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Gumdrop Is The First Denver Pit Bull To Be Adopted Since They Were Banned In 1989

Gumdrop Pit Bull Adopted

Anyone who has a Pit-Bull-type dog  in their family knows how lovable these breeds can be. But sadly, not everyone sees it that way. Dogs classified as “Pit Bulls” are often feared and discriminated against through no fault of their own. Any dog can be dangerous if not properly trained, so it’s time to stop discriminating against Pitties. Thankfully, amid the 2020 election, Denver, Colorado finally voted to lift their Pit Bull ban. For over 30 years, people weren’t allowed … Read more

4 out of 5 Dogs Over The Age Eight Have This Painful Condition, But Hide It Well

Just the thought our dogs suffering silently from hidden pain breaks the heart of any dog parent. Sadly, research shows that 4 out of 5 dogs over the age of 8 are suffering from some kind of joint pain. And while we humans have the ability to reach for pain meds and talk to our doctor about symptoms, our precious pups do not. In fact, dogs are quite good at keeping their joint pain a secret. Why do dogs hide signs of … Read more

Abandoned Dog Sleeps On Human’s Jacket, Waiting For Their Return

Abandoned Dog with Jacket

Dogs are so loyal and devoted that many families don’t deserve them. A sweet dog named Honey was abandoned by her humans and left on the side of the road. She had nothing but her human’s jacket with her, so she curled up on it, praying they’d return. The scared dog waited on that familiar jacket for as long as she could, but cars just kept passing. Little did Honey know, she also suffered from severe medical conditions during her … Read more

Thieves Snatch Woman’s Dog When She Turns To Pump Gas

Bichon Stolen at QuikTrip

A woman was on the phone with her daughter, ready to fill her car up with gas. At that moment, it felt just like any other day. But when her back was turned, the unimaginable happened. Her sweet little dog named Nu Nu disappeared from the car in a matter of seconds. Poor Nu Nu was the victim of a “slider attack.” In these robberies, the thieves watch from the other side of the car and wait until the person’s … Read more

DoorDash Driver Steals Innocent Puppy While Delivering Food

DoorDash puppy thief

Ever since the COVID-19 pandemic began, delivery has become a common method for shopping. Nowadays, you can get just about anything online, and we trust delivery drivers to safely bring our purchases to us. But on rare occasions, these deliveries do not meet our expectations. And for dog mom Ashley Swinton, a delivery driver not only brought her food, but also chose to steal something in return. A DoorDash driver was caught on camera stealing Swinton’s puppy. The driver dropped … Read more

Enjoy A Beer & A Snack While Your Pup Plays At Michigan’s First Indoor Dog Park

When the temperatures drop, we humans want nothing more than to stay warm inside. Dogs still need their exercise though, which often leaves the people walking them with cold toes and a bit of impatience at the dog park. A new business in western Michigan aims to turn this less-than-ideal winter chore into a fun, warm activity. “The Pack” is more than just an indoor dog park; it also boasts a daycare facility and even serves food and beverages to … Read more

Couple Donates $10,000 Of Lottery Winnings To Local Shelter

Have you ever had that fantasy, the one where you’ve won the lottery and all you have to do is decide how to spend it? For most of us that’s all it is: a fantasy. But recently, one Virginia couple really did get that rare opportunity. Their $1 million lottery ticket was a winner and the lucky recipients decided they wanted to spend a large chunk of their winnings on homeless animals. They donated $10,000 to the Montgomery County Animal … Read more

After Six Families And A Year In The Shelter, Houdini Just Wants To Know Love

The holidays may be over but one adorable little guy is still hoping for one last gift. Houdini is a 3-year-old Husky who is every bit as adventurous as he is adorable. Sadly, Houdini has been waiting at the San Diego County Department of Animal Services shelter in Carlsbad for over a year. What’s even worse? He’s had SIX families! Some of them only lasted a few days. Houdini isn’t a bad boy. After all, could anyone that cute really … Read more

