Shelter Dog Meal Donation Count:
What’s your favorite way to spend a night at home? For some of us, we need no more than a good glass of wine, a film, and our dog by our side. One movie theater in Texas takes these simple pleasures to the next level by allowing patrons to consume unlimited vino, watch a movie, and bring their dog. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sara Carson (@thesupercolliesmom) on Feb 15, 2019 at 6:09pm … Read more
Many of us have been lucky enough to have a dog come into our lives and change it for the better. But for a dog to touch hundreds of lives? That’s something really special. Moses was a dog like that. He was at the Seminole County Animal Shelter the first time Mariesa and Chris Hughes saw him. Time was running out for Moses – as a senior shelter dog, he had been passed over by potential adopters over and over … Read more
The Ottawa police force laid to rest one of their brothers in arms. Axle, a German Shepherd, passed away at 14-years-old. He was a member of the canine unit for nine years. According to the Ottawa Sun, the city police has 11 dogs in their canine unit. German Shepherds are often police dogs. They have more than a century’s experience as working dogs. The German Shepherd Dog Club of America said, “[The first German Shepherd was a] working sheepherder, requiring … Read more
Jet and Jasmine were rescued by Brown Dog Coalition in Hopkinton, Massachusetts. They came to the group with a litter of puppies, a healthy dose of fear, and the very strong desire to remain together. When kenneled separately, the pair would howl and cry until reunited. To rescuers, it seemed that the only source of love they had ever had was from one another and that they should stay together, forever. The group decided to make every attempt to adopt … Read more
On April 16, Johnny the stray lost his best friend in the world. But the love and kindness that existed between the two lives on. From the beginning, the two had seemed a pair. When the stray first showed up in the neighborhood, Nurul Ain and her father named him Johnny and began leaving him food. “A few years ago, this dog appeared in front of our house. At first we were just feeding him because he was so thin,” … Read more
Step aside, humans. There’s a new best friend in town for dogs… horses. It might sound a little strange, but there’s video evidence to prove it. One Southern dog and horse have formed an unlikely friendship. Best buds This unusual pair met and formed a bond on their mother’s farm in East Texas. Lucy is a 2-year-old Portuguese Water Dog mix and Whiskey Brown is a 4-year-old quarter horse stallion. They play together in the farm’s rolling pastures. In the … Read more
Sometimes miracles, hopes, and prayers really do come true. One Florida family had to suffer through many months of longing, but eventually, their wish became reality. It took two long years, but the Peterson family finally got their German Shepherd back. https://www.facebook.com/WingsofRescue/photos/pcb.2397019740310205/2192040234222143/?type=3&theater An immense loss In late April, a German Shepherd was found abandoned. She was covered with snow in a rural Colorado ditch. According to the Wings of Rescue organization, the dog was malnourished with an injured leg when … Read more
Do you need a laugh today? Scroll through these hilariously unfortunate panoramic photos. Here’s what we know about panorama photos: you shouldn’t move when you’re in one. These pups didn’t get the memo. These hilarious snaps were caught in a Twitter thread from Jocelyn. Ready, set…laugh! 1. The Beach Comb(er) 2. Someone is skipping leg day at the gym. 3. Shaped like the ball she’s chasing! 4. There’s something wrong with the mirror, Carl. 5. And Fluffy wins by a … Read more
We’ve told you about other recalls of dog food from Hill’s Prescription Diet & Science. Unfortunately, recalls seem more frequent as of late. Here’s another one to know about uncovered by Truth About Pet Food (TAPF). The details This case of dog food recall is a bit tricky to track. TAPF reported seeing Facebook posts indicating Hill’s added another product to their excess vitamin D recall. TAPF researched the issue on the FDA website and found nothing to support the … Read more
A ten-year ban on Pit Bulls has finally come to an end for one Arkansas city. For the last decade, Cabot has not allowed residents to have a Pit. Now things have changed for the good. Ordinance no more Residents of Cabot, Arkansas, were not allowed to have Pit Bulls in their homes. Thankfully, that ban was lifted in April 2019 and the people of the city can now have these pooches. Cabot Animal Services Director Mike Wheeler told KATV, … Read more
