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Wes Anderson’s “Isle Of Dogs” Trailer Leaves Us Panting to See T

Lori Ennis
by Lori Ennis
Published:  September 24th, 2017
A star-studded cast, cool stop-motion animation, and dogs, dogs and more dogs! That’s what the upcoming Isle of Dogs promises us all, and we can’t wait.


Trailers for movies coming out next spring are already out, and the one we can’t wait to see has to be film genius Wes Anderson’s stop-motion animation masterpiece, “Isle of Dogs.” And check out the star-studded cast: Edward Norton, Bob Balaban, Jeff Goldblum, Bill Murray and Bryan Cranston. The film takes place in a futuristic Japan, as all dogs are sent to an island because of a ‘dog flu’ that makes it necessary to quarantine them all, forever.

But one little boy named Atari can’t live without his pup (who of us can?) and bravely treks to the island to retrieve his furry BFF. Protected by a pack of five alpha pups, it’s action and adventure with a big side of rooting for the underdog as Atari looks to save his dog.


Related: Search and Rescue Dog’s First Find Brings Little Boy Back To His Family


Other names in the cast that may be recognizable are Liev Schreiber, Yoko Ono, Scarlett Johansson, and Bill Murray, and it promises to make you go home and hug your pup nice and tightly when it is over!


“Isle of Dogs” debuts March 23, 2018.

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Lori Ennis
Lori Ennis

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Why Is My Bird Biting Me?

If you’re a bird parent, you love and cherish your feathered friend – but what do you do when your bird nips or bites? This is a behavior that can be both surprising and concerning, especially for first-time bird parents. But know, you’re not alone!If you’re wondering, “Why is my bird biting me?” This article is for you!We will explore the different factors and explanations for your pet bird’s newly developed biting tendencies, helping you understand the motivations, identify when there is a deeper problem requiring your attention, and learn how to address the behavior appropriately.Let’s look at how to set you and your bird up for a long, happy relationship by addressing problem biting today.Do Bird Bites Hurt?The short answer to this is – Maybe? Whether or not your bird’s bite will hurt depends on a few factors, including how the bird bites, their overall intention, your bird’s size, and your level of pain tolerance.Bird bites can range from a light little nibble that merely tickles to bites that have the capability of causing serious damage, especially to vulnerable areas like the eyes, ears, nose, lips, fingers, and toes.The potential for a bird bite to cause severe or lasting injuries highlights the importance of understanding your bird, why they may bite, and how to prevent this situation from happening. It’s also one of the most important reasons to consider when deciding if a bird is right for your child, elderly, or special needs family member.Even smaller birds can cause a surprising amount of pain. Often, it’s not the initial bite that causes the most pain. Instead, it’s the way that they will dig in or even grind their beaks that will lead to discomfort, stinging, and soreness.

