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Mourners Find Comfort In Funeral Home Therapy Dog

The death of a loved one is a heartbreaking event in itself, and even attending a funeral can be stressful. Of course, the people who run funeral homes know that their guests are grieving, and more and more funeral homes are turning to dogs to help people get through a very difficult time. Of all the important jobs dogs have, working as a comfort dog in a funeral home might be what comes most naturally. They provide emotional support for … Read more

Study Shows That Dogs Will Remember If You’re Generous To Them

A new study published in the journal PLOS One proves that adult dogs remember who is generous versus selfish, and they prefer generous people. The most interesting part of the study actually showed that puppies have no preference, indicating that dogs must learn over time how to determine these things, that it’s not an innate skill. The study concluded that “adult subjects (both family and shelter dogs) developed a preference for G [generous] over S [selfish].” The study used a mix of … Read more

13 Fun Facts About Your Dog’s Paws!

You see them every day, and perhaps haven’t given them much thought–but what’s up with your dog’s paws? For starters, there are all sorts of different types: big and small, webbed, wide, and dainty, and there’s reasons behind why certain traits belong to certain breeds. Here’s a baker’s dozen of fun facts about your dog’s furry feet, ranging from why they don’t need shoes (usually) to the source of that corn chip smell. High-fours to learning! 1. The pads of your dog’s … Read more

Why Losing A Dog Can Be Even More Painful Than The Death Of A Loved One

Has a friend ever confided in you that the loss of their dog caused more grief than the death of a close relative? Have you ever felt this way yourself? Society has conditioned us to feel ashamed of such emotions, but research suggests we are more than justified when we deeply mourn the loss of a furry friend. When our first family dog, Spike passed away, my father suffered terribly. He would come home from work and just sit in … Read more

The 10 Most Common Breeds Found In Shelters

Did you know 25% of shelter dogs are purebred? Why are some breeds more likely to be in shelters, and how can it be prevented? Let’s look at the 10 breeds most common in shelters and reasons they end up there. #1 – American Pit Bull Terrier With more breed specific legislation popping up, “pit bulls” are the most common breed found in shelters. Even where they’re legal, many apartments forbid them. Dangerous in the hands of bad people, they … Read more

New Allegations Shed Light On Famous Dog Race As Form Of Abuse

A week ago, officials from the Iditarod Dog Sled Race announced that 4 dogs from one musher’s team tested positive for a banned substance. The substance used was tramadol, an opioid pain reliever that could help dogs run through the pain and push themselves harder and farther than they should. While they initially refused to release the name of the musher on the grounds that they couldn’t prove he had intentionally doped his dogs, yesterday they announced that 4-time winner Dallas … Read more

Quadruple Amputee Pup Survives Meat Trade And Becomes A Therapy Dog

When a dog walks into a room, the whole room lights up. The same happens when Chi Chi enters a room – only, she does it on her four prosthetics. Chi Chi’s story starts in South Korea: she was born into the dog meat trade, raised from a puppy to someday be sold for food. Before turning 3 years old, she was abused so badly that her legs became infected and she was considered unfit to sell. She was found … Read more

Rescue Pup Is Adopted In Record Time Thanks To His Adorably Toothy Grin

Cheech the rescue pup is the hottest commodity to come out of Texas since Dr. Pepper! The adorable pooch was brought into the City of Waller Animal Shelter and Rescue on Friday and his heart-melting dog smile was shared via Facebook. The new shelter is not yet open to the public, but nevertheless, inquiries and adoption applications poured in for Cheech. By Monday, he was off to his forever home! At first, volunteers mistook Cheech’s display of pearly whites for … Read more

Senior Rescue Dogs Dress As “Harry Potter” Characters For Halloween

The pups at the Vintage Pet Rescue in Rhode Island live a good life. All enjoying their Golden Years, each of the senior residents were pulled from shelters and welcomed into the loving home of Kristen and Marc Peralta to enjoy their retirement. (You may remember Nougat and Clarence, two members of the pack who became best friends!) This Halloween, things are going to get festive for the Peralta pets. The dozen dogs who live there will be donning their “Dogwarts” … Read more

What Is High Blood Sugar In Dogs?

