Cat shows off mad climbing skills on rock wall

We all know cats can climb. Be it trees or refrigerators or bookcases, cats love to scale great heights. But what does one do when all the bookcases and all the trees have been conquered?

If you're this kitty, you head to the gym.

This agile feline handles much of the rock wall with success. It even considers its best options for the next pawhold before continuing. Despite the slight slip, the cat manages to reach the top.

Now, of course, it has to a figure out a way back down.

Source : mnn[dot]com

The Science Behind the Wet-Dog Shake (With Slow-Motion Video!)

Who doesn’t love when a __dog comes strutting out of the water, jogs right up next to you, and then shakes like crazy, showering you and anyone within a few feet radius with zillions of droplets of water?

As it turns out, your generous dog’s attempt to share his watery wealth is actually an impressive act, one which engineers and scientists have studied for years! In fact, it is believed that by studying the mechanics of the wet-dog shake, we could someday invent new self-drying machinery, or more efficient clothes dryers.

In just 4-seconds of the infamous wet-dog shake, your pup can expel about 70% of the water soaked into his fur.

While it looks like your __dog is just shaking and whipping his entire body back and forth, turns out it’s really just his skin that’s doing all the moving. During a wet-dog shake, your dog’s backbone moves only a few degrees in each direction, while his skin moves much faster and further – about 90-degrees in each direction, helping to expel all those droplets.

Check out the video below to see the wet-dog shake in action and again in slow-motion, on a series of dogs with different hair types. It’s just one of the many, many traits that make dogs so amazing.

Winterizing Your Dog’s Backyard

Some dogs enjoy the open air so much that they don’t like staying indoors even during winter. However, even if your pooch is a chilly weather warrior, you still have to take on all the essential preventive measures to keep him out of harm’s way. By winterizing your yard, you provide your __dog with a great place to play safely the wintertime.

How to Keep your __dog Safe & Avoid the Winter Woes

· Clear the lawn.

Try raking up the leaves and other debris on the ground. Because these things can hold water on top, they turn into ice when the frosty winter months freeze up the dry land. This icy land will make your backyard slippery and dangerous.

· Secure the fence.

Check your fence thoroughly for weak areas, and then find time to secure it before the winter starts. This way, you can make sure that the fence doesn’t tilt when snow begins to build up on it. You don’t want your to get loose because of tilt openings brought about by a poorly erected fence. In addition, because small ornamental fencing around your garden can get covered with snow, you have to be careful when allowing your pet play around outside. Your dog could graze his paws or even break a leg stepping on the snow-covered fence which he didn’t see.

· Check the eaves and gutters.

To make sure that there are no leaks, inspect all of your gutters. Remember that the outflows from your roof can form into icicles during winter. The last thing you’d ever want to happen is for these icy spikes to fall on you or Fido, causing severe injury or even death. Before the ice forms into deadly tiny spears, see to it that your gutters have been repaired. During the frozen season, carefully knock any icicle down that starts to take shape.

· Supervise your pet.

Never leave Fido outside for a very long time during the cold weather. Although he has a coat to keep him warm, understand that it can only protect him for a while. He still can feel the cold, and, all pets are at risk of frostbite and other cold temperature illnesses. Try keeping smaller dogs indoors as much as you can as this is necessary for their health. Large dogs can usually tolerate the cold for longer periods – many even enjoy it. Still they should have access to the indoors or, at a bare minimum, a proper dog house suitable for their size, with access to fresh water, and adequate insulation should they spend a significant length of time outside.

· Build a small shed.

Have a small shed or storage area where you can safely keep away all the fertilizers and other household materials that could be poisonous to your dog. Lock this area all the time and ensure that no snow or icicles build up on its roof. Never let any of these toxic items out in the open as your pooch can dig and eat them.

This Black Friday, Let’s Celebrate Black DOGS!

Did you know that black dogs have the lowest adoption rate and the highest euthanasia rate than any other color __dog in the shelter? Those that are adopted typically spend about 4-times longer in the shelter waiting for their forever family. It’s a phenomenon that shelter workers and rescuers are all too familiar with called “Black __dog Syndrome.”

Why are black dogs so often overlooked?

1. Superstition. Folklore and pop culture has, many times, depicted black dogs in a negative way that may have subconsciously affected how they’re viewed by potential adopters. In stories, books, and movies where a dangerous dog is depicted, that dog is very often black. The Hound of the Baskervilles, the Harry Potter Series, and The Omen have all depicted evil, frightening dogs – all of those dogs were black. Black has, throughout history, been the color most commonly used to represent negativity, evil and misfortune. For this reason, some people tend to believe that black dogs are unlucky.

