Life With Dogs

Thursday, 27 February 2020

Pet FBI: Reuniting Lost Dogs with Their Families

Scroll through your local Nextdoor, Craigslist or Facebook site and you’re sure to see far too many notices of lost, found or wandering dogs. Ditto when you walk around your neighborhood, go to your vet’s office or stop by the pet supply store.

While all these notices are good as far as they go, they’re siloed, restricted to their respective venues. Making connections across all these platforms isn’t necessarily easy, or even possible. What’s needed is a nationwide lost-and-found pet database, one that harnesses the power of the internet and the capacity to search and sort that databases provide. Luckily, several have come online over the past few years, including one we find particularly noteworthy.

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Wednesday, 26 February 2020

Your Purchases Helped Build A Pet-Friendly Domestic Violence Shelter

Part of every sale through theiHeartDogs store is donated to GreaterGood, which helps support various charities like Rescue Rebuild. Stories like the one below are made possible with your help! Check out all the animals iHeartDogs fans and shoppers like you have helped save here.

In December 2019, a crew with Rescue Rebuild traveled to Georgia. The reason for the visit: build an animal-friendly domestic violence shelter.

Sadly, as Rescue Rebuild writes in their blog, many shelters and temporary homes can’t allow animals. As a result, this leaves abuse survivors with an extremely difficult decision to make. They can either leave their beloved animals behind where they may be subjected to continued abuse, or they can remain in the abusive environment for their animals. Tragically, this happens often.

“Rescue Rebuild and RedRover have partnered on numerous builds like this one, in hopes that one day, all DV shelters will open their doors to both people and their pets together.”

Constructing Pet-Friendly Facilities

The Rescue Rebuild team started with a 20 ft x 30 ft garage. The garage contained a ton of overflow from the shelter’s thrift shop section, so they found a way to store things in one half while using the other half to make a brand new kennel and pet-friendly living room.

“Since the shelter’s main area is not pet-friendly, it is crucial to provide a place for the dogs to live, and a place where the pet owners can spend time and cuddle with their pups.”

The cleaning and basic repair process alone took an entire day. Once they finally completed that first step, construction on the pet-friendly rooms began.

The Rescue Rebuild team constructed four indoor kennels that connected to four outdoor runs via a doggie door for easy access. The living room got a homey look, complete with a couch, artwork, and wall paneling.

In addition, the crew also built an annex capable of housing two people with their animals. These rooms come with cat perches, dog couches, and access to an outdoor play yard.

“Our team gets incredibly motivated on builds like these, where we know we are making such a difference in survivors’ lives. Thank you to Northeast Georgia Council on Domestic Violence for trusting us and allowing us to come and incorporate this pet-friendly addition to your property!”

Thanks to GreaterGood.org and Rescue Rebuild, abuse victims in Georgia now have a welcoming place to take their dogs and cats. Our animals are our family. That’s why these organizations work tirelessly to ensure everyone, animals and people, can get a fresh start.

Shop the iHD Rescue Rebuild Collection to support this important organization. Thank you all for your continued support!

All images courtesy of Rescue Rebuild.

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Dogs Are Changing The Way We Work And Play

Dog lovers rejoice! A dog’s place in the world is changing. For many people, the days of dogs being a second-class citizen are a fast-fading memory. Our furry friends are becoming more and more welcome in every aspect of our lives. Restaurants, public transportation, parks, and even employers are wagging their tails in excitement and welcoming four-legged guests! The day we’ve all dreamed of is finally here. We never have to leave our BFFs home alone again!

Corporate Canines Are On The Rise

If you’ve ever dreamed of taking your dog to work (we know you have), it’s happening. And no, you don’t have to hide them in your desk. Some of the biggest names in business are making the workplace comfortable for humans and their dogs! Not just service dogs. Lazy dogs, cuddly dogs, slobbery dogs, and fast-paced dogs are being welcomed into the workplace!

Uber
The popular rideshare service totes around more than car riders. Uber offers their corporate employees unlimited paid time off to train their new puppies before bringing them into the office. Jealous? Us too.

