The Healthy Hound Newsletter #41
In This Issue
● Potentially Deadly Toy
● Recovery After Trauma
● 1st US COVID K9 Has Died
● Drama-Free Nail Trims
● Splenic Cancer
● Toxic Algae Blooms
Shelter Dog Meal Donation Count:
In This Issue
● Potentially Deadly Toy
● Recovery After Trauma
● 1st US COVID K9 Has Died
● Drama-Free Nail Trims
● Splenic Cancer
● Toxic Algae Blooms
Dogs and children should never be left unattended in a car, especially when the sun’s shining down on them. For most people, this is common sense. Yet, others don’t think twice about it, which puts so many innocent pups in danger. Boomer the gray puppy was a victim of heat exhaustion. Sadly, his so-called parent left him alone in hot car in California, where it was about 100 degrees Fahrenheit outside. Boomer had no choice but to cry for help. … Read more
Puppy mills and generally poor breeding conditions are some unfortunate realities that many dogs face. It’s despicable, heartbreaking, and oftentimes horrific. Dogs are found in conditions that are far worse than any prison. They were betrayed by the humans who were supposed to love them the most. Luckily, a tragic story out of Maryland has some essence of a happy ending – or justice at the very least. According to the Baltimore Sun, in April 2019, 56-year old Laura Filler … Read more
We all know the phrase ‘fighting like cats and dogs.’ But there should really also be another one for ‘fighting like cat and dog people.’ Personally, I love both cats and dogs so I can’t fully relate. But many tend to debate whether cat or dog parenthood is more beneficial. Does having a dog make one happier than having a cat or vice versa? Brad Stennerson, Ph.D., a counseling psychologist with the University of Oklahoma, recently wrote an opinion on … Read more
Leo the 120-pound Labrador Retriever’s story has warned other dog parents about hot temperatures. Dogs can’t regulate heat as easily as humans, which makes them prone to heat stroke. So, it’s important to be cautious during summer activities with your dog. Unfortunately, Leo’s dad didn’t plan ahead during a mountain hiking trip. As they traveled up Mount Olympus in Utah, the weather got hotter. Eventually, Leo showed signs of overheating. It grew to the point where the pup couldn’t seem … Read more
Dogs love to be a part of every moment in our lives. If you leave them out, they’ll be sure to find a way to insert themselves into the situation. A 13-year-old Miniature Pinscher named Scooter behaved exactly like that. When Scooter’s dads got married, they had the audacity to take a wedding picture without him. So, Scooter made sure he was seen. Now, he’s the best part of the photo, and it has gone viral thanks to him. It … Read more
Small Business Saturday is November 28th this year. Support small business and our own economy by saving money on Black Friday and shopping on this day instead. Here are 10 small companies that are worth checking out on November 29th. #1 – Spoiled Pets Shop This fun site has plenty of unique dog products to choose from, including their own Soothing Dog Sounds CDs. The Perfect Way to Keep Your Dog Calm Vol. 1. It’s part of a series of CDs … Read more
Losing a dog is one of the hardest things a human can endure. At any age, for any reason, the death of a companion is devastating. Real Housewives of Orange County alum, Gretchen Rossi, had to say goodbye to her best friend and companion of nearly 18 years this week. And she is heartbroken. Vito was with Her for Nearly Half Her Life Gretchen Rossi is 41 years old. Her beloved dog Vito was about to turn 18 years old … Read more
It’s summertime. Many families are finding relief from the scorching heat by loading up the boat and spending hot days on the lake. A recent story from Lake Michigan serves as a stark reminder of how a fun day on the lake can quickly turn tragic. Chicago Family Vacationing on Lake Michigan Kim Oberman and her family set out from Chicago to Benzie County to spend some time together enjoying Lake Michigan. A popular spot for midwestern families, the family … Read more
Cats can pretend they don’t like dogs all they want, but we know the truth… Felines enjoy dog company as canines are simply one more creature that can be subjected to kitty will! And dogs being the sweethearts they are, they usually give cats their way. Plus, the pups have learned that disagreeing with a cat usually means claws, so its easier to adhere to kitty whims without question! @maddyrwong_travels/Instagram We’ve collected evidence from social media revealing how cats boss … Read more
