Friday 28 June 2019
Heartbroken Pup Sits Vigil at His Father’s Hospital Bed Waiting for Love
Some dogs struggle, spending years of their lives waiting for a forever home. One Lab Mix named Moose traveled across states to find the perfect human to call his own. But then, it happened. Moose finally found love and his forever home. Unfortunately, forever would end too soon for this loving lab. As he sat vigil, the fate of the beautiful boy was once again in question.
Rough Beginnings
Moose started his life in difficult circumstances. In 2017, someone found him tied to a railroad sign in front of an animal shelter in rural Georgia.
Moose lived in the shelter for many months. No one wanted to adopt this adorable pup and time was running out for him. Unfortunately, Moose was residing in a kill shelter. The longer he lived there, the more likely he would be euthanized because of overcrowding. It is a fate too sad to even think about.
However, one shelter employee would not give up on Moose. She asked her peers for help until she found Eleventh Hour Rescue in New Jersey. They had room for the Lab. Moose moved north to his temporary home. Soon after, his new dad came into the shelter and adopted Moose. It was love at first sight.
The Journey to a Forever Home
After only one year in his new home, tragedy struck. Moose’s dad fell ill. While sick, his dad spent time lying in a hospital bed. When he passed away, Moose could not comprehend that his beloved father had left this earth. He sat patiently next to the bed, waiting for his dad to return. Simply heartbreaking.
Thankfully, the folks at Eleventh Hour Rescue did not forget about Moose. They brought him back to their shelter because they stay true to their motto: “Once an Eleventh Hour dog, always an Eleventh Hour dog.”
The employees at Eleventh Hour Rescue ached for Moose. They wanted to find him a forever home with a wonderful family. They posted his story on their social media channels and suddenly it started spreading. There were thousands of shares across their account and others.
Adoption applications started rolling in for the pup. Just a few days later a forever home was found! Eleventh Hour Rescue posted this on Facebook:
MOOSE HAS BEEN ADOPTED by a wonderful family who will care for and love him for the rest of his life!
Hooray for Moose! Though this loyal and loving dog suffered through many trials and tribulations, we are thrilled to hear that he found a new home.
Featured image c/o Eleventh Hour Rescue Facebook
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Woman Comforts Dog During The Final Stages of His Battle With Cancer
Some people are full of goodness. They nurture and care for those in need. This is the story of one woman who gave her love and compassion to a dog in the last hours of his life. After suffering through tremendous illness, this dog needed peace. He found the right woman to carry him toward the Rainbow Bridge.
Battling Through Disease
Watson was staying at an emergency vet for constant care. A college student found him alone in a Philadelphia park where this sweet dog was emaciated and covered in infected sores. He had a large, cancerous tumor on his hind leg. That’s when the vet called Janine Guido, found of Speranza Animal Rescue.
When she came to get the dog, she was immediately confronted with his sorrowful expression.
“The first thing I noticed with him was his eyes. He looked exhausted — like he was ready to give up the fight,” Janine told The Dodo.
So, Janine brought Watson back to the shelter to care for the ailing pup.
Compassion and Love
Janine said, “I had a gut feeling that things weren’t going to be good the next day. I didn’t want to leave him alone. Not when he needed me the most.”
So, she created a makeshift bed of blankets and dog beds for Watson, and she laid down with him in the laundry room at the rescue. Janine talked gently to the dog. He quickly fell asleep.
“He slept like a rock all night, cuddled up to me so tight. I cried myself to sleep, and woke up in tears as well,” Janine said.
The next morning Watson’s condition did not improve. Watson began pacing in circles. He wouldn’t eat or drink. Soon after, the dog succumbed to his illness.
“I’m just so thankful I was able to hold him tight for his last night. I was telling him how much he was loved — and that his life mattered. My heart is breaking, but I would not change a thing,” Janine said.
We are thankful for people like Janine in the world who are able to offer comfort during the darkest of times. Janine shows just how far a little kindness can go.
Featured image c/o Speranza Animal Rescue Facebook
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Four Ways to Celebrate Canada Day with Your Pets
Read on to learn four ways to celebrate Canada Day with your pets.
The post Four Ways to Celebrate Canada Day with Your Pets appeared first on The Trupanion Blog.
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Five Ways to Enrich Your Home for Your Dog
Read on to learn five ways to enrich your home for your dog.
The post Five Ways to Enrich Your Home for Your Dog appeared first on The Trupanion Blog.
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DOGTV: Enrichment Television for Your Dog
Learn more about the importance of home enrichment for your furry friends.
The post DOGTV: Enrichment Television for Your Dog appeared first on The Trupanion Blog.
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Sierra: Important Medical Care Brought Baby Hound Back Home
Learn how the ingestion of a rug results in Coonhound puppy Sierra, to seek emergency surgery and how her medical insurance was there through it all.