For most of us, our dogs provide emotional support on a regular basis. From being our constant companion to cuddling close when they sense we are sad. Our pups are there for us when we need them most. For the children of David and Louise Turpin, companionship from one police dog got them through the harrowing ordeal of testifying against their parents. Meet Raider Raider is a Yellow Labrador. He works for the city of Corona, California, as a Facility … Read more
Most of us don’t worry when we see a squirrel or bird near our pup. Usually, they ignore each other. But Chicago police are warning people with dogs to be vigilant when they see raccoons nearby. Why? Because some of them are zombies. Zombie raccoons? No way! Yes, you read that right. Police in the Chicago suburb of Riverside said some raccoons are infected with the canine distemper virus. They could pose a danger to pups. The Riverside police reported … Read more
The 22-year-old man stepped inside the shelter and looked around. “I’m here to take Higgins home,” he said. Higgins had been waiting over six and a half years for someone to say that. To put it in perspective, six and a half years is roughly 2,381 days. It’s 57,144 hours. It’s 3,428,460 minutes. For Higgins, who had once thought he’d found his forever home and been cruelly deceived, it was a lifetime. Higgins was only a year old when he … Read more
This weekend, May 18-19, pet supply giant Petco is offering customers who are members of their loyalty program Pals Rewards an opportunity to trade in a can or bag of dog or cat food that contains artificial ingredients for “a free artificial-free upgrade to a select product that meets Petco’s new nutrition standard.” Sounds pretty great, huh? Isn’t it wonderful to see one of the biggest players in the pet retail world caring about the quality of food that our … Read more
May 20th is National Rescue Dog Day! According to the ASPCA, over 3 million dogs enter shelters each year. All of these sweet pups just want to find love and a forever home. Unfortunately, many never get the chance. So The Dog Bakery and Marley’s Mutts Dog Rescue have teamed up with a great way to treat your special pup and help countless other rescue dogs just waiting to find that special someone. Your dog will love these freshly … Read more
Did you know that more than 4.5 million Americans are bitten by dogs every year? More than 800,000 people require treatment for those dog bites. Unfortunately, dog bites just aren’t as rare as you may think, and sometimes you can get surprised by a bite from your own dog. Why do so many dogs bite people every year? What should you do if your dog bites you? We have the answers you’re looking for. Why do dogs bite? Dogs always … Read more
They say “everything happens for a reason.” Sometimes it takes a while for the reason to reveal itself. For one family in Sevier County, Tennessee, the appearance of a stray dog was unusual. After a month, the reason the stray dog frequented their home became apparent. Some even called it a miracle. Destiny A black and white dog began visiting Sima Bentley’s home. She wasn’t sure whom he belonged to. But the stray dog made it clear he was bound to … Read more
Imagine you’re at a wedding and the DJ starts playing your favorite song. You can’t help but sing along and dance, right? Well, one Australian Shepherd is no different. When his tune comes on the radio it brings Oakley to life. That’s my jam! What’s one of the smartest dog breeds? Many people believe Australian Shepherds are extremely intelligent. Perhaps that intelligence extends to knowledge of music because our friend Oakley knows his favorite song even after only hearing the first … Read more
In the video, you hear a stern voice shout, “Go!” It’s hard to watch what comes next. A young man grabbed a Cavalier King Charles spaniel puppy around the waist. Then, he and another man held the puppy upside over a silver keg and forced him to drink. Meanwhile, college-aged boys looked on and cheered. Inexcusable actions We know that alcohol and dogs do not mix, but some students at Hofstra University in New York ignored the potentially harmful consequences. … Read more
Beware: you’re about to read about a dog who overcame extreme malnourishment and staggering odds. Despite that, this is a tale of perseverance and strength. Penelope the Shepard Mix, is a fighter and survivor. A dog in need When schoolchildren saw Penelope staggering around the streets. The sick pup scared them. She was disfigured, gaunt, and abandoned. She looked so bad, the children thought of her as a monster. Soon after she was spotted, the Jason Heigl Foundation was called and they … Read more