2. Black dogs stand out less than lighter colored dogs in shelters. In dimly lit kennels, black dogs naturally tend to stand out less than their lighter canine brothers and sisters. Further, many shelters and rescues use photographs to attract potential adopters. Because of their color, black dogs are harder to photograph, making it difficult to capture their personalities in photos.

3. Many people are simply unaware of Black Dog Syndrome. While rescuers and animal advocates are well aware of Black Dog Syndrome, the general public are largely unaware of the phenomenon, not even realizing that they’re overlooking an amazing potential family member in favor of a lighter colored dog. Luckily, once people become aware of the phenomenon, they are less likely to ignore black dogs in need of loving homes.

There are countless reasons to bring home a black dog – but what’s the most important one? Black dogs are still least likely to be adopted, are most commonly euthanized, and they need people like you to give them a chance!

How can I help put an end to Black Dog Syndrome?

Even if you’re not looking to adopt, you can still help in the fight against Black Dog Syndrome!

• Tell people about Black Dog Syndrome! BDS is largely a subconscious prejudice that people quickly move past once they become aware of it.
• If you share your heart and home with a black dog, proudly display their photographs. Let others know that black dogs are just as amazing as lighter colored dogs!
• Encourage friends and family that are looking to adopt to consider a black dog.
• Spread awareness! The more people know about Black Dog Syndrome, the less likely these great dogs will suffer.

Hopefully, with an increase of awareness, this trend will soon be a thing of the past. In honor of Black Friday, why not visit your local animal shelter and add a black furry friend to your family!

Advice From a Turkey Dog: 5 Canine Keys to a True Thanksgiving

Advice from a Turkey Dog
by Douglas Green 

The word is out.  There’s something wrong with Thanksgiving.

As with so many other holidays, we have ruined its original concept with enforced “traditions:” Macy’s parade, turkey, stuffing and pumpkin pie, televised football. Don’t get me wrong, I like all of these traditions, I just don’t know what they have to do with gratitude, or with immigrants thanking locals for helping them survive.

The secret to re-legitimizing the day isn’t the food, or even family. It’s the name. Can we return to actually giving thanks?

To find a way, I turn to the greatest teachers on gratitude I’ve ever known: dogs. Never unselfish, but habitually giving credit whenever they see it due.

So, from their pure integrity, here are some canine keys to a true Thanksgiving:

1. Sit in your front doorway and look around.  A clever pooch knows this is the best place to relax. He can watch everything going on outside, while poised to jump if any food should drop. And it’s a perfect first stop on the gratitude trail.

What sort of home do you have? Do you rent or own? Does the doorway reveal a Downton Abbey landscape or a parking lot? Whichever, sit on that threshold and find twenty things you appreciate about your shelter and the astounding world outside it. If you can’t, you’re not looking hard enough.

2. Pretend that everyone in your life didn’t have to be there, or do what they’ve done for you. Then realize that’s the truth. We laugh at the enthusiasm pups show over the simplest things – their human, a treat or leash. But only because we take those sights for granted. What if you never assumed the one who’d cared for you would come home? What if you harbored doubts about ever tasting another cookie?

Then look at your present relationships. Your parents, your spouse, your friends, and even your dog. Take a moment to ask what your life would be like with any of them not there, or not caring about you.

Scary? Then take it further; focus on your love for them. Feel it till your heart could burst. That appreciation, that pain, is what dogs feel for us all the time. When they’re staring up from the floor, unable to intellectualize their feelings as we do. That’s being alive.

3. Whatever your religious beliefs, pretend you’re wrong. Dogs lack dogma. Their brains aren’t big enough to perceive a rationale for the universe. Dogs are neither theist nor atheist, sectarian nor agnostic.

Instead, they just appreciate. Do any of us honor the sun like a pup who shifts her sleeping to follow the rays? Do we run out after rains to absorb every enhanced scent?

Take a breath, close your eyes, and forget all that you believe about why the world is. And when you free your brain from the “why,” let it all roll over you: The enormity of outer space, the miracle of an ant, the luck of our proximity to the sun, the breathtaking complexity of your own body. And just try not to feel grateful.

4. Even if you absolutely, 100%, know it’s completely and totally wrong, pretend for just a wee moment that things are actually better today than they were a year ago. And see how many of them you can count. Have we ever been told as often that our world, our leaders, our lives are horrible? News channels screaming, rants on Facebook, forcing us to focus on lousiness. And then all the great people who’ve died, all the pollution, and get a load of what the kids listen to – it’s just garbage!