Your dog’s blood glucose level could change for several reasons – diet, stress, medications, etc. Moderately elevated blood glucose can be indicative of an infection, hormonal imbalances, or inflammatory conditions. Persistent high glucose levels can mean Diabetes Mellitus. The normal blood glucose level for a healthy dog falls between 75 mg to 120 mg. Anything above that is considered hyperglycemia. It could be temporary, stress-induced, or a sign of a serious underlying disease like diabetes. It’s more common in female … Read more

Dog-O’-Lanterns Are All The Rage This Halloween – Here Are 20 Of Our Favorites

According to a 2015 survey conducted by Rover.com, 95% of dog owners purchase Christmas gifts for their pets, so it is no surprise that our puppy love has spread to other holidays. This Halloween, a fun new trend is taking the world by storm – Dog-O’-Lanterns! Rather than carving spooky faces or haunted houses on their pumpkins, dog lovers are paying homage to the cuddly cuties in their lives. A post shared by Rebecca Pivarnick (@beccapiii) on Oct 8, 2017 … Read more

Puppy Is On The Mend After Losing Her Leg In Near-Fatal Alligator Attack

There is nothing like the resilience of a happy-go-lucky puppy. Seven-month-old Chloe lives in Florida, and the yard of her home faces a wildlife sanctuary. Due to elevated waters following Hurricane Irma, the swamp rose, pushing the alligators that live there further onto land. The young mutt was in her yard when her human, Jo Ellen Kleinhenz, heard “this terrible yelping noise, just this awful, awful sound,” she described in a story by Florida Today. Kleinhenz ran outside to find Chloe … Read more

Update: Obese Rescue Dog Who Shed 25 Pounds Has Her Forever Home

7-year-old Strudel was severely obese when the Virginia Beach rescue group Hearts for Hounds pulled her from a local shelter. Once the pet of an elderly owner, she found herself homeless and hopeless when that person passed away. On top of her poor diet and lack of activity, Strudel was diagnosed with a thyroid problem and joint inflammation. She needed some serious help if she was to regain her health. Hearts for Hounds posted the pitiful pup to Facebook in hopes … Read more

Your Dog And Separation Anxiety: What You Can Do To Help

Most dogs don’t like being left home alone, but sometimes they make leaving the house unbearable for their humans – but what’s even worse is knowing that they’re suffering. Luckily, there are things we can do to help. We at iHeartDogs asked Dr. Michel Selmer, DVM, CTCVMP, about some ways to help out pups with separation anxiety. Also known as “The Caring Vet,” Dr. Selmer is a Certified Veterinary Food Therapist (CVFT) who uses principles from Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM) … Read more

What Do Eye Injuries In Dogs Look Like?

Eye injuries can range from mild to severe, and need a vet’s attention the moment you notice your dog showing symptoms to determine the cause and severity, as they can lead to permanent scarring or blindness if ulcerative lesions develop. Even if you can see what might be bothering your dog, your dog’s eyes are very sensitive and important, and you shouldn’t try to treat the issue at home. Eye injuries include foreign bodies in the eye, scratches, chemical exposure … Read more

France’s First Dog Makes A Big “Splash” During A Palace Meeting

Nemo, a black Lab/Griffon mix, was adopted from a shelter in August by France’s President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte. On Sunday, he thanked them by peeing on a fireplace in the Élysée Palace during a meeting between Macron and junior ministers Brune Poirson, Benjamin Griveaux, and Julien Denormandie. Macron laughed about the incident with his guests, joking: “You have triggered completely unusual behavior in my dog.” Nemo, named after the captain in Jules Vernes’ Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea, is far from the … Read more

K-9 Officer Shot In The Line Of Duty Is Honored With The Purple Heart

7-year-old Tess has served the Washington County, Utah Sheriff’s Office for over four years. On the evening of August 29, the brave K-9 officer was shot twice in the mouth while attempting to apprehend a carjacker. This week Tess was honored with a Purple Heart by Vietnam Veterans of America, an organization that recognizes military and police dogs as well as the men and women they serve with. “She did her job. She saved our life, absolutely saved our life,” Tess’ longtime handler, … Read more

What Causes Swollen Gums In Dogs?

