Page 554 – iHeartDogs.com

Shelter Dog Meal Donation Count:

Learn More

A Dog With A Troubled Past Wins The People World’s Cutest Rescue Dog Contest

The World’s Cutest Rescue Dog of 2019 has been crowned, and a beautiful Keeshond named Kacey takes the win! Nearly 7,000 rescue dogs entered the contest, but Kacey’s troubling  story captured the public’s hearts. Sheila Cosgrove, a New Jersey resident, was a member of an online pet rescue network that consisted of several rescues and pet owners. This rescue network helped to spread the word about foster pets in the area, and shed light on the puppy mill operations in … Read more

Loyal Dog Lays By His Sick Owner’s Side Until The Very End

Benny, an adorable dachshund mix was found roaming the devastated streets after Hurricane Harvey. Rescuers brought him to Washington with several other found pups, where he then waited for the perfect family to call his own. His sad eyes caught the attention of the Ballenger family, and just like that he found his forever home. Scott Ballenger and Benny were inseparable from the start. From the second he stepped into their home, he clung to his new dad with every … Read more

Homeless Man Dog And His Lost Best Friend Have The Most Joyful Reunion

Our dogs mean as much to us as we do to them, they’re just way cuter at showing it. We have the science to back up the fact that our pups miss us when we’re gone, but the excited jumps and tail wags when we return home make that plenty clear. That’s what makes our reunions with them so special. It’s also what makes being separated from them so difficult. Anthony Rogers, an artist in Memphis, Tennessee, ended up homeless … Read more

Meet Yoyoma: a “Diamond in the Ruff”

September 16th through the 22nd is Adopt a Less Adoptable Pet Week! This event might sound a bit sad, but it’s actually a celebration to encourage animal lovers to adopt a dog that is having a harder time finding their forever family. Some of these dogs include seniors, dogs with special needs, specific breeds, and dogs that have been up for adoption for a long time. So, it is important for dog lovers to pay attention to the amazing dogs … Read more

Lori’s Leash Lovers Is Making a Difference in OC Neighborhoods

We are so excited to let you all know about a special company that is making a difference for people and dogs in Orange County neighborhoods. They’re called Lori’s Leash Lovers OC, and you’re going to love the work they’re doing. They’re a group of devoted dog walkers that provide a valuable service at an affordable price. Better still, they employ adults that have challenges to employment. Image Lori’s Leash Lovers OC Facebook Lori’s Leash Lovers OC Employees Adults with … Read more

7 Habits Of Wonderful Pet Parents

iHeartDogs is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. I admit it. I’m “one of those dog moms”. You know, the ones that are crazy about their dogs and love to talk about dogs, and schedule their lives around their dogs? That’s me. My dogs are my life- they’re my fur-kids and my source of joy and comfort. After I lost my Great Dane and best … Read more

Celebrate National Dog Week Like a Smart Cookie

September 22-28 is National Dog Week, so while we always love and celebrate our pups, why not do something a little extra to show how much you care? These wonderfully delicious peanut butter I Woof You cookies from The Dog Bakery are the perfect tasty treats to share with your pooch during the special time. Or anytime! To celebrate this special event, The Dog Bakery will even donate a portion of  proceeds to animal rescue. Talk about one sweet deal. … Read more

Shy Dog Lived At A Shelter For 3 Years. The Staff Refused To Give Up On Him.

First impressions are important, and those of us who have adopted dogs from shelters know this to be true. When you meet the right dog, you just know. Sadly though, some dogs that end up in shelters don’t quite know how to socialize, and that makes giving a good first impression to a potential adopter difficult. This was the dilemma of an adorable beagle mix named Banjo. Banjo was originally found alone in the woods at just a few months … Read more

Suspected Puppy Mill with 80 Dogs Found in Virginia

Fauquier County Animal Control received an anonymous tip about a suspected puppy mill in Fauquier County, Virginia. The tip was from someone who had attempted to purchase a dog from Vernine Gipstein, 69, and Barton Gipstein, 75. However, they noticed that the puppy that was being sold to them did not appear to be healthy and even had fleas. This didn’t seem right to them, so they reached out for help immediately. Luckily, their simple tip ended up making a … Read more

