11 Pets Who Are Seriously Rethinking This Parenting Thing

Top 10 Unusual Dog Names for 2012

Fatty McButterpants Tops The List Of Unusual Dog Names If you’re looking for unusual dog names, Banfield Pet Hospital, the world’s largest veterinary practice, has a few ideas you can use. The hospital went through all the most unusual and wackiest pet names it had in its database. From the original 780, the list was narrowed down to these 10 unusual dog names: 1. Fatty Mcbutterpants 2. Sir Goose Slobberalot 3. Beetle Juice Monster Pants 4. Chairman Meow 5. Honey’s Lil Midnight Moonshine 6. Lord Godrick Von Mousenberg 7. Emperor Chewy Teddybear 8. Cookie Fudge Rainbow 9. Baron Von Doodle 10. Alyssa Butter Scooch Does your pup have a zany or unusual dog name? Feel free to share it with us – leave a comment! Photo credit: James Peragine/Shutterstock

Poodle

Poodle Basics When you think of a poodle, what kind of dog do you think of? Many of us immediately imagine the Toy Poodle. However, that is only one of the many types of Poodle out there. Sure, the Toy Poodle is iconic, but as a breed, the Poodle has a surprising amount of variety and versatility. Poodles can be athletic, rambunctious, energetic – just about anything under the sun. At least relative to the expectations of Poodles that many people bring to the table. People are far too willing to put the Poodle in a box of limited expectations. The Poodle deserve more respect than that. They are such a rich and exciting dog breed filled with possibilities. Hopefully over time, The Poodle will finally get the respect that they deserve as one of the most exciting, versatile, and intelligent dog breeds around. The Poodle is an extremely smart dog, ranking second only below the Border Collie as the most intelligent dog breed. They are highly-trainable and make excellent service and therapy dogs. As family pets and companions, these popular dogs are loving, playful and even a bit mischievous. You’ll never be bored with a Poodle by your side. In fact, you’ll have to keep an eye on your Poodle companion to make sure that they don’t use those big and powerful brains to get up to trouble. While a lot of people might think of Poodles as the epitome of a lapdog with an elaborate hairstyle, these dogs come in all sizes- from toy to standard Poodles that weigh up to 70 pounds. If you want to find out which type of Poodle is the right one for you- or if the breed is a good match for your family in the first place- read on. As you may have gathered by now, there are so many different types of Poodles out there that almost impossible that that there won’t be one that can fit into your lifestyle. As a breed, this dog has a surprising amount of variety and versatility. Origin The Poodle might seem like a posh show dog, but these dogs actually started out as working dogs (generally as water retrievers, or “gun dogs”). Their original role was to assist hunters in retrieving waterfowl (such as ducks) from the water. Their curly coat, which is now primped up for dog shows, was valued for its moisture-resistant qualities. The German word “pudel,” in fact, actually refers to all the splashing these pips would get up to during any hunt. The English word “Poodle” was derived from it. Even though the breed originated in 19th century Germany, the standard was perfected in France, which considers Poodle to be a national dog breed. These dogs are now known primarily as show dogs and pets. Selective breeding had a great deal to do with this change in perception. There are three varieties of Poodle, and according to the American Kennel Club, the oldest of these varieties is the large or ‘Standard’ variety. The Poodle was bred to have a water-resistant coat – which helps explain the quality of the current dog’s coat – that was eventually groomed and patterned according to taste and style rather than worrying simply about functionality. Other types of Poodle today include Toy and Miniature. Although they retain the main traits of their full-sized relatives, their compact size makes them a perfect fit for condo and apartment dwellers. They are generally quite well behaved pooches who can get on well within a small space and can be left alone for extended periods of time without causing too much trouble. Other types of Poodle today include Toy and Miniature. Pedigree

