Elderly Dachshund Races Against Youngsters And Refuses To Give Up
They say you can’t teach an old dog new tricks. That may or may not be true, but one thing is certain: a dog is never too old to work toward his dreams! A senior pooch at Picnic Day at U.C. Davis in California recently demonstrated this when he attempted to compete in a race against other, younger Dachsunds. Photo: Twitter/@tinysnekcomments The “Doxie Derby” was set up in a gymnasium that was surrounded by packed bleachers. The crowd eagerly watched as the stubby dogs raced across the floor to the finish line – all of...
Man Spots Stray Dogs In War-Torn Ukrainian City Lining Up For A Meal
The war in Ukraine disrupted millions of people across the country, and many people were forced to flee. In the chaos, it wasn’t just humans that were impacted in a big way, but animals as well. Wild animals, stray animals, pets, and farm animals couldn’t escape the effects of the war. In the aftermath of war-torn towns, many people are attempting to help the animals that were left behind. Photo: Pexels/Ayaan Sulaiman One such person, Nate Mook, has been actively working to support Ukrainian pets that no longer have homes or...
On This National Cook for Your Pets Day, Which Human Foods Can Cats and Dogs Eat?
November 1 is National Cook for Your Pets Day. The annual occasion encourages pet parents to whip something up for their pup or their favorite feline. Our dogs and cats have plenty of food options that are more catered to their specific nutritional needs than your typical human food. However, there are many human foods that they can eat. If you’re armed with that knowledge, you can prepare a treat or two for them. Which Human Foods Can Dogs Eat? Proteins PHOTO: ADOBE STOCK / BIT24 When it comes to protein, dogs are more than happy to...
How You and Your Dog or Other Pets Can Become a Pet Therapy Team
You may have seen them in airports surrounded by harried travelers or in hospitals visiting patients. They make the rounds at nursing homes, crisis centers, schools, and any number of places people need a lift in spirit. We’re talking about dogs and their owners teaming up to bring smiles to the faces of those who are stressed or lonely. They’re generally referred to as pet therapy teams, and there’s no shortage of need for them across the country. Pet Therapy Programs If you are the owner of a dog who is gentle and...
6 Great Ways to Help Animal Shelters, Rescues, and Sanctuaries Year-Round
Many people are under the common misconception that the only way to help animal shelters and rescues is by donating money to support their efforts, but that’s not true. There are plenty of great ways to show your support in earnest that don’t include writing a check. With that in mind, we wanted to share with readers some of the many ways their good intentions can be realized beyond a once-a-year cash influx. Volunteer at Your Local Rescue One way you can help is by donating your time, not necessarily your money. In many ways,...
Black Cats and the Many Myths that Surround Them, Including Adoption
National Black Cat Day falls on October 27th. Every year around Halloween, rumors start to swirl, dredging up myths that black cats are bad luck and harbingers of dark things to come. One of the most common myths is that black cats are evil and difficult to find homes for. They opine that these felines are at risk of being “irresponsibly adopted” and that once the spooky season is over, they’ll be right back to where they came from: shelters and rescues. Photo: Pixabay/Virvoreanu-Laurentiu The Curse of the...
Ask Dr. Aziza: Why Your Dog Can’t Stop Itching and How to Relieve it
An itchy dog is a common occurrence in the vet clinic, but several things could be causing this discomfort. Let’s take a closer look at the top causes of itching and how we treat it to provide your dog with some itch relief. Reason #1: Fleas Fleas are a type of parasite that can cause severe itchiness and it’s the most common cause of non-stop itching. Some dogs are more sensitive to fleas than others, but all are affected to some degree. Flea preventatives are the best way to protect your pup from fleas and avoid the need for dog...
Puppy Attempts Her First “Quack Walk” On Family Farm
A little puppy got to experience his very first Quack Walk on her family’s farm and it’s too cute! The puppy lives on the Scofflaw Farm in Cedar Hill, Tennessee, a cruelty-free, no-kill family farm. Photo: YouTube/Scofflaw Farm Every morning, the family enjoys a Quack Walk, a leisurely stroll around the farm. The animals follow their human and the dogs who lead the pack as they walk around grassy fields and take in the morning air. When introducing a new animal to the mix, that animal has to learn the ropes. When a little Great...
Feisty Guard Dog Protects His Family And Home From Curious Black Bear
Small dogs have a reputation for being “yappy” and occasionally nippy. It’s not because they’re aggressive, but they may just be protective of their home and loved ones. A Schnauzer named Liebs is one such dog. Liebs may be small but he takes his duty as a guard dog very seriously. Photo: YouTube/USA Today The 12-year-old pooch lives with his owners in Duluth, Minnesota. Duluth, Minnesota is home to plenty of wildlife, including black bears. On one particular occasion, a curious black bear decided to pay Liebs’...