The post Sierra: Important Medical Care Brought Baby Hound Back Home appeared first on The Trupanion Blog.
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SAR Dog Frida Retires from the Mexican Navy
Her expressive brown eyes protected by what looks like a swim mask and her feet in blue booties, Frida—a 10-year-old yellow Lab—sat obligingly for the camera. After nine years as a member of the Mexican navy’s canine and urban SAR unit, she’s retiring, but instead of a gold watch, her reward is a new chew toy.
A veteran SAR dog, Frida’s credited with finding more than 50 people, 12 of them alive, during her career. In 2017, as she searched for survivors in the rubble of a Mexico City school that collapsed in a 7.1 magnitude earthquake, a tweet from the Mexican navy put her on the map—or rather, on the Twitterverse. While she wasn’t the only SAR dog on the job, she became the face of the rescue effort.
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Smiling Dog: Maximo
Dog's name and age: Maximo, 1 year
Adoption Story: We met Max at an adoption event by Lucky Dog Animal Rescue who had dogs from Puerto Rico. We instantly fell in love. His birthday is the same day at my daughter's finance, who is coincidentally also from Puerto Rico so we knew it was meant to be. We had lost our beloved poodle of 15 years and did not think we wanted another dog, but Max change it all. Max came into our lives when we were grieving the loss of our sweet Riley, stole our hearts, and has brought us so much joy.
Photo Story: I do photo shoots with Max each week, and this one was for Taco Tuesday!
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Tips on How to Adopt the Right Dog
Psychologists who study how people pick their spouses have turned their attention to another important relationship: choosing a canine companion.
They recently found that, when it comes to puppy love, the heart doesn’t always know what it wants.
The researchers based their results, which could help improve the pet adoption process, on data from a working animal shelter.
Picking a Pet From Dog Shelters
“What we show in this study is that what people say they want in a dog isn’t always in line with what they choose,” says Samantha Cohen, who led the study as a PhD student in the psychological and brain sciences department at Indiana University-Bloomington. “By focusing on a subset of desired traits, rather than everything a visitor says, I believe we can make animal adoption more efficient and successful.”
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How to Make DIY Dog Silhouette Canvas Art
Since pets can be our biggest source of joy and laughter, we thought we’d share a cute and fun way to capture everything that makes them so special. Even when it’s not our pet, watching their fun-loving personalities can always bring a smile to our faces. There’s a reason why pet videos and photos on the internet are so popular!
Whether it’s for yourself or as a gift, some colorful canvas art is a great way to show-off your dog’s quirks. It can serve as a piece of decor while allowing you display your beloved pet as part of your family.
Before starting this project, think about that makes your pet happy. If his favorite activity is to go to the park, take him out and snap a profile photo while he plays. If your pup loves to lounge under the sun, take out your camera and shoot a cute side angle!
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Thursday 27 June 2019
Breaking News: FDA Releases List of Dog Food Brands Associated with Heart Disease Reports (DCM)
Updated: 6/27/19
Since late last year, pet parents have been anxiously following the reports by the FDA that grain-free foods may be causing a spike in cases of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs that are not normally predisposed to the disease.
Today, the FDA released a more detailed, but still frustratingly uncertain report about these incidents. While a large percentage the foods are grain-free, we still don’t yet know the actual cause of the spike in reports, as grain-free foods are not new to the pet market and have been around many years.
According to the FDA, “Another puzzling aspect of the recent spike in DCM cases is that they have occurred just in the last few years. The FDA is working with the pet food industry to better understand whether changes in ingredients, ingredient sourcing, processing or formulation may have contributed to the development of DCM.”
Which Brands Are Most Associated with Reports of DCM?
Today, the FDA released the following graphic with the dog food brands named most frequently in DCM cases that were reported to the FDA. The full report of all affected foods can be view here.
Source: FDA.gov
Please note the above graph is NOT the complete list of foods reported. You can download the full report of all foods affected here, including notes from the veterinarian about the particular pet affected.
Are Peas, Legumes, and Potatoes the Problem?
According to the FDA, “More than 90 percent of products were “grain-free”, and 93 percent of reported products had peas and/or lentils. A far smaller proportion contained potatoes. Animal protein sources in the reported diets varied widely, and many diets contained more than one protein source. The most common proteins in the reported diets were chicken, lamb and fish; however, some diets contain atypical protein sources such as kangaroo, bison or duck. No one animal protein source was predominant.”
Which Type of Dog Foods Are Most Reported to Be Associated with DCM
Per the FDA, “a review of the canine reports shows that most reports were for dry dog food formulations, but raw food, semi-moist food, and wet foods were also represented.”
What Are the Possible Signs of Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM)?
