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Love, Loss and 'A Dog's Purpose Forever'
The day we got our bloodhound puppy, Maggie, I looked at my husband and said, "We're going to have to say goodbye to her one day." Everyone who has ever loved a dog has felt this kind of anticipatory grief. We know that a special bond with a dog comes with an expiration date. Or does it?
There's a new book coming out in September by Cathryn ...Read more
It's a Dog's Strife
The mental health crisis that seems to be afflicting many of us has found a new target: our best friends. Veterinarians across the country report rising prescriptions of Prozac for dogs, along with various mood stabilizers for separation anxiety, socialization fears, biting habits or other problematic behaviors.
The phenomenon reflects the ...Read more
Lost dog turns up 1,000 miles from home after 2 years
(UPI) A Maryland man's lost dog turned up two years later after somehow ending up 1,000 miles from home.
Tony Duncan said his dog, Luna, vanished from his Mardela Springs home after chasing some wild animals into the nearby woods and failing to return.
Duncan said he never gave up hope he would see Luna again, but he was still shocked to ...Read more
Service dogs can reduce the severity of PTSD for veterans – new research
Service dogs can alleviate some symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder for veterans, according to a study our team published in June 2024 in the medical journal JAMA Network Open.
Over the past decade, our research group has been studying whether trained service dogs can help veterans with PTSD – a mental health condition that ...Read more
When people are under economic stress, their pets suffer too – we found parts of Detroit that are animal welfare deserts
Nearly two-thirds of U.S. households have at least one pet. More than ever before, companion animals are a part of life – particularly in cities, where the majority of Americans live.
Cities offer access to many resources, but often it’s not distributed evenly. Some scholars describe parts of U.S. cities with few or no grocery ...Read more
Trapped kitten rescued from in between semi truck tires
(UPI) Ohio State Patrol troopers rescued a curious kitten that crawled in between the wheels of a semi truck and became stuck.
The OSP's Northeast Ohio office said on social media that a semi driver was conducting a pre-trip inspection of his vehicle on the Ohio Turnpike in Portage County when he discovered a kitten wedged in between two tires....Read more
Pet anxiety: Fireworks, thunder, separation (oh my!)
On and around the Fourth of July, pets can experience an increase in anxiety due to loud noises from the holiday festivities. Veterinary clinics and emergency centers receive an influx of calls due to this increase in stress and even about pets who have ingested fireworks. However, with a little planning, you can try to help your pets tolerate...Read more
Pekingese named Wild Thang wins World's Ugliest Dog
(UPI) A longtime runner-up in California's World's Ugliest Dog Contest finally got his crown.
On Friday, fourth time was the charm for Wild Thang, an 8-year-old Pekingese from North Bend, Oreg., who previously placed second in the annual competition three times before.
Wild Thang is a survivor of distempter, a viral disease that infects ...Read more
Tularemia infection surge prompts warning, especially for Minnesota cat owners
An increase in tularemia infections in Minnesota animals prompted a warning from state health officials, particularly to cat owners, who could get sick if their pets get infected and scratch or bite them.
Only 21 cases were found in animals last year, but that tripled the usual total, according to an alert issued Thursday by the Minnesota ...Read more
Cheetah cub born in Oregon transferred to Ohio to meet foster mom
(UPI) A cheetah cub born at an Oregon zoo was successfully transferred to an Ohio facility and paired with a new foster mother.
Wildlife Safari, a zoo in Winston, Ore., said on social media that the male cub was one of two born June 7 to Zuri, "the #1 genetically valued female cheetah in North America."
The second cub was born with an ...Read more
Overexcited pups: Tips to help your dog stop jumping on people
When dogs get excited, it’s natural that they might jump, especially when greeting people. Although a dog’s intentions might be harmless, it can be unsafe for larger dogs to jump on people, especially kids or the elderly.
The American Kennel Club recommends the following tips for helping your pup stop jumping on people:
Ignore the ...Read more
Woman dies after attack by stray dogs in West Baltimore, police say
BALTIMORE — A 50-year-old woman died and two other people were injured after being attacked by a group of stray dogs in West Baltimore on Friday night, according to Baltimore Police.
Around 9 p.m. police were called to the 2000 block of North Pulaski Street in Mondawmin for reports of a dog bite. When police arrived at the scene, they were ...Read more
Norman Reedus and 'Walking Dead' alumni salute Seven, the dog who played Daryl's Dog
Seven, the dog who played Daryl Dixon's canine companion Dog on "The Walking Dead," has died.
AMC confirmed the canine actor's death Thursday on the show's Instagram page: "Rest in peace, Seven. #TWD's best boy," the post said, featuring images of the Belgian Malinois. On X, formerly Twitter, the network's announcement, which featured a shot of...Read more
Iowa Great Dane dubbed world's tallest dog at 3 feet, 2 inches
(UPI) An Iowa family's Great Dane has been named the world's tallest living dog at a height of 3 feet and 2 inches.
Guinness World Records said the Des Moines, Iowa, canine, named Kevin, was officially measured at 3 feet and 2 inches from his feet to his withers -- the point at the base of his neck, over his shoulders.
The record-keeping ...Read more
Skateboarding cat breaks speed record in China
(UPI) A skateboarding cat showed off his skills in China and earned a Guinness World Record by skateboarding a distance of 32 feet, 9.2 inches in just 12.85 seconds.
Bao Zi, an American shorthair cat, broke the record for the fastest 10 meters on a skateboard by a cat at the age of just 1 year and 8 months old.
Bao Zi's owner, professional dog...Read more
India police deny presence of a leopard at PM's swearing-in
(UPI) Police in India said an animal spotted in the live broadcast of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's swearing-in ceremony was not a leopard, despite rumors on social media.
Viewers of the live broadcast Monday noticed a large feline walking in the background while Modi was sworn in for his third term at Rashtrapati Bhavan, the prime minister's ...Read more
Here's a program to keep you and your dog fit
Keeping active is incredibly important for dogs and people and provides both mental and physical benefits. Taking your dog for a walk is a great start to your fitness journey. This may even be enough for breeds with lower exercise requirements. There are many ways to keep your dog fit in your daily life and every dog will enjoy a variety of ...Read more
The power of pets against loneliness
If you're a pet parent, you probably know that having a meaningful bond with an animal companion can have several health benefits. According to the National Institutes of Health and the independent nonprofit organization HelpGuide.org, pet ownership can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, improve heart health by lowering blood pressure, ...Read more
Are pet dogs and cats the weak link in bird flu surveillance?
When researchers talk about their biggest bird flu fears, one that typically comes up involves an animal — like a pig — becoming simultaneously infected with an avian and a human flu. This creature, now a viral mixing vessel, provides the medium for a superbug to develop — one that takes the killer genes from the bird flu and combines it ...Read more
Ripples in the water: Chlorination and cancer risk in dogs
Bladder cancer affects tens of thousands of dogs in the United States each year, with certain breeds like the Scottish Terrier, West Highland White Terrier and Shetland Sheepdog being particularly susceptible.
This suggests a genetic influence on cancer risk, but environmental factors also play a large role in triggering this type of cancer....Read more
Popular Stories
- Trapped kitten rescued from in between semi truck tires
- Service dogs can reduce the severity of PTSD for veterans – new research
- When people are under economic stress, their pets suffer too – we found parts of Detroit that are animal welfare deserts
- Pet anxiety: Fireworks, thunder, separation (oh my!)
- Pekingese named Wild Thang wins World's Ugliest Dog