Shelter Dog Meal Donation Count:
We all know Siberian Huskies were bred for running up to 100 miles a day. Clearly, they need exercise. But just because they are bred for running that much every day, does not mean they have to in order to be healthy. I have even known lazy huskies that preferred the couch to long walks. The important thing is to pay attention to your Husky’s health and behavior to know if she is getting enough activity. The following are 3 … Read more
Labrador Retrievers are an active breed. Although dogs within a breed have similarities, these characteristics can vary depending on the particular dog, as well as its personality and age. For instance, a younger Lab will probably need more exercise than a 12-year-old (but not always!). Sometimes it can be hard to tell if your Lab is truly getting the right amount of activity. The following are 3 signs your Lab needs more exercise. #1 – Destructive Behavior A Labrador Retriever with … Read more
Every dog needs medications at some point in his life. Funny thing is… we are supposed to be the smart ones, right? Then why is it that our dogs completely have our number when it comes to taking medications? There are lots of reasons that your dog knows what you are up to and we have to consider each one to win this battle. We know that the way to a dog’s heart is through his stomach, but we also … Read more
Dogs are such fun and watching them (and trying to explain their behaviors) is almost as fun as people-watching at the mall! We have all seen dogs madly kick at the ground behind them after they eliminate. Some people think that they are trying to “clean up the mess” by covering it, but “cleaning up” isn’t exactly our dogs’ forte! If a dog is truly attempting to cover the excrement, it is more likely to be an effort to hide … Read more
Two-year-old Petey is a sweet spotted pooch who arrived at Cleveland Animal Care and Control in Ohio. On the outside, it appeared that he had no wounds or broken bones; but it soon became apparent that this pup was harboring more pain than anyone could have imagined. While shelters are scary, stressful places for most pups, Petey had a particularly hard time adjusting. They realized that there must be something else wrong beneath the surface and that he’d need extra care. Luckily, … Read more
The thought of our Akitas silently suffering from a easily preventable disease is absolutely heartbreaking. Yet studies show that as many as 85% of dogs over the age of 3 years old are suffering from a disease that is not only extremely painful, but outright deadly. What condition are we talking about? Periodontal disease. Unfortunately periodontal disease is more than just a cosmetic issue. In addition to causing inflammation, bad breath, tooth loss, and pain for your dog, bacteria that starts in the gums … Read more
On the afternoon of October 26, teachers at a Detroit school contacted Detroit Dog Rescue after seeing a severely matted dog running loose in the vicinity. It was a rainy, gloomy day with temps in the low 40’s. When they caught sight of the pitiful pooch, the volunteers vowed to do whatever it took to bring him in out of the cold. They snapped the following picture of him moments before his rescue. Detroit Dog Rescue has described the case … Read more
A beautiful photograph can mean the difference between a dog languishing in the shelter or being adopted by a loving family. Shelter photographers volunteer their time and talent to create stunning images that capture the hearts of potential pet parents. With just one photo, they are able to bring families into shelters to meet (and hopefully adopt) the pet that caught their eye. The photos above are of two of my own dogs, Finch and Rosana. These are the images … Read more
In January 2014 Ivy Diep found a pitiful Yorkie Mix pup wandering the streets of LA. He was dirty, matted and extremely thin. She scooped him up and brought him home to her family who instantly adored him. Popeye the dog is now living a life that any canine would envy. As Ivy’s constant companion, he joins her on “Instagram dates” to sample and document the best foods Los Angeles has to offer. A photo posted by Popeye The Foodie … Read more
Most people consider small dogs as the dainty, fragile pets that people want to carry around in their purses. While many owners might wish to have this kind of dog, many others simply want a smaller companion that can keep up with them just like any “regular” dog does. If you’re thinking that small breeds can’t do all of the things your Labrador Retrievers and German Shepherds can, you might be surprised. There are plenty of tiny pups that hate … Read more
