The Healthy Hound Newsletter #56
In This Issue
● Early Cancer Signs
● Dogs On The Bed?
● Collar Interprets Barks
● Help Your Dog Grieve
● Signs Of An Ear Infection
● Mouth-Burrowing Beetles
Shelter Dog Meal Donation Count:
In This Issue
● Early Cancer Signs
● Dogs On The Bed?
● Collar Interprets Barks
● Help Your Dog Grieve
● Signs Of An Ear Infection
● Mouth-Burrowing Beetles
As the coronavirus pandemic continues, we’ve seen countless events canceled and gathering spaces closed. Fret not though dog lovers, the beloved Puppy Bowl will still take place this year! Puppy Bowl XVII will air before the Super Bowl on February 7th at 2 p.m. ET/11 a.m. PT on Discovery+ and Animal Planet. In my opinion, it’s way more interesting than the football. An official statement about the 2021 event reads: “[E]ven though this past year has been different from years … Read more
Sherrie Smith and her daughter Ashley had a one-eyed Pit Bull named Zoe over a decade ago. They often spent time reminiscing about the pup and wondering how she was doing. But the last thing they expected was for her to come home 12 years later. The Smiths initially had to re-home Zoe because they couldn’t find affordable housing that allowed pets in Honolulu, Hawaii. They were heartbroken, but knew it was what they had to do. Over time, the … Read more
My love for dogs began the moment I was born. My parents brought me home and introduced me to our Chow and Keeshond, Buddha and Kaysha. There hasn’t been a day in my life that I have been without a dog waiting for me at home. This love for dogs and witnessing their unconditional love and devotion has fueled my passion, which is exactly why I love writing for iHeartDogs. One Dog Changed The Course Of My Life I have … Read more
Once you let your dog in your bed, there’s no going back. They’ll want to sleep beside you and hog the covers every single night. Most dog lovers adore their pups so much we don’t mind sacrificing a little sleep. A couple in Yorkshire are especially familiar with their dog hogging the bed. Their English Springer Spaniel named Spike has slept beside them every night since they first adopted him. But now that he’s getting older, the family has made … Read more
Have you ever wondered what your dog is thinking and feeling? If you’re anything like other dog parents, those thoughts probably cross your mind all the time. It’s easy to bond with dogs, but even then, we don’t always know what’s going on in their heads. With this new smart dog collar, you might be able to. A South Korea startup designed a special collar that can better tell you what your dog’s barks mean. Specifically, it will tell you … Read more
We truly don’t deserve dogs. Even in the saddest, most hurtful moments of their lives, they still show us love and companionship. Sometimes, dogs will even be loyal to a human they’ve never met before. But maybe they can just tell when someone has a kind heart. One woman extended her kindness to two dogs who had no one looking out for them. Instead of being scared or aggressive, one of the dogs stepped forward and showed compassion in return. … Read more
Just the thought our dogs suffering silently from hidden pain breaks the heart of any dog parent. Sadly, research shows that 4 out of 5 dogs over the age of 8 are suffering from some kind of joint pain. And while we humans have the ability to reach for pain meds and talk to our doctor about symptoms, our precious pups do not. In fact, dogs are quite good at keeping their joint pain a secret. Why do dogs hide signs of … Read more
Christmas day brought a harsh reality to the town of Villa Rica, Georgia. After finding a malnourished pup left for dead in a dumpster, the police are now searching for the cruel human who put her there. A resident of Wilson Mill Townhomes was taking out the trash on Christmas day when he heard whimpering coming from the dumpster. He immediately contacted the local police, and they soon discovered a heartbreaking situation. Deep within the dumpster was a bag that … Read more
Dogs that experience trauma early in life become harder to adopt through no fault of their own. Many have lived their whole lives tied up or in barren cages, knowing no human kindness and living in their own filth. Even basic home living can confuse and frighten them. They don’t know or trust people, and they can’t simply be placed into new homes when rescued. Overcrowded shelters don’t have the time or resources required to rehabilitate these animals and they … Read more
In This Issue
● If A Dog Falls Through The Ice
● City Dogs Get More Allergies
● Life Flights For Police K9s
● Signs Your Dog Needs More Love
● Vet-Recommended Resolutions
● Dog DNA Tests
Do you think this dog bears a resemblance to a certain Star Wars character? When Bertha arrived at an Ohio shelter in November 2019, she weighed 63 pounds. That was about double what a healthy Puggle (Pug and Beagle mix) should weigh. A veterinary technician named Meredith Wille saw Bertha’s photo online and immediately fell in love. She contacted the shelter to ask if she could foster the sweet rescue dog. She even offered to cover the costs for Bertha’s … Read more
Kevin Klosterman was at Grand Lake, Ohio taking photos when his brother called about a dog that had fallen into the freezing water. Klosterman grew up on Grand Lake and knew all too well the dangers of falling through the ice in winter. Hypothermia can set in in just five minutes, for people or dogs. That’s why he didn’t hesitate to put on a life jacket and drag a canoe out to the struggling 1-year-old Retriever. In just four minutes, … Read more
