Shelter Dog Meal Donation Count:
We all pick favorites, whether we admit it or not. When it comes to dogs, they pick a favorite human and see no reason whatsoever to hide it. Some may call them clingy. You just call them yours. Here are 12 signs that you are one of those lucky dog moms with a mama’s dog by your side. #1 – Will Not Leave Your Side Mama’s dogs want to be with their mama. Not some of the time. Not part … Read more
When choosing the time and place to take a much-needed nap, the most popular settings are often calm, quiet, and free from potential interruptions. But for one drowsy dog, the most appealing site seemed to be a patch of soft, green grass that just so happened to be a soccer field. Only, it was during a professional soccer match that she decided to take a snooze. Who doesn’t love a lazy, afternoon nap? Especially when the site of your snooze … Read more
When you’re a dog, you don’t have to worry about things like money. You don’t even know what the lottery is, let alone what a lottery ticket looks like. To some dogs, like Alaskan Klee Kais Apple and Jack, a lottery ticket actually looks like a tasty snack. Either that, or they find the sight of one reprehensible. Whatever the reason, these two troublemakers tore their parents’ ticket to shreds. A Delicious Lottery Ticket It’s not clear which dog if … Read more
From the moment Huxley the Golden Retriever laid eyes on the bag of Walkers Supreme Prawn Cocktail Crisps sitting on his mom’s tray table, he had a goal. Huxley was going to get his paws on those crisps one way or another. Huxley’s human, a London-based photographer named Ursula, regularly posts photos and videos of her two beautiful Goldens (Huxley has a brother named Hugo). She shared these hilarious pics of her tenacious dog attempting to acquire some of her … Read more
Lauren Buckley is a long-time friend and foster with the Brown Dog Coalition in Hopkinton, MA. Her story originally appeared on LoveWhatMatters.com, and is reposted here with her permission. “Months ago, on Christmas Eve, I was scrolling through Facebook when I saw a post about two abandoned dogs. The gentleman who found the dogs (and who we later named Lainey and Frankie) was begging for help. He had found them in a ditch down the road from his house and … Read more
An injured dog named Dani was brought into the Twin Maples Veterinary Hospital in Ohio because she needed emergency medical attention. The individual that brought her in claimed that they found the dog with a slit throat and a duct-taped mouth. Horrified by this story, officers went out to search for the person behind this animal abuse, but they later found out that the entire story was a fabrication. The real person to blame was the person who brought her … Read more
Finding a sitter for your dog has become increasingly difficult because not everyone is honest about the quality of care they provide. One San Francisco hotel claimed to be a “luxury” accommodation, but reviews are saying that isn’t the case. After two TikTok users made videos explaining their experiences, the hotel gained lots of negative attention. The customers claimed that their dogs were neglected and dirty upon pick-up. Some of the services they paid for also weren’t provided. Instead of … Read more
A dog can become overweight for a variety of reasons. It could be that they only have access to poor nutrition, are given too many treats and “people foods,” or have an underlying medical condition. Whatever the reason, obesity can be harmful to a dog’s health just like it can a human’s. In February of 2019, Phil the Retriever weighed just under 150 pounds. Phil’s adoptive mom made it her mission to help her baby lose weight for his health … Read more
Teachers go to work in the morning wishing to encounter pupils, buses, and the excitement of a new day. They never anticipate seeing a dog waiting outside their school’s main entrance. That’s exactly what happened at an elementary school in Houston, Texas. The canine was really sitting outside the institution’s primary entryway. Image/Story Credit Source: TheDoDo and Lucky Lab Rescue and Adoption (Great work!) Caleb Schaffer, a teacher in the small town of Columbia Falls, Montana, … Read more
The bond between a dog and his person is nothing to underestimate. It’s based on mutual love, appreciation, and most of all, trust. Contrary to popular belief, earning a dog’s complete trust isn’t as simple as giving out a few treats and belly rubs. If you want your dog to trust you with his life, you need to earn it. It can take months, and even years, of dedicated love and attention to earn a dog’s trust. Not every relationship … Read more
