Shelter Dog Meal Donation Count:
Years ago, Pippa the 9-year-old rescue dog found a loving home with Jan Bickhart and her family. She currently lives with them in Virginia and she is very loyal to all her family members. The sweet senior dog always wants what’s best for her loved ones, so when she sensed danger, she knew she had to do something. Her family had rescued her when she needed a home, so now it was her turn to rescue them. At 2 a.m. … Read more
Lobo the puppy and his dad were going for a daily walk in Prince George’s County, Maryland, but what happened next was something too horrible to even imagine. A couple approached the man and his pup and held them at gunpoint. They demanded that the man hand over Lobo. He tried to fight back, but before he knew it, his beloved puppy was snatched up by these horrible people. Protecting Lobo Everything had happened so fast. But of course, the … Read more
A rescued puppy named Bethany went viral after photos of her were shared to multiple social media platforms. Within days, Safe Rescue For Dogs was flooded with emails of potential adopters, and admirers of Bethany’s incredible spirit despite her differences. Bethany is an eight-month old Labrador mix that was born with a severe facial disfigurement that causes her face and snout to twist. Though her appearance can be a bit shocking to some, her unique features have no effect on … Read more
Police officers who work with K9s develop very special bonds with their partner dogs. It’s a new level to the man and man’s best friend relationship. Naturally, when Officer Madsen in Pasco, Washington lost his K9 partner “Lemon” he was heartbroken. Just weeks after he retired from the force, Lemon suffered a medical crisis and died. Lemon served the police department for 8 years, assisting with the takedown of multiple suspects and in several drug busts. Officer Madsen and Lemon had also … Read more
Like any police K-9, Orkon the Belgian Malinois is a brave dog. He always works hard to help save the day. In some cases, he might work a bit too hard though. In a recent chase, Orkon got hurt for the second time on the job. He had been chasing down a suspect in Florida when he got struck by a car. Everyone from the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office was horrified to see their loyal team member in such … Read more
A kind woman never expected to be a hero when she decided to use a portable restroom at a Michigan park. She opened the porta potty door to reveal a dog in need. A poor Pit Bull had been abandoned in a crate that was zip-tied shut inside the bathroom. He was left with no food or water, and he was shivering alone in the cold. So, the woman cut the zip-ties off his crate and called for help without … Read more
Look, nobody likes going back to work after a holiday break. Why shouldn’t that sentiment apply to working canines too? At least, that seems to be the mindset of a 4-year-old Belgian Malinois named Hyco who sniffs out narcotics for a living in South Carolina. On Friday December 27th, Hyco got a little stir-crazy and escaped from his kennel. The Greenville County Sheriff’s office shared his photo on Facebook, hoping someone in the surrounding area would recognize him. Hyco is shy … Read more
Sydney Ferbrache had no idea that a picture on Instagram could change the path of her entire life. When she scrolled past a photo of a girl traveling around and living in her van, she knew she had to make this her reality. Now, Sydney is traveling around the US with her dog Bella, while over 100,000 people follow her journey on Instagram. Though she is now a passionate advocate for solo travel, her journey didn’t start this way. Sydney … Read more
You made your way here to iHeartDogs, so odds are high you’re already a member of the Dogspotting Society Facebook group. If you’re not, I’m so honored to be the one to fill you in! Members of this group are encouraged to share any and all things dog with each other. As the group description says, there “you can make friends, talk about dogs and Dogspotting.” Photos of adorable pups are circulated all the time. Last month Stephen Shkuratoff, a member of the … Read more
Shauna Darcy and her American Staffordshire Terrier, Ruby, bonded as soon as they met. Darcy trusted Ruby very much, so she soon decided that she wanted to train Ruby to be a service dog to help with her anxiety, depression, and agoraphobia. As soon as Ruby started her training, she proved to be an incredible service dog in more ways than expected. However, little did Darcy know, Ruby would actually end up saving her life. As soon as Ruby began … Read more
