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I Fed My Rescue Dog Ollie For 30 Days And The Difference It Made Is Incredible

iHeartDogs is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. As the assistant editor with iHeartDogs, I think I’m pretty well informed. I’ve read nearly every piece of content that has gone out on our site in the last three years. I’ve read almost every story, article, and recall, and have grown to love dogs more and more for the amazing, loving creatures they are.  When I … Read more

Is It Possible To Extend Dogs’ Lives? Scientists Are Working On It

Every dog parent in the world wishes they could have more time with their baby. Scientists have been wondering for years whether such a concept is possible. Can we somehow make it so our dogs live longer? For now, everything is still in the early research phase, but there are some promising areas of study. Not only have scientists learned a lot about how dogs age, but they’ve also learned a bit more about humans’ health and aging too. ‘The … Read more

How Much Do Rescue Dogs Remember From Their Pasts?

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

Orthopedic Surgeon Forced To Stop Offering Free Surgery For Pets After Angry Outcry From Veterinary Community

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

Neighbor Leaves Poisoned Bone For Dog That “Barks Too Much”

If you live in a populous residential area, odds are you hear a dog barking from time to time. A rational and understanding person learns to tune out the noise. Apparently, though, some cruel neighbors will resort to threats of violence if they happen to be bothered by a dog’s barking. Cheri Blair, from a Sydney, Australia suburb, let her 7-month-old dog Jolene into the backyard one morning. When the Portuguese Podengo took a while to come back to the … Read more

UPDATE: Zoo Guest Captures Frightening Moment Dog Enters Gorilla Enclosure

Dog in gorilla enclosure

UPDATE 6/23/2022 – The San Diego Humane Society (SDHS) named the dog “Mighty Joe Young” after his crazy adventure in the gorilla enclosure. They gave him a health checkup and neutered him. He was scared and had a few ticks, but other than that, he was in good shape. Now, Might Joe Young’s owner has come forward to claim him. They said his real name is Meatball, and he escaped his home and went to the zoo all on his … Read more

Old Dog Survived On Rocks And Bones For 15 Days Waiting For Someone To Save Him

Despite being an old dog, Tony always seemed a little at odds with the world. He was afraid of grass. He walked as if on tip toes. He forgot things. Maybe that’s because Tony grew up in a world that he would sooner like to forget — a crumbling shelter in Israel, sharing a kennel with rocks and knee-deep mud.   But that all changed when a Canadian rescue group, Dog Tales Rescue and Sanctuary, decided to fly these ailing … Read more

Military K9 With PTSD Gives Suicidal Veteran Hope To Follow His Dreams

In 2018, Eric Haynes hit rock bottom. He had served 12 years in the Army, suffered a traumatic brain injury during combat in Iraq, and was dealing with PTSD as well as the collapse of his marriage. Haynes was living in a domestic violence shelter when he received an unexpected call from the Wounded Warrior Project. At the time, he had already attempted suicide three times and was planning a fourth attempt that very day. “They had asked me ‘have … Read more

Dog Walker Leaves Second Dog To Die In Hot Car, Family Demands Justice

Dogs left in hot car

No dog walker should be allowed to continue their business after neglecting a dog, especially not after it happens twice. Scott Howley from Fun Dog in Toronto has now had two dogs die in his care. Both instances occurred after he forgot the dog in a hot car. Even though the deaths seemed to be an accident, that doesn’t excuse Howley’s actions. He was in charge of caring for the dogs, and he failed to do that. The family of … Read more

Stranger Pays For Dog’s Vet Bills To Save Her Life

Vet Bills Paid Featured

After a year of grief, Teresa Boeklem couldn’t handle any more bad news. Not only did she have a miscarriage, but her dad died of COVID, her mom died of cancer, and her aunt passed away not long after. So, when she came home to find her 2-year-old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel named Chloe unresponsive, she panicked. Chloe had comforted her through every heartbreaking moment during the pandemic. Without her, Boeklem didn’t know what to do. She felt like giving … Read more

A Skydiving Accident Led This Couple To Their Perfect Rescue Dog

Whether or not you believe everything happens for a reason, this story makes a strong case for silver linings. This spring, Ian Azeredo and his wife Linda Farkas adopted Otter, a spunky mixed breed rescue dog, from St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center in Madison, New Jersey. If it hadn’t been for a terrible skydiving accident though, they never would have met their beloved dog and best friend. In July of 2019, Azeredo was on a skydiving trip, something he had done … Read more

Jim and Amora: How A Three Legged Shelter Dog Saved A Suicidal Veteran

Jim Brakewood Jr. might look like kind of a scary dude. At 6’2”, loaded with muscles, long, wild hair and a beard a to match, he cuts a pretty imposing figure. It’s as if a Viking decided he wasn’t ready for Valhalla just yet and decided to pay Instagram a visit instead. He has a soft spot for dogs, though. In particular, his Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Amora. Jim has seen war. In two tours in Iraq he has been in battle, … Read more