Poor dental care can cause plaque to build up on your dog’s teeth. If it’s not removed with regular brushing, the plaque will harden into tartar. Tartar is porous, and can harbor bacteria that can cause pain, inflammation and redness in your dog’s gums – gingivitis. Gingivitis is only the first step down the very painful road that is dental disease. Eventually, toxins and bacteria entering the bloodstream could cause complications with organs like the heart and liver, and more … Read more

Runaway Dog Spends The Day Touring NYC Before Being Reunited With Owner

Gwen Wunderlich was on the tarmac at LaGuardia airport at 7 am on Friday when she received a call from her dog walker that her Chow mix, Cash, had slipped out of his collar and run away. Recalling the conversation, Wunderlich told CBS New York: “’Oh my god, we’ve lost the dog, we lost him, he escaped, we’re so sorry.’ And they were crying.” Wunderlish was able to convince the airline staff to turn the plane around so she could … Read more

What Is Kidney Cancer In Dogs?

Your dog’s renal system removes waste from his blood and helps produce red blood cells. Kidney cancer can lead to acute renal failure, so early detection and treatment is important and will lead to a better prognosis. Kidney tumors are not often found in dogs, but when they are, they’re usually found in middle-aged and older dogs and require the affected kidney to be removed. Malignant renal tumors can be found in one or both kidneys, either developing in the … Read more

What Can I Expect If My Dog Has Ear Cancer?

No one knows what, exactly, causes ear canal tumors, but some believe that long-term inflammation of the ear canal can lead to abnormal tissue development, and the formation of tumors. They can develop from any of the structures along or supporting the ear canal, including the outer layer of skin, the glands that produce earwax and oil, or any of the bones, connective tissues, or middle layers of skin. If your dog has an inflamed ear that doesn’t respond to … Read more

UPDATE: Rescue’s Longest Resident Lost Her Eyes But Not Her Spirit

A beautiful rescue dog named Nikova has been waiting nearly three years – 3/4 of her life – for her loving forever family to come along. During that time, she has overcome past mistreatment, battled glaucoma, adjusted to sudden blindness, and endured surgery to remove her eyes. Despite her courageous soul and gentle, affectionate nature, Nikova is yet to be adopted. When she was just a year old, Nikova found herself in a Santa Clarita, CA shelter. She was quite … Read more

How Does High Cholesterol Affect Dogs?

The word hyperlipidemia means “excessive fats,” and is a condition in which your dog has higher levels of fats in his blood than he ought. Fats like cholesterol and triglyceride are commonly found in the blood, but in excessive amounts can be dangerous to your dog’s overall health and longevity. Hyperlipidemia is pretty common in dogs. After a meal the triglycerides and cholesterol levels in your dog’s blood rise, but come back down to normal after a few hours  (3 … Read more

10 Dog Breeds That Are Social Butterflies

There is a dog personality for just about every lifestyle, and if you’re a person who enjoys going out and meeting new people, you may want to consider a pup who’d love to tag along. (Just know that this means they’re going to hate being left alone!) Or, perhaps you’re looking for a friend for the shy or anxious dog that you already have at home. An outgoing companion may be just the friend she needs to get her out of her shell! If you … Read more

What Causes Red Eye In Dogs?

What’s causing your dog’s eyes to turn red? It could be something as simple and easily remedied as allergies, or it could be much more serious, like in cases of glaucoma. There are several things that might cause the whites of your dog’s eyes to turn red, even cases of disease in other places in the body can lead to an inflammation in the eye. The best way to get a diagnosis is to see your vet, especially if you … Read more

What Are Ear Hematomas In Dogs?