Halloween night is full of frights and fun. As you prepare your candy bowl for costumed kiddos, don’t forget that there might be some tail-waggers tagging along! If you live in a dog-friendly city or neighborhood, consider keeping some goodies on hand to offer to any pups who are trick-or-treating with their families. Since there’s going to be lots of candy around that they shouldn’t be eating, these treats are safe way to keep them happy while they join in on the … Read more
Hello everyone! It’s a new week! After a relaxing weekend, it can be such a drag to start the work week. So to brighten up your day, here’s something to make you smile–an adorable puppy video! This tiny Pekingese pup going about his day is the cutest thing you’ll ever see today! The way he walks, the way he yawns, everything he does is just irresistibly cute! Check out the video below! Tiny Pekingese PuppyI need this Pekingese puppy in … Read more
We know dogs are loyal creatures that will stand by their family’s side no matter the circumstance, but sometimes this leads to major heartbreak. Take Boo, for instance. His unconditional love landed him homeless, although we’re not exactly sure why. Whatever the reason, his story is certainly a bittersweet success story. Boo was just a regular family dog in Detroit when his family moved out of their home. Like most people, they put a lot of their old belongings on … Read more
A dog named Liszka is finally free to run and play like a normal dog. But that wasn’t always the case. When the pup was found, she was locked in a small cage, forced to exist in her own feces. She had no food or water, and had just about given up on life. But everything changed when she was saved by Poland’s OTOZ Animals rescue. “She was lying and waiting for death. She was somewhere between scrap and waste,” said one of … Read more
We’re all likely aware of the dangers of smoking cigarettes. There are countless controversial advertisements, warnings, people, and organizations arguing back and forth about just how unhealthy smoking is. But the focus is solely on humans. Yes, humans are the ones doing the smoking, but you’ve likely heard about how second- and third-hand smoke harms children and other non-smokers that are exposed. This also stands true for our pets. While we’re not here to discuss whether you should or shouldn’t smoke … Read more
Great Danes have a wonderful personality and temperament, making them a great choice for a wide range of families. They can easily steal just about anyone’s heart – even a non-dog person’s! Unfortunately, this gentle giant is prone to several health issues. These issues, when left untreated, can compromise your Dane’s quality of life and even shorten their already too short life span. The following are 3 of the top health concerns for Great Danes that all owners, or those … Read more
Labrador Retrievers are one of the most popular breeds. This isn’t surprising since they are known for having an even temperament, being easy to train, and fairly “low maintenance.” This does not mean, however, that they are without problems – no breed is. Whether you are thinking about adding a Lab to your family, or you already own several, you should be aware of the health issues they can face. Knowing what to be on the lookout for can save … Read more
Canines sleep an average of 12-14 hours a day, according to The National Sleep Foundation. And although they may be off in dreamland, you can still learn a lot about your dog by the way she dozes! From snoozing positions, to paw twitches, to sudden changes in sleep patterns, here’s what your pup’s sleeping habits say about him or her. A photo posted by BeauBedford.AbbieG.Sarge.Hedda (@weimquists_) on Oct 21, 2016 at 8:05pm PDT Sleeping Positions The position that your pup is most comfortable … Read more
We all love dogs, but with so many breeds coming from all over the world, it can be difficult to figure out how to pronounce their names properly. It helps if we know the language of the country they came from, but we often don’t even know that! And even if we do, many people aren’t even close to being bilingual. We’ve compiled a list below of some breeds we think you might be mispronouncing, but if you’ve got them … Read more
What you teach your Husky is up to you. For example, some people want their dog to know Sit and Down, others do not care as long as they do one of these behaviors when asked. Mostly, it depends on your lifestyle and whether you just want a nice family pet or a serious competitor in a dog sport. However, there are a few behaviors your Siberian Husky should know for safety reasons. The following are the top 3 cues … Read more
