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Coast Guardsman Dives Into A Louisiana River To Save His Dog From An Alligator

St. Mary Parish, Louisiana, is home to the largest reptile in North America: the American Alligator. Females can grow to around nine feet long, and males can reach 13 feet in length and weigh almost 1,000 pounds. Imagine a 60-pound dog going up against one of those. You probably wouldn’t expect it to end well for the dog. Yet one 10-month-old black Lab named River defied those odds, surviving a terrifying attack. The Attack And Quick Response In July of … Read more

Rescuer Finds Tiny Pup Using A Shoe As Shelter & Completely Transforms Her Life

On average, a dog who lives on the street won’t make it past 2-5 years old. They lack access to the proper nutrition and essential medical care that keeps family pets healthy. Also, unsanitary conditions can increase the risks of injury or infection. That’s why one man in Serbia dedicates his life to helping the street animals in his neighborhood. Goran Marinkovic brings food with him as he walks around Kraljevo so he can feed the many stray animals in … Read more

Grief Stricken Dog Mom Calls For Pet Bereavement Changes In The UK

When Wendy O’Grady’s beloved Chocolate Labrador, Zac, passed away from cancer last month, she was stricken with grief.  She had the sweet dog for nearly 12 years, and without him, she wasn’t sure how to move forward. Zac had been a gift from her husband, Mike after O’Grady suffered miscarriage after miscarriage — and in his own special way, Zac helped O’Grady heal from the pain of dealing with fertility issues.  In the time following Zac’s death, O’Grady took two … Read more

Woman Jumps Into Fast-Flowing River To Save Her Senior Dog

Dog and woman rescued from river

Despite being a risky situation, many dog lovers would’ve done exactly what this woman did when her dog was in danger. Suzanne Forman’s 14-year-old Goldendoodle named Sienna got trapped in a fast-flowing river in Massachusetts. Forman couldn’t stand and watch while waiting for help to arrive. Instead, she knew she had to act fast. So, Forman jumped into the treacherous waters to bring Sienna to safety. Yet, her actions only caused her to get trapped in the river too. Luckily, … Read more

UPDATE: Dramatic Video Shows 12-Hour Rescue Of Deaf Dog In Storm Drain

Dog storm drain rescue

Update 8/26/2021: After the rescue mission, the Arlington Fire Department shared a 5-minute video showing the details of the process. With dramatic music, it shows firefighters cutting a hole in the concrete, crawling into the pipe, and eventually pulling the dog named Zoey to safety. The rescue took 10 to 12 hours to complete, but the workers didn’t hesitate even for a second. “We have a condensed video of the rescue operation to save Zoey, the 15-year-old dog stuck in … Read more

UPDATE: Pit Bull Stolen From Hotel During Room Mix-Up Is Found

Dog stolen at hotel

UPDATE: 8/26/2021: After a terrible week away from his Pit Bull named Zink, Cedric Gibson has been reunited with the lovable pup. Gibson posted the exciting news on his Instagram story, along with videos of Zink happily jumping on him and later exploring the city. No amount of time apart could change the bond that these two share. “Thanks to everyone, they found my boy Zink,” Gibson wrote on his Instagram story. Gibson didn’t say what led to the dog’s … Read more

Homeless Cat Comforts Abandoned Dog Until They Are Both Rescued

Cat comfort

The love and loyalty of a pet is incredible to experience. Once a dog chooses you, that’s it, you’ve been claimed. You become their everything. But, why does this happen?  Well, dogs are naturally pack animals who favor the company of others. Many experts believe that this pack mentality, coupled with a survival instinct, is why dogs remain so loyal to their human companions. They bond deeply with their caretakers, and view you as their pack. Dogs are even well … Read more

Woman Admits To Drowning Sick Puppy In River To Avoid Vet Bills

Warning: Content and photos may be disturbing to some readers. A woman in New Jersey has confessed to drowning her puppy by locking her in a cage and dumping her in a river. The suspect says she “panicked” when the dog became ill. Last week, 49-year-old Tonya Fea of Jefferson Township, New Jersey, pled guilty to charges of animal cruelty and told authorities she killed the ailing puppy because she was afraid of potentially expensive vet bills that would come … Read more

