Shelter Dog Meal Donation Count:
iHeartDogs is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. Raise your hand if you love spoiling your dog. Okay – now, lower it if you did not buy your dog his own $20,000 pet bed. No? How about an $800 dog bowl? Easy one this time – $65 dog perfume? Any hands left up? Let’s be honest – our dogs don’t care how much we spend … Read more
Whether or not you believe everything happens for a reason, this story makes a strong case for silver linings. This spring, Ian Azeredo and his wife Linda Farkas adopted Otter, a spunky mixed breed rescue dog, from St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center in Madison, New Jersey. If it hadn’t been for a terrible skydiving accident though, they never would have met their beloved dog and best friend. In July of 2019, Azeredo was on a skydiving trip, something he had done … Read more
Johanna Handley thinks Alan the Saluki/Boxer mix is the most beautiful dog she’s ever seen. So, she knew she had to adopt him on the spot! But sadly, not everyone sees the 1-year-old pup for his true colors, and instead, they judge him at first glance. Lots of bullies have called Alan “ugly” and suggested that Handley “fix his face.” But Handley loves Alan the way he is, and she wouldn’t trade his gorgeous face for the world. To help … Read more
Thousands of dogs have to spend the holidays at a shelter each year. But they all deserve a warm, loving home more than anything. That’s why Jacksonville shelters started a special program in 2012 that helps adoptable dogs find a home for the holidays. It’s called “Silent Night.” To participate in Silent Night, Florida families can choose to foster a dog for the holiday season. This gives the dogs a comfortable place to stay and it might even land them … Read more
Things don’t always go as planned. But sometimes, they actually end up being better than expected. So, a rescue pup named Finn is glad his journey to find a family wasn’t quite as easy as planned because he wouldn’t change his life for the world. Brothers Henry and Elias Friedman went on a cross-country road trip together to bring Finn to his new family. Yet, when Finn’s family had a change in plans, the brothers didn’t panic. Instead, Henry decided … Read more
Two dogs named Hemi and Foreign suffered a traumatic past. Officers found them in critical condition in someone’s yard. Both were very thin and struggled to walk despite being only around 6 months old. Foreign couldn’t put pressure on her back leg while Hemi’s back leg was so swollen and bruised that an officer had to carry him. Neither pup seemed to know what true love was like, but thankfully, their kind rescuers are ready to show them. Not long … Read more
A Beagle named Boone is well-known for his collection of over 330 custom bowties. He looks like a star every time he wears one. But there’s a not-so-great past behind the pup’s smiling face. Before Boone met his loving family, he suffered horrific abuse. His previous humans intentionally cut off his back legs. Poor Boone probably thought his life was over, but thankfully, some kind individuals came to save the day. A new family took him in and showed him … Read more
Whenever I come across a lost pet poster, my heart aches in solidarity. As a lifelong dog lover, I’ve had my share of close calls. My childhood dog was once spooked by 4th of July fireworks and ended up going missing for three very long days and even longer nights. Megan Clemens, dog mom to a Pomeranian named Stanley, is also sensitive to the plight of pet parents in distress. On a recent walk with Stanley in Nashville, TN, she … Read more
Weddings are the most important day in many people’s lives. Yet, they’re not quite as special if all your close family can’t be there to celebrate with you. And yes, that should include your four-legged family members! For one wedding in China, a poor dog was worried he would be left out of the excitement. So when his mom’s wedding convoy drove off, he couldn’t help but chase after her. He had to at least congratulate his mom on her … Read more
Dogs rescued from puppy mills have a harder time adjusting to their new life than other rescue dogs. They never knew what it was like to be loved by a human before, so they’re often hesitant and timid. They also aren’t familiar with everyday pet supplies like beds, toys, and treats. But luckily, once they step out of their shell, it’s heartwarming to see their transformation. A puppy mill survivor named Teddy Bear is one of the many dogs with … Read more
