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There are so many factors to consider when you start to think about adding a dog to your family, whether it’s your first dog or your tenth. Do you have the time and money to properly care for a dog? What size or breed of dog would best fit in your home and lifestyle? And where should you get your dog from when you’re ready? While there are many places you can get a dog, here are 5 great reasons … Read more
Dogs have a way of stealing our thunder. Mere humans simply can’t compete with all that floofy, wagging adorableness – and the dogs of the world seem to know it! The selfie-snappers, loving couples, and celebrating families in this post are simply no match for their spotlight-hungry pups. These doggos are so determined to hijack every available photo-op that even innocent babies are fair game! 1. Maybe she’s born with it. Maybe it’s Maybelline. “Nice job on the eyeliner. Mine’s … Read more
We’re constantly reminded of what an amazing sense of smell dogs have, but they also have great hearing and vision. Which of these senses gives the best cues for our dogs to notice us? A study by Megumi Fukuzawa and Marina Watanabe from Nihon University’s College of Bioresource Sciences at Fujisawa, Japan set out to answer that question. The researchers set up a room with a booth at one end and a door for the dogs to enter on the … Read more
Getting older can be ruff! Natural aging changes like achy joints, dental disease, and an increased risk of certain illnesses often plague our beloved senior pooches. But just because they are a little slower, calmer, and wiser than they once were doesn’t mean that older dogs can’t recapture their puppyhood! Note: If you aren’t sure whether your pooch has reached his twilight years yet, consider this: small and toy breed dogs live to be about 15 to 20 years old, while … Read more
Dogs may not be able to use words to get their point across, but they’re always communicating. If you know a little about their body language and behaviors, you’ll realize that your pup’s message is loud and clear! When our companions are bored, they tend to drop some not-so-subtle hints, although it can manifest itself in many ways. Remember that no matter what behavior your dog is exhibiting, some extra physical and mental stimulation should help cure the spell. But … Read more
Although Melani Andrews endured her share of heartbreak last year, she still has a ton of love to give. According to Buzzfeed, she lost her husband in January. Then, a month later, she said goodbye to her beloved dog Lola. With encouragement from her granddaughters, Andrews decided to head to the Front Street Shelter in Sacramento, California to find a new companion. But she wasn’t looking for a pup that was particularly young or beautiful; she wanted the one that … Read more
Bonnie, a 7-year-old Lab mix, and Clyde, a 1-year-old Chihuahua/Terrier mix, were found wandering the streets of Phoenix, Arizona together and were brought to the Maricopa County Animal Care and Control (MCACC) shelter. The staff quickly realized how bonded the two dogs were and stipulated that they must be adopted together. Pictures like the one above of Clyde sitting on Bonnie quickly spread across the internet, bringing fame to the pair. Luckily, the Hayes family, which includes 3 daughters, saw the pictures and … Read more
As many of you know, iHeartDogs is a veteran owned company with a passion for supporting our troops, especially those deeply affected physically and emotionally by war. In November of 2020, we launched a new product, our Never Forgotten USA Flag Bracelet. Each purchase of this bracelet provided funds to help GreaterGood provide service dogs and shelter dogs to US veterans. Little did we know how popular it would become, and one year later we’re incredibly humbled to announce that … Read more
With 160 dogs in the cargo hold, a small plane made the long trip from Arizona to Delaware. The dogs were anxious and nervous after a long flight, but they’re now on their way to better lives thanks to Brandywine Valley SPCA and Wings of Rescue. Wings of Rescue is an all-volunteer organization that is dedicated to moving homeless animals out of overcrowded shelters and into areas where they have better chances of being adopted. This is the second time … Read more
According to actress Selma Blair’s Instagram, a “terrible accident” led to the unexpected death of her 13-year-old Chihuahua/Pug named Ducky. PEOPLE explains that the family had adopted the pup in 2015 from Best Friend Animal Shelter, a no-kill facility. In an interview from earlier this year, Blair expressed the close bond shared by the pooch and her 6-year-old son, Arthur. She’d said: “They love each other very much, but it’s very much brother and sister. My boy just wants to squeeze her as tight … Read more
