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Nursing Student’s Service Dog Gets Her Own Degree At Graduation

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

TIME Magazine Names Rescue Animals The 2020 Pet Of The Year

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

Doug The Pug Finds His Calling Helping Children Battle Cancer

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

Man Tackles 350-Pound Bear To Save His Beloved Pit Bull Pup

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

Senior Dog Has “Bark Mitzvah” For His 13th Birthday

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

Couple Honored For Rescuing Street Dogs From Meat Trade

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

Truck Driver Travels Thousands Of Miles To Find Runaway Dog

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

Officials Search For Woman Dragging And Kicking Dog In Horrific Video

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

A Missing Dog Made It All The Way From Texas To Oklahoma

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

Puppy Found Sick And Abandoned Has An Important Job Now

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

Shelter Dogs Learn Ballet To Find Forever Families

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

Homeless Man Finally Reunited With His Stolen Dog

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 Therapy Dog With Doctorate Degree Loses Battle With Cancer

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

Abused And Disobedient, Bulldog Becomes Bilingual To Find His Forever Home

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

The Healthy Hound Newsletter #53

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

Top Dog Names Of 2020 Follow Amusing And Unusual Trends

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

Monitor Your Pet’s Health From The Comfort Of Your Home

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

Finding Free Peace of Mind Can Help You Save Your Dog’s Life

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

Almost 1 Year Later, A Lost Pittie Is Home For The Holidays

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

Strictly’s Star Bill Bailey Says Heartfelt Goodbye To Rescue Dog, Banjar

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

Former Police Officer And Veteran Donates Massive Life Savings To Animal Shelter

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

Terrified Puppy Found Abandoned On Bench With Heartbreaking Note

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

Lost Dog Travels To Walmart For Unlikely Reunion With Cashier

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

#AdoptedASeniorDog Contest Shows How Great Adopting An Old Dog Can Be

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

Firefighters Welcome The Cutest New Team Member

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

Amber Abroad Part 6: Ecuadorian Animal Clinic Helps Dogs In Their Indigenous Communities

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

This Pup Is Branded The Most Stylish Dog In The World!

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

“Big Head” The Pit Bull Begs For A Home After California Fires

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

Dog Refuses To Get Out Of Bed, But Agrees To Share With Toddler

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

Rescue Dog And Teen With Tourette’s Go Viral In Cutest Way

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

Bar Dog Wine Is Giving $1,000 And Vacation To The Dog With The Ugliest Sweater

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

Dedicated Dog Dad Rescues Cavalier Puppy From The Jaws Of An Alligator

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

Couple Cooks Special Thanksgiving Meal For Nearly 80 Shelter Dogs

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

Dog Who Charged Into Gunfire To Save Soldiers Receives Highest Honor

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

Town Adopts Special Needs Pooch After 5 Years At The Shelter

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

Carla Abellana’s Rescue Dog Dies Only Hours After She Saves Another Dog

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 Passes Revolutionary Animal Cruelty Laws After Horrific Abuse

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

Dog Declared A Stray Turned Out To Be Missing For 7 Years

It could happen to any dog parent. A broken leash, a startling sound, an open door, a distracting scent… no matter how it happens, millions of dogs go missing every single year. While there isn’t yet a way to communicate to our dogs not to run and hide, there’s a way to help them get back to you when they do: microchips. A story of a rescued stray dog from Texas illustrates this possibility. Honey arrived at the City of … Read more

Man Adopts Longest Resident At Animal Shelter After Losing His Mom

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought a lot of loss and heartbreak to people around the world. In the spring of 2020, Wilfredo Vega from South Daytona, Florida faced his worst nightmare. His mom passed away amid the pandemic at 81 years old. Her oxygen level worsened after she was admitted to the hospital and she had a difficult time holding a conversation. When she passed away, Vega didn’t know how to handle his grief. Even months later, he still wasn’t … Read more

Scientific Research Tells Us What Dogs Are Thinking

I bet you’ve looked at your dog’s innocent little eyes and wondered, “What’s he thinking?” Unlike my Yorkie, Leonard, who stands on my chest, cries in my face, and then leads me to the fridge like Lassie leading people to rescue Timmy from the well, maybe your four-legged friend hasn’t figured out how to let you know he wants a bedtime snack… or a little extra lovins’… or that she’s sorry for pooping on your flip flop. It turns out … Read more

