There is a growing number  of pets in our communities that need support and affection; as animal lovers it can be difficult when we see beautiful dogs and cats that are looking for homes, and our circumstances means that we can't take on a pet in our home.  It could be that you live in [...]

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We can all fall for the “Aww Cute” factor when we see gorgeous pics of kittens, puppies, dogs and cats online.  Most are just adoring pet parents sharing pics of their beloved fur friends – but it’s important to watch out when you see pets being advertised online in particular on sites such as Facebook, [...]

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Do you feed your dog fresh veggies? There seems to be some degree of controversy around “people food” for dogs circulating at all times. (Read: The trouble with table food, a post from 2015!) I truly believe that hesitation around sharing food with dogs centers around decades of marketing–you must feed dog food, which is […]

This space exists so that we can share honestly in a digital world that often is far too glossy. So, here goes: Some days, today being one, I don’t like Cooper. He can be a jerk. And, when he’s a jerk, I just don’t like him. I love him, of course. I love him to […]

A few weeks ago, I started our morning litter box routine. Newt and Ripley share three boxes: one upstairs, one in the laundry room, and one in my bathroom. Twice a day, I start with the box upstairs, scoop all three, then move on with our day! That morning, I scooped the upstairs box and […]

Safety first. That phrase permeates everything, doesn’t it? Whether it’s the painstaking child-proofing of your home, or the rules you teach and enforce (Look both ways! Wash your hands! Hold mommy’s hand!) it’s always safety first. Yet, somehow, we fall flat when we’re at home with our kids and pets. We take it for granted–She’s […]

I love Dog World, this space built on a shared love and compassion for our furry friends. The most important relationships in my life grew from this space, and I’ve learned to take better care of my pets along the way. Dog World (that should be a theme park, imo…) brings joy, laughter, tears, and […]

Have you jumped on the turmeric bandwagon yet? It seems to be all the rage right now, and I’ll admit: I’m late to the party! Why? Well, I think it’s my natural desire to push back, to rebel. I read a ton of cancer stuff online–which I need to stop doing–but I can’t even tell […]

Last year I announced the launch of my new “pet” project, The Zero-Waste Pet. (Sorry for the terrible pun.) Then I promptly forgot to come back here and share any of it, so today I’m going to remedy that with a quick roundup! Everything Aspiring Eco-Friendly Dogs and Cats Need to Know If you’re brand […]

What is the worst thing you can do if your pet goes walkabout?  Well the biggest mistake is to not act quickly enough.  Think of your pet as a toddler - how long could they survive on their own if they were lost? Most pets are found relatively close to home, and thankfully, most pets [...]

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We all love summer, don't we?  It's the time to get out and enjoy the great outdoors, providing of course that it's not TOO hot!  But what should you be aware of that could present a danger to your pet in the summer? Heat Yes - it is stating the obvious, but that doesn't mean [...]

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We're in the midst of a heatwave in Australia, but of course it is not an uncommon event.  But still we need to remind ourselves that our pets can also get heatstroke which can go downhill very quickly and even result in death. With humans, we perspire and this can have a cooling effect on [...]

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We recently returned from Cooper’s vacation! We’ve done this almost annually since Emmett’s youngest days with us. We pack our bags and head to a cabin in the woods somewhere for a long weekend of pet-approved activities: hiking, napping, snacking, whatever! It’s super fun to plan a trip around your dog because… well… let’s talk […]

Welcome, friends, to the 9th Annual Pet Blogger Challenge. This is my eighth time participating, and if you’re not a blogger, these Q’s and A’s might give you a glimpse into what it’s like! It seems 2018 packed a punch for many of us. I know I spent the year caught up in my own […]

Do you have an itchy dog? Does your pup suffer from skin ickiness that varies by season? Then this one might be for you… Quick, obvious disclaimer: I’m not a vet. I’m not a vet tech. I’m not anything useful. I’m just a writer. I tend to research obsessively and try only what I deem […]

Several years ago, a friend of mine wanted to adopt a specific breed. She reached out to a number of breed-specific rescues who all told her the same thing: Sorry, you don’t have a fenced-in yard. So, what did she do? She contacted a reputable breeder in her state and purchased a pup. Did I […]

As the heat of summer increases, we are reminded that this is the time of year where we all like to get out on the water. And that can include our four legged friends. Of course, humans need to take precautions for themselves, such as protecting themselves from the sun, the surf, rips and hidden [...]

