply becoming too much – that’s despite 81% saying adding plants to their home has had a positive effect on their mental and physical health, and four in five saying that taking care of their plants has led them to start taking better care of themselves.

So, what are plant parents worrying about?

And more importantly, how can we stop killing plants?

The key is tuning into how your plant is doing and adapting your care in response.

Choose the right plants for your space

Don’t just choose plants based on how pretty they look.

If your home gets a lot of light, don’t choose a shade-lover. If you know you need a low-maintenance plant, don’t go for an orchid.

Do your research before you buy your plant to make sure it can thrive in your home and with your lifestyle.

Don’t overwater

Overwatering is very often the cause of death for a plant. Again, do your research to check how much watering your plant needs.

A good rule of thumb: if you push your finger into the soil and it’s dry to the second joint, it’s probably time to give it a good water.

Make sure they can drain 

If you water your plant in a closed pot, you’ll leave the roots to soak and rot.

Use a pot with draining holes and place on top of a saucer to collect excess water.

Feed them occasionally 

Fertiliser and plant food can help your plants thrive, but be careful not to overdo it.

Only feed during the growing season, April to September, as the majority of plants are dormant in winter. Never feed a sick plant as it will only making it unhappier.

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Lulu the nine-year-old Rottweiler could hardly move and experienced pain in her back legs when she tipped the scales at 9st 10lbs.

The dog, thought to be the heaviest in Britain, was put on a low-calorie diet after being referred to an animal obesity expert at Small Animal Teaching Hospital at the University of Liverpool.

She was two stone heavier than Britain’s previous fattest dog, a border collie known as Bopper the Whopper.

But after being put on a low-calorie, high protein diet, Lulu lost a staggering 3st 10lbs in 45 weeks.

She is now a much healthier 6st.

Owner Gill Jones, a 66-year-old grandmother of six, said: ‘She was a rescue dog and was born with a problem with her genes.

‘Over a progressive period of time, she slowly put weight on.

‘It was only when she went for one of her check ups that we noticed she was overweight.

‘She had always been exercised, we live near the seaside and she was always walked on the beach.

‘She would do about a mile twice a day, but she could never go as far as my other two male Rottweilers.

‘She was always in pain, it was quite uncomfortable to watch her after she had been exercised.

‘We tried everything, we reduced her food, we tried to exercise her more, but nothing was working. We were at our wit’s end.’

Gill and her husband, Robert, 69, took Lulu to the vets, who referred her to the Small Animal Teaching Hospital, where Professor German put her on a specific diet.

Lulu’s food was full of fibre and protein, which made her feel full, and low in calories, which saw her weight come down in a healthy manner.

‘If you looked at the amount of food we were giving her, you wouldn’t think it would be enough to fill a big dog like her,’ said Gill.

‘But she never went looking for more food, she was always full. Before, she could never get on the couch and wasn’t interested in playing.

‘She jumps on the couch in one leap and will happily sit there watching television.

‘She has a far better quality of life now. She’s happy, she plays, and she’s always chasing the boys round.

‘She has a different temperament and can move more freely and her whole personality has changed, she’s a lot happier in herself.’

Professor German said obesity in dogs, like in humans, can be caused by a range of factors and can lead to other health issues.

He said: ‘Almost invariably we find it’s not just obesity, in Lulu’s case she had problems with her joints and limbs.

‘She had back limb lameness, which restricted how much she could move. And when she put weight on, that put more pressure on her joints.

‘But by the end of the programme, she had her head up, her tail wagging and she was much more mobile and excitable – all signs of happiness.’

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MORE: Can cats and dogs eat peanut butter?

After the devastating loss of three of her quadruplets, a pregnant mum had to carry the stillborn babies to full term to save one.

When Tori Keller was 19 she found out that she was expecting quadruplets with now-fiancé Tyler Hallman.

Tori, now 23, from Alabama, shocked doctors who asked the couples if they were taking fertility medication, which they weren’t.

The couple was told that three of their babies were sharing a placenta and amniotic sac while their fourth baby was in a sac of their own.

During her first trimester, Tori suffered terrible morning sickness and her pregnancy was deemed high-risk, meaning she had to see her doctors weekly.

At 15 weeks, the couple went for a scan to find out the sexes of the babies and found out they were expecting all girls.

But they were given the devastating news that one of the babies no longer had a heartbeat as the placenta wasn’t strong enough to sustain three babies.

After her 18-week appointment, Tori stopped feeling any movement and began having pain on her sides. A week later, Tori and Tyler were told that two more babies no longer had heartbeats.

While grieving the devastating loss of their children, Tori was told that she would have to carry all four of her babies to full term. From then on Tori was closely monitored with ultrasounds, cervix checks, blood and fluid samples.

At just 23 weeks – as opposed to the usual 32 for a quadruple pregnancy – Tori went into labour. She was rushed to theatre to have an emergency caesarean.

