Shelter Dog Meal Donation Count:
Imgur is one of the most popular websites for memes, gifs and hilarious photos. But the users have a serious side as well and one woman has reached out to fellow Imgurians for help. User maribriktc found a very thin dog near her home in El Paso, Texas. He was in a parking lot, clearly malnourished and was so thirsty he was trying to drink from puddles outside of the car wash. She and her husband suspected the pup had been stray … Read more
Life did not get off to a promising start for Cupid. The adorable fluffy puppy was found sealed in a trash bag in a Toronto dumpster this January. He was just 7-weeks-old, born without front limbs, and tossed out like garbage to die in the frigid weather. Now, not only has Cupid stolen the hearts of his Facebook fans, he has also been fitted with new prosthetic legs! Cupid was named for his little heart-shaped nose and sweet personality … Read more
Like many herding breeds, Shetland Sheepdogs can be pretty shy and easily stressed. One of the most common complaints with Sheltie owners is the constant barking – at every little noise. This behavior is often related to stress and anxiety. Being able to identify when your Sheltie is stressed, fearful, or nervous is the first step in helping yours quiet down. The following are five signs your Shetland Sheepdog is stressed. #1 – Whale Eye If your Shetland Sheepdog is … Read more
Stay is one of those behaviors that is useful for any dog to have, but is tricky to train. Whether you want your Doberman to be the next obedience champion, or just to stay put when you open your front door, it’s a wonderful behavior to teach. Plus, it helps your dog learn self-control, which carries over into other parts of her life – such as not diving for your food plate or chasing the cat. The following is a … Read more
Those ears. Those stubby legs. That sassy ‘tude! There is a lot about a Corgi to love and let’s face it, we love them to the moon and back. Anything we can do to make them happier about life in general, we will do. While Corgis are pretty happy about anything that comes along, they definitely have some favorites. Here are three things your Corgi love more than anything. #1 – Chasing They are a herding breed after all! For … Read more
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are affectionate little dogs that are fairly good at letting you know their moods. Like most small dogs, they can be wary of their environment – especially energetic children who may be a little rough. As an owner, you need to know when your King Charles is stressed so that you can handle the situation before that anxiety manifests itself in unwanted behavior, such as fear biting. The following are five signs your King Charles Spaniel … Read more
With breeds like the Beagle- who tend to be more independent and willful than, say, a Labrador- a strong bond is a must. If you have a strong bond with your Beagle, they will be more likely to listen to you when you ask something of them, rather than blowing you off to follow their nose. Unsure how to develop a better relationship? Here are three great ways to strengthen your bond with your Beagle. #1 – Learn Your Beagle’s … Read more
Updated: 3/20/2017 The story of Capone – beloved pet to the Abbato family of Colorado for 10 years – has been making worldwide headlines over the past month. This weekend, Capone’s owners won a major battle in the case. DNA results proved what his family and veterinarian have said from the start – Capone is 100% dog! Despite the vindicating news, the Abbato family will have to wait a few more days to see their dog again. A hearing … Read more
Blakely isn’t your ordinary Australian Shepherd. He’s got a knack for taking on abandoned babies in need, and we don’t just mean puppies. Recently at the Cincinnati Zoo, his regular home, a Malaysian tiger mother abandoned her babies. This raised more than the normal concern for zoo staff. There are an estimated 500 Malaysian tigers left in the world – which means these babies are some of the very last of their species. Before long, Malaysian tigers are destined to … Read more
When Imgur user Hourglasscountdown headed to her local shelter, she had every intention to adopt a cat. She already had two others at home, and was planning to bring home a third to befriend her other felines. They arrived at the shelter, and as luck would have it, there were no cats there that day. So, she figured that since they were there, they should look at the dogs… “I was looking for a cat that day but there were none … Read more