Cardigan Welsh Corgi

Cardigan Welsh Corgi Basics A low-to-the-ground dog willing to give you plenty of obedience and all the activity you can handle, the Cardigan Welsh Corgi is a prime example of a dog that can be a good challenge for those who want to develop dog leadership skills. Even though leadership skills are required of virtually any type of dog, you’ll soon realize that you have to be up to this “challenge” if you want a Cardigan Welsh Corgi. The Cardigan Welsh Corgi can be a perfectly friendly, ready-to-please breed that is nice to children as long as it understands its place in the pecking order. Considering how common this is across a variety of dog breeds, there might be something else about the Cardigan Welsh Corgi that attracts you to the breed. Maybe it’s the small, house-ready features or simply its lively, often-submissive personality. Whatever it is about the Cardigan Welsh Corgi that attracts you to this breed, it’s time to fill in the blanks and learn even more about what makes it unique. The Cardigan Welsh Corgi can be a perfectly friendly, ready-to-please breed. Origin Many believe that the Cardigan Welsh Corgi first arrived at Cardiganshire in 1,200 B.C. If so, this makes the breed among the oldest known breeds. Like many dogs, the Cardigan Welsh Corgi built up its instincts by being of a certain use to farmers… in this case, British farmers who would need a way to herd cattle without taking up a lot of space. Herding remains a strong instinct in the Cardigan to this day, and we’ll get into a little bit more detail later to explain how this behavior can manifest itself in the 21st century. Being suited for the outdoors but able to handle smaller spaces, thanks to this upbringing, the origins of the Cardigan Welsh Corgi have led to it becoming a flexible outdoor/indoor dog, capable of handling city life or rural life. As the Cardigan Welsh Corgi breed grew and was eventually recognized as its own breed in the 1930s, it attained this flexibility by living in many small-acre farms and lots. Pedigree

Rottweiler

Rottweiler Basics When you say Rottweiler, it can often conjure up images of a violent, aggressive dog – the kind that isn’t exactly friendly to the mailman. But that’s not all there is to this German breed of dog, and as you’re about to find out, Rottweilers can make loyal and trustworthy pets that are worthy of the distinction of “guard dog.” But is aggressiveness to outsiders all that really defines a Rottweiler? Throughout this breed description, you’ll find out all that goes into making a Rottweiler tick and what separates it from other breeds of similar size. Rottweilers can make loyal and trustworthy pets that are worthy of the distinction of guard dog. Origin The Rottweiler might seem like a recent breed given its German heritage, but the origins of the Rottweiler go back to the Roman Empire – ancient times. The ancestors of the breed would help Roman armies by functioning as a working dog, and one of the towns that ancient Roman armies would trek through is the town of Rottweil. As the breed developed, its role shifted from that of a working dog to become a more guard dog. Many Rottweilers were used during the Middle Ages by merchants who wanted to protect their pouches of money. These merchants would tie the pouch around a Rottweiler’s neck – for many people, it was better than using a bank account! Rottweilers declined as the technology to protect items improved, but in the 1900s a new demand for police dogs rose and interest in the Rottweiler was revived. Today we know all about the aggressive but loyal Rottweiler and it has become a household name. Pedigree

English Setter

English Setter Basics When you own a dog of a specific and pure breed, admit it: part of you wants to be the kind of owner who gets approached. “What kind of breed is that?” your fellow dog admirers might ask you, eager to hear what you’ve got to say. Arousing this kind of attention appeals to our vanity, sure, but it also underlies a very deep appreciation for the variety and pure breeding that occurs within the world of dogs. After all, you wouldn’t feel very special about your dog’s specific breed unless there was something inherently interesting about it. That’s a perfect introduction into the world of the English Setter – you’re reading right, not the Irish Setter – a unique breed that is instantly recognizable. Well, instantly recognizable as long as you know what English Setters look like. This breed, of course, belongs to the setter group and is similarly bred for both athleticism and a workmanlike attitude. You don’t have to go very far for a friend if you’ve got an English Setter. But if you want to have an answer to that question “What kind of breed is that?” you’ve got to know a thing or two about English Setters. Don’t worry… you’re about to learn. Generally easy-going, the English Setter is prone to obedience and loyalty. Origin One glance at the name of this breed will tell you that this dog was originally bred for hunting, like many similar dogs and dogs in its pedigree. The English Setter’s position in the world of hunting, at least as it started out, was to flush out game and make it ready to shoot. Quite simply, the English Setter needs to not only have a good nose, but a good ability to understand a specific task and perform it with obedience and loyalty. That obedience and loyalty has marked the history of the English Setter through some four or five hundred years of breeding. Experts place the English Setters roots this far back as it’s quite apparent that the English Setter has been helping hunters all over the world for at least a few centuries. During the 19th century, the Setter saw a lot of further development and breeding, especially as a man named R. Percival Llewellin bred English Setters to enhance its beauty and its overall look. Consequently, the English Setter today has a very distinctive appearance and can be considered one of the best-looking dogs that belong to the setter group. Pedigree

Can We Predict The Life Expectancy Of Dogs?