Why Are Labradors Fat? Scientists Have the Answer

The friendly, playful, and trainable Labrador is one of the most popular dog breeds around the world. But, few canines are as obsessed with food as Labrador retrievers - and now scientists think they have discovered why. According to new research, a quarter of labs are predisposed to obesity due to a genetic mutation.Approximately 25 percent of Labradors face a double-whammy of burning fewer calories and feeling hungry all the time because of an anomaly. Scientists explain that this obesity-causing combination means dog owners must be strict when feeding and exercising their labs to keep them fit.The mutation is found in the gene called POMC, which plays an important role in energy use and hunger, and affects how dogs behave around food. Around 25 percent of Labradors and 66 percent of flat-coated retrievers are affected by POMC mutation, which puts these dogs at risk of obesity and causes increased interest in food.Researchers found that although these dogs don’t need to eat more to feel full, they are hungrier in between meals. The study also showed that dogs with the POMC mutation use around 25 percent less energy when resting than dogs without it. As a result, these pooches don’t need to eat as many calories to maintain a healthy weight. “We found that a mutation in the POMC gene seems to make dogs hungrier. Affected dogs tend to overeat because they get hungry between meals more quickly than dogs without the mutation,” said Dr. Eleanor Raffan, a researcher in the University of Cambridge’s Department of Physiology, Development, and Neuroscience who led the study. “All owners of Labradors and flat-coated retrievers need to watch what they’re feeding these highly food-motivated dogs to keep them a healthy weight. But dogs with this genetic mutation face a double whammy: they not only want to eat more, but also need fewer calories because they’re not burning them off as fast,” she added.The study found that the POMC mutation alters a pathway in dogs’ brains associated with body weight regulation. The mutated genes trigger the starvation signal that sends a message to the body to increase food intake and conserve energy.The study involved 87 adult pet Labradors, all at a healthy weight or moderately obese. The dogs were subjected to several tests, including ‘the sausage in the box’ test. The dogs were first given a can of wet dog food every 20 minutes until they couldn’t eat any more. All labs eat huge amounts of food, but what’s interesting is that dogs with POMC didn’t eat more food than the dogs without it.On a different day, all dogs were given the same breakfast. Three hours later they were offered a sausage in a box made of clear plastic and a perforated lid, so the dogs could see and smell the sausage but not eat it.Scientists discovered that labs with POMC mutation tried harder to get the sausage than the dogs without it, showing greater hunger. In another test, the dogs were allowed to sleep in a special chamber that measured the gases they breathed out. This test showed that labs with POMC mutation burn 25 percent fewer calories than dogs without it. According to researchers, people are often rude to owners of fat dogs, criticizing them for not feeding and exercising their dogs properly. However, this study has shown that labs with POMC are trying to increase their energy intake by looking for food all the time. Keeping these dogs slim is challenging, but possible. Spreading out daily food rations, by using puzzle feeders to slow down feeding or scattering the food around the yard so it takes longer to eat are ways owners can keep their Labradors distracted from constant hunger. Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

A Small Cat Family Was Found Living in the Ceiling of a Restaurant

Cats choose their homes in the unlikeliest of places! And a recent event from Massachusetts, when a momma cat and her four newborn kittens were discovered living in the ceiling of a New Bedford restaurant, definitely confirms this.The  Animal Rescue League of Boston said that they received a call from the employees of a local New Bedford restaurant. It was no ordinary call, however, as the employees said that they were “hearing kittens meowing from the ceiling”. The momma cat, however, was no stranger at the premises. The staff noticed her around the place before but did not suspect that she was pregnant – or that she was living in the ceiling. But hearing the distinct sound of kittens meowing, the employees were quick to understand what happened. The animal rescue team quickly responded to the call, and their field service agents soon spotted the tiny kittens through a small slit between the restaurant wall and a hole in the ceiling. With a little bit of patience and work, the rescue team managed to retrieve all four kittens from the ceiling space, and safely transport them to the rescue shelter. Rescuing the momma cat, however, was not as easy. Cunning and careful, the cat evaded all the efforts of the team, including artificial kitten sounds, and tasty cat food. Ultimately, the team employed a humane cat trap that they placed within the ceiling. The next day, they reported that the momma cat entered the trap at around 11 p.m. at night, which allowed them to reunite her with her children at the Animal Rescue League's Boston Animal Care and Adoption Center. There, they were all treated and given veterinary care."Community cats are incredibly resilient, and have a knack to find shelter for themselves and their offspring," the animal rescue league said in a subsequent statement for  NBC Boston. "However, kittens born this time of year are incredibly vulnerable to the elements and other potential dangers and ARL urges the public that if a cat with offspring are discovered, to contact ARL Field Services for assistance." In the meantime, the happy momma cat and her babies are resting and growing, until the time comes when they can be put up for adoption and find forever homes and each their own happy ending to this unusual story.

Can I Teach A Cat Tricks?

