Life With Dogs

Tuesday, 3 March 2020

How to Find a Reliable Dog Walker

Every dog needs their daily walks to stay happy and healthy. However, your schedule may not allow you to exercise your dog as much as you'd want to, and you may feel guilty about it. The best solution for your pup is to use a professional dog walker.

If you are wondering why you should get a dog walking service instead of having the neighbor kid take him out when you need him to, think again. Does the neighbor kid know how to handle an emergency? What will the kid do if the dog gets hurt or if something else unforeseen happens?

Professional dog walkers are trained and know how to handle any situation that may occur with your dog. They are also a precious source of dog ownership advice.

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Colorful Dog-Inspired Home Updates You’ll Love

Spring is almost here and the season's first blooms are all around. Whether you're moving into a new place or just looking to revamp your home decor, here are 5 ideas to get you started. These fresh finds will add a dollop of color and a sprinkling of dog to your home design.

It’s easy to add a dash of whimsy and some colorful flora to your home with this wonderful ceramic Dalmatian vase made by artist and illustrator Solenn Larnicol.

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Monday, 2 March 2020

Woman Makes Amazing Artwork With Rescue Dog’s Fluff

iHeartDogs reached out to Rachel Belyavsky after seeing a post featuring her dog, Mowgli, on Reddit. She shared her story, and her amazing photos of Mowgli with us – and we’re thrilled to share them with you.

“We rescued Mowgli in June of 2017 through Shenandoah Shepherd Rescue. Shenandoah Shepherd Rescue pulls the majority of the dogs they save from high volume, high kill shelters in rural Texas – some with intake of 100+ animals a day. Mowgli was picked up as a stray and admitted to one of these shelters, so we don’t know anything else about his past. We think he’s a white German Shepherd who is around 5 years old but we have not breed tested him and can’t be sure of his age.

“When we were first sent his picture, he was very underweight, missing a lot of fur all over his body, and we were told he was heartworm positive – but he had the biggest smile on his face and we knew he was the dog for us.

“He was transported up to Virginia to us with a van full of other rescue dogs driven by volunteers and we picked him up in a hotel parking lot with a group of other fosters and adopters waiting to receive these dogs.

“Although Mowgli started out a little shy, the healthier he got the more he opened up to become the goofy, happy-go-lucky, talkative, snuggly boy he is today. He is heartworm free, a solid 88 lbs, and has since grown back all of his fur (and then some).

“In December of 2018, after a normal brushing session for Mowgli, I formed the pile of fur into a thought bubble and took a picture that I posted on Instagram and shared with family and friends. I honestly can’t say what inspired me to do it. The volume of fur that comes off of Mowgli in just an hour is comically large and I think I was looking for ways to emphasize that.

“After that, it became a fun challenge every time I brushed him to come up with something new to do with the resulting pile of fur and I’ve been creating this weird fur art ever since!

“Mowgli is truly a joy to us. I’m thrilled other people also appreciate him and the spectacle that is the byproduct of his shedding. The message I hope people will spread after seeing these pictures of Mowgli is that taking a chance on a rescue dog can be the greatest thing. I think some people have preconceived notions that you can’t rescue if you want a specific breed, or that all rescue dogs have behavioral issues, or won’t be as handsome, or that you won’t love a dog as much if you didn’t have them as a puppy – but as you can see, even the most ragged and downtrodden looking dog can come a long way.

“If you enjoyed these pictures of Mowgli, I would love it if you would donate anything you’re able to Shenandoah Shepherd Rescue so that they can continue to save dogs just like him and help them find loving homes. Or donate to a local shelter or rescue of your choosing! Anything and everything helps.”

Story and photos: Rachel Belyavsky

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Kindergarteners Make Dog Treats For Dog Rescue Fundraiser

Of course, kids love dogs! So, what better way to learn than to encourage young kindergarteners to help out dogs in need?

A junior kindergarten class at Harrisburg Horizon Elementary in South Dakota is doing exactly that. The students are working together to make their own dog treats to sell in a fundraiser. All the proceeds go to Almost Home Canine Rescue.

