Shelter Dog Meal Donation Count:
When you have to leave home and your dog, or if your dog is lost for an extended period of time, you may be worried that he isn’t going to remember you when you’re together again. After missing your dog like crazy and counting the days until you can see him, it’d be a huge downer if he didn’t even recognize you. Gizmodo recently asked several experts in animal behavior and cognition: Do Dogs Forget Their People? Each expert took … Read more
Kardi, an 8-year-old French Bulldog, was rescued from a puppy mill six years ago. Sadly, she suffers from Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD), a condition that causes the cushioning pads between the bones of the spine to deteriorate. When she was just four, Kardi became paralyzed in her hind end. But the fun-loving Frenchie refuses to let her disability get her down! View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kartin’ Kardi (@kartinkardi) on Mar 24, 2017 at 5:29am … Read more
When a Cocker Spaniel named Kimchi was found abandoned and afraid on a lonely street in the Philippines, he was already mostly blind. It was 2012, and no one knew what the ailing dog’s life had been like before rescuers took him in. What they did know, however, was that Kimchi deserved better. Compassion and Responsibility for Animals (CARA) was determined to change his life. All they needed was the perfect family to take him home. https://www.facebook.com/GingerAndKimchi/photos/a.554187464788870/827988300742117/?type=3&theater With his sweet … Read more
If you’re like me, you’re always looking for healthy ways to both entertain and delight your dog. My husky Splash has always been a bit picky when it comes to chews and treats. Most of them, she won’t touch. I’d heard about Himalayan chews but hadn’t tried them until about 9 months ago. The second I pulled it out of the bag, her blue eyes lit up. She was hooked. She barely put it down for 5 days! Here’s a video … Read more
3-year-old Dallas is one of 31 Pit Bull-type dogs rescued from a Canadian dog fighting ring. According to the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, they were discovered chained to metal stakes with evidence of fighting – including schedules, muzzles, break sticks, steroids and suture kits – found on the property. But after a lengthy legal battle, Dallas has left that life far behind. He will graduate from a six week training program next month and begin … Read more
Looking for the perfect gift for someone you care about who adores dogs? These 10 gifts are made for dog lovers and actually help dogs. The following products are not only made for dog lovers, they help dog lovers help shelter pups! Each item has a unique donation value that helps shelter dogs in some way. So your gift is more than just a thoughtful present – it has a positive impact on dogs’ lives. The gift recipient is going … Read more
UPDATE: The county has dropped the charges against Tammie Hedges. District Attorney Matthew Delbridge released the following statement – which confirms that the charges are dropped, but definitely does not apologize for the trouble the county caused Mrs. Hedges: “The protection of animals and their well-being has always been an important concern, especially during times of natural disaster. A passion for and the love of animals is laudable but does not excuse unnecessarily putting their health at risk when other, … Read more
When Olympic skier Gus Kenworthy and his boyfriend Matt Wilkas toured a dog meat farm in South Korea, they fell in love with a furry bundle of joy they named Beemo. The puppy’s two dads started documenting her life to raise awareness about the serious issues surrounding both the dog meat trade and animal welfare in general. With her fluffy face and sassy personality, the little rescue pup soon stole the hearts of thousands. Beemo went from a scared puppy … Read more
Your fur baby is used to being the center of attention, but that’s all going to change once he meets the family’s newest bundle of joy. His unique personality will play a big role in how he reacts to having a human sibling, and now’s the time to start thinking about their introduction. Some dogs are nervous and afraid of tiny humans, and others are overly excited about meeting a new friend. Either way, how you introduce a dog to … Read more
Nothing beats homemade treats, whether you’re talking about human treats or dog treats. You know exactly what ingredients are being used, you can customize recipes, and you add the one ingredient you won’t find baked into a store bought treat – love. We’ve scoured the internet and found the best homemade dog treat recipes you can use to spoil your pup. #1 – Glazed Pumpkin and Peanut Butter Biscuits Your pup will drool over these glazed biscuits and you’ll be … Read more
