Scientists (Finally) Discover How Dogs Use Their Tongues to Drink

"The motions are precise, even mathematical," says one researcher. Just the same, it ain't pretty.

Here's a question you've probably never had the good sense to ask yourself: What is the mechanism by which a dog drinks? In other words: How does a dog's tongue work?  

Throughout history, this riddle has been left largely unanswered, because dogs drink so damn fast. Then someone invented the high-speed video camera, and civilization cleaved into pre-HSVC and post-HSVC worlds. One of the neat things we could do in this post-HSVC world was watch crocodiles take down wildebeest crossing a river in super-slow mo (so cool). The other thing we could do was figure out how a dog's tongue works, according to NPR. 

Behold: A dog's tongue becomes a ladle! An inverted ladle, to be precise. 

"It dips down, scoops up some water, using its tongue as a pulley," writes Robert Krulwich. "This was a revelation."

However! Once scientists put down the high-speed video camera and took up their measurement tools, they discovered that all the water that the dog had scooped up with this tongue-as-ladle fell out when the dog actually brought the damn thing to his mouth. 

Watch: 

In short, the dog is basically a toddler eating soup for the first time. So, why aren't all dogs dead of thirst? Scientists entered a conclave and promised not to emerge till they had the answer. Eventually, they had the answer. The world waited.  

The dog's tongue is a sticky wick! OF COURSE THAT MAKES PERFEC -- huh? A dog's tongue is a sticky wick? That's what we're paying you for? What does that mean? Let's hand this off to Krulwich:

"A dog will extend -- no, that's too polite a word -- the dog will thrust its tongue into the water and then whip it back up, very, very fast. A stream of water attaches to and follows the tongue upward (adhesion and cohesion) -- but only for a fraction of a second. Then gravity kicks in. The rising stream of water loses its upward momentum, and just as it's about to fall back into the bowl, at exactly the point where gravity is about to win, the dog snaps its mouth shut and swallows. Done. The motions are precise, even mathematical."

Don't argue. It's math. It's physics.

(As for cats, they drink the same way, only "more carefully, more elegantly, more efficiently." Harumph.)  

Via NPR

View the original article here

Deion Sanders Gets His $15,000 Dog Back After Nine Months

The NFL legend happily tweets news about his German Shepherd to his half-million followers.

Sunday was a good day in the Deion Sanders household, as his missing dog -- a $15,000, 139-pound German Shepherd named Yasko -- was suddenly returned to him after going missing from his yard nine months ago. 

Deion tweeted the news this week, along with a photo:  

"Thank u Jesus. My dog is BACK! I won't begin to tell u how a $15,000 dog goes missing and who took it. Wow! TRUTH."

Before you jump all over Deion for the price of his dog, understand that his son has Versace sheets in his dorm room. Money flowing out of that family is the norm. Why buy a $500 dog when you can buy a $15,000 dog? It could be that someone said he'd sell the dog to Deion for $500 and Deion looked over the dog and said, "Let's make it $15,000."

Moreover, the dog was specially trained to guard Deion's home and family, which probably cost a lot, because can you imagine the size of this home? We looked on the Internet and found that Deion owns a large home in Dallas. How many square feet? Twenty-nine thousand.

So. 

Deion took to twitter to defend the $15,000: "My dog is full bred GERMAN shepherd highly trained protection dog that will attack if my kids&family r in danger. That's why he's expensive."

But then he quickly went back to cooing over his returned friend: 

"I almost cried when I saw him. He is man's best friend and the home protector for the family."

As you can imagine, the details of the case are pretty sketchy, because how does someone steal a protection dog? That's like stealing a bodyguard. Deion hasn't said who returned the dog, but a source within the Sanders camp said “he would only go with someone he knew,” according to the Examiner. Speculation is focusing on his estranged wife Pilar Biggers, but we're not going to go there. 

We're just glad someone got their missing dog back and is so happy about it. 

View the original article here

The Weirdest Contest We've Seen This Year: Save 70 Percent on Dog Cloning

The winner can save $70,000 when cloning a dog. Of course, that leaves $30,000.

A South Korean company called Sooam Biotech is running a dog cloning contest for U.K. customers, with the top prize being 70 percent off cloning of the dog of your choice.

That's a weird thing to do.

To enter, contestants must complete a 500-word essay explaining why their dog should be cloned. Videos and pictures are welcome. The winner will be selected based on the "most special and inspiring reason" he or she wants another dog that is the same as his or her current dog in all ways EXCEPT FOR THE PERSONALITY (emphasis ours). Seventy percent off is roughly $70,000 savings.

Why is the company doing such a thing? Not enough people are cloning dogs in the U.K.

"Although dog cloning is spreading to many parts of the world, the majority of cloners are still from the U.S.," reads the Sooam Biotech website. "The biggest hurdle for most future cloners is the price tag. This hefty cost is necessary because many researchers put in months of effort to clone one dog."

Of course, not everyone is thrilled about this, particularly people who understand that the personality probably won't make the trip to the new dog alongside the DNA.

"I think that personality is really what most people are looking to clone," said John Woestendiek, a dog-cloning investigator and author, according to NBC. "And I don't think personality is clone-able."

Also, did you know it's pretty easy to find a dog that looks like your old dog? And you can most likely find a new dog that looks like your old dog just sitting there in any of thousands of shelters across the U.K., where he can be had for a whole lot less than $100,000 -- or even $30,000?

Really, you just go in there and get a dog that looks like your old dog. People do it all the time. Keep your $100,000. Spend it on a boat or something.

Adding to the weirdness of this whole thing is the fact that the Sooam Biotech cloning operation is headed by former stem-cell researcher Hwang Woo-Suk, a pioneer in dog cloning who ran into some controversy when he falsified research data in a stem cell study. 

And right now, while Woo-Suk waits for the winner of the contest, he's trying to clone a mammoth with a group of Russian scientists who found a frozen one on an island in the arctic.  

This is the plot of Iron Man 4, isn't it? 

Via NBC

View the original article here

Hooray! Sanity Wins! Nevada Bans Breed Specific Legislation

It's the 14th state to pass a law preventing breed discrimination. Let's hope more follow.

Obviously, we don't like breed specific legislation, or BSL, which lets government bodies regulate, ban, seize, and even destroy dogs solely because they belong to a specific breed -- or just look like they do. And it's not just Pit Bulls who are affected -- many breed specific laws include such breeds as Bulldogs, Chow Chows, and even Dalmatians. They're breed-discriminatory laws, to use a more accurate term. And too often, cities adopt them as a knee-jerk reaction, based on little more than a few vocal proponents. 

But undoing those laws is a hard process, involving local heroes who take up the cause on behalf of their pets and refuse to back down. 

Thankfully, there are people such as Jessica Clemens, founder of Incred-A-Bull, and groups such as Best Friends Animal Society. They led the effort to outlaw BSL in Nevada. And they succeeded. 