December is supposed to be a time to spread holiday cheer and visit with loved ones. But many dedicated employees continue to work hard, even on the jolliest days of the year. Some of those hardworking individuals are our brave K9 officers. This holiday season, many police K9s fought crime, uncovering illegal drugs and over a million dollars in drug money. Officers never would’ve been able to discover these crimes without the pups’ amazing sense of smell. So, thank you … Read more
An avid animal rescuer named Valerie is being remembered for the many furry friends she rescued throughout her life. The families she helped are sharing their memories of this incredible woman who recently passed away from COVID-19. Valerie Louie was deeply involved with animal rescue throughout her adult life. Also a full-time nurse at Highland Hospital, her entire life revolved around helping others. Valerie worked with local animal rescues for the last 20 years, helping to rescue thousands of dogs … Read more
Despite many protests and petitions, the dog meat trade continues in China and a handful of other countries. Not only do animal rights groups widely condemn the practice as inhumane, the dogs are subjected to cruel and horrifying conditions before they become food. Many of the dogs used for meat are actually stolen family pets. The bottom line is: these are dogs, and they deserve the love and life any other family pet has. A rescue group from Florida recently … Read more
First of all, we want to say thank you so much, Sandy, for sharing this incredible story with all of us! Sandy is a hardworking, dedicated pet mom who rescued poor Georgie, saving her from enduring any more pain in her difficult life. Sandy knew how much commitment and care it would take to help this poor soul, who unluckily had a life-threatening case of untreated diabetes, but that did not stop her! If anything, it only made Sandy’s love … Read more
It’s pretty common for young boys to come home at the end of a day covered in dirt and who knows what else. But in one particular case, some muddy kids from Wales deserve praise, not scolding. These boys teamed up to help a 10-year-old dog named Charlea out of a real sticky situation. Hayley Edgar, a Conwy resident, was walking home with her daughters when she spotted the dog in trouble. Charlea had gotten trapped in some sticky sand … Read more
In 2012, a horrific home invasion caused a family to lose their beloved Pit Bull named Junior. At the time, he was still very young, but the family already had a close bond with him. Julia Nemeth searched long and hard in hopes of bringing her beloved dog home, but she seemed out of luck. Eight years went by with no Junior sightings. Of course, Nemeth feared the worst, but she also tried her best to keep searching. Not a … Read more
The holidays are stressful enough without having to search for a lost dog. But Christmas is about family, and dogs are such important family members in our homes. Thus, when a family in England lost their Sprocker Spaniel (Cocker Spaniel and English Springer Spaniel mix) named Bear, they wouldn’t rest until he was found. To help bring Bear home, they created a Facebook group with thousands of helpful followers. It took nine days of endless searching, but eventually Bear was … Read more
The Christmas spirit is alive and thriving at one North Dakota animal shelter. The Souris Valley Animal Shelter in Minot, North Dakota recently gave the best gift of all – another chance at life and love! Although the shelter is currently under renovation which has lessened its capacity, they welcomed 33 new dogs and cats from Oklahoma in their biggest rescue operation to date. The animals were slated for euthanasia back in the Sooner State so the folks at Souris … Read more
Budweiser is bringing some joy this holiday season in the best way. A 2020 holiday beer can from the brewery that featured a Dalmatian puppy named Brewski naturally received pretty positive feedback. As a result, Budweiser decided to partner with popular social media account “We Rate Dogs” to find some new doggie can models. If you’re not familiar with “We Rate Dogs,” it’s a funny account on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter that provides “official ratings” of people’s dogs based on photos … Read more
You’ve seen videos of soldiers being reunited with their pups when they come home from deployments. Then there are the videos of police K9s and their handlers with deeper bonds than we can fathom. We know that the connections between two-legged and four-legged heroes are completely unbreakable yet somehow every video seems to touch our hearts deeper than the last. A Golden Retriever has been serving in the army alongside his human soldier for the last two years. The time … Read more
Millions of cats and dogs are butchered across Southeast Asia every year, but animal welfare groups have been hard at work trying to stop the barbaric dog and cat meat trade. And groups like Four Paws are making progress at every turn. In 2019, Four Paws, an international organization working to save animals from cruelty, began an investigation into the cat and dog meat trade in Vietnam. Research showed that 5 million animals, 1 million of those being cats, are … Read more
In This Issue
● Why Is My Dog Limping?