How iHeartDogs Customers Helped This Surrendered Puppy Start Fresh

iHeartDogs works closely with Greater Good Charities by donating part of each sale to their various charity efforts. One of these programs, Rescue Bank, works to donate quality dog food to shelters and animal rescues in need. Some organizations could not run without kind donations like this, so by supporting us you’re making happy endings like the ones below possible! As a puppy, Harley often spent about 20 hours a day in her crate. Her family didn’t realize the amount of time and … Read more

Las Vegas Cops Rescue 3 Dogs From Car In Scorching Heat; 1 Dies

We recently covered the story of a UK woman who started a petition with over 30,000 signatures that would make it a crime to walk dogs in excessive heat. And in this summer of record-breaking heatwaves across the United States, the potential health risks—and the possibility of death—has never been higher. Against The Odds So it’s with heavy hearts that we report on the rescue of three dogs left in a Las Vegas parking lot in a vehicle with the … Read more

Woman Kills Dog By Locking It In Hot Car As Punishment

cleveland dog hot car

The stories of a hot summer meeting improper animal care—and in this case, inhumane care—just keep pouring in. In Cleveland, a woman has been arrested for allegedly locking her dog, Chapo, in her car outside on a hot, humid day. Temperatures that day were “only” around 81 degrees, and the dog was in the car for about 20 minutes, according to the estimation of the neighbor who initially alerted authorities to the incident, according to FOX-8 Cleveland. Torture, Not Punishment … Read more

Shelter Includes Emotional Poem With Rescue Dog’s Adoption Paperwork

One major reason rescued dogs get returned to shelters is that their new family can’t understand their anxious or fearful behaviors. Dogs surrendered to shelters often experience anxiety after being brought into a hectic new environment, and many more have been traumatized or mistreated prior to arriving. When Hope Ervin rescued a Shiba Inu from Paws Jackson, an animal shelter in Jacksonville, Illinois, she sensed that the dog may have emotional issues related to her time in a puppy mill. … Read more

YouTube Adventurer Raises Funds To Save His Beloved Travel ‘Pawtner’ From Cancer

Brian Galyon, who operates the YouTube channel Off-Grid Backcountry Adventures, has spent six years traveling the American Southwest in a 4 x 4 truck. Beside him all that time was his best friend and “furry adventure partner,” a dog named Sierra. Galyon rescued a nervous, malnourished Sierra from a shelter in early 2015 while living in the Denver, Colorado area. Early on, Galyon learned that he and Sierra have something big in common: they both love exploring the outdoors. Galyon … Read more

Man Miraculously Catches Freefalling Jack Russell

If we’re being honest, we can all agree that most people at a pub lack the hand-eye coordination to catch things – especially a dog falling from the sky. Okay, maybe not exactly falling from the sky, but plunging from a rooftop. Close enough. This was the case for 29-year-old Adam Ravenhall, who caught a Jack Russell Terrier in mid-flight off a roof. It happened at Mount Pleasant Pub in Kingswinford, Staffordshire in England. The precariously perched pup had been … Read more

Family Heartbroken After Their Dog Dies From Heatstroke At Local Groomer

A New Jersey family is heartbroken after their beloved dog, a 5-year-old Newfoundland named Samson, died after a visit to a local grooming salon.  Jennifer Laddy went to pick up Samson at Glamour Paws Boutique in Mahwah last week when she noticed her dog was struggling to breathe and stand up. They immediately rushed him to the vet, where they said he was suffering from heatstroke.  “They took his temperature which was 109.5 at that moment,” Stephen Laddy, Jennifer’s husband, … Read more

15 Shelter Dogs In Australia Shot Due To “COVID Restrictions”

Rescue Dog Shot in Australia

Being cautious can be a good thing, but if that caution involves taking innocent lives, then something isn’t right. A council in Australia is currently receiving backlash because they killed 15 rescue dogs in response to COVID restrictions. Yet, their reasons for doing so are flawed and unclear. Social media is outraged over this decision, and it’s making many animal lovers question the council’s motives. Animal welfare organizations are fighting back, hoping to launch an investigation on the matter. After … Read more