Predicting a dog’s lifespan has been iffy, at best. That’s why researchers have looked at the stats and came up with an average number for 165 dog breeds. While I’ve always been intrigued by fortune tellers, I’ve never actually shelled out my hard earned bucks to have one of them predict my future. I’ve always been afraid I’d see their face cloud over as they peered into a crystal ball or fussed over tarot cards. They would then quickly assure me all was well while they hurried me out the door, careful not to make eye contact. I think I’d feel the same way about my furry near and dears. Would I have ever wanted to know that just days after we celebrated her 16th birthday, my feline Shelby would be gone? Well many people do appreciate predictability and while I’m the first to say that taking good care of our pooches goes a long way in influencing outcomes; our pets do indeed have an average lifespan. Related: The ABCs On How To Extend Your Senior Dog’s Lifespan So it was with interest that I read Stanley Coren, Professor of Psychology at the University of British Columbia and author of such books as “The Intelligence of Dogs” and “Born to Bark” was exploring the subject. It seems an article he wrote regarding how to predict the life expectancy of your pup garnered a multitude of queries from interested pet parents who wanted to know if there were stats available for individual breeds. Coren dug a little deeper and discovered that Canadian veterinary epidemiologist, Vicki Adams had in fact led a team of UK researchers who studied this very query and had their report published in the Journal of Small Animal Practice. Related: 5 Age-Old Facts About Senior Dogs Dietary Needs Adams and her team collected data from each of the major breed-specific clubs in the UK and by the time they sat down to review the data, they had received information for 15,881 dogs (now deceased) that spanned a decade. While likely no surprise to any of us, the stats confirmed smaller breeds live longer than larger, but this wasn’t guaranteed and it varied by breed. Of note: Average overall lifespan of our pooches is 11 years and three months.Longest living pooches: Welsh Cardigan Corgi (16.5 years), Irish Terrier (14.3 years), and of course those poodles (toy at 14.63 years and miniature at 13.92)Let’s not talk about those that don’t live to see their 10thThe most common causes of death were cancer (27%), “old age” (18%) and cardiac conditions (11%). Based on this research, Coren created a list for each of the 165 dog breeds where data was sufficient to support an accurate reading. Of note, he says is the omission of the German Shepherd dog. “The responses for the German shepherd dog were excluded from further analyses as 1425 questionnaires were sent out to the British Association for German shepherd dogs, but only 18 questionnaires were returned and the breed club did not report how many questionnaires were sent out.” Would you want to peer into your pet’s crystal ball? You can see all of the 165 breeds counted in the study at Psychology Today.

Drop It Like It’s Cute: These Pugs Are Here To Represent

This Australian photographer didn’t choose the Pug Life – it chose him. From Pug Master Flash to Ice Puge, meet all the furry faces in this collection of super-fly pet portraits.

What Is Mange In Dogs?