Police in Sarasota, Florida recently cracked a case with a rather unique plot twist. Tracie Eileen Defee and Michael Paine were apprehended in Sarasota, just south of Tampa. The duo had been breaking into homes in the area but they weren’t alone. Another unwilling accomplice was spotted with them on surveillance footage. A Pawsitively Adorable Accomplice An adorable white Bulldog was seen tagging along with the couple on their string of burglaries. Maggie was her name and she has quite … Read more
Zachary Smith, a student at Kentucky Christian University, flew to Arizona on a Delta Airlines flight over the holidays with his comfort dog Kaimani. Kaimani is a Staffordshire/Pit mix who has helped him through his panic attacks for years. He wouldn’t think to fly without her. The airline warned Smith that due to her breed, Kaimani might not be allowed to fly. Still, she was coming with him no matter what, so he gave it a shot. He provided his … Read more
The winter months are always extremely busy times for animal rescues and shelters everywhere. Tragically, there are often more pups left out in the cold than there are places for them in the shelters. The kind hearts of generous foster families are what give starving and cold strays the second chances they desperately need. That’s how one poor malnourished stray pup, now named Joseph, got off the streets in time for the holidays. Noah’s Ark Rescue Project And Shelter (NARPS) … Read more
Even though it’s supposed to be the happiest time of the year, the Christmas season can be a real downer for some dogs. Living in a shelter over Christmas is no fun, but what’s worse is dogs finally getting adopted as Christmas gifts and returned shortly afterwards. This happens a lot unfortunately. Dogs Trust, the UK’s largest dog welfare charity, takes tons of calls from people surrendering their no longer wanted pups after the holidays. The organization maintains a network of … Read more
Like most kids, 9-year-old Hunter loves Christmas. He loves the holiday season almost as much as he loves his loyal service dog, Angel. So, Hunter and Angel were ecstatic at the idea of taking pictures with Santa at a Massachusetts mall. However, one exciting photo turned into a nightmare when the staff would not allow him and Angel to take a picture with Santa. Hunter was left heartbroken during the happiest season of the year. Angel is a sweet and … Read more
For nearly 2,000 days, Seamus the Pit Bull mix spent his time at a California rescue. He’s now 9 years old, so he’s spent over half his life waiting for that forever family to come around. Many holidays have come and gone while he waited, hoping for someone to adopt him. But luckily, this Christmas, the wait is over! Seamus is ready to spend the rest of his life with his forever family, and he couldn’t be happier! Seamus is … Read more
A family from Woodhaven, Michigan had a string of back luck recently. But, as they say, every cloud has a silver lining. The Stevensons were on their way to spend Christmas morning with their family. Unfortunately, they hit a slick spot on the interstate which resulted in a rollover accident. The slick spot sent their car flying as it flipped a few times before coming to a stop. With The Good Comes The Bad The silver lining is that nobody … Read more
River, like so many other 5-year-old Labs, loves to chase squirrels. For most dogs, this personality trait is a mere inconvenience; but for River, it resulted in her removal from a guide dog training program. This gorgeous gal wasn’t cut out for work with the blind, but her calm, gentle nature made her the perfect choice for a new form of police service. The “Custody Canine” pilot project at Maidstone Police Station in Kent, UK utilizes River’s unique skills to … Read more
Children and dogs go together like peanut butter and jelly — especially when the child is on the Autism spectrum, and the dog is trained to keep him safe! 10-year-old Lewis Millar faces daily challenges stemming from Aspberger’s syndrome. After four years on a waiting list with Assistance Dogs Northern Ireland (ADNI), the boy’s heartfelt letter helped make his dream a reality. A Black Lab named Jade joined the Miller family just in time for the holidays! “It was the … Read more
Now that the holiday season is coming to a close and we’ve said goodbye to visiting family members, there’s time for a little pause and reflection. Time to think back on the thoughtful gifts, delicious meals, and of course all the ways your mischievous dogs and cats made a horrible mess of the season. Itchpet recently performed some valuable research on this topic. A survey of 2,000 dog and cat people discovered a myriad of holiday “crimes” our furry friends … Read more
