Xoloitzcuintli: the History of One of Nature’s Most Unusual Dog Breeds
Descended from hairless dogs prized by the Aztecs and Maya, and revered as guardians of the dead, the more than 3,000-year-old Xoloitzcuintli (pronounced sho-lo-eats-queent-lee) is recognized as one of the oldest and rarest dog breeds on the planet. Also known as Mexico’s national dog, the hairless Xolo has smooth, close-fitting skin that’s thick to the touch. Their hairlessness is the result of a genetic mutation. The unique animals come in three sizes, and there is even a coated variety with short, flat fur. Either type can be...
After Cat They’d Homed Five Years Earlier Ends Up in Shelter, Vet Tech Adopts Him
This story was originally shared on The Animal Rescue Site. Submit your own rescue story here. Your story just might be the next to be featured on our blog! Tigger showed up outside my home, wounded from fighting with another cat and suffering from an upper respiratory infection. I’m a vet tech and took him to the clinic for treatment. While he was recovering, a coworker inquired about adopting him. I agreed happily, as I thought he would be going with someone who would give him a forever home. He was a sweet, older orange tabby who...
Golden Retriever Has “Fallen In Love” With Deer Who Comes To Visit Daily
Puppy love, also known as a crush, can occur between humans and even a dog and deer. Kenzie Keller is the proud mom of a golden retriever who has fallen in love with a deer. It sounds like something straight out of a Disney movie. The two met unexpectedly one day at the fence and the doe continues to return every day to greet her dog pal. The video posted by Keller on TikTok of their sweet relationship has gone viral with over 7 million views. No matter the weather, the golden and deer meet at the fence. @kapandchief Deer and dogs who knew?!...
Once Crammed in a Car with Multiple Other Birds, Sweet Cockatiel Now Has a Home, and a Girlfriend
Forrest the cockatiel is missing part of his beak and part of his toe. He also can’t fly. None of that matters to this resilient bird, though. He doesn’t need working wings when the presence of his fellow cockatiel Peanut sends his heart soaring… or when he can enjoy some head scratches. Saved from life in a packed car with multiple other birds, Forrest ended up in the care of Mickaboo Companion Bird Rescue nearly 12 years ago. He came into their care with multiple injuries, including some that may have been inflicted on...
Meet The Women Who Travel Through Greece To Feed And Rescue Stray Dogs
Greece is home to many stray animals and they’re often left to their own devices. Many struggle to find food, shelter, or the medical care that they need to survive. Living on the street is hard, and that’s something Ermioni Giannakou knows well. She, along with her two friends, founded Diasozo Animal Rescue (DAR) to help the street dogs throughout Greece. Photo: YouTube/The Dodo The three women travel the country and feed hundreds of stray dogs. Not only do the dogs need food, but they’re often lacking in veterinary care as...
For the Love of Fostering: Anna’s Story
Anna’s Story by Oana Stratman I’ve been fostering for a couple of years now. To date, I’ve fostered five dogs, but Anna was my first. As a registered nurse, I had changed to a non-bedside/non-hospital job just as the pandemic was ramping up. I felt extremely guilty about not being able to contribute to the community by taking care of patients, so I wanted to find a different way of giving back. Enter Anna. Photo: Oana Stratman Fostering Saves Lives Anna had been found in the parking lot of a grocery store after being hit by...
A Few Facts About the Dog that Played Eddie on “Frasier”
Did you know that Eddie the dog regularly received the most fan mail on the TV series Frasier? He was also the only member of the popular cast to appear on the cover of Entertainment Weekly. Eddie was originally portrayed by a Jack Russell terrier named Moose, whose family in Florida gave him up because of his extremely rambunctious and mischievous nature. He reportedly dug holes in the backyard, chased anything in his path, chewed furniture, and even climbed trees to escape his enclosure on multiple occasions. Basically, he was hell on...
5 Ways Your Animal Shelter Can Facilitate Mutual Aid to Keep Pets in Homes
In a previous blog, we got into the 101 of what animal mutual aid is and how it harnesses the will of your community to keep people and pets together. The short version, to save you a click: Mutual aid is when people get together to meet each other’s basic needs. Animal mutual aid is when people help each other with pet-related challenges—and in so doing, keep families together and pets from entering the sheltering system when they don’t have to. This can happen in any number of ways—think taking care of a...
Thanksgiving Foods for Dogs: What’s safe?
Kristina Lotz Kristina Lotz has been a writer on all-things animal for over a decade. A former CPDT-KA dog trainer, she has competed in agility, herding and rally with her dogs. Now, she clicker trains her horse! Follow life on her farm @MeridaTheBitless. Source:...
Ukrainian Soldier Builds “Cat Checkpoint” For Homeless Cats
The way a person treats an animal says a lot about their character. Ukrainian soldiers have proven they are not only brave but compassionate. Homeless dogs and cats roam the war-torn streets looking for a safe place to rest. Ukrainian soldiers are making sure they are protected by taking them into the barracks or getting them somewhere safe. One soldier built a “cat checkpoint” for numerous homeless cats in his trench. The construction of the checkpoint was shared on Reddit’s Ukraine War Video Report forum by u/w-a-l-e-s....