But if we put aside that all these worst-politicians-ever just lie and cheat, maybe we could remember that most of them, most of the time, are trying to do their best, and often get things right.

And are you happy about anyone who was born this last year? And how many new inventions reduce pollution? And have you noticed that all the music you like is still around, and maybe you’ve actually enjoyed one new song? So then, things are better, right?

Okay, maybe that argument doesn’t hold, but just give a moment to thanking the few things that you can agree have improved. If you can’t think of any, then admit that you have less brain than any dumb mutt, who has no trouble saying, “Right now, at this moment, that mushroom gravy I smell from two houses down is the most glorious creation ever!”

5. Embrace everyone, in the way they can accept. True gratitude should glow, not just in feeling thanks, but in expressing it, as dogs do every waking moment.

Now that doesn’t mean jumping onto the white dresses of frightened strangers. Own your social intelligence, like an obedience-school graduate, and treat people as you believe they would wish. Greet that work colleague with a warm handshake and smile. Embrace that chic friend with a peck-almost-on-the-cheek, that child with a warm hug, and your significant other with the passion you’ve stifled since Labor Day.

And who knows?  Maybe these actions will give you more to be thankful for next year.

Now these canine behaviors create their own rewards, but there’s a higher goal here, too.  And again, I learned it from a dog.  

Douglas Green’s book, The Teachings of Shirelle: Life Lessons From A Divine Knucklehead, is available at Amazon.com.

My pooch, Shirelle, had a fatal cancer, and was supposed to have died already; I lived in fear every time I left her for even a few hours. So this Thanksgiving, I gently took her with me to the home of some neighbors for their family celebration.  

This couple had lost their own __dog a couple of years before, and had embraced mine with an openness like grandparents. And Shirelle adored them, always lunging toward their door on our walks. I’d wondered why.

After chatting with some of their relatives, I realized the __dog was missing. I checked room after room, until finally looking across at the open doorway to the kitchen.

There stood “Grandpa,” carving the turkey, with my big mutt sitting oh-so-politely at attention next to him. He carved slowly, methodically, putting one slice onto a platter for the family, handing the next slice to her, the next slice to the family, the next slice to her…spoiling the being I loved most just rotten.

Months of emotion welled up in my eyes. It was too goofy, too beautiful. He was thankful for her and she was thankful for him and I was thankful for both and for their gratitude to each other.

That should be our goal for the day. For thanks to go all the way around – everyone beholden to everyone – and the emotion overwhelming with its simplicity to where you realize that this is really the way the whole world should be, the way all of life should be.

Douglas Green is a psychotherapist, specializing in helping kids and teens build lives they can be proud of. He is also the creator and writer for AskShirelle.com, which helps kids, teens, parents, and others around the world with advice from the point of view of a friendly dog, and is the author of the book, The Teachings of Shirelle – Life Lessons from a Divine Knucklehead.

5 Tips for Helping Fido Survive the Holidays

by Bryan Bailey 

Just the other day, I was driving home from an outing with my __dog when I passed a billboard announcing the annual, pre-Christmas sale at a major, local retailer. I remembered thinking, really? How can this be? Weren’t the holidays just here yesterday? Suddenly, the relaxing day I was having turned into anything but that as I began to go through my annual, mile-long, stress-inducing, pre-holidays mental checklist.

The pain on my face must have been obvious because as I checked off item number 7 out of 200, I felt the warm, sticky sensation of my dog’s tongue in my right ear. Reaching behind me, I rubbed his big head and asked, “You’ll help me get through the holidays, won’t you?” The thump, thump, thump of his tail on the back seat was all I needed as an answer. My __dog had my back.

For most people, the holidays are a bittersweet occasion in that it’s a time of reuniting with loved ones, endless parties, and the exchanging of gifts; however, it’s also one of massive preparation, excessive spending, and worrying about perfection in everything from what to wear, what to give, and what to serve.

It’s truly the season of cheer and fear where nothing is overlooked or left to chance . . . except Fido.

Yep, the very dog that has your back is left by himself to deal with a myriad of holiday stressors that range from multiple attacks by your relative’s screaming kids to a fat man in a red suit yelling “Ho, Ho, Ho,” which unfortunately translates to “no, no, no” for your dog who rightfully thinks he’s done nothing wrong! For us humans, it’s easy to understand during the holidays why “misery loves company” but not for your dog. Therefore, here are a few tips that will help Fido get through the holiday season without misery as his constant companion.