“Sargent” Only Has 1 Day Left To Find A Home, And He’s Not Alone

Sargent Euthanasia List

On the morning of August 24th, 2021, shelter staff sent out final pleas for Sargent, who is a 7-year-old German Shepherd at risk of euthanasia. His human surrendered him to Fort Worth Animal Care and Control due to “health concerns.” Yet, he also has some aggression toward dogs, cats, and strangers. For three days, Sargent sat in his kennel terrified and confused. He trembled and refused to eat. The shelter believes he only had one human his whole life, so … Read more

Meet Basil, A Two-Legged Foster Fail From The Wuhan Streets

Caring for a special needs dog can no doubt be challenging. Still, the rewards of teaching a differently-abled dog that he matters and showing him the full life he deserves are absolutely worth all the efforts. One little two-legged dog from China proved that to his foster turned adopter. A group from Furry Angels Haven Wuhan found Basil on the street in early 2020. He had sustained so much damage to his back legs, veterinarians had to amputate everything below … Read more

Science Unlocks Mystery Of Canine Coat Colors And Their Origins

It’s common knowledge that the “domesticated dogs” we share our beds with and call our best friends evolved from wolves. While the timing of and reasons for their domestication are still debated among scientists, it’s clear that humans played a significant role in their evolution. Knowing this, the majority of us naturally assume that the beautiful colors and markings we see on the coats of our canine companions today were created after humans started breeding them.  However, in a recently … Read more

Firefighters Celebrate The Life Of Their Station Dog With Beautiful Ceremony

fire station dog cover

Firefighters in Iquique, Chile are grieving the loss of their beloved station dog, Negro. After serving at the fire station for over a decade, the first responders held a special ceremony to celebrate his beautiful life. Negro spent the last decade offering emotional support to the hardworking firefighters of Iquique city. His role involved standing guard at the fire station when the responders were away and offering a heartwarming welcome with each return. Negro was a source of positivity for … Read more

Governor Andrew Cuomo Reportedly Abandons His Dog After Moving Out Of Executive Mansion

As New York Governor Andrew Cuomo packed up his belongings from the Executive Mansion in Albany after stepping down from office amid sexual assault allegations, he left one very important thing behind: his dog, a 3-year-old Husky mix named Captain.  According to the Albany Times-Union, Cuomo instead asked his staff members to take care of the dog as he left him behind. Cuomo is now leaving the state to go on vacation with no set plan on where the dog … Read more

UPDATE: Buddy, The Dog Set On Fire By A Child, Finally Gets His Bandages Off!

Buddy the dog has seen unthinkable cruelty — but the light at the end of the tunnel is finally here.  After being found set on fire by a child this April in Mississippi, Buddy was forced to live covered in bandages to help heal his painful burn wounds. Now, Buddy is bandage-free and continuing his recovery journey at the Mississippi State Veterinary Hospital.  Without the bandages covering his eyes, Buddy can now see to play with toys and wander around … Read more

Tiny Puppy Covered In Cactus Prickles Finds Love & Comfort For The First Time

A Chihuahua puppy named Charlie has one of the best transformation stories yet. The 5-month-old pup arrived at animal control with cactus prickles from head to toe, especially on his face. He was likely in immense pain, but kindness was on his side. Vets and rescue organizations stepped up to end his discomfort. Now, Charlie looks better than ever! He’s ready for a fresh start in life, and he hopes his new family will provide him with that. It’s amazing … Read more

The Healthy Hound Newsletter #69

In This Issue

● Healthy Things To Sneak Into Your Dog’s Food
● How To Shop For Pet Insurance
● Dog Euthanized Without Permission
● Labs Deemed “Naughtiest Breed”
● The Heartbreaking Reality Of The Vet Field
● 5 Ways To Fight Fall Allergies

Outrage Ensues After US Military Dogs Fly Out Of Afghanistan

Dogs on Afghanistan plane

Images and videos of US military dogs leaving Afghanistan sparked a lot of outrage. It seems as if the dogs are being given seats on evacuation flights while many humans are still stranded there. Many questioned why the dogs were given priority over some people, but others argue that the dogs have a right to be on the plane too. All the information about this situation hasn’t been shared publicly yet, but people are still jumping to conclusions. Of course, … Read more