Per the FDA, “If a dog is showing possible signs of DCM or other heart conditions, including decreased energy, cough, difficulty breathing and episodes of collapse, you should contact your veterinarian as soon as possible. If the symptoms are severe and your veterinarian is not available, you may need to seek emergency veterinary care. Your veterinarian may ask you for a thorough dietary history, including all the foods (including treats) the dog has eaten.”
What Can I Do If I Believe My Pet is Affected?
The FDA is asking for additional information from pet owners who believe their dog may be affected. Instructions for submitting case information can be found on the FDA page: How to Report a Pet Food Complaint.
Which Brand is Really Safe for My Dog?
As fellow pet parents, we’re also frustrated about these reports, and how yet again the pet food industry appears to have let us down.
We strongly believe that no single dog food should be fed to your dog for their entire life. By rotating foods, you can minimize the chance of nutritional deficiencies due to one particular manufacturer.
Also, remember that all commercial dog foods are processed. We believe every dog needs whole, fresh foods in their diet in addition to dry dog food.
The full FDA report can be viewed here, along with a complete list of all foods reported. We’d also recommend following the Truth About Pet Food Facebook page for further updates.
This story is breaking, additional updates will be added here.
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Simplify Summer with Swiffer
Dogs plus hard-surface flooring equals lots to do, especially during the summer months when days are long and full of activities.
The question is (borrowing shamelessly from Will Shakespeare’s Hamlet): To vacuum or not to vacuum—to ignore mini-cyclones of dog hair and tracked-in grit or haul out the big gun. Happily, there’s an easier option: a Swiffer Sweeper armed with either a heavy-duty Dry Sweeping Pad or a Wet Mopping Cloth.
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Book Review: The Animals Companion
Who would’ve thought that our recommendation for the summer’s best read would be a well-researched, deeply crafted, wry and witty compendium on the importance of pets in our lives? The Animal’s Companion by Jacky Colliss Harvey, a Brit from rural Suffolk with a background in literature and art history and a long career in the museum world, is a cultural investigation that is erudite but accessible (I even enjoyed poring through its extensive bibliography).
With her curatorial eye and descriptive skill, Colliss Harvey successfully melds examples from a variety of fields —art, literature, history, biology —with personal reflections. It is a chatty book, easily drawing the reader in (this quality makes it an excellent audiobook choice for a summer road trip). While she doesn’t focus on any one species, there is plenty of dog in it, enough to satisfy the most canine-centric reader.
The book’s enthralling stories and tidbits about pets through the millennia are divided into nine chapters: Finding, Choosing, Fashioning, Naming, Communicating, Connecting, Caring, Losing and Imagining. A great example can be found in “Fashioning,” in which we learn about the craze for canaries, and how an otherwise dull greenish bird became yellow. While we knew that they were used by miners to detect noxious gases in coal mines, what this reader did not know was that miners in Germany also bred and trained the birds as singers.
As the author notes, “[I]n the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, a good living could be made by professional trainers of canaries, or siffleurs, who were employed by the most fashionable owners to expand their bird’s repertoires with flutes and water-whistles.” Some breeders turned yellow birds orange by feeding them red peppers, but got their comeuppance when it was found that red ones couldn’t sing “worth a damn.”
She then segues neatly from canaries to dogs: “[E]verything we have done to the canary has been endured to the power of ten by the dog. … there were just fifteen or so distinct breeds of dogs at the beginning of the nineteenth century; there are some 340 as I write.” She goes on to tell the reader how, in 1689, King William III and his spouse Mary started the craze for Pugs in England. Those Pugs, however, looked nothing like today’s; they had longer snouts, longer legs and were bigger overall.
Colliss Harvey has a marvelously philosophical way of making strong humane and sociological observations: “If we want that one special animal, the difference is made by the quality of our relationship with them, the depth of our comprehension of them, and the strength of our connection to them. Fashion has absolutely nothing to do with that.”
Her gem of a book offers a lot to chew on about our reasons for having and loving pets. Animals, and yes, even our dear dogs, are not human (thankfully), and their “otherness” is part of what compels us to love them. Our species’ fondness for pets seems to be the one clear distinction we can claim as our own—indeed, a case can be made for pets making us human. We urge you to read (or listen to) The Animal’s Companion. You will come away as enthralled and entertained as we were.
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Wednesday 26 June 2019
Tuesday 25 June 2019
Abandoned Puppy Waits In Owner’s Discarded Armchair Until Rescued
Sharon Norton is an Animal Control officer in Brookhaven, Mississippi. Despite the nature of her job, she is still shocked by some of the heartless acts she witnesses.
Her recent rescue of an abandoned puppy cowering in a broken armchair certainly fits that bill. Norton took to Facebook to express her feelings towards the pup’s former owner.
“To the person that dumped this chair, your puppy was waiting for you to come back, slowly starving to death because it was afraid to leave the chair to find food. Shame on you for doing this to this puppy…but one day Karma will meet up with you.”