Her daughter, named Athena, was born weighing just 1lb 5oz and measuring 12 inches long with her eyes still fused shut and her ears not yet fully developed.

The newborn had to spend 127 days in the hospital before being discharged.

As difficult as it was to carry the other babies, Tori knew she had to carry on for Athena who is now three years old.

She said: ‘I had to carry on. I knew that I couldn’t give up. I didn’t know how to feel about carrying them with no heartbeat, but I didn’t have a choice. It’s a feeling with multiple feelings. It was hard.

‘I was worried and scared. I’m honestly not super religious, but I prayed. I prayed every day until my next appointment.

‘Being closely monitored was nerve-racking and honestly kind of humiliating.

‘I really hated not being able to use an actual bathroom. That’s something I will never take for granted.’

When she went into early labour, Tori was terrified about losing her final baby. The C-section she had was also not ‘normal’ as she was cut horizontally on the outside but vertically on the inside,

While Athena stayed at the newborn intensive care unit (NICU), Tori focused on getting better too.

Tori continued: ‘Recovery from labour was nothing like I had ever experienced before. A C-section is not easy to heal from. It hurt to cough, laugh, sneeze, and move.

‘Seeing Athena for the first time was unreal. Of course, I never wanted to see her like that, but it truly is an amazing thing to see a baby that small.

‘I was scared and sad that she had to be hooked up to tubes and wires, rather than in my belly, but I was filled with so much love for her. Love is the main thing I felt.’

Tori described the first time she held Athena, which was two weeks after birth, as ‘the best feeling ever’.

Seeing the doctors and nurses care for Athena and the other babies in the NICU has made Tori realise that she would like to become a nurse one day.

Athena had some developmental delays but is now thriving and is the best big sister to her younger brother, Zachariah, one.

Tori and Tyler have told their children about their sisters, telling them that they are angels who watch over them every day.

‘We already talk to them about their sisters. They have seen pictures of them as well.

‘She knows that they are angels now, and they watch over us every day. I know she doesn’t quite understand yet, but we do talk about them a good bit.’

Tori has advised other parents that they too can get through the loss of a child.

She said: ‘For anyone struggling with child loss, you can get through it. Having a micro-preemie (premature baby) taught me so much.

‘It taught me to appreciate every small detail and to be patient. Athena taught me how to be strong. She taught me how to get through the dark times. She saved me. She’s my hero.’

MORE: Mum-of-four who died after childbirth donates 12 organs to help others

MORE: Mum choosing to lose her teeth and sight to stay alive for her children

MORE: Grieving mum who ‘had to wait until lunch for help before stillbirth’ loses her tribunal

Former alcoholic Aaron Calder ditched the booze after he was rushed to hospital with a liver condition that caused him to vomit blood.

The 40-year-old had damaged his liver so badly that his veins became clogged up and burst in his mouth while he was sleeping.

Aaron, from Brighton, survived the ordeal and quit drinking immediately.

But two years after going sober, tests showed Aaron’s liver was still in bad shape.

It was while watching a Netflix documentary called Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead, that something clicked in Aaron to go vegan.

He switched to a plant-based diet which he says led to miraculous improvements in his health.

Aaron explained: ‘A fibroscan measuring the inflammation of my liver came in at 75 – the worst possible result.

‘But just months after adopting the vegan diet, my score had dropped by almost a half to 39 and my liver appeared to be functioning normally. I couldn’t believe it, and neither could my doctor.’

Aaron started binge drinking as a teenager and became dependent on alcohol to boost his confidence.

But seven years ago, he was put in intensive care and kept in hospital for two weeks.

He had two blood transfusions and was treated for a kidney infection, malnutrition, gout and liver cirrhosis – when scar tissue from the liver replaces normal liver tissue.

Aaron said: ‘My liver was so badly damaged that it couldn’t cope with the blood flow. The blood was blocking up which caused seven veins in my throat to burst.

‘The doctors told me I was very lucky to be alive and said if I drank again I would die. But I have not touched it since my hospital admission.’

Aaron had regular check-ups on his liver cirrhosis but two years after going sober, his liver inflammation wasn’t at its healthiest.

So he tried a different approach – veganism.

Aaron said: ‘I was skeptical at first. As a vegetarian, I was sure that I needed eggs for protein and milk for calcium.

‘But I decided to give the vegan diet a go and started to see massive improvements in my health.’

Just months after adopting the plant-based diet and switching to wholemeal ingredients, Aaron returned to the hospital for another liver scan.

He said: ‘The results alone showed that my liver was functioning normally. My cholesterol and blood pressure were perfect too.’

But Aaron was surprised by how averse the doctor was to veganism, even after seeing its benefits first-hand.

He added: ‘My doctor immediately saw how well I looked when I walked in. But he didn’t recommend a vegan diet because he thought it lacked vital nutrients. I couldn’t believe it, given my improvements since switching.’