When some families get a new dog, they get so hung up on looks. They get their heart set on the perfect breed and assume all dogs of that breed will be the same. But that couldn’t be further from the truth! All dogs are unique, regardless of what their breed description says. So, a woman named Mary Ann Zeman came up with a way for families to search for a dog based on personality and needs, not looks or … Read more
If you’ve been following iHeartDogs this July, you may have noticed we began fundraising for a Wings of Rescue flight to save over 100 at-risk dogs from Oklahoma. In fact, you may have even supported the Operation Second Chance: Oklahoma Pet Rescue Flight. And if you did, every single one of us and all 123 dogs you saved are eternally grateful! As the coronavirus pandemic continues, Oklahoma reported its highest unemployment rate of all time in April 2020 at 13.7%. … Read more
For many dogs, summer is a trying time. Dogs don’t regulate their body temperatures as well as humans do. Overheating in dogs can be critical and even deadly, making the hotter days tough on our pups. A 3-year-old gray and white Pit Bull named Rocco barely survived heat stroke this July. When he arrived at Angell Animal Medical Center in Massachusetts, Rocco’s temperature had reached 106 degrees. Miraculously, the veterinarians there were able to save his life. Certain breeds are slightly … Read more
Manuel Vejar is a Navy recruiter who has always had a love for Siberian Huskies. When he was younger, he couldn’t wait to have a Husky of his own, so he purchased a Husky puppy named Champ in 2011. At the time, he served on the USS George H.W. Bush, so his family cared for Champ while he was gone. When Vejar returned, he spent 6 amazing months with Champ, but then the Husky took off. Champ had always loved … Read more
Every dog deserves a birthday, but for shelter pups, their special day is often unknown. In 2008, The North Shore Animal League America, the world’s largest no-kill animal rescue and adoption organization, came up with the perfect solution. They declared August 1st the Universal Birthday for all Shelter Dogs. DOGust 1 is just around the corner. Here’s what you need to know to celebrate in style! The Meaning Of DOGust 1st Shelter workers can estimate a dog’s age, but even … Read more
Jimmy Donaldson, more commonly known as YouTuber MrBeast, is famous for his unique stunts that usually involve spending a lot of money to help others. In a recent YouTube video, he decided to try something new. He used lots of the money he earned from his YouTube career to help all the dogs at Furkids Shelter in Georgia get adopted. The shelter had 14 dogs that needed loving homes, so he did everything he could to help them all find … Read more
In 2018, a four-year-old Yellow Lab named Cleo and her family moved away from their home in Missouri. Cleo seemed to have a harder time moving than the rest of her family though. On July 12th, 2020 she went missing from their home in Olathe, Kansas. Meanwhile, across state lines in Lawson, Missouri, a couple returned home to a surprise. Cleo was lying there on their front porch, as if she lived there. And in fact, she used to. Clearly, … Read more
A chihuahua named Dre was rescued from her life as a stray and brought into a local shelter in Tulare, California. Though her life on the street was a battle to survive each day, she was now running out of time at the shelter. Just when it seemed like Dre was out of options, an incredible opportunity came through thanks to animal lovers like you. Dre’s life as a stray was incredibly tough. She was skin and bones when she … Read more
Part of each sale on the iHeartDogs.com store is donated to Greater Good Charities, which offers grants for charities and programs like Rescue Bank. Some rescues could not run without the kind donations from organizations like this. Customers like you are the reason uplifting stories like the one below are possible! When they somehow failed to meet their adopter’s expectations, three imported pups were rejected and abandoned in a rural area. Refurbished Pets of Southern Michigan (RPSM) found them running around, extremely malnourished. Rightfully, they feared … Read more
Part of each sale through the iHeartDogs store is donated to Greater Good, which helps support various charities like START Rescue. Through the Second Chance Movement™ program, providing travel miles for animal transport, happy endings like the one below are made possible! Try as I might, I just can’t wrap my head around leaving a dog behind with a house. Sadly this happens often, all over the globe. Of course, there are many circumstances that could lead to abandoning a dog. But whether their families lost the ability … Read more
