Peso is a funny little guy who will howl to get attention. He spends his time grooming his stuffies, lounging in the sun and hanging out with his folks. He is the best dog anyone could ask for.
Mickey is a good natured and amusing dog. He's looking for a home and promises to be loyal to his family and has a lot of love to give!
As has been discussed in so many articles, sharing our lives with pets is good for our health. Not only do they make us healthier in normal times, in stressful times the benefit of a pandemic puppy (or cat), or other non-human companion, goes even further.
Read more: When pets are family, the benefits extend into society
Amid the current times, many doggy daycares have been forced to close their doors. With his two playful dachshunds missing out on the daily playtime they would usually get at daycare; a Fed Ex driver was left with no choice but to bring his furry friends along on his routes!
Daniel Nava has two rambunctious Dachshunds that are used to spending their days at the local puppy daycare. To keep Chorizo and Cocoa entertained while their favorite daycare is closed, he knew it was time to come up with a backup plan. Though he was a bit hesitant at first, Daniel decided it may be best to bring his two best buds to work instead of leaving them home alone each day. While he knew the two pups would be thrilled to spend some extra time with dad, he had no idea that his furry BFF’s were about to take the dog-loving world by storm.
“The decision to bring them with me on deliveries was not easy but my supervisor is very understanding. Also, I had brought them with me before with no safety issues — I have them on a harness that is anchored down to my seat while we drive.” – Daniel Nava
From the moment that Chorizo and Cocoa stepped into the Fed Ex truck, it’s as if they had been doing this for years. They immediately settled into the delivery routine, proudly standing by their dad with each stop.
Aside from their impressive work ethic was their ability to instill joy in each person that crossed their path. Chorizo and Cocoa made sure to stand tall and proud on each delivery stop they made, giving passerby the chance to sneak in tons of head pats and photos!
As if the two pups weren’t adorable enough, Daniel took it up a notch and gave them their very own Fed Ex uniforms. Daniel was able to craft tiny doggy t-shirts from his old work uniforms to help the pair appear more professional. For an added touch, he even gave the pups doggy sunglasses!
Seeing these hardworking pups in their Fed Ex uniform brings joy to each person they pass. These times are certainly challenging, making a delivery team like Chorizo and Cocoa much appreciated. We don’t know about you, but we hope these adorable ride alongs continue even after the doggy daycare reopens!
If you want to tag along on each ride with Daniel and his dachshund sidekicks, you can keep up with their daily adventures on Instagram here!
H/T: mypositiveoutlooks.com
Image Source: chorizo_cocoa/Insta
The post Adorable Dachshund Pups Go To Work With Their Fed Ex Driver Dad appeared first on iHeartDogs.com.
A handicapped chihuahua named Stanley is finally experiencing the love and care that he always deserved. Previously abandoned on the side of a busy highway, he has come a long way from the traumatized pup that he once was.
Stanley’s journey to a loving foster home began when he was heartlessly abandoned when he needed help the most. He was left in a crate that barely fit his body size on the side of a busy highway, instilling fear with every loud car that passed. His tiny legs appeared to have severe abnormalities, immobilizing him with fear due to his inability to escape. Thankfully, his nightmare ended when a good Samaritan notified the local animal control.
Animal control rushed to the scene where they discovered the unimaginable sight of Stanley in his tiny crate. He was then brought into the local animal shelter for further care, where they were able to assess his disabilities and come up with a plan of action. While the shelter was certainly safer than a crate on the side of the road, it was not the place for a traumatized pup.
The Ramapo-Bergen Animal Refuge caught wind of Stanley’s desperate situation and welcomed him into their care with open arms. They immediately had him examined by their veterinary team to come up with a plan of action and found the perfect foster home for him to begin his journey to health.
Stanley not only had severe deformities of his legs but was also 10 pounds heavier than the average chihuahua should be. His obesity paired with his leg abnormalities made him immobile, meaning he would need special intervention to help him lead a normal life.
Stanley’s new foster mom, Kathy, has gained experience caring for special pups like Stanley throughout her years of working with the Ramapo-Bergen Animal Refuge. With a loving foster mom on his side and the support of a wonderful rescue, it was time for Stanley to begin his road to recovery!
Stanley is now following a special diet and exercise regimen to help him fit into his very own custom wheelchair. He is enjoying every moment of his time with Kathy by his side and has gained quite the following of dedicated animal lovers that continue to root for him with each step.
