Page 471 – iHeartDogs.com

Rescuer Comforts Dying Stray Through The Night So He Won’t Pass Away Alone

At iHeartDogs we love to bring you heartwarming and uplifting stories. However, we also think it is important to tell the sad tales sometimes, too. Devoted animal rescuers like Janine Guido do not have the option to turn away. They cannot simply scroll past the hopeless cases. In honor of Guido and the countless other rescuers doing their best to save, comfort, and rehome as many dogs as they can, we bring you the story of Watson. Janine Guido is … Read more

Woman Risks Her Own Life To Save Her Drowning Dog

Often a dog’s enthusiasm can be far greater than their abilities. Most of the time that means miscalculated leaps and faces stuck in too-small holes. But taking on an aggressive ocean can be a dangerous feat for a little dog. Even a human can’t safely manage strong waves during a storm. One human went for it anyway. In 2017, a woman ran directly into hostile waters to save her floundering dog, and the whole thing got caught on camera. The … Read more

‘Lifeless Dog’ Rescued From Sweltering Car By Man With Axe

Sometimes, when the time is ticking, you have act fast if it’s a matter of life and death. When Bill Morris saw a ‘lifeless’ Yorkie in a hot car, he knew he couldn’t wait for the police to arrive. If any more time passed, the little dog might not have survived. Being a loyal dog dad himself, Morris knew that no dog should be left in such cruel conditions. So, he grabbed an axe and used it to break the … Read more

Woman Desperately Searches After Sitter Disappears With Her Dog

Eva Hodgdin of Pennsylvania has a lot of regrets about the dog sitter she chose, but she can’t change the past. She thought she found a trustworthy person to watch her furry friend while she drove her kids to their grandparents’ house. Yet, when she returned to pick up her black German Shepherd named Nani, the sitter and the dog were nowhere to be found. Hodgdin hopes she can find 1-year-old Nani before she has to tell her kids, but … Read more

Brave Labrador Retriever Chases Off Coyote, Saving His Pup-Sister

While coyotes make look like fluffy, harmless members of the canine family, they can often be dangerous predators that threaten the safety of smaller, more vulnerable family members. Such was the case when a brave Boston Terrier faced death last week when a wild coyote jumped a six-foot-brick wall surrounding a California family home. Sadie, the bold Boston, was immediately targeted by the ferocious creature who grabbed her by the neck, shaking and pulling her across the courtyard. “My heart … Read more

Sweet Cocker Spaniel Is Life-Changing For A Child With Special Needs

It’s easy to understand why dogs are so often referred to as “man’s best friend.” They provide unconditional love, close companionship and can even be trained for a job. But for some people, dogs have an even greater impact. This can certainly be said about Leon Kirby-Bulner, a little boy with special needs whose life has been completely changed thanks to a sweet Cocker Spaniel named Fern. It was obvious from birth that Leon was unlike other children. Nicknamed “Mancub” after … Read more

Man And 14-Year-Old Dog Survive 6 Days Lost In The Desert

Mario Castro from Arizona planned to travel to El Paso, Texas, to be with his mom for his birthday. When he entered Las Cruces, New Mexico, he called his mom to let her know he was about an hour and a half away. But sadly, Castro and his 14-year-old dog named Zoe never made it to Texas. Castro missed his exit, so he took the next road to try to turn around. He ended up on a dirt path, and … Read more

15-Year-Old Dog With Hip Dysplasia Has His Own Elevator

Just like with aging humans, senior dogs who suffer from joint pain or muscle issues can find living in a home with stairs difficult. In many cases, a dog may just stay on the ground floor because going upstairs is too much for them. One family in South Carolina couldn’t bear to leave their 15-year-old dog Jackson downstairs all the time due to his hip dysplasia. So, they made a pretty significant investment: an elevator. The Things We Do For … Read more

Pet Resort “Can’t Find” Dog, But Family Spots Him Dead In Kennel

A family from Tucson, Arizona, said they made the biggest mistake of their lives after leaving their dogs at Buhrke’s Pet Resort. They dropped off their two healthy dogs thinking they would be in good hands, but the family was only able to take home one of them alive. The family is accusing the pet resort of neglecting the dog, but the owner of the resort refuses to admit he did anything wrong. Now, dog lovers are supporting the family … Read more