Mange in dogs isn’t pretty. A skin disease caused by parasites, mange leads to more than just loss of fur and scratching. Here’s what you need to know and how to treat it. You’ve probably heard the term “mangy mutt” thrown around, but do you really know what it means? The term mange refers to a skin disease that is caused by external parasites residing in your dog’s skin and hair follicles. This condition can result in irritation, hair loss, and the development of lesions on the skin. If not treated, mange in dogs can lead to severe infections. To protect your dog from mange, take the time to learn about the causes and symptoms of this condition as well as its treatment options and methods for prevention. Causes and Symptoms Mange is caused by tiny mites that live on or under the surface of a dog’s skin or within the hair follicles. There are two different types of mange, each caused by a specific type of mite. Demodectic mange is caused by a parasite called Demodex canis – this type of mite lives inside the hair follicle. Sarcoptic mange is caused by Sarcoptes scabei mites – these mites live just under the surface of the skin. Demodectic mange mites are the most common type and they can live on a dog’s body without ever causing a problem. If the dog develops a compromised immune system, however, the mites may begin to reproduce and cause a problem. Demodectic mange is most commonly seen in puppies under 18 months of age. In fact, demodectic mange mites can be transferred from mother to puppies within days of their birth. Related: What Are The Benefits Of Coconut Oil For Dogs? Sarcoptic mange mites can also be easily transferred from one dog to another and the mites typically spend their entire life living on a dog. The female Sarcoptes scabei mite will actually burrow into the dog’s skin where she will deposit eggs that hatch between three and eight days later. The presence of both sarcoptic and demodectic mange mites on a dog typically causes symptoms like hair loss and itching. As the infestation spreads, the dog may develop small red pustules on the skin which can lead to further irritation. If the problem is not addressed, secondary bacterial infections may occur. Treatment Options The symptoms of mange may be either localized or generalized. Localized cases of mange in dogs occur when the mites infect only one or two small areas on the body – generalized cases involve larger areas or the dog’s whole body. Cases of localized mange often resolve themselves without any treatment but generalized mange is more likely to lead to secondary infections which will require treatment. The first step in treatment is to identify the type of mite responsible. For sarcoptic mange, isolation from other animals is recommended and certain anti-parasitic medications may be prescribed. If your dog has demodectic mange which results in a secondary infection, your vet may also recommended bathing with medicated shampoo or additional medications to treat the infection. Related: The Shocking Truth About Dogs and Garlic Tips for Prevention The best way to prevent mange is to ensure that your dog doesn’t come into contact with animals already carrying the parasites. Young dogs typically recover easily from mange, but older dogs may take longer to heal. It is possible that demodectic mange can be transferred congenitally, so dogs with this condition should not be bred. If you suspect that your dog has mange, seek veterinary care as soon as possible. Your vet will be able to run certain tests to determine whether your dog has mange and, if so, which type, in order to recommend a course of treatment.

Study Says That Pet Type Says A Lot About You

Being a dog, cat, bird or other kind of pet owner says a lot about you. Perhaps more than you expected – do any of these things ring true with you? Growing up, we always had pets. A dog, a cat, painted turtles and even a couple of classroom gerbils my mom allowed me to bring home one weekend (stress on the one). When I started to work and was out on my own I found that I still wanted to come home to a living being so hit the local humane society and picked up feline “Snuff” who remained a part of my life for close to 17 years. I would love to have been able to bring home a dog but the lifestyle of a working girl in an apartment didn’t support canine companionship. To this day, I would love to share my home with a terrier of some sort but one of my felines is deathly afraid of dogs, so the pooch plans are on hold for the time being. Related: Study Shows Pet Parents And Pooches Are Lovin’ Fast Food Restaurants This begs the question: Am I a “dog person” because I really want one or a “cat person” because I already have them? It seems that how, or even if, our choice of pet reveals anything about our inner personalities was deemed worthy of research by those clever folk at Scientific American MIND who did a little digging to come up with some interesting findings. Related: Study Finds That Dogs Think Mean People Suck The data they used came from a mixed bag of sources including market surveys taken by pet industry stakeholders such as the American Veterinary Medical Association who track demographics, spend and pet ownership over a period of time. Some of the commonalities from the 2,000 respondents? Pet ownership is highest amongst: People with households of five or morePeople who work full timePeople who are home ownersPeople who are social or empathetic Non-pet ownership is highest amongst: People who live in urban areasPeople who value a neat and tidy homePeople who describe themselves as independent If you share your home with a pooch, you are more likely to: Have picked up Rover from a shelterHave not completed collegeConsider your pet part of the family If you share your home with a cat, you are more likely to: Be divorcedLive in an apartmentBe college educatedEat TV dinners (okay, I just added that one cuz this thread was looking kind of spinster-y) But more interesting than stats and demographics is how pet owners actually perceive themselves based on their choice of pet. While I have been quite successful at blocking the “crazy cat lady” image from mind, do others do the same? Well, no. The survey shows that overall we feel our animal companions are integral to how we see ourselves. No surprise that guys who like to be seen as tough may get a tough-looking dog to help them project that image. Those who keep less common pets such as spiders or snakes seem to feel they are creatures who are misunderstood, much like themselves. While the survey sample was small when compared to the millions of pet owners out there, it did capture some interesting responses to the question: Are you a Dog or a Cat person? Of note, “When you finally win over a cat, it’s so worth it”. And “Dogs are living Buddhas – compassionate beings who live completely in the present moment”. So the one thing we can all agree on is that whoever shares our pillow at night, has gained our love and respect. [Source: Scientific American]