Here’s How Selective Breeding Changed The Brains Of Our Dogs

Anyone familiar with a wide variety of dog breeds can tell you that some seem to have an innate knack for certain jobs or personality traits that are consistent across the breed. German Shepherds have great success in police work, for example, while Golden Retrievers are tolerant and gentle with children. Despite the fact that these stereotypes are generally accepted across countless breeds for countless traits, there has been little scientific research done on the subject. Until now. Researchers set … Read more

Three Unfortunate Things Keep This Sweet Boy From Finding A Happy Home

Every year since 2009, Petfinder.com has celebrated Adopt A Less Adoptable Pet Week to help senior dogs, FIV+ cats, and other often-overlooked pets find their fur-ever homes. The annual event takes place during the third week of September. This year’s Less Adoptable Pet Week is September 16 — 22, 2019.  Handsome Hatchi came to All 4 Paws in Pawleys Island, South Carolina about six months ago. He has big, soulful brown eyes, loves long walks on the beach, and has … Read more

Woman Unknowingly Rescues Senior Dog She Lost 11 Years Prior

Children bond with their childhood pets in such a strong way. We never forget our first puppy love and will always hold them close in our hearts. For Nicole Grimes of Pennsylvania, the pup that first made that kind of mark was a small black and gray girl named Chloe. Image Nicole Grimes Facebook A Gift from Nana Nicole’s grandmother gifted her the puppy when Nicole was 10 years old. Dressed in a pink bow, Nicole was immediately infatuated with … Read more

Escape Artist Dog Caught on Camera Showing Up Houdini Himself

A small dog in Brazil kept mysteriously escaping day after day. The resourceful boy was somehow getting out of the massive gate surrounding the family’s home. His mom would come home every day and find that Pingo had been gallivanting around town. “I don’t know when it began. All I knew was that he was getting out when the gate was closed,” Albertina Fogaça told The Dodo. An Undercover Mission to Solve the Mystery Pingo’s mom, Albertina Fogaça, decided to … Read more

Mysterious Deadly Illness Sweeping Across Norway, So Far Killing 30 Dogs

A mysterious illness is plaguing dogs in Norway and causing panic. Veterinarians and scientists are scrambling to figure out the cause but have been unsuccessful so far. The illness has been linked to the death of nearly 30 dogs. Unfortunately, autopsies have given no clear insight into the mystery ailment. The Norwegian Veterinary Institute says 10 dogs have been autopsied so far. Another five autopsies are expected in the coming days. The agency hopes to have answers soon. A Mind-Bending … Read more

Lost Dog’s Bed Helps Him Find His Way Home

Sami Missing Dog

Vancouver pet parents found themselves looking for a local pet sitter when they needed to head out of town for a friend’s wedding. After much research, they found a pet sitter they believed they could trust from a popular online pet sitting service, Rover. What started out as a fun weekend with friends, turned into a nightmare for the loving dog parents. Michael and Shannon Brennan dropped off their beloved pup Sami with a pet sitter on a Friday before … Read more

“Platform Pawtroller” Lovingly Remembered By Family, Friends and Fans

In 2017 we were happy to tell iHeartDogs readers about Jake, Virgin Trains’ “Platform Pawtroller” at the Stafford Rail Station in Staffordshire, England. Jake was a big fan of trains, and for 11 years his dad, Neil McNamera would walk him to the station to greet guests with a wagging tail and happy face! In September of 2017, Virgin Trains rolled out new uniforms for railway employees. The staff was all very fond of Jake, and Virgin Trains presented him … Read more

After 11 Years In A Puppy Mill, Rescued Senior Dog Finally Rests In A Bed

When greed and selfish motives overcome love and compassion, the result is almost always tragic. Puppy mills are one such tragic result of this corruption of mankind. These are horrible places where dogs are forced to breed over and over again. Many of these poor dogs are kept in wire cages for their entire lives, so they don’t even know what it feels like to be a dog – to feel loved. Their health and wellbeing is sadly not maintained, so … Read more

Michigan Is Now A “No-Kill” Shelter State. Here’s What That Means.