3 Men Assaulted This Woman At Gunpoint & Stole Her Dog

On the evening of Tuesday, January 5 Sarah Vorhaus was walking her two dogs, Chloe and Colton in the Russian Hill area of San Francisco, CA when she was violently assaulted by three men. The reason for the attack quickly became clear to 30-year-old Vorhaus when one of the men demanded, “give me your dog.” Vorhaus turned to see a man with a gun. He punched her in the face several times, snatched Chloe, and took off in a car … Read more

New Luxury Shelter Will Cater To Seniors, Pregnant Pups & Special Needs Dogs

big barn dog rescue

Chicago’s ALIVE Rescue is preparing to open their dream rescue facility is Salem Lakes, IL. Thanks to their tireless efforts, the Big Barn Rescue will be their most impressive accomplishment yet! The creation of the sanctuary started when they received a huge land plot donation at the end of 2016.  Four years later, plans for their dream rescue and adoption center are well underway. It is the culmination of a massive goal that will help ALIVE Rescue more than double … Read more

Dog Tossed In Dumpster On Christmas Day Is Adopted By The Officer Who Saved Her

Christmas day brought a harsh reality to the town of Villa Rica, Georgia. After finding a malnourished pup left for dead in a dumpster, the police are now searching for the cruel human who put her there. A resident of Wilson Mill Townhomes was taking out the trash on Christmas day when he heard whimpering coming from the dumpster. He immediately contacted the local police, and they soon discovered a heartbreaking situation. Deep within the dumpster was a bag that … Read more

7-Year-Old Asks For Shelter Donations Instead Of Birthday Presents

7-Year-Old Donates to Shelter

When you’re a kid, your birthday is probably the most exciting day of the year. All the focus is on you and you get tons of awesome presents! But not all kids see it this way. Instead of giving in to the selfish parts of birthdays, some kids choose to give back instead. One little boy named Michael was particularly generous when his birthday rolled around. Instead of asking for some new toys, he decided to gather gifts for someone … Read more

“8-Armed Bullies Of The Sea” Punch Fish Just Because They Can

Punching Octopus

As it turns out, humans aren’t the only ones to get into fights over something spiteful. New research shows that octopuses do it too! After all, it makes sense because they have eight arms to punch with. On several occasions, octopuses were spotted punching fish, particularly the fish they were hunting with. In some instances, the fish probably deserved the punch. But in other cases, the punches seem completely uncalled for. So, is it possible that octopuses are simply doing … Read more

One-Of-A-Kind Shelter Helps Heal The Country’s Most Emotionally Damaged Dogs

Dogs that experience trauma early in life become harder to adopt through no fault of their own. Many have lived their whole lives tied up or in barren cages, knowing no human kindness and living in their own filth. Even basic home living can confuse and frighten them. They don’t know or trust people, and they can’t simply be placed into new homes when rescued. Overcrowded shelters don’t have the time or resources required to rehabilitate these animals and they … Read more

Alaska Airlines: ‘No More Free Flights For Emotional Support Dogs’

Alaska Airlines Service Dog

For many years emotional support dogs have been treated the same as service dogs on flights. They’ve been allowed on board for no extra cost and often no questions asked. But when the Department of Transportation recently ruled that emotional support animals (ESAs) no longer need to be accommodated on flights the same way as service dogs, airlines quickly reconsidered their rules. Alaska Airlines will be the first to change their rules since the announcement. ESAs will no longer get … Read more

Disabled Dog Reunites With Dad On New Year’s Day After 10 Months Apart

Athena Reunited

Dylan Summers and his dog Athena had the perfect start to the new year. About 10 months ago, Athena went missing while recovering from surgery. Summers searched long and hard for his sweet pup, but he began to lose hope. In December, he decided that it might be time to adopt another dog. But when he started searching for the perfect rescue dog, he came across someone very familiar. Summers was reunited with Athena on New Year’s Day, but she … Read more

The Healthy Hound Newsletter #55

In This Issue

● If A Dog Falls Through The Ice
● City Dogs Get More Allergies
● Life Flights For Police K9s
● Signs Your Dog Needs More Love
● Vet-Recommended Resolutions
● Dog DNA Tests

