One evening, we were invited for a doggy play date by a friend. As we entered the house, the air was thick with the smell of lavender oil, and my German Shepherd instantly started twitching his nose at the scent. We took the dogs out to the yard and the play date went smoothly, but…
Your dog comes running to greet you at the door only to skid mid-way and then struggle to find that sweet spot between excited gait and balance. Or they go running after their favorite ball but can hardly keep up as they scramble for grip. Scenes like these are all too common in homes with…
You’re walking your dog back home, after they’ve finished their business, leash in one hand, poop bag in the other. You toss the bag in the nearest trash can you can find. But is that really an eco-friendly dog poop disposal approach? This very question led me to the surprising discovery that dog poop isn’t…
Every morning, sharp at 6, my cuddly GSD comes to nudge me out of bed with his nose, as if to say, “Wake up, mommy, it’s time for my walk.” His dinner time is 8 pm, and if his dinner is delayed by a few minutes, he’s there by my side, making those puppy eyes,…
It’s a scene many dog owners know too well—an ambulance or fire truck passes by, sirens blaring, and suddenly your dog throws back his head and howls in response. As a mom to a very vocal German Shepherd, I’ve experienced this too many times to count. So, why do dogs howl at sirens? Is it…
Watching a dog discover a mirror is always a laugh riot. When my first German Shepherd saw himself in the mirror for the first time, he spent ten minutes barking at his twin in the glass and trying to attack the “intruder.” As I have learned over the years, this behavior is not uncommon. Dogs…
It’s a scene I’ve seen countless times as a pet mom: one paw down, eyes fixed on that spot, and my dog licking his paws, oblivious to the world around him. Through the years, I’ve learned that paw licking causes can range from itchy allergies to tiny cuts, something stuck in your pet’s paws, a…
I have seen first hand how dehydration in dogs sneaks up on you when you least expect it. A dog rescued by a shelter I volunteer at refused to move indoors on a hot afternoon, and his handlers noticed that he was lethargic, stopped drinking or eating, and was generally disinterested in his surroundings. The…
It’s a sight all too common in homes with dogs: one minute your pup is calm, the next they’re going around in goofy circles. These episodes of high-octane play are commonly called dog zoomies. Veterinarians have a formal name for them: FRAPs (frenetic random activity periods). Of course, its adorable and hilarious to watch your…
Dog ear mites can be a real pain to deal with, especially because they’re so hard to diagnose. Picture this: your pet is scratching at his ear incessantly, shaking his head like crazy, and you begin to notice foul smelling waxy debris building up more than usual. Is it a case of ear mites or…