A tiny Cavalier puppy named Gunner is fully recovered after his terrifying run-in with a hungry alligator. He and his dog dad are now being rewarded for their incredible bravery, as Gunner is now an official Deputy Dog for his local Sheriff’s office! Gunner was on a morning walk with his dad just a few weeks ago when the unthinkable happened. An alligator was stalking the 4-month-old puppy in the distance, waiting for him to take a step toward the … Read more
After spending three years apart from their loyal service dog Lola, Debra and Steven Mejeur are probably wishing dogs could talk. Lola likely spent all three years alone in the woods, so it’s hard not to wonder how she survived all that time. When Lola first got lost, the Mejeurs searched weekend after weekend. But eventually, they accepted that the beloved black Lab mix probably hadn’t survived. Three years later, they were overjoyed to find out their assumptions of Lola’s … Read more
Service dogs are much more than just cuddly companions you spend the day with. These dogs are specially trained to perform incredible life-saving tasks, and many people couldn’t live their day-to-day lives without their aid. No one understands this better than recent nursing school grad Maggie Leptrone. When Leptrone finally graduated from the University of West Georgia’s nursing school, she walked up to receive her diploma accompanied by another graduate: her service dog Mona. Mona helps Leptrone as her diabetic … Read more
Every year, TIME magazine selects a “person of the year” to showcase in their latest issue. But this year, they decided that on top of the person of the year, they should also choose a pet of the year. For 2020, it seemed like a no-brainer. With so many negative events, there was one significant victory for animal lovers: an increase in animal adoptions! Amid the pandemic, many families chose to adopt and foster thanks to their extra free time. … Read more
If you are not familiar with Doug the Pug, you are missing out! With over 18 million followers across his social media accounts, Doug is one of the most important (and squishiest) influencers online today. Now Doug is using his status to help children fighting cancer. Leslie Mosier, the human voice behind the canine phenomenon, announced the creation of the Doug the Pug Foundation on Giving Tuesday. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Doug The Pug … Read more
A California man is thankful for the survival of his beloved Pit Bull after a terrifying event. After spotting his pup in the hands of an angry bear, he jumped into action without hesitation! Kaleb Benham was playing with his dog Buddy near his house in the early hours of Thanksgiving Eve. What started out as a normal play session with his furry BFF turned into a dramatic fight for survival at the hands of a black bear. Within moments … Read more
In a Jewish family, when a boy turns 13 years old, he celebrates with a bar mitzvah ceremony. So, it only seems fair that those families’ dogs should experience a similar celebration. After all, many dogs don’t even reach 13, so it’s definitely a milestone worth commemorating. A Florida family happily followed those traditions when their Labradoodle named Brody turned 13. They completed all the bar mitzvah traditions, only in a dog-friendly way. Best of all, Brody even became social … Read more
A couple who saves dogs together stays together. At least, that’s what John and Gill Dalley’s story shows us. The two of them devoted their lives to saving homeless dogs and ending animal cruelty. Their actions helped put an end to the dog meat trade in Thailand and they tackled the stray dog and cat problem. The Dalleys helped so many animals in need that they were awarded a Daily Mirror Animal Hero Award in 2020 for their Outstanding Contribution. … Read more
The life of a truck driver involves a lot of time on the road. For many, this can be an exciting and adventurous job, until something goes wrong. When a woman named Melissa was driving a truck with her rescue dog by her side, everything seemed positive at first. But then some road work lead to her dog escaping and running down the interstate. Melissa was thousands of miles from home, so she had no idea how to find the … Read more
WARNING: Topic, images, and video may be sensitive to some. Laredo Crime Stoppers in Texas were on the lookout for a woman whose actions are unforgivable. She’s seen on film abusing a dog, but her identity and location were unknown at first. Officials needed all the help they could get to put an end to this cruelty, so they reached out to the public for information about the situation. Luckily, a tip helped them in their search. What Happened? A … Read more