Since you’re a dog lover, there’s a good chance you’ve heard of Envy and Zain, two rescue Border Collies that gained internet fame with their picture-perfect looks and hugging poses. Now, the Pennsylvania pups have added a new member to the pack: meet Trek! A post shared by Envy, Zain, & Trek (@kelly_bove) on Jan 9, 2017 at 5:38pm PST According to their photographer human’s Instagram, Trek was adopted from Glen Highland Farm in New York, the same rescue where Zain was … Read more
A Maine politician sponsored a bill that would make it illegal to have unresetrained dogs in cars while driving in the state. Rep. Jim Handy (D-Lewiston) submitted it on behalf of concerned citizens who are worried about the safety of pets in moving vehicles. “I think it is worthy of discussion, certainly. I don’t know if I support it or not,” Handy said in a story by Portland Press Herald. “I have a dog, I think the approach is laudable. I have … Read more
Brittany Turnbill took her 8-year-old Shih Tzu, Sugar – whom she lovingly refers to as her “daughter” – to her local vet for a simple ear infection. But what began as a routine visit became a life or death emergency when an egregious mistake occurred. Instead of receiving medication for her ear infection, Sugar was somehow accidentally injected with a euthanasia drug. The veterinarian broke the horrifying news, telling Turnbill to take Sugar to an emergency clinic in Columbus, Ohio … Read more
Accidents, illnesses and complicated surgeries can leave patients desperately in need of blood transfusions. There are 2,370 independent blood banks devoted to humans in the U.S. For pets, there are just 10. To compensate for the deficit in life-saving canine blood, many veterinary colleges and clinics have established volunteer donor programs. The everyday family pets who donate save hundreds of lives each year. Routine blood typing isn’t usually done in dogs, and when a life or death emergency occurs … Read more
Everyone experiences hard times in life and for one woman, things got a lot worse than she expected. Vanessa Thomas loved her pit bull, Patty, but was suffering from financial difficulties and felt she wasn’t able to care for her anymore. In the hopes to find Patty a new, better home, or at least a chance to reach a rescue organization, she surrendered Patty to Petersburg Animal Shelter. There, the staff told her they would try to find Patty a … Read more
A once frightening story has a beautiful happy ending! Just 2 weeks ago it looked as if a tiny Chihuahua puppy was not going to survive. Now, the little fella is healthy, full of energy, and ADOPTED! It began when police discovered his near lifeless body in his owners’ truck outside a Texas Home Depot. He had consumed their stash of heroin and required immediate emergency care. “He was extraordinarily lethargic, almost comatose,” Dr. Stacie Fowler of North Texas Emergency … Read more
When we partnered with a holistic veterinarian to formulate our Happy, Healthy Brand Advanced Hip & Joint Soft Chews, we knew we were on to something BIG. After a 5 month development process, we began testing. Our pups here at iHeartDogs loved them!! Our families and friend’s dogs loved them too. It was time to take them to market! Shortly after we launched the chews, emails from customers started rolling in with reviews like these: ★★★★★ “I Love these!!! It makes it … Read more
Since 2008, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) has encouraged “the elimination of ear cropping and tail docking from breed standards,” and much of Europe and Australia have already banned or restricted the practices. On the other hand, the American Kennel Club (AKC) states that: “Each of these procedures is a safe, humane standard practice that serves a practical purpose, and in the case of ear cropping and tail docking, preserves a dog’s ability to perform its historic function.” Should … Read more
We know what our dogs’ feet look like. Most dogs have 5 toes on the front feet and 4 toes on the rear feet. People may already know that the toes on the side of the front feet that do not touch the ground are called dewclaws, but if they do not touch the ground to help with locomotion, then why are they there at all? Of course, dogs are members of the class Mammalia, with humans and many of … Read more
We’ve all heard the heartbreaking statistics: ‘X million’ dogs and cats end up in shelters each year, and more than half of them never make it out alive. According to new data released by the ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals), those numbers are going down – way down! Ringo is a star! This wonderful pup has found a loving home! Want to give our other adoptables a happy ending? Click here: http://bit.ly/2b1I73h #adoptASPCA Posted by … Read more