Common Puppy Scams And How To Avoid Them When Choosing Your Next Pet

Over twenty million people in the United States have viewed the COVID-19 pandemic as an opportunity to bless their households with the presence of a new furry family member. And while many people chose to adopt a new companion from their local shelter, others turned to the internet in search of a qualified breeder. While this type of search was an easy and effective route for some, many others were scammed out of their hard-earned money by individuals posing as … Read more

Senior Labrador Steps In As Foster Dad For Fifteen Orphaned Ducklings

Is there anything more adorable than interspecies friendships? There’s just something special about two different animal species providing love and comfort to one another that immediately tugs at your heartstrings. So it’s understandable why Fred, the 15-year-old Labrador, is earning all kinds of attention across the internet. When this devoted dog stepped in as a surrogate dad to 15 orphaned ducklings, it warmed the hearts of people all over the world. Meet Fred, The Labrador Retriever Fred and his dad, … Read more

The American Kennel Club Officially Recognizes The Bracco Italiano

The American Kennel Club is officially recognizing their 200th registered dog breed. The Bracco Italiano, sometimes called the Italian Pointer or Italian Pointing Dog has officially joined the world’s largest purebred dog registry. Now eligible to compete in the sporting group at AKC events, the Bracco Italiano makes an excellent addition to the family and thrives by a hunter’s side. History Bracco Italianos are an ancient breed with a history that dates back two millennia. They can be traced all … Read more

Stolen Senior Dog Finally Reunites With Her Family After A Decade Apart

When it has been ten long years since you last saw your lost dog, you more than likely wouldn’t expect to ever see them again. But thanks to the magic of microchips, and the determination of a rescue group, Mimi, a small Cattle Dog mix, has been reunited with her mom. From being found in rough shape as a stray, to a thousand-mile journey home, Mimi has quite the story. Found As A Stray At the end of Jun, Mimi … Read more

Couple Steals Service Dog & Blackmails Pet Parents For Her Safe Return

Two pet parents endured their worst nightmare when their beloved service dog, Sailor, escaped from their backyard. As if the situation wasn’t terrifying enough, the treasured Frenchie ended up in the hands of two cruel con artists. The Miami couple sought the help of their local police department when they began to receive upsetting texts about their beloved service dog, Sailor. Sailor had somehow escaped from their backyard earlier that day, so her pet parents took to social media to … Read more

Family’s Security Camera Captures Deceased Dog’s Spirit Stopping By For A Visit

Even when you lose a dog, they never really leave you. We keep our beloved dogs in our hearts forever and bring them to life again through memory and everlasting love. This is a story about a sweet Golden Retriever named Kujo, a family dog loved by many. Kujo crossed the Rainbow Bridge on May 23, 2018, according to a now viral TikTok video about her. The video is more than just your average tribute, however. “The family had a … Read more

Photographer Highlights Heartwarming Transformations Of Dog Meat Trade Survivors

The dog meat trade is a depressing, heartbreaking topic. But there are many success stories of dogs who survived and went on to live amazing lives. Photographer Sophie Gamand wanted to highlight the happy endings many of these dogs have. They go from being sick, skittish, and filthy to the most loved companions. For her series, Gamand created custom collars for each survivor to show the beautiful and strong sides of these canines. The dog meat trade can be difficult … Read more

Man Warns Others After “Britain’s Most Dangerous Plant” Kills Curious Dog

A curious Staffordshire Bull Terrier died tragically because there was no cure for her wound. She had a blister that kept getting bigger and bigger until she had to be put down. The only thing that led to this heartbreaking fate was touching a plant at a park. Now, the deceased dog’s human is warning others to beware of the plant known as “Britain’s Most Dangerous Plant.” While it’s rare to come across this invasive weed, all it takes is … Read more