After weeks of recovering from third-degree burns, a furry survivor named Ruby is ready for her second chance at life. She miraculously survived a devastating fire, and Palm Harbor Fire Rescue in Florida knew right away she was something special. She was a tiny puppy with a strong will to live, and now she’s going to live out her days as a town’s official fire dog. https://www.facebook.com/101973559901863/photos/pcb.1760545140711355/1760545120711357/?type=3&theater When Ruby was only a few months old, a fire broke out in … Read more
51-year-old Tony Alsup hopes to open his own animal shelter one day. Until that dream becomes a reality, he is doing everything in his power to help dogs and cats affected by natural disasters. It started when he learned about the overcrowding in Texas shelters after Hurricane Harvey. The truck driver from Greenback, Tennessee knew he had to help, but he could not transport animals in a semi-trailer. “I thought, well what can I do?” Alsup told the Washington Post. … Read more
Seasonal Canine Illness (SCI) becomes a threat to UK pets between August and November of each year.Veterinarians are urging owners to keep an eye out for symptoms after seeing a few cases reported this year. First reports of the disease date back to 2009, and so far very little is known about it. Dogs affected by Seasonal Canine Illness will begin vomiting, usually 72 hours after a walk through a woodland area. It’s often accompanied by diarrhea and lethargy. Symptoms … Read more
Six months into his deployment to Afghanistan, Spc. Alec Alcoser grabbed his dog’s leash and left the barracks. It was a mission day, and Alcoser and his partner, a German Shepherd named Alex, were reporting to duty. They’d been working together for months and already had a close bond. They slept in the same bed, enjoyed their free time together, and always had each other’s backs. On that day their friendship was put to the ultimate test. Rounding a street … Read more
Dog versus mail carrier is a battle for the ages. It’s characterized by barks and snarls ending in ripped pants and even hospital visits. Cartoons joke about it and people laugh about it, but it’s a serious problem plaguing neighborhoods and postal workers. According to the United States Postal Service, there were over 6,200 dog attacks involving U.S. postal workers in 2017. That number is on its way down from 2016, but all of those attacks could have been prevented. … Read more
On the morning of June 2, Pastor Jon Cavnar was in a head-on collision on his way to work. His injuries were extensive, landing the once-active father in a wheelchair. Like many survivors, Cavnar began to suffer from depression. Doctors were unsure whether or not they could save his leg and he found himself facing an uncertain future. That’s when his wife, Alexis suggested bringing a dog into the family. Enter Tankerbelle – a very special rescue pooch from the … Read more
4-year-old rescue dog, Bacon earned himself the nickname “Old Man Bacon” due to his temperamental attitutude and crabby nature. The unique-looking pooch’s story began on the streets of Tampa, Florida where he was picked up by animal control. Bacon was adopted out and returned twice with the owners citing behavioral issues. Eventually he found himself on the euthanasia list. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Bacon (@thebaconator) on Sep 4, 2018 at 10:24am PDT Luckily, local rescue … Read more
A North Carolina pastor and two of his parishioners set out Friday afternoon to help victims of Hurricane Florence. Although they initially intended to locate humans stranded by floodwaters, they ended up finding cats and dogs in need. In a now-viral video, the trio of rescuers are seen saving two stranded dogs and a pair of water-logged kittens. Matthew Drake is the pastor at Richlands United Pentecostal Church in Jacksonville, NC – an area devastated by this week’s storm. Drake … 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. City of Temple Animal Shelter had been looking for new ways to beautify their shelter and make it more inviting to prospective adopters. Studies have shown that the brighter and more relaxing a shelter is, the better adoption rate they will have, which is the ultimate goal. Rescue Rebuild made their way to … 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. “My husband and I have tried to help animals in need since 1998. At times it becomes a little overwhelming how many need help; let alone how expensive it is to get them the help and food that they need. “On December 19, 2014, we received word about a Great … Read more