Should something cause the vessels in your dog’s ears to rupture, the bleeding can form fluid-filled sacs called hematomas. Hematomas are common in dogs with floppy ears, but dogs of any breed can get them, regardless of what kind of ears they have. They’re usually pretty easy to see, and a quick trip to your vet can confirm whether or not they’re hematomas. Ear hematomas come in various sizes on the concave (inside) surface of your dog’s ear. Doctors aren’t … Read more

Skipping This Weekly Chore Can Mean Extra Trips To The Vet And Unnecessary Pain For Your Dog

When you’ve finished brushing your dog’s fur and cleaning her teeth, there’s still one more task you need to accomplish… Cleaning your dog’s ears is something that is often forgotten but always important. Like humans, dogs rely on this basic form of hygiene to prevent serious medical issues. Wax, dirt, and other types of debris can build up in your dog’s ear canals. Continually missing out on cleanings could lead to a painful situation for your pup. Bacterial Infections The … Read more

Tips For Helping Dogs With Sensitive Stomachs

It’s no secret that most dogs love food (hey, can we blame them?). But while some pups can chow down on nearly any dog food brand or the occasional table scrap, others can’t seem to tolerate the change. What’s worse is if you have a dog whose stomach doesn’t seem settled on any type of food. This can really pose a problem if you’re trying to switch your dog’s diet for some reason, or if his belly just never seems settled. We at … Read more

Sheriff’s Office Hires Adorable Therapy Dog To Comfort Crime Victims

Meet Lily, a 5-year-old Beagle/Corgi mix who was rescued from a kill shelter in Florida. She was then enrolled in the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office’s “Paws & Stripes College,” a program where inmates train rescued dogs to be PTSD dogs, therapy dogs, or child-victim-advocate dogs. She’s now moved on to assisting crime victims. After graduating from Paws and Stripes’s Law Enforcement Investigative Therapy Dog Course, she was given to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) for free to help comfort victims … Read more

Your Dog’s Facial Expressions Might Not Mean What You Think They Do

When it comes to reading human facial expressions, there are a few set guidelines. Smiles are happy, frowns are sad, furrowed brows show worry, and blank stares are a sign of disinterest. But those rules don’t always apply to your dog. Dogs are emotional animals that experience many of the same feelings people do, but expressing those feelings is a different story. There’s a disconnect between human and canine body language that sometimes sends false signals. Here are common canine … Read more

Doctor “Prescribes” Dog To Obese Man & It Saves His Life

In 2010, Sales Manager Eric O’Grey’s health was in serious danger. He was just 51, but years of carrying nearly 200 extra pounds of weight had taken its toll. O’Grey had Type II Diabetes, high cholesterol, unregulated blood pressure, and was taking 15 different medications each day. He sought the advice of a naturopathic doctor and was shocked by her unconventional prescription. She told him to get a dog. “She knew my underlying problem wasn’t medical, it was being reclusive,” … Read more

This Unique & Powerful Scent Can Calm Your Dog’s Separation Anxiety

Somewhere between 10 and 40 percent of dogs suffer from some degree of separation anxiety. If you’re the owner of one of these dogs, you understand how heartbreaking  and frustrating it can be to try to keep your dog calm when you leave the house. Even if you’re at home most of the time, you have to leave the house occasionally to run errands and socialize, and you don’t want your fur child panicking and possibly hurting themselves or destroying your house in … Read more

The 10 Best Small Dogs For Kids

  Are you thinking about getting a dog for your family, but you’re worried about getting one that won’t tolerate your children? While larger dogs are less fragile and less likely to be accidentally injured, there are some small breeds that do well with children. Keeping in mind that dogs don’t come with guarantees and any dog needs training, here are 10 small dog breeds that do well with kids. #1 – Beagle The Beagle is a friendly, happy dog … Read more

UPDATE: Charges Brought Against Woman Who Kept “Euthanized” Dog For 5 Months

Updated 10/30/17: The Monmouth County, NJ branch of the SPCA has brought charges of animal cruelty against former veterinary technician, Andrea Oliveira. She is accused of taking a 15-year-old Miniature Pinscher named Caesar from Briarwood Veterinary Hospital where she worked and keeping him for 5 months. During that time, the dog’s owner, Keri Levy, believed he was deceased.   In May, Levy and Briarwood veterinarian, Dr. Menez came to the decision to euthanize Caesar due to his declining health and a … Read more

Wrongly Accused Pit Bull Sentenced To Death Is Finally Set Free

You may have heard of Hank, a Pit Bull mix who was wrongly accused of killing two goats and injuring a pony, along with another dog. You may have even signed a petition on his behalf. Because he is, in fact, innocent, despite being sentenced to death. You see, Hank, previously named Tank, was in the wrong place at the wrong time. According to a synopsis on Care2, a petition site, Hank was living with his former family when he … Read more

They call it crack for dogs. Except it’s healthy!