A Good Samaritan contacted Brookhaven Animal Control after witnessing a truck drop off the chair, a television, and the frightened, malnourished puppy.
Norton earned his trust with a handful of treats and brought him to the Brookhaven Animal Rescue League where he is receiving veterinary care (and lots of love).
She named him “Lazy Boy Gaston” aka “the Armchair Bandit” because he’s stealing hearts everywhere!
Little Gaston will be available for adoption once cleared by veterinary staff. For updates, follow the Brookhaven Animal Rescue League on Facebook.
H/T to Fox19 and Fox32
Featured Image via Sharon Norton
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After Horrible Car Crash, Missing Terrier Found 78 Miles from Accident
Imagine this: you endure a horrific car crash. Thankfully, you manage to survive the disaster. But something is not right. Your beloved dog went missing in the chaotic aftermath of the crash. Sounds pretty awful, right? For one California woman this horrible scenario became reality. But in the end, she finally found her missing pup, but you won’t believe where.
A Reunion Fit for a Princess
Two months ago, a seven-year-old Terrier-mix named Princess and her mother survived a serious car crash in Berkeley, California. In the midst of the carnage, Princess was thrown from the vehicle. The confused and frightened pup ran away.
Heartwarming Video As Family Reunites With Pup That Went Missing After Near-Fatal Crash
Somehow, Princess made a 78-mile trek from Berkeley (near San Francisco) to Sacramento. No one knows how the pup walked that far and how she survived along the way. Princess displayed a dog’s tenacity and resiliency.
In late May, a local found Princess and brought her to the Front Street Shelter in Sacramento. Shelter spokesman Bobby Mann told The Sacramento Bee Princess was very well-liked.
He said, “She’s a super sweet dog. She’s the type of dog who quickly bonded with anybody. So obviously her family took really good care of her.”
Princess loved attention and made her displeasure known when she was left alone. Bobby said she yelped loudly. “It essentially turned off new adopters because they said this dog was really loud. It seemed like her family was looking for her, and she was giving them the time to find her.”
Meanwhile, Princess’ mom was combing through shelter websites. Eventually, she stumbled across the Front Street Shelter and saw her dog. Princess’ mom reached out immediately.
Bobby said, “[Princess’ mom] called and identified her dog, and we were very excited about that.”
The two were reunited last week. Princess and her mom were overjoyed to finally be together again. We love a happy ending!
Featured Image c/o Front Street Animal Shelter Facebook
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New Study Finds Dogs Can Sniff Out Lung Cancer with 97% Accuracy
A cancer diagnosis requires tests. Lots of tests. Oncologists use highly-expensive methods to diagnose lung cancer in humans. Now, there might be a way to detect the disease by tapping their local Beagle community. Yes, a new study found Beagles can recognize the disease by scent.
Medical Breakthrough
A study from the American Osteopathic Association says Beagles’ incredible sense of smell can identify the specific biomarkers of the disease. These dogs are so accurate that researchers believe this discovery could lead to a new type of testing in the future. Instead of expensive tests, the dogs could provide a safe, affordable, and effective cancer screening method.
The study’s lead author, Thomas Quinn, professor at Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, said this in a statement: “We’re using the dogs to sort through the layers of scent until we identify the tell-tale biomarkers. There is still a great deal of work ahead, but we’re making good progress.”
All dogs have a powerful sense of smell. However, Beagles’ abilities stand out amongst other dog breeds. In the study, the dogs differentiated between blood serum samples taken from patients suffering from malignant lung cancer and those who were healthy with 97% accuracy. Incredible!
The scientists aren’t stopping with lung cancer. Next up, the Beagles will attempt to sniff out breast and colorectal cancer from a breath sample. What does this mean for everyday consumers? It could be the first step in creating an over-the-counter screening test.
Quinn continued, “Right now it appears dogs have a better natural ability to screen for cancer than our most advanced technology. Once we figure out what they know and how we may be able to catch up.”
You can read the study in the Journal of the American Osteopathic Association.
Impressive Abilities
Another study by BioScentDx, a private health care company in Florida, found similar impressive results.
Co-author Heather Junqueira and her colleagues tested four beagles trained to detect the difference between blood samples from healthy patients and blood samples from patients with lung cancer. One dog wouldn’t perform the test. However, the tree others correctly scented the lung cancer samples 96.7 percent of the time, and the normal samples 97.5 percent of the time.
Color us impressed!
“Although there is currently no cure for cancer, early detection offers the best hope of survival. A highly sensitive test for detecting cancer could potentially save thousands of lives and change the way the disease is treated.” Junqueira, the lead researcher at BioScentDx, said in a statement.
Service dogs help people with physical and emotional needs. Maybe now they’ll provide a new, potentially life-saving, service in the medical field.