They say when one door closes, another one opens. Well this saying proved true when an adorable Labrador named River was sacked from her training as a guide dog for her love of chasing squirrels, and in turn found her way to a new career. Related: Top Internet Dog Training Courses While River appeared to be wonderful candidate for a career as a guide dog, she began to raise some eyebrows when her love of chasing squirrels was able to … Read more
Dogs survive car accidents all the time (thank God.) But often injured and terrified dogs will wander from accidents, unknowingly denying themselves the care they need. That makes emotional support for canine car accident victims important too. A police officer in New York knows that, and it’s a good thing he was there for a dog hit by a car this month. On Facebook, The Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office shared a photo of Sergeant Chris Howlett and a dog on a … Read more
If you grew up with a dog by your side, you know what a rewarding experience it is. Having an adorable furry friend to play with is the dream for any kid. A new study suggests that there could be more benefits to dogs than just happiness. People that are exposed to dogs early in life are less likely to develop schizophrenia when they grow up. Having a dog during your childhood can keep you both happy and healthy! Family … Read more
Tragedy struck an Ohio family twice. Just over a year ago, Andrew Allen was hit by a car while crossing the road. This happened just days after his 2-year-old brother lost his battle with brain cancer. The circumstances were unimaginable. As Andrew laid in the hospital in a coma and dependent upon life support, his family prepared to say their goodbyes. Surviving And Thriving The odds were stacked against Andrew. He was hit by multiple cars and suffered a traumatic … Read more
About 12 years ago, Claire-Louise Nixon rescued her very first special needs dog that was in danger of being let go without rescue intervention. Though caring for this handicapped puppy was an experience like no other, this Milton Keynes resident had no idea that the love and dedication to this one pup would open the door to a long future in animal rescue. After the rescue of her first special needs resident, a tiny Cocker Spaniel named Thomas Cook with … Read more
San Francisco resident Emilie Talermo would do absolutely anything for her beloved Australian Shepherd Jackson. Since he was taken from her, that’s all she’s been doing. The pup was stolen from outside a grocery store in Bernal Heights neighborhood in San Francisco on December 14th. Talermo first adopted her best friend in New York. They’ve been together over 5 years and crossed the country together. For weeks now the two have been apart, and she has no idea where he is or who … Read more
Davina Liberty and Sarah Grimes were shocked when they found an animal in need. They came across a dog limping when they were horseback riding in the Jackson State Forest in California. He appeared to be in really rough shape, but that wasn’t the most noticeable part. The poor dog was wearing a medical cone on his head and he had lots of wounds. So, Liberty knew that she had to do something to save this sweet pup. The dog … Read more
A pair of unrestrained canine brothers, 6 month old “Dale” and 5-6 year old “Brennan” (yes, as in “Step Brothers” best buds,) took a jaunt together one day in December. On their trip, a car struck Brennan, badly injuring him. Dale refused to leave his suffering brother’s side. That’s how Pasco County Animal Services found them, side by side in the road. Foster organization Maxx And Me Rescue wrote on Facebook about the trauma these dogs suffered together. Brennan especially suffered … Read more
This is the kind of story that makes those “unlikely animal friendship” calendars go flying off the shelves. It’s about a tiny brown dog named Rookie and his best friend in the whole world: a cow. Yes, she’s a dairy cow. She’s also, he seems to believe, his mother. The two are similar in [brown] color. He’s very tiny and she towers over him, but Rookie often sleeps on top of her back. They even share a water bowl. They’re udderly … Read more
Duke is a K9 police officer with the Corona Police Department. He recently showed his insane athleticism and apprehension skills when assisting his handler and fellow officers in taking down a suspect. Warning: the video (published by TMZ) is intense and shows a suspect being held down by the K9 officer. Rest assured, Duke was left completely unharmed, without a single scratch on his body. Police and Suspect in Vehicular Stand Off Police from Corona and Fontana, California were involved … Read more
In This Issue
● All About Dog Farts
● A Strange Discovery In A Shelter Dog’s Mouth
● Protect Your Dog During Holiday Fireworks
● Behavior: Myths About Dog Aggression
● Vet Corner: What Happens In “The Back”?