Cats are often stereotyped as being aloof and independent. But beneath that mysterious exterior lies an intelligent and curious being capable of great things – you just have to learn how to tap into it! Whether you’re interested in trick training your cat as a form of mental enrichment or strengthening your bond and creating lasting memories, we have you covered. In this blog post, we will explore the world of cat trick training. This includes debunking common myths, breaking down the process of training a cat, and sharing a list of fun tricks to help you get started. Is it Possible to Train a Cat? Yes! Your cat is just as capable of learning how to perform tricks as your dog. However, there are some differences in how you approach this process. Dogs are often motivated by their bond with their handler and the praise they will receive for performing as expected. This is far less likely to work for your cat. Instead, you will need to find the right inspiration. For many, this comes in the form of high-value treats like diced chicken, sardines, or low-sodium tuna. The smellier the treat, the better. With the right motivator and a lot of patience, your cat can learn a wide variety of fun tricks and useful skills. How Long Does It Take to Teach a Cat a Trick? The time required for a cat to learn a trick will depend on many factors, including the difficulty of the trick, the cat’s eagerness to learn, and the way you approach the training session. We have two cats in our house, and they fall at very different ends of the spectrum. Pippen is highly trainable and quickly picks up tricks, while Jinx is much more stubborn and takes longer to come around. Several of these factors can be influenced by you directly. Have you found the right motivator for your cat? Are you experimenting with different training approaches to find the one that works best? Are you trying to move through the training process too quickly? However, some factors are beyond your control. If your cat is uninterested in training, even your best efforts to motivate them may fall short. Is it Too Late to Teach My Cat Tricks? There is an old myth that states: “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.” This has been proven to be false by many trainers, with dogs even in their senior years. But what about cats? Is there an expiry date on when your cat can be taught to perform tricks? The best time to start training a cat is when they are young, but that doesn’t mean it’s the only time! Your older cat may be slower to learn or a little more reluctant to get started, but with a little patience and the right motivation, you can train cats of all ages.

What Are the Requirements for Flying with a Dog?

While traveling with your pet can be challenging, it doesn’t have to be. Even though some  airlines can be a bit finicky about their rules and regulations, you can fly with your pet in tow safely and comfortably, as long as you know their requirements and follow them to the letter.Having your choice of airlines to travel with your dog as your companion, broadens your options when it comes to travel destinations and can eliminate a lot of usual travel-related stress factors in the process. In fact, flying your pet together with you can be simple, straightforward, and hassle-free! As long as you stick to the rules, that is. So, without further ado, what are the requirements for flying with a dog? Are there any universal practices you should know or does it really depend from company to company? Here’s everything you should know before packing your bags.What Are the Requirements for Flying with a Dog?Of course, it goes without saying that you can’t just appear with your pet at the check-in gate and fly away! There are many important rules involved, mainly in order to keep your pet safe, to comply with specific airline regulations, the rules of other countries, and the comfort of other passengers as well. It is also important to remember that different airlines might have different rules. It is crucial that you contact your desired airline beforehand, checking about any special regulations that they require. Still, there are some universal criteria that any pet will have to meet in order to fly on a plane.One of the foremost requirements that will allow your pet to fly on a plane is a health certificate. This is a special document that can be issued by your veterinarian after a thorough physical examination. It guarantees that your doggo is healthy, has no diseases, and has all the required vaccinations that are up to date. And, of course, this certificate needs to be recent. They are valid for only about 30 days, so make sure to do it in time. Some airlines also require that your pet be microchipped. This is advisable for all pet owners regardless of travel or not. The  microchip allows for quick and simple identification in case your pet gets lost and also serves as a sort of doggo credential. Just make sure that all the information stored on the chip is up-to-date!

Wish Your Dog Could Understand You? New Study Says They Can!