Aaron is now a full-time food blogger and regularly posts his plant-based recipes on Instagram.

He said: ‘People think a vegan diet is strict, but I actually eat a lot of food and still enjoy vegan burgers, chips and chocolate cakes.

‘But I swap the butter, white flour and sugar for avocado oil, wholemeal flour, and maple syrup.’

Aaron returned for further tests in March last year, and for the first time, the fat deposits in his liver had completely cleared.

He said: ‘The vegan diet has played a massive role in my recovery. It has given the body the chance to heal.

‘When I stopped drinking, my liver didn’t improve much. It wasn’t until I adopted the vegan diet that my results started to improve.

‘I am now enjoying my work as a food blogger. I have swapped my alcohol addiction with a focus on making really good food.’

If you’ve made any lifestyle changes and seen impressive results, email metrolifestyleteam@metro.co.uk to tell us more.

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We apologise in advance if this ruins your weekend plans, but it’s important advice: please don’t put your penis in a banana skin for sexual gratification or for any other reason.

Why must we tell you this? Are people really masturbating with banana peels?

Apparently so, yes. So while you personally may have never utilised fruit skins for sexual purposes, we really do need to warn people not to do this.

Over on Reddit, multiple men claim they use ‘the banana technique’, in which they self-pleasure by putting their dick in a banana peel as a sort of makeshift masturbation sleeve.

Proponents say the sensation is ‘the closest thing there is to a blow job’ and praise banana peels as an easy-to-make homemade sex toy.

Fans of the banana technique like that banana peels have slippery interiors, replicating the feel of penetrating a vagina or receiving oral sex.

All of this might sound lovely, but that doesn’t make putting your appendage in a banana a good idea.

A GP, who would prefer to remain anonymous (some people don’t want their name and profession associated with articles about penetrating bananas. Weird.), told Metro.co.uk: ‘The sugars in all fruit make them a bad tool for masturbation – putting your genitals in contact with fruit peels, rinds, or flesh would put someone at risk of a yeast infection.

‘Fruit peels such as banana skins are likely to cause irritation because of their levels of acid. This could lead to sores or painful rashes.’

You could also end up experiencing a slimy horror similar to the one shared by a Redditor, who ended up covered in ‘black goop’ and with a head injury.

Also, while it’s pretty rare to find a spider inside your banana, the fact that spiders do sometimes pop up in peels makes us pretty reluctant to put the fruit anywhere sexual.

Some banana fans say they prefer to microwave their peel first to make it warm and cosy.

This is, again, a terrible idea. It’s easy to overheat your peel without realising, which could land you with some painful burns in an intimate area.

A far better option than faffing about with your daily portions of fruit is to just buy a masturbation sleeve, such as a Fleshlight, and use it with plenty of lube to create that slippery effect.

MORE: Former alcoholic who nearly died from liver damage turns life around after going vegan

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MORE: What is a snapped penis and how does it happen?

Look, dating is terrible. Let’s just be real.

It’s a world packed with rejection, rudeness, a lack of consideration, and unbearably awkward moments.

But at least we can take solace in knowing we’re not the only ones navigating the choppy waters of online dating.

That’s why there are so many dating terms and trends – it helps to give a shared name to a sh*tty behaviour we’ve experienced – whether it’s ghosting, stashing, or benching – so we know we’re not alone in the horror.

The latest term to add to your roster is whelming.

Coined by Patia Braithwaite in a piece for Self, whelming is when someone you’re chatting to online casually drops into conversation how many other matches they have and how overwhelming it is to handle being so popular and attractive.

They might whelm by excusing a delayed response by saying they just have too many matches, by acting like you’re just like every other person on the app (because they’ve matched with so many people they’ve seen it all), or even by getting something wrong and mentioning they have so many conversations going they can’t keep track.

It’s all about someone portraying themselves as so desirable that they’re overrun with interested parties, combined with a bit of subtle negging to suggest that you’re not even high on their priority list.

Then there’s the element of complaint thrown in, to give the whelming a slightly humblebragging feel.

Experiencing whelming feels a lot like when you were a teen and the person you had a crush on kept going on about all the other people who liked them.

It’s clearly intended to make you feel a little jealous so you try harder and are more desperate for the person’s approval, which is exactly the kind of gameplaying that makes the art of casual dating absolutely suck.

The truth is, it’s actually pretty normal to find juggling matches a bit overwhelming. Maintaining conversations with loads of people is emotionally draining.

But whingeing about that attractive person problem to someone you’re dating is just rude. Online dating can feel impersonal enough without someone telling you you’re just one person on a long list of potential matches.

If you’re tired of having to chat to all those interested parties, perhaps complain to a friend rather than someone you should be trying to woo.