8-year-old Ava Reed has Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. It’s a neurological disorder that makes it hard for her to walk and stay balanced. Currently, she uses a mobility walker to help her get around, but her parents knew there was something more they could do to help her. So, they decided to get her a service dog. Maggie joined the family over a year ago. The young Labrador Retriever was supposed to be trained to help Ava get around. Yet, one year … Read more
If you are looking for something different to give your dog as a special treat, or you are trying to work around allergies, these treats with unusual ingredients are just the thing for you. Know of some other treats with unusual ingredients? Tell us in the comments! #1 – Dogs Love Kale These dog treats are made from, you guessed it, Kale! Kale is full of antioxidants and vitamins and dogs love the crunch of these USA made treats. They come … Read more
Border Collies are known for their focus and drive to work. A group of these herding dogs in Chili is working to make a major impact on the environment. And they are having a blast while doing it! Wildfires Wiped Out Large Areas of Forest In 2017, wildfires swept through the forests across the entire country of Chile. Recorded as the worst wildfires in the country’s history, more than 1.4 million acres of forest were burned. Evacuations were necessary, at … Read more
Brodie the 1-year-old German Shepherd and Border Collie mix doesn’t look like other dogs. He always carries a permanent silly expression. Yet, he’s still just as beautiful as any other four-legged family member. When Brodie was just a young puppy, he had a difficult time finding his forever family. He just couldn’t seem to find the perfect match. But then he met Amanda Richter and her boyfriend Brad Ames. When they saw Brodie for the first time, it was like … Read more
Tim Whitfield’s 90-year-old mom was devastated after her dog of 16 years passed away. So, he gave her a little black pup named Belle to help cheer her up. He knew Belle would make his mom happy, but he ran into complications. One day, on a highway in Charleston, South Carolina, Belle jumped out the window of a car and ran off. The elderly woman was heartbroken once again. However, Whitfield refused to give up. He wanted to see his … Read more
There’s nothing like a relaxing dip in the pool on a hot summer day. Especially if you’re weighed down by an extra pound or so of fur. I’m referring, of course, to our canine companions (though hairy people probably agree.) Dogs often enjoy a cool swim just as much if not more than their people do. One crafty pool-loving Golden Retriever from Iowa really knows how to chill out. She figured out that the best way to stay cool is … Read more
Kyle Hansen was diagnosed with Stage 4 Hodgkin’s lymphoma in June 2019. At just 15-years-old, he was facing a life-threatening illness. During his grueling chemotherapy treatments, Kyle says his greatest comfort came from the therapy dogs at Children’s Wisconsin Hospital. “It was always the best part,” Kyle, now 16, told The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. “He would go from just looking miserable to his face lighting up with joy,” added Michelle Hansen, Kyle’s mom. Kyle makes a selfless wish. The severity … Read more
The effects of the current pandemic have affected everyone, but especially those that have been unable to exit quarantine due to health concerns. With so many seniors at Pruitt Health currently entering their fourth month of quarantine, a few special visitors were able to offer some extra joy! A dog’s presence can put a smile on just about anyone’s face. The Lifeline Animal Project wanted to offer their support through the company of some special furry friends to those living … Read more
New York is currently one of the states that sells the most puppies at pet stores. These puppies might look cute and healthy to those who have never heard of puppy mills, but there’s a dark reality behind them. These puppies are usually purchased from commercial breeding sites that breed dogs as much as possible in inhumane conditions. Then, these pet stores try to sell the puppies as if they’re from reputable breeders. While many dog parents are very aware … Read more
All too often we see stories about missing dogs that break our hearts but this one will give you all the feels! A Yellow Lab/Border Collie mix by the name of Cleo has a remarkable sense of direction and an even more remarkable story to go along with it. Cleo and her family had moved from Missouri to Kansas, a span of 57 miles and two years prior, to be exact. When Cleo recently went missing, her family desperately began … Read more