Chausie

Chausie Breed History The Chausie is a hybrid feline breed, which means these domesticated cats are also part wild cat. Beginning in the 1990s, breeders started mating Abyssinians with the Jungle Cat of south-central Asia. The Jungle Cat actually has a long history of living with people, as it was domesticated by ancient Egyptians because it had great hunting skills and an easygoing personality. In fact, these cats were adored so much so that they were mummified. Even though the Jungle Cat would occasionally mate with domesticated cats, the first recorded breeding occurred in 1990, and it wasn’t long before the hybrid breed was fully recognized and became popular. Chausie (pronounced chow-see) is derived from the Latin name for the Jungle Cat, felis chaus. Breed Traits

6 Warning Signs Of Feline Heart Disease

You love your cat with all of your heart. That’s why you want to make sure her heart is healthy. Keep an eye out for these common signs of feline heart disease. Feline heart disease is serious, so it is really important to catch it in its earliest stages, if possible. The difficulty with doing that, though, is the fact that cats can mask symptoms really well, usually until a condition is quite advanced. Therefore, having your kitty examined by a vet annually is a good idea. But also being aware of the signs of feline heart disease will help you recognize when there’s a potential problem so that you can bring your cat to the vet promptly for a thorough exam. Here’s a list of just some of the many symptoms that are associated with feline heart disease. Difficulty Breathing If your kitty starts to experience shortness of breath, if her breathing starts to become labored, or if she is breathing more rapidly than normal, be aware that these symptoms could be indicative of feline heart disease. Related: Just What The Doctor Ordered: The Health Benefits Of Cats Breathing problems that could be the result of heart disease may also produce sounds, such as crackles that can be described as rough, short, and snapping. Have your cat examined by a vet as soon as possible if she starts exhibiting these symptoms. Weakness As cats age, they tend to be less active, and this is normal. But if you notice that your cat is weaker or a lot less active than normal, it could be a sign of feline heart disease. Related: What Is Feline Hyperthyroidism? For example, if your cat is lethargic, unable to tolerate exertion or exercise, and not as playful as she typically used to be, or if she gets tired quite easily as a result of weakness and not just laziness, have her examined by a vet. Fainting and Collapse Collapse is another symptom of heart disease in cats, so if your kitty faints or collapses, it is imperative that you take her to the vet to be examined, as these are serious symptoms. Abnormal Heart Sounds A variety of heart sounds, such as murmurs, a muffled sound, or even a galloping rhythm, are all considered abnormal. This is one symptom that you will not be able to pinpoint on your own unless you have a stethoscope and you know what to listen for, so having your vet listen to your cat’s heart during an annual exam is the best way to pinpoint this problem before it escalates. Decreased Appetite Typically, a cat will enjoy eating and won’t lose his appetite suddenly for no apparent reason. A loss of appetite, which is also referred to as anorexia, can be a symptom of heart disease, though this could be a symptom of many other conditions as well. To narrow down what could be causing your kitty to avoid a delicious meal, have her checked by a vet, especially if you have noticed other symptoms of heart disease. Problems with the Hind Legs Blood clots, which are referred to as thromboembolisms, often result from feline heart disease, and they can also be the first recognizable symptom. Saddle thrombus occurs when a blood clot becomes lodged in the aorta and causes the blood supply to be cut off from the hind legs. This leads to pain, an inability to walk, paralysis in the hind legs that occurs suddenly, and limbs that feel cold. Another symptom is an absent or weak femoral pulse in one or both of your cat’s hind legs. The Importance of a Vet Exam Many of the symptoms of heart disease may also be caused by other conditions. No matter what, they are not normal feline behaviors, so the only way to know what is causing your kitty to be unwell is to have him checked by a veterinarian who can properly diagnose her and provide the right treatments.