Or, you know, just take a break from swiping. Those matches didn’t just appear out of nowhere, with no action on your part. If you’re so overwhelmed, go have a lie down and come back to take a dip in the dating pond when you’re ready.

MORE: Definitely don’t masturbate with a banana peel

MORE: Former alcoholic who nearly died from liver damage turns life around after going vegan

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Attention, please. We’re pretty sure we’ve found the next big fashion it piece, and for once it hasn’t already sold out.

So yes, trendy pals, you actually have a chance of getting your paws on this one.

The item in question is the Lime Green Gingham Check Tiered Midi Skirt, from Topshop.

Why do we reckon this will soon be popping up on every influencer on Insta? We’ve got some solid evidence.

You’ll recall, of course, that lime green gingham has been growing as a fashion must-have for some months now.

It started with that voluminous Ganni dress that all the cool kids were wearing back in the heady summer days of June 2019.

Soon people were wearing green gingham bikinis, pairing their band tees with Clueless-esque green checked mini skirts, and dotting statement gingham bows in their hair.

When Topshop released a green gingham dress, it sold out with impressive speed – helped in no small part by Kate Ferdinand wearing it on This Morning. Oh, and the £49.99 price tag.

Now they’ve released a skirt in the same sort of design but with a punchier shade of green.

The skirt has the tiered midi effect that made that Zara dress such a big hit, but with a statement colour that instantly cements the wearer as bold and daring.

Picture wearing it with a simple jumper, tights, and stompy boots in the remaining winter months, then a simple white tee and sandles once the temperature warms up.

As we mentioned, it’s still in stock, so you can get ahead of the trend by picking up the skirt now – it’s £35, so far cheaper than that Ganni number.

Be warned that the time of writing the skirt is officially listed as a ‘trending product’, so if we’re right about its influencer-loved destiny, you’ll want to move fast.

MORE: Could intermittent resting be the wellness trend to boost your energy and productivity?

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MORE: Beyonce models new Ivy Park range with Adidas after cutting ties with Topshop including that Sainsbury’s vibe

When retired electrician Bernard Bibby lost his beloved wife four years ago, the OAP felt the true meaning of loneliness.

The 75-year-old, from Rochester, lost 69-year-old Celia to cancer and needed a new purpose in life.

So the dad-of-two decided to take up an unexpected hobby – ballet.

The widower began classes so he could make some friends but now he’s developed quite the knack for it.

This week, Bernard was thrilled to receive a bronze certificate in his Grade 1 exam.

Delighted at the result, Bernard said he’s never passed anything in his life until now.

He is also encouraging other older men to get into ballet to dismiss archaic assumptions it’s only for women.

‘I never expected to pass because I froze up during the exam with nerves and thought I’d flunked it,’ explained Bernard.

‘After losing Celia I decided I wanted to have as much fun in my life as possible.’

The first step for Bernard was getting rid of the television so he could save money from paying the license.

He knew that getting rid of it would force himself to get out to pass the time.

‘I thought “I’m going to get rid of it and force myself to get out”,’ he said.

‘I never thought when I first went into this fours years ago that I’d be sitting here today with a Grade 1 certificate, it feels spectacular.’

Bernard, who was married to Celia for 50 years, has been taking ballet classes at the Bridge Academy of Performing Arts for the last four years.

Despite initially feeling intimidated in a class of 30 women, Bernard grew to appreciate the female company. He now believes his classmates helped him get over Celia’s death and learn to live without her.

He added: ‘I think ladies are far better at dealing with things like grief and other emotions than men because of what they deal with all through their lives.

‘There’s no doubt that the women in the ballet class have helped me with the loss of Celia.

‘I never feel left out, that’s the most amazing thing, we can have a chat about anything.

‘We go down for a little bit of lunch at a local bistro after class and I’m still the only man but I don’t care, I barely even notice.’

Just three marks short of a silver award in his latest exam, Bernard says he now has something to aim for in his Grade 2 which he will sit this November.

The unlikely ballerina is using his success to encourage other men to get into dancing and to disregard the stigma that the pastime is ‘feminine’.

He said: ‘Footballers wear tights, men wear tights in the gym and Reebok makes tights for men now too.

‘It takes an incredible deal of strength to lift ballet dancers and do it with poise and grace, rather than grunting through the pain.

‘You have to marvel at their ability, there are some fantastic male ballerinas out there.

‘One day I would like to get tickets to see the ballet on stage at Covent Garden, but I think it’s a bit of a push to hope I might end up on the stage there myself!’

Watch this space.

If you’ve fallen in love with an unusual hobby or lifestyle, please get in touch to tell us more by emailing metrolifestyleteam@metro.co.uk.

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No one can deny that Kermit the frog is a style icon.

He is the definition of, as the kids say, dripping in swag.

He invented layers.

We can only hope to achieve a fit close to his greatness.

But beyond showing us how to properly wear a tux and demonstrating the power of accessories, it turns out Kermit might also provide ample inspiration for our hair.