1. Give training as an early gift. Dogs are social creatures (minus the scary parts of being social during the holidays, such as the fat man in the red suit with the long, white beard). They would much rather spend their time with us than being locked away in the laundry room when company arrives. Learning behaviors, such as “stay” and “be quiet,” upon command before the holidays could earn your dog the good graces of the laundry room parole board and a coveted spot on a fleece bed next to the Christmas tree. Keeping in mind that some of your guests would rather admire your well-trained dog from a distance, you’ll be giving them an early gift as well.

2. Maintain your dog’s normal routines. I’m not sure about you, but my routines during the holidays are anything but normal. However, our dogs are creatures of habit and any changes, even subtle ones in their established routines, can produce stress. The onset of these stressors can then lead to undesirable behaviors such as destructive chewing, restless pacing or whining, or even an escalation in aggression as your dog attempts to cope with its anxiety. In addition, dogs are extremely temporal and can sense your holiday stress; it’s no wonder you will find most dogs hanging around the spiked eggnog bowl! Keeping your dog’s routines right on target during the holidays is impossible for most of us, but do your best to add Fido to your Day Planner. His stress is one less stressor you’ll have to worry about.

3. Traveling with your dog. The holidays are one of the busiest travel seasons of the year, and if it’s off to grandma’s house you go and you’re thinking of taking Fido with you, you may want to plan well in advance. If you will be flying with your dog, check with your airline about its policies and regulations as these vary greatly with each individual carrier. For example, some will fly your dog in a climate-controlled space, and others won’t. Therefore, bad weather could prevent Fido from making the trip. Also, unless Fido is a service dog, he will have to fly in an airline-approved kennel, and the size requirements for your dog’s kennel are not the least bit standard in the airline industry. The best rule of thumb in regard to kennels is go big. I have had dogs rejected because their pointed ears barely touched the top of their kennel while they were standing! If it’s a vehicle you will be traveling in, be sure to treat Fido like any other occupant and restrain him. Time in your lap or your children’s laps can wait until you arrive at your destination. Remember, if Fido isn’t restrained and an accident should occur, Fido will become a projectile. I’m sure the only flying animals you will want to see during the holidays are Santa’s reindeer!

4. Dealing with other dogs. Nearly 90 million American households have at least one dog. If you visit with family or friends during the holidays, your dog is likely to encounter a dog that is not of its pack. Because dogs are dogs and not humans, their perception of the alien dog could be quite different than yours. You may see a nice dog, but your dog may see a threat or an opponent, which could then lead to a fight. Keep a close eye on your dog during the initial meeting, and if either dog appears to be fearful or threatening, immediately separate the dogs and keep them separated until the visit is over. Do this whether your dog is naughty or nice.

5. Dealing with other children. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report millions of dog bites each year in the U.S. with most of those occurring to small children. Not recognizing or ignoring the warning signs given by dogs that feel threatened by the direct interaction of small children is one of the leading causes of these bites. During the holidays, children tend to be more excited and animated as they play with new toys or with their relatives or friends. Because Mom and Dad are engaged in food preparation or entertaining, these children are not as closely supervised as they are during other times. Unfortunately, letting little Johnny whack his cousin’s dog with his new Star Wars light saber could end with little Johnny getting a gift he didn’t ask for but really did.

The holidays are a very special time of year, even with the accompanying stressors. However, for Fido, he would rather it not be so special. Treating the holidays like any other time of the year for him will be the best present you can give.

Bryan Bailey is a nationally-recognized, award-winning animal behaviorist, who has shared his expertise with Fox & Friends, SiriusXM, dog World, SheKnows.com and Fox News, along with veterinarians, dog owners and celebrities such as John Mellencamp, James Fitzpatrick, the late Junior Seau, and Julio Jones.

Bailey’s unique qualifications also include: nationally-certified Master Trainer and Pharmacotherapy Behaviorist, decorated veteran of the U.S. Navy, working extensively as a supervisor and trainer for the U.S. Navy’s dolphin and sea lion projects, honor graduate of the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy with duties including training supervisor of the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department K-9 narcotics detection, and search and rescue teams, and trainer for the Indiana Department of Health and Social Services to train service dogs for children with Muscular Dystrophy. He has also studied canine problem solving and pharmacotherapy at Cornell and Tufts University, wolf behavior and social dynamics at Battleground Indiana and Ely Minnesota wolf conservatories, is a certified Veterinary Technician, and has professionally shown dogs in AKC Obedience, Conformation, Schutzhund and Ring Sport.

His first book, Embracing the Wild in Your Dog, is a culmination of his experiences and expertise and will be soon followed by his second title, The Hammer – Understanding Canine Aggression. Bailey and his wife, Kira, reside in Memphis, TN, with their children, dogs, and cats. Together, they own ProTrain Memphis and Taming the Wild.