Last week, Gov. Brian Sandoval signed Assembly Bill 110, which "prevents local governments from adopting or enforcing an ordinance or regulation that deems a dog dangerous or vicious based solely on the breed of the dog," according to a Best Friends' press release. 

Nevada is the 14th state to pass a law preventing breed discrimination.

The group worked with bill sponsor Assemblyman James Ohrenschall. 

"It has always been bad public policy to enact ordinances that target a certain breed of dog without considering that individual dog's actions," he said. "I'm proud of sponsoring this legislation because it will help keep our innocent friends from being killed needlessly and senselessly. This bill will help strengthen the bond between humans and our beloved dogs.”

Best Friends brought some popular figures into the campaign. Richard Hunter, owner of Mel, one of the “Victory” dogs rescued and brought to Best Friends from Michael Vick’s 2007 dog fighting bust, testified before the Nevada Senate to show support, according to the release.  

Good work, people. The ban on BSL takes effect Oct. 1. Let's hope more states follow Nevada's lead. For those looking to get involved, a good place to start is by creating a Change.org petition. Here's Incred-A-Bull's petition for the Nevada campaign, to give you a guide. 

Via Huffington Post; photos via Best Friends Animal Society

View the original article here

Hooray! Kabang, the Hero Dog Without a Snout, Is Heading Home

“We were able to treat all of the complications ... with the best specialists available,” one vet said.

We've been following the story of Kabang, the hero dog who lost her snout when she jumped in front of a motorcycle and saved two little girls in the Philippines, for a long while now.  

Finally, it's over. Kabang has been successfully treated and is heading back to her family in the Philippines. She doesn't have a new snout -- that was never part of the plan -- but she's had a bunch of work done to give her a good life, free of infection and pain. 

You'll recall that after losing her snout, Kabang's online fame grew, allowing an international effort dubbed Project Kabang to raise the money to bring the dog to the United States back in October. Unfortunately, after Kabang finally arrived at UC Davis' famed Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, vets discovered she was suffering from heartworm and a type of infectious cancer, known as a transmissible venereal tumor.

A team of vets -- specializing in oncology; infectious diseases; dental, oral and soft-tissue surgery; internal medicine; and outpatient care -- went to work on Kabang with multi-pronged approach, completing a series of treatments one after another for nearly eight months. 

“Kabang’s care at the teaching hospital was a great example of the synergistic approach we have toward veterinary medicine at UC Davis,” said professor Frank Verstraete, chief of the dentistry and oral surgery service at the school’s William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital.

“We were able to treat all of the complications that arose with the best specialists available,” he said.

In February, heartworm and cancer treatments were completed. On March 5, vets performed the first oral surgery to remove two of the Kabang's upper teeth and reconstruct one eyelid. 

Then, on March 27, Kabang underwent a five-hour surgery to close her facial wound with skin flaps, reconstruct nasal openings, and insert stents in those passages that would allow two new permanent nostrils to form.

“The surgery was long but went just as planned, in large part due to the collaborative nature of Kabang’s veterinary team,” said veterinary surgeons Boaz Arzi. 

Outfitting Kabang with a new snout is beyond vet science at this point, but the dog has been cleared for an active, infection-free life back in the Philippines with her family. We wish her the best. 

Read more on Kabang:

View the original article here

Easy Tip for Emptying Bagless Vacuums

Dog owners know that vacuuming dog hair can be … well, hairy. Between clogged hoses and hard-to-reach buildup in your bagless canister, the hair can overwhelm even the sturdiest vacuum cleaner.

I like bagless vacuums because I don’t have to buy bags. But I don’t like them because of how nasty it can be to empty the dirt canister when it’s full. And with two big dogs, mine gets full quickly.  The commercials show a neatly manicured hand pressing a button and the bottom popping off to let the debris fall into the trash. But when there’s hair involved, it gets tricky. The hair balls up behind the cone where you can’t get it out without reaching up there and pulling with your fingertips. Seriously, how gross is it to stick your hand up into the canister and pull on all that dog-hair cotton candy that’s literally infused with dust and crumbs? It’s the most unhygienic housecleaning task that I have … and I clean toilets. And I have a five-year-old son. ‘Nuff said.

But I discovered that the Cobra plastic drain stick will pull that knot of hair out the canister easily and quickly. It’s a plastic stick with barbs all down the sides. It’s used for pulling hair clogs out of drains.

I got to thinking one day, as my hand was covered with dust and there were clumps of dust and hair on the floor all around my trash can, “there must be a better way.” Yes, there are some vacuum canisters that you can pry open and slide the cone out from the outer cylinder. But first of all, it’s not easy to get them apart. And secondly, when you do, the hair and dust go everywhere.

My husband had purchased a couple of these disposable drain cleaners for our bathtub and sink drains. I grabbed one and stuck it up into the canister. And presto! A bunch of hair came sliding out the canister and into my trash can.

Now, a warning. You can’t wait until the canister is so full that the hair is backing up into the hose. We have an Irish Setter and a Shiloh Shepherd, and I have to empty my canister three times when I do my 2,000 sf house. I vacuum every 4 days or so to avoid too much buildup. But if you empty when it’s getting full, you can use this handy tool to grab that hair and pull it out.

It’s about $3 at home improvements stores. Cool, huh?

View the original article here

A Rottweiler Who Lost Her Puppies Adopts a Litter Orphaned in Oklahoma Tornado

In a serendipitous chain of events, Bertha saves Pit Bull mix puppies who were set to be euthanized.

Earlier this month, Indiana's Second Chance 4 Pets Network rescue pulled Bertha the pregnant Rottweiler out of South Bend Animal Control. Unfortunately, she had to have an emergency caesarean section, and none of her eight of her puppies -- six boys and two girls -- survived.

Meanwhile, a college student named Rosie Ahlberg from Wheaton, Illinois, drove to Oklahoma with friends to help victims of the tornado. She picked up a stray dog and took it to a shelter. There, she saw another dog who had just had just given birth.  

The staff members, however, were overloaded, and they planned to euthanize the mom, a Pit Bull mix, because she was aggressive. There also planned to euthanize the pups. 

Rosie wasn't going to let that happen. 

She called the rescue group Lakeshore PAWS in Valparaiso, Indiana, which agreed to take the pups. People there told Rosie & Co. how to bottle feed, and they put out a call for people to help for when the pups made it back to Indiana. 

Then someone had an idea: What about Bertha? The pregnant Rottweiler who lost her pups? Lightbulbs went off, calls were made, and soon the little pups were on their way to Second Chance 4 Pets Network -- and to Bertha. 

Bertha, after having lost her pups days before, was not producing milk. Would she take to the new pups? Would she mother them? Both rescue staffs -- and Rosie -- crossed their fingers. 

Bertha came through. And so it happened that a mother dog who lost her puppies in Indiana ended up adopting a litter of puppies orphaned by the tornado.  