You don’t have to be a dog owner to know that dogs can learn and understand commands like “sit” or “come”. But, a new study has made a groundbreaking discovery that dogs also know that certain words stand for specific objects. This finding won’t come as a big surprise to any dog owner who has ever asked their pup to “go get your toy” and, a minute later, been handed a chewed-up rubber ball or slobbery stuffed animal. Scientists have long been interested in learning whether dogs can truly associate words with objects. However, researchers couldn’t figure out whether dogs and other animals get a mental image when they hear an object's name. This would suggest that dogs have a better understanding of language than believed before. Researchers in Hungary have discovered that in addition to being able to respond to commands such as “sit”, “roll over”, or “stay” dogs can also grasp the essence of nouns. This relationship with language is called referential understanding, and it has been unproven in dogs until now. “When we are talking about objects, objects are external to the dogs and dogs have to learn that words refer, they stand for something that is external to them,” explained the study’s co-lead author, Marianna Boros, of the Department of Ethology at the Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary.To get some answers about what is happening in the dog brain when it processes words, Boros and her colleagues asked 18 dog owners to bring their pooches to the lab along with five objects the dogs knew well. The objects included balls, slippers, leads, rubber toys, frisbees, and other items.Researchers instructed the owners to say the words for the items before showing their dog either the correct object or a different one. For example, the owner might say “Rover, look, the ball”, but hold up a lead instead. During the tests, the researchers measured the dogs’ brain activity using non-invasive electroencephalography, or EEG. The idea was to see whether EEG could offer a better insight into dogs’ understanding of language. The brain recordings showed different patterns in the brain when the dogs were shown an object that matched or didn’t match the owner’s spoken word. The difference was even greater for the words owners believed their dogs knew well.The same results were seen when humans performed these tests and are widely accepted as people understanding the word well enough to form a mental image of the object they were later shown. “We expected that if a dog really understands the meaning of the object’s word, it will expect to see that object. And if the owner shows a different one, there will be a so-called surprise reaction in the brain. And this is exactly what we found,” said Boros according to ABC News.Lilla Magyari, also of Eötvös Loránd University, and the other co-first author, said that although some other animals have shown some degree of referential understanding of language, they have typically been trained to do so. In dogs, she explained, such capacities seem to be inborn and don’t require any particular training or talent. Researchers stress they aren’t claiming that dogs understand words as well as humans. Future studies are needed to determine whether dogs can generalize in the same way humans learn to as children.This study raises an interesting question of why, if dogs understand nouns, more of them don’t show it. One possible answer is that dogs know more than they are willing to show us.Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

An AI App Helps Vets Diagnose Cats By Detecting Their Pain Levels

Every cat owner has wondered what their cat is thinking about - at least once in a while. You see your feline friend just standing there in the corner, its gaze fixed on something and its expression a true enigma. Sadly, it’s not that easy to read a cat’s emotions, so most of it just remains a mystery. Until now, that is. An Alberta-based company is developing an app that could change the way we see cats and their emotions. The innovative AI app is named Tably, and it aims to help vet clinics assess a cat’s pain more easily. Susan Groenveld, one of the developers of Tably, said that felines visit the vet far less than dogs. "And when you really unpack that, it's because they hide their pain. When a cat is in pain, they go and hide under the bed, versus a dog that'll present to the owner, like kids do," said Groeneveld, the founder at Sylvester.ai, the company developing the  Tably app. "I thought, wouldn't it be cool if everyday people that love their pets would know if their animal may be demonstrating pain."An earlier version of the app already showed remarkable success, with tens of thousands of downloads around the world. Susan Groeneveld said that those early stages of the app acquired around 54,000 downloads in just a week, showing that there is a big need for something like this. "This told us that people were really, really interested in it," she said. "But we really wanted to make sure that it was validated and veterinarians actually supported it because it was a really easy opportunity for us to become a novelty."As the work progressed, the app had been clinically tested by both veterinarians and pet owners in the United States, Canada, as well as in Europe. It is expected that the app will arrive in the digital market in the U.S., Singapore, and France in January. And for Canada, the app should see a release this fall. How does Tably work? The app uses special algorithms that apply standards and facial pain scores that vets previously created. With that, the vets can review the results and better assess the cat’s state. "We believe our technology will make it more accurate because there's less human bias in the subjectivity of the assessment," Groeneveld said.Positive reviews have been overwhelming so far, many of them coming from respected vets. Dr. Liz Ruelle, a vet at the Wild Rose Cat Clinic in Calgary, Alberta, is on the advisory board for the Tably app. Her involvement is very important for the developers, and Dr. Ruelle used the app in her practice. In fact, Dr. Ruelle states that she definitely plans on using the app in her future work and said for  Yahoo: “When a cat experiences pain, its eyes and eyelid positions change and they shift their ear positions. Like if we're in a good mood and we smile, we could think of how our cheeks are uplifted. We see the apples of our cheeks. If I had whiskers on my cheeks, then I would have that same uplifted, happy whiskers," she said. "But when I'm feeling sad, or headache, or painful, then those facial muscles start to sag down … instead of being upright and perky whiskers, they would be kind of dropping down the face."The best thing of all - the app won’t be exclusive to vets. Groeneveld and Ruell stated that a special lite version is planned, which will be aimed at pet owners to use at home. No exact dates have been provided, however. 