Harvest Apple Dog Muffin Recipe

Before you even take them out of the oven, the scent of these Harvest Apple Muffins will make your mouth water. But paws off – these muffins are for dogs only!

4 New Varietals Find “Furrever” Home In Chateau La Paws Wines

Let’s raise another glass and toast the four new varietals (for humans only!) that Chateau La Paws is adding to its collection. We give them four paws up! Now you’re talking my language! While I’m always quick to throw my financial support towards a worthy organization or don my running shoes to help raise awareness, to know that my bevvie of choice is making more than just me happy is a win-win situation! It seems our good friends at Sonoma’s Diageo Chateau & Estate Wines have upped the game when it comes to supporting area shelters by adding to their Chateau La Paws varietal selection. This week the innovative vintners introduced a Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot and a Sweet Red Blend to their award-winning portfolio. Related: Craft Brewery Kickstarter Aims To Serve Pints And Help Pups To give you some background, Petguide.com first introduced the unique initiative earlier this year. It was designed to raise awareness and funds in support of area shelter dogs whose images were featured prominently on the wine’s label. At the time, varietals included Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and the Red Wine Blend and according to winemaker Marty Spate, “Through the outpouring of support from consumers sharing their love of the wine and their amazing rescue stories, we knew we had to create four new varietals featuring even more special rescue dogs.” So it seems their efforts to explore this new market were met with resounding success and for the launch of this expanded portfolio the winery has again partnered with North Shore Animal League America (NSALA), the world’s largest no-kill animal rescue and adoption organization. Related: This Brew’s For Bowser: Beer For Dogs Is A Cool, Refreshing Trend The labels of this next batch of featured wines include photos of each of 28 pups being promoted for adoption at NSALA .Together with a cash donation of $100,000 the winery is not only raising awareness but increasing the organization’s ability to fund mobile rescue and adoption units that travel across America, helping local shelters with their adoption drives. The wines are available at stores nation-wide, are priced reasonably at $12.99 and I already know what you’re thinking. Pick up a bottle, support a great cause and stick it on a shelf or give it away at Christmas as your Secret Santa gift. All great ideas but this is a super wine! In fact, both the Chateau La Paws Chardonnay and Red Blend received Gold medals with the latter receiving the honor of “Best in Class” at the 2015 Los Angeles International Wine Competition. So pull out those wine glasses we all save for special company, and enjoy this one yourself! And of course NSALA are over the moon to see the beaming faces of their rescue pooches yet again on store shelves. Joanna Yohannan, SVP Operations at NSALA comments, “We are pleased to once again have our beautiful rescue dogs featured on the Chateau La Paws wine labels. This most generous contribution in support of our mission is deeply appreciated as is the commitment to continue to raise awareness for shelter pets.”