● Making An Estate Plan For Your Pup
● 2020 Pet Of The Year
● Expectations For Your New Dog
● Less Scary Vet Visits
● Christmas Tree Hazards
Louisiana animal shelters are struggling more than ever due to the current pandemic. Shelters are experiencing overcrowding and strains in funding, which directly impacts the furry friends within their walls. Dogs in kill shelters are facing a terrifying reality due to lack of space, meaning so many deserving furry friends may never meet the family of their dreams. Thanks to dog lovers like you, some of these pups are getting their second chance! On December 31st, 2020, iHeartDogs will rescue … Read more
The COVID-19 pandemic has made life more difficult for humans and animals all over the world. In Louisiana, the amount of dogs in kill shelters is increasing. With minimal funds and overcrowded kennels, many of these locations need to make the difficult decision to euthanize perfectly healthy dogs. Luckily, iHeartDogs’ Second Chance Movement program is working hard to save these at-risk pups. On December 31st, 2020, iHeartDogs will sponsor a flight of up to 100 dogs from Louisiana to no-kill … Read more
It’s not something we love thinking about, but sometimes you have to wonder: if something happened to me, who would take care of my dog(s)? Knowing the outlook for pets surrendered to shelters in overcrowded areas, I’d prefer to see mine placed in the care of someone I know personally. However, not everyone has that option. One particular side-effect of the coronavirus pandemic has been an increase in surrendered or abandoned animals. Many people lost their jobs or homes and … Read more
Zorik isn’t your typical dog. He doesn’t want humans to pet him, cuddle him, or even be near him. So, for many years, he spent his life as a stray in Estonia. To many, it might sound like a lonely life, but he was anything but alone. He befriended other stray dogs and cats, and most importantly, he won the hearts of many people in the area. Soon, everyone knew him by name, so they came together to keep him … Read more
Like so many communities around the world, Louisiana shelters have seen a massive increase in surrendered dogs. The COVID-19 pandemic has ripped dogs from their homes, either due to financial strain or illness. Sadly, this has put shelters in the difficult position of making decisions to fight overcrowding. In many cases, this means ending innocent lives that still have so much love to give. Sparky Dreams Of His Own Couch To Cuddle On With A Family That Loves Him Sparky … Read more
Many innocent dogs are alone in Louisiana, begging for a place to call home. Amid the pandemic, shelters are becoming overcrowded, leaving them with a difficult decision. Dogs in kill shelters may have to be euthanized due to lack of space and funding. But with the help of caring dog lovers like you, we can transport these dogs to freedom. On December 31st, 2020, iHeartDogs will save up to 100 homeless animals in Louisiana by sponsoring the New Beginning Rescue … Read more
Though a relatively new one, the “Elf on a Shelf” tradition is part of many families’ holidays. The original story came from a 2005 children’s book, and it describes how Santa will dispatch “scout elves” to spy on children before Christmas. The elves supposedly report back to Santa all the naughty and nice things they saw. Apparently, they also do some silly pranks around the house, definitively proving they are real. In a recent controversy, one parent may have taken … Read more
On a U.S. Military base in Georgia, Eastern Europe, service member Patrick Brady was routinely reviewing an inventory list when his life changed forever. A fellow service member noticed a tiny ball of fluff outside: a little stray puppy no bigger than a pair of boots. Brady fell in love the moment he met her. He bathed her, had her vaccinated, and gave her an appropriate name: Marshmallow. An independent girl from the start, Marshmallow tended to wander. She even disappeared … Read more
Sometimes, all you need is a good friend to get you through difficult times. But best friends aren’t always the ones we expect. When a Pit Bull named Dude was grieving the loss of his Pit Bull sister Harley Jane, his mom knew he needed a new best friend. Unfortunately, they weren’t in a place to adopt another dog just yet. So, Julie Burroughs decided that a more unique companion might be the answer to Dude’s loneliness. When she met … Read more
Charles and Nicole Lever fell in love with a photo of a broken Pit Bull when scrolling through a local rescue’s photos. The Pixel Fund saved the pitiful pup from a kill shelter on the day he was set to be euthanized and gave him a second chance at life. Rescuers from the Pixel Fund came across Tatum when searching for needy pups around the U.S. He was covered in sores and extremely underweight. They knew they needed to step in … Read more
iHeartDogs is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. Raise your hand if you love spoiling your dog. Okay – now, lower it if you did not buy your dog his own $20,000 pet bed. No? How about an $800 dog bowl? Easy one this time – $65 dog perfume? Any hands left up? Let’s be honest – our dogs don’t care how much we spend … Read more
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
Thousands of dogs have to spend the holidays at a shelter each year. But they all deserve a warm, loving home more than anything. That’s why Jacksonville shelters started a special program in 2012 that helps adoptable dogs find a home for the holidays. It’s called “Silent Night.” To participate in Silent Night, Florida families can choose to foster a dog for the holiday season. This gives the dogs a comfortable place to stay and it might even land them … Read more