Euthanasia in shelters is not something we really want to have to think about. Thankfully today we’ve got some positive news in that department! The Michigan Pet Fund Alliance recently announced that their state is now a “No-Kill” state for shelter animals. The MPFA defines “No-Kill” as a practice for animal shelters where euthanasia is only considered an “act of mercy,” “reserved only for cats and dogs that are too sick/injured to be treated or too aggressive to be suitably rehomed.” https://www.facebook.com/michiganhumane/photos/a.116049627848/10156586768717849/?type=3&theater … Read more

Officer Wouldn’t Leave This Injured Dog’s Side Until Help Arrived

Deputy and Fiona

Deputy Sheriff Josh Fiorelli recently went viral for his on-the-job kindness. On a cold winter day, he found himself caring for a dog – a creature a bit out of the ordinary from his normal human interactions. Carlos Irizzy was out on his daily walk when he came across a police officer sitting in the grass, petting a white dog that was lying under his coat. It turned out that this sweet pup had been hit by a car, and … Read more

Baked and Saucy: A Savory Combination Your Dog Will Dig

Food boredom is fur real. In fact, 63% of pet parents think that their pets get bored with their food. If you need to shake things up at mealtime, take a look at an easy solution from the fine folks at “I and love and you”. It’s called Baked and Saucy. In just one bag of food, you can serve up the variety that your dog craves. Your pup will find it positively drool-worthy and easy on the tummy! Serving Baked & Saucy … Read more

This Woman’s Adorable Dog Is The Perfect Wingwoman

Look: Flirting is hard. The best among us sometimes need our “wing” men and women, friends who are willing to talk us up to our crushes without getting in the way. For 21-year-old Alli Gardner in Indiana, her wing “woman” was less of a woman and more of a female dog. The dog’s name is Miley, and she’s a beautiful Beagle who catches everyone’s eye. Everyone including Sid, the roommate of a friend of Alli’s who came across an Instagram … Read more

Celebrity Goldendoodle Goes Missing in Australia for Three Days

Chris Hemsworth’s dog recently went on a three-day-long jaunt around town. The young Goldendoodle went missing and sent the family into a panic. People.com reports Sunny vanished after being startled by an electric fence in the Byron Bay area of Australia. A Missing Family Member Even a Superhero Couldn’t Find Family friend Tracey Sparks took to social media to appeal for help finding the fluffy pup. “Sunny is still missing, now approaching her third night lost.. please keep a look … Read more

Why Are Veterinarians Dying by Suicide at Alarming Rate?

What do you want to be when you grow up? Time and again young children will answer, “a veterinarian.” In fact, a survey by Fatherly and New York Life found that 75% of girls responded to that question in exactly that way. Although it’s no surprise that so many of our young people want to become veterinarians, there is a very startling statistic about those who actually fulfill that dream. Veterinarians in the U.S. are far more likely to die by … Read more

The Strongest Animal Cruelty Charges in History For Horrific Dog Fighting Ring Owner

Lft investigation

Animal cruelty laws can be quite frustrating in the eyes of animal lovers, since it seems as though these abusers don’t receive the punishment they deserve. Luckily, the animal advocacy group, Lady Freethinker, set out to take down a dog fighting ring in Chile, and worked relentlessly to achieve a harsher sentence. It all began when a member of Lady Freethinker traveled to Chile in an effort to expose the illegal operation, and came across the unthinkable. Situated in the … Read more

You Whisked This Great Dane Out Of A Kill-Shelter And Into A Happy Home

Part of each sale through the iHeartDogs store is donated to Greater Good, which helps support various charities. Thanks to customers like you, happy endings, like the one below, are made possible. Thanks to a grant from GreaterGood.org funded by the iHeartDogs.com community, Sheba was given a second chance at life! Sheba is one of a large number of Great Danes confiscated from a neglectful breeder in Campbell County, TN. Sheba entered the Campbell County Animal Shelter in Caryville, TN, on October 15, 2018. … Read more