Dog dental health has become a big topic in the past few years. Good dental health doesn’t just keep doggy breath at bay. It can save you thousands at the vet, helps your dog have better quality of life, and can even help them to live longer lives. Did you know that an infection in your dog’s mouth can spread to other organs – even the brain – and cause death? The following are 3 tips for better dog dental … Read more
Keeping dogs’ teeth clean is absolutely critical to their health and longevity. As many as 4 out of 5 dogs over the age of 3 may be suffering from canine periodontal disease, or tooth decay and inflammation and infection of the gums. Periodontal disease is very painful and extremely dangerous for pets as the infection could travel to other areas of their body, eventually causing organ failure if the loss of appetite doesn’t get them first. They won’t tell … Read more
The approach of another dog piques the attention of most pups, but that doesn’t always mean they’re thrilled about making new friends. While some can pooches happily meet and greet newcomers, others steer clear or become aroused for a different reason – because they’re anxious. If your companion is quiet and tends avoids canine confrontation, there is nothing wrong with steering clear of dog parks and day cares, if you can. But if she loves the company of other pups … Read more
Whether you choose a purebred dog or a mix, there are always potential health concerns. Many people contend that purebreds are more likely to have serious health problems due to their higher risk for certain genetic conditions. Others argue that mixed breed dogs often come from unknown backgrounds where they may be exposed to an array of viruses, parasites, etc. There are a few ways you can acquire a new furry friend: select a breeder or rescue group that specializes … Read more
If you’re a natural dog lover, resisting the big eyes, floppy ears, and wagging tails you meet at the shelter will be tough, and you’ll be tempted to go home with the first furry friend you meet. You’re already doing a good deed by choosing to adopt, but there’s more to adopting a rescue than picking out the cutest pup in the pack. Too many hopeful dog owners end up returning their recently adopted rescues to the shelter because they … Read more
Gloria Johnson, a grandmother from Staten Island, NY, suffered the loss of her husband Arnold just last year. She managed to pull through thanks to her Yorkie, Dakotah, who she said was her emotional support. This summer, he passed as well, having lived to the ripe old age of 14, travelling with and being loved by Gloria. She had Dakotah cremated, purchased a crystal urn for him, and picked a spot in her home where his ashes could rest next … Read more
As a responsible pet owner, you’re concerned with making sure your pup’s teeth are in top shape. Periodontal disease is extremely dangerous for our furry friends. A regular cleaning, typically once a year, is the best way to wipe out dangerous tartar buildup. In between cleanings there are steps you can take to minimize or maintain the buildup. The following 5 tips will help you keep your pup’s teeth healthy between cleanings. 1. Brushing You’ve heard that brushing your … Read more
Frank the Tank, formerly known as Mack the adoptable Pit Bull mix, has found his forever home. Imgur user, Narya9 came across his massive mopey mug on Facebook and shared his photo to the r/aww sub-reddit page. Frank’s huge hippo-body, soulful brown eyes, and pouty jowls instantly captured the hearts of all who saw him. Frank, formerly known as Mack, was up for adoption at BARCS Animal Shelter in Baltimore, MD. Just one week after her first post, Narya9 … Read more
Dogs may be the most selfless beings on Earth, and this story proves that they’d take a bullet for the ones that they love – or in this case, a snake bite. Pups Slayer and Paco, who belong to Melissa Butt, were in their Florida backyard with Butt’s two grandkids, ages four and one. The dogs suddenly became fixated on something in the grass, and refused to come when called, which is uncharacteristic, according to Butt. As it turned … Read more
Dogs’ teeth get plaque and tartar just like ours do, however, unlike us they aren’t concerned about it. That’s where you come in as a responsible pet owner. Dog breath and discolored teeth are often a result of dental health neglect. Besides those more cosmetic concerns, if we do not try to keep our dogs’ tooth tartar build-up at a minimum our poor pups could develop painful, deadly periodontal disease. Regular teeth cleanings are recommended to wipe out plaque and … Read more