What Shapes Your Dog’s Personality? Harvard Neuroscientists Reveal

No two dogs are the same – each pooch has a personality of their own, complete with unique quirks and traits. But why is your dog the way they are? What shapes their personality and character? Why do they behave in a unique way, even when they belong to a certain breed with a distinct set of traits?This is the question that Erin Hecht, assistant professor of human evolutionary biology at Harvard, is trying to answer. She is doing this through  The Canine Brains Project and recently held a  talk - centered on canine neuroscience - that was organized by Harvard’s Brain Science Initiative.According to Hecht, dogs have the potential to teach us so much about brain development, especially considering the fact that they were domesticated about 20,000 to 40,000 years before the present – which, on the evolutionary timeline, is quite recent. “Darwin saw dogs as a window on mechanisms of evolution,” Hecht said. “When we’re looking at dogs, as a natural experiment and brain behavior evolution all we have to do is look at their brains and see what evolution did in order to satisfy those selection requirements.”Hecht’s efforts were benefited by her lab, which performs MRI scans of dog brains – roughly 100 per year. They also conduct owner surveys that examine dogs’ work skills, especially those “ancient” ones, like hunting, guarding, herding, fetching, and so on. All this is then compared to breed parameters, like body size, skill size, and overall shape. “About 80 percent of the dogs living on the planet today are what’s known as village dogs. These are free-ranging animals that live as human commensals. So they’re living within human society, but they’re not pets,” Hecht said.Through such research, Hecht is hoping to determine what exactly shapes a dog’s personality. Through her lab work, she connects personality and skill differences in dogs to six special regions of their brains:-the regions controlling drive and reward -olfaction and taste-spatial navigation-social communication and coordination-fight or flight -and olfaction and vision“There has been very strong recent specific selection in individual breeds rather than founding effects in ancestral founding populations,” Hecht said. “So then we can look at behavior and ask whether the types of behaviors that different lineages have been selected for historically … [explain] each dog’s anatomy and these six brain networks. And it seems like there are some interesting relationships here.”But most importantly, it is concluded that these neural pathways are greatly impacted by the shape and size of a dog’s skull. “It stands to reason that if you’re manipulating the shape of a skull, you’re going to be manipulating the shape of the brain,” Hecht said. “But this confirms that dogs with these extreme skull morphotypes have impacts on their brain anatomy that likely affects behavior.”She also adds that even though some dogs have a brain “makeup” that suggests a unique disposition, it doesn’t “lock” them into a set behavior pattern. This is especially true for working skills. “Training is almost always necessary. I have yet to hear of any particular breed of working dog, where it’s just born knowing how to do its job,” Hecht said.So, a look “inside” your doggo’s brain might reveal why they are just the way they are. Would you be curious enough to let scientists take a peek?

