Let the Kibble Games Begin: Gizmo’s Adventure Meals
Welcome to the Wednesday Dogs of Dogster! Every Wednesday, we share a story from one of our Dogsters. This week is about Kate & Gizmo, her scruffy Pug mix. Gizmo’s a smart little dude, and especially when I first adopted him, he needed a lot of entertainment and enrichment, for both mind and body. My dog trainer gave me a great bit of advice: meals are his favorite time of the day, so why would you waste that on a bowl? His breakfasts and dinners quickly became the best time of the day for both of us, as I devised elaborate games...
Happy New Year’s Eve From Dogster – How to Keep Your Dog Safe During Fireworks
Happy New Year’s Eve! We hope you have had a lovely holiday season, and are ready to ring in the new year and say a pleasant farewell to 2024. In many parts of the world, New Year’s Eve is celebrated with music, dancing, drinking, and fireworks. For those who don’t have a dog in their home, the events of the last day of the year are more than welcome, but some of the celebrations are dreaded for the dog parents out there. As the parent of an anxious rescue dog, fireworks now stress me out as much as they do her. Dogs can be...
Dog New Year’s Resolutions: Lava’s Plans for 2025
VET APPROVED The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research. Learn more » Hi, I’m Dr. Maja! Read my introduction to learn more about me and my two crossbreed dogs, Lava and Hela. It’s almost New Year! Most of us spend the final few days of the Old Year thinking of our New Year’s resolutions and all the things we want to change and improve going forward, in between all the preparations and planning for the big night. How about dogs? In all honesty, they don’t care...
Volunteering with Your Dog to Support Animal Welfare
Animal Wellness is North America’s top natural health and lifestyle magazine for dogs and cats, with a readership of over one million every year. AW features articles by some of the most renowned experts in the pet industry, with topics ranging from diet and health related issues, to articles on training, fitness and emotional well being. Source: Animal Wellness...
Ask Dr. Paola: Monday December 30, 2024
VET APPROVED The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research. Learn more » Welcome to our “Ask Dr. Paola” series, where every Monday we bring expert advice straight from Dr. Paola Cuevas (MVZ) to help our readers better understand their dog’s health and well-being. Whether you’re a new pet parent or a seasoned dog lover, Dr. Paola is here to provide answers to your most pressing questions. From nutrition tips and preventive care to troubleshooting common behavioral...
The Best of 2024: Dr. Karyn’s 5 Favorite Posts
VET APPROVED The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research. Learn more » Hi, I’m Dr. Karyn! Read my introduction to learn more about me and my five funny dogs, Poppy, Bailey, Kodah, Ned, and Fred. As we enter that bleary-eyed confusing period between Christmas and New Year, I thought I’d take this chance to look back over the highlights of my year spent documenting the various antics and inspiration my dogs have provided and entertained us with. Well, I’ve been...
50 Homes For Dogs By New Year’s Eve To Begin Emergency Shelter Renovations
Dec 27, 2024 Austin Pets Alive! has received permission from the City of Austin to make urgent repairs to our kennels and long-overdue renovations to our 70-year-old shelter that will ensure better care, comfort and safety for our animals and staff. We’d like to begin the work as soon as possible, but several steps must be taken before we can begin. First, we need to move as many dogs as possible into foster or adoptive homes so that we’re operating with just 100 open kennels. We’ve been working towards our 100 kennels goal...
Dogster Photo Contest: Dogs of the Week Winners (December 26, 2024)
Click to Skip Ahead This Week’s Winner Name: Termite Breed: Chihuahua Fun Fact: This was her first bank biscuit. She was so proud of it she wouldn’t put it down even to bark. When we got home she immediately ran off and buried it in a flower pot. Cutest Name: Barney Breed: Havadoodle Fun Fact: “Fell Asleep Waiting For Santa”. Barney is named after my dad who passed away recently, he is a two year old havadoodle and full of personality! He is always ready to cuddle in the recliner with you or chase after he favorite pet...
The 12 Days of Christmas If Written by Dogs
Welcome to the Wednesday Dogs of Dogster! Every Wednesday, we share a story from one of our Dogsters. This week is about Amanda and her sweet Chihuahua, Subi. Christmas songs are the tree toppers of holiday parties. It is impossible not to feel joy or the Christmas spirit when the classics are buzzing in the background of a holiday party. The 12 Days of Christmas is an especially fun one that sparks impromptu singalongs, usually ending in a debate about the number of geese-a-laying or maids-a-milking. A quintessential tune that’s bound...
292 Neutering and Spay Successes in One Day: Dogster’s Dr. Paola Volunteers in Panama
On Saturday, December 14, 2024, Nueva Gorgona, Panama, experienced a significant milestone in animal welfare as 360 cats and 292 dogs were spayed and neutered over the course of the weekend, totaling 652 animals. This incredible effort addressed both stray and roaming populations, significantly reducing the number of animals at risk in the community. This incredible effort addressed pet, stray, and roaming populations, significantly reducing the number of animals at risk in the community. Over the two days, veterinarians and volunteers worked...
