219. Even More Dogs (And Cats And A Parrot).

The current profusion of dog-themed stamps I have described in recent blogs is added to by two further issues from Commonwealth countries - Canada and Solomon Islands. On 22 April 2013, Canada will issue 5 self-adhesive stamps from a booklet and 1 gummed miniature sheet to promote the adoption of a pet - 2 of the values depict dogs, 2 depict cats and 1 portrays a parrot. They are certainly very attractive stamps and the appealing look of the animals may well persuade a few Canadians to adopt a pet.

"Will you find me a home?"

1 of the 2 cat stamps

Who's a pretty boy then?

The miniature sheet.

Other upcoming issues from Canada include one "P" self-adhesive stamp issued in a booklet of 10 stamps  on 9 April 2013 which commemorates the 150th anniversary of the formation of the Prince Of Wales' Own Regiment; on 1 May 2013, 8  different "P" self-adhesive stamps in booklets of 8 plus a gummed miniature sheet which depict Gates to various Chinatowns in Canada, and on 8 May 2013, 1 self-adhesive "P" stamp from a booklet of 10 which commemorates the 60th anniversary of the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II:-

There are also the following:- one self-adhesive "P" stamp from booklets of 10 which commemorates the centenary of "Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada", an organisation which provides mentors for vulnerable children, to be issued on 14 May 2013; on 10 June 2013 one self-adhesive "P" stamp from booklets of 10 which commemorates the 250th anniversary of the appointment of Hugh Finlay as the first postmaster-general at Quebec and on 5 June 2013 two self-adhesive "P" stamps from booklets of 10 plus a gummed miniature sheet which feature motor cycles:-

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Meanwhile Stamperija has produced a sheetlet of 4 stamps and a miniature sheet with the name of Solomon Islands printed on them which feature "Domestic dogs of the Pacific islands" (depicted above and below). The date that these are said to have been issued is 15 February 2013 and on the same day another 44 stamps and 11 miniature sheets were also "issued" as part of a general issues part II set (Part 1 [44 stamps and 11 miniature sheets] and a WWF set [4 stamps and 2 miniature sheets] were also "issued" on the same day). The part II issue set also included a sheetlet of 4 stamps and 1 m.s. each on the themes of Diana, Princess Of Wales (when will the philatelic exploitation of that unfortunate woman's memory come to an end?); corals part II; birds of Solomon Islands part II; football; Solomon Islands rugby players; steam trains, the Asia Pacific Scout Region; 180th birth anniversary of Edouard Monet, French artist; the history of chess; John Glenn, US astronaut and marine life of The Solomon Islands. So, by mid-February 2013 Solomon Islands had had a total of 96 stamps and 25 miniature sheets produced with the country's name on it (by then Australia Post, including Christmas Island, had only managed to issue 45 stamps and 4 miniature sheets and Royal Mail (by 22 February) a total of 52 stamps and 1 m.s. and 4 booklets). If these "stamps" are actually sold at post office counters in Solomon Islands, what must the locals think?