Earn Wellcoin Points, Buy Shelter Dogs A Healthy Meal

Now your healthy lifestyle can help hungry animals. With the Wellcoin app, log in your healthy choices and earn points that buy meals for shelter pets. I love to multi-task. If I can be doing two things at once – or better still, three or four things at once – I’m a happy camper. So the thought of being able to feed shelter dogs while getting in my daily run or walk (depending on my mood), is right up my alley. I think a lot of people think this way and happily, so do the folk at Wellcoin where it seems the creator of the World’s First Health Currency has teamed with natural pet food company Halo, Purely for Pets to enable you to deliver up to 15,000 free bowls of food for shelter animals while doing your daily workout routine. Related: Walk For A Dog App Helps You Get Active For A Cause How it works? Firstly, it’s free! Yes, it costs you nadda. You sign up for a free account on wellcoin.com or download the free app. Talk about sweat equity, right? All work, no pay! Apparently the recently launched organization’s mission is to help North Americans lead healthier lives. As a member you earn virtual currency by claiming and verifying that you have completed healthy activities throughout your workday. This currency can be used in the Wellcoin Marketplace for goods and services offered by local merchants and national brands. Over 70 merchant partners (including a lot of the really good ones!) such as Skechers, Reebok, Whole Foods Market, DICK’S Sporting Goods, Sports Authority and Pure Barre, have joined the Wellcoin Marketplace. Related: ResQwalk App Wants You To Step Up To Benefit Animal Rescues Here is where the multi-tasking comes into play. You can generate a donation of 10 meals to hungry pooches and cats for just 1,000 Wellcoins – an amount that can be earned by logging healthy activities over just a few days. And these “healthy activities” don’t have to include marathons or mountain climbing; simply running, walking or eating a healthy meal will do the trick. The unusual yet rewarding partnership between Wellcoin and Halo, Purely for Pets is a first-of-its-kind philanthropic partnership providing thousands of the organization’s members the ability to use their “currency” for good. Just think, when you head out to the gym or enjoy that salad (versus burger with fries), your efforts will help feed shelter pets including those at SPCA of Westchester County (Westchester, NY), Humane Society of Central Oregon (Bend, OR), San Francisco Animal Care and Control (San Francisco, CA), Arizona Animal Welfare League (Phoenix, AZ) or ASPCA (New York, NY). Wellcoin Founder, Glenn Laffel, MD, PhD says, “We think Wellcoin has enormous potential as a tool that enhances charitable giving. Not everyone can participate in charitable runs or walks that are held on specific days, but everyone does at least some healthy activities every day. Wellcoin can turn those healthy activities into donations.” Okay, can you think of any better reason to strap on the runners and head out for a brisk one? The Wellcoin app is free to download on Google Play and iPhone.

Adoptable Dog Of The Week – Camry

We need to “point” out this important fact – Camry, our Adoptable Dog of the Week, is a great catch… and a great pointer! She’s an adult English Pointer from Otis, Maine. Camry is already spayed, housetrained, purebred, good with kids, and good with dogs. Camry’s Story Hello, my name is Camry. I have always been kept inside and it’s my favorite place to be. I like long walks and other dogs to play with. My hobbies include staring at you while you cook, cuddling, snuggling up to you in your bed on your pillow, chasing balls, and car rides (oh, how I love car and boat rides). I don’t really like to share my food with other dogs, and I like my own eating space. I get so excited when people come to visit my happy tail goes crazy and might hit everything but it’s out of eagerness to smell new people. I get bored with new people quickly though and go back to my favorite couch cushion. I go to bed at 9 pm. I might fall asleep sitting up at that time until we get to bed together. I sleep through the night. I promise to bark loudly when a squirrel or the mailman approaches the door to protect you, to not jump on you unless you hit your chest, to not take food off the table, to go to the bathroom outside, to always love you and snuggle you and not lick you. I am desperately afraid of thunderstorms and firecrackers. I shake and cry. When I have to go potty I will jump and turn in circles in front of you using my best pig voice. If you ignore me I will lovingly put your forearm in my mouth to bring you to the door in case you forgot where it was. I like to follow you everywhere you go as when I’m left alone for long periods of time I get separation anxiety and that’s the only time I have chewed anything but I’m doing better. I am seeking a family to grow old with as my current family loves me so much but I’m just too excited sometimes I knock over the babies and hit them with my tail. If you think I might be a good fit for you let’s have a playdate! To learn more or to adopt Camry, please visit

Top 10 Cutest Dog Breeds

If you needed something to brighten up your day, you’ve come to the right place. Get ready to feel all sorts of warm and fuzzies with our cutest dog breeds picks. If these pups don’t melt your heart, then you might not have a heart at all! Consult a doctor!