A holiday message from APA! CEO Dr. Ellen Jefferson
Dec 24, 2024 APA! Supporters, I’m ending this year thinking about miracle workers like you — and the difference you make for pets like Furby, a 6-pound puppy who recently came through our doors at Austin Pets Alive!. We took this golden doodle puppy in from Austin Animal Center, because of his urgent medical state. He arrived with bruising on his abdomen and serious neurological issues, possibly caused by blunt force trauma. The tiny dog couldn’t even sit up on his own, though he kept trying — Furby’s...
Dogs And Christmas: Is Lava a Grinch?
Hi, I’m Dr. Maja! Read my introduction to learn more about me and my two crossbreed dogs, Lava and Hela. Christmas time finally! Filled with joy, family traditions, great food, and laughter. Or if you ask my dogs, tasty treats, new toys, and long walks. And then it begins. With social media madness, you can’t avoid seeing pictures of other people’s pets in various festive costumes around the tree and the like. They all look so happy and content! And I had to wonder, what would Lava think of this? Well, I should have known...
Ask Dr. Paola: Monday December 23, 2024
Welcome to our “Ask Dr. Paola” series, where every Monday we bring expert advice straight from Dr. Paola Cuevas (MVZ) to help our readers better understand their dog’s health and well-being. Whether you’re a new pet parent or a seasoned dog lover, Dr. Paola is here to provide answers to your most pressing questions. From nutrition tips and preventive care to troubleshooting common behavioral issues, Dr. Paola is ready to offer insights that will keep your furry friend happy and healthy. Stay tuned for expert guidance...
Want Quality Pet Supplements? Look for These 7 Things!
As a dog or cat parent and consumer, you want only high-quality pet supplements. But what exactly does that mean? Here are seven things you can look for to identify the best supplements! Supplements are supposed to help your dog live the best and healthiest life, but that doesn’t mean they’re all up to the task. Similarly, while finding quality supplements that are worth the price can make all the difference for companion animals, not all pet parents know what to look for. And with so many supplements out there, it can be tough to...
Why Using Ashwagandha for Arthritic Dogs in Winter Can Help Relieve Pain and Inflammation as well as Skin Issues and Stress
Relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and calm stress with ashwagandha for arthritic dogs in winter. Support their health naturally! As the seasons change, so do the challenges faced by our canine companions. While we humans might enjoy cozying up with a cup of tea during the winter months, our dogs can struggle with the colder weather, changes in routine, and the potential for seasonal health issues. From joint pain and respiratory infections to anxiety and dry skin, these challenges can be tough on our furry companions. Fortunately, adding an...
All I Want For Christmas Is Food: Dr. Karyn’s Dogs Enjoy Turkey & Stuffing
Hi, I’m Dr. Karyn! Read my introduction to learn more about me and my five funny dogs, Poppy, Bailey, Kodah, Ned, and Fred. For many, this time of year is full of excitement and joy, but for others, it can be a time of feeling stressed and overwhelmed. And Ned is one of the latter. The comings and goings of relatives and friends, the sudden appearance of a large tree in the house, and most worrying of all, a constant parade of mouth-watering food that no one seems willing to share with him. Just as he should be, Ned is...
Ancient Chinese Five Element Sound Therapy for Your Dog
In our fast-paced lives, ensuring the well-being of our furry friends can sometimes feel overwhelming. As caregivers, we often seek holistic approaches to enhance their health and happiness. One such method is Ancient Chinese Five Element Sound Therapy, a practice that not only promotes physical wellness but also nurtures emotional balance. Understanding the Five Elements Rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine, the Five Elements—Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water—represent various aspects of nature. Each element is associated...
Dogster Photo Contest: Dogs of the Week Winners (December 19, 2024)
Click to Skip Ahead This Week’s Winner Name: Dakota Breed: German Shepherd/Husky mix Fun Fact: Dakota is 1 year old and loves to go on adventures, especially hiking in new places. I took this photo while hiking in Ha Ha Tonka State Park in Missouri. Cutest Most Expressive Name: Emma Breed: Cattledog Fun Fact: This is Emma and her pouting watching me as I am getting ready to leave. Sleepiest Silliest Name: Stevie Breed: Yorkshire Terrier Fun Fact: Stevie acting silly Most Dignified Name: Lenny Breed: Pug Fun Fact: Lenny is a charismatic...
Dog and Cat Allergy Symptoms and Solutions: Understanding Allergies and Inflammatory Responses
Learn how to manage dog and cat allergy symptoms with insights on allergies and inflammatory responses to improve pet health. You’ve probably seen a cat or dog scratching up a storm at some point. Unfortunately, allergies commonly affect both dogs and cats, and often lead to an inflammatory response that can significantly affect their health. According to a study published by the American College of Veterinary Dermatology, approximately 10% to 15% of dogs and 5% to 10% of cats suffer from allergies1. Understanding how they work, though,...
Wishing you joy and peace this holiday season
Happy holidays from all of us at Maddie’s Fund®! We deeply appreciate your tireless efforts throughout the year to help keep pets and people together. The work is not always easy, but the compassion and kindness you and your organizations have shown leave a lasting impact on the lives you touch, both animal and human. May the unconditional love of the animals in your life—whether it’s your family pets, foster animals, shelter and rescue companions, or the community cats finding warmth in insulated straw boxes you put...