“Quiet” Rescue Dog Begins Barking At Wall One Day, Owner Grabs Him And Runs

A San Diego animal shelter received a call from Drew Smith, a 41-year-old engineer, several months ago. However, after failing to locate a dog he desired, he reluctantly took on Carl, a sickly 4-year-old Spaniel mix. He had no clue that the pup he was rescuing would ultimately save his life by possibly saving his home!       Image/Story Source Credit: ABC 10 News via YouTube Video       When Drew arrived home from work, he found Carl … Read more

No Ordinary Dog: The Canine Hero Of SEAL Team 6 And The Infamous Bin Laden Raid

Throughout the course of history, there are certain days that stand out in our memories. The emotions we felt and the historical significance echo in our minds for a lifetime. For some people, it was the shock of losing the King of Rock ‘N Roll. For others, it was the devastation of learning about President Kennedy’s assassination. But, for most of us living right now, it was the horrors that unfolded on 9/11 and the new normal we have learned … Read more

FDA Issues Warning After Finding Multiple Safety Violations At Pet Treat Facility

FDA warning for dog treats

If a company doesn’t follow safety precautions when producing dog food and treats, it doesn’t matter how healthy its products are. The production of dog treats plays a huge role in how the snacks will impact your dog. Sadly, a dog treat company recently received a warning from the FDA for violating an extensive amount of safety rules. Pet Center, Inc. produces over 100 types of pet treats in their facility, but their horrific conditions have been exposed. The FDA … Read more

Seresto Collars Accused Of Causing Illness And Death: Are They Guilty?

Since their release in 2012, there have been over 25 million Seresto Collars sold. In fact, data released by the Bayer Pharmaceutical Company in 2019 showed that over $300 million in revenue had been collected from the purchase of Seresto collars alone. The collars work to prevent flea and tick infestations in household pets by releasing two active ingredients that spread across your dog’s skin and coat over time. The draw of this product, for many pet parents, is the … Read more

Woman Rescues Starving Dog Left to Die on Streets

Get your tissues ready. You won’t be able to read this story and without a tear coming to your eye. This is the tale of a young woman in Argentina who rescued a starving dog left to die on the streets. If you are heartbroken at the thought of a dog going hungry, have no fear, this story has a happy ending. The Hero of Our Story Meet Hercules. This picture was taken before his journey of rehabilitation began. It … Read more

Loyal German Shepherd Helps Hiker Conquer Depression & Continue His Adventure

hiker and dog combat depression

Harold Reynolds is an experienced hiker that fell into a dark place after completing a brutal hike. Post-hiking depression is common among avid hikers, but Reynolds found relief through the love of a dedicated pup. Harold Reynolds has never shied away from an adventure. He has always loved to spend time in the great outdoors, especially when these environments challenge him. He always wanted to put his body to the test, so he decided to tackle a ‘flip flop’ hike … Read more

Our Standards When Reviewing Dog Foods

At iHeartDogs, we take seriously the responsibility of recommending dog foods. In this short post, we’ll explain the philosophy behind what foods we recommend and why: 1. We Will Never Recommend Foods Containing Dangerous Artificial Preservatives or Artificial Colors Here at iHeartDogs, we follow the latest veterinary science and will avoid recommending food with dangerous or even questionable ingredients. Foods we review will never contain ingredients such as BHA, BHT, Propylene glycol, and parabens. Can can find a complete list … Read more

Family Fulfills Fallen Soldier’s Final Wish Of Bringing Dog Home From Afghanistan

Private Conrad Lewis served in the 4th Battalion of the British Parachute Regiment. His duty brought him to Afghanistan, where, amidst the war and strife, he found a companion in a dog named Pegasus (Peg for short.) On February 9th, 2011, 20-year-old Private Lewis was killed by a Taliban sniper while on foot patrol. As his family grieved this devastating loss, they thought about Peg and how Conrad would have felt about her being left behind. The story of Peg, … Read more

Entitled Parent Grabs Guide Dog Claiming Handler Isn’t Really Blind

Entitled Parent Grabs Guide Dog

It’s hard to resist petting cute dogs, but of course, you should always ask permission before touching a stranger’s dog. And if that dog is a service dog, you will not be able to pet them even if you ask. For most dog lovers, this makes perfect sense. Service dogs are working and need to focus on their humans’ safety. However, there are always people who will make things harder for those who need service dogs. One woman shared her … Read more