“Stanley continues his weight loss journey and his mobility and strength continue to improve. He’s now able to push up high on his front legs and push off a little with his rear. He’s being fitted for a potential wheelchair as we speak! He’s loving all the attention, and will nibble on his person’s hands when he needs some more. He’s also fairly well potty trained – going on pads or outside. The more time we spend with Stanley, the more it becomes clear that whoever did this to him never even gave him a chance. His love is truly infectious and has touched us all along this wild ride. We can’t thank our RBARI Family enough for their support!” – The Ramapo-Bergen Animal Refuge
It warms our hearts to know that there are incredible rescues out there giving dogs like Stanley a second chance. We can’t wait to watch Stanley achieve his weight loss goals and finally step into his custom set of wheels!
H/T: insider.com
Image Source: Ramapo-BergenAnimalRefuge/FB
The post Abandoned, Handicapped Chihuahua Finds Loving Foster Home appeared first on iHeartDogs.com.
Most rules are in place for a reason. It’s best to always do what you should to stay out of trouble. However, many dog lovers can agree that an acceptable time to break the rules is when dogs are in danger. That’s exactly how a bus driver felt on his daily route.
There was a dangerous thunderstorm going on while he drove his bus in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The bus company has a strict no-dogs policy, but when the bus driver saw two stray dogs in need, he didn’t hesitate to ignore the clear expectation.
When it starts raining, most humans rush to the nearest building for shelter. Unfortunately, dogs don’t have that same luxury, especially if they’re homeless. So, as the treacherous storm unfolded, two stray dogs were stuck in the rain.
The bus driver spotted the two small dogs shivering, with their fur soaking wet. He knew the rules very well, but he couldn’t say no to their sad puppy dog eyes. So, the kind bus driver pulled over just for the dogs. He exited the bus, picked up the dogs, and brought them into his vehicle. For the first time in a while, the two stray dogs were safe and dry.
“They were two very scared little dogs. He never tried to put them off. He spoke to them like they were his own,” said passenger Stella Maris San MartÃn.
The man knew that his job was at stake, but he continued driving with the two furry passengers. Everyone on the bus was in awe of his kind gesture. So, many people took pictures and shared them all over social media. Unfortunately, this caused the bus company to find out about the bus driver’s violation.
As expected, the bus driver’s employer quickly found out about the situation. After careful consideration, they decided that the man would not be punished for this. They explained that while having animals on the bus is not allowed, he did the right thing at that moment. In fact, they were very supportive and actually pleased that he had helped the dogs.
Even though the bus driver’s identity was never revealed, he has received so many kind comments on social media. He proved that anyone can be a hero, all you have to do is follow your heart and do what’s right.
As for the dogs, it’s unclear where they are now. On their bus ride, they sat so calmly, looking grateful for the kind man’s actions. They likely found a loving family not long after their photos were shared. After all, who wouldn’t want to adopt these cute little pups?
H/T: littlethings.com
Featured Image: Stella Maris San Martin Facebook
The post Bus Driver Breaks Rules To Save Stray Dogs From Storm appeared first on iHeartDogs.com.
Some dog parents find it amusing or fun to tease their dogs with toys. The classic fake throw is one of the oldest tricks in the book, but squeaking a toy without giving it to your dog is equally as deceptive. While these innocent tricks might be hilarious to you, your dog is probably fed up with your shenanigans.
In a recent video posted by ViralHog, one particularly grumpy pup knows exactly what it’s like to be annoyed by humans. He just wants to play fetch, but they won’t let him!
Cooper, a small fluffy dog from Cainta, Rizal in the Philippines, loves to play with toys. He especially loves playing fetch with his family. But sometimes they like to tease him a bit. Specifically, they like to squeak a toy in front of him, but not throw it. This simple act seems to drive Cooper crazy.
In the adorable video, a person is in front of Cooper, squeaking a toy over and over again. From the beginning, Cooper has an angry look on his face. After every squeak, he slightly leans forward, ready to chase the toy. But every time he’s bamboozled yet again. Poor Cooper!
“Cooper loves fetching his toy and that day we were teasing him by not throwing his toy and you can see in the video how grumpy he was when his toy was not given to him,” his family wrote.
The video is only 14 seconds long, but in that short amount of time, you can clearly see Cooper losing patience. By the end, he barely even flinches when the toy squeaks. He has finally caught on to their ridiculous trick.
He’s sick of his family’s foolishness, and more importantly, he’s furious that he can’t play fetch. However, he stands his ground and refuses to even bark or wag his tail. He has to put on a brave face so his family takes him seriously. After all, the poor pup just wants to play a harmless game of fetch. Is that too much to ask?
If this teasing is a regular thing, it’s no wonder Cooper looks so upset. Although, he looks more upset than any dog has ever been. Maybe he’s just having a bad day, or maybe he’s busy plotting his revenge. Perhaps his parents will think twice before they annoy him again.
