Shelter Dog Meal Donation Count:
What do weird looking mats have to do with your senior dog? As your sweet pup ages, you may find that you both have a lot more time on your hands. Walkies get shorter and chew toys will tire out sensitive teeth faster. But we won’t let the good times end without a fight. Just because your dog is older, it doesn’t mean he has to settle for sitting around watching the grass grow all day. Your days together may … Read more
On October 1, the Miller family of Wilmington, NC received heartbreaking news. Their beloved 14-year-old Parson Russell Terrier, Jack has terminal cancer. But until his final day comes, the Millers have vowed to fill Jack’s days with fun and adventure. This weekend they checked a big item off his Bucket List with a ride in a police car – plus plenty of extras courtesy of the Wilmington PD! In addition to his exciting ride in Sergeant Lisa Kittrell’s police cruiser, … Read more
If you’ve ever had to throw away a dog bed that went flat too soon, you know how frustrating it can be. Dog beds vary greatly in quality, and many flatten out in only weeks, leaving your dog with thin, worn out padding and allowing their elbows and paws to rub on the hard ground. In addition, you’re out the money! This new stuffable dog bed solves this problem and then some. The design allows you to put old pillows … Read more
If you’ve ever had to throw away a dog bed that went flat too soon, you know how frustrating it can be. Dog beds vary greatly in quality, and many flatten out in only weeks, leaving your dog with thin, worn out padding and allowing their elbows and paws to rub on the hard ground. In addition, you’re out the money! This new stuffable dog bed solves this problem and then some. The design allows you to put old pillows … Read more
There are a wide variety of working roles available to dogs. From detecting drugs, bombs and bedbugs, to guiding the blind and sniffing out signs of illness, there are more jobs than there are qualified dogs to fill them. Although many dogs are specifically bred to perform these assistance roles, Science Daily reports only about 50% successfully complete their training. The rest go on to be loving family pets while people in need wait up to two years for qualified … Read more
Many people assume that fleas die off in the winter and it’s safe to stop your dog’s flea and tick preventative. But is it really safe to do that? Do you need to worry about fleas during cooler months? The surprising answer is that YES, you do still need to worry about them during cooler months, and it’s all about their life cycle. About the flea life cycle You may be surprised to learn that much of a flea’s life … Read more
A New Jersey Transit conductor is being hailed a hero after stopping train traffic and taking off in pursuit of a lost dog on the tracks. Howard Kempton says he was simply “in the right place at the right time,” but the dog’s family and thousands of social media users insist his actions were far more valiant. “This past weekend, NJ TRANSIT Conductor Howard Kempton halted train traffic to sprint after a lost dog on the tracks, then forfeited his … Read more
UPDATE: Save Them Dog Rescue & Training is taking Rex in! Thank you for helping spread the word. You can be a part of Rex’s happy ending – Austin Animal Shelter has a GoFundMe campaign to help pay for Rex’s transport, training, and care. iHeartDogs recently received an urgent plea from Kayla Murray with Austin Animal Shelter on behalf of Rex, a dog with only days left. If you, a friend, or a rescue can give Rex the time he … Read more
The small town Kennard, Indiana has welcomed the state’s first Pit Bull K9 onto it’s team! K9 Jasper is a handsome boy who had a rough start, but thanks to shelters who refused to give up on him, is now right where he belongs! Jasper was found as a stray by the Prince William County Animal Shelter, who believed that he had been hit by a car. Though he was smart and loyal, Jasper wasn’t easy to place. With his … Read more
The Vancouver Police Department loves their dogs! Every year, the VPD releases an annual VPD K9 calendar, and this year’s is something really amazing! With the help of 4 photographers the VPD was able to capture a side of their dogs that we don’t always get to see. The photos show that they’re more than just working dogs – they have a bond based on trust and friendship with their handlers, and they’re a real treasure to the city of … Read more
Saving a dog on the brink of starvation was all about teamwork for a group of rescuers in Dallas, Texas. Brady, an eight-month-old Mastiff, was found on the streets so weak he could barely lift his head. He needed help from staff at the Dallas Shelter, volunteers at DFW Rescue Me, veterinary professionals, and one very special pup. Without eight-year-old Rose, Brady wouldn’t have survived his first night off the streets. https://www.facebook.com/DFWRescueMe/photos/pcb.2334717549902184/2334710306569575/?type=3&theater As a rescue dog herself, Rose is no … Read more