Is your dog possessive of his toys, bones, treats, beds, or even his favorite humans? Behaviorists refer to this as resource guarding and it can be very a serious problem. Some dogs are so intent on protecting an item that they become aggressive towards other pets or people in the home. Although the reasons behind this behavior are unclear, professional trainers have methods that can help you prevent accidental bites and rehabilitate your possessive pup. Robin Bennett is a knowledge assessed … Read more
Game of Thrones has birthed numerous trends since the show started airing in 2011. In 2012, over 160 baby girls were legally named “Khaleesi” after Emilia Clark’s character. Merchandise has popped up all over the internet and the books are selling like crazy. Not all Game of Thrones-inspired trends have been harmless, though. Clueless fans who fell in love with the Stark’s gorgeous direwolves have decided to buy purebred Siberian Huskies in droves over the last few years – but … Read more
Life is busy, but it’s important for us pet owners to make a little time each day for our fuzzy friends. The bond we share with them is unbreakable, and we love them so much, we want it to stay strong – and get even stronger! Lucky for us, building a solid relationship with our loyal pals isn’t hard to do. One of the easiest, most effective ways to show our companions how much we love them is through play! … Read more
Animal activists in China celebrated another win last week! A warehouse containing several dogs meant for the dog meat trade was discovered in an abandoned greenhouse in Changping, China, a suburb of Beijing. 26 dogs, including 4 newborn pups were found and reported to police by members of the China Animal Protection Power, a coalition of rescue groups working to end animal abuse in their country. It is believed that many of the dogs were strays found wandering and taken … Read more
Dogs “see” the world through their noses, and taste is closely tied into their sense of smell. Some veterinarians and animal behaviorists feel that this may be why pups snag items that are most certainly not food. Whether they swallow a dangerous substance out of curiosity, excitement or just by accident, seeking veterinary help quickly can make all the difference. Here are some common materials that pups have been known to gobble that definitely warrant a visit to the vet. … 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. Noelle, a 9-year-old Yorkie, was found as a stray in terrible condition by a Good Samaritan. She was taken to Grafelman Farms Rescue, where it was discovered that she had a microchip. Her former owners were found, but they said she had run away a year before, and they didn’t want her back. … Read more
We love people who stand up for our four-legged companions, and when they’re able to serve up some real justice, it’s even sweeter. Pet advocates everywhere admire Judge Cicconetti, the judge who dishes out creative sentences to animal abusers. As it turns out, the TV-famous Judge Judy also has a soft spot for our furry friends. In a recent custody battle over a curly-haired canine, two families each claimed that the pup was theirs. The mother-daughter defendants purchased the dog … Read more
Imgur user, iamirenes enjoyed 14 wonderful years with her dog, Lucy Van Pelt. During that time she snapped countless photos of the adorable pup’s every activity and expression. A few years back, the doting dog mom took to Photoshop with the goal of turning Lucy’s lovely likeness “into art…of some kind.” The results are this miraculous collection of movie poster parodies featuring Lucy and her lifelong passion for tennis balls – and Kongs! The project was actually inspired by fine … Read more
Our dogs and cats are more than just pets to us. They are our best friends, they are part of the family. They’re our secret keepers and playmates. Nobody loves us more than our companions. That is why we give them everything they need to make them happy and to make their lives comfortable. We make sure that they feel our love and that they get the utmost care when they get sick. But their lives are short, and unfortunately … Read more
Separation anxiety isn’t really exclusive to specific breeds, but there are some dog breeds prone to separation anxiety more than others. While there are also many factors to separation anxiety, some dogs seem to fall victim to it without any rhyme or reason. If you’re currently struggling with separation anxiety or want to try to avoid the problem at all costs when searching for a new dog, it might be best to avoid these breeds or adopt adults with a … Read more