With bone broth taking the human wellness world by storm, it’s no wonder this incredible super-food has made its way into our dogs’ food bowl. Unlike most bone broths made for humans, though, Brutus Bone Broth is 100% pet safe. Being low in sodium and free of any onions or garlic, this bone broth is a one-stop shop for canine health! Let’s dive into some of the ways bone broth can benefit your furry friend, and introduce you to a … Read more
Saint Bernards are known for rescuing people from the mountains. They have a great sense of direction and their coats are able to withstand extremely cold temperatures. They’ve been known for their brave rescues since the 18th century. However, not every Saint Bernard today uses those exceptional skills. Daisy the rescued Saint Bernard was embarrassed when she wasn’t able to save her own family. Instead, she was the one who ended up needing rescuing from a steep mountain. Luckily, humans … Read more
Dogs absolutely love to play tug of war. The toy of choice for many dogs and people who love to play this game is a twisted rope toy. They come in all sizes and a variety of designs for all kinds of tugging and tossing fun. What you may not realize is that they can be fatally damaging to your dog when swallowed as one woman painfully discovered recently with her beloved Golden Retriever, Sam. Photo Vizla Dog Lovers/Facebook What … Read more
In This Issue
● New Approach To Dog Adoption
● Healthy Rawhide Alternative
● Dental Hacks Dogs Actually Enjoy
● The Fate Of Flat-Faced Dogs
● Socializing Exuberant Dogs
● Causes Of Arthritis
● Teaching A Rescue Dog To Play
All dog lovers have an image of the perfect pup in their mind. Unfortunately, the physical traits we find cutest do not always match up with the personality traits that suit our lifestyle. The Dog House, which premiers this week on the streaming platform HBO Max, showcases a new method of pet adoption. Described as “doggy dating,” these matching techniques are designed to help adopters avoid the usual pitfalls. The show takes place at the Wood Green Animals Charity in … Read more
With over a million subreddits for all sorts of specific communities, Reddit has a lot to offer. Particularly for us dog lovers, a subreddit called “BeforeNAfterAdoption” lets rescuers and dog parents share the stories behind their adoptions. Naturally, all these photos and videos are touching, a nice reminder of why we love to save animals. Graham Whatmough, or as he’s known on Reddit “u/WhereTheHighwayEnds” shared a beautiful video of his dog Willow happily enjoying the outdoors to the page. You’d … Read more
For many dog breeds, regular grooming is a necessity. Trips to the groomers are just a part of the routine. No parent expects to drop their dog off at the groomer’s one day and pick them up later with a life-threatening condition. But sadly, that’s what happened to a family in Ohio this month. Tina Brady and her husband dropped their 14-year-old Yorkshire Terrier Lacey off at groomer Andra Edison’s home. Previously, they’d taken Lacey to the grooming business where … Read more
We told the shocking story of a puppy found buried alive on a Hawaiian beach earlier this year. Although the machete-wielding abuser has not been identified, this story has a very happy ending. We are thrilled to share that this spirited dog is living a happy and healthy life with the loving family who fostered her. Buried Alive by Machete-Wielding Abuser In case you missed the original story, a passerby on a beach in Oahu, Hawaii spotted a machete-wielding man burying … Read more
Matt Bentley was riding his four-wheeler through the salt flats in Utah one night. Suddenly an animal appeared in the middle of a trail, so he stopped. His trip to Great Salt Lake Desert took on a new purpose when he saw the mysterious animal up close. It turned out to be a cold, starving, hairless dog. The dog was suffering from one of the worst cases of mange imaginable. Bentley obviously worried about the dog’s condition, so he got … Read more
The state of Mississippi proves their stance as a friend to cats and dogs thanks to new legislation designed to hit animal abusers with even stiffer punishments. Recently signed into law by Gov. Tate Reeves, Senate Bill 2658 serves to expand the charges available for animal cruelty cases against domesticated cats and dogs. Written by Sen. Angela Burks Hill, the bill updates prior legislation passed in 2011. Mississippi offers justice to innocent cats and dogs. Felony Charges for the Cruel … Read more