● Reader Q: Why Are My Dog’s Eyes Irritated?
As important as the environment is, many people won’t go out of their way to reuse and recycle. This was especially clear to artist Amarildo Silva when he noticed how many discarded tires were scattered around Brazil. He also noticed how many stray dogs there were. In fact, the number of abandoned animals in his area greatly outnumbers the amount of homeless people. Luckily, Silva came up with a brilliant way to address both issues. Whenever Silva walked around the … Read more
Dr. Michael White is the director of Harris County Animal Shelter in Texas. He flipped on the morning news and was surprised to see a reporter standing outside of his shelter’s gate. Reporter Janelle Bludau and the KHOU 11 News Team arrived at the shelter that morning to find a Lab Mix chained to the fence. Bludau told the audience that she would stay until someone came to open the shelter. Dr. White sprang from his chair and hit the … Read more
Update: Scout has left the building! Not long after Scout’s story spread, his forever family finally found him! From Humane Society of the Delta: “We’ve got some exciting news!! “Scout has been adopted and he’s going home! We are so thankful for the foster family that took our sweet boy in and helped show what an amazing dog he truly is! We knew he was a great dog, but getting him in a home for everyone else to see how … Read more
We’re in the midst of one of the busiest travel times of the year. It’s estimated that 47.7 million people will travel across the globe between December 19th and January 5th. That’s an estimated 2.2 to 3 million passengers per day! There were a record-breaking 26 million people who traveled by air over the Thanksgiving week this year. Flying the friendly skies has continued to become an even more popular option and generating buzz in the news. Naturally, emotional support … Read more
Your dog is so easy to love. You’re an expert cuddler. You know all the right places to scratch. But that doesn’t mean it’s all a walkie in the dog park. Some parts of being a pet parent are downright difficult. We know that making the best choices for your pet’s health can be hard, but we can all agree on one thing: a healthy pup starts with a healthy gut. Your dog’s health and well-being usually begins with what’s … Read more
Sometimes it’s the simple things in life that make all the difference. A warm cup of coffee, a cozy blanket, and a hug from a friend are just a few. If you’re a dog, however, then joy comes in the form of treats, walks, belly scratches, and toys. And, if you were to take a survey of the dogs in your life, many would argue that there is no greater toy than a good old fashioned stick! It’s a timeless … Read more
Phoenix doesn’t look like your average dog, but that doesn’t matter to him. He’s no different than any other pup, but sadly, many people don’t see it that way. His appearance often scares people and causes them to look away. But he’s just a sweet dog that wants someone to love and understand him. The way he looks doesn’t hold him back. So, he’s ready to show the world what an incredible dog he truly is. This poor dog was … Read more
Every day, veterinarians see animals in terrible conditions. Their job is difficult, but they do everything they can to help. In one vet’s case, that means emotional support too. Dr. Andy Mathis is an outstanding vet at a small animal hospital in Georgia, and he has a passion for animals that goes beyond “pet ownership.” He knows they’re more to us than that. According to his own website: “A long, healthy and happy Life. As a pet owner/parent, it’s what I … Read more
You might roll your eyes at the “a picture is worth a thousand words” saying, but that’s just because you’re not seeing the right picture. When you get a look at a rescue Pit Bull leaning on his adoptive mom, you’ll more than get it. His name is Russ, and by the look on his face in this photo he’s never been happier to be out of a shelter and in a family at last. 22-year-old Kayla Filoon is a volunteer … Read more
Even though they’ve been our closest pals for thousands of years, there’s still so much about dogs we don’t know. How much can they really understand and relate to us? Do they have any idea what we’re talking about at all? At the very least we now know they can understand numbers… sort of. A new scientific study has demonstrated some really interesting things about mammals’ relationship with numbers. More specifically, it shows that dogs, like humans and some primates, … Read more
