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7 Things Your Deceased Pet Would Want You To Know

At iHeartDogs and iHeartCats we often write about coping with the loss of a beloved pet. We do this because we understand that saying goodbye is one of the hardest things you will ever have to do, and we hope that somehow our words can provide a bit of comfort. Having experienced the love and compassion of dogs and cats all my life, I believe they would want us to keep these 7 important messages close to our hearts after … Read more

Man Jumps Through Ice To Save His Dog’s Life

A Canadian TV news crew happened to be in the right place at the right time to see a brave man save his dog’s life. Duncan McIver was at a dog park near his home in St. Albert, Alberta where his dog, Cosmo, wandered out onto a frozen pond. When Cosmo fell through the thin ice, Duncan wasted no time at all jumping in after him. Duncan falls through the same spot, but is able to lift Cosmo up before climbing … Read more

Woman Gets Creative So Her Neighbor’s Dog Can Take A Closer Look Through The Fence

 This woman made her fence more “dog accessible” for her neighbor’s sweet German Shepherd! Jennifer Bowman shared this video to Facebook with the caption, “Got tired of the neighbors German shepherd jumping to peek over the fence so I made her a peeking spot. I think she likes it.” There’s two holes for the pup’s big brown eyes, and a larger hole that is the perfect size for her cute wet nose to poke through! The dog on the other … Read more

Treating Your Dog Like “Your Baby” Could Be The Reason You’re Broke – But It’s Totally Worth It

Dogs have lived alongside humans for thousands of years and they’ve generally had a specific function or job to do. Herding dogs, guard dogs, sled dogs, and hunting dogs all served the purpose of performing a necessary task first and being a beloved companion second. But as people have evolved, our need for dogs for their work has declined, although there are still plenty of working dogs today. Now, our dogs are most commonly our companions first and performance partners … Read more

After Rescuing An Abandoned Dog, This Officer Plans To Make Him A Member Of The Family

Police officers in Germantown, Wisconsin were notified of a dog tied up in a wooded area behind a local Pizza Hut. When they arrived, they found the pup alone and seemingly abandoned. Although what exactly happened isn’t clear, the police officers sent the pup off with the Washington County Humane Society. They’ve named the homeless dog Chance, hoping to give him a second chance at life. Fortunately, he didn’t have to wait very long to find a new forever home … Read more

Rescued Mama Dog Watched Her 10 Pups Get Adopted, Now It’s Her Turn

Beautiful Abigeal was discovered at a Miami construction site in September 2016. She had given birth to 10 puppies beneath a metal storage unit and was struggling to keep them alive. Although she was barely able to produce milk, this devoted mama refused to abandon her pups to save herself. Now that all 10 of her babies have been adopted into loving homes, Abi is hoping to find her own happy ending. No Paw Left Behind Rescue has been saving … Read more

9 Tips To Prepare You And Your Pets For An Emergency Evacuation

Nobody likes to imagine worst-case scenarios, but it is crucial to have a plan in case you have to evacuate with your pets during an emergency. Depending on where you live, you may need to be prepared for the possibilities of wildfires, flooding, tornadoes, hurricanes, or earthquakes. Since there’s no way to expect the unexpected, here are 9 evacuation preparation tips to prepare you for anything nature may throw your way. #1 – Keep important paperwork in an accessible watertight … Read more

Ask A Vet: Should I Worry About My Boxer Going Under Anesthesia?

At some point during your Boxer’s life, he/she will need some type of surgery. Because of Boxers’ genetic predisposition to skin tumors, your dog will likely require more than one mass removal during his/her adulthood. There may be other times that your Boxer needs surgery. If it is not an emergency, one can question if the procedure is worth the risk. But just how risky is anesthesia for Boxers? The definition of anesthesia is a temporary loss of feeling or … Read more

From The Vet: 3 Hacks That Could Save Your Chihuahua

Chihuahuas are popular pets the world over. What’s not to love? They are super cute, fun, portable friends! Chihuahuas have their own unique personalities and as a breed they have some unique qualities too. If you love a Chihuahua, there are some important things you can do to make sure your furry friend lives long and well. Hack #1 – Cover Me with Love: Personal Protection Equipment Some of us are familiar with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) that is required … Read more

Ask A Vet: Why Do Dogs Have Tails?