Animal Control Wrongfully Euthanizes Beloved Pit Bull On Christmas Eve

Justice for Dada

December 28th was supposed to be a magical reunion for Monica Lopez and her Pit Bull mix Dada. Dada went missing not long before Christmas, and Lopez was grateful to hear that animal control had found him and kept him safe. They promised to return Dada when their office reopened after the holidays, so Lopez eagerly waited until then. But things quickly took a turn for the worse. Instead of seeing her furry friend again, she was told that he … Read more

Firefighters Rescue Lost Puppy Just In Time For Christmas

Some of our favorite hometown heroes saved the day again. This time it was for a tiny, four-month-old Pug puppy! The little guy and his family had traveled from Texas to Butte, Montana to enjoy the Christmas holiday. However, this peppy Pug must have watched too many Christmas movies because he took a play right out of Kevin McAllister’s playbook and “accidentally” escaped from his family just as their vacation was beginning. Little Pug In A Big World If you’ve … Read more

New Program Will Offer Same Emergency Transport For Injured K-9s As Officers

Though K-9s put themselves at the same risk as their police handlers, they don’t receive completely equal treatment when it comes to healthcare. These dogs enter crime scenes, chase down criminals, and sniff out missing persons and weapons. They can be, and often are, severely injured doing this important but dangerous work. However, when a human officer gets severely injured in the line of duty, they’re put into an ambulance or helicopter for fast transport to a hospital. When a … Read more

RECALL: Pet Food Has 36 Cases Of Aflatoxin Poisoning And Counting

Sportmix Aflatoxin Recall

On December 30th, 2020, Midwestern Pet Foods recalled nine lots of their Sportmix pet food. The food is said to contain potentially fatal levels of aflatoxin in it. Many dogs have already fallen ill or died due to this contaminated food. This recall is still an ongoing investigation. So, the numbers and details could change and expand as new information is discovered. If you feed your dog Sportmix pet food, please be cautious and keep an eye out for additional … Read more

Rescue Puggle With “Jabba the Hutt” Body Loses Half Her Weight

Bertha Overweight Puggle

Do you think this dog bears a resemblance to a certain Star Wars character? When Bertha arrived at an Ohio shelter in November 2019, she weighed 63 pounds. That was about double what a healthy Puggle (Pug and Beagle mix) should weigh. A veterinary technician named Meredith Wille saw Bertha’s photo online and immediately fell in love. She contacted the shelter to ask if she could foster the sweet rescue dog. She even offered to cover the costs for Bertha’s … Read more

Family Learns Dog Is Missing When They See Video Of His Icy Rescue

Kevin Klosterman was at Grand Lake, Ohio taking photos when his brother called about a dog that had fallen into the freezing water. Klosterman grew up on Grand Lake and knew all too well the dangers of falling through the ice in winter. Hypothermia can set in in just five minutes, for people or dogs. That’s why he didn’t hesitate to put on a life jacket and drag a canoe out to the struggling 1-year-old Retriever. In just four minutes, … Read more

‘Balto’ Was A Real Dog Who Saved Real Lives

If you haven’t actually seen the 1995 animated feature film ‘Balto,’ you’ve probably at least scrolled past it on Netflix or Amazon Prime. Though he looks great in ink, Balto is more than just a cartoon character voiced by Kevin Bacon. He represents a real, heroic dog. A Siberian Husky and trained team sled dog, Balto made national headlines in January of 1925. Balto and his team brought the diphtheria antitoxin to the small town of Nome, Alaska. They were … Read more

California K9s Discover Illegal Drugs And Money During The Holidays

K9 Finds Drug Money

December is supposed to be a time to spread holiday cheer and visit with loved ones. But many dedicated employees continue to work hard, even on the jolliest days of the year. Some of those hardworking individuals are our brave K9 officers. This holiday season, many police K9s fought crime, uncovering illegal drugs and over a million dollars in drug money. Officers never would’ve been able to discover these crimes without the pups’ amazing sense of smell. So, thank you … Read more