Dogs are an important part of our lives. They stay with us forever in our hearts whether they’re with us today or not. That’s why many dog lovers have decided to get a tattoo as a permanent memory of their furry friend. Some of these memories are simple paw prints while others are colorful portraits. Either way, it’s clear that dog parents love to show off their dog tattoos to honor their best friends. In fact, there are many amazing … Read more
Disney World is not only the happiest place on earth, it is also one of the best places to hone a service dog’s skills. Jessica Paulsen knows this firsthand. She and her good-boy Golden Retriever, Henry love spending time at the park and have visited six times! While all the sights, sounds, and smells are enough to drive an average dog to distraction, Henry is trained to focus on the task at hand. He can block out just about any … Read more
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. A grant provided to Canines for Service from GreaterGood.org, funded by the iHeartDogs.com community, made success stories like that of Rosemary and Salim possible. The impact of training a shelter dog as a highly skilled service dog for a veteran with a disability is vast. Not only are the lives of both … Read more
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. One of the main reasons that GreaterGood.org’s Rescue Rebuild program chose Young-Williams Animal Center for a renovation is their take on “managed admissions.” This shelter is an open admission city shelter, which means that they have to take any animal that comes to their door. This can be chaotic. So instead of … Read more
A life on the road can be a bit lonely at times. With so many careers involving full-time travel, the desire to have a furry friend along for the ride is at an all time high. Luckily, this extended-stay hotel has the solution that so many traveling animal lovers needed. A Home2 Suites in Biloxi, Mississippi is home to a beautiful program that helps comfort dogs and humans alike. With their Fostering Hope program in partner with the Humane Society … Read more
It was supposed to just be a normal drop-off day for the Community Animal Welfare Society (CAWS). They transported 68 dogs away from kill shelters to the VCA All Pet Animal Hospital in Taylorsville, Utah. Many of the dogs were excited to meet their foster parents at this location, but one dog in particular didn’t seem so sure. As soon as she had the chance, she took off running. At first, the staff with CAWS struggled to get the dog … Read more
Actually making money with art is no simple task. A Staffordshire Terrier with success selling his art has some advice for you: 1) Be a dog who paints, 2) Give all the money to an animal shelter. That Staffy is named Rico, but people call him Ricasso. He’s a full-on professional artist and also a shelter dog at Animal Welfare League Of Alexandria. Rico’s powerful and active wagging tail didn’t go unnoticed by staff. They do “Rico’s Art Lessons” with … Read more
Alfie the Labrador Retriever is an important member of his family. His parents, Shaun Traves and Laura Bland-Traves, love him very much. Their son, Charlie, can’t live without him. So when their truck was stolen with Alfie stuck in the back, they were horrified. They couldn’t imagine a life without their sweet Alfie. They began to search long and hard. They were determined to bring him home as soon as possible. Alfie had been in a crate in the back … Read more
Letters to Santa have always been the most heartwarming of all the annual traditions. They give children everywhere a chance to dream and fantasize. Our dogs don’t really get an opportunity to put their hopes and dreams down on paper like that. Lucky for one adoptable pup in Pennsylvania, the humans that knew her best wrote a letter to Santa for her. Lucy and her sister Bella first arrived at the PSPCA through its Humane Law Enforcement team in May … Read more
Timing is absolutely crucial in the event a dog survives getting hit or run over by a car. Injured dogs are left completely vulnerable to further injury, totally exposed in the street. A lifesaver in New York had this in mind when he ran into the street to save an injured dog from a worse fate. The Robledo family was having their car serviced at Honda of New Rochelle. Fortunately for them, general manager James Gallagher worked that day. He … Read more
Toledo, United States.