Shortage of Bomb-Sniffing Dogs Currently Impacting the U.S.
Sniffer dogs are used for so many aspects of our daily lives that we often take their work for granted. One area that we can’t overlook is the importance of their work in explosives detection. Unfortunately, we are currently understaffed when it comes to this valuable group of canines at the moment. The pandemic has apparently exacerbated an already short supply of specially-bred canines for this particular job. Photo: Pixabay/12019 Bomb-Sniffing Dogs Cindy Otto, the executive director of the PennVet Working Dog Center at the University...
9 Behind The Scenes Secrets About Mister Ed, The Famous Talking Horse
Mister Ed was a popular 1961 sitcom that ran for six seasons thanks to a charismatic horse, who the show was named after, and his dad, Wilbur Post. The series is still loved by people of all ages, and it is clear to see why. It is a feel-good show about a man and his talking horse who manages to get him in trouble in various ways. The palomino horse who portrayed Mister Ed won the hearts of his co-workers and viewers. However, what most people don’t know is that he wasn’t the first horse they chose to play the role, and many other...
Frederic The Kitty Takes On “Mission Impawsible” In Suspenseful TikTok Video
Frederic the kitty is taking on a “Mission Impawsible” and there’s only one question to be had: Will he complete the mission or give up and turn around? Photographer Nils Jacobi lives in Germany with Frederic and his three feline accomplices, Fritz, Kleine, and Lissy. Photo: TikTok/@furryfritz In a hilarious video shared on TikTok, Nils revealed Frederic’s secret mission with the world. He captioned the video: “Special agent Frederic on a mission!” Photo: TikTok/@furryfritz In the clip, you can see...
Brave Dog Injured After Protecting Sheep From Hungry Pack Of Coyotes
A 2-year-old Great Pyrenees is being hailed a hero after bravely defending his flock of sheep from a large pack of coyotes. Casper lives in Decatur, Georgia with his sheep, chickens, and owner, John Weirville. As a livestock dog, Casper is used to staying out with the animals and protecting them from wildlife, like bears, raccoons, and coyotes. Photo: YouTube/Atlanta News First However, his guardian duties took a serious turn in early November, when around a dozen coyotes attacked. According to Atlanta News First, John explained that Casper...
Helping Dogs and Cats with Cancer One Treat at a Time
Cancer is the leading cause of death in senior dogs and cats. The Pet Cancer Foundation is a non-profit organization that’s making pet cancer more manageable and affordable. The Pet Cancer Foundation aims to improve the life expectancy and quality of life for dogs and cats with cancer. The organization has launched its first giving campaign, Treats for More Tomorrows, to give animal lovers, pet parents, and the general public an opportunity to support pets in need. Dog and Cat Cancer Statistics According to the National Cancer...
Maddie’s Candid Conversation with Bobby Mann and Shakela Brown
Don’t miss the next episode of Maddie’s® Candid Conversation with Bobby Mann and Shakela Brown, both of Humane Rescue Alliance, on December 14, 2022 at 12:00PM PT/ 3:00PM ET! How can we as animal care professionals help pets in service deserts where access to care is extremely limited or even non-existent? How can we better reach and build trusting relationships with their caregivers? Bobby and Shakela have answers. Their impact on the programs they manage is palpable, especially in communities with limited access to basic...
You’ll Find Yourself Comforted by This Video of a Cat Grooming and Showering a Dog with Kisses
Cats take hygiene seriously, and they know how to properly groom themselves. It is a habit that you’ll see cats doing for themselves and their kittens. After giving birth to their babies, a mother grooms the kittens by licking their fur. Felines do this daily, as it helps kittens urinate and suckle. Grooming also helps the mother and child build a bond. It’s heartwarming to receive maternal care — even the simplest grooming gesture can induce happiness and warmth in the little kittens. Grooming is like being showered with...
The Daily Routine of a Blind Orange Dragon and Its Incredible Bond with a Human
Mammals aren’t the only animals you can build a bond with. Fish, reptiles, insects, and other animal species can be your best friend, especially when you find a connection with them. Even cold-blooded reptiles make lovely pets. There are wonderful and heartwarming stories about humans having an incredible friendship with reptiles. Their species are often deemed dangerous and scary, but they are more than those personalities. Photo: Youtube/The Dodo Alexey Kashpersky, a Ukrainian Creative Director at Newt Studios, was able to show how a...
Dog Rescued From Home with Dangerous Neighbor Dog, Overcomes Fear with New Family
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! We had found a dog, and in searching the newspapers for someone looking for her, my daughter came across an ad on Craigslist for a 7-month-old lab/border mix. He was in danger from a neighbor’s aggressive dog trying to get through the fence to hurt him. We’d lost our 11-year-old lab mix, Harley, to liver failure about a year and a half before. We cried nearly every day since...
Sniffer Dogs Wear Many Different Hats These Days
Once upon a time, sniffer dogs were limited in their work. In addition to searching for people, they were trained to sniff out explosives, drugs, and cadavers. But as time passed, their roles continued to expand, and man’s best friend — with their 300 million scent receptors — has kept up with it all. Ever eager to please, they can’t wait to get started learning, as the process elicits praise, pets, and treats, three of their favorite things. Sniffing out Illness With increasing frequency, we’re reading about...