Foster Mom Gets Emotional Watching Blind & Deaf Puppy Navigate The World

Animal rescue is all about recognizing that every animal deserves a chance: a chance to live and a chance to be happy. Sometimes that means putting in a little extra effort for a dog with special needs because they deserve to be adopted too. Mary Jo DiLonardo fosters puppies through Speak! Rescue and Sanctuary, a St. Louis-based Australian Shepherd and Border Collie rescue. In May of 2022, she wrote about her experience with one blind and deaf puppy, who reminded … Read more

Dog Jumps Over Railing And Falls 30 Feet At National Park

A Wisconsin family took a trip to see the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in Michigan. They brought their 4-year-old dog, a Cocker Spaniel/Poodle mix named Leo, with them. The family was amazed by the beautiful sights at the National Park, but soon, they faced an unexpected danger. Leo slipped out of his collar at one of the most dangerous points in the park. His curiosity caused him to almost plummet to his death, but luckily, many people rushed to help … Read more

4,000 Beagles To Go Up For Adoption Following Rescue From “Dog Factory Farm”

Earlier this month, the Humane Society of the United States approached the U.S. Department of Justice, pleading for the lives of 4,000 Beagles emprisoned inside a Virginia breeding facility. This facility is owned and operated by a company named Envigo in Cumberland, Virginia. Comparable to a prison, the innocent dogs housed in this horrible place were living in deplorable conditions. Confined to crowded, dirty kennels, these dogs went for long periods without food or water and were forced to breed … Read more

Vet Mistakenly Euthanizes Dog, But She Fights To Survive Against All Odds

Brittany Turnbill took her 8-year-old Shih Tzu, Sugar – whom she lovingly refers to as her “daughter” – to her local vet for a simple ear infection. But what began as a routine visit became a life or death emergency when an egregious mistake occurred. Instead of receiving medication for her ear infection, Sugar was somehow accidentally injected with a euthanasia drug. The veterinarian broke the horrifying news, telling Turnbill to take Sugar to an emergency clinic in Columbus, Ohio … Read more

10 Dog Breeds With Sensitive Souls

Any dog can be sensitive or emotional from time to time. It’s often more common for rescue dogs with an unfortunate past, but any dog can have a sensitive soul. Dogs are sensitive for different reasons, whether it’s due to fears or just a part of their personality. In fact, there are a few breeds that are more likely to be emotional than others no matter what they’ve been through. “Sensitive” definitely isn’t a bad thing, though. It really just … Read more

Man Went Searching For His Dog In The Woods, Finds Puppies Trapped Inside Sealed Aquarium

Seriously, we can’t stop thinking: “Who would do such a thing?” But here it is. Matt Williamson, a Hinds County, Mississippi resident, was out looking for his own dogs near a creek when he found something completely unexpected and very disturbing. Two puppies had been abandoned in an aquarium – its lid cemented shut. “I could see these eyes peering out at me and they looked like they need help,” Williamson told 16WAPT news. “They sent them here to drown,” … Read more

Frightened Family Returns Home To Find Their Pup Covered In “Red”

A playful Springer Spaniel named Pogo gave his fur parents quite the scare when returning from an evening out. Pogo greeted Gemma McAdam and her girlfriend at the door just like any other day, but this time he had a mysterious red substance on his chest and paws. The couple immediately panicked, thinking he had injured himself somehow when they were away. Gemma began to scour her home for sharp objects that were lying around, while her girlfriend examined Pogo … Read more

Why A Dog Chooses Their Favorite Person Isn’t As Simple As We Thought

You would think that a dog’s favorite person would be whoever gives them the most food and attention, right? While that is often the case, it’s not always that simple. Maybe you have a friend or family member that your dog loves so much they would knock you over to get to them. Why is that? It turns out that there are several factors that can influence your dog’s decision about who their favorite person is. Here are a few … Read more

Update: Survivor Needs Loving Family After Being Shot In Face

Max, a 2-year-old Labrador/Rottweiler mix, was recently taken outside his family home, shot twice in the face with a shotgun, and left to die. The person who inflicted this horrible act of cruelty? The very person Max looked to for food, affection, and care. Thankfully, Max was seen, rescued and is recovering. What we know about the event reveals how rash overreactions can lead to pain, suffering, and punishment. Max and the Shooter’s Three-Year-Old Daughter Cody Deel is 28 years … Read more

Do You Know What A Yellow Ribbon Tied On A Dog’s Collar Means?

