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‘Pets For Life’ Programs Strive To Keep Dogs & Cats Out Of Shelters

The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) does far more than operate shelters nationwide, they also do their best to keep pets from entering the shelter system at all. Their Pets For Life program targets high-risk, low-income communities and provides education, supplies and veterinary services to keep pets safe, healthy, and at home where they belong. Community Outreach is a fundamental principle of the Pets for Life program. Amanda and this wonderful family are a beautiful example of “peak … Read more

Puppy Owner’s Playdate Invites Evolved Into A Doggy Social Club With 40+ Members

Dog lover Scott Milne of Aberdeen in the UK came up with a genius way to socialize his new puppy named Bella. Milne and his wife adopted the German Shepherd pup after the passing of their former dog, who died after becoming ill in his old age. When the couple couldn’t find any local classes to socialize Bella, they decided to post an invitation on Facebook for anyone wanted to join them on a group walk. About six dogs and their … Read more

UPDATE: After Being Chained Outside For 15 Years, This Dog FINALLY Gets A Home!

While some dog breeds love spending all day outside, no dog should be out in the elements, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week… especially for years and years. This is the story of Bear, a senior dog in Suffolk County, New York who was chained for fifteen years enduring the blistering heat of summer and the frigid storms of winter with no shelter. According to a story by Good News Network, local group Guardians of Rescue (GOR) was called to … Read more

UPDATE: Resilient Puppy Whose Face Was Burned Finds His Forever Home!

Update: Last week, sweet Dudley found his forever home! Despite enduring so much pain and trauma in his young life, this pup’s spirit remained unbroken, and his resilience is absolutely inspiring! We have no doubt that this pooch will be spoiled with his new forever family. Original Story: In Lenoir County, North Carolina, a puppy who’d suffered horrible burns on his face wandered into someone’s yard. Luckily, this is when his life changed – for the better. The property owners immediately … Read more

5 Ingredients That You Need To Watch For In Your Dog’s Food

When it comes to choosing the right food for our dogs, the amount of options available to us can quickly become overwhelming. There are a wide range of opinions, by dog owners and veterinarians alike, about what is best for our dogs. As a rule of thumb, we suggest talking to your veterinarian and doing your own research about what works for your individual dogs. No one dog is the same, so two dogs might do best on two different … Read more

This Young Vet Runs A Clinic Providing Free Care To Homeless People’s Dogs

Ruby Shorrock is only 24-years-old, but she has already managed to graduate veterinary school, open a revolutionary new clinic, and selflessly serve the pets – and humans – of her community. The young vet is an inspiration to the homeless men and women she helps, as well as the entire veterinary community who have taken notice of her service and begun to spread the goodwill. A photo posted by The Trusty Paws Clinic (@trusty_paws) on Sep 4, 2015 at 12:05pm … Read more

Shelter Dog Learns To Smile And Wins The Heart Of A Wonderful Adopter

If you are a fan of Instagram celebri-dogs, then you are quite familiar with Brinks the Smiling Pit Bull. His silly grin not only earned him more than 81,000 followers, it helped him land his perfect forever human. A kennel technician at the Front Street Animal Shelter in Sacramento, CA knew that a pup named Riley had the potential to give Brinks’ signature smirk a run for its money – and she was right! Britney Ridge bonded with the sweet, outgoing … Read more

8 Big Dog Breeds Who Your Actually Big Lap Dogs

When it comes to lap dogs, most people think of a dog that fits comfortably in the shape of your lap. Not too heavy, not taking up too much space, just fitting snugly right in. If you ask dogs, however, you’re going to get some different answers. Size doesn’t matter, these gentle giants say–because they want nothing more than to be big lap dogs. They’re ready to snuggle into your lap, or onto your entire couch, at the drop of … Read more