In Phoenix, Arizona, a rescue has been blacklisted from adopting from area shelters after they were caught adopting dogs from one shelter and bringing them to another. “Kim’s Caring Hearts Rescue” raised concerns when county shelter staff realized they were adopting lots of dogs too often. As it turns out, many of the dogs who’d been “rescued” were really just re-located to shelters in other cities, where they faced the same potential fate: awaiting possibly euthanasia. Some of the shelter dogs … Read more
Brothers Richard and Martin Dawson care for their elderly grandparents who live in an apartment attached to their home in Worthing, England. Sadly, their grandmother – whom they lovingly refer to as “Nan” – suffers from Alzheimer’s Disease. Distraught by her increasing confusion, the brothers wondered if a canine companion might help. They had observed the incredible change in clarity and mood that Nan displays each time the family gets a visit from their baby nephew – Nan’s great-grandson. The … Read more
What if I told you that an easily preventable condition was going to steal years of your beloved dog’s life? Wouldn’t you do everything in your power to prevent or alleviate this condition? Sadly, canine obesity is ravaging the health of our precious pets. According to The Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, an estimate 54% of dogs and 59% of cats in the USA are overweight. Their research goes on to show that obesity is more than just a cosmetic … Read more
Part of each sale through the iHeartDogs store is donated to Rescue Bank, a program through Greater Good that helps feed hungry shelter dogs. Thanks to customers like you, happy endings, like the one below, are made possible. When Norman was found on the streets in Houston, Texas, he was mangey, emaciated, and scrounging for food. It was clear that he had either never lived in a home, or had been severely neglected. Adorable Mutts Rescue took him in and rehabilitated him for nearly two … Read more
Dogs can be allergic to things in the air, just like people. In people, this is commonly called “hay fever”, but it is not characterized by fever and it is not usually from hay either! Actually, hay fever is more accurately termed atopic dermatitis, which just means that the skin is inflamed in response to an antigen that is inhaled. Makes a little more sense when you call it what it is, huh? It might help to know a little … Read more
A South Carolina woman discovered a small dog tied to a pole and was surprised to see what he had with him. Blanca Anahi Cushman says her cousin found the dog in the parking lot of Muv Fitness in West Columbia, tied to a pole by his leash and left with two small bowls, a duffle bag and a piece of cardboard with an interesting note. In hasty writing it read: “Free pup. Name is Scooter. Owner went to jail today.” Thankfully … Read more
Sheldon the grumpy-faced Pibble is the perfect example of just how important shelter photography is to homeless pets. The 2-year-old pooch arrived at Maricopa County Animal Care & Control in late 2016, but after several weeks, no one had taken an interest in adopting him. Then volunteer Heather Haltmeyer took Sheldon outside for a personal photoshoot. She affixed a bright green bow tie to his collar and began to snap away. Not only was Sheldon well behaved for his beauty … Read more
The Cole family of California’s San Lorenzo Valley desperately searched for their 12-year-old Yellow Lab, Sage for more than a week. The blind senior had been missing for a full 7 unseasonably cold days, amid reports of mountain lion sightings. They were devastated and wracked with guilt over her loss when suddenly, on the 8th day, a miracle occurred. Neighbor and paramedic/EMT, Dan Estrada was hiking in the woods with his own two dogs and a friend when he spotted … Read more
A Franciscan monastery in Cochabamba, Bolivia has welcomed a new member to its service. In Catholic tradition, St. Francis of Assisi is the patron saint of animals, so it only makes sense that this sacred fold would allow a little dog to join them. The pup, a Miniature Schnauzer named Carmelo, was originally a stray that was picked up by a local rescue organization. From there, he went to the monastery. His new position has earned Carmelo a … Read more
It can be difficult to remember everything that’s toxic for dogs to ingest, so hopefully we can help refresh your brain a little bit. For an added reminder and to let others know that might be staying at your home, our handy Toxic Dog Foods refrigerator magnet is a great way to keep this information easily accessible. Still, it’s important to understand the foods and ingredients that should be avoided when it comes to feeding your dog. #1 – Chocolate … Read more