Cosplayer Mira Park – who has created some truly incredible looks – is the person who introduced us to the idea of Kermit hair, pairing a choppy green wig with large Kermit-esque eyes posed on top.

It’s a genius look. The fringe cut replicates Kermit’s trademark green ruff. The eyes take the place of those mini buns all the cool influencer types were wearing last year.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B7CJY9bj6pg/

It’s the perfect statement style. We are obsessed.

Do we think this exact iteration of Kermit hair will become a trend?

It’s unlikely.

But we do think that Kermit hair could go more mainstream, if only in terms of colour.

If Kylie Jenner made us want to go blue, there’s no reason Kermit can’t convince us to take the plunge, hit the bleach, and match our hair to his fetching lime green shade.

A warning before you commit: green hair is quite a big commitment, and you’ll need to significantly lighten your hair before you can get it to the perfect Kermit tone.

But the good news is that it’s easy to find a green hair look that works for you.

Go for an all-over green shade, add green balayage to dark locks, or flip it and reverse it Billie Eilish style with some neon green roots.

As long as you can caption your Insta pics with some iteration of ‘it’s not easy being green’, you’re nailing it.

Here’s some inspo for you:

https://www.instagram.com/p/B4Wpgo3AU7j/

https://www.instagram.com/p/B4VMHhUgp6j/

https://www.instagram.com/p/B7tAwQTHpn4/

https://www.instagram.com/p/B7gGerKHlaH/

https://www.instagram.com/p/B7QsA9HHkRZ/

https://www.instagram.com/p/B56NkvaFS-C/

https://www.instagram.com/p/B7GB_Iyg4RZ/

https://www.instagram.com/p/BxSxqIdghZF/

https://www.instagram.com/p/B5meKeKDBlB/

MORE: We’re calling it now: Topshop’s green gingham tiered skirt is going to be the next fashion it piece

MORE: As a vicar I know it’s time the Church stopped telling people to be abstinent

MORE: Widower takes up ballet to make friends because he’s lonely without his wife

The internet is a great place because it allows you to be who you want to be but it can also be pretty bad because it lets you be who you want to be.

And not everybody wants to be themselves.

Catfishing is the ample term we use to describe those who pretend to be others or distort parts of themselves to appear favourably online.

We don’t mean using a generous filter that that finetunes your skin or an angle that gets rid of a fivehead (guilty), it’s when people straight-up lie about themselves.

And of course, it’s rampant on dating apps – the corner of the internet where one tries to be as perfect as possible, to acquire a match and all.

So Tinder has come up with a feature that hopes to stop people from catfishing – blue ticks.

The dating app has come up with a photo verification method whereby selected users will be asked to take pictures in real-time.

Selected daters will be asked to take a selfie that matches a pose shown by a model in a sample image.

Tinder advises doing this twice before requesting verification.

The photos are then sent to Tinder’s community team, which determines whether the account is legitimate or not.

If all is as it should be, a blue checkmark will be assigned to the account to give their matches a bit of peace and mind.

Over on its website, Tinder reveals: ‘We use a combo of trusty humans and facial recognition technology to compare the facial geometry in the selfies you submit and in your profile pics.’

Fellow dating app Bumble also has the verified-in-real time feature as it hopes to cut down on catfishers.

It’s unclear how successful the apps will be as, at the moment, it relies on human verifiers.

With millions of users, the task of verifying profiles will need to be offloaded to software eventually which may come with its own issues.

Tinder is also working on a tool to weed out potentially offensive messages.

The new moves come after a partnership with safety app Noonlight which give daters an easy way to call emergency services.

Let’s hope the features work then. Because we know there are quite a few horror stories on dating apps at the moment.

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Stop what you’re doing Ben & Jerry’s fans – we have some big news.

You can now buy chunks of the cookie dough from the brand’s famous ice cream flavour.

Yep, that’s just pieces of the dough with none of the ice cream.

They are kept in the frozen aisle so will be just like those delicious bites that you hunt through the ice cream for.

It does say on the bag that these aren’t for baking so don’t think you can make actual cookies – the chunks should be eaten as they are. They are safe to eat raw because the recipe contains pasteurized eggs and heat-treated flour.

They’ve been around in the US for a while but they are finally available in the UK for the first time.

The snackable dough chunks have been spotted by @newfoodsuk in Asda stores but aren’t online yet. Each 170g bag will have a RRP of £4.00.

So far fans have only spotted the chocolate chip flavour but in the US, they also sell double chocolate, peanut butter, a vegan version and chunks of half baked – a mixture of cookie dough and fudge brownies – so hopefully we’ll see the full range here soon.

Ben & Jerry’s said: ‘We’ve freed the chunks! We know how it goes: sometimes when you’re digging in to a pint of ice cream you’re really just chasing those chunks with reckless abandon.

