It’s no secret your dog has an uncanny sense of smell, but did you know your vet also has a well-trained sniffer? When checking out a canine patient, veterinarians utilize four of their five senses. They visually examine your pooch from head to toe, listen to the heart with their stethoscope, palpate for lumps and bumps, and yes, even sniff for tell-tale odors. Here are five red-flag smells to look (smell) for with your pup: 1. Skin Infections Dogs do … Read more

Do you use baby talk when you’re showing your pup some love? A lot of us express our love to our dogs with a puppy-dog or baby voice. An animated, high-pitched voice helps human babies learn the language, but dogs aren’t going to speak (we wish!) So, why talk to them in a baby voice? Well, if you use baby talk, we’ve got good news for you: science says dogs respond to it. Baby what? Before we get into the specifics, … Read more

How does your pup greet you when you get home after being away? Does your dog give you a kiss? Think about when you’re hanging on the couch. How do you show affection to your pooch? Many people with dogs like to smother them with kisses. But your pup can’t talk. So, does your dog like kisses? via GIPHY Pucker up! Kisses are well-accepted displays of affections between humans. So, it makes sense we kiss pups to show them how … Read more

At some point, you may be required to leave the joy of your life with a dog sitter. You try to get referrals and read reviews, but how can you be sure this stranger will love and care for your dog the way you do? Eventually, you have to take the leap. But have you ever returned home from a trip and wondered if your dog sitter really did all that you paid him for? There is a lot of … Read more

If you’ve ever rescued a dog, no doubt, you’ve heard or even used the expression, “they rescued me.” But make no mistake. You saved this fragile life. That life that had its time on earth measured in days. As great as that little pup may make you feel, you may never know the boundless, heartfelt gratitude that your friend has for you.   A Letter From Your Rescue Dog My life hasn’t always been easy. I’ve been yelled at and … Read more

Dogs. They hog our beds, steal our shoes, and often cause us just as much worry as our human children. People who don’t have pets must wonder why we choose to share our lives with these furry little menaces. Only dog parents understand the devotion and unconditional love they offer. They may be challenging and downright naughty at times, but the adoration we see in our dogs’ soulful eyes makes it all worthwhile! If you have canine roommates, you’ll definitely … Read more

We know it by many names and fear it by them all. Cancer. The word alone has the power to conjure up deep and dark feelings in those of us whose lives have been impacted by it, which is most of us. Statistics show that the majority of American families have relatives who have been diagnosed by cancer. Unfortunately, our canine family members are at risk in high numbers as well. Stats vary largely depending on breed, but overall between … Read more

Dogs certainly have a way of bringing out the best in us. They read our emotions and provide quiet comfort or a good belly laugh when we need it most. Despite our shortcomings, they love us unconditionally, and would happily lay down their lives for us. With so many complex and admirable traits, it makes you wonder if your dog is really a human in disguise. Or maybe it’s more accurate to say they are the humans we aspire to … Read more

Getting on a dog’s good side might seem as easy as having a pocket full of treats and knowing the trick to a good belly rub, but our four-legged friends aren’t always easy to please. They’re quick to judge a person’s character, and there are some people they simply don’t like. It could be a specific person in the dog’s family, a friend of their owner’s, or a random person they meet on the street—but dogs know a foe when … Read more