Latest Studies Find That Aging in Dogs Can Mirror Aging in Humans

In the United States alone, pet owners spend around $1,500 a year on  veterinary care. To be precise, people tend to spend more on dogs than on any other pets – up to 41% of Americans spend $2,000 per year caring about their cherished canine friends. Of course, this is all in the hopes that their pet reaches their senior age with minimal issues and that they get to spend as many years enjoying their company. While providing veterinary care is an important factor that contributes to a pet’s longevity, it’s not always easy to determine when a certain procedure or treatment will help prolong your pet’s life and not their suffering. By comparing the concept they labeled “frailty” in humans and in dogs, a team of researchers hopes that they can help owners make better decisions about their pet’s care.Scientists behind the “ Dog Aging Project” are studying how they could improve your dog’s quality of life for many years to come. The team from the University of Washington is conducting extensive research, based on dogs of all ages, in their attempts to determine how their quality of life is impacted as they age. Dr. Anya Gambino, one of the chief veterinarians working on the project, says: “There's a quantity of life. It's amazing to have a long life, but you always want to have quality of life." The team’s UW Biologist and the Co-Director of the Project, Daniel Promislow, quickly drew a parallel with humans. "Dogs get the same kinds of diseases that humans get. They also show the same kinds of frailty that we see in humans," he said.The so-called “frailty” of dogs, which is the object of the study, is already studied in humans. Dr. Promislow firmly believes that through this study, researchers can gain a much better understanding of life expectancies in dogs and potential disease risks as well. "We hope we'll be able to figure out the relationship between frailty and the disease," Promislow says. But what exactly is this “frailty”? Researchers describe it as "a complex syndrome associated with aging. Because it considers physical, mental and emotional changes associated with aging, it is a better indicator of the body’s condition and overall health than age alone.""If we can do that, we can help vets treat dogs earlier before those diseases are apparent and can also help dogs enjoy their later years to the best degree possible," said Promislow.The study is on a very grand scale and already enrolls over 46,000 dogs across the United States. What is best, researchers believe that humans can also benefit from this extensive study. "The other thing about aging in dogs is that aging in dogs looks a lot like aging in people," said Promislow. "What we learn about aging in dogs is going to help us learn about aging in people, as well."Hopefully, this would mean that many more dogs would get a chance to enjoy their golden years, right by their owner's side. "They provide us with so much unconditional love, joy, and humor," said Dr. Gambino. "We can do something for them that gives them the best chance for living a very happy life with us."

ACANA™ Pet Food Team Announces Nationwide Kitten Cuddler Promotion

Are you the next champion kitten cuddler? Because ACANA™ is looking for one! Their latest campaign is aimed at supporting  cat shelters, which can be overwhelmed with newborn kittens during increased birth rates amongst cats. In a bid to help, ACANA™ will help both shelters and kittens in the critical stages – from arrival to adoption. ACANA™, the pet food specialists, are preparing for the upcoming “kitten season”, attempting to increase public awareness of just how much work shelters could have during this time. In their latest effort, not only will they be donating cat food to the shelters, but they will also be offering $10,000 to one lucky cat lover to do nothing more but cuddle with kittens at a  Best Friends Animal Society center. They do this in hopes of encouraging others to volunteer as “kitten cuddlers”. Hopefully, their efforts will lead to increased adoptions of kittens, and completely eliminate the killing of unadopted cats and dogs in America, a goal to which Best Friends Animal Society is wholly dedicated to. And now, the help is needed the most. The so-called “ kitten season” spans from May to November, and it is the time of the year when female cats have most of their kittens. During this period, many animal shelters report a great influx of kittens that need care and adoption. It goes without saying that caring for a large number of gentle and fragile kitties is a labor-consuming and very challenging job. A shelter’s resources and staff can be very strained in this period, so all the help they can get is more than welcome. The ACANA™ pet food team is well aware of this and is donating 5,000 cases of wet kitten food in Apri. This is equivalent to about $250,000 at retail prices and comes to roughly 120,000 meals for kittens. Not only this, but the team also encourages everyone to volunteer at their local shelters and help with the many tasks surrounding kitten care. And a very important task is, of course, cuddling! Kitties are fragile and require constant care and all the love and warmth they can get. It is because of this need that ACANA™ will reward one person with $10,000 to cuddle kittens! The lucky winner will spend half a day at a Best Friends Animal Society lifesaving center, or a chosen network partner shelter this June. For their cuddling efforts, they will receive $10,000. "We believe in the total well-being of cats," said Billy Frey, Vice President, Marketing for Champion Petfoods. "ACANA™ pet food helps cats thrive through every stage of life, and a cat's earliest days set the tone for everything that follows. This program demonstrates our commitment to taking care of both the emotional and nutritional needs of kittens."The rules of the contest are straightforward. The prospective kitten cuddlers must be U.S. residents, and aged 18 or over. Needless to say, they must love kittens and have four hours available over one weekend in June 2024. Easy, yes? Additionally, contestants must pass a background check and cannot be in a partnership with a competing pet food brand. For a chance to be selected, you can enter the contest between March 27th through April 10th, 2024. Cuddlers, good luck!