Parker may only have a few months to live, but his friends, family, and even complete strangers are making sure those few months are the best he’s ever had. Helping Hand For Animals and S&B Kountry Kennel in Iowa are working together to bring this rescue dog the love and happiness he desperately deserves. His life hasn’t always been easy, but he’s happier than ever as he works his way through a bucket list made especially for him. https://www.facebook.com/1642315379362493/photos/a.1642334329360598/2155187604741932/?type=3&theater At … Read more
Reporter, Julie Wilson was recording a Facebook Live video in the hurricane-ravaged town of New Bern, North Carolina on Friday when she found herself caught up in the rescue effort. As Wilson waded through knee-deep water, she came across a woman named Tasha who said her daughter’s injured therapy dog was still inside her flooding house. TO THE RESCUE: ABC station reporter interrupts live stream to rescue dog chest deep in the flooded streets of New Bern, North Carolina. After … Read more
When faced with something as devastating and dangerous as a hurricane, people will come together in amazing ways to help each other through it. And pets are definitely not excluded. On the East Coast, people in areas affected by Hurricane Florence have come through for their shelters in a big way. Saving Grace NC had already taken in several dogs from coastal-area shelters that needed to be evacuated. But they didn’t want their pets to ride out the storm huddled … Read more
Service dogs are becoming a more common sight, which is great news for both dogs and the people who need them! More people with disabilites are finding friends to help make everyday tasks easier. And many dogs thrive when given a job to do. It’s a win-win! Do you know what to do when you see a service dog? Most of us know not to pet a service dog no matter how irrisistible he may be, but there’s other things … Read more
While countries including China, South Korea, and Thailand are notorious for slaughtering dogs and cats for the purpose of consumption, most Americans are surprised to learn the issue also hits close to home. There is evidence of an underground market for the sale and purchase of dog and cat meat in the U.S., and until recently, 44 states allowed individuals to kill pets and sell the meat as food. Thanks to a rare bipartisan cooperation, that practice is on its … Read more
Has your pup ever been frustrated by boredom on a rainy day? Or maybe you didn’t quite have enough time for a long walk, and they need to burn some energy? If so, the concept of canine nose work is something you and your pup will love. What Is Nose Work? The term “nose work” was created to define the professional canine scent detection training activity translated to pet dogs. It’s an easy-to-learn, fun activity to engage in with your … Read more
Bonnie Moriarty recently had the shock of her life when she thought she heard her pets fighting in the middle of the night. She woke up ready to break up a fight between her cat and dog but came face-to-face with a coyote! Her cat, spooked by the creature, came running into her bedroom with a large shadow following it. At first, Bonnie thought it was her dog, but quickly realized what it was! She believes the coyote was lured … Read more
Part of each sale through the iHeartDogs store is donated to Greater Good Charities, which helps support various charities. Thanks to customers like you, happy endings, like the one below, are made possible. US Army Veteran Freedom served as a combat medic, and was diagnosed with severe PTSD as the result of service-related events. Freedom received a service dog through Patriot PAWS. Because of her severe disabilities, she believed that her dream of attending medical school and becoming a doctor would never come to pass. … Read more
Therapy dogs can perform a number of jobs – some visit the sick in hospitals, or the elderly in homes. Others sit quietly while being read to by children. But they all have something in common – they brighten the day of everyone they meet! We know any dog can put a smile on a human face, but therapy work requires more of a dog than to just be a dog. Therapy dogs must be able to be calm, affectionate, … Read more
The bustling streets, glistening lights, being able to get your favorite take-out at two in the morning—there’s something about the city that has your heart. There’s a lot to love, but tiny apartments pose specific challenges for pup parents. Finding a place that accepts pets is your first hurdle, and then there’s everything that comes with having a dog in a small space. You need to think about how your dog is going to exercise, where they’ll go to the … Read more