The Trouble with Kibble: 4 Things You Don’t Know About Dry Dog Food

If you love your dog, and we know you do, you might want to start thinking about his food the way you do your own.  Do you wonder why every piece of kibble is the exact same shape? Are you curious how kibble can sit in a pantry for years at a time and not go bad? Do you ever think about how kibble is affecting your dog’s health? Just as with human food, not all dog food is created … Read more

Beloved Arson Dog Hears His Final Radio Dispatch Before He Is Laid To Rest

Quincy Arson Dog

After 6 years of dedicated service, Clearwater Fire & Rescue Department had to say a tough goodbye to one of their hardest workers. With tears in their eyes, they sat next to their beloved partner as he listened to his final radio dispatch. Quincy was a 12 year old Labrador mix that served his community for 10 years, offering his skilled nose in the search for the cause behind hundreds of fires. Responding to over 300 calls during his time … Read more

11-Year-Old Girl and Her Eight Dogs Wow T.V. Viewers With Conga Line

A young girl and her family of dogs are dancing their way across Europe. 11-year-old Alexa Lauenburger recently won the golden buzzer on Britain’s Got Talent! She couldn’t do it alone so naturally, she enlisted her eight dancing doggies. Alexa hails from Gokels, Germany. Her father, Wolfgang, also works with the dogs but the recent BGT win was all Alexa. The dogs jumped through hoops, hopped into her arms, and bounced over each other in gravity-defying stunts! A Dance Routine … Read more

Therapy Dog Brings Smiles & Teaches Life Skills To Elementary School Students

Diane Hill is a second grade teacher at Northern Hills Elementary School in Onalaska, Wisconsin. She has been teaching for 21 years, but recently, she wanted to add something new to the classroom. In order to help her students with nerves and first day jitters, Hill decided to bring her dog, Davie, to school with her. Davie is a 4-year-old Golden Retriever. She is a certified therapy dog that knows how to help humans, especially children, in stressful situations. Right … Read more

Worlds Most Dramatic Pitbull Gives Oscar Worthy Performance to Avoid Nail Trim

If you’ve ever tried to cut your dog’s nails then you know you would probably have better luck wrestling an alligator. Most of them seem to hate it and they will go to extreme measures to let you know. Your hands become pin cushions ripe for chewing. Then before you know it, there’s fur flying everywhere like you’re smack dab in the middle of a snowglobe! A Pitbull mom uploaded a video to Reddit showing her boy taking a slightly … Read more

These Dogs Played A Key Role In The Rescue Efforts In The Days Following 9/11

After the tragic events of September 11th, 2001, hundreds of firefighters, police officers, and rescue workers came to aid the efforts at Ground Zero. Such a tragic event needed as much help as possible. However, some of the heroes that people don’t thank enough are the dogs that were there to help out, along with their brave handlers and the veterinarians on the scene to keep them going. The following dogs are some of the canine heroes that were there … Read more

New SHARE Program Ends Euthanasia Due to Economic Reasons

Countless families find themselves faced with a devastating decision: consent to emergency veterinary services that they cannot afford or have their family dog euthanized. Having no other choice than to have your beloved dog put to sleep because you cannot afford his medical treatment is called economic euthanasia, and it ‘s a grim reality forced upon many. Finally, there is a solution to this gut wrenching problem. It’s called SHARE. It’s not health insurance, and it’s not crowdfunding. SHARE is … Read more

Veteran Suffering From Severe PTSD Regains Independence With Your Help

Part of each sale through the iHeartDogs store is donated to Greater Good, which helps support various charities. Thanks to customers like you, happy endings, like the one below, are made possible. “Before Sloopy was given to me, I was frequently visiting the VA clinic receiving treatment for PTSD – I had nightmares, anxiety, mood swings, anything you can think of. Sometime later, I talked to a friend who told me that he had received a dog for his injuries due to war, and … Read more

