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A man and his dog find stash of rare books on the sidewalk; 8 months later, library solves the mystery
CHICAGO -- On an evening walk in Chicago's North Center neighborhood back in early March, Sparky — Robert Miller’s golden brown mutt that weighs 35 pounds and has hunting dog in its DNA — seemingly caught a scent.
“She’s a creature of habit,” said Miller, a retired 75-year-old who has lived in the neighborhood for about a dozen ...Read more
Thanksgiving safety for your dog
Thanksgiving is fast approaching, which means there is plenty to be done, planning each dish and table setting. With so much going on, it’s important to keep in mind that there will be a lot of food around and you might not be able to give your dog your full, undivided attention.
This gives your pup plenty of opportunities to sneak some ...Read more
A Missouri deer hunter just killed a mountain lion. How common are these big cats?
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A Missouri deer hunter reportedly killed a mountain lion Monday, Nov. 18, according to a social media post from the Missouri Department of Conservation.
“We are aware of an incident that occurred this past weekend in Iron County where a deer hunter killed a mountain lion,” the department wrote on Facebook on Monday. “...Read more
Research aims to improve quality of life for dogs with epilepsy
Just like people, dogs can suffer from epilepsy.
This seizure disorder is characterized by uncontrolled electrical activity in the brain resulting in abnormal movements, altered behavior, and/or loss of consciousness. Seizures can have many causes, such as trauma, infection, metabolic disturbances, brain tumors and more. When no specific ...Read more
A dog's congressional life: Babydog to Dakota, Deco to Splash and more
WASHINGTON — Sen.-elect Jim Justice already knew that his canine companion, Babydog, would not be allowed on the Senate floor, but much of the rest of the Capitol building is dog-friendly — and has been for years.
“Senator-Elect Bernie Moreno jokingly asked about dogs and mentioned Babydog in jest. I told them they do not have to worry ...Read more
Dogs competed in a 'smile-off' contest at the National Dog Show preview. Everybody won
PHILADELPHIA — Two dog breeds renowned for their uncanny smiles — the Lancashire heeler and the Samoyed — were pitted head-to-head in a “smile-off” contest at the National Dog Show press preview Tuesday, shepherding in howls of laughter from the crowd and confused head tilts from the contestants.
These noble descendants of wolves, ...Read more
Winter is coming: Tips to prepare for the cold and keep your dog safe
As the winter season is creeping up on us, chances are your dog can feel the change in weather too! As responsible pet owners, it is important to take extra good care of our canine companions during the winter months.
The American Kennel Club recommends the following tips for a safe winter season.
Be mindful of window drafts. Small dogs ...Read more
The American Kennel Club shares clues to know when your dog needs a visit to the dentist
Caring for your dog’s teeth is an important part of keeping them healthy. Brushing your dog’s teeth should be a regular activity to keep their mouth and teeth in good condition. However, sometimes the dental care required goes beyond your own capabilities.
To help you keep your dog and their smile healthy, the American Kennel Club ...Read more
Bay Area man claims his French bulldog, moved from 1st class to coach, died due to airline's negligence
SAN JOSE, Calif. — Michael Contillo claims he did everything necessary to ensure his two beloved French bulldogs, Ash and Kora, had a safe flight back to San Francisco International Airport from New York City — including flying first class so the dogs would have more room.
But shortly before takeoff, the flight crew made him and his dogs ...Read more
Answer Angel: Dog ramps and alternatives
Dear Answer Angel Ellen: My lovable 90-pound collie, Oliver, is getting old and his back legs are not what they used to be and he has great trouble getting into the back of my SUV for our frequent outings. I’m not as strong as I used to be so, it is nearly impossible to lift him into the car.
The problem is that the dog ramps...Read more
Beware of Halloween hazards for your dog
Halloween, with its tricks and treats, is a widely celebrated holiday. It also can be a dangerous time for your dog, with increased calls to the pet poison hotline.
Whatever your Halloween plans are, whether you will dress up your pup in costume or greet trick or treaters at home, the American Kennel Club offers the following tips for having...Read more
How dogs were implicated during the Salem witch trials
I teach a course on New England witchcraft trials, and students always arrive with varying degrees of knowledge of what happened in Salem, Massachusetts, in 1692.
Nineteen people accused of witchcraft were executed by hanging, another was pressed to death and at least 150 were imprisoned in conditions that caused the death of at least...Read more
Dog bites: How to prevent or treat them
Each year, more than 4.5 million dog bites occur in the United States. Despite what you might assume, most of these incidents dot happen when an unfamiliar dog attacks someone in a park or another outdoor location. Instead, most dog bites are inflicted by a pet dog in a home.
Here’s advice for avoiding these upsetting and potentially serious ...Read more
Carrie Fisher's Dog Steals The Spotlight
Did you know that August 26th is World Dog Day? Here are some of our favourite celebrity dog stories.
Service dogs can reduce the severity of PTSD for veterans – new research
Service dogs can alleviate some symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder for veterans, according to a study our team published in June 2024 in the medical journal JAMA Network Open.
Over the past decade, our research group has been studying whether trained service dogs can help veterans with PTSD – a mental health condition that ...Read more
When people are under economic stress, their pets suffer too – we found parts of Detroit that are animal welfare deserts
Nearly two-thirds of U.S. households have at least one pet. More than ever before, companion animals are a part of life – particularly in cities, where the majority of Americans live.
Cities offer access to many resources, but often it’s not distributed evenly. Some scholars describe parts of U.S. cities with few or no grocery ...Read more
Pets give companionship, cuddles and joy – and also unavoidable stresses
Owning a pet can be a roller coaster. There are the highs, like when your dog greets you with a full-body wiggle when you return home, or when your cat purrs loudly as you cuddle next to one another. Then there are the lows, like stressful trips to urgent care, waking up to that unpleasant vomiting noise, or making the difficult choice to say...Read more
Could sharing a bedroom with your pets be keeping you from getting a good night’s sleep?
Sleeping with your dog in the same room could be negatively affecting your sleep quality, according to my team’s recently published research in Scientific Reports.
We recruited a nationally representative sample of more than 1,500 American adults who completed questionnaires assessing their sleep habits. Overall, about half of the ...Read more
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