H/T: cesarsway.com
Featured Image: Screenshot, ViralHog YouTube
The post Grumpy Dog Pouts When He Can’t Play Fetch appeared first on iHeartDogs.com.
Many dog parents wonder how good their dog’s memory is. Do they remember what life was like before they were with us? Do they ever think about their past? These kinds of questions often worry us, causing us to wonder if dogs think like we do. Scientists have often said that dogs can’t remember much from their first few months, but a recent photo proves otherwise. A photo of two dogs hugging has gone viral, and not just because it’s adorable. The two pups were littermates, and they somehow remembered each other after a long time apart.
It started out as just a regular walk. Susan Killip walked her Cockapoo, Rosie, around the neighborhood. When Rosie started pulling toward another dog, Killip didn’t think much of it. But then she realized that the other dog looked just like Rosie, but with a darker coat. He looked just excited to see Rosie as Rosie was to see him.
The two little dogs ran toward each other, and once they were close enough, they exchanged an emotional hug. It was much different than most dog encounters. Usually, dogs want to sniff each other and play, but this interaction was much deeper than that. As it turns out, it was because Rosie was from the same litter as the other dog, whose name is Monty.
It had been about 10 months since Rosie and Monty had last been together, but they clearly recognized each other. After all, they were the two closest puppies in the litter. As young puppies, they were always together. It seemed that no amount of time could affect that bond.
“It was so lovely. They both just jumped up and hugged each other, it was amazing. They remembered each other after 10 months of not seeing each other,” said Killip.
Killip said that Jean and David, Monty’s parents, don’t live in the same neighborhood as her. That’s why the two pups have never crossed paths before. However, the dog parents agreed to keep in touch so the dogs could spend time together again. Even though they live with different families, they will always hold a special place in each other’s hearts.
Before long, photos of this adorable exchange were shared all over social media. Of course, the hug was so adorable and heartwarming to Rosie and Monty’s families, but the whole world seemed to think so too. It proved that dogs have a much better memory than we give them credit for.
H/T: thekoalabears.com
Featured Image: @libpincher/Twitter
The post Dog Siblings Share Hug After Being Reunited appeared first on iHeartDogs.com.
UPS driver Gavin Crowsley was on his delivery route, doing his job as usual. Everything seemed like it would be normal until he saw a horrifying sight. He came across an extremely skinny dog on a short chain. No food or water was provided, and it looked like the weak pup was on the verge of death.
Crowsley knew he couldn’t leave the dog alone any longer. He feared that the dog would starve to death without proper care. So, the kind UPS driver took the time to rescue the neglected dog and bring him to safety.
Thanks to Crowsley’s kind actions, the dog’s life was saved. The dog was rushed to the Clay County Humane Society, where he was named Phoenix. Crowsley thought the dog was a Dalmatian at first, but he turned out to be an extremely malnourished Great Dane. Great Danes typically weigh well over 100 pounds, but poor Phoenix weighed less than 70 pounds at the time.
“I could see every bone in his body,” said Crowsley. “He was just lying there. I knew if that dog didn’t die from starvation, he was going to die from the weather. I didn’t want to have a confrontation, but I couldn’t just leave him there.”
Thankfully, Crowsley did the right thing. Phoenix’s recovery was long and difficult, but he survived. When he arrived at the shelter, he suffered from malnourishment, pneumonia, and frostbite. All his conditions would have worsened if Crowsley hadn’t rescued him.
Soon, Phoenix weighed 160 pounds, looking like a perfectly healthy Great Dane. He was blind in one eye and completely deaf, but that didn’t hold him back. He soon found his forever family in no time.
About 7 months later, Phoenix’s mom brought him to see Crowsley again. Phoenix’s transformation was incredible, and Crowsley could not believe his eyes. The big dog was unrecognizable compared to when he was rescued. It was clear that he was spoiled and loved at his new home.
Since his adoption, Phoenix was trained to be a therapy dog. He loved going to nursing homes to cheer up the residents. He even became famous on social media, raising money to help other dogs in need. The sweet dog quickly became an inspiration to all.
Phoenix lived with his family for many years, but sadly, he recently passed away. They never knew his exact age, but he was guessed to be over 10 years old when he passed. So, he was actually fairly old for such a large dog.
His mom made a beautiful tribute to him on his Facebook page, and she continues to save dogs in his honor. He will be missed greatly, but at least Crowsley’s kind actions helped him live his life to the fullest.
H/T: animalchannel.co
Featured Image: @fightersphoenix/Facebook
The post Neglected Great Dane Has Amazing Transformation Thanks To UPS Driver appeared first on iHeartDogs.com.