When breeders are faced with a problematic puppy they have a standard solution. Buyers don’t pay top dollar for “defective” pure breeds so breeders get rid of imperfect puppies. This usually means that they are euthanized. When a Neapolitan Mastiff puppy named Willow was born with Swimmer’s Syndrome her breeder considered her a problem that needed a solution. Screenshot PAWsitive on Rumble What is Swimmer’s Syndrome? Swimmer’s Syndrome, also known as flat pup and turtle pup syndrome, is a rare … Read more
Does your dog shed? Trick question. We know all dogs do. But we bet you haven’t seen a dog lose fur like this Samoyed. This energetic, playful pup had seemingly endless amounts of hair. His dad used his pup’s calm demeanor as an opportunity to rid of him of the excess fluff. Furry beauties Samoyeds are known for their thick, all-white coats. They look like a fluffy, smiley version of a polar bear. They were bred to work in Siberia … 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. Thanks to a grant from GreaterGood.org funded by the iHeartDogs.com community, dogs like Jeff are given a second chance through transport by the Shelter Transport Animal Rescue Team (START). “The pleas were going around. A great dog, Jeff, was in danger at the tiny rural Delano, CA. Animal Shelter. A personal one … Read more
When PETA workers first came upon this small creature wiggling around in a small kennel housed in a dark, dingy hallway they weren’t quite sure what to make of him. His fur was so severely matted that his size and shape were hard to decipher. Without a set of eyes that seemed happy to see the rescue crew, they’d probably not have been able to tell which end was front and which was back. Screenshot, PETA They learned that his … Read more
Moving is stressful for everyone, and an eviction is even worse. But, that doesn’t offer an excuse to abandon your canine friends when you vacate the premises. Unfortunately, one Calfornia woman decided an eviction notification was justification for leaving her pups behind. Dogs in distress The Barstow, California, resident was evicted from her home. In her haste to leave, she left garbage bags filled with trash and unwanted clothes on the curb for the morning garbage pickup. But that wasn’t … Read more
After seven years of being a stepfather, the day had finally arrived. Thomas Banzhof was able to officially adopt his stepson, Gabe, 10. “From the start he [Thomas] and Gabe instantly bonded,” Jessica, Gabe’s mother, said. “That was his son…the adoption just sealed the deal.” “I was just thinking, ‘Wow, he’s officially my father,’” Gabe said. “The judge asked my son, ‘Is this what you want?’ And he said, ‘Absolutely,’” Jessica stated. “Then she asked him why and he said, … 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 with 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
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. FurEver Pawz Rescue saved Sammy 2 Tone from the shelter after being confiscated in a hoarding case. His owner robbed a bank, and after being caught, authorities discovered 35 dogs living in his home in deplorable conditions. Neighbors said they had no clue the guy even had dogs. It took animal control … Read more
We all want what’s best for our beloved fur babies. But what if you were told you were dying? Who would take care of them? Would they be loved? A San Antonio man is facing these unthinkable questions. His dying wish…to find permanent homes for the remaining 11 of his 27 rescue dogs. A generous benefactor Two years ago, Richard Ewers, 71, began taking in stray or abandoned pups. Last year when Mr. Richard, as he is known by his … Read more
Everyone deserves to experience their final days in peace surrounded by those they love. Lifeline Animal Project in Atlanta gives senior dogs with terminal diagnoses the opportunity to do that by connecting them with a “fospice” parent that will love and care for them for the rest of their lives. How it Works Lifeline has a number of shelters in Atlanta. They connect volunteers willing to provide foster hospice care to resident senior dogs in need. Lifeline takes care of … Read more
Deputies in Florida’s Hernando County are searching for a man charged with animal cruelty. Witnesses rushed to the rescue of a dog after watching him dragged behind a truck in Central Florida. Although it was an absolutely awful scenario, there was one small silver lining. Jan Harwood, the owner of Nature Coast Animal Wellness and Surgical Center, was one of the bystanders that witnessed the Pit Bull being dragged by a rope around his neck. Harwood knew just where to take … Read more