I’ve said it before, but I’ll gladly say it again for those who don’t know: microchipping pets can save lives! Every day a dog brought in as a stray is revealed to be someone’s lost pet thanks to chip scanning. You’d be surprised how far a dog can wander from home before a microchip scan helps them get back too. One wanderlusty pup found on the streets this month serves as a perfect example. Susan Ray rescued one of her dogs, … Read more
Some thoughtless person’s loss became the Surrey and Sussex Dog Unit’s gain in the form of an abandoned dog named Dustin. Well, formerly named Dustin. The pup, since renamed Badger, had a major “glow up,” as they say. Last summer, a resident of Redhill, Surrey found four sick, starving, abandoned Cocker Spaniel puppies. The neglected litter, among which Dustin numbered, had patchy fur and crusty eyes from infections. Soon after, the puppies were taken to the Millbrook Animal Centre in … Read more
Rescue dogs will often do anything they can to find their perfect family. That’s why the dogs at Stray Rescue of St. Louis have turned to the professionals for help. Yet, instead of turning to dog trainers or groomers like most rescues, this group sought help from ballet dancers. After all, what’s more appealing than a dog who knows how to dance? Dancers with the St. Louis Ballet teamed up with the rescue for the third year in a row. … Read more
At around 8 a.m. on a Wednesday morning in Miami Lakes, someone stole Sky Dim, the 5-year-old Chihuahua mix, right off his leash. Sky happens to be the only family to a 72-year-old homeless man named Pedro Carrion. The two reside just north of the Palmetto Expressway, where they love and support each other. Losing Sky devastated Carrion. Though the heartbroken father acknowledged he didn’t know if someone stole Sky or thought they were helping an abandoned dog, he just … Read more
Moose the Yellow Lab accomplished more in his life than most humans do. Not only was he one of four dedicated therapy dogs at Virginia Tech, but he also had an honorary doctorate degree in veterinary medicine. He helped many students cope with anxiety and other mental health problems. Moose was always there to support them and let them know that it’s okay to ask for help. This sweet therapy dog spent years making lives better at Virginia Tech. But … Read more
A frightened American Bulldog was found tied to the gates of an RSPCA animal centre in the early hours of an August morning. Not only was the pup tightly chained and terrified about what he had just been through, but there were also a few unexpected complications to come as well. It took two members of the RSPCA to free the abandoned Bulldog, as he was tied so tightly that he could barely lie down. Once the team was finally … Read more
In This Issue
● Aflatoxins In Dog Food
● Why Is My Dog Always Hungry?
● Only REAL Service Dogs To Fly Free
● Holiday Dog Crimes & Culprits
● Canine Liver Disease
● Indoor Dog Parkour
Every year, Rover releases a detailed list of the most popular dog names. And every year, people get more creative. Of course, the top ten dog names in every city remain fairly consistent from year to year. There are just some classic names that will always be adorable. But while those names remained steady on the list, other more peculiar names showed major increases from the previous years. From movie stars to Netflix characters to virus-related names, 2020 is certainly … Read more
Our canine companions are the light of our life, and we will do anything to keep them as healthy as possible. While having a plan of action when they are sick is helpful, preventative care can be an even better line of defense. So how can you offer your pet the best protection with prevention? Let’s introduce you to a company who is making it easy! Early Detection Can Change Your Dog’s Life Unfortunately, our furry friends are not immune … Read more
When your pet gets sick or hurt, the last thing we should worry about is how we’re going to pay for our pet’s procedures. Having to choose between saving the one you love and going into crippling debt can be heartbreaking. Sadly, many pet parents are forced to make financial decisions when they should be concentrating on medical decisions. But with a solid pet insurance policy in place, worrying over vet care cost won’t be a gut-wrenching issue. As a … Read more