Featured image c/o Marcus Wallis on Unsplash
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Popular Dog Walking Service Wag! Accused of Neglect and Tragic Death
When a pup goes missing, it’s a terrifying experience. Is your pup safe? Scared? This is your baby. Each moment away is filled with the fear and worry of the unknown. What could you have done differently? Is it your fault? In this case, one dog lover thought he was doing the right thing, trusting the popular dog walking service Wag! while he was out of town. Unfortunately, this tail of negligence and failure to act appropriately resulted in a heartbreaking ending. We want to spread the word so other dog lovers might learn from this experience.
A Lovable Pup
Rey moved with her dad John from Wisconsin to California. The two-year-old Lab mix loved her human and her human loved her deeply. The two didn’t know many people in their new home, so they relied on each other for companionship.
One weekend, her dad needed to travel. It was his first trip away. John decided to hire Wag! to walk Rey while he was gone.
Wag! Does It Again – Named Prime Suspect When This Couple’s Pooch Went Missing
After a solid first walk, the experience started to sour. A dog walker was scheduled to arrive for the afternoon appointment. The walker marked the walk complete but told John they were unable to go outside because they could not find Rey’s leash.
So, John scheduled another walk for that evening.
Find Rey
That evening, a walker arrived to take out Rey. Despite Wag’s rules against it, the walker brought his girlfriend. When the pair arrived, they left the door open and then let Rey out of her crate. The scared pup growled and barked. Then she ran out the door. The Wag walker lunged at Rey and grabbed her by the collar. This scared her even more. Rey wiggled away and off.
Unfortunately, no one told John that Rey was missing until the next morning. The next walker arrived, and Rey was nowhere to be found.
According to his sister’s Facebook post, John did receive email messages in the middle of the night. However, no one called him. John later found out the walker responsible for Rey at the time of her disappearance had a “one-star” rating. John’s sister also said Wag! was not of much help:
Wag! sent out mass messages for people to look for her…They also put up flyers, and put their own phone number on it instead of my brothers so that they would have to be the middle man. This allowed for John to receive delayed tips of sightings.
A few days later Rey was found. She had perished after an accident with a train. Our heart breaks for John, Rey, and their entire family. This was a preventable tragedy.
Our heart goes out to sweet Rey, John and his family. Please share this story. Because Every Dog Matters!
Featured image c/o Maribeth Cole Facebook post
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Protecting Pets in a Disaster: What to Watch for
So, with summer travel in full swing, preparation is key to keep your furry friends safe, healthy, and happy.
The post Protecting Pets in a Disaster: What to Watch for appeared first on The Trupanion Blog.
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5 Ways to Keep Your Dog Calm on the 4th
While many of us humans look forward to 4th of July picnics and fireworks, the holiday can be traumatic for our dogs, who typically find the evening’s ear-piercing crashes and booms confusing or downright terrifying.
And it’s not just festivities on the 4th that make summer a stressful time for dogs. From frequent thunderstorms, trips and visitors to being separated from you when you go away on vacation, there are many reasons our furry friends experience increased anxiety during the summer.
Fortunately, there are some simple, effective ways to soothe your dog’s nerves and keep summer fun for everyone.
1. Stay calm.
Dogs are keen observers of their humans’ behavior, and will pick up on even the slightest change in mood and emotion. While you should try to comfort and reassure your dog, be careful not to overdo it, such that you add to their alarm. Reacting to your dog’s anxiety with nervousness of your own can make the problem worse.
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Monday 24 June 2019
Stunning Snouts: Study Finds Dogs Can Detect Lung Cancer with 97% Accuracy
A cancer diagnosis requires tests. Lots of tests. Oncologists use highly-expensive methods to diagnose lung cancer in humans. Now, there might be a way to detect the disease by tapping their local Beagle community. Yes, a new study found Beagles can recognize the disease by scent.
Medical Breakthrough
A study from the American Osteopathic Association says Beagles’ incredible sense of smell can identify the specific biomarkers of the disease. These dogs are so accurate that researchers believe this discovery could lead to a new type of testing in the future. Instead of expensive tests, the dogs could provide a safe, affordable, and effective cancer screening method.
The study’s lead author, Thomas Quinn, professor at Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, said this in a statement: “We’re using the dogs to sort through the layers of scent until we identify the tell-tale biomarkers. There is still a great deal of work ahead, but we’re making good progress.”
All dogs have a powerful sense of smell. However, Beagles’ abilities stand out amongst other dog breeds. In the study, the dogs differentiated between blood serum samples taken from patients suffering from malignant lung cancer and those who were healthy with 97% accuracy. Incredible!
The scientists aren’t stopping with lung cancer. Next up, the Beagles will attempt to sniff out breast and colorectal cancer from a breath sample. What does this mean for everyday consumers? It could be the first step in creating an over-the-counter screening test.
Quinn continued, “Right now it appears dogs have a better natural ability to screen for cancer than our most advanced technology. Once we figure out what they know and how we may be able to catch up.”
