ALTERNATIVE medicine is now so popular that it was only a matter of time before it was applied to pets. We learn tonight that Smitty the Strensall greyhound is back on his paws thanks to a course of acupuncture.

What next? Maybe dogs could be hypnotised to help them break their bad habits, such as digging up the flowerbed. And which arthritic tortoise would not benefit from a course of reflexology?

But animal alternative remedies are not entirely new. Moggies have long enjoyed aromatherapy in the form of catnip. And there is even a book on the market entitled Feng Shui For Cats.