Frustratingly, an open door can be the enemy of a dog parent. Many dogs go missing after bolting outside unsupervised and losing their way. This nightmare came true for Chicago resident Kelly Shade last December. A visitor left a door open, and Gracie the Pit Bull escaped into the street. For Shade, the next 11 months were torture. She missed her girl and worried about her out on the street. Now, as the best early Christmas gift ever, she finally … Read more
Animal loving comedian, Bill Bailey, is the mourning the death of his beloved rescue dog. With Banjar being one of the main lights in his life, he is feeling the impact of this heartbreaking loss. Bill Bailey recently took to Twitter to share news of the passing of his rescue dog, Banjar. His 3.3 million followers flooded his page with heartwarming support as he sent a farewell message to his old friend. “Today we said goodbye to our lovely rescue … Read more
A former police officer has continued to save lives even after his death. This time, it’s four-legged lives that he has dedicated to serve. Kenneth Thweatt was a police officer in Michigan after serving in the Vietnam War. His wife died approximately 10 years ago and when Thweatt recently passed away from heart disease, there was no one to collect his life savings. He told a local news station in 2018 that he suffered from PTSD, depression, and anxiety as … Read more
A helpless puppy was found tied to a bench in Mexico, unable to move. He had no food and no water, but he was too terrified to let anyone approach him. The only explanation of his heartbreaking past was a note in Spanish, which seemed to be written by a child. This poor puppy thought his life was coming to an end that day, but animal rescuers refused to give up on him. They helped show him how amazing life … Read more
When a dog fully sets their mind to something, anything is possible. Abby the four-year-old Lab and Pit Bull mix made that very clear when she was lost. She spent her days alone looking for someone special, and somehow, she knew exactly where to look: Walmart! The smart pup strolled into the Walmart entrance without a care in the world. She figured the “no dogs” rule didn’t apply to her since she was on a mission. She didn’t find the … Read more
At shelters, puppies and younger dogs tend to go pretty quickly, while older dogs get overlooked. Don’t let the gray hairs in their eyebrows fool you though. These pups over 7 years of age still have so much love to give and deserve yours. That’s what “Adopt a Senior Pet Month” is all about: spreading that awareness. To celebrate this November, The Grey Muzzle Organization asked people to share their senior dog adoption stories and photos on social media. Senior … Read more
The Porterville Fire Department in California recently welcomed a new member to the team, but he’s fluffier than expected. That’s because he’s not a firefighter at all, but instead, he’s a soft, adorable puppy! Gardner the 10-week-old English Cream Golden Retriever might not be able to put out flames, but he has a talent that’s almost as heroic. He’s in charge of keeping the heroes in his office happy and calm. This sweet puppy is about to be a therapy … Read more
If you have been following the Amber Abroad Series, you may remember me for my time spent in Cambodia. I documented my 6 months spent working with an incredible animal clinic named PPAWS, and shared their work to improve the lives of the animals in their country. My adventures in Southeast Asia were cut short due to the sudden pandemic, forcing me to reevaluate my plans for 2020. Just when I thought my work was put on hold, I was … Read more
A Shiba Inu named Bodhi is taking the world by storm with his incredible fashion sense. With over 400,000 followers on Instagram, this stylish pup is paving the way for canine models everywhere. Bodhi is an 11-year-old doggo that transformed from a humble family pup to the world’s most stylish dog. With his fur mom, Yena, being a previous designer for Ralph Lauren, he grew up with an eye for fashion! Bodhi’s start in the modeling world began on a … Read more
The deadly California fires weren’t only horrific for the people who witnessed them, but homeless animals were affected too. Many shelter dogs had to relocate during this time. Sadly, this made it even harder for some of them to find homes. A loving Pit Bull named Big Head is one of the many dogs who had to be moved amid the wildfires, but he’s still struggling to find a home. Animal rescue advocates are praying that the power of social … Read more