Having surveillance cameras surrounding your home can offer more than just peace of mind. In McClain County, Oklahoma one resident’s security cameras captured not attempted burglary, but a different kind of crime. The footage revealed a man cruelly dumping three puppies onto a gravel road. Not only did he abandon the dogs, he physically harmed them. The witness, Joe Fleming, described to KFOR what he saw on his security cameras that day. “[The suspect] opened the hatch and reached in and … Read more
On the outskirts of a city, a tiny puppy was abandoned. The pup was despondent from waiting in the empty woods and so the traveler informed a local dog shelter for assistance. Milan, a rescuer from “Dog Rescue Shelter Mladenovac,” went to save the solitary puppy not knowing what he would face. Milan traveled over six-miles on remote roads in order to find the puppy. The puppy was hiding behind a fallen stone pillar and was startled when Milan drew … Read more
When we adopt a dog, only part of that decision is up to us. In most cases, our dogs actually choose us first. Some dogs even surprise us and make us fall in love with them when we least expect it. That was the case for a dog at an animal shelter. She fell in love with a news reporter who was covering a story at the shelter. So, she was willing to do anything to get him to love … Read more
For some, adopting a dog is about companionship and the love and friendship that they can provide. Others seek more of a working dog that can help them complete a job or offer protection for their family. A dog named Morocho took his role as protector so seriously that he didn’t hesitate to spring into action to fight off a fearsome Puma. The wildcat was chasing his human sister and her friend as they picked figs from a tree on … Read more
Usually, we hear of dogs guiding the blind, but one feline has happily embraced a species role swap to help her canine best friend navigate life. When fur and quill mom Robin Wagner adopted German shepherd/Greyhound mix Blaze, Satin the cat welcomed the extra-large canine into their Burlington, Vermont, home with open paws. Blaze was big and had a habit of stepping on the black cat, but Satin didn’t mind. She’d found a furry buddy to spend her days with, … Read more
In 2013, Jennifer Butler adopted a 6-week-old puppy named Benjamin (or Bennie for short). Butler works at a veterinary practice, and someone brought Bennie into the business for an exam. The woman with Bennie said that she found him as a stray and wanted to help him, but she couldn’t adopt him herself. So, Butler decided to adopt Bennie. After five happy years together, Butler stumbled across an adoptable dog that looked exactly like Bennie. A few years later, it … Read more
Binx is a gorgeous mixed breed pooch with one blue eye and one brown eye. He loves to run, play, hike, and enjoy the Arizona outdoors. In addition to his good looks and adventurous spirit, he is potty trained, sits and shakes on command, and loves kids and other dogs. Despite his perfect resume, Binx was recently returned to the Arizona Animal Welfare League after just 48 hours with his new family. The reason? He is just TOO GOOD! Binx’s … Read more
It’s no secret that life is much better with a dog. They can change your life in ways that you never would’ve expected before. Sure, they make a lot of everyday things harder than they have to be, but because we love them and they love us, we gladly accept the challenges! Any dog lover knows that the following 10 things are much harder when you have a dog, but they also make life so much better…and exciting. #1 – … Read more
Like most young boys, Cooper Black wanted a dog. When he turned 13 in July 2022, his mother, Chelley, decided he was ready for the responsibility. They headed to their local shelter, the Williamson County Animal Center in Franklin, Tennessee. Chelley noticed a tan and white dog with a distinctively crooked ear but feared the pooch was too old for her family. “I didn’t want my children to fall in love with a pet and then lose him a short … Read more
One brave Kentucky teenager made headlines this month by risking her own safety to save her dog. The heroic duo’s story is a brilliant tale of selflessness and bravery. Their dedication to one another proves that nothing, not even a flood, is strong enough to break the bond we share with our fur babies. Chloe Adams, the hero of today’s story, is just seventeen years old. But despite her age, Adams clearly understands the true meaning of selfless love. When … Read more