UPDATE: Boy And His Dog Abandoned In Cemetery Days Before Christmas

Boy Abandoned in Cemetery

There’s nothing stronger than the bond between a kid and their dog. Even when everything goes wrong, it’s comforting for them to have each other. A 3-year-old boy named Tony and his dog were abandoned at an Ohio cemetery only two days before Christmas. They were all alone in the cold, left to fend for themselves. But luckily, they had each other during these difficult moments. And not long after, help arrived to give the duo the Christmas they deserved. … Read more

Police Expose Abusive Puppy Mill With Dozens Of Traumatized Dogs

puppymill cover

A Michigan woman is facing the consequences of traumatizing dozens of dogs and puppies in a cruel breeding operation. In running a backyard puppy mill in deplorable conditions, she abused hundreds of animals that deserved so much more. Local troopers in Michigan made a shocking discovery when responding to a call about an abandoned horse. Upon investigating the surrounding area, they were horrified by what they found. Just next to where the horse was found was a cruel puppy mill … Read more

Dedicated Animal Rescuer Who Saved Thousands Of Dogs Dies Of COVID-19

valerie loss cover

An avid animal rescuer named Valerie is being remembered for the many furry friends she rescued throughout her life. The families she helped are sharing their memories of this incredible woman who recently passed away from COVID-19. Valerie Louie was deeply involved with animal rescue throughout her adult life. Also a full-time nurse at Highland Hospital, her entire life revolved around helping others. Valerie worked with local animal rescues for the last 20 years, helping to rescue thousands of dogs … Read more

20 Golden Retrievers Saved From Chinese Meat Market Arrive In Miami

Despite many protests and petitions, the dog meat trade continues in China and a handful of other countries. Not only do animal rights groups widely condemn the practice as inhumane, the dogs are subjected to cruel and horrifying conditions before they become food. Many of the dogs used for meat are actually stolen family pets. The bottom line is: these are dogs, and they deserve the love and life any other family pet has. A rescue group from Florida recently … Read more

Homeless Man Saves Every Animal In Burning Shelter

Oftentimes, animals can have a difficult time fending for themselves. They rely on their humans to keep them safe. But for shelter dogs, life can be even harder without a family looking out for them 24/7. Luckily, there are still many people who would risk their lives for any animals in danger. One homeless man made that clear when he ran into open flames to save the lives of innocent shelter dogs and cats. He knows how much a dog … Read more

Hospital Worker With Cancer Searches For Lost Rescue Dog Amid Pandemic

Lost Shih Tzu Charlie

The start of the COVID-19 pandemic was stressful and confusing for many people. It left families wondering, ‘what more could possibly go wrong?’ But for radiation therapist Kelli Ketzler, the troubles just never seemed to end. In the early days of quarantine, she was diagnosed with cancer for a second time. On top of that, her rescued Shih Tzu named Charlie couldn’t bear to be without her. So, he ran away from his dogsitter in hopes of finding his mom, … Read more

Python-Sniffing Dogs Help Combat Florida’s Invasive Snake Problem

You’ve probably heard some of the amazing things trained detector dogs can do. They can sniff out drugs, bombs, diseases, blood sugar levels, and so much more. Now, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) found a new use for a dog’s high-powered nose: detecting invasive snakes.  Truman, a black Labrador, and Eleanor, a Point Setter, have been working with the FWC to restore the region’s ecosystem. They sniff out pythons and alert their handlers so the snakes can be … Read more

Video Of Man Playing With Dog Causes Backlash From Girlfriend’s Followers

Boyfriend playing with dog

How our loved ones treat our furry friends is no joking matter. To some people, dogs are just animals, but to any true dog lover, they’re a part of the family. So, it’s important that our partners are on the same page in this regard. In fact, many dog lovers are quick to end relationships and friendships over someone disrespecting their dogs. So, when one girl posted a lighthearted video of her boyfriend playing with her dog on TikTok, her … Read more

A Tale of Two “Pitties” – Georgie’s Total Transformation

First of all, we want to say thank you so much, Sandy, for sharing this incredible story with all of us! Sandy is a hardworking, dedicated pet mom who rescued poor Georgie, saving her from enduring any more pain in her difficult life. Sandy knew how much commitment and care it would take to help this poor soul, who unluckily had a life-threatening case of untreated diabetes, but that did not stop her! If anything, it only made Sandy’s love … Read more