These Bonded Dogs Were Adopted Separately… Then Fate Stepped In To Reunite Them

Imgur user stephunni posted an amazing story about two American Staffordshire Terriers that came into their lives. Mindy and Mork were around 2-years-old when they were surrendered to a local humane society. The two were clearly bonded, and the shelter thought they may have been siblings. But when Mindy was adopted before Mork, he was left in a foster home without his best friend.   Meanwhile, user stephunni and their significant other were looking for the perfect canine companion to add to their family, which already … Read more

3 Tips To Teach Your Dachshund To Play Fetch

Dachshunds are energetic hunters that love a good chase, whether it’s vermin or a ball. Fetch can be a great game to keep your Doxie trim, and if played correctly, is fairly easy on their back and joints. The secret is to throw easy tosses on a level surface that is not too slick or hard. Also, be sure you don’t toss it such a way that your Doxie has to change direction quickly, as that can cause the spine to … Read more

3 Tips To Teach Your Pug To Play Fetch

Fetch is the quintessential game to play with your dog. It seems as if it’s been around for as long as dogs and people have cohabited… and with good reason! Fetch strengthens your bond, gives your dog exercise, and teaches him to bring things to you (instead of running away). Pugs have lots of energy and fetch is a great way to expend some of that. While they may not be natural retrievers, they can definitely learn the game. The … Read more

3 Tips To Teach Your Boxer To Play Fetch

There’s nothing like a rousing game of fetch with an energetic, bouncy Boxer to help him burn off energy. It can be a great way to start your training sessions because after she has burned off some energy, she will be more focused for work. But sometimes getting your Boxer to retrieve instead of playing “keep away” can be a challenge. The following three tips will help you teach your Boxer to play fetch. #1 – Start With The End … Read more

3 Tips To Teach Your Boston Terrier To Play Fetch

Fetch is a great way to give your Boston Terrier some exercise even if you cannot physically run around. It’s also a useful “trick” that can be transferred to other things such as fetching the mail, your slippers, or even finding the remote you misplaced, again. Since they are not natural retrievers, it’s common to run into problems once your Boston has caught the ball – most prefer to run after it and then play with it by themselves. The … Read more

3 Tips To Teach Your Pit Bull To Play Fetch

Pit Bulls have a lot of energy and love a good game. Tugging with a dog as big as a Pit Bull can be hard on the body – my little Sheltie has pulled out my ribs so imagine what a bigger dog can do to those of us with joint issues! Fetch is great for those who are not strong enough for more physical games. Not good at throwing? Trying using a Chuckit or hitting the ball with a racket … Read more

3 Tips To Teach Your Husky To Play Fetch

Fetch is a great game for Huskies because it allows them to run to their heart’s content without you getting exhausted. Even if you have had a long day at work, throwing a ball isn’t that hard. But since Huskies are mischievous and love to play, it can be hard to get them to bring the ball back – they enjoy running around with the ball in their mouth or playing “keep away” from you instead. Or, maybe they bring it … Read more

3 Tips To Teach Your Labrador Retriever To Play Fetch

Although Labrador Retrievers were bred for retrieving – a form of fetch – this does not mean they are all born doing it. You may be embarrassed that you seem to have the only Lab that doesn’t fetch, but the truth is, many of them do not do this naturally. Some will chase the ball but not bring it back. Others will bring it to you but instead of having a nice soft mouth (which is trained, by the way), … Read more

3 Tips To Teach Your Rottweiler To Play Fetch

Rottweilers are intelligent dogs that have a wide range of skills, since originally they were used as all-around farm dogs. However, just because your Rottie might be a great herder, vermin catcher, protector and/or obedience dog, it doesn’t mean he will naturally bring a toy when you throw it for him. Chasing a toy is fun – just like herding a sheep or trying to get that rat – but picking it up and bringing it back is something different … Read more

3 Tips To Teach Your German Shepherd To Play Fetch

German Shepherd Dogs are known for being very intelligent. However, this does not mean they come trained! As a herding dog, fetching a ball on their owner is not necessarily a natural thing. Chasing the ball, maybe, but bringing it back instead of just playing with it themselves can be a hard thing to teach them. If you are struggling, don’t give up! No matter how old your Shepherd is, he can learn to fetch a ball back to you … Read more