Hadley Jo and her Labradoodle named Ariel are always side-by-side. Ariel even rides the bus and goes to school with her best friend. With the sweet dog by Hadley’s Jo’s side, everything is just so much better.
However, Ariel is more than just a loyal companion. She has been Hadley Jo’s service dog ever since the little girl was two. Ariel can detect seizures before they happen, so it’s her job to protect Hadley Jo at all costs. The fluffy pup does such a great job caring for her human, so recently, she got the recognition she truly deserves.
Hadley Jo had her first seizure when she was only 17 months old. She was in her mother’s arms, so it was a very scary experience for her and her parents. Right away, Heather Lange, Hadley Jo’s mom, knew that she had to do something to help her daughter.
The family soon found out that Hadley Jo has epilepsy, which is a neurological disorder that causes seizures due to abnormal brain activity. That’s when Lange decided to find a seizure alert service dog for Hadley Jo. After careful consideration, she chose Ariel.
“Ariel saves my daughter’s life by alerting us before a seizure happens, allowing us to administer rescue medication in less than two minutes,” said Lange. “My goal is to provide my daughter an independent life as much as possible and Ariel helps to make that happen.”
Lange noticed that Ariel’s seizures seem to happen more often at school. Critical thinking and deep concentration seem to trigger them more than anything else right now. Luckily, Ariel is always there to alert people of a seizure before it occurs.
Everyone at school has gotten to know Ariel very well over the years. They agree that the dog was just as much a part of their class as any other student. So, when Hadley Jo got her yearbook after graduating this year, her family found a heartwarming surprise.
There, listed right beside Hadley Jo’s photo, was Ariel. Ariel is currently the only service dog at the school, so Lange hadn’t expected her to get her own yearbook photo.
“That was pretty unique and pretty special to pick up our yearbook and see our service dog featured with our daughter,” said Lange. “It’s very heartwarming and touching that you see this inclusiveness where not everybody looks the same.”
Ariel has made life much better for Hadley Jo and for the whole family. She serves as both a protector and a best friend for the little girl. She might not have to study or take tests, but she is definitely a part of the school.
Service dogs are expensive, so the family had to fundraise and reach out to the community to help pay for Ariel. Now, their goal is to help make it easier for others to get services dogs too. They created the Hope for Hadley Jo project to assist families with children who have epilepsy, and donations are always welcome.
H/T: wbir.com
Featured Image: Heather DeVore Lange Facebook
The post Seizure Alert Dog Gets Special Yearbook Photo appeared first on iHeartDogs.com.
Transition whiplash—that describes spring 2020 for people and dogs alike. Millions of dogs accepted the constant company of people who are home all day quite seamlessly, but the next big transition is going to be a doozy. Being alone again when people return to work after months at home will pose challenges for dogs. Nobody expects this change to go as smoothly as the one that gave us all that extra time at home with our dogs, but we can take steps to minimize the difficulties for dogs.
Lay the groundwork for a return to work
Transition whiplash—that describes spring 2020 for people and dogs alike. Millions of dogs accepted the constant company of people who are home all day quite seamlessly, but the next big transition is going to be a doozy. Being alone again when people return to work after months at home will pose challenges for dogs. Nobody expects this change to go as smoothly as the one that gave us all that extra time at home with our dogs, but we can take steps to minimize the difficulties for dogs.
Lay the groundwork for a return to work
As a dog behaviourist, one of the questions I am asked with almost every new client is “Is what my dog doing normal?”. There are many adorable behaviours that dogs act out that make them the goofy oddballs we can’t help but love. There are also some things they do that are really rather disgusting. It can be tricky to know what is normal when it comes to our pets and what should be a cause for concern.
When I first noticed Gus, my beloved white Boxer, dragging his back foot, I teased him about being lazy. At age 10, Gus was finally mellowing out after a decade of careening through life like a rodeo bull. Soon, though, he was dragging that foot on our walks, and because we live in an urban (read: paved) area, all that friction began to wear down his nails and scrape the skin from his knuckles.
A dog police officer obviously sounds cute, but the fact is these amazing animals are valuable members of their team. Dax, a 13-year-old German Shepherd, served the Ashland Police Department in Massachusetts for 11 years. He just retired in February after serving for a longer than the average career. And what a career it was!
As he’s pretty old now, 13-year-old Dax’s condition recently started to worsen. His handler, Sgt. Chris Alberini, made the extremely difficult decision to let him go. In a tribute to their fallen comrade, the Ashland Police Department wrote on Facebook:
“Rest easy K-9 Dax. We love you and we will miss you. Thank you for your service boy. We have the watch.”