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Cooper: “I guess it depends on your definition of ‘spoiled.’ Like, yesterday, Lady forgot to move my blanket into the sun spot on the couch in her office so I had to choose between napping in the shade but on the blanket or napping in the sun but on the blanket-less couch. Do you call […]

I’ve been researching a post about adoption barriers, and I have a whole huge situation–with footnotes!–coming on that in the new year. For now, though, one thing I’ve encountered over and over again in my research: Limiting adoptions for the holidays throws up yet another adoption barrier not founded in data. I am fully aware […]

At an event many years ago, I chatted with someone who was a pretty pet-savvy person. We talked about dog food, and I mentioned adding fresh veggies–carrots, beans, peas, etc.–to the boys’ food. She looked aghast. “I don’t feed my dogs people food,” she said. “I don’t want to turn them into beggars.” OK, the […]

This story starts Thanksgiving Day. We took Cooper and Violet hiking in a nearby nature preserve. We wanted to burn off Coop’s energy before we left for Thanksgiving dinner at my brother’s, plus burn off a few preemptive calories before all the pies. Well. Turns out, every other person and pup in central Indiana felt […]

If you’ve rescued a dog, it can often be the case that they have had a chequered history and may not behave as you would wish.  You may be disappointed as they shy away from attention and love from you, they may freak out on a walk, and their house training may seem like a [...]

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Whilst humans are not exactly the same as dogs, there are similarities when it comes to heart health. The good news is that dogs rarely get coronary artery disease, whilst this is relatively common for humans. But there are conditions which mean the heart muscle weakens, such as congestive heart failure, which are real concern [...]

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In many ways pets are like humans.  For example, when they go off their food - like you or me, it could be a symptom of something going on.  It's not normal, and if a pet is not eating or drinking, it is a sign of a very serious problem.   The issue could be one [...]

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OK, Newtie. I know what you’re thinking. You’re thinking, Of course. Of course you’re late writing my letter. I’m amazed you’re even writing one at all. How many years have you missed, hmmmm?  I could argue that I’m writing this Gotcha Day letter a little early! Looking back, you appeared at John’s Louisiana apartment end of […]

Welcome to the third and final day of this year’s holiday gift guide! If you haven’t checked out the others yet, be sure to scope out the best gifts for pets and the best handmade gifts for pet lovers. (And enter to win all the gifts listed in each!) For today, this guide is all […]

It’s Small Business Saturday, y’all! I love supporting small businesses and handmakers. One of my faves, of course, is through Etsy. My husband has an Etsy shop, and I know how meaningful every sale is to him, so I love to support others when and where I can. And what better time and place than […]

Each year, we delight in bringing you the best of the best for the holiday season. We combed through dozens of treats, toys, and other (sometimes super-duper random) pet supplies and ultimately landed on these 10. Half the list is treats because, let’s be real here, treats are probably the only things our pets realllllyyyyyy […]

I prefer Thanksgiving to Christmas. At least, I prefer the spirit of Thanksgiving, of expressing thanks and gratitude and joy, to the consumer-driven craze Christmas has become. Don’t get me wrong: I love presents, giving and receiving, and I love decorations and pretty lights. I love holiday food and cookies galore. I can’t wait to […]

We love to get outside all year round, and we live in Indiana–it gets cold! and dark! and snowy! In fact, the day I’m writing this, we experienced an ice storm overnight that closed schools, and now it’s snowing on top of the ice. This weather makes me want to bundle up, throw Coop’s coat […]