3 Tips To Teach Your Golden Retriever To Play Fetch

We all know that Golden Retrievers were bred to retrieve so it may seem that fetch would be something they would just naturally do without a lot of training. However, just because it is what they were orginally bred for, does not mean all Goldens are natural fetchers. You will find ones that like to chase the ball but not bring it back, or will come to you but then not drop it for you to throw again. If you … Read more

3 Tips To Teach Your Great Dane To Play Fetch

Have a Great Dane that just won’t play fetch? Maybe he doesn’t like to chase a ball, or maybe he chases it but has no intention of bring it back to you – it’s much more fun to play keep away! For many dogs, regardless of breed, fetch is not a natural thing, but a game we teach them. The following three tips will help you teach your Great Dane to play fetch. #1 – Start With The End In … Read more

Stray Mother Dog With Broken Leg Leads Vet To Her Puppies

A psychologist, Lianne Powell, noticed an injured Greyhound on the streets. She took the dog in and to the veterinarian, where it was determined she had a broken leg. They treated the dog, now named Vera, but discovered she was still producing milk after likely just giving birth to a litter of puppies. Of course, the humans had no idea where to find these lost babies. But Vera knew. In fact, she wasn’t about to give up on her pups. … Read more

Adorable Corgi Knows Just What To Do To Stop His Human’s Tantrum

It’s hard not to like Corgis, but Dooey has a special skill that certainly convinces his human family to keep him around. They nicknamed him Dooey the Tantrum Stopper, and he definitely lives up to it. On a recent clip posted on Imgur, he shows exactly how he gets the job done. His tiny human starts throwing a tantrum and she’s clearly upset. So Dooey steps right in and snuggles onto her, hoping to offer as much comfort as possible. … Read more

Ask A Groomer: 5 Secret Hacks For Grooming Your Dog At Home

Taking care of your dog’s grooming needs can be a bit of a chore. Here are 5 hacks to make the process easier for both you and your dog. 1. Put dog toothpaste directly on your finger. At first, you can let your dog lick the toothpaste off. Once they get a taste for it, gradually get them used to putting your finger in their mouth and rubbing the toothpaste over the teeth. The enzymatic toothpaste will help clean their teeth even without … Read more

Deaf Senior Dog With Cancer Gets Adopted By Handsome Man & Their Story Goes Viral

When it comes to animals, we just love happy endings. Hearing a story about a dog’s life completely changing for the better can brighten our whole day. For a 9-year-old dog named Donuts, who is deaf and was diagnosed with cancer last month, his dreams came true when he was adopted into his forever home. The pup’s exciting new start, in addition to his handsome new dad, made their story explode on the internet! https://www.facebook.com/susiesseniordogs/photos/a.591497441006896/749419251881380/?type=3&theater Donuts was at the Ark-Valley Humane Society … Read more

3 Things All English Bulldog Owners Should Know

It’s easy to see why people love the English Bulldog. Aside from their adorable looks, they have quirky personalities that make anyone who meets one an instant fan. But they definitely are a special breed with care requirements above and beyond the average dog. The following are three things all English Bulldog owners should know. #1 – Their Vet Bills Are No Joke Actually, many vets joke that their bully clients pay for their vacation homes. But in reality, owning … Read more

3 Things All Chihuahua Owners Should Know

Chihuahuas are a breed with a lot of stereotypes and misconceptions associated with them. If you are lucky enough to own one, you know just how amazing they are. Those that spend time with them learn they are much more than just a “purse dog.” If you are thinking of adding one to your family or you are a new owner, there are some things that you should know to make sure you give yours the best care possible. The … Read more