What Happens When Shelters Are Overcrowded — And How You Can Help!
Shelters across the United States do important work of keeping animals off the streets. But what happens when those shelters are filled to capacity and must otherwise turn animals away? According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), over 6 million dogs and cats are put in shelters every year. Hundreds of thousands of them don’t make it out alive. Early on during the pandemic, shelters saw record adoptions. However, people who now are returning to the office and taking long-awaited vacations are...
Training the Pembroke Welsh Corgi
A Pembroke Welsh Corgi can be a great family dog if given a sufficient amount of physical and mental exercise. As a bold, confident, intelligent herding dog, he isn’t for owners who won’t take charge in a positive way. This big dog in a small package herds moving objects, including children, and must be trained to listen to your training cues whether on or off lead. The Pembroke Welsh Corgi’s temperament The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is a bold herding dog with a mind of his own. He has the following traits: Highly intelligent...
The Dangers of Distracting Service Dogs
If you love animals, dogs particularly, it can be hard to pass one without stopping momentarily to praise it or love on it. It’s just in your nature. But if you see one wearing a service vest or harness, you really should do everything in your power to squelch the urge and go on about your business. The reason being is that service dogs — which come in all shapes and sizes — are working dogs that need to be hyper-vigilant of their owner’s needs. Photo: Pixabay/krista269 The jobs they perform keep their masters safe...
Ideas for Saving Money on Pet Products & Services
Searching for ways to cut corners and save money on family pets without compromising on quality or endangering them? Join the club! For the month of December, while everyone is trying to figure out how to pull off Christmas and still meet their routine obligations, we’ll provide you with some money-saving tips to help you get by. Photo: Pixabay/Alek_B Local Feed Stores If you’re a city dweller, this may not apply to you, but local feed stores have been your rural counterpart’s go-to source for relatively inexpensive pet...
Wells Adams and Sarah Hyland Mourn The Loss Of Beloved Bloodhound, Carl
Wells Adams, bartender on Bachelor in Paradise, just lost his best friend – his bloodhound named Carl. The two have been through so much together and loved each other unconditionally. Carl was a typical bloodhound who would follow his nose wherever it led him and howl at all sorts of things. He even had his own Instagram page. Two months ago, Adams married Sarah Hyland, Modern Family actress, who quickly fell in love with Carl. They were blissfully happy along with Hyland’s chocolate lab, Boo. Adams took to Instagram to share the...
Noodle The Pug, Famous For “Bones or No Bones” Days, Has Passed Away
As our dogs age we know that the day will come when we have to say goodbye, but that doesn’t make it any easier. A pug named Noodle acquired millions of fans on TikTok and Instagram with his adorable face and for his “bones or no bones” predictions. Jonathan Graziano adopted Noodle seven years ago and decided to share the pug’s larger-than-life personality with the world. On Saturday, Graziano shared the devastating news that Noodle had passed away. He died at home in his dad’s arms. “This is incredibly...
This Adorable Instagram Cat Loves Caring For Kittens — Meet Shake!
Keri Brady was teaching English in China when Shake came into her life. Outside of work, Brady was also helping an animal rescue group, who would find and assist stray pets in their neighborhood. Shake was a tiny kitten, no more than 30 grams, when he was found on one of those missions. He was found in a trash can, abandoned alongside his two brothers, Rattle and Roll. “I fostered him alongside six other kittens at the same time with a mother cat who was taking care of everybody and they were all orphans,” Brady says. “Shake...
Is Pet Insurance Worth the Cost?
Emergency vet bills average between $800 and $1,500, and some procedures can cost in the thousands. Pet insurance helps cover the cost of emergency medical care for your BFF, but it can often end up just as pricey. This has many pet parents wondering—is pet insurance worth the cost? We know you’d do anything for your fur family—we would, too! But pet parent life comes with uncertainties—like puppies eating shoes and kittens tumbling from high surfaces. It’s not our fault, but it is our responsibility to take care...
Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Shelter cats webcast, Candid Conversations and more!
Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. Apply soon: Maddie’s® Online Instructor-Led CoursesApply starting Tuesday, December 13! Maddie’s Fund® Online Instructor-Led Courses provide an interactive educational opportunity for those who are looking to benefit from the wisdom of established innovative programs. They’re the catalyst you need to take your programs and learning to the next level! Class size is limited and the selection process is competitive. View courses Watch the...
Blind Dog Care Tips to Help Your Fur Baby Feel Much More Comfortable at Home
Losing one of your senses is definitely something hard to accept, especially since it’s necessary to navigate one’s daily life. If it’s already difficult for humans, what more is blindness for dogs? Their other senses are heightened when they lose sight, but that doesn’t mean things get easier. Dog blindness is caused by several health issues, such as acquiring cataracts, glaucoma, diabetes, and SARDS. Aside from these health issues, canines can be born blind due to a congenital disability, and other times it results...