Airbnb
The bigwigs at Airbnb know that nothing makes a house feel like home the way a dog does. That’s why they encourage their employees to bring their pups into the office. And, they even get their own ID badges to make it official.

Amazon
As if we needed another reason to love Amazon, this company goes ALL OUT for their office dogs. Their headquarters has a 17th-floor doggy deck stocked full of tasty treats, room to run and plenty of poop bags. They even have their own dog park!

Come October, it’s time to celebrate the best holiday of all: Barktoberfest! Amazon stops at nothing to make their 6,000 four-legged office friends feel welcome. They even report to their own “Woof Pack” manager every day!

If bringing your pup to work with you is on your to-do list, you can now wear them and never miss a beat! Whether you’re commuting on public transit, navigating rush hour on your own, or peddling into the workplace, a K9 Sport Sack can help you and your doggo get there worry-free.

Craving Adventure? Take Your Dog Along For The Journey!

Since dogs are now in the workplace, it only makes sense for them to indulge in the fun too. Work hard, play harder. So, whether you’re shredding the slopes or hitting the hiking trails, bring your pup along for the experience.

The K9 Sport Sack is a sweet product that lets you wear your dog on your back while giving them a human’s-eye view. Not only is it great for outdoor adventure sports, but you can also use it when navigating around town. The K9 Sport Sack can be used anywhere your dog is jumping to go! Get those wiggle butts ready!

The best part? When you buy from K9 Sport Sack, a portion of your purchase goes towards helping shelter dogs! The “No Dog Left Behind Promise” gives back to shelters that are nominated and voted on by fans on social media. It’s a win-win! You and your dog get to go on awesome adventures while you help other dogs get the care and love they deserve.

Got Wanderlust? Check Out These Dog-Friendly Cities!

Dunedin, FL
Head about 30 minutes southwest of Tampa and you’ll find one of the most dog-friendly cities in America. Dunedin (pronounced done-e-din) is a hidden gem with a small-town feel but big-time beauty. It’s just a few minutes from the world-famous Clearwater Beach and home to Caladesi and Honeymoon Islands, which have been voted the best beach in America. The town itself was also named the “Most Walkable” town in America. If that doesn’t get your snoot sniffing, I don’t know what will!

Dunedin residents and business owners love dogs so much, they’ve dubbed the town “Dogedin.” Downtown even boasts a hand-painted mural of local dogs! If one of the town’s several dog parks aren’t enough, Dunedin has a dedicated beach just for its four-legged visitors.

Portland, Oregon
This cozy city has the highest dog parks per capita. Thirty-three to be exact! Portland is home to countless pubs where your BFF is welcome to share a beer with you. Okay, they probably get water, but you can have a second beer on their behalf! What happens in Portland stays in Portland.

Austin, Texas
If your pet is a wannabe Instagram star then Austin is the place to be. It’s home to nearly 40 pet photographers who can make your dog a diva in any lighting. Austin is also home to a food truck just for dogs! Bow Wow Bones makes its way around town serving up snacks and alcohol-free “puptails” to quench every dog’s thirst after a day at the dog park.

There’s only one question left: Where are you and your dog going to go first? Start your journey now. Click here and use coupon code “iheartdog15” at checkout for 15% off your first step towards your next adventure!

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11 Must-See Products Showcased At The 2020 Global Pet Expo

Here at iHeartDogs, we want to make sure you have the best products for your furry friends. So, we recently sent a team to Orlando, Florida, to check out the 2020 Global Pet Expo. We went intending to find the most incredible new products, and of course, products that will make your dog’s life even better! We wanted to show you some of the amazing items that caught our eyes during our visit to Orlando.

What’s the Global Pet Expo?

If you’re not familiar with the Global Pet Expo, you’re probably wondering what it is and what’s so important about it. Global Pet Expo is the largest annual trade show for the pet industry! This event showcases all of the newest and most cutting edge products. While it’s not open to the general public, all pet industry professionals are welcome to attend. Over 1,000 companies get together for the Global Pet Expo, showcasing over 3,000 new products launched each year. It’s the perfect opportunity to see discover new products for your pup. Here are some of the best ew items that we came across.