Boys Scale Fence To Help Free Dog Trapped In Sinking Sand

It’s pretty common for young boys to come home at the end of a day covered in dirt and who knows what else. But in one particular case, some muddy kids from Wales deserve praise, not scolding. These boys teamed up to help a 10-year-old dog named Charlea out of a real sticky situation. Hayley Edgar, a Conwy resident, was walking home with her daughters when she spotted the dog in trouble. Charlea had gotten trapped in some sticky sand … Read more

Pit Bull Stolen During Home Invasion Comes Home 8 Years Later

Junior Forever Home

In 2012, a horrific home invasion caused a family to lose their beloved Pit Bull named Junior. At the time, he was still very young, but the family already had a close bond with him. Julia Nemeth searched long and hard in hopes of bringing her beloved dog home, but she seemed out of luck. Eight years went by with no Junior sightings. Of course, Nemeth feared the worst, but she also tried her best to keep searching. Not a … Read more

Lost Spaniel Found At Scrapyard Just In Time For The Holidays

Sprocker Spaniel found

The holidays are stressful enough without having to search for a lost dog. But Christmas is about family, and dogs are such important family members in our homes. Thus, when a family in England lost their Sprocker Spaniel (Cocker Spaniel and English Springer Spaniel mix) named Bear, they wouldn’t rest until he was found. To help bring Bear home, they created a Facebook group with thousands of helpful followers. It took nine days of endless searching, but eventually Bear was … Read more

Dozens Of Dogs Set For Euthanasia Find Foster Homes Just In Time For Christmas

The Christmas spirit is alive and thriving at one North Dakota animal shelter. The Souris Valley Animal Shelter in Minot, North Dakota recently gave the best gift of all – another chance at life and love! Although the shelter is currently under renovation which has lessened its capacity, they welcomed 33 new dogs and cats from Oklahoma in their biggest rescue operation to date. The animals were slated for euthanasia back in the Sooner State so the folks at Souris … Read more

Budweiser Could Feature Your Dog’s Picture On A Can!

Budweiser is bringing some joy this holiday season in the best way. A 2020 holiday beer can from the brewery that featured a Dalmatian puppy named Brewski naturally received pretty positive feedback.  As a result, Budweiser decided to partner with popular social media account “We Rate Dogs” to find some new doggie can models. If you’re not familiar with “We Rate Dogs,” it’s a funny account on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter that provides “official ratings” of people’s dogs based on photos … Read more

Couple And Service Dog Recklessly Exit Moving Delta Flight

Service Dog escapes delta flight

Flights can be stressful, but it’s important for everyone to follow safety rules to ensure that it goes as smoothly as possible. It’s rare for passengers to misbehave on flights, so when they do, it’s a big deal. Especially when innocent passengers, including one brave service dog, get involved. After panicking about the small space of the plane, Antonio Murdock and his girlfriend Brianna Greco took matters into their own hands. While the plane was moving on the runway, they … Read more

Military Dog Chases His Soldier Best Friend For One Last Hug Goodbye

You’ve seen videos of soldiers being reunited with their pups when they come home from deployments. Then there are the videos of police K9s and their handlers with deeper bonds than we can fathom. We know that the connections between two-legged and four-legged heroes are completely unbreakable yet somehow every video seems to touch our hearts deeper than the last. A Golden Retriever has been serving in the army alongside his human soldier for the last two years. The time … Read more

Man Charged After Killing His Neighbor’s Runaway Rescue Dog

Rescue Husky shot

Kita the 5-year-old Siberian Husky was never the most well-behaved pup. She had a tendency to run off, and to her, it was all fun and games. However, her neighbor refused to put up with the pup’s antics. He grew so angry with her running loose that he took matters into his own hands. When given the opportunity, the cruel neighbor shot the rescue dog when she ran onto his property. Kita’s family was heartbroken when they found out the … Read more

This Great Dane Is Insta Famous For His Batman-Like Appearance!