3 Things All Pit Bull Owners Should Know

The history of the Pit Bull breed has certainly been a roller coaster. Once touted as a great family dog and “babysitter,” appearing as a mascot for the US Army and in the show The Little Rascals, they fell into ill repute. Today, there is a strongly divided line, even in the dog world, about this wonderful breed. While many breeds have their own issues to consider when adding one to your family – like being prone to disease or breathing issues – … Read more

London Launches The World’s First Doggy Tour Bus

“Who wants to go for a ride?!” The dogs of London do! And thanks to the UK insurance company called More Than, they will finally get their chance aboard a customized Routemaster bus called the K9. The world’s first bus tour for dogs takes pups and the people who love them on a figure-eight loop around London, making stops at four dog-friendly parks along the way. The 90-minute tour had its flagship ride on Monday and will continue with three departures … Read more

Irish Wolfhound Gets The New World Record For Longest Tail On A Dog!

Clear the table when Keon comes around, and make sure everything fragile is high out of reach! It’s not that he’s purposefully destructive. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. Keon is just a happy Irish Wolfhound with a heck of a tail! When recently measured by a veterinarian, it turned out to be a whopping 30.2 inches long from tail base to tip, not including the hair. This landed him in the awesome Guinness Book of World Records, beating the previous … Read more

Playful Pup Gets All The Squeak Out Of His Toys

There is nothing like a playful pup to brighten your day. Their zest for life is unstoppable, and their happiness is absolutely contagious! This hilarious Golden Retriever, named Ludwig, has discovered a rather unique way of playing with his squeaky toys! And judging by the look on his face, he’s quite proud of himself and all the noise he’s making! Get ready to laugh: What a funny pup! Does your dog have an interesting way of playing with his toys? Share this … Read more

What Is “Lepto” And Should I Worry About My Dog Getting It?

Leptospirosis (lepto) is a “serious bacterial disease” that affects many animal species, including dogs and humans. Wildlife, such as raccoons and skunks, carry the disease, which can then be passed on directly (or indirectly) to dogs. This is why it is more of a concern for rural communities or dogs that spend a lot of time in wildlife areas. Signs of Lepto Unfortunately, some dogs may never show symptoms of being ill. Others, according to PetMD.com, can be lethargic and show signs … Read more

Dog Who Inspired A Rescue Organization Passes Away, But Leaves His Legacy

No matter who you are, any dog lover would agree that a good canine companion will change your life for the better. Marley the Pit Bull / Rottweiler mix was a remarkable dog because he not only saved his human’s life, he inspired him to run a rescue and save the lives of thousands of other dogs that ended up in high-kill shelters. Zach Skow had been battling with substance abuse since he was a teenager. But when he adopted little Marley, … Read more

20 Dog Hacks To Make Life Easier On You & Your Pup

Dogs certainly enhance our lives, but they can also add a good deal of work to our schedules. Thank goodness there’s a life hack for just about everything these days – including your dog! These 20 simple tricks help you give them the best of the best without breaking the bank or losing your entire weekend!   1. Old Sweatshirts Make Awesome Small Dog Beds There’s nothing cozier to your dog than a soft piece of clothing that smells like … Read more

4 Out of 5 Pups Over the Age of 3 Suffer From This Deadly Disease – Know The Signs!

The thought of our dogs silently suffering from an easily preventable illness is absolutely heartbreaking. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, as many as 4 out of 5 dogs over the age of 3 are suffering from a disease that is not only painful, but outright deadly. What are we talking about? Canine periodontal disease. Unfortunately periodontal disease is more than just a cosmetic issue. In addition to causing inflammation, tooth loss, and pain for your dog, bacteria that starts … Read more

Are Your Dog’s Treats Sneaking In This Sugary Ingredient?