Binx is a gorgeous mixed breed pooch with one blue eye and one brown eye. He loves to run, play, hike, and enjoy the Arizona outdoors. In addition to his good looks and adventurous spirit, he is potty trained, sits and shakes on command, and loves kids and other dogs. Despite his perfect resume, Binx was recently returned to the Arizona Animal Welfare League after just 48 hours with his new family. The reason? He is just TOO GOOD! Binx’s … Read more
A recent study published in the journal, Canine Genetics and Epidemiology, has worrying news for a third of the world’s lab lovers. Researchers at the University of Sydney found that chocolate labs have significantly shorter lifespans than their black and yellow brothers and sisters. Labrador Retrievers (of all coat colors) are the long-standing favorite breed in the United States and Australia. The researchers collected and analyzed electronic patient data from more than 33,000 black, yellow and chocolate labradors in the U.K. They … Read more
It’s been four long years since sweet Ginger was first introduced to Responsible Pet Care of Oxford Hills. The no-kill animal shelter in Paris, Maine was built from the ground up by a small group of people dedicated to improving the lives of lost, abandoned, and stray animals in their community. They see several heartbreaking cases a year, but they never turn down an animal in need. In 2014, Ginger came to them as a stray. She needed a good … Read more
The idyllic picture of dogs playing together at the park is something every pup parent wants. You can see the joy on your dog’s face as he makes new friends and stimulates his body and mind. That vision is shattered, however, at the first sign of rough play. Your dog growls, bites, tackles, and chases in a way other dogs don’t appreciate. Instead of making new friends, your dog tries to dominate his playmates. If his rough play hasn’t led … Read more
The idyllic picture of dogs playing together at the park is something every pup parent wants. You can see the joy on your dog’s face as he makes new friends and stimulates his body and mind. That vision is shattered, however, at the first sign of rough play. Your dog growls, bites, tackles, and chases in a way other dogs don’t appreciate. Instead of making new friends, your dog tries to dominate his playmates. If his rough play hasn’t led … Read more
Bringing home a dog—regardless of size—will always take planning and forethought. There are toys to buy, a house to dog-proof, and sorting through potential vets can be a job within itself. Your new family member will always require special attention and care, but there’s no denying the fact a 120-pound Newfoundland is not the same as a 12-pound Chihuahua. The more dog you have, the more there is to think about. Great Danes, Mastiffs, German Shepherds, Labrador Retrievers—if you can’t … Read more
This week, three Atlanta City Councilmembers introduced a bill to ban stores from selling animals from “puppy and kitten mills.” The legislation will move to the Public Safety Committee for consideration at the meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 23. Councilmember Amir Farokhi spearheaded the proposal, and it was co-sponsored by Councilmembers Carla Smith and Natalyn Archibong. Farokhi told First Coast News the ordinance is close to his heart. “Atlanta is a humane city and our policies toward animals should reflect that,” he said. “My … Read more
Czech photographer Jan Řeháček took a winding, bumpy road to find his passion – and coincidentally, it happened to be off the beaten path, with a dog by his side. Řeháček, known to his over 2 million Instagram followers as @Kopernikk, studied business and held a few jobs, but never settled into a career he loved. He worked in insurance sales, and then retail, but had little light in life. On top of his job woes, he also dealt with … Read more
Jalapeno is 5 months old and all Golden Retriever! He has a happy-go-lucky personality, a big smile, beautiful brown eyes and is smart as a whip – he has it all! But believe it or not, this lovable little guy has yet to find a forever home. Sweet little Jalapeno was born as a product of breeding, and as often happens with commercial breeding, he was born with a birth defect. A family bought him but quickly realized something was … Read more