"She was unsure at first, but the foster [who was housing Bertha] got into the pool with her, and she started cleaning them right away," JoAnn Palko, president and founder of Second Chance 4 Pets Network, told nwitimes.com. 

Jeanne Sommer, director of Lakeshore PAWS, said the partnership with Second Chance was "just awesome."

She said in a statement to WSBT, "It is just heartwarming that one individual, Rosie Ahlberg, would step up and offer to save these guys, and that three rescues in Northwest Indiana can all join together as well to save their lives."

Second Chance is considering training Bertha to be a therapy dog. 

"She's a fantastic mom," Palko told WSBT. "My foster says she doesn't even want to go outside to go to the bathroom and leave her puppies."

Via WSBT and nwitimes.com

View the original article here

Oh Hell No: Dog Treats Are Being Made from Meat of an Endangered Whale

A Japanese company sells dog snacks made from North American fin whales hunted in Iceland.

As if we weren't worrying enough already about the scary byproducts and dead pets that go into dog food, a Japanese food company gives us another thing to fret over, and this one should make you outraged: Whale meat in dog treats. 

Michinoku Farm, a Tokyo-based company, is selling on its website "whale chews" made from endangered North American fin whales. They're described as a "low calorie, low fat, high protein" snack. The whales are hunted in Iceland, and the meat is sent to Japan. The company also sells treats made from Mongolian horses and kangaroos. 

That's not the only ick factor: It's a status thing. 

"The most likely reason for shops to sell the whale meat dog treat is to target affluent Japanese who want to show off their wealth with something different," said Nanami Kurasawa, executive director of Japanese conservation group IKAN, according to the Express.

Since 2006, conservation groups report, Iceland has killed 496 minke whales and 280 endangered fin whales, and it has exported more than 2,800 tons of whale products to Japan. This unnecessary foray into pet food is rankling animal rights groups. 

Susan Millward, executive director of the Animal Welfare Institute, told the Express: “Turning an endangered whale species into pet snacks is deplorable and seems to be nothing more than a desperate attempt to keep a cruel and unnecessary industry alive at any cost.”

IKAN's Kurasawa is appealing to the integrity of his countrymen to not purchase the treats. 

“What the Japanese public must ask ourselves is, ‘Just because it’s cheap, do our morals allow turning endangered species, which don't belong to Japan, into dog treats and selling them online?’"

"I, for one, think this is a disgrace,” he said. 

Commercial whaling is, of course, banned internationally. How are Iceland and Japan able to skirt the rules? That hasn't been a problem: They simply ignore the ban.

Via the Express

View the original article here

The Dog Who Plays Liberace's Poodle Takes Top Honor at Cannes

Baby Boy wins the Palm Dog for work with Michael Douglas and Matt Damon in "Behind the Candelabra."

A panel of esteemed film critics met this week to select the "top dog" of the Cannes Film Festival. No, that's not a bit of fancy wordplay. They weren't there to give Quentin Tarantino some more awards to throw on the woodpile -- that happens during the Palme d'Or award. This is the Palm Dog award. Canis lupus familiaris. Best dog of the whole festival, the only award that really matters in some circles (like the one we're in right now).  

But first, how esteemed where these judges? Let's present them in list form: 

James Christopher of the TimesDerek Malcolm of the Evening Standard Peter Bradshaw of the GuardianCharles Gant of Heat MagazineKaleem Aftab of the IndependentFrom where I sit (Michael Leaverton of Dogster), that's pretty esteemed. 

And who won the Palm Dog? Baby Boy, Liberace's partially blind Poodle in Behind the Candelabra! He gets to wear the trophy collar. We weren't lucky enough to see the Steven Soderbergh film when it aired on HBO this week, but Twitter went nuts over the film, so we're assuming that Baby Boy put in a stellar performance. Also, perhaps Matt Damon, Michael Douglas, Rob Lowe, and Dan Aykroyd carried some of the weight as well. 

Peter Bradshaw praised Baby Boy for exploring "a profound existential paradox," according to PawNation.

In the film, Baby Boy is credited with bringing his teenage dog trainer (Matt Damon) into the embrace of Liberace (Michael Douglas). 

"He brought those boys together -- he has a lot to answer for!" said Palm Dog organizer Toby Rose. 

Oddly, we can't find a decent shot of the famed Baby Boy (save the one above), so we'd thought we'd leave you with this, a Poodle in sunglasses driving a car. Seems right. 

View the original article here

Misfit the Blind Doberman Is Our Monday Miracle

This dog was the only one to survive in his litter. He has a happy home now with two moms and a cat.

"Love is blind."

Many times this refers to the way we see our objects of affection as perfect, despite the flaws others may notice. For Misfit, however, this happens in a very literal sense. The nine-month-old Doberman was born blind -- and he wasn't the only one in his litter born without sight. However, Misfit was the only one to survive.

This is where things might have ended tragically for Misfit, who not only has special needs but an often-misunderstood (and feared) breed as well. Fortunately, Misfit was adopted by two human moms, and he lives happily in Maryland with his family, which also includes a cat named Willis (whom Misfit loves to chase).

It took some special care and attention to help Misfit learn the layout of his new home, but with perseverance, Misfit now navigates the place like a champ. According to his Facebook page, Misfit visits the dog park, plays with his toys, eats poop out of the litter box, and loves his human friends ... just like any other canine. Unlike other canines, however, Misfit has a fondness for hopping around the backyard "like a bunny." (Um, how cute is that?)

While some might view Misfit's blindness as a handicap, the young Doberman does not -- as his impairment allows him to "see with his heart." It's that sort of kindness in the face of adversity that makes Misfit a Monday Miracle.

Photos via Misfit's Facebook page, where you can join in on the Dobie cuteness.

Check out more Monday Miracle dogs on Dogster.

View the original article here

Dogington Post University: Leslie May and Johann The Dog of Raise A Green Dog to present free webinar on June 20th.

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Our Instagram Photo Contest Enters Its Final Round: Help Us Pick a Winner!

Which dog is cute enough to win? You decide!

Hey Dogsters! It's the Final Round of our Dogster Dog Show Instagram contest!

To help celebrate our Instagram account, we're holding a Dogster Dog Show. We asked our Instagram followers to submit photos of their dogs with #DogsterDogShow2013, and because we love mutts as much as we love pure breeds, we decided we're going to pick two winners -- a "purebreed" and a "muttbreed." And! Since no one knows and loves dogs better than you do, we decided that we're going to let you vote on the final winners!

Our winners will receive a limited edition summer Dogster tote bag filled with goodies -- hurray!

Voting starts today, and we'll announce our winners on Wednesday, June 5.

Here's how to vote:

There are two categories: Purebreed and Muttbreed. Scroll through the photos below and vote for your favorite dog by clicking the Vote button on the upper righthand corner of the picture.

And remember: This is all in good fun. We think all dogs are worthy of recognition, whether they're puppies, seniors, purebreds, or mutts.