Mastador

Mastador Basics If you are specifically seeking out a dog who will quickly feel like a member of the family, then you may have just found your newest furry relative. The Mastador is a great family dog with a tremendously friendly yet protective nature. Gentle giants in the truest sense, these large dogs might look intimidating to some, but they are actually very sweet and make perfect pets for families. Some dogs are big enough to pose a threat, while others are big enough to cuddle properly. The Mastador falls into the latter category. They love affection, being involved in family activities, as well as playing with their owners, kids and other dogs. A Mastador can be protective and will defend their home and family if they feel it’s necessary, so socialization and behavioral training should be completed at an early age. This is a dog that requires special and attentive training, so be sure to keep that in mind and make that you are up for the responsibility. The unique combination of traits is something that the Mastador owes purely to his parents. As a designer dog breed, this big sweetheart of a pooch is actually a mix of two purebred dogs- the Bullmastiff and the Labrador Retriever. The two parental breeds pass on the best of their traits to the offspring- accounting for the mix of protective and sweet in the Mastador. With a pedigree like that, it’s easy to see why this pooch is so beloved. Of course, even though the Mastador is an adaptable dog that does well in various living situations, these hybrids are not a perfect match for everybody. They require experienced owners who will know how to assert themselves as the leader of the pack. Similarly, their energy levels and size should also be considered before you make a final decision. So, is the Mastador the dog that you’ve been looking for? Well, the good news is that you’ve come to the right place to find out. All you need to do is keep your eyes glued to this page and scroll away. Everything that you could possibly want to know about these glorious canines is about to be revealed. So, to find out if your family would make a perfect match for the Mastiff and Lab mix, read on! The Mastador is a great family dog with a tremendously friendly yet protective nature. Origin While his lineage hales from the United Kingdom (specifically Bullmastiff) and Newfoundland, Canada (specifically Labrador), the Mastador hybrid actually originated in the United States. Yet, apart from the place where this rare and impressive breed was first developed, there’s not much else we do know about the origin of the Mastador. The majority of designer dog breeds faces the same “issue” mainly because of the fact that there have always been around, but rather than being intentionally developed, they were often the results of accidental pairings between purebred pets. There’s very little documented history about hybrids. It’s uncertain when specific breeders even began specializing in the Mastador. No breeders have come out and claimed that the Bullmastiff and Labrador Retriever mix was their creation, so there’s no way to know when or who first bred Mastadors intentionally. However, the general information er have about hybrids gives us an idea about the Mastiff and Lab mix, too- it’s highly likely that first litters of this new breed were born sometime in the last 15 to 20 years. Unfortunately, we aren’t able to determine much more of a specific history than that. Pedigree

Top 10 Best Military Dog Breeds

Think you know your enlisted K-9s? Well, think again. You’ll be surprised with some of the picks on our military dog breeds list. Especially number 10!.If you’re anything like me, the moment you think “military dog” you envision a German Shepherd Dog or Doberman patrolling a barbed wire fence and barking fiercely when confronted by the enemy. It’s an image that we've seen so many times in movies and television shows. But as always, you can’t trust Hollywood for accuracy. Those are far from the only breeds of pup who have used in military service and just one of the many roles assigned to the enlisted K-9s and military dog breeds. When you dig into the history, it’s amazing what a wide range of pups have performed a wide range of tasks in military service. From large to small, muscular and burly, doggos went above and beyond the call of duty to fulfill the missions they were tasked with. There is no surprise here – dogs are known as loyal and brave companions, even in war. So what are the jobs typically assigned to our favourite furry friends by the military? Well, there are many and often those jobs require completely opposite tasks and behaviours. While Sentry dogs are taught to walk alongside their guard or handler and warn by growling or barking at approaching strangers, a Scout dog is trained to work silently so that they can detect and alert their handler to snipers, enemy presence, and ambushes. A Messenger dog carries information between handlers, while Mine Dogs are trained to detect both metallic and non-metallic land-mines as well as booby traps and trip wires. Casualty dogs are your war-time version of a search and rescue pooch who can quickly locate injured soldiers. While Tunnel dogs have been used to explore the confines of underground spaces to seek out enemy forces and alert handlers. Finally, Explosives Detection dogs have been specifically trained to pick up on the scent of the chemicals used in bombs and alert their handler when those odours hit their little pup noses.As you can see, there are quite a wide range of tasks for military service dogs these days. That requires a wide variety of breeds who can deliver on those tasks. Since the military has been training dogs for decades, they have experimented with a wide variety of breeds and come up with quite a list of powerful pups who are up to the tasks. So, who are the top dogs when it comes to military duty past and present? Keep your eyeballs glued to this page to find out. (Photo credit: Africa Studio/Shutterstock) German Shepherd Dog

11 Pets Who Are Seriously Rethinking This Parenting Thing

Popular Pet Guide

How Often Should A Labradoodle Be Groomed?

Popular Article

How Often Should I Brush My Dog’s Teeth?

11 Pets Who Are Seriously Rethinking This Parenting Thing

Popular Pet Guide

Popular Article

Related articles