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Check Out Giant Dogs On the Free 2024 Calendar of the Portland USACE

Angela Vuckovic
by Angela Vuckovic
Published:  November 10th, 2023


Portland District, US Army Corps of Engineers/Facebook

Who knew that calendars featuring gigantic cats could be such a hit! Last year, the Pacific Northwest-based U.S. military personnel issued their own calendars which featured enormous kitties that oversaw construction projects making a seemingly ordinary calendar - a ton of fun. Needless to say, their hilarious (and completely free) calendar went viral, so they wanted to repeat last year’s success. 


This year, however, the Portland branch of the US Army Corps of Engineers, which is based in Oregon, decided to “branch out”, and their new yearly 2024 calendar will feature gigantic doggos as well. This was a logical follow-up to their viral social media campaign of the previous year, when kittens stole the show. 


The personnel of this military branch handles tough civil works in the whole of Oregon and southwestern Washington, so a bit of lighthearted humor really goes a long way for them. Their staff got the idea of superimposing photos of cats and dogs into quality landscape photos of the most important public infrastructure projects that the teams were involved with. 


The idea was an instant hit. And now, their 2024 calendars in both cat and dog editions can be freely downloaded in a PDF format, allowing quick and easy printing. You can find the dog calendar here and the cat calendar here.


“This product was created to tell the story of our district and what we do in a way that’s actually enjoyable for the average member of the public,” Portland district spokesman Chris Gaylord said. Mr. Gaylord further said that the whole project was their effort to portray an otherwise rough and industrial work in a more entertaining light. 


And it is also a way for the workers to get some steam off as well. After all, they are busy throughout the year, operating more than 700 dams and 12,000 miles of inland waterways. 


“It was really so inspiring to see how much joy this little product brought to people all over the world,” Gaylord said, after their first calendar “won over the internet”, getting an incredible 530,000 downloads on their website. 


To make matters even more memorable, the photos of the pets are from the employees themselves! Gaylord received almost 750 photos from 150 workers. Choosing just a few to include in the calendar was no easy task. 


But to make everyone satisfied, a page at the end of the calendar includes a grid with most of the pets that did not make it onto the big pages. What do you think – which pooch of the month is your fave?

WOW
Angela Vuckovic
Angela Vuckovic

A proud mama to seven dogs and ten cats, Angela spends her days writing for her fellow pet parents and pampering her furballs, all of whom are rescues. When she's not gushing over her adorable cats or playing with her dogs, she can be found curled up with a good fantasy book.

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Scientists Uncover Secrets of Extinct "Wooly Dog" Breed

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A Six-legged Abandoned Dog Has Surgery to Remove Extra Limbs

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Are Dogs Smarter than Cats?

The rivalry between cats and dogs is an age-old thing. Many pet owners are divided in their affections, as some adore kitties, but others are strictly doggo lovers. And this rivalry poses an intriguing question – could there be a difference between cats and dogs? While both are cuddly and loveable, they are inevitably different. So, could it be possible that  dogs are smarter than cats, or vice versa? This is a popular question in the scientific world, and many tried answering it. Let’s see what they came up with.Are Dogs Smarter than Cats? For ages, the debate on the rivalry between cats and dogs has been ongoing. Ultimately, however, it all depends on how you define “smart”. Dogs are often loved for their obedience, their ability to be trained and follow commands, their unwavering loyalty, and their excellent guardian traits. Cats, on the other hand, are known for their independence, their adaptability and problem-solving skills, their free and restless spirit, and their cuddly nature. So, as we can see, while generally different in personalities, both of these animals possess certain cognitive skills – but is one smarter than the other?Recent studies have revealed that both dogs and cats possess unique cognitive abilities suited to their respective lifestyles and evolutionary histories. Meaning, they are completely different animals. Dogs, for example, originated from domesticated canines, far, far back in history. They were bred over thousands of years to work alongside humans, protect flocks, help with hunting, and guard homes. This, in turn, has likely influenced their ability to understand and communicate with us, and to be so devoted as pets. But cats are different. In stark contrast to doggos, cats have retained more of their wild instincts, allowing them to thrive in a variety of environments and situations.All of this means that you can’t really compare the intelligence of a cat and that of a dog. It’s like comparing apples and oranges – it just doesn’t go. Each animal excels in different areas and possesses different strengths. It's more accurate to appreciate the unique qualities of each species rather than trying to determine which one is "smarter."But even so, scientists tried to reach a decisive conclusion. They studied both cats and dogs and ultimately reached an answer - at least, scientifically speaking. Their research shows that dogs are smarter than cats! Some of you might find this answer surprising but don’t raise a revolt just yet. Cats are super intelligent even so. It’s just that they are likely not as smart as some dogs are. The secret is in “smartness” itself. Dogs are intelligent in their own way. They are generally more reliant on humans for problem-solving tasks, but they are adept at learning from observation and experience. They can also be trained to perform a wide range of tasks, from simple tricks to complex behaviors, such as guiding the visually impaired or detecting explosives. Cats, however, are natural hunters and possess excellent problem-solving skills. They are known for their agility, stealth, and ability to strategize when stalking their prey. In a domestic setting, cats demonstrate problem-solving abilities when navigating obstacles, finding hiding spots, and even manipulating objects to access food or toys. So, both of them have different positive traits and different types of intelligence. But it could be that dogs, with their ability to learn and obey commands, are just a tad bit smarter.