Learn more about Bailey at www.TamingtheWild.com.

Embracing the Wild in Your Dog is currently available on Amazon.

Bosnian Taxi Driver Heroically Saves Dog from Being Drown in a River

 

 

Bravo to Bravo!  Caki Bravo, that is.  This Sarajevo cab driver is known to locals as a big hearted man who saves more than 10 dogs every month.  One small dog who was pushed into a river by a nasty man might not be alive today had it not been for the gallant efforts of Bravo, who plucked him from the rushing water and saved his life.

“People said that he was pushed by a passerby, a man of about 30 years old,” Bravo explained. “We were trying to pull him up but it was really hard because he was in a panic.”

The important thing is to stay calm yourself, something Bravo knows after having rescued hundreds of dogs.

“When he was brought to dry ground, he was shaking from the cold and from the fear,” the hero said.

In just a few minutes, the pup, called Rio, was getting cozy on the lap of fellow rescuer Edina Pasic.  He’s now being loved and cared for in a foster home.

Bravo belongs to a network of animal rescuers in Bosnia who are doing their best to provide for thousands of dogs every month.  He and a handful of others recently delivered scads of straw bales to a government-run dog shelter so dogs don’t freeze to death in the coming winter months.

Bravo also visits every Sunday to dole out lots of kibble to the dogs, who otherwise subsist only on stale bread for the rest of the week.  Rescuers would love to be able to provide them with more, but with so many dogs, there is only so much they can afford to do on their own.

The USA-based Harmony Fund is working to provide these shelter dogs with food for the next month, but the food will soon run out, and the dogs will be back to stale bread.  If you would like to help, please CLICK HERE to donate.

Utah animal lovers are encouraged to keep pets secured and close to home. …

Family Gets Personal, Public Apology from American Airlines After Issue With Service Dog

American Airlines has issued a personal and public apology to a family after an attendant on one of their flights decided that their service dog was too big to have a seat on the plane.  This was an issue, even though the family called and cleared the dog for flight with the company well before boarding the plane.

According to news reports, the family had boarded a plane in Charlotte, North Carolina on a flight that was actually being provided by one of their regional carriers.  Basically, a smaller airlines that handles short, regional flights between cities.  An attendant on that flight was asking the family to move to the back of the plane.  The thing is, the dog was far too big to fit under a seat.  Making them move to the back of the plane where there was even less space wasn’t feasible.  However, the attendant was insisting.

“She told me that it was too late; that she had already contacted management and that management would come speak to me,” said the woman.

Then, the family was kicked off of the plane.  This whole thing being an issue in the first place was a total surprise to the family.  As stated, they contacted American Airlines to advise that their son who suffers from epilepsy that is rather severe.  His service dog does a great number of things for the young man, least of all he can warn him and his family that a seizure is on its way.  This makes the dog indispensable to him, and they assured them that the dog would be accommodated.

The woman had to provide a signed note from the boy’s doctor confirming that the dog was absolutely necessary.  Once the documentation was given, the attendant assigned them to the bulkhead seating area, which allowed for plenty of space for the dog.  The family says that the three previous flights went smoothly, and they just can’t figure out why they were treated in this manner on the fourth.  They say that they feel that one of the attendants was particularly nasty about the situation.

“For someone to just to be able to kick you off and deny you access is completely ridiculous,” the woman said.

American Airlines said that they were made aware of the matter, and would do whatever necessary to make any further travel as smooth as possible for them.  They said that they are going to have a full investigation into the matter with the specific regional carrier directly, and have made a personal and public apology to the family as well.

“Our customer relations team is reaching out to them directly. We are looking into the issue with PSA Airlines, the regional carrier who operated that flight.” the carrier said.

  Leo’s hind legs became paralyzed after he was run over by a …

Dogs Take Over Humans’ Beds

Have you ever come home, tired from a long day at work, longing to crawl into bed only to find your four-legged furry friend has beat you to it? Does your dog make space for you on the bed or does your __pet claim the bed as his or her own?

The following ten images show dogs sleeping very comfortable on their humans’ beds. We doubt they’ll move over for their masters.

The poster of this video is the organizer of a large social "meet-up" group for …

WOW! Courageous Russian Man Saves Biting Dog from Drowning in Icy Pond

 

Heroes come in all packages, and few of them actually wear costumes.  A man in Russia wasn’t even wearing shoes or a shirt when he saved a life.  The unknown hero braved the cold and snow and took at least one good chomp on the arm from a very scared and aggressive dog, but he persevered and saved this dog from an icy death.