Syringes: A Thorough Breakdown

Let’s talk about a potentially life-saving device, especially if your pup needs insulin or any sort of injection at home… syringes! We get so many questions regarding syringes, from; “Can I re-use syringes?” to “Can I use these U-40 syringes with U-100 insulin?” to “What is the difference between U-40 and U-100, 1 unit is 1 unit, right”? So, let’s do a thorough breakdown of syringes! U-40 syringes are used for Vetsulin, Caninsulin, and ProZinc insulins. U-40 insulin has 40 parts of insulin per 1 mL … Read more

Fursure Gives You Free Pet Insurance Advice

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 make a choice 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 the cost of vet care won’t be a … Read more

The Healthy Hound Newsletter #52

In This Issue

● Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
● Household Allergens
● Are We Over-Vaccinating Our Dogs?
● Why Dogs Hump & How To Stop It
● Common Autoimmune Diseases
● Holiday Foods You Can & Cannot Share

Dachshund Saves Chiweenie Brother From A Mountain Lion

Sarah Moore and Lindsay Golden have two adorable dogs: Winston, a Dachshund, and Mijo, a 15-year-old Chiweenie. The four of them recently visited family in mountainous Evergreen, Colorado, several miles southwest of Denver. While it’s a gorgeous place to live, there are some additional hazards for small, domesticated animals. For example: this area is home to mountain lions. On Saturday, Moore and Golden experienced a dog parent’s worst nightmare. The dogs got out of the house by way of an … Read more

Body Cam Shows Police Officer Risk House Fire To Save A Family And Their Dog

Heroes walk among us and when we need them the most, there they are, ready to jump in without any fear for their own safety. And when we hear the brave human risks his life to save an animal, we dog lovers are even more grateful for that hero. As a police officer for the Conway Police Department in Conway, AR, Officer Carson Howard protects and serves on a daily basis. But when a call about a house fire came … Read more

First Ever Dog Christmas Song Is Making Canines Feel Festive

Every year, humans get to enjoy festive music for the holidays. But one dog food company thought dogs might like to get in on the fun as well. So, Tails.com created what they claim to be the first ever Christmas song made for dogs! The song might sound strange to us, but it’s made of a compilation of sounds that dogs love. Dogs around the world have been getting excited every time they hear it. It’s adorable to see so … Read more

Disabled Pitbull Puppy Rescued From Cruel Owner Goes On To Find A Wonderful Family

A special Pitbull named Gabriel began his life with the world stacked against him. Not only was he born with a serious congenital deformity, but he was in the hands of a breeder that did not care where he ended up. Thankfully for this lovable pup, his story would soon change. Gabriel was sold at just 4 weeks of age to an owner that could never offer him the support he needed. After realizing that Gabriel would not be the … Read more

Love and Kittens Help To Heal Mama Dog’s Heartache

Milo the dog knows heartbreak. But like any soul who has experienced loss, she appreciates the joy that fills her life now. At a gas station near Arizona’s border to Mexico, Milo was scrounging out an existence, but she had no real home and often knew the pains of hunger. She was also pregnant when Sunshine Dog Rescue found her, yet she seemed in pretty good shape for being a rural stray dog. Things were looking good for Milo. She’d … Read more

Family Abandons Pit Bull At Kill Shelter Because She’s “Not A Cute Puppy Anymore”

Sadly, not every family treats their dogs with respect. A sweet Pit Bull named Ellie thought she had a loving home. She came to her first family as a puppy, when she was adorable and irresistible to them. But as soon as she turned a year old, her loved ones turned their backs on her. They surrendered her at a high kill shelter in Tennessee, saying they no longer wanted her because she was “not a cute puppy anymore.” This … Read more

Busch Gardens Variety Show Stars Clever Rescue Animals

During these times of social isolation, we’ve largely had to resort to experiencing virtual versions of things. Museums have released virtual tours, artists now teach classes on the web, and actors perform digitally while they can’t be on stage. So, while we may not be able to just flock to crowded theme parks like we used to, we can still get glimpses of their non-ride offerings online. One particular park, Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, Virginia, has a show we’d all … 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