This Small Pooch Has a Dog-Up on the Situation!

by Lori Ennis

Published: May 8th, 2017

this small pooch has a dog up on the situation

A resourceful little dog has figured out how to use her small size to her advantage – by riding around on a Golden Retriever!

I’m not a tall person. I never have been. I’ve spent my entire life climbing on counters, using step stools and asking people taller than I am (you know, those over five feet) to reach things for me.

So, I can totally relate to the cutest little gal taking the internet by storm these days. Bella is a two-year-old tiny wonder who faces the things all little gals do…we just can’t always reach what we want.

Bella has solved her problem well, though, enlisting the aid of her best puppy pal (and big Golden), Hank. Hank is her two-year-old ride, and together the duo is just about the cutest thing ever.

Bella’s mom Adriana Burkhart says that Bella and Hank are the best friends and go gaga when they see each other. Hank lives with Adriana’s parents, but they see each other often and act as if they’ve not skipped a beat.

And clearly they haven’t. Bella doesn’t let something as trivial as her size stop her from doing everything with her BFF, and Hank has no problem schlepping Bella wherever they need to go…whether it’s begging for treats…

…or napping…

…or giving each other eye massages. (Oh Hank, you ARE a good boy!)

Hank is obviously the most tolerant dog ever, and Adriana says that even though he’s an older boy, the two play together and Bella helps keep him young. And then, when Hank has had enough, Bella is just fine hanging out with her best bud on the front porch taking in the beautiful day.

Just goes to show that opposites do attract, and make the very best of friends!

[Source: BoredPanda]

Lori Ennis

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Scientists Uncover Secrets of Extinct "Wooly Dog" Breed

Throughout history, dogs have played several key roles in the lives of people globally. They have hunted, worked, and provided for us, forever weaving them into the fabric of human existence. We often use this knowledge to better understand our modern dogs by reflecting on their original purpose as a breed. Unfortunately, not every breed continues to thrive among us today.The Coast Salish wooly dog was a unique breed, kept by the First Nations people throughout the Pacific Northwest, including Vancouver Island, for its fleece-like coat. A new study reveals insights into the history of the now-extinct breed.Unlike most animals at that time in history, the dog was kept in pens and longhouses. This was done to prevent the dogs from mixing with village and hunting dogs, preserving the breed and the fleece it provided.“They were sheared like sheep, and the wool was woven into blankets,” recounted Eliot White-Hill of the Snuneymuxw First Nation. “Blankets were like currency in our economy prior to contact and some of the most important things you could own and give away as gifts.”The dogs were fed a diet of fish and elk and were seen as beloved family members.“It’s not just a dog – it’s a relative. It has enormous spiritual power, conveyed in its wool,” explained Michael Pavel, an elder of the Skokomish-Twana tribe and one of the study's authors. “Imagine being able to receive the gift of wool fiber, being able to learn to weave that into yarn, into an entity, or a blanket or robe that you could wrap yourself in the coldest of winter and feel the warmth of those prayers. That’s how we look at it, and we can now enjoy a scientific view, as well.”Unfortunately, the breed did not survive colonization. It’s not clear exactly what caused the demise of the Coast Salish wooly dog – the introduction of European dog breeds, rules enforced on First Nations people during assimilation and displacement, or smallpox epidemics being a few of the hypothesized factors.But thanks to the preserved pelt of a wooly dog named Mutton, who died in 1859, researchers can now learn a little more about the unique DNA of the dog, its lineage, and insight into the breeding practices of local Indigenous communities.Researchers compared DNA from Mutton’s pelt to that of a separate non-wooly village dog that lived and died in the same region at approximately the same time.While the information gathered from the study did not offer any conclusive answers about the disappearance of the breed, it did hypothesize that the Indian Act of 1876 played a critical role as it would have directly impacted the ability of Indigenous women to pass on valuable knowledge about caring for the dogs and weaving necessary to its survival.On a positive note, the study did support historical facts shared by First Nations people in that area – a valuable piece of the puzzle as many work to reclaim the traditions of their ancestors.“It brought a large group of people together that reaffirmed for us the history we know,” stated Violet Elliott, also of the Snuneymuxw First Nation. “It was a gift of collaboration with other nations.”

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Neutering Rottweilers May Shorten Their Lifespan, Study Finds

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Watch As Adorable Shelter Dogs Pick Their Own Christmas Toys

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The US National Park Service is Being Sued Over Stray Cats

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Can You Use Dog Flea Products on Cats?

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What Should I Include in a Pet First Aid Kit?

As loving pet parents, we do everything possible to keep our furry companions safe and healthy. However, life is unpredictable, and accidents happen, so we must be prepared for unexpected emergencies. This includes ensuring we have a fully stocked, pet-friendly first aid kit available. In this article, we’ll discuss the essential items you should have on hand to care for your pet in those unforeseen moments. From basic cuts and scrapes to more severe injuries, you’ll be prepared to act as your pet’s first line of defense when it matters most. Can You Use a Human First Aid Kit on Dogs and Cats? Yes, sort of. Most of the items included in a human first aid kit can be used to treat your pet in the case of an emergency. You may be wondering – if they can use the same supplies, why do I need a first aid kit specifically for pets? Some items you won’t find in a human first aid kit may be necessary depending on your pet’s injury or ailment. These could address a problem that only a dog or cat could experience, or they may involve finding alternatives for human products that are unsafe for our pets, like human medications. What Human First Aid Products Can Be Used on Dogs and Cats? Most standard items in your first aid kit can be used on dogs and cats. For example, bandages, gauze pads, ice packs, and medical tape are all suitable for pets. They are the exact same items often included in both human and pet first aid kits. Tools like scissors, latex gloves, and tweezers will also be helpful when performing first aid on a pet. This means that if you currently have a standard human first aid kit at home, you are already well on your way to being prepared to take care of your pet in an emergency. To update your human first aid kit and make it suitable for pets, you will just need to add a few important items:

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