Treats for a Good Cause

The kids are having a blast with their new project. 5-year-old Julia Page even points out that she’s better at this than her twin brother is. She tells a reporter that her brother uses too much flour. She also made a point to say that the brown treats looked like poop at first. Of course, they’re really using safe, delicious ingredients for the treats despite what Julia thinks of the colors.

Luckily, there are plenty of teachers in the room to keep an eye on quality control. So, the students have to follow recipes to create the perfect dog treats. The teachers want to make sure the kids make the tastiest treats possible. Also, they want to ensure that the students learn a thing or two in the process as well.

“Play-based learning, project-based learning, learning things in context, learning numbers, they’re reading… all those things all the way through this project,” said their teacher, Sarah Hansen.

Hard Work Pays Off

The students are also very enthusiastic about the work they’re doing. Many of them have dogs of their own, so they know how important it is to keep dogs happy. Now, they’re all aware of the importance of rescuing dogs too.

“It’s an emergency and we need to help them right away,” said 5-year-old Garrett Laetsch.

Garrett told the news reporters that his favorite part is rolling the treats. He seems to be having just as much fun as his classmates, and he understands that the work they’re doing is important. He and Julia are both great at explaining why this fundraiser is so crucial.

“Because if the dogs don’t have money then the dogs don’t get rescued,” Julia said.

Julia says that her family has a Boxer at home. She loves him very much, and she says that he even gives the best nose kisses. Maybe her Boxer will be lucky enough to get some of her special dog treats.

The class is selling these delicious bags of dog treats for $1 each. All of the proceeds go to the rescue, so the more money they can raise, the better! The kids are clearly proud of the work they’re doing, so hopefully, they’ll all grow up to be caring, responsible dog lovers!

H/T: keloland.com
Featured Image: @kelomattholsen/Facebook

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Dog Swallows Bag Of Cocaine That Was Thrown Into His Yard – Vets Rush To Save Him

A Pitbull named Nipsey found himself in a dangerous position when his curious appetite got the best of him. A desperate police search of a home nearby led to a bag of cocaine being tossed into Nipsey’s yard, causing the staff at the Michigan Humane Society (MHS) to jump into action.

Police Officers in the area were executing a search warrant at a nearby home when the property owners were desperate to rid themselves of any illegal belongings. The property owner knew they had a bag of crack cocaine that would surely result in legal action, leading someone in the home to toss the bag over into their neighbor’s yard. Nipsey was in the yard at this time.

Police officers heard Nipsey barking and causing quite a ruckus, so they decided to head over to his yard and make sure they weren’t missing anything. Once the officers made their way into Nipsey’s yard, they noticed a torn-up bag lying in the yard next to him. They immediately realized that this bag had once contained the illegal substance, and turned their focus to the loving pup.

Police officers informed Nipsey’s owners of the desperate situation and immediately contacted the local humane society for assistance. After the Michigan Humane Society dispatched two of their instigators to the scene, they realized that Nipsey needed to seek veterinary care as soon as possible.

Cocaine consumption can be extremely dangerous for our furry friends and is often fatal in situations like this. Even the smallest amount of this substance can result in a life-threatening impact on multiple organ systems in dogs, making Nipsey’s situation even more serious.

Nipsey and his dog dad immediately made their way to the MHS Grosfeld Veterinary Center, where Nipsey was held overnight on supportive care. Due to the quick action of all involved, Nipsey was able to head home within 24 hours.

Clinton Major, Nipsey’s fur parent, was incredibly grateful for the fast action of the staff at the Grosfeld Veterinary Center. The humane society also covered the cost of Nipsey’s overnight treatment, eliminating any financial stress that this situation could have caused.

We are thrilled to see that Nipsey had a full recovery from this terrifying incident, and can’t even imagine the fear that Clinton endured during this process. We send our love to everyone involved, and thank each of the professionals that played a part in saving Nipsey’s life!

H/T: kron4.com
Image Source: Michigan Humane Society

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Friday, 28 February 2020

Dog Daycare Center Under Investigation Following Video Of Abuse

We worry enough about our dogs when we drop them off at daycare. Do they miss us? Are they scared? Are they getting enough food? Enough play time? Our dogs are our babies after all, and even these little things can get in your head. So stories about animal day care employees mistreating the animals in their care hit extra hard.