Man Saves Beagle Tethered to a Tree During Hurricane Dorian

Hurricane Dorian pummeled the Bahamas and the eastern United States just last week. The storm caused damage spanning several states and caused catastrophic damage to the Bahamas. Residents up the east coast evacuated as Dorian’s strength continued to build and its path became more uncertain. Humans Flee to Safety and Leave Their Dogs in Harm’s Way People left their homes with their belongings and families in tow. A harsh reality is that many people choose to leave their fur babies … Read more

Dogs Suffer as More Are Abused Online, And Justice is Never Served

Warning: photos of abuse below. Dogs are trending online, whether it’s through heartwarming rescue stories or their continuous adorable antics. It seems like a positive trend to support, but what happens when online influencers are objectifying their pets for the sake of likes? Some online influencers are doing just about anything to gain attention, even if it involves hurting their pups in the process. What some online users are passing off as “harmless pranks”, are beginning to spark outrage. Videos … Read more

Kind-Hearted Travelers Are Adopting Stray Dogs Abroad

People are coming home from vacations with non-traditional mementos of their time abroad.  Rather than a keychain or some local candy, travelers are welcoming locals strays to join them in their lives back home. The process can be lengthy and not kind to your bank account, but it’s worth every penny. These pups that people stumble across often are malnourished, neglected, abandoned, and abused. Cultures vary around the world and unfortunately, dogs are not always held in the same regard … Read more

“I and love and you” Breaks Kibble Boundaries

We know. There are about a million and three choices when it comes to feeding your dogs. You love them with all you’ve got. You want them to live the longest, happiest, healthiest lives possible. The best way you know how to do that is to give them an abundance of love and to feed them the highest quality food you can. But you’re not a holistic veterinarian. And the very last thing you have time to do is whip … Read more

Rescuers Fall in Love with Tiny Puppy Thrown Away in Plastic Bag

Little Bobby

It was a normal day at Coolronan Dog Shelter when they received a phone call from a concerned woman who was on her daily walk. The woman had stumbled upon something heartbreaking, and called upon the rescue for urgent help. The rescue workers rushed to the scene, and were blown away by what they found. Found in a plastic bag was a tiny puppy who couldn’t have been more than 5 weeks old. His big brown eyes and skinny frame told … Read more

News Crew Filming Hurricane Stops to Rescue Injured Pup

While a terrible storm like Hurricane Dorian can be devastating for people and their communities, it affects our furry friends just as much. People fleeing from the storm have been forced to leave behind beloved dogs and cats, many of which have already begun making their way up to shelters all across the United States. But there’s nothing like a disaster to showcase some of the best of humanity! People have really been stepping up to help out animals affected … Read more

Science Reveals Wine Consumption Improves The Lives Of Shelter Dogs

Research continues to make incredible breakthroughs in medicine, and good news, everybody! Science has proven that drinking wine has an impressive number of amazing health benefits for people! Related: This new dog theme wine feeds shelter dogs with each glass.  Wine may not be a miracle elixir, but it’s pretty close! Enjoying a glass or two is thought to help improve cognitive function, maintain heart health, and may even prevent diabetes and certain types of cancer! And all you have … Read more

Dog Hit By Car And Lost In Woods Reunited With Family

What started as a fun day of hiking in the beautiful outdoors quickly took a shocking turn and became a frightening tale of life and death. Niko, a fluffy white pup, had been on a camping trip with his dad, David Alt. The pair had set out from Vancouver on July 26th to spend some time in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest.  An Adventure Turned Accident When Niko wandered off from the campsite and went towards a nearby road, he … Read more

A Rescue Dog And Cat Go On The Most Incredible Adventures Together

Henry Baloo Cover

Cynthia and Andre loved to explore the outdoors, so they moved to carry out an adventure filled life in Colorado. They had a deep love for the mountains, and wanted to find a pup that enjoyed hiking just as much. They adopted a rescue dog named Henry in 2014, and were ecstatic to find that not only did this pup enjoy adventure, but he was born for it! “On Henry’s first hike, he immediately went to find the biggest rock … Read more

“Fake” Service Animals Are About to Be A Crime in Alabama

Service animals are amazing companions that can perform tasks to help someone or even save their life. However, many people will actually fake having a service animal in order to get the benefits. It actually happens much more often than you would think, but luckily, some states are finally cracking down on fraud. In fact, faking your pet as a service animal is about to be considered a crime in Alabama. Many people will pretend their dog is a service … Read more