Anyone who has been around a dog knows that dogs communicate with their tails. Low wagging tails indicate submission. Relaxed waving tails can indicate relaxation and happiness. A stiff and high, slowly waving tail can indicate alertness or aggression. A friendly, wagging tail makes us smile and improves our bond with our dogs. Communication is an obvious function of your dog’s tail. But dogs may depend on their tails as part of their locomotion as well, just like scientists think … Read more

Ask A Vet: How Often Should I Clean My Dog’s Ears?

We love our dogs and want to take the best care of them, but we have to keep in mind that they belong to a different species than we do. Many of their features are very dissimilar from ours. We all remember as kids being warned that we should “wash behind our ears”. How about dogs? How often should their ears be cleaned? A healthy dog that spends most of her time indoors, may not require routine ear cleaning and … Read more

6 Things To Know About Prison Dog Training Programs

Did you know that hundreds of dogs are trained every year by prisoners, either to make them more adoptable or to prepare them to become service dogs? Is it safe? How do the dogs benefit? How do the prisoners benefit? Here’s a quick rundown of 6 things you should know about these programs. #1 – They save dogs’ lives. Many of these programs rescue dogs from high-kill shelters. Dogs with behavior problems who would otherwise be unadoptable are trained by … Read more

Animal Hospital Gives Missing Dog Away Before Owner Is Able To Claim Her

Two years ago on July 4, 2015, Mindi Levijoki and her son were eating lunch while their Chihuahua, Minno, was outside in the backyard. When they finished eating, they were surprised to find that Minno was nowhere to be found. They searched the completely fenced yard to find a small hole dug underneath where Minno likely escaped. Levijoki and her son made fliers that they posted all over the neighborhood, made ads on CraigsList and Facebook and searched high and low … Read more

11 Photos That Show What Life Is REALLY Like With Multiple Dogs

  It starts out innocently enough. You don’t want your pup to be lonely, so you bring him home a buddy. Then you see a pitiful pooch desperately in need of a home, and think “Two dogs, three dogs – what’s the difference?” Before you know it, the canines outnumber the humans, and every move you make is tracked by multiple sets of watchful brown eyes. When you have three or more dogs, your everyday life undergoes a few, shall … Read more

Gas Company Refuses To Enter Yard Because Of “Scary” Dog

We all know that when you’re expecting the utility company, your pup comes inside. Alan Gamble either wasn’t expecting a visit or just forgot that his new pup needed to be indoors. Alan posted this photo to Facebook after a utility worker for the gas company refused to enter his yard to read his meter because his dog, Ace, was loose in the yard.   The letter reads, “The meeter reader wasn’t able to access your natural gas meter to … Read more

UPDATE: Tiny Puppy Loses Her Leg But Not Her Fiery Spirit

The staff at Blue Pearl Animal Hospital in Clearwater, Florida are used to seeing some difficult, heart-wrenching cases. Until recently, however, they hadn’t seen one with such a tiny puppy. They received a call from Passion for Pits, a rescue organization, about a 3-week-old Pit Bull puppy that needed to be rushed into surgery right away. She had a broken and severely infected leg and the only option left was to amputate. The veterinarians and veterinary technicians at Blue Pearl … Read more

80% of St. Bernards Have This Painful Issue, But Hide It From Their Owners

Just the thought our St. Bernards suffering silently from hidden pain breaks the heart of any dog parent. Sadly, research shows that 4 out of 5 dogs over the age of 8 are suffering from some kind of joint pain. And while we humans have the ability to reach for pain meds and talk to our doctor about symptoms, are precious pups do not. In fact, dogs are quite good at keeping their joint pain a secret. Why do dogs hide signs of … Read more