Therapy dogs can perform a number of jobs – some visit the sick in hospitals, or the elderly in homes. Others sit quietly while being read to by children. But they all have something in common – they brighten the day of everyone they meet! We know any dog can put a smile on a human face, but therapy work requires more of a dog than to just be a dog. Therapy dogs must be able to be calm, affectionate, … Read more
If you’ve been on Instagram recently, you’ve probably seen adorable photos of dogs (and other animals) participating in the “snoot challenge.” The snoot challenge involves a dog poking their nose into a shape created by their human’s fingers. 12,000 dogs have participated in the challenge on Instagram. More than just cute, the snoot challenge may benefit dogs that are trained to do it. View this post on Instagram I’m so goood at sticking ma nose in👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻 already #thesnootchallenge #snootchallenge … Read more
There’s always a measure of creativity that goes into caring for a dog, and 21-year-old Kelsey Johnstone needed to call on that creativity sooner than expected. Kelsey’s mom wasn’t exactly on board with the idea of adopting another dog. The family already had a beloved dog named Oliver, but Kelsey was determined to get Oliver a new furry sibling. All she needed was mom’s permission. When a sign outside an animal shelter gave her the perfect idea, she couldn’t pass … Read more
The town of Idyllwild, California is nestled within the San Jacinto Mountains. There are hiking trails, quaint neighborhood streets, and best of all, a dog serving as mayor. The residents are full of town pride, and the tight-knit community elected Maximus Mighty-Dog Mueller II in a landslide election in 2014. Mayor Max has been faithfully serving his town ever since, and the people of Idyllwild wouldn’t have it any other way. https://www.facebook.com/mayor.max.3/photos/a.863700170346395/1650727294977008/?type=3&theater The story of how a town elected a … Read more
Helping your pet cross the Rainbow Bridge is an excruciating experience that many people cannot even bear to think about until the moment arrives. Although it hurts, planning ahead can help alleviate some of the stress and allow you to make an informed decision when your head is clear. One important option to consider is whether you would like to schedule a home euthanasia. Some veterinarians offer house calls for their patients, but appointments can be hard to come by due to … Read more
September 11, 2001 brought the world some of the most tragic scenes in recent history. Many families were broken, and many heroes stepped forward, willing to lay down their lives to search for survivors. One of those heroes was George Howard, a Port Authority police officer who was off-duty when the World Trade Center North Tower was attacked. He immediately leaped into action as a volunteer firefighter – one of the first to arrive on the scene that day to … Read more
You know the difference between someone trying to give you a hug versus a chokehold, but your overprotective dog isn’t willing to take the risk. When your friends come to visit, they can’t get close without your dog growling and barking. Your dog might even decide to bite. Being overprotective isn’t a behavioral trait to take lightly, and it’s time to do something about it. RELATED: The Best Online Dog Training Courses How Dogs Become Overprotective For most dogs, the … Read more
Did you know that your dog’s water bowl could make him sick? There are actually several different ways you could be putting your dog’s health at risk with his water bowl. From the material the bowl is made from to how often you wash it, there are a lot of different ways your dog’s water bowl can affect his health. Here’s how. Infrequent washing If you’re like most dog owners, you just rinse and refill your dog’s water bowl once … Read more
You would think that a dog’s favorite person would be whoever gives them the most food and attention, right? While that is often the case, it’s not always that simple. Maybe you have a friend or family member that your dog loves so much they would knock you over to get to them. Why is that? It turns out that there are several factors that can influence your dog’s decision about who their favorite person is. Here are a few … Read more
Need a reason to justify that next cup of coffee? Look no further. A new line of coffee called “Drink Coffee. Feed Dogs.” makes a striking promise: Every single cup you drink provides a meal for shelter dog. Teaming up with charity partners GreaterGood.org and RescueBank, iHeartDogs donates a full 25 meals to animal shelters with each bag sold, corresponding to one meal per cup of coffee (it’s a 12 oz. bag of beans). And if you think this is … Read more