Bully sticks are a totally addictive way for your dog to get his chewing in – and that’s a good thing! It’s a fantastic alternative to rawhide, which is treated with chemicals like bleach to give it a bone-like appearance and give it a longer shelf life. Bully sticks are a single-ingredient treat, simple and preservative free! They look and taste like beef because they’re actually genuine beef! They aren’t “beef flavored” like rawhide or other chew sticks/toys. Even better? … Read more

Dog Mom’s Heart Literally Breaks After Losing Her Beloved Pup

For Texas dog lover Joanie Simpson, the loss of her beloved Yorkie Meha was almost more than she could bear. She suffered what doctors at first believed to be a heart attack, but later determined was a rare condition known as Takotsubo cardiomyopathy – or broken-heart syndrome. The phenomenon, which mimics the symptoms of a heart attack, usually occurs in the wake of an extreme emotional event such as the loss of a child or spouse. A study published in the New … Read more

Top 3 Dog Health Issues Supplements Can Help With

For a dog owner, keeping a beloved pet healthy is always a priority. From their teeth and bones to skin and fur, your pup relies on specific nutrients to keep them looking and feeling their best. When your dog doesn’t get enough of those vital ingredients in their regular diet, supplements fill in the gaps. Whether your pet suffers from a specific health issue or you want to prevent future problems, supplementing their diet with certain vitamins and minerals may … Read more

4 Natural Ingredients That Help Nurture & Heal Your Dog’s Joints

As your dog ages, you may notice he’s becoming stiff and slow – the same way people do as they get older. You’ll notice several changes as your puppy becomes an old fella, and you’ll want to respond to the changes the best way you can. In recent years, people have been turning back to nature to find relief from their own ailments, including joint issues as they age. The same can work for finding joint supplements for dogs. The … Read more

How To Deal With Your Dog’s Autumn Allergies

Some of us sail right through the spring and summer without so much as a sniffle only to break into sneezing fits come autumn. Fall allergies in humans are typically caused by ragweed, dust mites, and mold. These same culprits can also affect our dogs, but the symptoms tend to manifest quite differently in our canine companions. Some dogs have respiratory symptoms like sneezing and watery eyes, but itchy/inflamed skin is far more common. Many dogs have a genetic predisposition … Read more

Study Shows That Dogs’ Facial Expressions Change When Looking At You

We’ve all heard of “puppy dog eyes,” and if you’re a pup parent, you just know that they wear their feelings on their adorable faces. Now recent research suggests that our hunch is correct: dogs do use facial expressions to communicate with us! In a study conducted by the University of Portsmouth, 24 dogs of all types of breeds (including mutts) were observed when looking at a human. The person in the study would turn toward a wall, then look back at the … Read more

What Does Low White Blood Cell Count Mean In Dogs?

Leukopenia is a drop in the number of circulating white blood cells (leukocytes). This makes a dog more susceptible to infections, as he has fewer white blood cells available to fight it off. Neutropenia is the most common type of leukopenia, which is a condition in which there are low numbers of neutrophils, the most abundant type of leukocyte. Leukopenia usually the result of an underlying cause, such as infection, cancer, or a genetic abnormality. Your dog’s white blood cells … Read more

Dog Trained By CIA Decides That Sniffing Bombs Just Isn’t Her Thing

Lulu is a black Lab who in the process of being trained as a CIA bomb sniffing dog. That is, until she decided that scouting out explosives just wasn’t her thing! “A few weeks into training, Lulu began to show signs that she wasn’t interested in detecting explosive odors,” reported the CIA blog. #CIAK9 Pupdate: Sometimes, even after testing, our pups make it clear being an explosive detection K9 isn’t for themhttps://t.co/nPZl6YWNKb pic.twitter.com/07TXRCH7bp — CIA (@CIA) October 18, 2017 At … Read more