Healthcare providers often recommend removing pets from the bedroom in order to improve a patient’s sleep quality. While dogs can certainly be disruptive bed hogs, a study conducted by the University of Alberta suggests their presence may be “overwhelmingly positive” for pet parents suffering with chronic pain. “When you ask people to remove an animal they are in the habit of co-sleeping with, it could have consequences the health-care provider hasn’t considered,” says Cary Brown of UA’s Faculty of Rehabilitation … Read more
It may not be our official motto, but we say it often enough that it could be: “Adopt, don’t shop.” It’s a great thing to do, but it might dampen your spirits if you have your heart set on a specific breed. Some might argue that any dog deserves love, and it’s true, but not every dog fits every lifestyle. There are several good reasons you may be determined to have a specific breed. If you’re a couch potato, you’re … Read more
6-year-old Ian Unger has Type I Diabetes and relies on an insulin pump and a 24-hour glucose monitor. More than anything, he wants to ride the schoolbus with his fellow kindergarteners. Recently his condition prompted the school district to insist he have a personal aide with him if he is to ride the bus. However, when the family requested an aide be provided, their plea was denied. “Their plan was to put him on an empty bus by himself and take … Read more
There are venomous snakes out there and your dog is a nosy character. Let’s face it, he might just borrow some trouble and bug a snake. If you suspect that your dog has been bitten by a snake, here are some important things NOT to do. #1. Never risk yourself. It is important to try to identify the snake, but not if it puts you in harm’s way. After all, who will take care of your dog if you are … Read more
Canon was a gorgeous 3-year-old Husky that loved to eat, chase cats, and snuggle. His owner, Christy Figlio of Nashville, Tennessee, says he was perfectly healthy until Saturday night when he stopped eating and began drinking excessively. By Sunday afternoon, Canon was vomiting and unable to walk. Figlio rushed him to the local vet. “He started vomiting the water, and so, that kind of was the red flag that made us decide to take him to the hospital,” the dog … Read more
Megan and Steve Long are dog lovers, but they had no idea their passion for pups would lead them to open one of the country’s first canine breweries. It all started when their Rottweiler mix, Rocky began having digestive issues. In order to ease his symptoms, Megan began experimenting with his diet and searching online for ideas. Soon she found herself brewing non-alcoholic “beer” to pour over Rocky’s food. One year and a good deal of experimentation later, Good Boy … Read more
What could be hotter than shirtless firefighters with dogs? Shirtless firefighters raising money for charity with dogs! The 2019 Australian Firefighters Dog Calendar is ready to grace your wall with 11 beefy firemen and their adorable, fuzzy, canine companions! Not only will you get 12 months of super cute canines and foxy firemen, but you’ll also be helping multiple charities that support cancer research and animals! 2019 marks the calendar’s 26th year in print, and it hasn’t lost it’s … Read more
Prince is a big boy with an even bigger bark. Like many Pit Bull-type dogs, Prince’s looks – and voice – can be deceiving. The handsome pooch currently resides at the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society in New York where he has been awaiting his forever home for six months. Each night, before he heads off to Dreamland, Prince climbs onto his bed and waits patiently while a staff member wraps him in a blanket, rubs his belly, and tucks a favorite … Read more
Pup parents know that our dogs love us deeply, even though they do not express it in the same manner as humans do. Recently, behavioral research saddened dog lovers when it showed that most dogs don’t like to be hugged. That’s not to say that our pups don’t enjoy receiving affection; they live for our love and approval! Try showing them your devotion in a language they can understand. 1. Gaze Deeply Into Their Eyes Dr, Brian Hare, Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience … 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. iHeartDogs readers have been helping support The Shelter Transport Animal Rescue Team (START) through the Second Chance Movement. START provides transport for at-risk pets in high-risk shelters, and finds them a safe place in a no-kill facility. Tuco was in a kennel at a San Bernardino, CA Shelter. He was found as a … Read more
Part of each sale through the iHeartDogs store is donated to Greater Good Charities, which helps support various charitable organizations. Thanks to customers like you, happy endings, like the one below, are made possible. Benton was born to a shy, malnourished mother. Like his mom, he ended up being quite shy as well, so House of Hope Rescue worked with him on his confidence. Benton was incredibly scrawny and ate like he was never going to get food again! It was important to work … Read more