Does Your Dog Have What it Takes to Be a B.A.R.K. Ranger?

Is your dog your favorite adventure buddy? Do you dream of exploring America’s National Parks system with your furry best friend by your side? While many parks have limitations on where dogs are allowed, the popularity of pet-friendly travel is on the rise. In response, the U.S. National Park Service introduced a program to teach dog parents how to travel with their pups responsibly – the B.A.R.K. Ranger Program. But does your dog have what it takes to be a B.A.R.K. Ranger? What is involved in earning that title anyway? In this article, we will break down the B.A.R.K. principles and why they are so important for responsible outdoor travel. We will also share tips for helping your dog become a certified B.A.R.K. ranger. What Does the Acronym “B.A.R.K.” Stand For? Let’s start at the beginning—what exactly is the B.A.R.K. Ranger program, and what does the acronym “B.A.R.K.” stand for? Recognizing that a growing number of dog parents wanted to bring their pups with them when visiting the parks, the U.S. National Park Service recognized a need for education on how to travel with dogs responsibly. This means focusing on the importance of respecting the environment, local wildlife, and other visitors to the park. This program is a partnership between the National Park Service (NPS) and the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT). It is part of the Healthy Parks Healthy People Initiative, which is focused on the idea that “parks can be gateways to good health – for people and the planet.” The B.A.R.K. acronym stands for: B – Bag your pet’s wasteA – Always leash your petR – Respect wildlife K – Know where you can goThe concept is similar to the traditional Leave No Trace principles but focuses on how a dog may impact the environment and the overall park experience. What Are the Qualifications to Become a B.A.R.K. Ranger? The good news is that the requirements to become a B.A.R.K. Ranger are very broad. The program is open to dogs of all ages, breeds, sizes, and activity levels. From the senior chihuahua who prefers to be carried along the trail while still enjoying the fresh air to the high-energy Border Collie who could hike for days without stopping, all are welcome! So, does your dog meet the qualifications? As long as they are dog – YES!What is the Process of Getting Your Dog’s B.A.R.K. Ranger Certification? This is where the conversation becomes a little more complicated. While the B.A.R.K. Ranger program is a National Park Service program, the exact requirements to be named a B.A.R.K. Ranger vary from park to park. This allows each park to customize the program to best suit its area and the needs of those who visit each park specifically. At some parks, you will be asked to take a booklet and fill it out. Once you have completed the booklet, you will receive your commemorative leash tag. At other parks, a program is offered that you will attend to learn more about the B.A.R.K. principles and how they can be applied in your travels. Finally, some parks make it incredibly easy. They ask those interested to learn about the B.A.R.K. principles at home before coming to the park. Upon arrival, the dog's parents are asked if they understand and agree with them. They then take a pledge to follow these principles before their dog is given the coveted title.

Do You Need to Clean A Cat's Teeth?

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What Is Pyoderma In Dogs?

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How Do I Manage My Dog's Separation Anxiety When I'm At Work?

No one likes to be separated from their cherished pet for too long. But going to work is unavoidable for most of us, and, inevitably, our pets have to stay home alone. It might not seem like a big deal to you, knowing you’ll be back after a few hours, but it is definitely a big deal for your dog. In fact, most pet dogs are affected by this separation so much that they can experience anxiety and stress, ranging from mild discomfort to severe panic. Needless to say, this is traumatic for your pet (and can result in destroyed valuables, too) so it’s important to learn how to help them manage anxiety when you’re away. Here are some tips to help you navigate your pet’s separation anxiety while you’re at the office. 6 Ways To Prevent Dog Separation Anxiety When You’re At WorkGoing off to work and leaving their pet behind is a challenge for many pet owners around the world, especially those who live alone. When you're at the office, you need to make sure your pet is safe and taken care of until you come back. But even when you organize everything, your pet might feel stressed out on their own - even when it’s for a few hours, your dog won’t know why you left or even if you are coming back which can be a trigger for a panic attack for some canines. Some, especially  velcro dogs, get so nervous and stressed that they develop a separation anxiety disorder. But even so, there are many ways to help your pet cope when you're at work, regardless of the severity of their anxiety – here are 6 ways to reduce stress for your four-legged bestie.Create a Consistent Routine:Dogs thrive when they have a routine. Establish a consistent daily schedule for feeding, walks, and playtime. This helps them know what to expect and when. You can create their schedule around your work hours, so your pet will not find it odd that you are not there when they know what to expect before and after your shift (e.g. walk and mealtime).Gradual Departures and Arrivals:Don't make a big fuss when leaving or returning home. Keep your arrivals and departures low-key to reduce anxiety. This helps normalize the process. Make it seem like you just popped out for a few minutes. If you help your dog understand it is not a big deal, they might pick up on your relaxed energy and stay calm when you depart.Offer Interactive Toys: 

What Causes Heartworm in Dogs?