You can read the study in the Journal of the American Osteopathic Association.
Impressive Abilities
Another study by BioScentDx, a private health care company in Florida, found similar impressive results.
Co-author Heather Junqueira and her colleagues tested four beagles trained to detect the difference between blood samples from healthy patients and blood samples from patients with lung cancer. One dog wouldn’t perform the test. However, the tree others correctly scented the lung cancer samples 96.7 percent of the time, and the normal samples 97.5 percent of the time.
Color us impressed!
“Although there is currently no cure for cancer, early detection offers the best hope of survival. A highly sensitive test for detecting cancer could potentially save thousands of lives and change the way the disease is treated.” Junqueira, the lead researcher at BioScentDx, said in a statement.
Service dogs help people with physical and emotional needs. Maybe now they’ll provide a new, potentially life-saving, service in the medical field.
Featured image c/o Marcus Wallis on Unsplash
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Saturday 22 June 2019
Patrick McDonnell’s MUTTS Comics Special Appearance
The Bark’s favorite comic strip is celebrating a birthday—Patrick McDonnell began drawing MUTTS 25 years ago and to mark this special occasion, we have the honor of publishing new and favorite MUTTS strips in The Bark magazine and in our weekly enewsletters. Perhaps you’ve missed your daily dose of Earl, Mooch and Ozzie in your local newspaper … well, you can catch up with the gang right here. Enjoy what Peanuts creator Charles Schulz called “one of the best comic strips of all time.” And if you are not already signed up to receive our weekly enewsletter, it’s easy to do at thebark.com/newsletter.
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Friday 21 June 2019
Mastiff Pair Survives High Speed Chase, Seeks New Home Together
Onyx and Starlet went through hell together. Now rescuers have promised to keep them together.
Last month the pair of gentle Mastiffs were involved in a terrifying police chase through the streets of Los Angeles. The suspect was driving a stolen motor home with the innocent dogs along for the ride. Millions watched in horror as the life-threatening chase was broadcast on live TV.
At one point, Starlet leapt from the speeding vehicle through a broken window. Miraculously, she suffered only a broken paw and other minor injuries. Onyx remained inside the RV throughout the entire ordeal. He also avoided serious injuries as the RV careened into a palm tree and several cars.
“It was horrifying,” Terri Fox, president of Foxy and the Hounds told CBS News. “I think we all heard screams around the country because everyone was glued to their televisions and we could not believe she jumped. And she fell on her back. We thought, oh my gosh, her back must be broken.”
Luckily for Starlet, rescuers from Foxy and the Hounds were watching the drama unfold, and sprung to action as soon as she jumped from the RV. One of their volunteers located the frightened pooch later that evening and helped bring her to safety.
Onyx and Starlet were taken into the care of the Los Angeles Department of Animal Services. After nearly a month-long investigation into the incident, the dogs were released into the care of Terri Fox and her team.
Onyx and Starlet are two-years-old and each weigh about 90 pounds. They are currently enjoying life in a loving foster home as the rescue group sorts through their many adoption applications.
“They are incredible,” Fox says, “they are gentle giants. Cane Corsos and Mastiffs, by nature, are a great breed. They are big dogs. So we are very careful who we place them with. And we would like an experienced owner. They are incredible and they are very bonded. And we never separate bonded pairs — ever. So they will stay together forever.”
It looks like a bright future is on the horizon for Onyx and Starlet, but what about the woman who nearly cost them their lives? Julie Ann Rainbird, 52, was arrested on suspicion of eluding a police officer, hit-and-run, and assault. There is also microchip evidence showing that Rainbird is not the legal owner of the dogs.
She is being held on $100,000 bail.
H/T to CBS Los Angeles & The Los Angeles Times
Featured Image via Facebook/Foxy and the Hounds
The post Mastiff Pair Survives High Speed Chase, Seeks New Home Together appeared first on iHeartDogs.com.
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Why We Don’t Raise Your Rates for Filing Trupanion Claims
We're here to protect your pet from the unexpected. So why would we punish you if you have to use the coverage?
The post Why We Don’t Raise Your Rates for Filing Trupanion Claims appeared first on The Trupanion Blog.
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Four Essential New Puppy Announcement Ideas
One of the most exciting ways to celebrate the arrival of your new puppy is with a formal introduction to the world.
The post Four Essential New Puppy Announcement Ideas appeared first on The Trupanion Blog.