U.S. Rescue Helps Kabul Heroes Save Dogs From Chaotic Afghanistan Streets

The situation in Afghanistan is nothing short of chaotic as the Taliban take over the country. As borders to surrounding countries close and flights out of the country become harder to come by, some dedicated animal rescuers in Kabul have been risking everything to save the pets in their care. When the Taliban entered their neighborhood, Kabul Small Animal Rescue worried about the stability of their shelter and the safety of their animals. It would take a lot of coordination … Read more

Family Begs For Rescue Dog’s Return After Fatal Tesla Crash

Dog lost after fatal Tesla crash

Dogs can sometimes sense things that humans can’t, but can they predict the future too? It doesn’t seem likely until you hear Milo’s story. The Bluetick Hound-Shepherd mix began acting unusual a month before a horrible incident occurred. He kept pacing in circles around his mom, Jenna Monet. Milo didn’t want to look at anyone but Jenna. Then, Jenna ended up dying in a Tesla crash shortly after, causing Milo to flee the scene in a panic. Derrick Monet is … Read more

UK Dog Lovers Have Spoken: This Is Their Favorite Breed

Staffie Featured

Ask any dog lover their favorite breed and they’ll give a long list of reasons for their choice. “They’re loving, loyal, and easy to train,” or “They’re playful and have a hilarious personality.” The specific reasons don’t matter. Whatever they say, they’re all right!  Not only are they right because everyone’s perspective is different and all of us prioritize different personalities and temperaments, but they’re right because all dogs are the absolute best! They’re our best friends, create the best … Read more

25 Guilty Dogs Who Have No Regrets

Guilty dogs shamed

Even the best-behaved dogs like to cause trouble now and then. And no matter how naughty they are, we always forgive them because they’re adorable. While dogs misbehaving might be frustrating in the moment, it’s funny to look back on your dog’s mischievous habits. “Dog shaming” has become a popular trend on social media. Photos and memes of guilty dogs are always hilarious, but most of those pups don’t seem to regret their actions. If anything, they just love the … Read more

FDA Issues Warning To Pet Food Company After 130 Dogs Die

Midwestern Pet Foods Warning

Midwestern Pet Foods has had several recalls in the past year, including one in December where 70 pets died of aflatoxin contamination. In March, the company also voluntarily recalled several products due to salmonella contamination. Now, even though another recall isn’t issued, the FDA is raising concerns over the past aflatoxin recall. According to a statement from the FDA, about 130 dogs died, and 220 suffered from injuries related to the consumption of their products. So, the FDA further inspected … Read more

Share The Joy Of Seeing A Little Boy Walk His Dog For The First Time

Remember your first childhood dog? Does just the thought bring a smile to your face? Then it might also make you grin to think about how young animal lovers react to their first pets. You know, that giddy, gleeful expression on the face of a child who’s ready to be both a caretaker and a best friend. Now, to turn that mental picture into something real: A delightful video on YouTube encompasses this youthful glee, featuring an excited toddler and … Read more

“Macs4Pets” Contest Donates Over $10,000 To Animal Shelters

Macs4U Helps Shelter Dogs

Macs4U.com, a company that sells refurbished MacBooks and other Apple products, is big on helping animals. They have provided donations and support to no-kill animal shelters for many years. Thanks to their recent “Macs4Pets Animal Shelter Campaign,” they’ve done even more to make a difference. They held two contests to help raise awareness for rescue animals. Their heartwarming animal shelter campaign gifted $12,000 among the three winning shelters. In another contest, pet parents were invited to share photos of their … Read more

Foster Dog Missing 1,200 Miles From Home Gets A Miracle

Lost foster dog found

Even though Murphy the rescue dog didn’t have a forever family when he went missing, he still had lots of support. He escaped from his foster family when they were about 1,200 miles away from home. For about a month, the poor pup was alone and scared. But sadly, he was used to the loneliness. However, his foster family wants to ensure that he never feels lonely again. So, with the help of kind strangers, they went above and beyond … Read more

UPDATE: Afghanistan Animal Rescue In Danger Due To Taliban: “They Need Our Help Now”

UPDATE: According to tweets from British animal activists Peter Egan and Dominic Dyer, who have been keeping in touch with NOWZAD representatives, Pen Farthing and his animals have just landed at Heathrow Airport safely. His staff was unable to board, but they continue their efforts to evacuate their people. Farthing and his staff have faced an enormous amount of animosity from both politicians and the public for refusing to leave their shelter animals behind, but they were determined in their … Read more