Awesome New Products & Services

#1 – LeashLock

It can often be tricky figuring out a way to tether your dog’s leash when you’re out and about. Whether it’s eating at an outdoor restaurant or staying at a campground, you’ll likely want to keep your dog close to you. With LeashLock, the days of struggling with your dog’s leash are over! Using the clip at the bottom of the handle, you can easily lock your dog’s leash onto any nearby object like a chair, cooler, or table. It’s the perfect product to quickly tether your dog when you’re out on an adventure.

#2 – Inception Pet Foods

Animal protein is the most important part of a dog’s diet, but it’s often difficult to find a good dog food that’s also high in protein. That’s why Pets Global has created the perfect solution with Inception Pet Foods. Inception contains at least 70% animal protein in all their foods, and they have 4 different dog food recipes to choose from. Each recipe is also free of corn, potato, legumes, wheat, and soy. You’ll finally be able to give your dog the healthy food they truly deserve!

#3 – Zesty Paws Freeze Dried Chicken Treats

This tasty new treat from Zesty Paws is exactly what it says it is: chicken. Chicken is the sole ingredient in these treats. So no more worrying about your dog eating anything unhealthy or artificial. They’re sourced from free-range chicken breasts that go through a freeze-drying process to preserve the flavors. It’s sure to make any dog’s mouth water!

#4 – PetSafe Busy Buddy Calming Toys

If your pup gets anxious or bored easily, then he probably needs a new toy to keep him happy and entertained. PetSafe’s Busy Buddy Calming Toys come in a pack of 2 sturdy toys that are sure to interest your dog. These toys are chamomile-scented to calm your dog as they play with them. They also have spaces to place treats in, which act as an engaging puzzle for your dog. Whether your dog is afraid of fireworks, car rides, or the vet, they’ll feel at ease thanks to the soothing smell of these fun toys.

#5 – West Paw Montana Nap

West Paw is known for its high-quality, durable toys, but now they have a comfortable bed to offer, too, made right in Montana! Their Montana Nap bed features 40% recycled fiberfill and 60% virgin polyester. The bed is lightweight with dense fabric for extra comfort. Because of its shape and weight, it can be easily transported and taken on trips. Available in 6 different colors and 5 unique sizes, it’s for every dog.

#6 – Outwear Hound Coats

When winter comes around, you always want to have the warmest, most comfortable coat for yourself, but shouldn’t you want the same for your dog, too? With Outwear Hound’s dog coat line, you won’t have to worry about your dog being uncomfortably cold anymore! These coats feature a fleece lining, 20mg of insulated fill, and a water-resistant exterior. They’re easy to get on and off, and even have a clip for your leash right on the back of the coat.

#7 – Vetericyn ALL-IN Life Stage Supplements

Many pet supplements include many unnecessary ingredients. This means that many of the ingredients don’t get absorbed by your dog and end up on your lawn instead. Vetericyn’s new ALL-IN Life Stage Supplements are the answer to this problem. ALL-IN is a special supplement because it provides optimal nutrient absorption. By using a protein-based delivery system, your dog absorbs all the necessary supplement ingredients.

#8 – Pawbo Pet Camera

It’s no secret that our dogs get lonely when we’re gone all day. That’s why the Pawbo Camera is the perfect way to interact with your dogs while you are away. You can speak to your dogs, toss them treats, and even play with them through the camera. Plus, you can even capture adorable photos and videos of your dog while you chat. Your dog will never have to be lonely at home again!

#9 – Eyenimal Num’Axes Pet Videocam

Have you ever wondered what the world looks like through your dog’s eyes? This pet videocam made by Eyenimal Num’Axes is the perfect way to get your furry friend’s point of view. It’s a wearable video camera for cats or dogs, and it’s lightweight at approximately 0.07 pounds. Not only does it feature motion detection activation and night vision, but it’s also waterproof. Just like that, you can see what a day in the life of your dog is really like!