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Preparing For The “Dog Days” Of Summer
We all look forward to the “dog days of summer” with the good things that it brings, like longer, warmer days and getting out more with our dogs and enjoying the great outdoors. But summertime also means a lot more of the “outside” can found in the “inside” especially if you have furry family members tracking it in—thus keeping up with housecleaning tasks all the more challenging. Fur balls multiply with the warmer shedding season, and paw print stains brought in from the yard can quickly overwhelm the best of our intentions.
from The Bark http://bit.ly/2WQG83S http://bit.ly/2Y1cavq
Smiling Dog: Milo
Dog's name and age: Milo Maurice Gable, 5 years
Behind his name: When I looked at him, I thought he just looks like a Milo Mauirce Gable. Plus he has asymmetrical face like Clark Gable!
Adoption story: I found Milo on PetFinder from a rescue in Orlando, FL. He was a chubby little ball of James Dean type-attitude, that could have cared less. But I fell hard for that attitude and ending up getting to be his momma. Milo thinks he is a person ... possibly that rebel boyfriend we all had but loved anyway!
What does Milo like to do? He loves to be outdoors, trying to chase rabbits and smelling the wind. He loves windy days! He really enjoys lying on the sofa with his head on the pillow and he likes our heads to touch.
from The Bark http://bit.ly/31IZcVf http://bit.ly/31Pnj4D
The Anatomy of Seduction: Raised Brow Puppy Dog Eyes
Dogs and humans communicate quite well. We're pretty good at reading what they want and what they're feeling, and they're very good at reading us. This reciprocal understanding of shared emotions, many of which function as "social glue," isn't all that surprising given the close association of dogs and humans during the process of domestication.
from The Bark http://bit.ly/2WUBbHh http://bit.ly/2Y31jkq
Thursday 20 June 2019
The Yulin Dog Meat Festival: A History Of Suffering & Controversy
June 21, 2019 marks the start of the 10th annual Yulin “Lychee and Dog Meat” festival. Tucked away in a remote corner of the country, Yulin, China was virtually unknown to the rest of the world before this yearly “celebration” began.
Animal rights activists, celebrities, and average citizens the world over have spoken out against the festival, yet it continues to this day.
How did the heartbreaking practice begin? What does the festival represent to its participants? And most importantly, how can we help end the Chinese dog meat trade?
What is the Yulin Dog Meat Festival?
The Yulin “Lychee and Dog Meat” festival is a 10 day event held from June 21 to June 30. Participants flock to Yulin – a city in the Guangxi province of China – to consume dog meat, cat meat, fresh lychees, and liquor. An estimated 10,000 dogs are consumed each year.
Tragically, many of the dogs and cats slaughtered during the festival are thought to be stolen family pets.
“Most dogs and cats caught up in China’s meat trade are believed to be strays snatched from the streets and pets stolen from people’s backyards, in clear violation of Chinese laws,” Humane Society International writes. “They are crammed into wire cages and driven for hours or even days across the country, before reaching the slaughterhouse where they are beaten to death.”
What is the History of the Event?
The first Yulin Dog Meat festival was held in 2009 to mark the summer solstice. However, Chinese consumption of dog meat can be traced back to around 1700 B.C. when it was considered an important sacrificial offering to the gods.
In addition, Chinese folklore states that eating dog meat during the summer solstice brings luck, wards off disease, and may even heighten sexual performance in men.
According to Humane Society International, the Yulin festival has nothing to do with tradition. Instead, the celebration was created “by dog traders trying to boost flagging dog meat sales.” HSI notes that “before the festival started, Yulin had no history of mass dog slaughter and consumption.”
Do All Chinese People Eat Dog?
It is important to understand that not all Chinese people eat dog meat. In fact, it is only a small minority of the population that take part in this practice.
More than 60% of Chinese residents currently oppose the Yulin festival and the stigma it puts on their country. Even the local government of Yulin denies any official involvement with the festival.
While owning a dog was once banned by Mao Zedong, 62 million pups are now registered as family pets. That number is expected to rise with each passing year.
What is Being Done to End Yulin & the Chinese Dog Meat Trade?
According to the welfare group, AnimalsAsia, the number of dogs killed at the Yulin festival has been declining each year since 2015. However, this event accounts for less than 0.01% of the approximately 10 million dogs slaughtered each year.
“Ending Yulin won’t end dog eating. But ending dog eating will end Yulin.” – AnimalsAsia.org
AnimalsAsia – and other groups like them – are helping to abolish the dog meat industry in China by:
- Conducting undercover investigations of restaurants, live animal markets and slaughterhouses.
- Funding local grassroots groups fighting the dog and cat meat trade on the ground in China.
- Putting pressure on authorities to investigate dog meat traders, and strengthen enforcement.
- Funding spay and neuter programs to reduce stray cat and dog populations humanely.
- Running high-profile public awareness and behaviour change campaigns.
- Coordinating community outreach to show people young and old, that dogs and cats are friends… not food.
How Can You Help?
Sign AnimalAsia and Humane Society International’s petitions and consider making a donation to support their cause.
The post The Yulin Dog Meat Festival: A History Of Suffering & Controversy appeared first on iHeartDogs.com.