80% of Rottweilers Over 8 Have This Painful Issue, But Hide It From Their Owners

Just the thought our Rottweilers suffering silently from hidden pain breaks the heart of any dog parent. Sadly, research shows that 4 out of 5 dogs over the age of 8 are suffering from some kind of joint pain. And while we humans have the ability to reach for pain meds and talk to our doctor about symptoms, are precious pups do not. In fact, dogs are quite good at keeping their joint pain a secret. Why do dogs hide signs of pain? … Read more

80% of Pit Bulls Over 8 Have This Painful Issue, But Hide It From Their Owners

Just the thought our Pit Bulls suffering silently from hidden pain breaks the heart of any dog parent. Sadly, research shows that 4 out of 5 dogs over the age of 8 are suffering from some kind of joint pain. And while we humans have the ability to reach for pain meds and talk to our doctor about symptoms, are precious pups do not. In fact, dogs are quite good at keeping their joint pain a secret. Why do dogs hide signs of … Read more

80% of Newfoundlands Have This Painful Issue, But Hide It From Their Owners

Just the thought our Newfoundlands suffering silently from hidden pain breaks the heart of any dog parent. Sadly, research shows that 4 out of 5 dogs over the age of 8 are suffering from some kind of joint pain. And while we humans have the ability to reach for pain meds and talk to our doctor about symptoms, are precious pups do not. In fact, dogs are quite good at keeping their joint pain a secret. Why do dogs hide signs of pain? … Read more

80% of Mastiffs Have This Painful Issue, But Hide It From Their Owners

Just the thought our Mastiffs suffering silently from hidden pain breaks the heart of any dog parent. Sadly, research shows that 4 out of 5 dogs over the age of 8 are suffering from some kind of joint pain. And while we humans have the ability to reach for pain meds and talk to our doctor about symptoms, are precious pups do not. In fact, dogs are quite good at keeping their joint pain a secret. Why do dogs hide signs of pain? … Read more

80% of Labs Over 8 Have This Painful Issue, But Hide It From Their Owners

Just the thought our Labs suffering silently from hidden pain breaks the heart of any dog parent. Sadly, research shows that 4 out of 5 dogs over the age of 8 are suffering from some kind of joint pain. And while we humans have the ability to reach for pain meds and talk to our doctor about symptoms, are precious pups do not. In fact, dogs are quite good at keeping their joint pain a secret. Why do dogs hide signs of pain? … Read more

80% of Great Danes Over 8 Have This Painful Issue, But Hide It From Their Owners

Just the thought our Great Danes suffering silently from hidden pain breaks the heart of any dog parent. Sadly, research shows that 4 out of 5 dogs over the age of 8 are suffering from some kind of joint pain. And while we humans have the ability to reach for pain meds and talk to our doctor about symptoms, are precious pups do not. In fact, dogs are quite good at keeping their joint pain a secret. Why do dogs hide signs of … Read more

80% of Golden Retrievers Over 8 Have This Painful Issue, But Hide It From Their Owners

Just the thought our Golden Retrievers suffering silently from hidden pain breaks the heart of any dog parent. Sadly, research shows that 4 out of 5 dogs over the age of 8 are suffering from some kind of joint pain. And while we humans have the ability to reach for pain meds and talk to our doctor about symptoms, are precious pups do not. In fact, dogs are quite good at keeping their joint pain a secret. Why do dogs hide signs of … Read more

80% of Dachshunds Over 8 Have This Painful Issue, But Hide It From Their Owners

Just the thought our Dachshunds suffering silently from hidden pain breaks the heart of any dog parent. Sadly, research shows that 4 out of 5 dogs over the age of 8 are suffering from some kind of joint pain. And while we humans have the ability to reach for pain meds and talk to our doctor about symptoms, are precious pups do not. In fact, dogs are quite good at keeping their joint pain a secret. Why do dogs hide signs of pain? … Read more