An unfortunate aspect of being a pet parent is that, more than likely, you will outlive them. The day we have to say goodbye is a day we all dread. But why not make it the best day possible, for both you and your pup, by doing all of your favorite things together one last time? That’s exactly what Baxter’s mom did, and her video documenting their last day together has gone viral. If you’ve ever had a dog that’s … Read more
Kimberly Still has been a nurse for four years, and she loves helping people and forming connections with her patients. Yet, she never expected one patient to change her life so drastically. When Still was caring for a terminally ill woman at Northside Hospital Gwinnett in Georgia, the patient worried about what would happen to her Chihuahua mix Jax when she passed. So, Still promised she would make sure the dog was cared for. Before Still knew it, she was … Read more
Can you imagine meeting a giant dog who has no idea just how huge they are and thinks they’re a lap dog? Well, that’s exactly how Kernel the Great Dane lives his life. This big, sweet boy is 175 pounds of pure love, and his adorable pouting face is melting the hearts of millions across the internet. It’s easy to see why; this big beautiful boy is incredibly endearing to watch. This six-year-old stud lives with his mom in Boston, … Read more
Dogs do unexplainable things. But when they do, we still say “aww!” and take a picture. Then, we can’t help but share those adorable photos all over the internet. But the silliest and most entertaining images are the ones where the dogs seem to be “malfunctioning.” The ones where dogs are sitting weird or acting almost human-like. So, the internet has blown up with photos of dogs acting in bizarre manners. Each image begs the question, “what’s wrong with your … Read more
WARNING: Video, screenshots, and content might be sensitive to some readers. Amid an animal abuse case, you can always count on dog lovers to fight for justice. So, when a video surfaced of a Michigan dog groomer abusing an innocent Poodle, everyone was quick to contact authorities. The Genesee County Sheriff’s Office received numerous reports of the video, along with people begging the police to do something. It’s still unclear who took the video and whose dog is in the … Read more
Pit Bulls know how to care for others unlike any other dog. Despite their bad reputation, they are often the most loving and considerate dogs out there. This became even more clear when a Pit Bull and squirrel friendship soon became popular on Reddit and Instagram. Everly is a rescue Pit Bull with such a kind heart. Her mom, Morgan Joy Groves, says that the sweet dog befriends nearly everyone, even other animals. Recently, a baby squirrel started hanging out … Read more
A young couple who are expecting a baby are currently living in a small one bedroom apartment with their dog of five years. Anticipating the need for more space once the baby arrives, they decided to start looking for a bigger place. The boyfriend found an ideal apartment that lacked one important thing: they do not allow pets. He shocked the future mother of his child by asking her to give her beloved dog up. You can probably guess how … Read more
A creative animal lover named Mandy Helwege has a booming business designed around photoshopping furry friends. She wanted to create something special for the many dedicated pet parents out there, so she came up with a brilliant concept! Mandy’s journey to success began with a fun idea for her Great Dane’s Instagram page. She thought it would be adorable to photoshop a picture of her Great Dane as a puppy next to his current self, creating a unique peek into … Read more
In January 2018, a German Shepherd puppy was stolen outside her home in Baytown, Texas. She loved everyone she met, so she didn’t resist when strangers welcomed her into their vehicle. The stolen pup’s family searched for weeks with no sightings and slowly gave up hope. But the weeks turned into months, and then years. It got to the point where the family thought they’d never see their dog again. But then, they got a phone call that changed everything. … Read more
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) is the largest animal welfare charity in the UK. For nearly 200 years, this organization has dedicated itself to stomping out animal cruelty and rescuing those in need. This summer, the RSPCA launched the “Cancel Out Cruelty” movement: “Each year animal cruelty reaches its terrible annual peak in the summer months,” reports the RSPCA. “When an animal is beaten on average every hour of every day.” The RSPCA has … Read more