Chewing of the toes and paws is a common behavior among dogs. While some degree of biting and licking is normal, dogs with red, swollen paws or chronic saliva staining likely have an underlying medical problem. How to Know If Your Dog’s Licking & Chewing is a Problem There are several reasons a dog may chew their paws such as dry skin, wounds, growths, irritants like burrs or ticks, anxiety and allergic skin disease. Whatever the cause of the irritation, paw-chewing … Read more
What started out as a disturbing story of neglect is moving toward a happily ever after for a dog abandoned in Kentucky. “[Nike] was left along the side of a road with a bag of food and his toys and he’s only about 8-months old, 8-9 months old and he was hit by a car,” HART Animal Rescue representative Shari Wyenandt said. Once found in Kentucky, rescuers transferred to the dog to the care of HART, located in Cincinnati, Ohio. … Read more
“Bye Bye Bad Stuff: At Petco, we have set the new standard in nutrition by eliminating all dog and cat food and treats that contain artificial ingredients*.” This bold promise is featured on Petco’s website at the top of their new Better Nutrition page. Unfortunately, the company’s claims are not entirely true. The above statement ends in a conspicuous asterisk – as do the in-store banners and all other references to the company’s new “no artificial ingredients” policy announced November 13, 2018. … Read more
Sebahat Hanifeoglu, a resident of Kastamonu, Turkey, has given up everything to help the homeless pups in her city. Her journey started when she first saw the hundreds of homeless pups roaming the streets. Some of them showed signs of abuse, and almost all of them showed signs of starvation. Sebahat Hanifeoglu, a resident from Kastamonu, Turkey, spends her days assisting the homeless pups in her city. (Photo by Sebahat Hanifeoglu) You see, in Kastamonu, Turkey, it isn’t unusual for “dog … Read more
A Florida woman turned a “stray” over to her local shelter. The poor baby was absolutely emaciated. Bones protruding, dull eyes, weak, and probably near death. She turned the dog in, having done her civic duty, and went about her busy day. Image: WFLA 8/YouTube The staff at the Humane Society in Sarasota took a first step in attempting to identify the pup. Imagine their surprise when they found that the dog was indeed microchipped and the listed owner was … Read more
The city of Elgin, Texas is experiencing flash floods, but firefighters were busy with a different kind of rescue earlier this week. A small puppy was on a walk with his owner Monday evening when he fell into an open storm drain. The rescue by local firefighters was caught on video, and features James Daniel Lopez climbing into the tight spot to retrieve the bewildered, but otherwise uninjured pup. With so much going on in their town, firefighter Lopez and … Read more
There is evil in this world. No one will ever know who ripped Da Hei’s paws completely off. No one will ever know how it was done, or most bewilderingly, why. The 7-year-old Siberian Husky would not understand even if he were given these answers. He would only know, then as he does now, that someone hurt him, excruciatingly, and that he could not make it stop. That it seemed to go on forever, and that his only choice was … Read more
Two heartbreaking weeks went by for a family in Lake Los Angeles, California, until they heard a word about their missing dog. The Norris family was shocked to learn their beloved three-year-old Pug Ted was listed for sale on CraigsList. “It’s my dog, it’s my family. My kids want their dog back. My sons ask every day, ‘when’s he coming back?’ It just breaks my heart that I don’t know when he is coming home,” Samantha Norris told KTLA. Up … Read more
Rescuing a dog from an animal shelter is a life changing experience. From the moment you find each other, there is a tidal wave of emotions including a bit of apprehension about what’s to come. Opening your home and heart to a being who may have had a rough start sometimes leads to a shaky beginning for your new life together. As you get to know one another, though, you fill each other up in equal measure with love. Both … Read more
Does your senior dog seem confused or restless in the evening? Maybe she paces the floor or clings to your side as night approaches? These symptoms may be signs of sundowners syndrome. The condition was first seen in patients with dementia when caregivers noticed worsening confusion and irritability after sunset. While there is no cure, you can help your dog cope with the symptoms of sundowning. What Is Sundowners Syndrome In Dogs? More than 50% of dogs over the age … Read more