You are out in the park with your family, having fun, maybe even enjoying a picnic. Perhaps your dog is with you too, running and playing with the kids. Its a great day! Off in the distance you see an adorable dog approaching with their handler and your children immediately begin to run towards them. They love dogs just as much as you do! But as the dog is getting closer, you see a yellow ribbon tied on the dog’s … Read more

3 Reasons to Give Your Senior Dog Bone Broth & Mushrooms 🦴🍄

3 Benefits of Mushrooms and Bone Broth for Older Dogs Perhaps you’ve heard other dog owners discussing the benefeits of bone broth or mushrooms for their older pups. In this article, we’ll share why these 2 natural ingredients have become all the rage. 1) One of the biggest causes of early death in dogs is from reduced mobility. Bone broth is packed with joint supporting nutrients like glucosamine, chondroitin, and collagen all of which help keep your older pup mobile … Read more

Heroic Community Members Pitch In To Rescue Elderly Bulldog From Sinkhole

An elderly Bulldog found himself in a precarious, potentially life-threatening situation during the early morning hours in a small Iowan town. Fortunately, the swift efforts of an entire community came together to save the old soul, resulting in a classic tale of rescue and a family reunited. Some of Iowa’s finest officials from the Estherville Police Department responded to a distress call at three o’clock in the morning. The caller reported that her senior Bulldog, Tupelo, had gone missing. And … Read more

Primal Pet Foods RECALL: Raw Dog Food Lot May Have Listeria Contamination

Primal Pet Foods sells a variety of raw dog food formulas, including frozen, freeze-dried, and food toppers. They always test products for bacteria before sending them to stores, but one lot of dog food tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes after going through safety tests at the facility. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration found the presence of Listeria during routine sampling, despite it testing negative earlier. So, Primal Pet Foods voluntarily pulled that lot from stores as a precaution. Which … Read more

23 Neglected Dogs Escape Cramped, Feces-Filled House

23 dogs are excited for a new life after living in neglectful, unsanitary conditions. Several people reported severe abuse and neglect in the household, so officials entered and seized the dogs. What they witnessed was one of the worst neglect cases they’ve ever seen. Despite being ignored by their owner, these dogs seemed happy to see humans and eager to be loved. It will take a while for them to recover from the pain they faced, but they’ll all find … Read more

Sweet Senior Chihuahua Sent Cozy Sweaters After Losing All Her Fur

After a sweet senior Chihuahua was heartlessly cast aside after a disagreement between family members, rescuers at California’s Baldwin Park Animal Shelter found her to be in pretty rough shape. She had even lost most of her fur. But through the magic and connection of social media, this “naked pup” not only found a new loving family, but admirers from all over fell head over heels for her and started sending her handmade sweaters. Abandoned At A Rescue It was … Read more

Employee Sues Hobby Lobby For Banning Her Service Dog From Store

Hobby Lobby is currently facing a lawsuit that was filed against them after a former employee claimed losing her job was a direct result of their refusal to allow her to use her service dog during shifts. After being told that her service dog was no longer welcome at work, she stopped showing up. Because of that, she was fired. But now, legal action has been taken against them on her behalf. While she was working at a Hobby Lobby … Read more

Two Terrified Dogs Are Rescued From 12-Meter-Deep Mine Shaft

Two lost pups got themselves into a desperate situation when they fell down a 12-meter mine shaft. The pair faced certain death if they didn’t get help quickly, so the rescue team in Coober Pedy immediately jumped into action! A resident of Coober Pedy noticed a strange sound coming from his opal mine when arriving at work. After sitting next to the mineshaft and listening closely, he realized that it was the sound of two trapped dogs at the bottom … Read more