This Facebook Page Is Dedicated To Dogs And The UPS Drivers Who Love Them

The relationship between dog and delivery person hasn’t always been one of tail wags and head pats, but a huge group of UPS drivers is out to change that. UPS Dogs is a Facebook page all about the thousands of friendships made between UPS drivers and neighborhood dogs. The page is liked by over 200,000 people, and every day they share photographic evidence that the best friendships are the ones you don’t always expect. https://www.facebook.com/UPSDOGS/photos/a.510105182413084.1073741829.493723690717900/1457876384302621/?type=3&theater Sean McCarren is the founder … Read more

What Does Lead Poisoning In Dogs Look Like?

Thanks to U.S. regulations regarding the control of lead, lead poisoning isn’t as common as it once was. However, old household materials like roofing materials and linoleum may still contain lead that could be toxic to you, your family and your pets. If you believe your dog has been exposed, make an appointment with your vet as soon as possible as lead poisoning is life-threatening. In plumbism (lead poisoning) lead will take the place of the body’s essential calcium and … Read more

Pet Food Ingredient Supplier Accused Of Human Trafficking & Slave Labor

Two federal class action lawsuits have been filed this month against Simmons Foods Inc. and Christian Alcoholics and Addicts in Recovery (CAAIR). Simmons is a major poultry company that provides meat to companies like KFC, Walmart, PetSmart and Rachael Ray’s Nutrish pet food. The suits allege that Simmons, along with CAAIR – a rural retreat in Oklahoma that provides addiction treatment and job training to men convicted of nonviolent crimes – have engaged in racketeering, human trafficking, and labor law violations. CAAIR is a program … Read more

5 Dog Breeds With The Most Adorable Wrinkles

Few people approve of the wrinkles they see in the mirror, but when wrinkles belong to dogs, it’s a completely different story. Instead of a sign of age, a dog’s droopy folds of skin are more like a testament to their good looks. From tiny Pug puppies to big Bloodhounds, there’s something about a wrinkly dog that makes people fall in love. Their faces are framed in perpetual cuteness, and all that extra skin makes snuggling so much sweeter. If … Read more

Senior Dog “Shuts Down” In Shelter Until A New Pal Changes Everything

Clarence, a senior Pug, was lucky to find himself at the Vintage Pet Rescue in Rhode Island. Founded by couple Kristen and Marc Peralta, they pull older pets from shelters and give them a permanent home to spent their golden years in love and safety. “Senior dogs are a perfect fit for our lifestyle,” Kristen told iHeartDogs. “They don’t need long walks or hikes and they are perfectly happy sleeping on your lap for most of the day. We think … Read more

What To Do About Fever In Dogs

Normal temperature for a dog is 101 – 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit (38.3-39.2º Celsius), but anything above 103F is abnormally high and considered a fever. It can be mild, like in cases where your dog is coming down with a viral infection, but severe fevers can cause seizures or organs to shut down. It can be caused by infection, environment, or excessive exercise. Any temperature of 106ºF (41.1ºC) can be life-threatening and should be considered an emergency. Symptoms of Fever in Dogs … Read more

Remodeled Shelter Keeps Pets Happier While Waiting For Forever Homes

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.  The Humane Society of West Michigan in Grand Rapids, MI is one of the shelters that have received support from Rescue Rebuild through Greater Good. Thanks to their help, the dogs they care for are happier and healthier while waiting for their forever homes. “Playpens for dogs are essential for their health and … Read more

Volunteer Thinks Up Genius Plan To Ensure Every Shelter Pet Has A Bed

For the past three years, Scott Poore has spent four to five hours each day volunteering at shelters in the Kansas City area. He found one problem to be universal to almost every facility: they were constantly overrun with dirty laundry. Those that weren’t did not have beds for the dogs and cats at all. Then one day, while shopping at Ikea, he stumbled upon the solution. Bath mats. “I thought, ‘Man these are really affordable. They’re incredibly comfortable,’” Poore told … Read more