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Her Cruel Owners Laughed At Her Seizures & Abandoned Her. See How AWESOME Her Life Is Now!
Miss Flans, the Chiweenie, is a product of inbreeding. She came from a backyard breeder who has been breeding dogs who are siblings. As a result of careless breeding, Miss Flans suffers from multiple genetic abnormalities. Among other things she has albinism, a tongue too long for her snout, is partially blind, and she suffers from seizures.
Her previous owners couldn’t handle her medical conditions. In fact, they had no idea that she was seizing and they just laughed at her when she would have an episode. Life was tough for Miss Flans, until someone came along to save the day.
Linda Alvarez is active in animal rescue, and her heart broke when she met Miss Flans. She originally intended to foster Miss Flans until someone adopted her, but realized soon after that no home could be better than her own!
As a frequent foster mom, Linda often has cats, kittens, and other pups in her home. Miss Flans loves the company and often plays with her furry roomates!
Watch the video below to see more of Miss Flans and how her life has changed since meeting Linda!
Isn’t she beautiful?
We hope this story will encourage people to adopt, and not to overlook “different” or “special” pets like Miss Flans!
Do you have a special pup? Share your story with us on Facebook!
The post Her Cruel Owners Laughed At Her Seizures & Abandoned Her. See How AWESOME Her Life Is Now! appeared first on iHeartDogs.com.
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Gizzy: Grateful for Coverage
Read on to learn why a pet owner is grateful for her sweet dog Gizzy's medical coverage.
The post Gizzy: Grateful for Coverage appeared first on The Trupanion Blog.
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Redfin and Trupanion Name the Most Cat-Friendly Cities of 2019
Redfin and Trupanion name the most cat-friendly cities of 2019.
The post Redfin and Trupanion Name the Most Cat-Friendly Cities of 2019 appeared first on The Trupanion Blog.
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Vet Issues Warning After Treating Dogs For Severely Burned Paws
When the summer sun’s rays hit the earth it warms our skin. The mercury on the thermometer increases and it gets hot outside. As a result, walking barefoot on a sidewalk, black pavement or even sand can be unbearable. For our pups, the results can be even more severe. Unfortunately, one Washington family learned this the hard way.
Painful Consequences
A Golden Retriever experienced severe burns on his paws after walking on hot pavement in Washington state. According to the Medical Lake Veterinary Hospital’s Facebook page, a dog named Olaf received a serious injury while walking on a trail with his human.
The post said:
Olaf walked over a mile on the Fish Trap Trail before his owner realized his pads were burned, and even then he wasn’t whining or limping! He is one tough cookie (and exceptionally sweet cookie).
CBS Austin reported Olaf’s burns were so bad they exposed raw muscle. The paw pads completely burned off. Apparently, Olaf’s human did not notice anything was wrong until they saw bloody paw prints on the trail.
Luckily, Olaf will recover from his burns. But he needs daily treatment on his paws.
Let this be a lesson for us all. Warm temperatures impact dogs, too!
Humans Must Protect Their Pups
The hot pavement is only one concern for people with dogs. Remember: dogs can suffer from other-temperature related illnesses too.
How To Spot – And Treat – Heat Stroke In Your Dog
What is too hot for your dog? The Medical Lake Veterinary Hospital offers this suggestion to determine what is safe for your canine:
A good rule of thumb is if the pavement is too hot for your hand it’s too hot for your dogs’ pads.
The doctors at Vets Now also suggest the seven-second rule: put the back of your hand on the pavement or concrete for seven seconds. If you struggle to keep it in place, it’s too hot to walk a dog.
If the temperatures are extremely warm during the day, you can walk your dog during the early morning or late evening when the pavement is cooler. Alternatively, take your dog for walks on grass or gravel instead of hot pavement.
Cold temperatures aren’t the only danger to our pups. Warm conditions cause threats to your dog’s safety, too. If you are sweating by simply stepping out, your dog also feels the heat. Remember to test the pavement and, of course, offer cool water to your pup when you return inside!
Featured image c/o Medical Lake Veterinary Hospital Facebook page
The post Vet Issues Warning After Treating Dogs For Severely Burned Paws appeared first on iHeartDogs.com.
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Barkwells, Asheville, North Carolina
Asheville is an Appalachian city, not too big and with a progressive and welcoming feel. Best of all, it’s full of dog-friendly places, including Barkwells®, our editors’ pick for best stays. A true dog/human retreat, Barkwells offers fabulous, well-appointed cabins, each with a kitchen and fenced-in yard; the property itself is completely fenced as well. There are lots of opportunities for off-leash socializing, making new friends and taking a plunge in the large pond. There really is no place quite like this. In town, check out Asheville’s dog park, browse along the Urban Trail and, for longer hikes, explore Chimney Rock State Park. barkwells.com
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20 Best Foods for a Picky Eater Rottweiler
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