We love our pups so much that it hurts to think we could be doing something that our dogs dislike. Or that makes them uncomfortable, sad, or scared. They love us so much in return that sometimes, they don’t make it obvious when we’re doing something they hate. Since they can’t tell us, we’ve compiled a list of 13 things that humans do that dogs don’t actually like. But lucky for us, our favorite fuzzballs always find a way to forgive us–because that’s just who they are. … 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. Puppy Rescue Mission is just one of the incredible organizations that benefits from the iHeartDogs Pets & Vets Program. The funding PRM receives through Pets & Vets helps bring animals that have become “battle buddies” with soldiers in conflict zones to the United States. Odin was a stray until he wandered into a U.S. … Read more
The International sportswear brand, Trespass specializes in camping gear, skiwear, fleece, and trail boots. Since no outdoor adventure is complete without a canine sidekick, they also offer a dog lifestyle brand, Trespaws. Earlier this month, Trespaws’ social media pages announced a global search for five pups to model their line of collars, leashes, coats, equipment and accessories. “Attention all pups, great, small, far and wide!” the post reads. “Trespaws is looking for 5 new dog accounts to become our newest … Read more
Your dog’s slobbery kisses aren’t the same without that cold, wet nose pressing up against your face. And if your senior dog’s nose is dry or cracked, you have more than the quality of their kisses to be concerned about. As one of a dog’s most important features, the health of their nose is always important. A dry nose is irritating and in the worst cases, it’s even painful. It’s sometimes a symptom of serious illness, but most of the … Read more
Dental health is one of the most neglected issues in dogs. Yet, neglected teeth can quickly lead to canine dental disease other serious–and often fatal–diseases. Dr. Kathryn Primm, owner of Apple Brook Animal Hospital, and Dr. Denise Petryk, Director of Veterinary Services at Trupanion, shared with us some of the illnesses that can result from poor dental hygiene. #1 – Heart Valve Infections Dr. Primm: “Mouth bacteria can travel and settle on the heart valves. Bacterial endocarditis (infection of the interior … Read more
You’ve probably seen these questionable headlines flying around lately saying that our dogs aren’t as smart as we think they are. These lame, lame headlines. To be fair, the articles aren’t calling our dogs dumb, they’re just saying that our dogs aren’t exceptional. But even saying that much seems like an insult to our dogs, doesn’t it? Because we know our dogs are incredibly smart. Like this dog that can spell her name. Or all the service dogs that are … Read more
Part of each sale through the iHeartDogs store is donated to Greater Good Charities, which help support various charitable programs. Thanks to customers like you, happy endings, like the one below, are made possible. Did you know that as many as 20% of returning veterans suffer from PTSD? One of those brave soldiers is a US Army PFC Veteran named Wally who served in Saudi Arabia and Iraq. Wally was a Paratrooper (Airborne) and Telecommunications Center Operator whose job was to decrypt top-secret … Read more
In 2014 we decided we needed to take action. Looking at the landscape – shelters were over crowded, under funded and making major pleas for help. Amazing animals were being euthanized just to save space. It was horrible. We knew we couldn’t make a difference alone and that we would need a group of Heroes to step up with us. A group of courageous, generous souls who would help us change the world for animals in need. In 2014 we … Read more
We’ve seen how love can transform a dog, but this dog has changed both inside and out thanks to one shelter volunteer. Clefford’s story starts on the streets. According to TheDodo, Clefford’s original family was homeless and unable to care for his medical needs. His cleft palate caused him pain when he ate regular kibble, and though surgery could repair the issue, his family was unable to afford it. They made a tough decision and surrendered Clefford to the care … Read more
Taking in a senior pooch like Shell is not uncommon for the folks at Stray Rescue of St. Louis, but nothing could have prepared them for the heartwrenching note that came with her. “Dear Stray Rescue,” it begins. “I am writing you cause I need you to take my dog, Shell…I’ve been fighting cancer for a few months and if you’re reading this I lost my battle.” The letter goes on to explain that Shell was adopted from Stray Rescue … Read more