Savvy marketing experts make their livings manipulating product descriptions to sound healthy, when often they are anything but. This trick is being used more and more in the pet industry. Veterinarian Karen Becker of the website Mercola Healthy Pets expressed her concerns about the use of molasses in dog treats and its marketing as a “healthy sweetener” and “functional food.” In Dr. Becker’s expert opinion, sugar is sugar whether you slap a fancy label on it or not. Molasses is … Read more

Special Look At Groomer Who Made A Name For Herself Showcasing Dog’s Inner Beauty

Have you ever wondered what a career as a dog groomer is really like? The new Mashable series, How She Works gives an intimate glimpse at the highlights and challenges for one young groomer. Jess Rona has been beautifying other people’s pups for 16 years and says a successful groom is about far more than just cutting hair. It’s about respecting the dogs’ feelings with a dose of artistic talent thrown in. A photo posted by JessRonaGrooming (@jessronagrooming) on Nov 18, … Read more

What Your Dog’s Bad Breath Is Urgently Saying About Their Health

I doubt there is anyone who has been around dogs for an extended period of time that hasn’t caught a whiff of the classic “doggy breath”. It has a become a pretty common joke and pet companies have played into it – you can even buy mints designed to tackle it on Amazon. What many don’t realize, however, is that a dog’s breath gives multiple important indicators- blaring signals of their overall health and insight into potentially serious issues. As … Read more

Firefighters Help Dying Shelter Dog Cross The First Item Off His Bucket List

Rocko’s story is a sad one. He was surrendered to the Maricopa County Animal Care & Control (MCACC) shelter in 2015 when his owner moved away. He has since been adopted – and returned – twice. The sweet pup was recently diagnosed with cancer so his friends at the MCACC Mesa campus decided to make his final weeks as special as possible by creating a bucket list. Rocko’s first wish? To take a ride on a real fire truck! Rocko’s … Read more

Couple Relocates Their 46 Rescue Dogs To A Four Acre Canadian Paradise

Mark and Sharon Starmer of British Columbia may very well be the most devoted dog parents on Earth. Not only have they personally rescued 46 dogs, they also uprooted their lives in Alberta in order to keep them. Many members of their pack were considered long-shot adoptions due to old age and poor health. Now they are living out their days in canine bliss thanks to this special couple. A photo posted by Mark Starmer (@somedogsareangels) on Sep 17, 2016 … Read more

Ask A Vet: Why Does My Dog Stink When He Is Wet?

Every dog lover knows the smell. If you blindfolded us and tested us, we could all pick out the smell of “wet dog”. It is a fairly distinctive scent, even for our noses which are really quite feeble among the noses of the animal world.  So why do dogs stink when they are wet? The answer lies partly in the way noses work. In a nutshell, mammalian olfaction (the ability to smell) is a complex interaction between scent molecules and receptors … Read more

Puppy Rescued From Burning House Gives Thanks To The Firefighters Who Saved Her

Asheville, NC firefighters Mike Stageman, Joshua Adell, Bentley Andres and Zac Bass risked their own safety to rescue an 8-week-old puppy from a raging house fire this past October. The tiny terrier mix named Hex suffered severe burns and smoke inhalation, but thanks to her 4 guardian angels, escaped with her life. After several months of healing and growing, she was ready to show her gratitude. Zac Bass, the firefighter who first located Hex in the burning house, described her … Read more

UPDATE: Dog Hit By Car Is Found By Cat Rescue Group Who Refuses To Turn Him Away

When a cat rescue group set out to do some good for the strays in the community, they had no idea that they would be saving the life of a dog that day! Kathryn Walton, founder of The American Street Cat, Inc. (TASC) in Texas, was working on a cat project in the Houston area when a volunteer approached her with some startling news. The volunteer had stumbled upon the scene of a brown dog who’d just been struck by a car. … Read more

5 Ways To Calm Your Hyperactive Dog

Some dogs have more energy than others, even individuals within the same breed. While active dogs are beneficial to those looking for a regular exercise partner, they are often difficult to manage in your typical household. Hyperactive dogs aren’t just limited to the working breeds, however. They come in all shapes, sizes and genetic backgrounds. In fact, where your dog came from or what kind he is really doesn’t matter – what matters is that hyperactive dogs are difficult to live with. … Read more