Lover Boy and Colonel Snazzypants have been at LifeLine Animal Project‘s Dekalb County Shelter for 442 and 381 days respectively. Last year, during a stressful move to a new facility, staff members noticed the two dogs’ physical similarities and decided to see if they would make good roommates. The boys became fast friends and have been inseparable ever since! “These two were paired together because Lover Boy was one of the few remaining dogs after we held an event to … Read more
Depending on where you live, it can be difficult to find rental housing that accepts dogs. To solve this problem, Danish entrepreneur Niels Martin Viuff, decided to create apartments for pup-lovers only! The 18-unit complex is set to be built in the Frederikssund Municipality on the island of Zealand in eastern Denmark. Viuff came up with the idea for the dog-friendly apartments after learning of the need from local residents. “There is demand from some dog owners who are tired of there … Read more
They say imitation is the greatest form of flattery – but no one said we had to keep it between humans! Photographer Gerrard Gethings has recently released photos from a series comparing the appearance of owners with their dogs. It doesn’t surprise us too much that these people love their pets so much that they’ve adopted a little of their style – seems like a fantastic idea to us! Gerrard Gethings grew up in rural Lancashire. Living near the … Read more
Pinto recently lost his family, ended up in a kill shelter, and was diagnosed with two different kinds of cancer. He also has a grapefruit-size mass protruding from his head. Despite these challenges, Pinto is one lucky pooch. Why, you ask? Because he has been rescued by the Mr. Mo Project, an incredible organization based in Clifton Park, New York. MMP founders, Chris and Mariesa Hughes vowed to provide Pinto with the very best veterinary care, no matter the cost. … Read more
Residents along the Florida coast have been dealing with some pretty awful algae this year. The problem has become especially bad near the St. Lucie river, where people say the dying algae “smells like death” and is causing respiratory issues, itchy eyes, runny noses, and nausea. The blue-green algae is so much of a nuisance that it has caused the closure of beaches and even local businesses. But humans aren’t the only ones who can be negatively affected by blue-green … Read more
No one likes an upset tummy, and that includes your dog! While our four-legged friends can’t tell us if they have a belly ache, pet parents know when something isn’t right. Whether your pup vomits, has a bout of diarrhea, or just seems under the weather, loving pet parents will do just about anything to help. While you should consult with your vet if there are any noticeable changes in your dog’s health or habits (especially if they’re prolonged), sometimes … Read more
There are several good reasons to know how many calories your dog needs each day. You don’t want to overfeed your dog – obesity can lead to several health problems for your pet. And you definitely don’t want to underfeed him, because that can cause issues for him too and leave him suffering from both hunger and a lack of energy. But finding the right number can be tricky, and it’s not as easy as that little chart on the back … Read more
There’s only one “f” word that strikes fear into the hearts of all dog people: FLEAS. These blood-feasting insects are so tiny you can barely see them, but they wreak havoc on your home. If your dog has fleas, the bugs won’t stay on their unwilling host for long. It always starts with one, but soon enough, there are fleas in your carpet, couch, blankets, and even your bed. A flea infestation takes over your entire house, and your dog … Read more
Nephroliths – or kidney stones – are hard clusters that develop inside the kidneys or urinary tract. While bladder stones are more common than kidney stones in dogs, both are formed when an accumlation of salts or minerals naturally found in the urine form into clumps. Kidney stones can range from a mild inconvenience to a medical emergency. Some dogs may not show any symptoms at all. Why do some dogs develop kidney stones? Kidney stones in dogs develop when … 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
Some photos below are graphic. Scroll to the bottom to see what Gus looks like now! When animal activist Rob Acuna and some friends saw a photo of a stray dog with a severely swollen head on Facebook, they knew they had to find him and help him. For over a year the dog had wandered in the area near a Southeast Houston apartment complex and had suffered unimaginable cruelty. They searched the area where he had been spotted for … Read more
Toledo, United States.