If you have a bouncy Boxer, chances are you have thought about dog training. Especially during their “teenage phase,” Boxers can be overwhelming for some owners. In reality, what you teach your Boxer is entirely up to you – you may be happy with just a few simple behaviors that make him a nice family dog, or maybe you plan on her becoming the next agility star. Regardless, there are a few behaviors that every Boxer should know for safety … Read more
What you teach your Great Dane is really entirely up to you and your family. If you want a Dane that pretty much just knows his name and is a great family dog – that’s fine. Or maybe you want to do competition obedience, rally or even agility with yours. These factors are what ultimately decide what you teach your Dane. However, along with these, there are a few behaviors that really should be taught to every Great Dane. The … Read more
Many of us own Labrador Retrievers because they make great family pets. As such, you may feel you don’t need to teach your Lab many things, and that’s fine. Then there are owners who may compete with their Labs in agility, obedience, dock diving, etc., and teach them a lot – that’s great! Regardless of which category you fall into, there are a few behaviors all Labrador Retrievers should know for safety reasons. The following are 3 cues all Labs should … Read more
When it comes to training your Chihuahua, it’s really up to you to decide what you want to teach him. Most likely, it will depend on whether you just want a nice family pet or a performance Chihuahua. If you are looking for just a nice family pet, you may not care too much if your Chihuahua even knows the basics – and that’s fine. However, there are a few behaviors all dogs should learn for safety reasons. The following are the top … Read more
Being a small dog, many Dachshund owners don’t feel the need to teach their Doxies a ton of behaviors, which is fine! Really, the cues you teach your Doxie will be dependent on what you want her to be – a nice family dog that knows a few words or a top performance dog. This is entirely up to you and your family. But, there are a few behaviors that can save your Dachshund’s life, and these should definitely be … Read more
Some get German Shepherds because they want an intelligent dog and like the look of the Shepherd. Others get one because they know they are good workers and aspire toward herding, agility or obedience titles. Why you got your Shepherd will determine – for the most part – the behaviors you want her to know. If she is the family dog, you may not care too much about a precision Heel or even if she knows Down. Still, the following … Read more
Lady is a little Pomeranian with a big attitude. She lives with two giant Newfoundlands and the three of them make quite a unique bunch. Boomer, one of the giant dogs, is trying to play with Lady when he quickly realizes she wants no part of his mischief. Despite his gentle nuzzling, Lady offers him the fiery wrath only a tiny dog is capable of. Poor Boomer instantly rolls over to play dead and let Lady know he got the … Read more
Animal welfare professional and Pit Bull advocate, Neely Conway shares her expertise and experience as a contributor to the Huffington Post. Her recent article, “The Day A Man Hit My Dog” is a shocking reminder of just how deeply the stereotypes and prejudices against Pit Bull-type dogs truly run. Conway lives in Atlanta with her husband, Joe and two rescue dogs. The shelters in her area are overburdened and underfunded. Pit Bull-type dogs represent a large portion of the abused and … Read more
It is culturally expected that most human beings shower or bathe everyday. We can even bathe more often as circumstances present themselves. We all know that gross feeling we get when we know we need a shower and we may get kind of paranoid that we smell bad. Your dog has no such concern. She does not care how bad she smells and probably even rolls in bad odors just for the fun of it. WE care how our dogs … Read more
(Note: Always make sure your dog is safely secured when riding in the car.) Sometimes, something simple can completely make your day…like seeing a dog casually leaning out of a car window, for instance. Foxy Roxy Mango is a super-chill French Mastiff who’s been documented by passers-by as she cruises around London like celebrity. When the car is stopped, this laid-back lady likes to lean out the window like the boss that she is. A photo posted by Foxy Roxy Mango (@foxy_roxy_mango) on … Read more