A man named Alexander Levashov happened upon the scene and began filming the event as it unfolded.  It’s a very nerve-wracking 37 seconds of watching a poor, freezing dog struggle to stay above the surface of the ice before another man appears on screen to help. (It’s enough to drive a viewer mad – “Ugh, why is someone just filming and not helping??”)

The man trots out on the ice in his unshod feet, and lies down on his uncovered front to try to grab the dog.  The pup bares its teeth, and as the man tries to pull it out, it clamps down hard on his left arm.  However, this does not deter him from achieving his goal.  The dog snaps again, and may have bitten the man more than once as the camera pans above them and the pair drops out of view.

But again and again he tries to find a way to clutch the dog’s skin without getting bitten.  Finally, he grabs a hold of its scruff and plucks it out of the water.  The dog immediately scampers off away from what was very nearly its grave.  The daring rescuer also scuttles toward the man holding the camera, smiling and massaging a bit of snow onto his wound.

Levashov reported that emergency services arrived and provided first aid to the man who asked to remain nameless.  He says that the dog is a very unfriendly stray (ah, so that’s why no one rushed to help) who hunts the ducks in that pond.  Hopefully it found somewhere warm to dry off!

Tucson, A.Z. – A canine team assigned to the Tucson Station working at the …

Woman Ends Up Rescuing a Dog She Intended to Buy for Her Family

Kelly Benzel was looking for a dog to add to the family, and was thinking that would be an excellent gift for her family for the holidays.  She was on the internet, and on a social media site she came across Rocco, and fell in love.  Little did she know that by bringing him home, she was saving his life.

“My heart broke because he’s a white dog and he looks very dingy and obviously didn’t look cared for,” Benzel said.

She went out and got him on Thanksgiving Day, and after being in the car with Rocco for just a few minuites, she could tell something was wrong.  There was a horrible smell coming off or Rocco.  She removed the strap of a harness that he was wearing to reveal a horrible gash that was over six inches long, and about one-and-a-half inch deep.

Thanksgiving night, Benzel drove Rocco to the animal hospital.  A vet there cleaned up his wound, and put some proper bandages on.  Rocco will be cared for there every day for the next few weeks.  The damage done to him will require constant cleaning and care if it is to heal for him at all.  Once the infection heals up, a doctor can stitch him closed and he’ll eventually be right as rain.

One of Benzel’s friends started a GoFundMe page for Rocco, and so far they have raised over $1,500 to go towards his care.  In fact, as of the time of this article, the goal has been met, and thanks to all of the really wonderful people that donated, Rocco will be making a full recovery.

Benzel has reported the person that she got Rocco from to the police, and so far there is no word from them on the case, other than they are making a full investigation.  Benzel wasn’t interested in starting any trouble, but she does want to make sure that this person is stopped from hurting any dog in the future.  If there’s any more information, we’ll be sure to bring it to you right here on Life With Dogs.

On January 4, 2015, a dog from East Bridgewater, Mass., got in some icy trouble …

Pit Bull Meets Peanut Butter: A Love Story

If you're like me, you could use a laugh after this past week. So, here's a ridiculous Opal video from a couple of months ago that I never posted. I've chosen not to edit out my giggling because I think #laughteriscontagious

A video posted by AJ ~ rescuer.foster.advocate. (@ourpitstop) on Nov 14, 2016 at 4:50pm PST

————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————–

Om nom nom nom!

Holiday shopping got you stressed out? Take a moment to enjoy this cute pittie scarfing down the (dog-safe!) peanut butter with human hands!

This is Opal.

She currently resides in New Jersey with Instagram user OurPitStop, her current foster through the FernDog Rescue Foundation. And that’s right — it means she’s in the market for a forever home!

Opal has some special medical needs and FernDog staffers say that at their adoption events, “Opal (aka ‘Opie’ or ‘Opie Mama’ by her admirers) seems to catch the eye of every passerby and soaks up their love like everyone is her new best friend. This girl is the belle of the ball no matter where she finds herself!”

If ever there was a story that promoted the use of life vests on pets, this is …

Dog Missing from Family for Over a Year Gets Thanksgiving Miracle Reunion

A family got an amazing Thanksgiving Day wish-come-true so to speak, and it’s all thanks to a video posted on social media by Front Street Shelter.  The video posted not only featured free adoptions through to New Year’s Eve, but it also featured a dog that had been missing from her family for a little over a year.  All it took was one glance at the dog in the video for Zhanna Koryaka to KNOW that was her dog she was seeing.

“The demeanor, the way she looked to the side,” said Zhanna.  “I was like ‘That’s Ruby!'”

