The Little Chihuahua Who Walked Into Our Lives When We Needed Her Most
There are moments in life that divide everything into “before” and “after.” For Crystal and me, losing our Dachshund, Dooney, was one of those moments. When Dooney passed away in May of 2025, we lost far more than a pet. We lost the little dog who had been part of our everyday life for over 17 years. She greeted us at the door, followed us from room to room, slept with us, and made our house feel like home. Anyone who’s experienced that kind of loss knows the feeling. Their toys are still there. Their bed is...
Bacteria for Cancer Therapy For Dogs and Cats
Think of the immune system like a security team. Sometimes cancer cells are sneaky and find ways to hide from that security team. Certain bacteria, when introduced into the body in a controlled and safe way, can essentially “sound the alarm,” waking up the immune system and pointing it directly at the cancer. Why Bacteria? Researchers have discovered that some bacteria have a natural ability to: Seek out and grow inside tumors, since tumors often have low oxygen environments where certain bacteria thrive Trigger a strong immune...
Caring for an Emotional Support Animal
A companion animal does something simple but powerful. They show up, every single day, without conditions or judgment. For pet parents managing anxiety, depression, PTSD, or other mental health conditions, that steady presence becomes part of their care. An emotional support animal (ESA) carries a role that goes beyond companionship. Their presence is recognized as part of a person’s mental health treatment. That distinction shapes how they need to be cared for, and what responsibilities a pet parent takes on in return. This guide...
The Vacation Is Over…So Why Is the Dog Still Acting Strange?
It’s pretty normal to feel a bit down when your vacation comes to an end – no more breakfast buffet, no more room service, and no more poolside cocktails. But one of the best parts of coming home is seeing your dog losing its mind with excitement at the door. Except sometimes the reunion does not go quite as expected. The dog seems flat, or clingy, or oddly subdued, almost as though they’ve forgotten how to be themselves. This is more common than most owners realize, and in most cases it has a straightforward explanation....
The Algorithm in the Exam Room: Who’s To Blame When AI Misdiagnosis Turns Deadly?
It’s the moment all pet parents dread: you run a hand along your dog’s neck during a Sunday cuddle and feel a lump that wasn’t there last week. You get an appointment fast. The vet takes a sample, and instead of waiting days for a lab across the country to call back, the clinic runs it through software that promises an answer in minutes. That lightning-fast speed is why the use of artificial intelligence is increasing in veterinary diagnostics, and it’s exactly what a Belgian Tervuren‘s family was counting on at...
Canine hip dysplasia: symptoms and treatment
Understand the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options for canine hip dysplasia, plus ways to improve your dog’s comfort and mobility. Canine hip dysplasia affects dogs of all shapes and sizes. Over time, it can severely impact a dog’s quality of life. But early intervention, proper management, and advancements in veterinary medicine means affected dogs can lead long, happy, comfortable lives. What causes hip dysplasia? Canine hip dysplasia (CHD) is a developmental orthopedic condition of the coxofemoral (hip) joint....
Entropion in Cats: Causes, Signs, and Treatment
If you’ve ever noticed your cat squinting, tearing up, or rubbing at their eyes frequently, there could be more going on than a simple irritation. One possible cause is a condition called entropion — a problem that affects the eyelids and can cause real discomfort for your feline companion. What Is Entropion? Entropion is a condition where the eyelid folds or rolls inward toward the eye. When this happens, the fur and skin along the eyelid edge rub directly against the surface of the eye. As you can imagine, this...
What the data says about rehoming (and why it might ease some fears)
If your organization has ever debated whether to recommend or partner with a rehoming program, you’re not alone. It’s one of the most common points of hesitation we hear from shelters and rescues, usually rooted in a few specific fears: that the community won’t accept it, that it could increase intake or that it’s simply an unknown risk not worth taking. Home to Home – a nonprofit, online interactive pet placement platform that helps pet owners find new homes (permanent or temporary) for their pets –...
Dogster’s Weekly Photo Contest Winners: Out On a Walk (August 17, 2026)
Welcome to our Dogster Weekly Photo Contest, where every other Monday we pick the best three photos from our readers, based on that week’s topic. This week’s topic was “Out On a Walk”, and we received some amazing photos from you. And although every dog is wonderful, we had to pick our winners. Congratulations, and thanks to everyone who submitted their dogs to our photo contest! Next topic is: “Couch Potato”. Do you want to have a chance to get your pup featured on Dogster, our Facebook, and...
Could Your Dog Be Warning You? Here’s What You Need to Know
If you’ve ever noticed your dog acting strange right before something bad happened, you’re not alone. In fact, a survey by the Associated Press found that 47 percent of dog owners reported that their dog had warned them about something dangerous or bad before it happened. That’s nearly half of all dog owners! So what’s going on, and should you pay attention when your dog starts acting odd? What Does a Warning Look Like? Dogs can’t talk, but they sure can communicate. When a dog senses that something...