Chihuahua-mamatero is a little dog with a big personality. He and his mom, Semba live in Saitama Prefecture, Japan and share a flare for the arts. Semba designs elaborate cardboard cutouts for Chihuahua-mamatero and he brings them to life as her muse and model. It began with Semba designing cute and inspirational messages to photograph Chihuahua-mamatero with for her Twitter followers, then she began to expand on her creativity with masks and costumes based on famous characters. Semba … Read more
Dog lovers are no strangers to the powerful healing that can only come from a 4-legged friend. And for a person who is living with a disability, a service dog is truly life-changing. In a touching photo that has gone viral, a mother is overwhelmed with emotion as her child begins to form what will surely be a deep bond with his new service dog. Five-year-old Kai is living with autism and has struggled to make social connections his whole life; that … Read more
If you’re reading this, you probably love animals. Sure, you might prefer dogs to cats or vice versa, but generally speaking most people that love one deeply also love every other living creature. There is something magical about the relationship with humans and animals of any species. We’re able to create impermeable bonds, work together and appreciate each other in ways that cannot be explained or replicated with other people. They are innocent beings with an unconditional love for their … Read more
Mike Thawley is a fire fighter in Sacramento, California who has helped a lot more than a few people in his days on the job. He recently found a tiny, sick Pit Bull puppy tied up in the rain. Seeing the condition she was in, he knew she had been abandoned. Thawley cleaned her up a bit and took her Front Street Animal Shelter for much-needed veterinary care. But being the loving gentleman Thawley is, he had to stop by … Read more
As long as I could remember, I’ve always had a heart for comforting those in a time of need. I’m not sure what brought me to the shelter that day, but I couldn’t help but feel like I was meant to be there at that exact moment in time. They brought her in to me. We were in a dimly lit room littered with broken dog toys. When our eyes met for the first time, there was a feeling of … Read more
Our dogs are more than just pets to us. They are our best friends, they are part of the family. 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 dogs’ lives are short, and unfortunately for us, the time will come when we have to say good bye to them. … Read more
Golden Retrievers are known for their incredibly loving and outgoing personalities. These characteristics paired with their intelligence and desire to please make them excellent therapy dogs. One such pup is 3-year-old Mojito. Her love for helping humans is rivaled only by her obsession with toys. Ever the gentle diplomat, Mojito refuses to play favorites with just one toy, she makes sure they all feel the love! A photo posted by Mojito Rose Soldan (@mojito_rose) on Oct 16, 2016 at 7:35am … Read more
Have you ever wondered what activities there are for dogs and owners to do together? Maybe you’ve got a high-energy pooch that needs a lot of mental stimulation or simply just want to enjoy more than a walk in the park together. Whatever the reason, looking into dog sports is an excellent way to spend time with your pooch. You don’t need to have the Energizer Bunny for a pet, even older, less active dogs can enjoy some special training. … Read more
We know that our canine counterparts have extraordinary senses that, in many cases, are far superior to our own. Movies, books, and even folklore depict pups as being extra-perceptive to the paranormal. But is it legitimate to think that dogs can sense spirits, even when humans cannot? First, we have to ask ourselves whether we believe in ghosts and/or an afterlife. If you don’t believe in either of these, there is no question to ask. But let’s assume that we believe in the existence … Read more
Stinky doggie breath… all pups have it, right? While most do, it’s not as harmless as one might think. Veterinarians now know that bad breath in dogs (halitosis) can be a sign of a far more serious condition: periodontal disease. Your Dog’s Breath Could Be Signaling a Deadly Disease Unfortunately, periodontal disease doesn’t just stop in the mouth. Bacteria that starts in the gums can work its way into the bloodstream and affect the lungs, the kidneys, and even the heart. … Read more