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BARK Air Introduces a New Flight Tailored for Dogs

Onboard, they have carefully considered every aspect of air travel for dogs. For example, they serve all canine passengers their beverage of choice during ascent and descent to help prevent the discomfort often caused by cabin pressure changes. Of course, during the flight, your pup will be treated to a bit of pampering with dog-friendly snacks. “When we started BARK in 2011, we were on a mission to disrupt the dog space and create products designed for dogs and their humans. We are excited to take the insights we’ve learned over the years to create an experience that is truly dog-first, which is drastically different from just accepting dogs – from the ground to the skies,” explained BARK’s Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Matt Meeker. “We believe this initiative will elevate awareness of our brand’s mission and values, introduce more dog lovers to the BARK family, and help enrich the lives of dogs and their people around the world.” BARK Air will launch with limited routes from New York City’s Westchester County Airport (HPN) to Los Angeles’ Van Nuys Airport (VNY) and London, England’s Stansted Airport (STN). Dog parents are taking to social media, where the news is going viral, to express their excitement about the announcement. The first flights will take off on Thursday, May 23. Visit DogsFlyFirst.com for more information about BARK Air, available flights, and booking. Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

Are You A Hugger? Some Dogs Prefer You Back Off!

When it comes to snuggling your pet, the language of love can differ.

A Xmas Miracle: Shelter Empty for the First Time in Nearly 50 Years

It was a very merry Christmas for a Pennsylvania shelter whose kennels were empty for the first time in nearly 50 years. Just two weeks ago, the shelter was packed with cats and dogs. However, the staff and volunteers have been working around the clock to make sure the animals in their care got adopted into loving homes. The Adams County SPCA is overjoyed that the shelter is empty, especially during the holidays.“This is the first time in 47 years that the Adams County SPCA is empty let alone on Christmas time, it is a true miracle!” the shelter wrote on Facebook. “To say that we are beyond excited is an understatement! The staff and volunteers have worked very hard to take care of the animals in our care and to make sure they got adopted into the right home.”The organization had a busy year, taking care of 598 animals before adopting them into furever homes. The hardworking staff and volunteers also reunited 125 stay animals with their owners this year alone.Adams County SPCA kennel technician Tanya Hays said that in the last two weeks, the shelter found homes for 20 animals, either as adoptions or strays returned to their owners.“We had to get them all spayed and neutered, vaccinated, and tested for heartworms and thick-born illnesses while also processing a lot of (adoption) applications, so the staff worked really hard,” said Hays to TODAY.“It was pretty cool. It was quite a feat,” she added.The organization took to Facebook to thank their community. “Our community stepped up once again! We thank everyone for their continued support and look forward to new adventures in 2024!”Although it may seem like people are more motivated to adopt animals during the holidays, the shelter actually discourages people from giving pets as gifts because these animals are more likely to be returned to the shelter weeks later. While the staff and volunteers celebrated everything they achieved this year, they are already ready to get back to work. “We will be pulling animals from other shelters in Pennsylvania next week in hopes of relieving some of their stress,” the shelter shared. “Right now we are going to enjoy this accomplishment!”In a follow-up post, the organization shared that it has “received an overwhelming response” from different shelters across the country and also from Canada and Mexico. Members of the public have also reached out asking them to take in abandoned animals. “Even though our hearts break for them and the situation they are in we need to help the members of our community first,” the organization said. The Adams County SPCA is only taking animals from overwhelmed shelters in Pennsylvania and animals surrendered by residents within the county as well as those living in surrounding counties. “We are going to do the best we can to help as many animals and people we can.” Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

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.”

