Asparagus: A Safety Net Fostering Success Story
Sep 30, 2026 Asparagus has been flexible about nearly everything in his life so far: several foster homes, a flood, a transport plan that’s changed more than once. That kind of flexibility also exemplifies Austin Pets Alive!’s Safety Net Fostering program: temporary care that flexes to fit whatever the situation demands, so a dog never loses the home he has waiting for just because the path there got complicated. Asparagus’s story began on the side of a road in Crystal City, Texas, where he was abandoned with his...
Are You Gonna Finish That? Why Some Dogs Always Leave Something In the Bowl
Most dogs don’t need much encouragement to finish a bowl of food, which makes it especially curious when one or two pieces of kibble are consistently left behind. It can happen meal after meal, with the same tiny piece sitting untouched at the bottom of the bowl. There may not be one definitive reason for the habit. Instead, several explanations could account for why a dog decides that one last piece isn’t worth eating, from instincts inherited from wild ancestors to simple anatomy. Saving Some For Later One explanation goes back...
Broadway Stars Shine and Shelter Dogs Take Center Stage at the Fetch Pet Gala!
When a room fills with Broadway stars, an evening at The Carlyle could easily become another glamorous New York event. But on October 19, the spotlight won’t be on those performing onstage; it will be shining on shelter dogs looking for homes. The second annual Fetch Pet Gala will bring musical superstars Bernadette Peters, Darren Criss, and Ariana DeBose together for a night of performances, dinner, and fundraising in support of pets and the people who care for them. Hosted by Fetch Pet Insurance, the gala has already sold out, with an...
The Gut-Kidney Axis in Cats
TL;DR The gut and kidneys in cats are interconnected. Issues in one can affect the other, so keeping both healthy is key for your cat’s overall well-being. If you’re worried, don’t hesitate to reach out to your vet. What Is the Gut-Kidney Axis? You might see your cat’s gut and kidneys as two separate entities, but they’re actually in constant conversation. This connection is known as the gut-kidney axis. The gut hosts trillions of tiny organisms, like bacteria and fungi, which we call the gut microbiome. When...
How to Pick Natural Chews for Your Dog
Walk into almost any pet shop today and you’ll find shelves lined with natural chews. And it’s easy to understand the appeal: Many pet parents want products with simple ingredients, fewer artificial materials, and a longer lifespan. Natural chews often seem to tick all those boxes, but that doesn’t mean they’re all right for your dog. Understanding the differences between natural chews for your dog can help you make safer, more informed decisions. This blog will cover how to pick natural dog chews, including why...
Dogster’s Weekly Photo Contest Winners: Saying ‘Hello!’ (September 28, 2026)
In this article View 10 moreShow less 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 “Saying ‘Hello!’”, 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: “Best Derp Face”. Do you want to have a chance to get...
Gua Sha for Dogs
TL;DR Gua Sha is an ancient Chinese healing practice that involves gently scraping the skin with a smooth tool. It’s been adapted for dogs to help boost circulation, ease muscle tension, and promote overall wellness. While it can be a helpful complementary therapy, always check in with your vet before trying it on your dog. What Is Gua Sha? Gua Sha has roots that go back thousands of years in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). The term roughly translates to “scraping sand.” Basically, it involves using a smooth-edged tool...
‘STRONGER TOGETHER’: Battersea Dogs Home & Global Alliance For Rabies Control Collaboration To Eliminate Rabies
This World Rabies Day (28 September, 2026), under the theme ‘Stronger Together’, Battersea Dogs & Cats Home and the Global Alliance for Rabies Control (GARC) are highlighting how collaboration is helping prevent rabies in South Africa, where two organisations have joined forces to vaccinate more than 4,000 dogs and cats across nine communities. South Africa is one of five countries – including the UK – supported by Battersea’s Global Programmes work. This provides training and strategic funding to strengthen...
Dogs Dream Like Us Humans
There’s a moment every dog lover can relate to. Mr. Fido slumped on the floor, fast asleep. You can’t help but smile and wonder, what could you possibly be dreaming about, you good being!? Well, science has a lovely answer, one that brings us even closer to these furry friends who already feel like family. The Science Just like us, dogs go through different stages of sleep, including REM (rapid eye movement) sleep, the phase where vivid dreaming happens. When they enter REM, their brain activity resembles ours quite a bit: heart...
Healed by a Dog Called Scar
“It’s just a dog.” When I hear those words, I wish they knew that, deep down, Scar is not just a dog to me. He is my entire world. Scar is my amazing dog partner, my teammate, my source of happiness, and the reason I am who I am today. Looking back over the last six years, I truly cannot imagine where I would be without him. img]:my-0 [&>img]:block [&>img]:w-full [&>img]:h-auto [&>img]:rounded-xl [&>a>img]:my-0 [&>a>img]:block [&>a>img]:w-full...