80% of Boxers Over 8 Have This Painful Issue, But Hide It From Their Owners

Just the thought our Boxers suffering silently from hidden pain breaks the heart of any dog parent. Sadly, research shows that 4 out of 5 dogs over the age of 8 are suffering from some kind of joint pain. And while we humans have the ability to reach for pain meds and talk to our doctor about symptoms, are precious pups do not. In fact, dogs are quite good at keeping their joint pain a secret. Why do dogs hide signs of pain? … Read more

4 Ways To Feed Your Dog’s Brain

A healthy mind promotes a healthy body, so feeding your dog’s brain is essential in reaching optimal health and wellness. The most important part of nutrition is feeding a high-quality, nutritious meal with whole foods and real ingredients, but sometimes supplements can be added to ensure your dog is getting enough from their food. A proper diet should start from puppyhood to allow dogs to grow strong with healthy cognitive function and even reducing the risk of degenerative brain diseases … Read more

Rescued Mother Dog Loses Her Babies And Adopts Stuffed Animals To Mend Her Broken Heart

When Xavier Hernandez, 18, and his family brought Twinkle home, they didn’t know she was already pregnant. It was a shock to everyone, but the adorable little pooch was a waiting mother-to-be. Unfortunately, when Twinkle gave birth, all of her puppies were stillborn. Hernandez and his family watched helplessly as Twinkle sunk into a deep depression after the loss of her babies. Clearly she was devastated by their loss. To try and help their suffering girl, Hernandez’s mother bought three stuffed … Read more

Loyal Dog Found Guarding His Dead Owner Was Going To Be Put Down — Until Someone Stepped In

William still isn’t over what he’s been through. Just a day after being rescued from a Los Angeles shelter, he’s still glaring and growling at every hand that gets too close.   But can you blame this little dog? He was found still guarding his owner who had passed away. William may have been keeping that heartbreaking vigil for a week. When he was finally discovered and taken to the shelter, things managed to get even darker. Staff there deemed … Read more

Adoring Dog Mom Makes A Mini-Plate For Her Pup Every Dinnertime

As loving pawrents, we’ve probably all felt a pang of guilt watching our dogs eat the same old thing day after day as we enjoy our deliciously varied diets. Many owners opt to prepare homemade diets for their pups, but one adoring dog mom is taking it to a whole new level. Twitter user, Ashton Burton posted a series of photos showing the adorable mini-meals her mother prepares each night for the family Papillon, Tiny. “My mom seriously makes my … Read more

3 Great Ways To Strengthen Your Bond With Your Doberman

Dobermans are an intelligent and sensitive breed. They are very attached to their families and because of this, you may think you don’t need to work on your bond with yours at all. However, your bond is about more than whether or not your Dobie is lonely when you leave the house or greets you with kisses when you return. A strong bond means your dog will listen to you when you ask him to do something. This takes time … Read more

4 Tips to Stop Your Doberman From Digging

Doberman Pinchers are intelligent, high energy dogs that do not like to be left alone. If you leave yours in the backyard by herself for too long, chances are she will start to dig. Once a dog starts digging, it can be hard to curb the behaviors because it is self-reinforcing. In other words, your dog is getting plenty of things she wants from the digging, so it makes the behavior stronger. However, there are a few things you can … Read more

3 Basic Behaviors You Must Teach Your Doberman

You can teach your Doberman Pinscher to do almost anything – maybe you want her to learn how to balance on a pedestal or retrieve your newspaper each morning. Or maybe you really don’t care if he knows how to do anything fancy, as long as he is housebroken. No matter what your motivation for training is, there are a few behaviors your best friend should know for his own safety. The following are three basic behaviors you must teach your Doberman. … Read more