‘Go straight for the good stuff with a bag of totally snackable Cookie Dough Chunks! ‘

https://www.instagram.com/p/B7ys9ACH61p/

The snacking bags have rave reviews on the Ben & Jerry’s website. The original chocolate chip flavour has 15 ratings and they’ve all given it five stars.

One person said: ‘My dough craving was never quite satisfied as there was never enough dough in the ice cream and I was always left wanting more.

‘It was truly a dream come true to see this at my local Target (best Targ run ever).

‘The dough is exactly like what’s in the ice cream pints, which is amaaaaazing! If you’ve always wanted more dough from the cookie dough ice cream, this is for you!’

Another added: ‘I consumed one pack while crying to Sufjan Stevens and I am in love. If I had a child, it would be in the form of these chunks.’

MORE: Vegan Ben & Jerry’s Cookie Dough ice cream is finally here

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Kids sometimes like to snoop around and one mum learnt the hard way to keep things a little more hidden after her daughter took a sex toy because she thought it was a bracelet.

Kahla Maneely received a text from her daughter’s friend’s mum with a snap of the vibrating cock ring and a messaged that said ‘she might have been in your stuff lol’.

She realised that her five-year-old daughter Myla had taken it from her room and given it to her school friend.

The mortified 26-year-old scrambled to send an apologetic text to the schoolgirl’s mum to reassure her that the ring wasn’t used – and was relieved when she got a light-hearted response.

Kahla and 29-year-old electrician dad Brady Eisenhower spoke to Myla when she got home and the guilty schoolgirl confessed she’d rummaged through a bedside cabinet before school on Monday.

She had worn the vibrating purple ‘bracelet’ at school and handed it over to her pal on the bus home.

Full-time mum-of-three Kahla said she hopes that after their chat and a five-minute ‘time out’ Myla has learned her lesson and won’t snoop around in their bedroom again.

Kahla, from Mount Joy, Pennsylvania, US, said: ‘When I saw the picture on the text it took me a second to put two and two together and my heart sank down to the pit of my stomach.

‘I didn’t know what to do, I’ve never been that embarrassed in my whole life.

‘I spent ten minutes just staring at my phone trying to think of a good response because I didn’t know what to say.

‘I was thinking ‘what if that was my kid who came home from school wearing that as a bracelet?’ What would I do?

‘I texted her back and as soon as I sent it I laughed so hard I couldn’t breathe, I thought I was going to pass out from not being able to catch my breath.’

Kahla, who is also mum to 18-month-old Maxine Eisenhower and three-year-old McKenna Eisenhower, said she picked up Myla from the bus stop as usual at 4 pm on Monday.

Myla came home and chatted about school as Kahla cooked dinner.

They were sitting down to eat when her phone pinged and they discovered what had happened.

When they quizzed Myla about whether she’d been through their belongings she tried to deny it but eventually crumbled.

It transpired that Myla crept into their bedroom, had a rummage through a bedroom drawer and squirrelled away what she believed was a new piece of jewellery.

Kahla said: “When I was reading the texts Myla was looking at me not having a clue what was going on.

‘I asked her “did you go through Daddy’s stuff?” She tried to lie at first, but then asked me what it was as it was “really stretchy”, I told her to mind her business.

‘She definitely made it vibrate while she was wearing it – it only lasts for about 20 minutes.

The sex toy was in the top drawer of a storage unit with Brady’s boxers, but Kahla says the box was well hidden.

‘They were under everything and pushed to the back so she definitely went rooting for it,’ she said.

Kahla said the whole family had learned lessons from the x-rated incident – they’ve now moved the aids from the previous hiding place and Myla has learned not to go snooping in her parents’ room.

Kahla said: ‘When we asked Myla about it she started to look a little bit scared as she knows she’s not allowed to go through our stuff we’ve since moved them from their usual spot.

‘We sat her down and talked to her about it, then she was on time out for five minutes in her room.

‘She then apologised, so I hope she’s learned her lesson not to do that again.’

And luckily, the other mum saw the funny side too.

Kahla added: ‘I’m very happy her mom handled that so great, I’m so thankful that she didn’t flip out.’

MORE: Mum in hysterics over five-year-old son’s rude drawing of vegetables

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Dogs may be man’s best friend but, God, they can make a mess at times.

Perhaps it’s because they know we love them too much to really do anything about it.

The latest doggo with no regard for home aesthetics is Berkeley. Only his mortal enemy wasn’t the furniture or contents of the kitchen cupboard.

Berkeley the Golden Doodle went for the house plant instead.

After trashing an indoor palm tree, Berkely was caught red-handed around the mess.

And in case the owners had doubts about who did it, Berkely only managed to go and get his head trapped in the plant pot.

The beloved pet was filmed laying down on a cushion next to the palm tree tossed out from its pot and surrounded by its soil.