You know your rescue dog had a life before you walked into the shelter, but how much of that time do they actually remember? Would your dog recognize their old owners or where they used to live? Can they recall specific experiences whether they were good or bad? For some rescues, forgetting a painful past might be a good thing, but is that even possible? Here’s a closer look at how your dog’s memory works and what scientists think they … Read more
Park Rangers outside of Kansas City, Missouri made a shocking and heartbreaking discovery at Longview Lake on Friday. A terrified, mud-caked dog – since named Deputy by his rescuers – had been chained to a 12″ x 12″ concrete masonry block and presumably left to drown as the waters rose. He is now recovering at the Great Plains SPCA in Independence, MO where staff describes him as a “loving, happy dog.” Park rangers heard Deputy’s cries and began investigating the … Read more
Scientific research has helped us understand the complex thoughts and emotions our beloved dogs are capable of. They may feel, interpret and express love differently than humans, but they definitely understand the sentiment. Dr. Brian Hare is an associate professor of evolutionary anthropology at Duke University and founder of the Duke Canine Cognition Center. When asked by People Pets whether dogs realize how much we love them, he answered: “Yes, your dog knows how much you love him! Dogs and … Read more
When we love our dogs like family, we sometimes forget that they don’t understand us quite like our human relatives. Sometimes we try to have full-on conversations with them or unknowingly send them body language signals that are interpreted differently in the animal kingdom. For these reasons, we’ve compiled a list of 9 common things that humans do that stress dogs out. If you’ve done any of these things, don’t worry–we all have! But by being more aware, we can try to communicate with our … Read more
Sadly, not every family treats their dogs with respect. A sweet Pit Bull named Ellie thought she had a loving home. She came to her first family as a puppy, when she was adorable and irresistible to them. But as soon as she turned a year old, her loved ones turned their backs on her. They surrendered her at a high kill shelter in Tennessee, saying they no longer wanted her because she was “not a cute puppy anymore.” This … Read more
Whenever people ask me how I can keep fostering after 22 animals and counting, I think of stories like Tuck and Cuda’s. Of course, fostering dogs can be sad and frustrating at times, but the happiness of their adoption day is worth all the hard work. As I’ve told many people before, shy dogs are the most rewarding, and Tuck was one of my first extremely shy foster dogs. I fostered Tuck, a one-year-old Maltese, over a year ago now, … Read more
To a dog comfortably resting on his own porch in his own domain, the approaching delivery person can seem like a threat. That’s why there is some truth to the concept of dogs hating mailmen. It’s a tough thing to avoid, which is why delivery drivers often have to be very cautious approaching homes where dogs are outside. Recently, a Ring camera captured an interaction between a delivery driver and a dog at the home he was delivering to. That … Read more
While mountain lions may be a common sight near the foothills in Utah, a dog deciding to defend her family and refusing to back down during an encounter certainly isn’t. But that’s exactly what Ella, a hunting dog and family guardian, decided to do. Risking life and limb to do it, nothing was going to hurt her humans while she was on watch. The scorching summer afternoon started out the same as any other, with the kids playing in their … Read more
When Gayle Ellias knew she wanted to adopt a sixth dog, she had her heart set on a Golden Retriever. She wanted a canine she could train as a therapy dog, and she thought the popular breed would be her best bet. But when she saw an adorable Alaskan Malamute rescued from the dog meat trade, he stole her heart. Ichabod wasn’t an easy dog to adopt, but Ellias was willing to jump through all the hoops to bring him … Read more
Black Ink Crew New York, a VH1 show about tattoo artists working in Harlem, used to star a 43-year-old artist named Ceaser Emanuel. Now, the show has completely severed ties with Emanuel after witnessing a disturbing incident of animal abuse perpetrated by him. Footage from a Ring camera went viral this year, horrifying both fans of the show and dog lovers everywhere. The disturbing video shows Emanuel hitting a dog with a folding chair, among other things. The Abuse Incident Caught … Read more