Herman is an 11-year-old Rat Terrier. When his elderly owner, Mary was hospitalized with respiratory failure, State Line Animal Hospital in Leawood, Kansas took him in. Sadly, Mary’s condition proved to be terminal. But before she passed away, her physician, Dr. Ryan Sears promised to grant her final wish – to see her beloved Herman one last time. “The instant that she saw him, she was wanting to pet on him, and you could see the change in her face that she … Read more
Jennifer Ward is the owner and operator of RiverPaws Pet Spa in historic downtown Conway, SC. The beautiful, riverside city is one of many in the Carolinas devastated by Hurricane Florence. In order to lighten the load on local pet parents, Ward and her team are offering free grooming services for dogs displaced from their homes. The kindhearted business owner created a Facebook Fundraiser to help defray costs. At the time of this publishing, the fundraiser has collected $200 of … Read more
If “must love dogs” is a rule you apply to your romantic life, you may want to check out Dig, the dating app designed for dog people. According to sisters and co-founders, Leigh and Casey Isaacson, 55% of single adults in the U.S. are pet owners. Dig provides a safe, innovative way for those singles to meet and get to know one another. “Dig is a dating app for people who love dogs and have dogs,” Leigh said in an interview … Read more
Dogs let us know in different ways that they need more attention. You might get a nudge, or a whine. Some dogs who aren’t familiar with the concept of “personal space” might just jump right into your lap. Other clever pooches will even go so far as to fake an illness to get you to pay attention. Are you giving your dog your enough attention? He doesn’t really need it 24/7, even if he acts like it, but veterinarians suggest … Read more
If you are a longtime follower of iHeartDogs, you’ve probably read about the amazing Chi Chi once or twice. She was rescued outside a South Korean meat market with severe injuries and infections to all four paws. In order to save her life, she underwent a radical quadruple amputation. Despite her ordeal, Chi Chi never lost hope. Once healed, she was brought to the United States and adopted by the Howell family of Phoenix, Arizona. With their love and support, … Read more
California Governor Jerry Brown signed a bill Thursday that will give pets more status in divorce cases starting next year. The law previously required judges to consider pets property, which had to be distributed equally between divorcing couples who couldn’t come to an agreement. This meant that multiple pets might be split between two homes, never to see each other again. Or that two people with history might be forced to meet periodically to pass a single pet between them. … 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. Lindale, Texas, is a small, East Texas town that you may not have heard of, but soon will after local country superstar Miranda Lambert and her MuttNation Foundation teamed up with Rescue Rebuild to build one of the most awe-inspiring dog parks and adoption centers to date. Lindale has a unique problem. They … Read more
In cooler weather, wearing cozy clothing is just the best. Even better is when on top of feeling warm and comfy, you feel super cute in what you’ve got on! The following tops are exactly that – cute and comfy. But, if you’re new to iHeartDogs (welcome!) this may blow your mind… each of these tops also helps shelter dogs get adopted. “How?” you might be asking. Each piece of iHeartDogs apparel provides a special donation that helps dogs! For … Read more
Head pressing in dogs is a worrying symptom that may indicate your pup is suffering from a serious medical condition. Dogs that head press typically stand or sit with their head hung low facing a wall, corner, or piece of furniture. In most cases they forcefully push the top of their head against the hard surface, but some may just stand very close. If your dog appears to be head pressing, see your veterinarian right away! In the following video, Dr. … Read more
With Halloween right around the corner, it’s about time to make a big decision for your pet – what costume is he going to wear this year? The choices are endless and pet supply stores are stocked to the gills with cute hot dog, shark, and bumblebee costumes. And while your dog may look so adorable as a wookie or pumpkin, there’s only one outfit out there that’s going to keep him safe while you’re out trick-or-treating. You probably don’t … Read more
Toledo, United States.