It had been the first glimpse of Ruby that anyone in the family has had in over a year.  The last time anyone in the family saw her was in October of 2015.  They had let Ruby out in the yard to do her business, and apparently someone had left the front gate open.

“After a while I lost hope,” said Val Koryaka, Zhanna’s husband.  “My wife still checked online and Facebook pages.”

They spent months looking for Ruby.  They checked every shelter in the area, posted fliers all over the neighborhood and surrounding area.  No matter how hard they tried, Ruby was just not turning up anywhere.  At this same time, Zhanna was also 8 months pregnant.  Soon after Ruby disappeared, their baby was born, which shifted the couple’s priorities a little bit.

“We were so busy with the baby,” said Zhanna.  “We prayed about it a lot.  We surrendered the situation to God.”

Well, it may have taken about a year for them to find Ruby, but their prayers were eventually answered.  The very moment that they saw her on the video, they went straight to the shelter to get her back.  It turns out that Ruby has a few very unique markings, like a small scar above her left eye, and a birthmark both on and under her tongue.  With that information, there’s no question that this was their dog.

“Everything about her. Her demeanor, her walk, her personality. It’s the same,” said Zhanna.

The family is just over the moon with the fact that they got to celebrate Thanksgiving all as one big family.  Not only did they have Ruby back, but Ruby got to meet her new baby sister for the first time as well.  We’re told they hit it off straight away.

“We’re extremely thankful to God. He brought Ruby home,” said Val.  “Now we can celebrate Thanksgiving all together.”

[jwplayer config="Custom Player 2" mediaid="46502" …

Holiday Got You Stressed? Then It’s Time for a Massage

Things can get a bit hectic when the holidays arrive and certainly most of us could use a good massage now and then to de-stress a bit.  But, if you aren’t in a position to be able to take an hour or two out to get one for yourself (although highly suggested you put on your “wish list”) , maybe you can relax vicariously through this Dachshund who seems to have the right idea.

Imagine driving down a busy road and seeing someone throw litter out the window. …

He Wasn’t At All What They Were Looking For, But He Was EXACTLY What They Needed

This story comes from The Animal Rescue Site, which in addition to featuring fan-submitted rescue stories, offers a wide selection of clothing, décor, __pet supplies and other unique items.  For each purchase made, a food donation is given to shelter pets in need.  Now is the perfect time to buy gifts for the fellow animal lovers in your life!

I had been wanting a dog for many years until my husband and I felt we were ready. We had agreed on a big dog that was good with children, ideally a lab. There were no dogs who fit our needs in the main area of the local shelter so when we asked if there were any other dogs, they brought out a darling mid-size black dog who had just come out of quarantine.

He was so gentle and loving that we adopted him on the spot. On the ride home he fell asleep on my lap, claiming me as “his human.” We named him Bra’tac after a character on the sci-fi series Stargate SG-1. We soon learned that he was not a six-month-old Lab as we had been told, but an American Staffordshire Terrier/Australian Cattle Dog mix who was already at least a year old.

I have struggled with depression for many years and Bra’tac has helped me so much; he never leaves my side. Some days when things get tough for me, he will sit at my feet rather on his big comfy bed to reassure me that he’s there for me. Some days he actually gets me out of bed, as if to say, “That’s enough, Mom! Come play and we can be happy together!”

A few weeks ago, Bra’tac probably saved my life. We were taking an evening walk together when someone started walking in our direction on the sidewalk. I thought nothing of it, but Bra’tac didn’t agree. He growled, which is something he never does. After all, he loves everyone! I listened to his instincts and immediately took a different route home. When we got back, he became extra affectionate and protectively sat on my feet later that evening.

He may not be the large dog we had in mind, but he is perfect for our family and I couldn’t ask anything more from a four-legged companion. He has saved me from danger, and lifted me up on my darkest days. We saved each other. Thank you, Bra’tac.

Submitted to The Animal Rescue Site by Beth in Milwaukee, WI

A family from Hamburg, New York is crediting their puppy with saving their lives …

Answers from an Expert: 4 Commonly Searched Questions About Dogs & What They Eat

Feeding your __dog is one of the most basic principles of being a __dog owner, but there are so many factors to consider.  To make things easier on pet parents everywhere, I’m sharing my expert answers to four of the most commonly searched questions about dogs and what they eat.

1. What is the best dog food?

One of the most common questions veterinarians are asked is, “What is the best dog food?”  If I had a dollar for every time I’ve been asked this question over the past 30+ years, I could probably retire (not that I would ever even consider that, of course).  And, the funny thing is, there is NO right answer.