What could be better than dog kisses and canine cuddles? These breeds aren’t afraid to show their love for you, in fact, they insist on it! Having one of these breeds means having a personal snuggle machine in your home. If you’ve got space in your bed or on your couch for a cuddle buddy and free hands for belly rubs, consider adopting one of the dogs on this list! #10 – Brussels Griffon This charming little dog steals the … Read more
Dogs are extremely keen, intuitive animals that we learn more about every day. It’s recently been discovered that some dogs are able to warn their epileptic owners before a seizure happens, or notify their diabetic owners if their blood sugar is too low. These amazing things haven’t yet been able to be trained and only some dogs display the behavior. But there are things that all dogs can sense about humans, and they’re pretty amazing. #1 – Your Mood It … Read more
A love for animals unites most pet lovers – but it can divide us just as much. Most of us agree on a few basic things: pets deserve to be happy, healthy, and loved – but how they should receive those things is often the subject of debate. Recently 11Alive.com shared what appeared to be the heartwarming story of Dr. John Keating, an orthopedic surgeon in Atlanta, Georgia, who studied to perform surgery on humans but had a passion for … Read more
It’s easy to tell when our furry friends are acting unusual, but figuring out what the problem is can but tricky. In most cases, vets can discover issues that families can’t, but even professionals get stumped sometimes. Amanda Coleman knew something was wrong with her three-year-old Labrador named Poppy for several weeks before vets determined the cause. Somehow, a stick lodged inside her neck had gone undetected by x-rays. So, when a vet found the root of Poppy’s symptoms, it … Read more
Rufus is an adorable five-year-old Blue Heeler. He was reunited with his family this week after spending nearly a year alone on the streets of Santa Fe. Rufus, who is completely deaf, escaped from his family home in early September 2021, and an entire community has been on the search for him since. There were certainly those who feared that they would not find him alive. Rufus’ family had just moved to Santa Fe and had barely lived in the … Read more
If you recently adopted a dog, you might be wondering if they’re bonded to you. Some dogs may be so grateful to be adopted that they’ll bond to you almost immediately. Other dogs are shy or may have had a rough life prior to meeting you, so they may take a little longer to warm up. Even if your dog doesn’t seem bonded to you yet, don’t fret – humans and dogs have created strong, long-lasting bonds for centuries, and … Read more
California is no stranger to the happenings of wildlife. With a vast array of landscapes and sprawling neighborhoods taking over much of the area, Tujunga, California sits within the borders of Los Angeles. Despite the bustling city life, wildlife still calls the city it’s home. Unfortunately, that spells trouble for many four-legged family members. One family learned this lesson the hard way when their Doberman was recently the victim of a brutal attack. A Sneak Attack Just Before Dawn The … Read more
UPDATE We shared the story of the young Lab mix, Sisu, who tried five separate times to steal the same unicorn from a Dollar General in North Carolina. People all over the country were touched by Animal Control Officer Samantha Lane’s kindness of purchasing the purple unicorn for him. Never mind Sisu’s adorable habit of snuggling up with and carrying the unicorn wherever he went! Sisu and Officer Lane’s story even inspired others to perform small acts of kindness of … Read more
It takes foster dogs some time to get used to their temporary homes. Some dogs are a flight risk at first because they’re intimidated by the unfamiliar situation. But when foster dogs get lost, lots of dog lovers step up to help find them. An 8-year-old Coonhound named Dylan ran away from his foster home in New Jersey and was gone for over a week. His foster mom refused to stop looking for him, and eventually, someone found him in … Read more
Earlier this month, the Oklahoma Alliance for Animals (OAA) was contacted by the Pontotoc County Sheriff’s Office regarding a puppy mill bust. The kind-hearted folks at OAA immediately sprung into action, organizing their dedicated staff and volunteers for what can only be described as a rescue mission. When shelter staff arrived on scene at the puppy mill location, they were horrified by the sights, sounds, and smells that greeted them. An estimated seventy-five Poodles and Poodle Mixes were found in … Read more
At iHeartDogs.com 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 6 important messages close to our hearts after they have … Read more
Toledo, United States.