If you have an Instagram account, follow us @Dogster, where we plan to hold more fun hashtag projects and campaigns.

Thanks for having fun with us, Dogsters -- now get to the voting below! 

Vote For Your #PureBreed Winner:

Vote For Your #MuttBreed Winner:

Voting is now closed and the contest is over! Congrats to our winners @alfienumeric and @noodlepudding!

Hero photo: Dog in a retro setting by Shutterstock

View the original article here

Now Here's an Idea: A Spanish Town Mails Dog Poop Back to Dog Owners

Officials in Brunete say there's 70 percent less poop left on the streets by scofflaws.

A small town near Madrid, Spain, has an innovative, really weird way to deal with people who don't pick up after their dogs: Delivering the poop back to the owners. 

It's no joke. In February, Brunete, a small town on the outskirts of Madrid with 10,100 inhabitants, recruited 20 volunteers to patrol the streets, looking for people who let their dogs poop and then walked blithely away, unconcerned with the fate of the pile. 

Then, the volunteers would strike, employing a two-pronged attack. First, they'd approach the offenders and casually strike up a conversation with them, probing for information. 

"They’d ask them what the dog’s name and pedigree was. With that information they could find out the address of the pooch’s owner from a registered pet database we have," Brunete’s town hall spokesperson told The Local.

Then, the volunteers would circle back, collect the poop, box it, and deliver it to the homes of the offenders. A cameraman would tag along to record people receiving their dog's poop in a box, along with a "fine warning." 

Did it work? You bet. The town estimates the amount of poop left on the streets has been reduced by 70 percent. Of course, recording poop on the street is not an exact science.  

"We didn’t have volunteers tallying up the poo before and after the campaign; our results are based on what neighbors have told us," the town hall spokesperson said. "We're not sure either whether the volume of poo has gone down because they're more afraid of getting their dogs' excrement delivered back to them than of being fined."

It's a very weird thing to do, to be sure, but it's only slightly more weird than the town's first idea, which was this: It drove small, remote-controlled pieces of plastic poop around, accosting people enjoying their day. Some contained the message: "Don’t leave me, pick me up!"

Here's a video of both techniques in action:

Here's to you, Brunete. 

Via The Local

View the original article here

What the Heck Is Caninus? It's a Dog-Fronted "Grindcore" Band

This New York City band has a dog for a lead singer. Why didn't we think of that?

File this one under "You read that right!" Caninus is a New York City grindcore band (more on grindcore in a minute) with a dog as lead vocalist. Actually, Caninus used to have two lead singers -- Pit Bulls Basil and Budgie. Basil, however, passed away in 2011 of a brain tumor, so Budgie has been forced to rock the mic solo. The group is currently recording a new album in Basil's honor.

Lineups aside, you might be wondering, What the hell are you talking about, Dogster?

Let's start again: Caninus is a band who has a dog for a lead singer. Really. The dog lays down the vocal tracks, and humans (vegan ones!) play the instruments. The vocal tracks from a dog sound exactly like what you'd think vocal tracks from a dog would sound like. Meaning: Barking. Lots of barking. And growling. And barking. Followed by growling, and barking, and so on -- until the Grammys.

(Note: If you don't know what grindcore sounds like by now, it's probably best that you never know, so take a moment to consider that before you play the video at the end of this post.)

The human members of Caninus are animal rights activists as well, and they work in dog rescue. Song titles include gems such as "Bite the Hand That Breeds You," “Locking Jaws,” and "F**k The American Kennel Club.”

We wouldn't know any of this if not for a fascinating interview with guitarist Belle Molotova on the Noisey blog by Vice. Here's an excerpt: 

Noisey: How did the idea come about to use dogs as your vocalists?

Belle Molotov: We were all fans of grindcore and death metal bands, and we noticed one day that our dogs could growl with the best of them. We learned how to safely get them to growl and bark along to the music, and Caninus was born. We got a lot of backlash that we were actually recording the dogs fighting but that's bulls**t. Hasn't anyone seen the Husky that can say "I love you?"

How did you get them pumped up to perform?

We do lots of calisthenics -- we practice "give me paw," "rollover," "take a bow," and give them lots of treats. Then the rawhide comes out and the vocals just start flowing naturally.

Tell us about the concepts behind your songs.

Most of the songs concern issues that Pit Bulls face today. They are the most misunderstood and abused breed out there. The lyrics give the dogs' perspective on all that they face as Pit Bulls and as dogs. The dogs sit down and try to explain to us what they want us to say and we try our best to put it on paper.

So, dogs as lead singers from a vegan grindcore band whose members support animal rights -- got all that? Oh, one more thing: Susan Sarandon and Bernadette Peters reportedly love the band. Of course they do.

And now, without further ado, put your hands together for CANINUS!!!

View the original article here

Best Dog Coupon Sites

Hey! Saving money and shopping for your dog, what could be better? Some of the best dog supplies coupon sites are big coupon machines, and some are lesser-known sites and blogs. Here’s a sampling of the best sites for dog products coupons that I’ve found, in no particular order.

Now THAT’s something to smile about!

Crittercoupons.com – A U.K. site, this big player offers pet coupons good in the USA as well. Coupons are divided up by type of pet, so it’s easy to clear out the distractions of cat and bird deals if you only have dogs. They’re very user-friendly; they give you the coupon code, the expiration date, and a link to the sponsoring company’s website so you can start shopping without having to create an account first. RetailMeNot.com – This site also breaks down coupons by type of pet. Plus, they also have information on how many of their followers have used the coupon successfully. I love this feature, but it’s so frustrating to find a coupon code and then not be able to get it to work.CouponCabin.com – This site divides the coupon codes up so you can really zone in on what you’re looking for. Try Pet Supplies, Dog Food or Pet Toys.Coupons.com – This site has mobile coupons (no printing – yay!), social sales and more. Coupons are free to use (no membership required) and once you click for the coupon code, they redirect you to the site so you can start shopping. They also include store loyalty program coupons, if you have a loyalty program card/membership. Plus (and this is only important if you’re a digital geek) they’ve got the best, most inviting design of all of the coupon sites. And they have a killer blog.DoggyLoot.com – Okay, you do have to create an account with this one and fork over your email address, but if you do (and tell them how big your dogs are), they’ll send you emails with deals to fit your dogs. It’s a Groupon-style layout and concept. They tell you which deals are ending soon. And it’s all doggy stuff — no fish, fowl or feline coupons. Check the deals, though. One deal was for $12 (regularly $17). But I carry that product on my website and my ordinary, everyday price was $11.99 with the normal markup. There are tons of other offers that were incredible markdowns, but on these types of offers, it’s safer to shop around to make sure the “deal” is a deal.Tjoos.com – These guys try the coupon codes to make sure they work. If you have a favorite retailers, you can find it alphabetically and see how many coupons they have. They have some of the better-known online retailers, plus a few smaller guys. I discovered a new store called PetMountain.com that I’d never seen before. Cool.