Zoey is a very friendly dog that loves people but is shy around other dogs. She’s had an interesting week, but thankfully is in good hands. She was with her previous owner, Shannon Cochenour, until Cochenour suffered asthma and allergies from Zoey. She decided it was best for them to part and adopted her out through CraigsList. A woman named Angel Reese took Zoey in, but Cochenour was surprised to see Zoey for sale for $100 on Facebook the very next … Read more
Just because your Jack Russell Terrier is not a large dog, does not mean they shouldn’t walk nicely on leash. While your JRT may not be able to pull you over, they can still cause injury to your shoulder, arm, or wrist should they suddenly bolt. It’s also not good for your dog’s body to be constantly pulling against you. This includes pulling due to her stopping and barking at everything. Finally, leash manners mean your dog listens and pays … Read more
Kyle Smith was partnered with military working dog Bodza back in 2012 during his deployment in Kyrgyzstan. The U.S. Air Force soldier worked alongside his beloved German Shepherd Dog until the day Bodza retired. Smith and Bodza immediately formed a special bond when they were partnered together and Smith knew he wanted to take his beloved dog home with him. Their bond was so obvious that Smith’s superiors surprised him with Bodza’s adoption. “My boss said, ‘Hey, go check your Jeep,’” Smith … Read more
Although tattoos are not illegal in South Korea, the law states they must be done by a medical doctor. However, that hasn’t stopped many tattoo shops from opening in the country and the law is rarely enforced. Although originally created as a health concern regarding the spread of HIV and other illnesses, the government is looking towards change. This is great news, because there’s one South Korean tattoo artist who has a skill for turning people’s pets into awesome pieces … Read more
When all you’ve ever known is survival, the smallest act of kindness can change your entire world. In this story, that life-changing gesture was a simple morsel of food offered to a hungry stray dog. The events that grew from one sympathetic deed made headlines the world over and warmed the hearts of millions. Three years later, we are still fascinated by the story of Team Peak Performance and a dog named Arthur. Mikael Lindnord was leading his team of … Read more
Doberman Pinschers are big dogs that are very strong. If your Dobie is not taught leash manners, they can become terrible pullers. This not only makes walks miserable, but can cause injury to you if your Dobie pulls you off your feet. Leash manners make sure you have a pleasant walk and can prevent your dog from getting away from you. If you are approaching an unfriendly dog, it can prevent a fight. It also creates a strong bond between … Read more
Doberman Pinschers are an elegant and loving breed, adored by those who are lucky enough to share their life with one. Unfortunately, like all large breeds, they just do not live long enough. As owners, we try out best to give them the best life possible. This means doing everything we can to not only keep them happy, but to keep them healthy and even lengthen their lifespan if we can. The following are three ways to keep your Doberman … Read more
Although Corgis are small, their low center of gravity gives them an edge and they can be quite good at pulling you wherever they feel on leash. This makes for very unpleasant walks, especially if you own a Corgi that wants to herd (chase) everything that moves along the way. Thankfully, there is a way to reverse this behavior and get your Corgi walking nicely by your side. The following are five tips to prevent your Corgi from pulling on … Read more
Chihuahuas are pretty good at letting you know what kind of mood they are in, so if you have some basic dog body language skills, you probably know when yours is upset about something. Once you know that, however, the next step is knowing that to do. How you react to your Chihuahua when she reacts is very important. The following are four things to when your Chihuahua is stressed. #1 – Find The Trigger First and foremost, you must … Read more
If you own a Bull Terrier, you know that they pretty much love life and everything in it. The world is their dog bone and they want nothing more than to soak up every little thing. They do have a few things, however, that they enjoy above all else. Knowing what your dog loves is great because you can use these things as rewards for training, or just to spoil them. The following are three things your Bull Terrier loves … Read more