Owner Justin Jones, 27, was heard in the clip asking his cheeky canine pet: ‘What did you do, Berk? What did you do?’

After asking the same question a third time, he concluded: ‘You’re a monster.’

At least he’s the cutest monster we’ve seen.

Berkeley could be seen staring innocently at his flabbergasted owner – seemingly unconcerned at the basket-sized problem around his neck.

The one-year-old dog lives with his human Justin in Utah, U.S. Justin added: ‘He knocked [the tree] over and chewed it to shreds!

‘It took about an hour or two to get all of that dirt up.’

The video got over 2.3 million views on social media with viewers tickled by Berekely’s antics.

After going viral, Berekely’s own Instagram page was set up (@naughty-berkeley).

The account posted an image of the plant incident scene captioned: ‘Mum and Dad weren’t happy, but it was worth it.’

And it seems Berekely is in good company as many other dogs have penchants for making a mess.

Porridge the three-year-old rescue mutt was also spotted amid the chaos he caused at home.

Dogs eh, what are they like?

If you have a pet who’s wreaked havoc in your home, please email metrolifestyleteam@metro.co.uk to tell us more.

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Ellie Jade is white, slim, young, middle-class and able-bodied. She describes herself as fitting the fitness and wellbeing stereotype to a T.

The photographer regularly attends yoga and fitness classes, wellness talks and workshops and photographs industry professionals – and she has been shocked by the stark lack of diversity in this field.

Ellie says that she rarely feels unwelcome in these fitness and wellness spaces, but she realises that this is not the case for the many people who don’t fit neatly into the expected mould.

As a white woman, Ellie wants to use her privileged position to elevate underheard voices and improve representation. She wants to make the wellness and fitness industry more inclusive for everyone – and she’s doing this with a stunning new photography series.

‘When I started to read up about this lack of diversity, I found that the majority of people speaking about it and trying to change it were those in minority and marginalised groups themselves,’ Ellie tells Metro.co.uk.

‘What I didn’t find, was many people of privilege talking about this or taking action to try and change it. It shouldn’t only be those in marginalised groups discussing these issues and taking action to change them.’

This is Wellbeing is a collaborative, not-for-profit photography campaign series designed to promote diversity and inclusion by showing a more representative visual message.

Dr Tosin Sotubo is an NHS and private GP, clinical entrepreneur and diversity advocate.

‘Health to me is inclusivity and treating the patient as an individual. We live in such a culturally diverse population, but we often have a one treatment or one advice fits all approach.

‘We have to realise that people from different backgrounds can live very differently and our health often reflects this.

‘It’s so important for me to create a platform for all people from different backgrounds and different walks of life.’

Dr Sanaz Yagmhai is a trauma-informed coach and consultant; yoga teacher; refugee and aid worker advocate.

‘The measure of health and wellbeing requires an all-encompassing lens where mind, body, spirit and community are included. It isn’t solely the absence of illness or disease, that is too narrow a lens. Rather, it is the existence of bio-psycho-social balance, resilience and interconnectedness.

‘When all beings are represented, we move away from perpetuating implicit messaging which tells us that if we are not thin, able-bodied, white and hyper-mobile then we’re not welcome, not healthy, not worthy.

‘This deficit-based mindset has been feeding into the oppressive structures which perpetuate health inequity.’

Dianne Bondy is a social justice activist; accessible yoga teacher and trainer, founder of Yoga For All, author of Yoga for Everyone.

‘Life is for living, exploring, breathing and enjoying. Let’s let go of the need to please, for perfection and for constant criticism. Your body is yours to enjoy.

‘Yoga has become a practice reserved exclusively for the privileged few: wealthy, thin, young, flexible, white and able-bodied. But yoga benefits all bodies, regardless of their shape, size, age, ethnicity or ability.

‘It’s time that yoga is made available to anyone who wishes to practice.’

Ali Jawad is a paralympic powerlifter; anti-doping advocate; Crohn’s disease fighter.

‘Sport has been my life since having my first dreams of Paralympic success at the age of six. It’s taught me all the valuable lessons that I can transfer to life.

‘Even though I’ve had many setbacks in my career, most notably the ongoing battle with Crohn’s disease, my health and fitness journey through elite sport has been incredible.

‘However, being in a Paralympic sport meant a major lack of coverage in my early years. I didn’t get to meet other Paralympic athletes until I was 16.

‘Even though the Paralympic coverage has risen dramatically here since London 2012, there is still work to do for Paralympic athletes, Paralympic sport and sponsorship to be on par with Olympic sport.’

Chelsea Cox founded Well Defined to support women in business and female-led brands make money and noise, she is a huge advocate for women supporting women and connections over competitors.

‘Wellbeing to me means self-acceptance, being comfortable in your body, mind and soul.

‘There is still a long way to go to make the wellness industry as inclusive and diverse as it should be and we can all be part of that change.