Paralyzed Pup From Iran Searches For Loving Home In His New Wheelchair

Teddy paralyzed dog

Teddy came from Iran to the United States just before the CDC’s pet travel ban took place. He used to be able to walk, but he was severely injured after being abused by his previous human’s boyfriend. It didn’t sound like a one-time incident either. So, Teddy was transported to PAWS New England in Boston, where they discovered that he had a severe spinal injury. Poor Teddy is paralyzed in his back legs, but he doesn’t let that hold him … Read more

Animal Control “Euthanized And Decapitated” Dog Without Permission

Dog wrongfully euthanized

WARNING: Content might be sensitive for some readers. Erin Bulfin’s rescue dog named Daisy was a beloved family member, especially to her daughter. So, when Daisy bit Bulfin’s daughter one day, Bulfin chose to do the responsible thing and report it to animal control. But soon after, she realized it was a terrible mistake. St. Louis Animal Care and Control euthanized the family’s dog, saying Bulfin’s husband had asked them to. Even if that were the case, animal control still … Read more

Man Faces Alligator After It Bites Off His Dog’s Tail

Alligator bites dog's tail off

If you live in an area that’s known for having alligators, you know to be careful near water. Yet, it’s easy to forget about the risk until it happens to you. Bruce Savage and his dog Hannah, unfortunately, had to learn the hard way. The pond near their Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina home has always had warning signs for snakes and gators. But usually, the wild animals mind their own business. So, Savage never expected a nightmare to occur as … Read more

The Heartbreaking Reality Of Working In The Veterinary Field

vet med reality

If you have the privilege of being a pet parent, you probably have a team of veterinary professionals in your corner. You are likely greeted with a smiling face each time you step into your local clinic, making it impossible to be aware of the heartbreaking reality of working in this field. We are often plagued with the misconception that our jobs are filled with puppies and kittens each day, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. I’ve recently … Read more

Labradors Deemed The “Naughtiest Breed” In New Study

When you love a dog, you learn to live with the fact that they have no respect for your belongings. Whether they’re chewing on phone chargers or urinating on expensive rugs, a dog can be surprisingly adept at destruction. Recently, Money.co.uk gathered over 20,000 owner opinions for a study determining which breeds exhibit the naughtiest behaviors. Here are some of the most interesting findings from that report. Impressive Naughty Stats For The Labrador For this study, Money looked for specific … Read more

Retired Racing Dog Supports Veterans Throughout The Pandemic & Beyond

Lou Lewis is an expert on two things: dogs and military service. As a retiree of the US Army and dog mom to five greyhounds, she decided to combine her knowledge and give back to veterans in need. Lewis and 9-year-old Petey are a popular pair among the veterans of Nashville, Tennessee. When the Covid-19 pandemic put a halt to their in-person visits, the duo went virtual to ensure Petey could still see his pals. They hope to return to … Read more

Adorable Rescue Dog Begs To Play Outside With Backyard Bears

Backyard Bears Featured

Hanging a bell by an outside door is a common training tool pet parents use to enable their pup to let them know when they want to go outside. When your dog needs to do their business, they sit or stand by the door and ring the bell. This skirts the nudging, scratching, barking, or any other sign your pup may use to alert you of their wishes. Commonly, a small bell or even a set of sleigh bells is … Read more

Dog Rescued After Being Left In A Hot Car For 5 Hours At Disney World

Never leave your dog unattended in a closed car. To me, this seems like it should be common sense. Yet all the time, especially in summer, we hear reports of owners who leave their dogs behind in a vehicle while they’re off doing errands or even socializing. One particularly egregious example of this neglect comes out of the “most magical place on earth.” At around 5 pm on Monday August 9, 2021, Jerry Dana French heard a dog bark in … Read more

RECALL: Popular Petsmart Brand Dog Food Recalled For Excessive Amounts Of Vitamin D

Wet Noses Natural Dog Treat Company is voluntarily recalling 51,000 packages of their Simply Nourish pet food – a popular brand sold at Petsmart stores. The recall comes as tests show that the food contains higher levels of Vitamin D than allowed. High levels of a vitamin may not sound like a big deal, but too much Vitamin D can affect your dog’s ability to absorb Calcium and Phosphorus, and could be deadly in extreme cases. Thus far, Wet Noses … Read more