3 Great Ways To Strengthen Your Bond With Your Shetland Sheepdog

Shetland sheepdogs are loyal dogs that develop bonds fairly quickly as long as the humans who share their lives with them treat them well and understand dog body language. If something has happened to cause a Sheltie to be distrustful of humans (or maybe genetically they were born more fearful), then you may have to work a bit harder to get to a place where yours listens to you. This is especially the case if you rescued your Sheltie – … Read more

3 Things Your Sheltie Loves More Than Anything

Who doesn’t want to spoil their Shetland Sheepdog? Full of energy, absolutely adorable, and each with their own unique personality, they are wonderful companions. Those that own a Sheltie (or two or three, because let’s face it – you really can’t have just one!) know that they deserve to be spoiled in every way possible. But sometimes it can be hard to figure out what your dog really likes. If you’ve been looking for new ways to spoil your sweet … Read more

5 Tips To Prevent Your Sheltie From Pulling On The Leash

Does your Shetland Sheepdog pull your arm out of your socket at every walk? Many Shelties have trouble walking on leash for a variety of reasons – they may want to greet other people or dogs, or chase moving objects (including cars!). In some cases, your Sheltie may be pulling out of fear and you will probably need the help of a professional trainer. But for those that just have a rambunctious Sheltie bent on chasing everything, don’t worry, you … Read more

How To Teach Your Schnauzer To Stop Jumping on People

One of the biggest complaints I hear as a dog trainer is, “my dog jumps on me and other people constantly!” Jumping up is a learned behavior that dogs do because in the past it has gotten them something they want – attention, treat, a toy, etc. Your Schnauzer is smart enough to know what works and if you’ve inadvertently reinforced this behavior, it can become a hard habit to break. If you have a Giant Schnauzer, it’s even worse as … Read more

3 Things Your Jack Russell Loves More Than Anything

Is your tenacious Jack Russell everything you could possibly want in a dog? Is he your best friend and most trusted confidante? If so, then you probably do all you can to provide him with the best life possible. You buy him the food he loves, give him plenty of treats and even good-for-him “human” foods such as fresh carrots and blueberries. You  may still be wondering if there’s even more you can do to make him as happy as he … Read more

5 Tips to Stop Your Jack Russell Terrier From Digging

Your Terrier was bred to hunt vermin, so it should not be a surprise if your Jack Russell Terrier starts to dig up your backyard, especially if you have a mole problem. However, that does not make it any less frustrating as a homeowner trying to keep your yard nice for entertaining. While this behavior maybe instinctual and therefore hard to stop, there are things you can do to help curb your dog’s desire. The following are five tips to stop … Read more

3 Great Ways To Strengthen Your Bond With Your Jack Russell Terrier

Funny, full of energy, and with lots of personality, the Jack Russell Terrier can also be what we humans call “stubborn.” While dogs are not truly stubborn, Jack Russells can be a challenge to train if they do not have a good relationship with their owner. They may love you, but listening and love are two very different things. It’s not that your dog is stubborn. It may by your Jack Russell doesn’t understand what you are asking or isn’t able … Read more

3 Great Ways To Strengthen Your Bond With Your King Charles Spaniel

Owning a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel means you have plenty of love and laughter in your household. Full of personality and eager to be in your company, a King Charles makes sure you know they love you. However, even if your Cavalier can’t stand to be in a room without you, it doesn’t mean you don’t need to work on your relationship. All relationships need work, and just like anything else, what you put in is what you get out. … Read more

6 Solutions For Your Dog’s Dry Coat & Skin

The skin is the largest organ of the body and the very first sign of health you see when you look at a dog. Pups with shiny, lustrous coats just give off an air of wellness compared to those with dull, flaky, brittle hair and skin. Not only is dry skin unsightly, it’s also itchy and uncomfortable for your dog. Although soothing baths can help, healthy skin really starts from within with proper vitamins and nutrition. If you find yourself … Read more