Coupon sites to avoid:

MyPetSavings.com – Most pages redirect to a request for your email address, or that you sign up for the RSS feed. Only one deal is shown above this persistent request. Not sure from the layout if it’s a blog or a regular coupon site. Wasn’t able to tell the difference between “My Pet Savings” and “Modern Pet Savings” or why those should be two different navigation tabs. Outdated home pages shows a graphic for an overstock sale from two months ago. Hmmmm … DogFoodCoupons.com – The left-hand rail is jam-packed with keywork-stuffed text that’s meaningless and distracting to shoppers (and doesn’t fool Google’s bots one bit). Coupons can be vaguely phrased. For example, one coupon said a certain brand of dog food was “on sale.” I clicked the link and found three coupons from the same store: $5 off, 10% off and On Sale. Unremarkable savings, junky layout and confusing navigation. Skip it.

Please note that not all pages or coupons may still be active by the time you read this list.

What are your favorite coupon sites? Give ‘em a shout out (and share the love with other dog owners) in the comments below.

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Win a Gift Bag in the Dogster Dog Show Instagram Contest

Hey! There's a dog show on Instagram. First prize is a Dogster gift bag. You plan to enter, right?

Hey, Dogsters!

It's your devoted Assistant Editor Liz here. While it's part of my job to make sure I deliver the very best in cuteness, my duties also include keeping in touch with all of you through our various social media outlets. I was taking a look at our Dogster Instagram account and thought it was looking a little lonely. If you haven't already, you should totally follow us, because we love looking at your adorable dogs.

But more than just following us, let's do something fun, shall we? Let's host our very own virtual Dogster Dog Show! We don't need all the pomp and circumstance and pedigree and papers of an actual dog show -- what's so cool about Dogster is that we can come together from all over the world to talk about dogs. 

So now's your chance to show off your pup and win a sweet Dogster gift bag, too.

Sit, stay, and listen, because this is how it's going to work:

1. Follow us on Instagram@Dogster.

2. Between May 17 and May 19, upload photos of your dogs via Instagram and make sure to tag them with #DogsterDogShow2013 and either #PureBreed or #MuttBreed, depending on your pup. In other words, your entry should have two tags: #DogsterDogShow2013 and one of the breed tags.

3. Between May 22 and May 27, we will upload your entries to our Instagram and open them up to voting. The top dogs who receive the most hearts and comments will move onto the final round.

4. Between May 29 and June 2, we'll post the final-round dogs here on Dogster for a lightning round of voting. There will be a winner to represent purebred dogs and a winner to represent all the beloved mutts out there. We'll announce the winners on June 5.

Got it? Good dog!

Now, ready, set, Instagram! And may the cutest dogs win.

Contest subject to change. Only U.S. residents are eligible to win. We'll make every effort possible to contact winners; however, if we can't get in touch, we'll pick someone else. Only U.S. residents are eligible to win. Thanks, and good luck!

Hero photo: Hipster dog in cool sunnies by Shutterstock

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How to Help Dogs Suffering from Separation Anxiety

One of the most common forms of distress for canine companions is separation anxiety — the stress they feel when their owners leave them on their own. Before getting a dog, always ask yourself if your lifestyle is suitable to owning one. If you are frequently away from home and unable to take your dog with you, leaving it for prolonged periods on its own, then perhaps dog ownership is not for you.

However, it is sometimes unavoidable that your pet will have to be left alone. Here are some tips to help reduce stress your dog may experience as a result.

1. Provide Stimulation and Entertainment

Give Your Dog Something to Do When You’re Away

If your dog is left alone, ensure that it has a selection of toys to help keep it stimulated and engaged. There is a wealth of toys on the market and whilst simple toys are always a comfort, consider investing in one designed to provide stimulation. This could be a simple treat ball, like the one made  popular by Kong, or a more complex game of the sort which Nina Ollsson products. Always ensure that these toys are not a choking hazard. A great range of interactive toys is available from Dogscorner.co.uk.

2. Plenty of Exercise

Any dog that is being left for more than a couple of hours should be given a good long walk
beforehand. This will tire it out and help to ensure that they do not become overly excitable and
destructive whilst you are away. Dogs need to be exercised (in varying degrees according to breed)
every day; by making sure you do this before you leave, you can ensure that this happens. Otherwise
you might return tired and your dog will miss out– which is simply not fair to the dog.

3. Look for Outside Help

Rope in a family member or friend that you trust to come spend some time with your dog whilst you are away. It need not be for long but it will help to break up the day and keep the dog entertained. During a period in which I was unavoidably away for a good part of the day each week, I employed the services of my next door neighbor’s teenage daughter to come and walk my Westies. It only cost a few pounds each day and she would have been more than happy to do it for free. If your dog isn’t micro-chipped, make sure it has one of those dog collars with an ID tag on it — you don’t want to lose your dog whilst it’s in someone else’s charge.

4. Get a Second Dog

Dogs can become the best of friends — so getting a second dog is a good idea. Having a pal to play with is one of the best means of preventing separation anxiety. However, there is a caveat; you should not see this as a replacement for your affection. They will both need to spend time with you — so think very carefully whether you can spend time with two dogs before getting a second one.

5. Spend Quality Time with Your Dog

When you get home, show your dog lots of love and attention. It’s likely you will be tired after a hard day, but these are the sacrifices which a dog owner must make. If you don’t think you will have the energy to spend fussing over your pet then re-evaluate whether your lifestyle permits you to have one.

6. Consult your Vet

Many pet owners are reluctant to consult their vet over suspected separation anxiety — but this
shouldn’t be the case. Psychological conditions can be just as detrimental to your dog’s standard of
life as physiological ones. Do not be afraid to seek help and advice.

Do you have a favorite way to keep your dog entertained and busy while you’re away from home? Share it with other dog owners here.

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Product Review: Snaps Collars

Here’s a cool idea for a customizable, changeable pet collar. It’s called SNAPS (TM). It’s a collar and interchangeable snap system with tons of fun snaps to add, combine and switch out whenever you like. (Sorry for the red dog hair on the black collar in the photo. I actually do test these products on my own dogs.)

24 themes, five designs each, ranging from holidays to causes, regional to animals, bugs to flowers. They come in sets of 10 (two each of five designs) and the collars have 10 solid brass, nickel-plated snap studs on them. The great thing is that you can buy the snaps individually, so you can choose two from this group and one from that group. You could put together a sort of charm bracelet of your dog’s favorite thin

The collars come in two options: leather or nylon. Nylon collars are available in black, red or pink; leather collars are black. They come in four sizes to fit necks 8? to 22?. gs by cherry-picking which snaps you like. With over a hundred designs, ou’ll find plenty of choices. All snaps fit any size collar.