batman dog cover

A Great Dane named Enzo is taking the world by storm with his striking resemblance to the well-known character, Batman. With his unique appearance and adventurous spirit, it’s no wonder this handsome Dane has become an Instagram celebrity! Danny Lemay and Stephanie Godim welcomed Enzo into their lives when he was just a tiny puppy. While he was much smaller than he is now, that was never the case for his ears! From the moment the two brought Enzo home, … Read more

Senior Lab Gets New Beginning After 1,134 Days At Shelter

Capone gets adopted

Good things come to those who wait! And no one has waited longer than Capone the 10-year-old Lab mix. He spent 1,134 days at Animal Friends in Pennsylvania after being transferred there from a different shelter. Day after day, he waited for someone to give him the loving home he deserved, but for over three years, he was continuously disappointed. He might’ve had more complex needs than the other adoptable dogs, but he knew he was still deserving of a … Read more

Rescuers Shut Down Cat Meat Restaurant And Slaughterhouse Saving 19 Cats & 5 Dogs

Millions of cats and dogs are butchered across Southeast Asia every year, but animal welfare groups have been hard at work trying to stop the barbaric dog and cat meat trade. And groups like Four Paws are making progress at every turn. In 2019, Four Paws, an international organization working to save animals from cruelty, began an investigation into the cat and dog meat trade in Vietnam. Research showed that 5 million animals, 1 million of those being cats, are … Read more

Starving Dog Unrecognizable When Returned To Shelter

Please note: some photos depict extreme neglect.  When we adopt a dog, we’re making a promise for the rest of their lives. But is that promise to keep them with us through thick and thin, or to make the best possible choices for them? Those aren’t always the same thing. At the age of two years old, Roland – then named Shorty – was up for adoption at the Montgomery County Animal Shelter in Conroe, Texas. His intake photo shows … Read more

The Healthy Hound Newsletter #54

In This Issue

● Why Is My Dog Limping?
● Making An Estate Plan For Your Pup
● 2020 Pet Of The Year
● Expectations For Your New Dog
● Less Scary Vet Visits
● Christmas Tree Hazards

UK Shelter Dogs Write Letters To Santa Begging For Forever Homes

Shelter Dogs Letters to Santa

Every December, dogs all over the world sit at shelters, wishing they had a home for Christmas. These dogs have often been overlooked for months, and sometimes even years. Shelters and rescues try their best to make Christmas as special as possible for the dogs in their care, but it’s never the same as having a forever family. This year, dogs all over the United Kingdom are speaking up. They wrote letters to Santa, asking him for a forever home. … Read more

Help Us Fly Tiny To The Forever Family Of Her Dreams!

tiny flight cover

Louisiana animal shelters are struggling more than ever due to the current pandemic. Shelters are experiencing overcrowding and strains in funding, which directly impacts the furry friends within their walls. Dogs in kill shelters are facing a terrifying reality due to lack of space, meaning so many deserving furry friends may never meet the family of their dreams. Thanks to dog lovers like you, some of these pups are getting their second chance! On December 31st, 2020, iHeartDogs will rescue … Read more

Cocoa Mellon Needs Your Help After Losing Her Mom To COVID

New Beginnings Transport

The COVID-19 pandemic has made life more difficult for humans and animals all over the world. In Louisiana, the amount of dogs in kill shelters is increasing. With minimal funds and overcrowded kennels, many of these locations need to make the difficult decision to euthanize perfectly healthy dogs. Luckily, iHeartDogs’ Second Chance Movement program is working hard to save these at-risk pups. On December 31st, 2020, iHeartDogs will sponsor a flight of up to 100 dogs from Louisiana to no-kill … Read more

Coffee Bean Lost Her Mom To Covid-19 And Needs Your Help

It’s not something we love thinking about, but sometimes you have to wonder: if something happened to me, who would take care of my dog(s)? Knowing the outlook for pets surrendered to shelters in overcrowded areas, I’d prefer to see mine placed in the care of someone I know personally. However, not everyone has that option. One particular side-effect of the coronavirus pandemic has been an increase in surrendered or abandoned animals. Many people lost their jobs or homes and … Read more