The answer to this frequently asked question is: It depends. All dogs need exercise and mental stimulation, but that does not mean that a daily trek around the neighborhood is the answer. The amount of physical activity each dog needs depends on several factors including age, breed, size and overall health. There are many different ways that they can get their daily workout, whether it’s a walk, a play session, canine agility, or training games. On average, dogs should get between 30 … Read more
In the wake of a world-wide pet population problem, breed-specific legislation (or BSL) renders thousands more dogs – who’d make perfectly suitable pets – homeless and on death row. Pit Bulls are banned in several Canadian cities, and are completely outlawed in the province of Ontario. Last December Montréal (in the province of Québec) was added to the list as another law went into effect that outlaws “Pit Bull-type” dogs in the city. People are no longer allowed to adopt … Read more
At iHeartDogs our motto is “Every dog matters.” Over the years we have shared countless stories of rescue from all over the world. Sometimes the heroes we write about save one precious life. Other times they rescue dozens – if not hundreds – of helpless animals from horrible circumstances like backyard breeding operations, hoarding situations, and dog meat farms. The animal advocates in this post devote their time and talents to liberating dogs from high-kill shelters and transporting them … Read more
There is a terrible pet population problem in the United States, but it’s not what you’d think. The population issue is more of a population distribution problem. In high pet population areas, resources for stray or abandoned animals are often limited, leading to euthanasia for millions of innocent dogs and cats a year. However, some shelters are mostly empty as they are located in areas that tend to have fewer strays and unplanned litters. In these locations, there are plenty of families … Read more
It’s no secret that there is a pet population problem in the United States. The sad truth is that resources for homeless animals are limited, leading to euthanasia for millions of dogs and cats a year – at no fault of their own. While some shelters overcrowd quickly due to overpopulation and lack of resources, others are mostly bare as they are located in areas that tend to have fewer strays and unplanned litters. What’s more, in some places, there’s no … Read more
Many shelters euthanize adoptable, loving pets each day just because there isn’t enough room for them. Overcrowded, underfunded shelters are faced with the problem of too many pets and not enough demand. Whereas, in other parts of the country there is too much demand. Families are left waiting for their local shelters and rescues to have new pets available for adoption. This is a depressing dilemma for any animal lover to learn about. Yet, there is one straightforward, impactful way … Read more
Kelly Frankenburg specializes in newborn and infant photography at her home-based studio, 11 Sixteen Photography, in Richmond, Virginia. Usually those newborns are human, but when she started fostering a rescued Chihuahua and her 3 puppies, she knew a photo shoot was in order. Frankenburg and her family recently started fostering for Richmond Animal Care And Control. When she brought mama Paris and her three 2-week-old puppies home to foster, she knew she wanted to take professional pictures of them to help … Read more
#1 – Labrador Retriever No surprise that this breed made this list. Labrador retrievers are known for their sweet, loving disposition. No wonder they make sure great service dogs. #2 – Golden Retriever Also known for its loving nature, the golden retriever is commonly used for therapy work due its friendly attitude toward everyone, even strangers. Photo Credit: @AndrewMorrell via Flickr #3 – Bedlington Terrier While terriers are often thought of as independent, this high energy breed has a real soft side. They … Read more
When dogs are part of your family, they play a huge role in where you consider living. Whether it’s finding a pup-friendly apartment or a city with pooch perks, pet lovers know that they’ll only be happy at home if their dog is, too. If you’re thinking about relocating, you may be doing some research on pet-friendly places. Or perhaps you already live in one of them – and don’t even know it! Whether it’s time to pack or explore … Read more
Dogs have lots of unusual behaviors that make us laugh. Sometimes it’s pretty easy to guess why they do what they do, but sometimes their behavior is baffling. You know why they jump all over you when you’ve been gone for too long, but why do they tilt their head at unusual sounds or chase their tail? Here are 5 quirky things dogs do and why they do them. #1 – Chase their tails Why do dogs chase … Read more