Hope For Paws in a Los Angeles-based dog rescue that’s shared tons of amazing rescue stories. Recently, they received a call about a small, shaggy stray dog who had been homeless for at least a few months. While the rescuers are used to dogs running and hiding from them due of past traumatic experiences, they suspected that this pup didn’t want to leave her spot for another reason. Once they were finally able to get the pooch safely contained, they saw that … Read more
When it comes to a vacation in Hawaii, there are few things that could really go wrong. Those planning vacations in Hawaii are pretty much ready to do a whole lot of nothing and just enjoy the scenery and leisure of the islands. Relaxing on Maui’s beautiful beaches, sipping your favorite cocktail and enjoying your day of tropical elegance is an experience you’ll never forget. But if you’re like us, there’s always one thing that make it better – and … Read more
Dog-mom Kate Banaszak and her dogs seem to really get into the Halloween spirit. So when she posted a picture of herself and Irish Wolfhound Kellan dressed like the main characters in the 90’s comedy Wayne’s World, fellow Redditors were impressed with the duo’s impression of Wayne and Garth. Pretty impressive, huh? “I actually toyed with other costume ideas because I thought Wayne’s World was so 90’s, a lot of people may not ‘get it,’” Banaszak told The Dodo. “But, I’m a … Read more
Around this time of year, everyone wants a special treat–including your dog! But since we all know that chocolate and candy are dangerous for canine consumption, we want to share this DIY Peanut Butter Apple Treat recipe so that Fido can (safely) join in with the festivities. This recipe comes from the Gone to the Snow Dogs blog. We just love how these Halloween treats turned out! Here are a few things to keep in mind: make sure that the apple pieces you use don’t … Read more
When a picture gets posted online with the perfect amount of humor/adorableness/sweetness, there’s just no stopping it from going viral! When Twitter user @cutiechaser_ was sent a picture from her parents of a pup getting his caricature done in Disneyland, she had to share it with the world. As it turns out, everyone else loved it just as much as she did! MY PARENTS ARE AT DISNEYLAND AND JUST SENT ME THIS pic.twitter.com/s0XdI4GQFf — cutie chaser (@cutiechaser_) October 14, 2016 … Read more
The thought of our dogs silently suffering from a easily preventable illness is absolutely heartbreaking. Yet studies show that as many as 85% of dogs over the age of 3 years old are suffering from a disease that is not only painful, but outright deadly. What are we talking about? 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 in the gums can … Read more
The Scenario: In Bradenton, Florida, a woman named Elisha Griggs walked into a McDonald’s with her unmarked service dog, and a suspicious employee told her the pup wasn’t allowed in the restaurant. “They told me, ‘No pets.’ I said, ‘She’s not a pet. She’s a service dog.’ They asked me if I had paperwork for her. I said, ‘Yes,’” Griggs explained to WFLA News. You see, the pup is a small black Pomeranian named Onyx, which Griggs will frequently hold … Read more
On May 12, 2016 veterinarian and shelter director, Jian Zhicheng passed away after injecting herself with euthanasia solution – the very substance she had been forced to use far too many times on the dogs and cats she adored. Zhichen was only 31-years-old and likely suffering from a rarely discussed condition known as Compassion Fatigue or Secondary Traumatic Stress Disorder defined as: “Emotional exhaustion, caused by the stress of caring for traumatized or suffering animals or people.” Compounding the condition for … Read more
Boxers are known for their adorably goofy expressions, and one photographer has been able to capture her pup’s many faces on film! Tamás Szarka is an amateur photographer who lives in Hungry. And her beloved muse? Six-year-old Strawberry, a silly, fun, happy-go-lucky Boxer pup! She told iHeartDogs that she started taking pictures of her dog in order to keep a “timeless memory” of her joyful, adventurous spirit. “Strawberry is not a pet she is my family,” Szarka said. “She is … Read more
4 Million Meals Donated in 2016 from Your Support! Dear Supporters, It is with great gratitude that we’re honored to announce another incredible milestone: 4,000,000 meals donated to shelters so far in 2016! Often when we look at numbers this large, it’s hard to visualize the impact. For this reason, we’ve compiled some stories of dogs and shelters who have been, and continue to be, individually impacted by your support. Words cannot express how grateful we are for your loyalty and assistance. … Read more
Toledo, United States.