#10 – Petique Newport Pet Stroller

Traveling with a dog can be tricky, especially if they are old, have special needs, or have anxiety. With the Petique Newport Pet Stroller, you won’t have to worry about traveling with your pup anymore. It even has a pee pad insert to provide an easy clean-up option. It not only serves as a stroller, but it’s a 3-in-1 travel system, including a detachable carrier and a car seat. Take the stress out of traveling with the Newport Pet Stoller!

#11 – Oxyfresh Pet Dental Water Additive

Bad dog breath is a common issue that most dog parents face. That’s why Oxyfresh has created a Pet Dental Water Additive to finally keep your pup’s teeth nice and clean. All you have to do is add it to your dog’s water bowl, and it will fight plaque, promote healthy gums, and give them fresh breath!

Amazing Products For Amazing Dogs!

We know that you always want what’s best for your pup, so as our iHeartDogs crew heads back from sunny Orlando, we will continue to share more exciting news and information from the Global Pet Expo! Your dog deserves to be loved as much as possible, so it’s important that you stay familiar with new products in the dog industry. Also, keep adopting dogs and making their lives better each and every day!

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Five Common Kitten Illnesses to Watch for

Read on to learn about five common kitten illnesses.

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Rescue Puppy Acts As Blind, Deaf Littermate’s Guiding Star

Two uniquely bonded puppy siblings are ready to find their forever home together after being rescued from the streets of Louisiana. Star is deaf and nearly blind, but her brother, Denver proudly serves as her “guiding star”!

The story of Denver and Star begins like so many others. They were dumped, along with their mother and six other littermates in the rural south. All were taken in by a loving family who fell in love with the mama dog. They reached out to a local rescue in hopes of placing the puppies.

The eight Terrier mix pups soon embarked on a cross-country journey into the capable hands of the Helen Woodward Animal Center in San Diego, California — a 1,900 mile road trip!

Once there, the rescue team noticed that one of the pups — a female named Star — has special needs. The snow white puppy with a pink nose like chewed bubble gum is deaf and almost completely blind.

Screenshot via Helen Woodward Animal Center

Star often finds herself left out while her 12-week-old littermates romp and frolic. All except one, that is. To the delight of their caretakers, Denver refuses to leave his special sister behind.

According to a Facebook post, he keeps “a protective eye” on his vulnerable sister.

“Choosing Star as his main playmate, the two were rarely apart and when separated, Denver would come running back to love on Star and let her know he was there,” the post reads.

Denver’s devotion to his sister may seem like a sacrifice on his part, but shelter staff say their relationship is pretty typical. They run and play like any average pups their age.

Star simply follows her brother from their bed to the food bowl to the outside play area. As long as he is nearby, she is never lost. With no training at all, Denver has instinctively become her personal guide dog.

“It’s really extraordinary,” Helen Woodward Adoption Services Manager Dora Dahlke said. “We never stop learning from animals. These two really can teach us all a thing or two about sibling love and how much we can achieve with the love of a good friend.”

All of the puppies are ready to be adopted, including Denver and Star who must find a home together. Interested pet parents can click here for details on adopting a pet.

The folks at the Helen Woodward Animal Center ask that you consider all the wonderful dogs in their care. If you are not in a position to adopt, you can help them continue to rescue special needs pets like Star by making a donation.

H/T to Fox News

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How to Protect Your Pet From Extreme Temperatures

Are you prepared for that summer road trip you’ve planned with your canine travel companion?

Veterinarian experts say all it takes is just a few minutes for a dog to suffer the effects of heat stroke or even perish in an overheated vehicle. Shocking right?

Unlike humans, dogs don’t sweat; they cool themselves primarily through panting. But, when they are left inside a parked car which is capable of reaching 100°F in just 10 minutes—even in the shade—just panting can’t help your dog to escape the heat. Is there a reliable solution to this life-threatening problem? The short answer is, yes, and it’s easier than you think. Thousands of pet parents are already dealing with this the smart way.