Police K9 Gets Leg Amputated After Protecting Officers From Bullets

K9 Kai had only been with the Gwinnett County Police Department for less than a year, but he quickly became a valuable member of the team. The 2-year-old Belgian Malinois worked as a dual-purpose K9, so he assisted with narcotics and patrol. But sadly, Kai’s hard work came to a halt when he was severely wounded on the job. When Kai and his handler, Cpl. Aaron Carlyle responded to a situation where the suspect had a gun; Kai got shot … Read more

“Missing” Dog’s Remains Found Buried At Pet Resort

On June 29th, 2022, a family was told their dog went missing while staying at a pet resort in Spicewood, Texas. They spent days searching for him only to find out he wasn’t missing at all. Instead, his dead body was buried on the property of the dog daycare. No one knows exactly what happened to the “missing” canine, but the family is devastated. They spent a week searching for him when he wasn’t even on the loose. Officers are … Read more

Matted Dog Tossed Over Rescue Facility’s Fence After Years Of “Neglect And Torment”

“I don’t know how to start a post like this. I guess it’s because I never saw anything like it before, and personally, I hope to never again.” These words were posted to Facebook by staff at Tri-County Animal Rescue in response to an incident described as one of the most horrendous tragedies Boca Raton, Florida, has ever seen. Related: Best Invisible Fence for Dogs Sometime during the night, an unknown person threw a tiny, severely neglected dog over the … Read more

Senior Dog Becomes Proud Dad Of 15 Orphaned Ducklings

A 15-year-old Labrador Retriever named Fred has had a nurturing nature his whole life, even toward animals that some dogs might see as prey. He has a soft spot for ducklings and has experience caring for ducklings who have lost their mothers. This year, Fred “adopted” his third brood of ducklings after their mother went missing. He might not look like the parent you’d expect for a group of birds, but he takes his role very seriously. If the mother … Read more

New Mama Carries Recently Birthed Puppy Into Street To Signal For Help

It’s no secret that most mothers would do just about anything to protect their children. Even moms who are quiet and calm in every other situation wouldn’t hesitate to let out their inner “mama bear” when their children are in danger. That’s why it’s no surprise that a frightened, homeless mama dog named Jade did exactly what she thought was necessary to protect her precious family. It was Stephanie Brooks, a tourist visiting California from New Jersey, who first spotted … Read more

Officers Gift Teen A Puppy After He Witnesses His Dog’s Tragic Death

16-year-old Eli Filiatreau recently went through the most horrific moment of his life. He watched someone kill his 6-month-old German Shepherd named Titan right in front of him. It was a sudden death, and the suspect reportedly did it on purpose and has since been arrested. After seeing the heartbreak Eli experienced, Nelson County officers in Kentucky wanted to help. So, they worked together to get a new puppy for the teen. Of course, the new dog will never replace … Read more

Huskies Chained Outside To Metal Cages In 115 Degree Heat

The weather in Cedar City, Utah has been exceptionally hot throughout the last couple of weeks. Many pet owners recognize the dangers that extreme temperatures can pose to dogs. However, one Cedar City family is choosing to ignore them. Kim Phifer is a Cedar City resident who noticed three Huskies that were left outside during the recent heatwave where temperatures spiked to 115 degrees. Chained to metal cages and laying on unshaded concrete, these Huskies spent multiple recent days suffering … Read more

Groomer Charged After 14-Year-Old Yorkie Suffers Fatal Injuries

For many dog breeds, regular grooming is a necessity. Trips to the groomers are just a part of the routine. No parent expects to drop their dog off at the groomer’s one day and pick them up later with a life-threatening condition. But sadly, that’s what happened to a family in Ohio this month. Tina Brady and her husband dropped their 14-year-old Yorkshire Terrier Lacey off at groomer Andra Edison’s home. Previously, they’d taken Lacey to the grooming business where … Read more

Unique Sanctuary Lets Dogs Live Out Their Lives In Luxury After Their Owners Pass