Why Does My Dog Paw or "Dig" His Food Bowl?

Sometimes, dogs can behave straight out quirky. The range of their weird behaviors varies from chasing their tail and scooting on their but, to “pawing” or “digging” food, which sort of looks like they’re burying their kibble but they’re not really doing anything. Have you ever seen your pooch trying to fake bury his food by pawing at it? Don’t worry, the behavior might look odd at the very least, but it’s not a reason for concern. Here’s what dogs that dig, bury, or paw their food are trying to tell you with this behavior.Why Does My Dog Paw or "Dig" His Food Bowl?Dogs may exhibit pawing or digging behavior around their food bowl for various reasons, and the interpretation can depend on the individual dog. By closely observing your dog's specific actions and considering these factors, you may gain a better understanding of why they engage in pawing behavior. Keep in mind that individual differences among dogs can lead to variations in behavior, and what holds true for one dog may not necessarily apply to another. Still, there are some common explanations that hold true for most situations when “pawing” is in question.Too Much Food Served:In the wild, dogs might use their paws to cover or bury their food to protect it from other animals or to save it for later. This behavior could be a residual instinct from their ancestors – if they eat a bit and then paw at their bowl before leaving the meal, it means that they are trying to stash the surplus away for later. Try downsizing their portions to see if the behavior goes away. Scent Marking: Dogs have scent glands in their paws, and pawing at the food bowl might be a way for them to mark the area with their scent. This could be a territorial behavior and might be seen in households where there are several dogs present. Excitement or Anticipation: Dogs might get excited about mealtime, and pawing at the bowl could be a way of expressing anticipation or eagerness for their food. This is especially true if they are eagerly pawing the ground even before the food has been served. These dogs can often be voracious eaters as well, so to prevent them from snarfing up their food in seconds, try utilizing a  slow feeder for dogs to promote a more appropriate pace of eating and prevent bloat and other digestive issues due to lack of chewing and fast eating.

Are Squeaky Toys Safe for Dogs?

When it comes to dog toys that engage and entertain – squeaky toys are a tried and true classic that fits the bill perfectly. While most dogs love the high-pitched tones these chewable and squeezable toys produce, some owners are not as thrilled and are wondering if there are any potential dangers when it comes to squeaky toys. Could the squeaker come off and pose a choking hazard, or can mold build up inside the hollow center, etc? These are all valid questions, so let’s see what the answers are. Are Squeaky Toys Safe for Dogs? Safety Concerns To Have In MindSafety should always be paramount when it comes to choosing toys for your furry friend, especially when it comes to squeaky toys. Not every squeaky toy is created equal, and some may pose risks to your canine companion. Before selecting a squeaky toy, it's crucial to consider several safety factors.Firstly, pay close attention to the material of the toy. Opt for squeaky toys made from durable, non-toxic materials. Avoid toys with small parts that could be easily chewed off and swallowed, as this could lead to potential choking hazards. Ideally, the squeaker should be highly inaccessible, such as is the case in these  Multipet Loofa Dog Toys with a hidden internal squeaker. The long tubular body of the toy concealed the squeaker and is also super fun for pooches to carry and toss around.

Can Cats Get Frostbite?

When a cat is exposed to extremely cold conditions, they are at risk of frostbite, which may require professional veterinary care. But what is frostbite, what puts a cat at risk of frostbite, and what can be done to treat it? Here’s a short guide to help you better understand this condition and keep your cat safe.

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