Whether it’s for a birthday, holiday, or just a random Tuesday, there’s always a great excuse to treat your pup to something yummy! Even if you don’t know your pup’s birthday, you can still find a day to celebrate. No, dogs shouldn’t celebrate the human way with chocolate or buttercream cakes. But they can still enjoy a special dessert now and then. Whatever you’re celebrating, you should make or buy one of these deliciously dog-friendly “pupcakes” so your dog doesn’t … Read more
Whenever humans need life-saving blood donations, there are blood blanks around the world that can offer the blood we so desperately need. While dogs are just as susceptible to severe injuries and diseases that require blood transfusions, their sources of blood are much more limited. Thankfully for an ill dog named Danny in India, there was a heroic pup that was willing to help! Danny is a 13-year-old Spitz that was suffering from the effects of chronic kidney disease. The … Read more
A young girl living in South Africa found a way to turn her extra time in lockdown into a kind gesture for the dogs in her community. With South Africa experiencing their coldest winter in the last decade, she knew she had something special to offer the Kempton Park SPCA during this difficult time. The Kempton Park SPCA is one of many incredible animal shelters around the world that are feeling the impact of the current pandemic. With the current … Read more
Children love learning new talents, and playing the piano is one of the most popular skills out there. So, it makes sense that dogs would have an interest in playing instruments too. Sadie the German Shepherd and Border Collie mix has dreamed of being a professional pianist all her life. Now, her mom has finally let her have a chance in the spotlight. In a viral video, the 6-year-old rescue pup shows off her impressive piano skills. She only plays … Read more
Jane the German Shepherd has a strong will to live. Not long ago, she was stuck in a home where she wasn’t loved. When she tried to chew on the baby’s toys and clothes, the dad was furious with her. He shot her in the head and left her alone to die. Poor Jane was in pain for about three days, but she knew it wasn’t the end for her. She got up and walked a half mile to the … Read more
A video has been making its rounds on the internet lately. It has gained popularity in part because of its adorable star, but more so because of its relatability. If you’ve ever longed for a snack that was just out of reach – and no, I don’t mean Matthew McConaughey – then you can relate. The hilariously sad video features a Golden Retriever named Winston. Sweet Winston has a grey muzzle that suggests he’s no young pup. What I’m getting … Read more
There are two things that we can all agree on and that’s that dogs are family and nurses have the biggest hearts. I’m willing to venture out on a limb and say if you’re reading this, you’ll agree. This story that you’re about to read will bring a tear to your eye. Go ahead and get the tissues ready! Luckily for one Missouri man, he found a group of nurses that had hearts of pure gold. David King had been … Read more
Chef Andrew Zimmern’s best friend was a Pug named Pretzel. Pretzel made many appearances on his social media pages, including videos of the dog licking his dad’s head and photos of him wearing a pretzel costume. The Pug was blind and getting older, so Zimmern knew the time he had left with Pretzel was limited. Yet, he was still shocked and devastated when the little dog passed away earlier this week. So, he turned to social media to share his … Read more
Wanting to get away this winter and take the four-legged family member(s) with you? These ten places are dog friendly and offer a range of locations to suit any family’s desire for the perfect Winter Wonderland getaway. #1 – Snow Mountain Ranch Located just outside Winter Park, Colorado, Snow Mountain Ranch is the perfect snow destination. The staff can recommend dog-friendly hikes in the National Forest areas surrounding the properties, and the Snow Mountain Ranch Nordic Center has its own dog-friendly … Read more
In This Issue
● Treat Ingredients To Avoid
● 10 Most Costly Breeds
● New Data On When To Spay/Neuter
● Ending Dog Sibling Rivalry
● Lesser Known Summer Hazards
● Is Eating Cat Litter Dangerous?
If you’re a fan of iHeartDogs, odds are you’re someone who believes in making an impact when you spend money. Well that, and you love your dog. Fortunately, things are trending in the direction of pet parents like you wanting their purchases to make a difference instead of just sending dollars to the top of a corporation. That’s why companies with missions like Beast & Buckle really resonate with dog lovers, especially those who feel like their dogs saved them. … Read more