Student Rescues Senior Chihuahua with Alopecia, Takes Her from Scaredy Cat to Social Butterfly
When Charisma, a college student and rescue org volunteer, first met Hazel, the dog was in rough shape. She was missing lots of teeth and fur, she had scratch and bite marks all over her, and her skin was covered in itchy pustules. All the same, it was love at first sight. Charisma didn’t care a lick about what the tiny animal looked like or about what her medical needs might entail. She believed that all rescue dogs, no matter their age or health, “deserve the world.” Photo: Instagram/lil.witch.hazel Hazel was brought to OC...
Dog Friendly Apple Picking Do’s and Don’ts
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:...
Helping People by Helping Pets
Submission Guidelines Thank you for your interest in writing for Animal Wellness. As the #1 natural health magazine for pets in North America, we take pride in providing our readers with the information they need to make wise health care choices for their animal companions. Our publication embraces the entire holistic spectrum, from physical health issues to the emotional and spiritual well being of our animals. We welcome unsolicited articles and story outlines as long as they focus on holistic healing, whether physical, emotional or...
Top Dog Vitamins to Try in 2023
I take three steps when selecting a dog vitamin or supplement for one of my patients. The first is to identify a medical problem a nutraceutical, or nutritional supplement, can help. The second is understanding the science and studies supporting its use. The third is choosing a manufacturer or brand I trust. Nutraceuticals aren’t magic bullets or miracle cures, yet that’s how many are advertised. I view these treatments as an adjunct or “supplement” to a multimodal disease prevention and treatment approach. Some common...
Wild Bison Calf Born in the United Kingdom for First Time in Thousands of Years
Earlier this year, a group of European bison was released into the United Kingdom to help improve the ecosystem of the West Blean and Thornden Woods in Kent, as well as to help mitigate climate change impacts. It turns out, one of them was pregnant at the time, and she’s given birth to the first bison born in the wild in the U.K. in thousands of years. According to a news release from Kent Wildlife Trust, one of the groups behind the effort, Bison Rangers had been keeping an eye on the bison since they’d arrived in July, but there...
Pitbull Left Tied To Store Cart Return Refuses To Lose Faith In Humanity
No knows for sure what happened to Sinatra the pittie pup before he was abandoned, but he likely had a hard life. He was under the care of a neglectful owner at best, but he had a lucky break when that owner decided they no longer wanted him. While responsible pet parents would find a proper home for their fur babies under such circumstances, Sinatra’s first owner simply tied him to a cart return in a pet store parking lot and left. Photo: YouTube/GeoBeats Animals The dog had no idea why he was left behind or if his owner was coming...
Golden Retriever Puppy Discovers Bathtub “Slide” And Grabs All His Tennis Balls
Growing up, I loved going to my grandma’s house. She had this huge bathtub that was complete with two armrests. As a small child though, I didn’t realize they were designed to be armrests. Instead, I thought they were built-in slides! I spent hours in that bathtub rolling toys down the “slides” and even attempting to scoot down them myself. It was loads of fun, and it seems I’m not alone in thinking that. Photo: YouTube/Good Morning America A little golden retriever puppy named Finn recently discovered that his...
The Amazing Yet Rare Sea Wolves of the Pacific Northwest
Normally, when we think of wolves, we imagine them in forests or running across frozen tundras, being one of the apex predators over the rugged terrain. We also think of them as living predominantly off of rabbits, deer, and elk, or even ganging up on injured bears. What doesn’t usually come to mind is the robust carnivores living off of seafood or frolicking in icy cold waters for hours on end in pursuit of the catch of the day. That, however, is exactly how British Columbia’s rare sea wolves survive. Sea Wolves Often referred to...
Abused And Scarred Husky Helps At-Risk Children Through Court Trials
Going through a court trial as a child can be terrifying. When alleged abuse occurs, kids are often dragged through lengthy court and legal processes, unsure of what their future holds. They may face separation from their families or betrayal of a loved one. It’s a lot to handle for anyone, but especially for children. Photo: YouTube/The Spoke In Southern California, a unique program has been put in place to support those kids going through court trials and they do it with the help of dogs, like Patriot. Patriot the husky didn’t...
5 More Fire Safety Tips Every Pet Owner Should Be Aware Of
Your pets are like your kids, and keeping them safe is a high priority. That’s why it’s important to have numbers like your veterinarian, animal poison control, and emergency clinics on hand. Knowing that every minute counts in a crisis, you want to be prepared. Fire safety protocol should be no different. If your home should, unfortunately, catch fire with your pets inside, do you have a plan? Most people don’t, but you don’t have to be one of them. Instead, start strategizing now, should the unthinkable happen....
Shock Surprise When a Young Female Coyote is Discovered in the Grille of a Car
Stranger than fiction or a real-life miracle? You’re going to have to make the call. Recently, a driver in Florida pulled off of a highway into a Tallahassee Toyota dealership with an unknown hitchhiker that had unwittingly come along for the ride. It seems that when mechanics came out to greet the driver, they noticed blood smeared on the front of his vehicle. As they inspected further, they were shocked to find a terrified coyote stained with blood peering back at them through the broken slits of the car’s damaged grille, unable...