Man Who Couldn’t Fit A Bed And His Dog In Apartment Gets Rid Of The Bed

Note: The names of the subject and his dog have been changed for confidentiality reasons. Marcus and his dog Pickles survived being homeless together. The pair had spent much of their lives on the notorious streets of Skid Row in Los Angeles. About the only thing they couldn’t survive was being apart. So when Marcus finally found affordable housing in the area, he insisted on bringing his best friend, the dog he had met on the streets, with him. It didn’t matter … Read more

80% of German Shepherds Over 8 Have This Painful Issue, But Hide It From Their Owners

Just the thought our German Shepherds suffering silently from hidden pain breaks the heart of any dog parent. Sadly, research shows that 4 out of 5 dogs over the age of 8 are suffering from some kind of joint pain. And while we humans have the ability to reach for pain meds and talk to our doctor about symptoms, are precious pups do not. In fact, dogs are quite good at keeping their joint pain a secret. Why do dogs hide signs of … Read more

Grief Therapy Puppy-In-Training Instinctively Comforts Mourners

The death of a loved one is extremely stressful to say the least, and devoting your life to easing mourners through the process can also take a heavy toll. That’s why Melissa Unfred, a funeral professional in Austin, Texas, decided to adopt a rescue puppy. Kermit became an instant comfort and source of stress relief for her, and Unfred soon realized that he had the calm, perceptive demeanor of a natural-born grief therapy dog. Kermit has already earned his canine … Read more

Animal Rescuers Turn Their House Into A Retirement Home For Senior Dogs

Sher and Joe Polvinale devoted more than 30 years of their lives to rescuing unwanted dogs and cats – many of them seniors. In 2006 they established House With A Heart Senior Pet Sanctuary out of their own 4 bedroom home in Gaithersburg, Maryland. Joe passed away in 2008, but with the help of her large group of volunteers, Sher continues to provide sanctuary to about 30 senior dogs at a time, making sure their final days are filled with love. … Read more

5 Reasons Your Dog Isn’t Listening

Dogs are opportunists. Although most are willing to please their owners and want to engage with them, there are times when something else is just much more interesting. For example, many dogs would much rather take the juicy steak right off your plate than lie on their bed during human dinner time. There are no “bad” dogs, but there are dogs that lack training. If you think your dog is just uninterested in listening to you, you might want to … Read more

Senior Stray Dog Finally Finds Forever Home To Live Out Her Final Days

Bianca is a survivor. She lived on the streets in Athens, Greece for 7 long years. She is a beautiful dog and had a good life for a stray. She had a shelter built for her and was fed by various people, but never offered a home she could call her own outside of her cardboard and wood dog house. Her favorite place was outside of the public swimming pool where she could watch people come and go all day … Read more

‘Big, Mean’ Shelter Dog Melts When Someone Gives Him A Blanket

Not every dog strikes a picture-perfect pose at the shelter. In fact, many dogs are scared and confused, having just been surrendered by their families to what seems like four walls — and utter loneliness.   It’s an even lonelier situation for pit bull-type dogs — thanks to a completely unearned reputation for being mean. “Those big bullies just don’t get adopted like the rest,” Karri McCreary, a veterinarian and animal rescuer at Vet Ranch, tells iHeartDogs. It’s no wonder … Read more

Important Differences Between Service Dogs, Emotional Support Dogs, And Therapy Dogs

Do you know the difference between a service dog, an emotional support dog, and a therapy dog? Can they all get into the same places? Do they all have the same rights? These 3 types of helpful pets have different roles, rights, and responsibilities in the lives of the people they help. Here are the differences between the designations. Service Dog Service dogs are trained to do certain tasks to help a person with a disability live a more independent … Read more

15 Best Names For Your New Puppy

  Looking for just the right name for your new fuzzy friend? You’ll want something that feels right – something that fits your pup’s personality to a “T”. The possibilities are endless, but we have some information on some of the most popular names from the last few years. Some are classics, some are inspired by pop culture, and some are just plain cute! No matter your new puppy’s manner, you’re likely to find matching moniker for him! 1. Benjamin … Read more