This Senior Dog Was ‘Unadoptable’ But Finally Found Love

A tiny dog with one of a kind looks was rescued by an animal welfare agency in the United Kingdom, but she was deemed “too ugly” by potential adopters. Little Morissa patiently waited at the Danaher Animal Home in Essex where she was the last pup left on adoption day. She’s a plump and hairless Chinese Crested with large, loving eyes and little tufts of black and white fur- an impossible combo not to love! View this post on Instagram … Read more

‘Not All Disabilities are Visible’: Mother Confronts Critics of Her Service Dog in Heartbreaking Facebook Post

Jenn Bethune and Teddy, her loyal service dog, were just trying to have a normal vacation at Disney World. They shared lots of adorable photos together throughout the parks. In every photo, it looked like they were having an amazing time. However, their trip became a bit less magical when another guest decided to make a rude remark about Teddy. Bethune is a wife and mother of four that owns a pet grooming salon. Besides Teddy, her family has 3 … Read more

Dog Finds Furever Family After Nearly Seven Years in a Shelter

Higgins came to the Humane Society of Preble County as a puppy on September 23, 2012. The shelter workers watched Higgins grow through puppyhood and into his teenage-like years. The sweet boy was actually adopted once as a puppy but he came back to the shelter as a stray about a year later. Nobody came looking for him.  As Higgins approached six years old, the shelter began to accept that he was becoming a senior dog and would, therefore, be … Read more

Shelters Under Stress as Floridians Fleeing Hurricane Leave Pets Behind

Hurricane Dorian threatened the entire state of Florida last week. Winds over 150 mph were expected to cause catastrophic damage and residents braced for flooding from storm surge. Windows began being boarded up and grocery store shelves were bare.  Evacuations began on Florida’s east coast as the storm continued to gain strength, eventually becoming a category 5. Selfish People Leave Vulnerable Pets at Risk Families loaded up their cars and headed away from the coast or to their hurricane local … Read more

Lifeguard Rescues Dog Caught in Rip Current as Fin Closes In

A small dog was found drifting out to sea off the Gold Coast in Australia recently. The waterlogged dog was miraculously saved thanks to the heroic efforts of a local lifeguard. Reece Muir dove into action as he quickly paddled his surfboard out to the stranded pup. A Game of Fetch Quickly Takes a Scary Turn Simon Goodchild was walking along the shore when he noticed the event unfolding. The dog had been playing fetch with his dad when he … Read more

Deputy Rescues Puppy Abandoned During Hurricane Dorian and Adopts Her Into His Family

Hurricane Dorian recently pounded the Bahamas for over 24-hours before continuing its path of destruction. The Category 5 storm hammered the Bahamas before it slowly crept along the Florida coast. It finally sailed past Georgia and continued north into the Carolinas. As a result, it left a trail of destruction spans thousands of miles. Officers with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department in Florida were called during the storm. They responded to a suspicious vehicle on the side of the road … Read more

The Last Of Three Stolen Puppies Is Finally Found And Returned To Rescue

Huey missing pup

Three Puppies were stolen from Family Dog Rescue in San Francisco in an effort to make a profit. Taking two 8 week old Huskies and one Pit Bull Puppy, the thieves hoped to silently post them for sale in the surrounding area, and make it out without anyone ever catching on to their plan. A burglar apparently broke a padlock at the front gate of the shelter, and made their way into the rescue in the middle of the night. … Read more

Virginia Dog Daycare Makes Room for Pups Fleeing Hurricane Dorian

As Hurricane Dorian approached the Bahamas and some of the states on the east coast, many rescue dogs needed to flee to find a safer location. However, it was difficult for rescues and shelters to find enough space for all the dogs in need. Luckily, Apple Dog Daycare, Lodging & Grooming in Glen Allen, Virginia graciously offered space for two dogs that were in search of a safe location from the hurricane. After all, the more dogs that find temporary … Read more