There are many factors to be considered when deciding what to feed your dog, but here are a few that I feel are important:

• Food quality and taste: You want a food that will give your dog a nice, shiny coat, energy and healthy digestion.
• Cost, storage and convenience: Will you primarily purchase the food at a pet store or at the supermarket?
• Nutritional needs based on your dog’s health status or life stage: Does your dog have allergies? Has your veterinarian recommended any sort of prescriptive diet? Dogs also have different nutritional needs depending on their breed size.

As far as quality, to start, make sure the food meets, or exceeds, the standards set forth by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO).  All name brand foods should have the AAFCO certification.  From there, look at the ingredient panel on foods you’re considering and keep an eye out for real proteins, beet pulp and other natural fiber sources for digestion and antioxidants for immunity.

One last thing — when switching food make sure to do it gradually over time to avoid intestinal problems.  When you choose to go with a high quality food, you should see visible differences in your dog – energy, coat quality, digestion health – after you’ve switched.

One of the brands I often recommend is IAMS (my dogs eat this as well, and love it) because it’s made with high-quality protein from real chicken and egg, whereas other brands may use a lower quality protein like soy. It’s also a “premium” brand, but it is available at the supermarket and online, which makes it very convenient.

2. How much should I feed my dog?

There are many considerations here.  Most dog foods have feeding recommendations on the bag, which provide a good starting point for knowing how much to feed your dog. However, a dog’s caloric needs are based on age, development, health and lifestyle, and every dog has a “resting energy requirement,” (RER) which is basically the amount of calories their bodies require to just maintain bodily functions. You should consult your dog’s veterinarian, as he/she can best advise you on the proper RER for your pet.

By feeding your dog the correct amount of food based on their needs, you’ll help provide them with the nutrition they need to look, feel, and play young throughout life! To that end, another reason that I often recommend IAMS or brand dog food to my patients is because it’s made with high quality ingredients that aid in healthy activity, including fats from farm-raised chickens and beef to help provide long-term energy and wholesome grains for healthy short-term energy.

3. Why does my dog eat poop and grass?

Here it is — the $64,000 question.  The answer?  Who knows??  Over the years I’ve heard countless reasons, yet all conjecture. Nothing has ever been scientifically proven.  All pretty much agree that it is not because of some nutritional deficiency — we think it’s more behavioral. Here are a few common theories:  

• With puppies, we think they look at stool as something to play with, so we encourage owners to clean up after their puppies and to give them enough real toys to play with instead.
• Females seem to eat their own stools, I believe that’s because in the wild, a female dog and her pups were at risk because of predators, so the mother would clean up after herself and pups to remove any scent that would attract a predator.
• Males, on the other hand, continually wanted to “claim” their territory, and would therefore remove the scent of other animals by eating the other animals’ stool, and leave their own behind.
• Another reason could be that if dogs have been reprimanded in the past for defecating where they aren’t supposed to, they may be eating it to remove the evidence.

4. What should I do if my dog eats something harmful?

There are two phone numbers you should always have readily available — your veterinarian’s and a Pet Poison Hotline.  There are many items that are even more harmful than most even know about (like the artificial sweetener Xylitol found in many sugarless peanut butters, mints and gums), and others where the dangers are purely dose dependent (like chocolate, certain nuts, raw onions and garlic, avocados and many flowers, such as poinsettias).

When calling your veterinarian or a poison control hotline, have the packaging with you, know the weight of your dog and about how much of the item was ingested.  This will help them determine what treatment might be necessary.

The ASPCA and Pet Poison Helpline websites have great tips on foods, plants and other items that can be harmful to your pets, as well as tips on what to do if your pet does get into something they shouldn’t.

– Jeff Werber, D.V.M.

Practicing veterinarian and established veterinary medical journalist, Dr. Jeff Werber, known to the world and his patients as “Doc Hollywood,” is frequently seen on the nation’s top news and talk shows educating and enlightening pet parents on everything from basic pet care and nutrition to abnormal behavior and prevention of disease. An Emmy-Award winner, Dr. Jeff works hard at his mission to strengthen the “Human-Companion Animal Bond.”

Many people would also remember him from his days hosting Petcetera on Animal Planetand Lassie’s Pet Vet on PBS. Dubbed a “Celebrity Vet” by The Hollywood Reporter, he also cares for furry friends of Hollywood’s biggest stars. President and Chief Veterinarian of the Century Veterinary Group in Los Angeles, Dr. Jeff has practiced veterinary medicine for more than 30 years and is one of a select few actively-practicing veterinary medical journalists in the United States. He serves on the advisory board of Veterinary Economics Magazine. Dr. Werber is a spokesperson for IAMS.