SCRAPS (Spokane County Regional Animal Protection Services) began an investigation into a daycare in Spokane Valley, Washington this week. An incident of abuse occurred at Jeanne’s Doggie Daycare & Pet Hotel on Tuesday, February 25th, and the whole thing was captured on [disturbing] video.

The video that initially went viral on Facebook has since been taken down, but as of this post a copy exists here. [Content warning: the video contains abusive actions towards an animal.]

In the video taken from afar, you can see two employees walking with two different dogs. Seemingly to separate the two from one another, one employee visibly strikes the other dog on the head. The other employee stands back for a moment before following the other two inside. Needless to say, it’s upsetting to watch.

The Viral Video Aftermath

According to a manager at the daycare, the other employee in the video reported her coworker immediately. He has since been fired, the manager informed KHQ.

“Following the incident (Tuesday morning,) I received a call from the staff member involved. She told me what happened and expressed her concern for the dog. I immediately was on my way to the location and had him pulled from the dogs. I drove out there to investigate and assess the situation.”

As for comment from the terminated employee, the [anonymous] manager provided none. She alleges that the abuser was fired before the video ever went viral on social media. As far as she knows, that employee had never committed animal abuse before.

“I did not give him the opportunity to say anything. The video is disturbing.”

Naturally, with so many eyes on it, the video prompted an overwhelming negative response. The daycare manager says they’ve received threats from people all over the country. That’s largely why she preferred to remain anonymous.

Jeanne’s Doggie Daycare & Pet Hotel’s Facebook page became flooded with negative reviews. It currently sits at 1 star. Most came to express outrage at the video without having boarded their own pets there. Some referred to other incidents of abuse with this daycare in the past, though those are unconfirmed.

The facts are still coming in as of now, but all of it certainly reads as fishy! Please don’t hesitant to properly report any abuse towards animals you witness.

H/T: KHQ
Featured Image: Screenshot, @emily.custer.184/Facebook

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Couple Has Their Entire Bridal Party Made Of Dogs

If you’ve ever planned a wedding, then you know the definition of stress. It’s one thing to find the venue and work out all of the logistics of the big day. It’s an entirely different ordeal to play referee with dueling bridesmaids and gruff groomsmen. One couple solved those problems in the best way possible.

A Bridal Party With 32 Feet

There were no humans on either side of their bridal party- just their seven dogs! It was a bridal party with a grand total of 32 feet! Sophie, Kyuubi, Serena, Skit, Sugar, Stark and Stella made their incredible debut during their parents’ wedding ceremony and the internet has fallen in love with them ever since!

Francis Cleofas and his new wife Irene run a dog training business. Francis is a highly sought dog behavior consultant known as the “Dog Coach.” Their perfectly prim and proper pooches stood by the newlyweds on the happiest day of their lives. Is there really any better way to celebrate a love story?

One of the delightful doggies even acted as their flower girl! She strutted her stuff down the aisle, complete with a flowered crown and a beautiful blush rose in her mouth.

“Stella and Serena were flower girls and Stark was the ring security. The rest walked with the groomsmen and bridesmaids,” the happy couple told Bride and Breakfast.

Some of the puppers even wore matching bow ties! No detail was spared and there was nothing these pups wouldn’t do to make the day special. The four-legged friends even got in on the couple’s pre-vow pictures!

Loving Eyes And Pawsitively Happy Tails

You know those “first look” photos where the groom’s reaction is caught when he first sees his breath-taking bride? Check out the adorable first look Irene’s furbaby had. You can just feel the love in his eyes!

There is no better way to celebrate your love and commitment than by including dogs. Their loyalty, dedication, and forgiveness are an example of the kind of love humans should have for each other every day.

“They make every day better. We never thought of going to places and meeting inspiring people if not for them,” said the couple. “They remind us that it’s the simple things in life that matter, like getting home safe after a long day. They are a reminder to live in the moment and not to judge or discriminate.”

Just one question remains. Which lucky dog caught the bouquet?

h/t: brideandbreakfast.ph
Featured Photo: @TeamBenitezPhoto/Facebook

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