Two dogs named Hemi and Foreign suffered a traumatic past. Officers found them in critical condition in someone’s yard. Both were very thin and struggled to walk despite being only around 6 months old. Foreign couldn’t put pressure on her back leg while Hemi’s back leg was so swollen and bruised that an officer had to carry him. Neither pup seemed to know what true love was like, but thankfully, their kind rescuers are ready to show them. Not long … Read more
A tiny Cavalier puppy named Gunner is fully recovered after his terrifying run-in with a hungry alligator. He and his dog dad are now being rewarded for their incredible bravery, as Gunner is now an official Deputy Dog for his local Sheriff’s office! Gunner was on a morning walk with his dad just a few weeks ago when the unthinkable happened. An alligator was stalking the 4-month-old puppy in the distance, waiting for him to take a step toward the … Read more
WARNING: Topic, images, and video may be sensitive to some. Laredo Crime Stoppers in Texas were on the lookout for a woman whose actions are unforgivable. She’s seen on film abusing a dog, but her identity and location were unknown at first. Officials needed all the help they could get to put an end to this cruelty, so they reached out to the public for information about the situation. Luckily, a tip helped them in their search. What Happened? A … Read more
Some thoughtless person’s loss became the Surrey and Sussex Dog Unit’s gain in the form of an abandoned dog named Dustin. Well, formerly named Dustin. The pup, since renamed Badger, had a major “glow up,” as they say. Last summer, a resident of Redhill, Surrey found four sick, starving, abandoned Cocker Spaniel puppies. The neglected litter, among which Dustin numbered, had patchy fur and crusty eyes from infections. Soon after, the puppies were taken to the Millbrook Animal Centre in … Read more
Rescue dogs will often do anything they can to find their perfect family. That’s why the dogs at Stray Rescue of St. Louis have turned to the professionals for help. Yet, instead of turning to dog trainers or groomers like most rescues, this group sought help from ballet dancers. After all, what’s more appealing than a dog who knows how to dance? Dancers with the St. Louis Ballet teamed up with the rescue for the third year in a row. … Read more
Our canine companions are the light of our life, and we will do anything to keep them as healthy as possible. While having a plan of action when they are sick is helpful, preventative care can be an even better line of defense. So how can you offer your pet the best protection with prevention? Let’s introduce you to a company who is making it easy! Early Detection Can Change Your Dog’s Life Unfortunately, our furry friends are not immune … Read more
At shelters, puppies and younger dogs tend to go pretty quickly, while older dogs get overlooked. Don’t let the gray hairs in their eyebrows fool you though. These pups over 7 years of age still have so much love to give and deserve yours. That’s what “Adopt a Senior Pet Month” is all about: spreading that awareness. To celebrate this November, The Grey Muzzle Organization asked people to share their senior dog adoption stories and photos on social media. Senior … Read more
If you have been following the Amber Abroad Series, you may remember me for my time spent in Cambodia. I documented my 6 months spent working with an incredible animal clinic named PPAWS, and shared their work to improve the lives of the animals in their country. My adventures in Southeast Asia were cut short due to the sudden pandemic, forcing me to reevaluate my plans for 2020. Just when I thought my work was put on hold, I was … Read more
The bond between a Florida man and his beloved companion was put to the ultimate test during one of their morning walks. The Cavalier puppy was trapped within the jaws of an alligator in an instant, causing the dedicated dog dad to jump into action. Richard and Louise Wilbanks recently welcomed a tiny Cavalier King Charles Spaniel named Gunner into their home. The 3-month-old Cavalier and Richard were attached at the hip from the moment they met, resulting in a … Read more
Some dogs don’t get along with other unfamiliar dogs. Plenty of reasons could explain this, some inherent and some stemming from experiences in the dog’s past. Either way, that factor doesn’t make them any less worthy of loving homes with human beings. Sadly, laws tend to work against dogs with incidents of aggression on their records. As was the case with a Staffy in Australia, these dogs often get euthanized in the name of “community safety.” This story illustrates how … Read more
Actress and animal welfare advocate Carla Abellana has dedicated her life to helping animals in need. Whenever she can save a dog’s life, she doesn’t hesitate. But the most difficult part of her efforts is when she can’t save a dog. There will always be some scenarios where she can’t make a difference, and those are the hardest on her. Recently, Abellana faced the most heartbreaking news of her life. While she was out saving other dogs, her own furry … Read more
I bet you’ve looked at your dog’s innocent little eyes and wondered, “What’s he thinking?” Unlike my Yorkie, Leonard, who stands on my chest, cries in my face, and then leads me to the fridge like Lassie leading people to rescue Timmy from the well, maybe your four-legged friend hasn’t figured out how to let you know he wants a bedtime snack… or a little extra lovins’… or that she’s sorry for pooping on your flip flop. It turns out … Read more