The snap ornaments are silk screen painted brass, which holds up very well to chipping and scratching. They have a high tension socket for a secure fit. They need firm pressure to put them on, and I found my fingers fatiguing after I had put a few on. But then I used the heel of my hand and they went on quite easily. I don’t mind pushing hard though; I don’t want them to fall off while my dog is scratching her neck at the dog park. Nor would I want one dog to be able to chew them off the collar of the other dog when they’re playing. These snaps are REALLY on there!

SNAPS (TM) features a unique way to create the perfect fashion accessory to highlight your dog’s personality and charm, to to give him/her a a distinctive style for the holidays. There’s even a birthday collection!

This is such a clever idea! I used to have a different collar for Christmas, summer, Easter, St. Patrick’s Day (I have an Irish Setter), and Halloween. Now, all I have to do is swap out the ornaments for a totally new look. It’s a snap!

Product Name: Snaps

Cost: Leather collars with 10 studs, $14.99 – 17.99 each, nylon collars with 10 studs, $12.99 – $14.99 each. Ornamental snaps: .90 each or $8.99 for a set of 10.

Where to buy: http://www.snapsstore.com

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Puppy-Mill Survivors Teddy and Harley Are on a Rescue Mission

The two Chihuahuas are spokesdogs for National Mill Dog Rescue.

Teddy and Harley are two Chihuahuas who were rescued from separate puppy mills, but their stories are all too familiar. Confined to wire cages with hardly enough food and water to survive, the two Chihuahuas endured lives of misery. They were used to breed litter after litter, without a single concern for their physical or emotional well-beings.

Finally, at the age of seven, Teddy was rescued by the National Mill Dog Rescue and transferred to Lily's Haven in Colorado, from which he was adopted into a loving home. Teddy's former puppy-mill days manifest themselves in the dog's missing teeth, uneven hips, and torn ears, but his spirit is intact.

Harley, however, fared worse. The older dog was given three months to live after being pulled from a puppy mill by Because of You Chihuahua Rescue. He is missing an eye and had to have most of his teeth removed as a result of them going bad from negligence, his tail is broken, and his heart is bad. His spirit, however, remains undaunted.

Not only have Teddy and Harley recovered, they are now leading a charge against puppy mills. Instead of wallowing in the injustices of their past lives, the two little survivors have become the spokesdogs for National Mill Dog Rescue, and they are heading a campaign called Harley to the Rescue to raise funds to send the organization on another puppy-mill rescue.

For many, the effort of survival consumes all their energy, but for Teddy and Harley, it was the beginning of a mission to help others just like them. It takes a very special spirit to be able to return to such horrors, but Teddy and Harley can't seem to be able to rest until puppy mills vanish. Now that's a Monday Miracle.

Click here to find out how you can donate to Harley to the Rescue, and make sure to pass this on -- news this good deserves to be shared with everyone!

Photos via Teddy's and Harley's respective Facebook pages, where you can also stay up to date on what the two dogs are doing.

Read about other miraculous dogs on Dogster:

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72,000 Ladybugs released inside the Mall of America!

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Top 5 Summer Dog Care Tips

Summer days will give you a chance to enjoy long walks in the company of your dog and to have outdoor
fun. Though your dog will love the summer, as well, it is important to put emphasis on safety and pet
health.

Here is a list of the top five dog care tips for looking after your dog in the summer.

1. Keep Your Dog Hydrated
Hydration is essential for your dog during the summer. Dogs will drink a lot of water during the hot summer days because their cooling mechanism is less effective than sweating in humans.

Put several water dishes in the house and make sure that the water in them is cool and fresh. Change it frequently to stimulate your dog to drink more. A pet fountain could be a great idea for the summer because it is fun and your dog would love to drink from it.

Even when it’s not hot outside, and even with the windows cracked, it can become hot inside a car quickly.

2. Leaving Your Dog in the Car is a Bad Idea
Leaving your dog in the car during the summer is a very bad idea, regardless of the circumstances. Even if you keep the window open and the car is parked in a shady spot, refrain from making your dog stay there.

Dogs can get overheated and dehydrated easily and even a few minutes in a stiflingly hot car could result in a heat stroke. If you have to go shopping, you better leave your dog at home. The temperature inside the car will rise dangerously quickly, once the vehicle stops moving. You will endanger your pet’s health and life this way.

3. Vigorous Exercise is Suitable for Cooler Days
Dogs love to run and chase things but you should leave such activities for the cooler part of the day. Make
sure that your dog is not over-exerting itself in the heat. Have your play time early in the morning, before the heat has become exceptionally intense. Avoid walks in the early afternoon. The sun and the hot asphalt can affect your pet’s health adversely. Taking a walk after the sun is set is also advisable.

4. Understand the Symptoms of Heat Stroke
A heat stroke is one of the most common problems during the summer. Learning more about the symptoms will help you react quickly.

The symptoms of the heat stroke in dogs include breathing difficulties, heavy panting, a bright red tongue, thick saliva, diarrhea, high temperature and possibly even coma. If you notice any of these symptoms, take measures to cool down the dog immediately. A trip to the vets is advisable, as well.

5. Anti-Parasite Treatments
All kinds of parasites hide in the summer grass. Make sure that your dog gets the proper anti-parasite treatment for the hot months. Ticks are a major risk and a problem for both pets and humans. Fleas and mosquitoes could attack your dog, as well. These parasites can cause medical conditions like Lyme disease. By protecting your pet you will also be protecting your family from these potentially dangerous conditions.

The health and well-being of your dog is your responsibility any time of the year, but during the summer months you’ll need to take extra care to ensure your pet doesn’t suffer unnecessarily. – Amol Kotkar

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Earth Hour: A great time to unite our Planet for the environment!

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Hero the Service Dog Puts on a Cap and Gown to Join a Graduate on Her Big Day at U. of Illinois

The dog stole the show -- and then won the Internet after someone posted a photo on Reddit.

If you read out story about the Bonehead who took a fake service dog into court and bamboozled a judge, here's your antidote: A woman who took her legitimate service dog with her to accept her diploma from graduate school at the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign.

The dog wore a cap and gown, too, and stole the show. 

“I’ve never had so many Facebook friend requests for my dog in his entire life,” the dog's owner told Today.com. “I’m just along for the ride!”

Bridget Evans, who graduated with a master's degree in community health and hospital administration, was born with spina bifida, which impairs her mobility. She uses a wheelchair, and has a service dog named Hero to help her get through the day. 

“He’s been with me through all my classes,” Evans said. “He deserved a cap and gown as much as I did.”

Evans' story swept through social media, thanks to this photo that user f3b14 posted of Evans and the dog on Reddit:

“This picture is everything that is right in the world,” Reddit user AndreThreeHundred wrote.

Evans even joined in the discussion on Reddit, writing details of her life with Hero and posting more pictures. 

“Hero knows over 40 commands to assist me! He loves to retrieve objects for me like envelopes, pens, and my crutches. He also turns off the lights, opens doors, and he pulls me in my wheelchair up ramps! I couldn’t have gone to college without him!”

She also wrote how much Hero enjoyed the day. 