High School Rugby Team Saves Stray Dog From Sudden Death

Dog saved by rugby team

The St. Plus X High School had their practice at a new location when something unusual happened. A stray dog showed up, and he quickly bonded with some of the team members. The innocent Pit Bull thought everyone was his friend, so he wandered over to a nearby yard to play with some dogs. But sadly, those dogs didn’t want to be friends, and they attacked him. The stray dog might’ve died if the rugby team members hadn’t rushed to … Read more

Dog Hasn’t Seen Soldier In Months And Goes ‘Bonkers’ Once She Spots Her At Airport

Cassandra Cabrera’s dog, Miss May, has been waiting for her at home for the past ten months while she was deployed in Africa. Cabrera feared that she would not recall her since she was only a puppy when Cabrera departed to serve.   Image/Story Source Credit: YouTube Video   However, once the pup discovered Miss May again in Sacramento International Airport in California, her worries vanished. Miss May showed that she had not forgotten her human in an instant when … Read more

Construction Workers Find Puppy Caked In Mud, Vet Says, ‘He’s Not A Dog’ At All

When a sluggish movement was observed in a deep muddy hole on an urban construction site, the workers were concerned. The employees discovered a tiny puppy desperately drowning and fighting to stay afloat in the noxious muck after scanning the pit. They gathered together and hauled out the dying puppy as soon as possible.   View post on imgur.com Source: imgur   The puppy was encased in a thick layer of dried mud from head to toe by the time … Read more

Mailman Gave Treats To Dogs On His Route, And When One Died, Owners Gave Him A ‘Sweet Note’

We wouldn’t be surprised if all of the dogs on this mailman’s route looked forward to his arrival, as they are known to bark and chase after postal workers. Twitter user @amorningsting took to Twitter to share his heartfelt, yet sad experience that her father Fernando, a mailman, has recently gone through. Fernando’s daughter recalls that her father would carry a bag of milk bones with him on his route so he could give them out to the dogs. You may … Read more

Abused Dog Waked Her Rescuer In The Middle Of The Night To Say Thank You

Niya had a sad, unfair start in life. She was severely abused and then abandoned. Fortunately, she ended up in Gibson County Animal Shelter in Trenton, Tennessee. Though an animal shelter cafn be a scary place to find oneself, it beats being in a home with an abuser or starving on the streets.   Image Source Credit: via – Facebook/Arrow Dog Rescue-Animal Rescue Revolution on Wheels   Niya didn’t feel safe ever again. She was terrified of everything, including the … Read more

Grateful “Foster Fail” Dog Saves Her Family Of Six From Devastating House Fire

Ordinarily, when someone thinks of the word “fail,” they associate it with a negative result. But when it comes to a doggie “foster fail,” there’s nothing negative about it. You gain something incredible! This is especially true of “foster fail Gracie.” Not only has she turned out to be a fantastic addition to her new family, but she’s proven to be a hero dog as well. It was in the early hours of a chilly December morning when Emily, the … Read more

Family Fulfills Fallen Soldier’s Final Wish Of Bringing Dog Home From Afghanistan

Private Conrad Lewis served in the 4th Battalion of the British Parachute Regiment. His duty brought him to Afghanistan, where, amidst the war and strife, he found a companion in a dog named Pegasus (Peg for short.) On February 9th, 2011, 20-year-old Private Lewis was killed by a Taliban sniper while on foot patrol. As his family grieved this devastating loss, they thought about Peg and how Conrad would have felt about her being left behind. The story of Peg, … Read more

Entitled Parent Grabs Guide Dog Claiming Handler Isn’t Really Blind

Entitled Parent Grabs Guide Dog

It’s hard to resist petting cute dogs, but of course, you should always ask permission before touching a stranger’s dog. And if that dog is a service dog, you will not be able to pet them even if you ask. For most dog lovers, this makes perfect sense. Service dogs are working and need to focus on their humans’ safety. However, there are always people who will make things harder for those who need service dogs. One woman shared her … Read more

Visually Impaired Woman Suffers Abuse For Asking People Not To Pet Her Guide Dog

Do not pet guide dog

Dr. Amy Kavanagh has been visually impaired her whole life, but she only started working with her guide dog named Ava recently. Ava makes getting around much easier for Kavanagh, but like all service dogs, distractions make her job much harder. Strangers try to pet Ava daily, no matter what Kavanagh says. Many people get offended when they’re told they can’t pet a service dog. Kavanagh recalls that some individuals have even displayed abusive behaviors in response. Yet, some distractions … Read more

Lawsuit Looming As Contaminated Kangaroo Meat Kills 26 Dogs

Being a dog lover, you likely notice when pet food recalls are announced on the news or while scrolling through Facebook. Either a pet of yours has been affected, or the mere thought of your dog potentially becoming ill from their food had you beside yourself. But how would you feel if there weren’t any laws governing pet food safety? Or, if you didn’t have anyone to tell you if something was potentially wrong with the pet food currently sitting … Read more