Learning your English Bulldog’s cues for when she is stressed, anxious, or afraid of something is very important. Equally important, however, is knowing what to do if she is in that state. How you react can have a very big impact on whether your Bully’s fear stays the same, goes away or escalates. The following are four things to do when your English Bulldog is stressed. #1 – Find The Trigger First and foremost, you must figure out what is … Read more
When two people get a pet while sharing a life together then decide to split down the road, it can lead to some serious disagreements and heartbreak. When it comes to children and assets, people have the option to settle in court; but which category do pets fall under? In most states (except for Alaska, due to a recent amendment), our four-legged companions are considered “property,” although we hardly view them as such. The situation can be even more muddled when the … Read more
Beagles are – without a shadow of a doubt – a breed that definitely lets you know what they like or don’t like. Some of the things they love may not be things you are too happy about, but that’s what makes this breed unique. They definitely have interesting… tastes. The following are three things your Beagle loves more than anything. Two of them probably drive you crazy. #1 – Following Their Nose When a Beagle picks up a scent, … Read more
Now that you know how to tell your Boston Terrier is Stressed, you may be wondering – now what? It’s all well and good to know your dog is stressed, but if you don’t know how to react to his emotions, then it does no good. What you do will have a big impact on how your dog deals with his anxiety, including future encounters with whatever triggers his reaction. The following are four things to do when your Boston Terrier … Read more
You may have seen some of the recent press regarding “anti-tethering” laws. Some states have very specific regulations regarding tying dogs outside, others cover tethering in their animal cruelty legislation, and far too many still do not have any restrictions at all on their books. Marigold’s story sheds light on why these laws are so vitally important to the innocent dogs they protect. Marigold was named for her sunny yellow coloring and sweet disposition. She was first spotted by some … Read more
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, … Read more
If you don’t believe in destiny, this story may just change your mind. Logan is a handsome, 2-year-old shelter pup who was having trouble finding his forever home due to his amputated front limb. Quinn is a courageous, 12-year-old cancer survivor who, like Logan, lost a leg while battling for his life. They met Thursday at Sacramento’s Front Street Animal Shelter – and the rest is history! Coincidentally, the day before Quinn and his mother arrived in search of a … Read more
A bill passed unanimously through the Washington state Senate this week that would help protect dogs left chained or restrained outdoors for extended periods of time. The new humane treatment law would require they have access to food and water, protection from extreme weather and the ability to move about without becoming tangled. Tethered dog Posted by Nick Meyer on Friday, December 9, 2016 The legislation also prohibits tethering by a choke, pinch, or halter collar, or a chain or … Read more
Sgt. Nick Nichols is a WWII Army veteran who’s turning 100 years old on March 20th. On this landmark birthday, instead of gifts, there’s only one thing that he wants: to help a fellow veteran get a service dog. Although Nichols would love a service dog of his own, at his age, it’d be difficult to care for a canine companion. But he knows how therapeutic these pups can be, and would love nothing more than to gift that to … Read more
Although more and more people are becoming educated on adopting homeless pets from shelters and rescues or purchasing them from responsible breeders, many are still falling for the pet store tactics. Many cities and states are now requiring that pet stores only offer rescue and shelter dogs and cats to the public, which has greatly reduced the need for puppy mills and other terrible breeders. Unfortunately, poor conditions for animals isn’t the only problem arising from pet stores. One family … Read more
UPDATE 3/29/17: Remember Picasso? The impossibly adorable pup born with the unique facial deformity? Thanks to donations from his fans and dear friends at Luvable Dog Rescue, he has undergone successful dental surgery to alleviate discomfort in his lower jaw from his upper teeth digging into the gums. Don’t worry, they have no intention of changing Picasso’s “signature look”, the surgery was just to help him live pain-free! Once he has fully recovered, Picasso and his brother, Pablo can be … Read more
Toledo, United States.