We’ve all heard the old myth about dogs and mailmen, but one Texas dog dad is helping to bust that misconception wide open! Aaron Hernandez has five happy-go-lucky Labradors – four yellow and one black. While perusing his CCTV home security footage, he noticed that a new mailman had taken over his neighborhood. To his delight, Hernandez observed the heartwarming bond the postal worker forged with his beloved pups! He decided to share the adorable footage with the world and tweeted … Read more
News of canine influenza has been spreading – much like the the virus itself. It’s causing quite the stir among dog owners, but is the illness really as big as all the hype? Are we panicking over nothing? Should we panic MORE? Dr. Kathryn Primm is a trusted veterinarian and owner of Applebrook Animal Hospital in Ootelwah, Tennesee. She has contributed hundreds of articles to iHeartDogs and iHeartCats answering common (and not so common) questions about our pets and has … Read more
Warning: video below contains image that may be difficult for some to see. Toys are a great way to keep your dog stimulated, their mind active, and they make exercise fun. However, a story from 2015 has recently been making its rounds on social media, causing dog owners to second-guess their toy purchases. This particular story hits close to home for many pet lovers, because it could happen to any of us and it could happen in an instant. In … Read more
You’re about to fall asleep with your pup curled up by your side, but all of a sudden, a huff, wheeze, and snore scares away those much-needed Z’s. Listening to your sleepy pup let out soft little snores is cute at first, but it soon loses its appeal when it starts to keep you up at night. As with humans, there are a number of reasons why dogs snore. Snub-nose dog breeds like Pugs, Boston Terriers, and Bulldogs are more … Read more
When a litter of four stray puppies arrived at the Humane Society of Silicon Valley (HSSV) in June, the staff instantly noticed that one of the pups was not like the others. While his three littermates bore the characteristics of mini Border Collie mixes, the pooch they named “Bighead” had short, chubby legs like a Basset Hound – and, you guessed it, a very big head! Lauren Gallagher works in the HSSV finance department and has fostered countless dogs for … Read more
Here at iHeartDogs, we think there’s a dog out there for anyone who wants a companion. Maybe you’re a homebody who loves to hunker down. Maybe you’re more of an outdoor type who’s in search of an exercise buddy. Perhaps you’re somewhere in between. Whether you’re looking for a pooch that’s large, small, fluffy, short-haired, active, lazy, whatever, there’s a dog in a shelter who’d be perfect for you – you just have to find him or her. And that’s why … Read more
Everyone wants their furry companion to be a well-mannered member of the family, but like people, dogs have minds of their own. Whether they’re 10 weeks or 10 years old, dogs respond to training and commands in different ways. Sometimes, their response is to not respond at all. Dogs that don’t listen aren’t necessarily defiant, disobedient, or dumb. They might be choosing not to listen to you on purpose, but they also might not know what you want from them. … Read more
Today, Cheddar is a happy, playful, and well-loved pup living with his family near Honolulu, HI. His big eyes and floppy ears give him a carefree expression he never seems to shed, but the little dog’s life wasn’t always this good. In May 2016, the Hawaiian Humane Society got a tip from someone who had seen their neighbor throw what looked like a dog into a trashcan. The man in question was James Montgomery. In 2005, 64 dogs were taken … Read more
Everyone has that one go-to friend they can always call when they need an understanding ear or a shoulder to cry on. Maybe he or she was a college roommate or perhaps you’ve known each other since kindergarten. It’s a bond you cherish, but the human BFFs of the world are faced with some stiff competition. Two-legged companions just can’t compare to a furry, wagging package of pure loyalty and devotion! These 10 pieces of evidence prove beyond a resonable … 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. In September 2016 a citizen witnessed a small dog abandoned, discarded like trash on the street corner. What was described to the staff and volunteers at the rescue, is a woman pulled up to the corner with her car, got out of the car, took a blue basket out of the vehicle, laid … Read more
Toledo, United States.