“He loved it! He loved all the attention too! When we were walking outside to reunite with my family, we were stopped every 10 feet for pictures by random people that loved his cap and gown! He was like a celebrity; I think he realized it was a special day!” 

Evans is an old hand with service dogs -- aside from working with Hero since he was a pup, she has trained 20 service dogs herself as the founder of Illini Service Dog Program, a student program at her school that allows college students to train service dogs. After the dogs are trained, they are placed with a person with a disability at no cost.

“We can read each other’s minds,” Evans said of Hero. “We’re so attuned to each other. He’s my best friend, roommate, classmate, and like my sibling. I’m so grateful that I got to celebrate my day with Hero by my side and my family in the audience.”

Via Today.com

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The Next Big Thing

Think about the cool new products that have taken the retail market by storm. Most of them have one thing in common: They were started by consumers just like you and me who saw a need and stepped in to develop a product to meet that need. They took a risk, they worked diligently on a solution, they tirelessly marketed the final product, and soon, momentum increased.

Just ask Marie Moody, founder of Stella & Chewy’s, or Pasha Cook, founder of All-Natural Pet Delivery, or Tabitha Washington, inventor of the Treatstik. These people and others have taken a rock-star idea and made it happen. And with today’s technology, it’s easier than ever before.

Websites like indiegogo.com allow people with great ideas to get funding for them. Sean Kelly, founder of Redogulous Labs, has a very cool idea for a dog collar that uses wireless technology (and a bunch of other cutting edge tech) to let your dog communicate with you during the day via your smartphone. You can track how long your dog sleeps (or barks at the window) while you’re at work, how much he chases the cat, how many calories he burns on his daily walks with you, and much more.

Love the idea? Contribute your feedback and — more important — your dollars here. Even $5 can help a great idea get off the ground.

Got a great idea of your own? Get started today, and remember, necessity is the mother of invention (and financing is the father)! If you like, tell us an idea that you think would make a great  product for dogs.

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Adorableness in Motion: We Hosted a Muttville Senior Adoption Event at Dogster HQ

We fell in love with the cute older dogs -- and San Francisco did, too.

We admit it: We have a soft spot for Muttville Senior Rescue. So when our parent company, Say Media, needed an organization to join us for an event called Say Gives, it seemed like an obvious choice. 

And so earlier this week, the Muttville-mobile descended on Dogster, bringing with it some of the cutest senior dogs we've ever seen. Knowing that Muttville alum Beasley is somewhat of a star 'round these parts, Muttville board member Patty Staton brought some of her star senior Pekingese.

Including -- but certainly not limited to -- Buddy!

Buddy is a cause célèbre here at Dogster. With his "customized" countenance, Buddy first ambled into the heart of Community Manager Lori Malm, who refers to the elderly lap dog as Beasley's boyfriend. You might be familiar with Managing Editor Vicky Walker as Catster's resident Cat Lady, but even she could not resist Buddy's unique charm.

Buddy looks kind of perfect in her arms, right?

(Don't worry, we called her husband and began working on him.)

Also representing the Peke pride was Maylee, a slightly younger Muttville adoptable, who had enough spunk and energy to make up for Buddy and Beasley's more low-key personalities.

Amid the flurry of lap dog fervor, our Assistant Editor Liz Acosta was drawn more to Tess, an older hound dog with a sweet disposition who wanted to just chill out in the shade. Liz doesn't judge smaller dogs, but she has a penchant for the bigger pups, having grown up under the protection of Akitas.

We set up a table outside the office and passed out Muttville fliers and Dogster stickers. Editor-in-Chief Janine Kahn took a pause from her work to join us in talking to people and raising awareness about the value of adopting senior dogs. (Associate Editor Keith Bowers would have been out with us, but he's busy working on a brand new Cat Dandy column for Catster -- you're going to love it!) 

At day's end, we were sad to see the Muttville crew pack up and go but glad we got to spend a little time with them. We hope we persuaded a few people that, sometimes, it's better to adopt an older dog than a puppy. If you're interested in following or helping Muttville, visit its website and Facebook page.

Photos by our multitalented Liz Acosta, who would like to remind you to follow us on Instagram.

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Beneficial insects for a pesticide, insecticide free garden!

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Do Police Shoot Innocent Dogs? It Happens -- And It's Preventable

Laws are proposed to require more police training. In the meantime, here are things you can do

Police officers killing innocent dogs might be something you've never thought about. But there's evidence to suggest it's more common than we might imagine. According to a story in the Seattle Times, there is no documented incident of a dog killing a police officer in the United States. Yet police officers have killed many dogs.

A study by the National Canine Research Council concludes that a majority of intentional police shootings involve dogs. The study says several law enforcement agencies in California indicated that at least half of their police shootings involved animals. The percentage was more in Milwaukee. Unfortunately, it’s difficult to track such statistics nationwide because no government authority documents these killings. Regardless, we've commented and reported on such incidents, including a Pit Bull killed in Riverside, CA, in his own back yard by a police officer who was assisting in an arrest taking place two houses away.

While shooting a dog is a crime in most states, it isn’t a felony. The general tendency of review committees and juries to give police the benefit of the doubt means that those shootings rarely result in formal charges or convictions, or victories in lawsuits brought against departments. This danger to beloved pets exist whether you live in a big metro area such as New York City or a small one such as Vallejo, CA.

If dog shootings weren’t serious enough, dogs are also hit with stun-guns such as Tasers as well as pepper-sprayed, kicked, and and battered with batons or night-sticks. Officers inevitably claim self-defense, and charges are even less likely when they use these “less than lethal” methods.

The Colorado Senate in April passed Senate Bill 226, called “Don’t Shoot My Dog,” which enjoys bipartisan support and is making its way through the Colorado House. The law, which could become a model for other states, requires training for police on how to deal with domestic dogs. The bill would require training in how the animals act and react, and how to minimize the dangers to themselves and the dogs. Further, the bill will require that police receive additional training in the area annually.

Such trainings are held on topics such as DUI investigation, correct use of pepper spray, and community interaction. Only time will tell whether these trainings, should the bill pass and be signed into law, will reduce or prevent police-on-dog violence.

Dog owners also play a role in protecting our fur children from police. The National Canine Research Council includes as a major factor in the shootings "reckless, uneducated, or inhumane owners." Some of the things we can do involve training and obedience, others involve handling, and still others involve managing certain situations.

Training is important to keep your dogs safe. Police are most likely to react violently to a dog who barks, jumps toward them, or looks like it’s going to bite. Getting your dog as comfortable as possible around strangers is important. Where you can’t do that, having a dog who obeys when you order “sit,” “down,” or “heel” can prevent harm. Preventive training that keeps your dog from barking, advancing, or attacking initially is incredibly important, because most dog shootings happen quickly when police feel threatened.