Korean Chefs Join Forces With Humane Society International To Promote Plant-Based Options Instead Of Dog Meat For Boknal

ending dog meat

Korean chefs are teaming up with Humane Society International to help eliminate the consumption of dog meat in South Korea. While the majority of South Koreans no longer consume dog meat, many will still eat ‘dog meat soup’ as a tradition during Boknal. The majority of dogs in South Korea are slaughtered specifically for Boknal, meaning the endorsement of plant-based options could save so many lives. Boknal refers to the three hottest days of the summer between the months of … Read more

Senior Dog Still Looking For Home Two Years After All Her Puppies Were Adopted

When 12-year-old Annalize arrived at Many Tears Animal Rescue in Pembrokeshire, Wales two years ago, she was in horrible condition.  The skin around her neck was raw from being chained. Her fur was completely matted and pulling at her skin. She was completely blind — and she was also pregnant.  She had been kept by a breeder to produce litter after litter of puppies, but finally, thanks to the rescue, she was safe. When Annalize gave birth to her final … Read more

Couple Discovers Their New Rescue Dog Is Related To Their Late Canine

Rescue Dogs Related

Nicole Sopko and Dan Staackmann love getting DNA tests for their rescue dogs because the results are fascinating. Dogs often have breeds mixed in that you’d never expect! Although they could also have long-lost relatives that are closer than you’d think. The couple adopted a new rescue dog named Frida from a Chicago shelter. After getting a DNA test done, they discovered shocking news. Frida is related to the couple’s late dog named Greta. The two seem to be cousins, … Read more

Professional Violinist Creates Beautiful Tik Tok Duet With Howling Dog

For me, the best part of using the Tik Tok app is access to videos of animals everywhere. From dogs and cats to wildlife sanctuary residents to farm animals, these types of videos are, I think, the best of what this app has to offer. If you’re not on the app, a video of a Border Collie named Nicolas lying on a window sill and howling has been viral for a while now. Tik Tok user @juliaszypulska02 uploaded the video … Read more

Rescue Dog Named For The Deputy Warden Stabbed While Saving Him

Mahoning County, Ohio deputy dog warden Dave Nelson was only trying to help a mistreated dog when he answered a call on July 20, 2021. A man had the dog on a chain and was dragging him down the street. Not long after Nelson arrived on the scene, that man attacked him with a knife. Nelson was taken to Mercy Health for treatment, while the Youngstown Police Department took the culprit into custody. Animal Charity coordinator Jane MacMurchy told WKBN … Read more

Stolen Senior Yorkie Found After Being Listed For Sale As A “Puppy”

Stolen Yorkie rescued by police

An 8-year-old Yorkie named Cookie was stolen from his yard in Meriden, Connecticut. For several days, his family had no idea where he was until they saw a suspicious ad online. Someone was selling a dog that looked just like Cookie, claiming he was an expensive puppy. Of course, the family recognized the dog as Cookie right away. With the help of the police, they came up with a plan to get their furry friend back. The case isn’t closed … Read more

Vet’s Mistake Has Dog Stuck At UK Airport & At Risk Of Euthanasia

Swiss Shepherd quarantine

Teresa Saade and her family planned for their Swiss Shepherd named Lessy to fly from Lebanon to Bolton, United Kingdom. Everything seemed to go smoothly until a miscommunication ruined everything. A typo in Lessy’s vet records made her unable to go home to her family. Now, if the family can’t pay to have Lessy quarantined for a few months, the innocent pup might be put to sleep. Saade refuses to let that happen, so she has started fundraising to save … Read more

Mama Dog Who Lost Her Litter Is A Miracle For Ten Orphaned Puppies

When Lexi Johnson, a volunteer foster for Ruff Start Rescue, was presented with the opportunity to take in pregnant pup Poppy, she was thrilled. As a dog lover, and as someone who studied animal behavior, she had always wanted to foster a pregnant mama dog. Her heart was bursting, and she excitedly shared the news with her friends and family. Then, about one week after she came to live with Lexi, the beautiful Lab Mix birthed ten healthy puppies. Lexi … Read more