8 Signs That Your Dog Is Feeling Sick

Recognizing when your dog is feeling ill is extremely important – the sooner you realize there is a problem, the sooner you can seek help. The problem is, signs of illness can often be subtle in dogs. It is their instinct to put on a brave face and mask their symptoms for as long as possible. Watching for the following cues can help you catch a potentially serious health issue in its early stages. A photo posted by chienni (@peichienni) … Read more

5 Tips For Raising A Friendly Dog

The first few months your new puppy or rescue dog spends in your home will set the tone for your life together. It is important to establish rules and provide plenty of socialization during this time. Although the following 5 steps can help you raise a well-rounded, friendly pooch, some dogs require more training than others. Don’t be afraid to reach out to a trainer or behaviorist for help!   1. Do not take a dog from its mother and … Read more

Tiny Puppy Sets Record As The Smallest Dog To Ever Be Adopted Out From Wisconsin Shelter

If tiny creatures make you melt, you’re going to fall in love with a precious pup named Thumbelina! Chihuahuas are known for being small, but this sweet girl is itty bitty, even for a Chi! At 3 months old, the perfectly-named Thumbelina weighs 1.54 pounds and was put up for adoption by the Wisconsin Humane Society, where she was surrendered just before Thanksgiving. Fully grown, she’s only projected to weight about 2 pounds or so! What’s more, there’s a happy ending for … Read more

5 Things Dog Owners Do That Drive Trainers Crazy

Not everyone needs to hire a dog trainer for private lessons, but more and more dog owners are finding themselves needing a little extra help outside of the basic puppy classes offered at most chain pet supply stores. Professional dog trainers are a rare breed – they love dogs and have spent years perfecting their craft and learning everything they can about dogs and their behavior, but they also find themselves as social butterflies who want to help people. By … Read more

3 Amazing Ways To Honor An Alaskan Malamute Who Passed Away

Saying goodbye to someone you love is one of the hardest things that you will ever deal with in life. And that’s not just for humans, but also for our furry family members. Losing a alaskan malamute many times leaves an irreplaceable hole in our heart, regardless of all the memories that you have of times cherished together. But thankfully there are ways to commemorate, and even honor our best friends. Above all, it’s important to remember them for who they were and … Read more

Dog Saved After Falling 20ft Down A Sewer Hole, Gets Adopted By His Team Of Rescuers

When Julian the dog was rescued by the Houston, Texas Department of Public Works and Engineering crew, not only was his life spared; he finally had a family! The 3-year-old stray was found at the bottom of a 20-foot deep sanitary sewer. The poor pup, who was named Julian, was lucky to have survived the fall. But he must have been so scared, waiting in the cold, dark, sewer for someone to finally find him! Thankfully, workers from the Department of Public … Read more

A Final Tribute To Pit Bull Denzel, Rescued From Michael Vick’s Dog Fighting Ring

It has been almost 11 years since NFL player Michael Vick was exposed for his crimes against Pit Bulls. Twenty-two of his canine victims were taken in by Best Friends Animal Society and several were adopted into loving homes. A special dog named Denzel was kept in the devoted, capable hands of the Best Friends staff due to a chronic blood disorder often suffered by victims of dog fighting. https://www.facebook.com/NikkiMacRadio/photos/a.570793556294524/736850049688873/ He passed away peacefully on January 10th surrounded by those … Read more

3 Amazing Ways To Honor A Yorkie Who Passed Away

Saying goodbye to someone you love is one of the hardest things that you will ever deal with in life. And that’s not just for humans, but also for our furry family members. Losing a yorkie many times leaves an irreplaceable hole in our heart, regardless of all the memories that you have of times cherished together. But thankfully there are ways to commemorate, and even honor our best friends. Above all, it’s important to remember them for who they were and the … Read more