One of the most dangerous threats to the health of dogs around the world is the dreaded  heartworm. Most people are not even aware of the illness, until it is too late for  treatment and the damage has already been done. In fact, many dog owners are not at all familiar with heartworm, how it occurs, how it progresses, and what causes it in the first place. That’s why we’ll go into all of the details every dog owner should know about heartworm. What Is Heartworm Disease in Dogs and What Causes It?Heartworm disease in dogs is caused by a parasitic worm, called Dirofilaria Immitis. These are most simply put, heartworm larvae, and are carried within mosquitos. And that’s how they are transmitted – through the bite of an infected mosquito. When a mosquito, carrying a heartworm larva, bites a dog, it immediately transmits the larvae onto the dog’s skin. This is how the heartworm enters the bloodstream, through the teeny tiny mosquito bite wound – yes, that is how incredibly small these larvae are. After this, over the course of several months, the deposited larvae mature and grow into adult worms that nest and reside within your dog’s heart, blood vessels, and lungs. Once they become adults and enter the animal’s system, these worms can really cause substantial damage to the lungs, heart, and even other organs. This damage is then manifested through visible symptoms, such as fatigue, weight loss, difficulty breathing, coughing, and – in the most extreme cases – heart failure. Heartworm needs to be treated. Otherwise, this disease can be fatal to dogs. Of course, your most common precaution is through regular use of heartworm preventatives, as well as minimizing exposure to mosquitoes or mosquito-dense areas. This can help protect your doggo from contracting a potentially deadly disease. Preventing And Treating Heartworm Disease in DogsThis being said, we need to take into account that heartworm disease won’t be common in all parts of the world equally. The disease is prevalent in parts of the world with warm or humid climates, and high populations of mosquitoes. This is not an exclusive rule, however, and the disease can occur in all parts of the world, including temperate zones. As a diligent dog owner, you should get familiar with your region and if needed, take precautionary measures. If you live in an area where there are a lot of mosquitoes, you can invest in things like mosquito repellents for dogs. 

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!

Media Maven Martha Stewart Gets Push Back Over Dog Food Recipe

Use of "home-grown" meat draws ire from followers and falls on the heels of last year's negative press.

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.

New Study Shows Surprising Effect of Pet Ownership on Seniors

You’ve probably noticed how your four-legged bestie influences your mood for the better, but did you know that your pet might be beneficial to your brain? That’s right! The latest studies show that your pet and their company could be just the thing to lower the risk of dementia in your golden years. These findings are especially important for single senior pet owners who are at risk of this troubling illness as they reveal that having a pet can make a drastic change. A recent study that involved adults over the age of 50 who lived alone revealed that those living in the company of a loved pet will have considerably less decline in their verbal fluency and verbal memory - compared to those who lived without a pet. This research was published in the  journal JAMA Network Open and was based on data taken from 7,945 people in the mentioned age group.This study, however, only reflects on people who live alone and does not involve participants who lived with other persons in the household. Still, while the results reinforce the fact that loneliness is a major risk factor for cognitive decline and dementia in old age, they also reveal something new – that the company of a pet counts as much as the company of human family members, if not more so.The early signs of cognitive decline can be fluency, verbal issues, cognition, and memory problems, and so on. But if you have the company of a pet, whom you can address and care for, can greatly reduce the feelings of loneliness and keep these cognitive issues at bay. This study and its results are very important in today’s day and age and for many Americans in particular. Recent U.S. Census Bureau insights revealed that almost 28 percent of all households in the United States were “one-person households” in 2020. This is an alarmingly large number and shows us that many people aged 50 and older will face lonely senior years. Of course, even though the results of this study show that older people can maintain their mental health through the company of a pet, the research team emphasized that more advanced studies and clinical trials will be required to fully confirm the results. Yet even so, the lack of an effective therapy that can reverse or slow cognitive decline and treat dementia means that these results are a small but very important benefit for the understanding of these issues. And, needless to say, all those who are entering their senior years and want to spend them in a healthier and more beneficial way now know that their next station should probably be a local pet shelter. Find a pet you can love and cherish - and keep your brain healthy while showering them with affection.

It's a Match! Winnipeg Rescue Intro's Doggie Dates

Prospective owners can sweep their prospective partner away for the night, a weekend, or a week, before deciding to commit.

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.

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