I personally can’t imagine living in a household that bans dogs from the furniture. I love having my dog sleep in bed with me, and he loves it too. The only real trouble lies in the allocation of bed space. Dogs tend to take up more space than polite society typically allows. An adorable Husky named Millie loves sleeping in a bed, whether people are in it or not. A video posted to Reddit shows the dog all cozied up … Read more
16-year-old Shane Koch of Florida was diagnosed with Tourette’s Syndrome when he was only 8 years old. Tourette’s is a nervous system disorder that causes tics that are difficult to control. All his life, Koch has faced bullying because of it, from students and even teachers. But when he adopted a puppy named Callum, his world changed for the better. Callum helped boost his confidence and control his tics. Now, the pair are social media famous, which allows Koch to … Read more
All dog parents know that there are two important things in life: dogs and wine. Bar Dog Wine helps bring those incredible things together. When you buy some savory Bar Dog Wine, they donate money to their local Wine Country Animal Rescue. What could be better than sipping delightful wine while helping dogs in need? To further expand on their love for dogs, Bar Dog Wine is hosting a dog ugly sweater contest with unprecedented prizes. Dress your pup up … Read more
The bond between a Florida man and his beloved companion was put to the ultimate test during one of their morning walks. The Cavalier puppy was trapped within the jaws of an alligator in an instant, causing the dedicated dog dad to jump into action. Richard and Louise Wilbanks recently welcomed a tiny Cavalier King Charles Spaniel named Gunner into their home. The 3-month-old Cavalier and Richard were attached at the hip from the moment they met, resulting in a … Read more
The holiday season is a magical time. Even when things are at their worst, people find it within themselves to display incredible warmth, generosity, and compassion for others. This year we’ve all endured events that have torn us apart and isolated us from our friends and family, but yesterday, humans reached out to make the Thanksgiving holiday special for their friends, family, and neighbors. Two special humans extended good tidings to nearly 80 shelter pets in Utica, New York. Rob … Read more
Not all heroes wear capes. Some are covered in fur with wagging tails. Military K9 Kuno went above and beyond during his duties, risking his own life to save the lives of soliders. The 4-year-old Belgian Malinois is now retired with a brace and prosthetic limb, but he has never felt more alive. Kuno truly went above and beyond, and his efforts didn’t go unnoticed. After making it through lengthy medical procedures, Kuno is now being awarded the highest honor … Read more
Some dogs don’t get along with other unfamiliar dogs. Plenty of reasons could explain this, some inherent and some stemming from experiences in the dog’s past. Either way, that factor doesn’t make them any less worthy of loving homes with human beings. Sadly, laws tend to work against dogs with incidents of aggression on their records. As was the case with a Staffy in Australia, these dogs often get euthanized in the name of “community safety.” This story illustrates how … Read more
On Friday November 20, the small town of Babylon, New York celebrated a joyous occasion five years in the making. Residents and local administrators gathered on the steps of town hall to officially adopt Trigger, the shelter’s longest and most beloved resident. The brown and white Pit Bull mix wore his finest “tops and tails” and posed for photos with the only family he has known since 2015 — the staff of the Babylon Animal Shelter. When his pals at … Read more
Actress and animal welfare advocate Carla Abellana has dedicated her life to helping animals in need. Whenever she can save a dog’s life, she doesn’t hesitate. But the most difficult part of her efforts is when she can’t save a dog. There will always be some scenarios where she can’t make a difference, and those are the hardest on her. Recently, Abellana faced the most heartbreaking news of her life. While she was out saving other dogs, her own furry … Read more
Greece is taking strides towards protecting the rights of dogs and other animals throughout their nation. How? The Greek parliament recently passed a law that punishes animal abuse with up to 10 years in prison! They unanimously voted to require a minimum of one year and fines between 5,000 to 15,000 euros. However, the worst offenders of “serious animal abuse” will face up to a decade behind bars. What Is Considered Serious Animal Abuse? Determining the definition of serious animal … Read more
Toledo, United States.