After Rita Lynd adopted Hannah the Boxer, she looked into her beautiful eyes and made her a promise. She promised that one day, she would open a sanctuary for orphaned dogs to live out their future years in comfort and care. This promise was made in 2009, and after years of hard work and fundraising, it finally became a reality in 2019. Hannah was adopted by Rita, a retired canine behaviorist, after the passing of her owner, John. He and … Read more

Suspect Not Jailed After Kicking Man’s Beloved Dog To Death

Alice the Jack Russell terrier had been Seattle resident John Hickey’s companion for nearly 14 years. But after Saturday, Hickey has no one left. Hickey told Q13 News that a man came running at him and his dog while on a walk, demanding he give the man his jacket. When Hickey threatened the man with pepper spray, the suspect kicked Alice in the middle of the street. “I heard pounding of feet and I turned around and he was running … Read more

10 Signs Your Dog Is Truly Happy

Our dogs bring so much joy into our lives, and we do everything we can to return the favor. They brighten up our darkest days, give us constant unconditional love, and give us more smiles and laughs than we ever could’ve imagined before they came into our lives. It’s only natural that we want to make sure we’re giving them the best life possible right back! Chances are, you know your dog so well that you can read your dog’s … Read more

Three Dogs Abandoned In Garbage-Filled, Locked Car For Over 12 Hours Before Rescue

Observant dog lovers recently found three tiny dogs locked inside a car in Cutten, California. The three small dogs were left alone with the windows tightly closed. It appeared that nobody had checked on them for at least 12 hours! The red and black Chevy Cavalier was cluttered with garbage and its registration had been expired for four years. A hypodermic needle was also found along with two bottles of Naloxone- a medication commonly used to reverse the effects of … Read more

Why Losing A Dog Can Be Even More Painful Than The Death Of A Loved One

Has a friend ever confided in you that the loss of their dog caused more grief than the death of a close relative? Have you ever felt this way yourself? Society has conditioned us to feel ashamed of such emotions, but research suggests we are more than justified when we deeply mourn the loss of a furry friend. When our first family dog, Spike passed away, my father suffered terribly. He would come home from work and just sit in … Read more

Woman Furious After “Emotional Support Dog” Lunges At Her Service Dog In Walmart

As awareness of their necessity spreads, service dogs have been increasingly welcome in public spaces that usually ban dogs. In fact, the Americans With Disabilities Act requires they be allowed. Frustratingly though, there will always be people who defy the rules, which are established for a reason, and bring untrained animals into places where they shouldn’t be. A video that recently went viral shows an interaction between a woman with a service dog and another with an emotional support dog. … Read more

Blind Pit Bull ‘Ached’ To Be Saved But No One Showed And Then She Heard A Woman

She curled up in a ball to keep warm and waited for her angels to come.

Flight Attendant Escorts Abandoned Senior Dog Cross-Country To His New Forever Family

Have you ever come across a rescue dog online you immediately wanted to adopt, only to learn the dog is too far from where you live? That’s what happened to a family in Baltimore when they discovered Patrick the Chihuahua. Patrick was abandoned as a 9-year-old after he lost his sight and hearing and started to develop other medical issues. These kind people wanted to open up their hearts and home to a senior dog in need, but there was … Read more

Donated & Counting!

Dogs Saved!

D.V. Survivors & Pets!

For Service Dogs

Donated & Counting!

Feed Shelter Dogs

Dogs Saved!

Fly Shelter Dogs To Safety

D.V. Survivors & Pets!

Keep Pets & Domestic Violence Survivors Together

For Service Dogs

Pair Veterans With Service Dogs

50,643,279 Meals Donated

281,309 Toys Donated

55,604 Blankets Donated

4,752 Rescue Miles Donated

$66,069 Funded For D.V. Survivors

$1,857,751 Funded For Service Dogs

50,643,279 Meals Donated

281,309 Toys Donated

55,604 Blankets Donated

4,752 Rescue Miles Donated

$66,069 Funded For D.V. Survivors

$1,857,751 Funded For Service Dogs

Feed
Shelter Dogs

Fly Shelter
Dogs To Safety

Keep Pets &
Domestic Violence
Survivors Together

Pair Veterans
With Service Dogs