Charges of animal cruelty and official mismanagement have been filed against two men for violations against state laws governing euthanasia at animal shelters in New Jersey. A total of 236 cats and 93 dogs were killed at Hamilton Township Animal Shelter prior to the required 7-day holding period. What the State Law Requires The laws regarding animal adoption and euthanasia in New Jersey are very clear. You don’t need a law degree to interpret the very simple and straight forward … Read more
What On Earth is ALAPA? We have a saying here at iHeartDogs. We created it because we started hearing the same thing over and over again when it came to our canine joint supplement product. It goes something like this. A customer with an older dog tries our Advanced Hip & Joint chews. They usually have tried a product before, but they either didn’t see results, or their dog refused to eat it. They try our formula, and the first … Read more
There’s nothing worse than watching a dog you’ve loved their entire life begin to suffer from joint pain. As pet parents, we want to do all we can to relieve the aches and pains of our senior pups. That’s why we were so inspired when Malcolm sent us this story of his almost 11 year old golden retriever: “I have a 10 1/2 year old Golden Retriever who hikes 4-5 miles with us every day. He chases our 20-month old … Read more
Khan, a brave senior pup from Turkey, endured a living nightmare after being beaten and left for dead near a stream by a group of disgusting individuals. After torturing the pup and throwing him next to a pile of trash, Khan desperately attempted to flee…but he was paralyzed. Yes, those sick individuals paralyzed this innocent boy. Khan, the brave pup who was rescued after being dumped, beaten, and left for dead. (Screenshot, YouTube/Viktor Larkhill) Khan’s Second Chance at Life When help … Read more
In 2017, Evanger’s Pet Food issued a voluntary recall on some of their canned diets after testing revealed they were contaminated with pentobarbital, an animal anesthetic and euthanasia drug. The findings came after five dogs fell ill, and one passed away. In early 2018, several dog food brands owned by the J.M. Smucker Company were also found to be contaminated with pentobarbital. While pet lovers were horrified and outraged, the Food & Drug Administration – whose job it is to ensure the … Read more
R&B musician Randy Etter knew something was wrong with his dog, Gemini, when the pup began vomiting. Also concerning was the rapid weight loss—from 95 to 70lbs—Gemini had experienced over a very short period of time. The culprit? An intestinal blockage caused by swallowing a plastic bottle top three weeks earlier while playing. The verdict? Dire. Gemini is going to die today if he doesn’t have surgery, the vet told Etter as they sat in the exam room. The price? … Read more
What’s important to you when you’re looking to adopt a pet? Some of us want a pal who is going to keep up on our runs around the neighborhood. Others want a companion who will snuggle up on the couch with snacks while we binge watch our favorite series. We choose our dogs based on who barks and who doesn’t. Who sheds and sheds less. But there are those out there who have other priorities. It’s said that we should … Read more
You don’t have to give birth to be a mom. Some people adopt. Others foster. Some even open their homes to the children of friends or family when tragedy strikes. And then there are those special ladies who devote all their motherly love to their canine fur kids. They are finally getting the recognition they deserve with the introduction of National Dog Mom’s Day! Saturday, May 11, 2019 marks the second annual celebration of this new holiday. It is set … Read more
Sweet Paws Rescue (SPR) in Essex, Massachusetts took in 28 Golden Retrievers liberated from “deplorable conditions”. Animal Control in Millis, MA have long been suspicious of the woman’s breeding practices, but an official investigation was not launched until February when the suspect brought a dead dog to a local emergency veterinary clinic. The breeder is facing four counts of felony animal cruelty in a separate case and “dozens of pending felony cruelty charges in this open and ongoing case,” according to … Read more
From the ancient Romans to modern vacationers seeking relaxation in a quiet corner of rural Britain, the mist-wreathed cliffs of Cornwall have always possessed a certain allure. It seems difficult to imagine such a beautiful setting the scene of anything needlessly mean or abusive. But looks can be deceiving. On this day, near the coastal town of Falmouth, there is no mist. Only a clear view far out across the English Channel and a young man perched on a rocky … Read more
Toledo, United States.