Police Chief Vincent Anfano had only great things to say about K-9 Officer Dax.
“Regal – I think that’s the best word to describe him. He was so regal when he was standing there looking at you – nobody messed with him.”
It was no surprise to Chief Anfano that news of the dog’s death impacted so many people.
“Dax is a town hero – he’s always been a shining star for the town and police department.”
Throughout his career with the force, Dax had 16 “violent apprehensions,” meaning he bit a suspect during an arrest. Dax also recovered more than 50 missing people.
“Dax was a police officer like all of us. He was always there when the department needed him. That dog saved officers’ lives.”
He once saved his handler from an armed suspect hiding in an attic. Dax sniffed the suspect out and latched onto his ankle, giving Sgt. Alberini time to shoot the suspect. That heroic action earned him the George L. Hanna Memorial Award for Bravery. He was the first canine to receive the award!
Dax took his final ride with his handler, Sgt. Chris Alberini, on Friday. The two had a very close relationship, which made that last ride all the more difficult.
“It was very emotional. It’s like losing a child – they’re part of the family. When the final radio call was made, there wasn’t a dry eye anywhere.”
To indicate how important Dax’s service was, officers came out in droves to salute him throughout Ashland. There were so many participants, police needed to designate two separate routes. Cars honked and people cheered for the K-9 officer.
At 3pm on Friday, Dax died peacefully at the animal hospital beside Sgt. Alberini.
“There’s this saying that goes something like, ‘The definition of Heaven is a place where every dog you’ve ever owned meets you at the pearly gates. The same goes for police dogs.”
Posted by Ashland Police Department on Friday, May 15, 2020
Dax lived a wonderful and productive life and got the hero’s goodbye he deserved. Rest in peace, officer.
H/T: The Animal Club
Featured Image: @AshlandMAPoliceDepartment/Facebook
The post Officers Line Up For Police Dog’s Last Ride Ever appeared first on iHeartDogs.com.
Opal the Basset Hound puppy is usually very brave. However, she’s also very mischievous. She likes to explore and cause trouble. Her family had a hard time keeping her in her place at first. That is, until they discovered her nemesis: the Quaker Oats man.
For some reason, Opal can’t stand the mascot’s white hair and fancy hat. Whenever she sees him, she either runs in fear or barks at him. She tries her best to stand up for herself, but she just can’t deny that the Quaker Oats man is spooky!
When Opal first met the Quaker Oats man, her mom thought it would be a fun and innocent experience. She found a can of Quaker Oats that she assumed the pup would love to chase. However, as soon as she rolled the can toward Opal, the puppy freaked out. Opal ran away in fear as she barked to scare the intruder.
Of course, Opal’s mom never meant to scare her sweet puppy, so she quickly hid the Quaker Oats can from Opal. For a while, the Quaker Oats man hid inside a cupboard, out of sight and out of mind for the puppy. It stayed that way until Opal’s mom went out of town for a few days.
“I stayed with my sister, dad, and Opal to help out while [Mom] was out of town,” said daughter Addie Crawford. “Opal was not happy that my mom ‘abandoned’ us, so she started some questionable new quirks to show us that she was less than content that Mom left.”
Suddenly, Opal began stealing dish towels off the dishwasher’s handle. She would take them and hide them near her dog bed out of spite. Her family was not amused, so they called upon an old friend to handle the situation.
Unfortunately, the Quaker Oats man won against Opal yet again. As soon as Crawford placed the can in front of the dishwasher, Opal stopped stealing towels. In fact, she did everything in her power to avoid the Quaker Oats can at all costs. She would often go out of her way to walk around it, and sometimes she’d even stop to bark at her enemy.
But sadly, Opal has still never won a fight against the evil Quaker Oats man. He continues to stand guard of the dishtowel, which only makes the scared puppy even more furious. Sometimes, Opal’s mom will even tease her by saying, “The Quaker is going to get you!”
Thanks to the Quaker Oats man, the dish towels are now safe from Opal. But for Opal, this feud isn’t over. Recently, she started stealing pieces of dirty laundry and hiding them under the kitchen table. It looks like the Quaker Oats man will soon have to guard the laundry basket too. Perhaps the family will need to buy a second Quaker Oats can to keep all their fabric safe.
Posted by Addie Crawford on Thursday, May 14, 2020
H/T: thedodo.com
Featured Image: Addie Crawford Facebook
The post Puppy Has Ongoing Dispute With The Quaker Oats Man appeared first on iHeartDogs.com.
We hear it all the time: “Why won’t my finicky rottweiler eat the expensive food I buy them?!” Dealing with a picky rottweiler can be frust...