‘If you are someone within the industry pushing this message, start featuring different body shapes, invite people along to your events, workshops and classes that perhaps would feel intimidated to attend initially, listen to people more, understand what it means to be something that isn’t the traditional “fitspo” image.’

Hannah Wallace is a speaker, writer, Finding Grace podcast host and diversity model.

‘I believe with a passion that we need to showcase all forms of diversity and not be afraid of difference in the wellness world. We need to knock its perfect shiny edges off and inspire people that different is good and show that we are all represented (and not just in a token way).

‘For so many years I hid in the shadows of wellness, spirituality and health because I felt like I didn’t quite “fit”, or I hadn’t healed myself enough. I didn’t see many people like me representing wellbeing.

‘This is about changing definitions. We are already seeing some advertisements showing diversity, but it should be the norm. We need the younger generation to not feel the divide we currently feel.’

Kallie Schut is the founder of Rebel Yoga Tribe, yoga teacher and sound healer.

‘Yoga has transformed my mental health and my sense of self, allowing me to sit with my vulnerability and stand in my power and to take up space as a woman of colour, a social justice activist, and a leader in the workplace.

‘My yogic path is committed to increasing diversity in modern postural yoga by changing perceptions and broadening representations within the industry so that it is more accessible and inclusive.

‘I believe that by offering, sharing and collaborating around inclusive spaces and diverse representations, we can change perceptions of race and culture, become more body positive and bring communities together.’

Karen James is a client services manager; yoga teacher; passionate poetry writer.

‘To me, health and wellbeing means learning to be at peace with myself, navigating out of my own way, and not buying into my “old” mindset.

‘I want others to know that it’s never too late to learn. I decided to do my yoga teacher training at 50. I’ve surprised myself, even though life may not have turned out the way I planned.

‘I think more people of colour should realise they can come to the table, and that what they have to say, do, and share is valuable and will hopefully pave the way for others.

‘It’s great that we are all working to remove the stigma around general wellbeing, but there is more work to do in order to create a true community and a safe environment, even in yoga classes.

‘I feel passionately about people finding tools to empower themselves, even just a little.’

Lynette Greenway is a yoga teacher and facilitator of women’s circles.

‘Although exercising self-care is incredibly important for all, many black women feel excluded from the wellness space, which is largely dominated by those who don’t share the same cultural traumas, health concerns, body types and more.

‘I want black women to know that wellness is our birthright, and that self-care, self-love, and self-empowerment are things that we do too.

‘As a woman of colour in wellness, I think it’s important to be a part of the conversation of self-care and create a space where women and men can grow and build community. It’s important for me to show up, speak up, support and encourage diversity and inclusivity in wellness.

‘There is power in seeing yourself reflected and it is so important to me to be part of and create an inclusive and accessible wellness space where everyone can see themselves reflected.’

Saima Majid is a transformation and wellbeing coach and social activist.

‘Things are very slowly changing in the health and wellness space, but we still have a long way to go.

‘Living in the UK and therefore amongst a hugely diverse demographic of people, I would like the health and wellness space to encompass elements from all of these incredible cultures. Not only is this better for our health but also the unity of humanity.

‘I am currently working to change this through my local event called The Trailblazers Journey which looks to tackle many of the largest issues that we face in our communities.

‘By gathering local people, sharing experiences, educating and inspiring hopefully little by little we are creating a positive and empowering ripple effect through the community.’

Wesley Hamilton is the founder of disabledbutnotreally.org, motivational speaker, athlete and recently featured on Netflix series Queer Eye.

Years ago, Wes suffered a spinal cord injury after being shot multiple times by a stranger.

‘After my spinal cord injury, a profound depression sent me into a dark place. I found myself as a single father in a wheelchair, adjusting to a completely new and difficult lifestyle. But my daughter inspired me to begin a journey with a fitness and nutrition regiment.

‘My physical and mental transformation was something I realised had potential to help others who may be in similar situations, so I founded my non-profit, ‘Disabled But Not Really’.

‘There’s a serious lack of awareness when it comes to fitness and disabilities. In order to disrupt a system that wasn’t created to give ultimate independence, I believe you have to be the example.

‘People deserve to know they are more than their circumstances.’

Research shows that people in underrepresented or minority groups are some of the most likely to suffer from mental health issues or feel a lack of belonging.

Ellie says this makes it even more disappointing that the very industry designed to benefit those who are struggling with mental health, amongst other issues, isn’t as accessible to them.

‘After speaking to those impacted by this, it also became apparent that the visual messaging around this industry plays a huge factor in this,’ she explains. ‘If someone can’t see themselves represented in a space, how can they feel welcome and comfortable in it?

‘This is a complex and multifaceted issue rooted in history and I am aware that a blog post, photo, or entire campaign is not the solution, but equally, to ignore it would only add to the problem.’

The full campaign will go live on Ellie’s website on Wednesday 29 January.

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