Handling of your dog as important as training. Anecdotal evidence suggests that leashed dogs have been victims, but, statistics show leashed dogs falling victim to police with far lower frequency than off-leash dogs. We all love playing off-leash with our dogs, but the place for that is in a fenced yard, or a dog park, or another contained area. Walking your dog off leash greatly increases the risk of police violence.

Situation is also key to keeping your dog safe. Most dog shootings happen in the dog’s own yard or home. Often, they happen when a police officer enters a fenced yard and then feels trapped between a dog or dogs and the fence itself. Police don’t always knock or seek permission before entering a fenced yard, especially if they're pursuing a suspect on the run or -- as in the case mentioned above -- guarding against a suspect fleeing. So if you want to keep your dogs safe, make sure that they’re supervised when they’re in the yards. It gives you the opportunity to intervene if a police officer has to visit.

If your dogs have to remain outside unsupervised, keep them in areas segregated from the front yard. A separate fenced enclosure or dog-run can greatly protect your beloved pets. If you don’t have the resources or live in a rental unit, even though it's a highly controversial practice, consider keeping an unsupervised dog tethered in the back yard, so the police officer is less likely to wander into the dog’s area or can at least move to a place the dog can't roam.

I recommend everyone send a message to their elected officials recommending a local version of the “Don’t Shoot My Dog” law. In the interim, following these steps will help protect your dogs from police errors.

About the author: Now that he has finished law school, Cassady's most reliable income is working as a stand-up comedian at a suburban movie theatre (yeah, he spells it the English way, so what?). Cassady specializes in the areas where pet ownership and the law overlap. Mina the Cat taught Cassady everything he knows.

Other stories on dog training:

• Does Your Dog Have a Strong Prey Drive? Mind Does -- Here's How I Curbed It
• Is Your Dog Really Ready to Go Off Leash?
• 5 Myths About Dog Behavior That Often Lead to Tragedy

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So, This Lion Is BFFs with a Pack of Dachshunds

It's true: Bonedigger and his gaggle of wiener dogs have been friends their whole lives. Huh.

Bonedigger is a five-year-old, 500-pound male lion. Milo is a seven-year-old, 11-pound Dachshund. 

After dinner, Milo licks the food from Bonedigger's teeth. 

His friends Bullet and Angel help, too. Bullet and Angel are also teeny-tiny Dachshunds. Bonedigger is still a 500-pound lion. 

Some relationships between animals of different species are "unlikely" -- your average duck making friends with a puppy, for instance. Some are "unexpected" -- let's call that anything involving a housecat.

But a lion making lifelong friends with three wiggly Dachshunds? That's WTF, front to back. Sorry for the veiled profanity, but look at this: 

Goodness gracious. 

According to the Daily Mail, Milo and Bonedigger have been"inseparable for the past five years at the the Garold Wayne Interactive Zoological Park in Wynnewood, Oklahoma. Joe Schreibvogel, an animal expert who regularly posts videos from the park at YouTube's JoeExoticTV, first introduced his four Dachshund puppies to Bonedigger when he was just a four-week-old cub.

Bonedigger is mildly disabled, thanks to a metabolic bone disease, according to Today.com. Schreibvogel figures this explains the bond the group has developed. Something has to. “The dogs thought it was just a big puppy and have loved each other since,” he told Today.com. “I also think they know the lion is not as normal as the rest.”

The dogs and Bonedigger also share big, hearty meals of raw meat. They spend their days with Bonedigger in his yard, and because he's a 500-pound lion, what Bonedigger wants, Bonedigger gets. 

“You do not ever try to take his dogs out of the yard,” Schreibvogel said. “[It] makes him very mad. They sleep on top of him.”

Milo, for one, may think there's more to him than 11 pounds of wiener dog. According to Schreibvogel,  "Milo does his best to copy Bonedigger when the lion tries puffing to communicate with other lions in the park." 

What's puffing? That's the growl lions use to speak to other prides, which can be heard more than a mile away. 

Imagine: In Oklahoma, a Dachshund named Milo is talking to lions in a zoo in their own language. I wouldn't be surprised if the lights are burning late at Pixar this week. 

Photos via screengrabs from Joe Exotic TV

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Power of the poo, dog poo that is!

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A One-Eyed Dachshund Named Captain Morgan Has a Touching Reunion with His Foster Mom

The dog remembered who saved him and nursed him back to health. The photo went viral.

A Dachshund called Captain Morgan (so named because he has only one eye, like a pirate -- arrgh) was headed to a bad place fast. He was stuck in a high-kill shelter in Selma, AL, and his number was nearly up. He slept on a cold concrete floor. During bath time, staff sprayed him with a hose. He had heartworm, which was untreated. It looked like it wasn't going to end well. 

But Sara Cross, founder of Badass Brooklyn Animal Rescue, and Eva Armstrong, one of the group's rescuers, didn't want to see that happen. The rescue works with Alabama's Wannabe Rescued to help bail dogs out of the Selma pound. The two groups do so because dogs don't stand a chance at that place. Once local foster parents in Alabama are fully tapped, Badass Brooklyn steps in to bring the dogs up north to place them in foster homes.

Badass has saved more than 800 dogs from high-kill pounds in the South. 

"We really want people to understand the urgency here," Cross told the New York Daily News. "You either take the dog or the dog gets killed the next day. There's no other option."

Captain Morgan got his ticket out in March alongside 30 other dogs that day. In New York, the group typically fosters out the dogs, but Captain Morgan was a special case -- he had heartworm. He needed treatment. Armstrong let the one-eyed dog stay with her while he got healthy, and Cappy (short for Captain Morgan) jumped right in. Bonding, as they say, took place. 

Cappy slept in Armstrong's bed. They watched TV. They took walks. The dog learned how to be a happy puppy to a loving caretaker, and Armstrong's kindness made a big impression on the little dog. After he was adopted to a couple in Park Slope, Brooklyn, Cappy didn't forget his rescuer. When the two were reunited earlier this month at one of Badass Brooklyn's block parties, Cappy spotted Armstrong from a distance, ran over, and leapt into her arms. 

Photographer Hilary Benas caught the embrace at the perfect time. The photo went viral. You can see why: 

"It's great that he found a home right here in Park Slope," Armstrong said. "When he sees me, he goes nuts."

Cross told the told the Huffington Post that she see this a lot: "Whenever any of us run into dogs that we have fostered or rescued, they always recognize us and are so excited to see us. Dogs remember the person who saved their life and helped them on their way to a forever home."

If you would like to help facilitate more happy reunions like this one, you can donate to Badass Brooklyn via its Facebook page and website.

"Cappy would not be alive were it not for a small group of dedicated volunteers in Selma, Alabama," Cross told the Daily Mail. "We would not even know these dogs exist, let alone be able to rescue them, if it were not for amazing volunteers."

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It's Spring! Your complete checklist for a healthier, safer lawn for your dog!

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Product Reviews: Dogswell Jerky Bars

Jerkey Bars are made to be a protein bar for dogs. According to the manufacturer, they are  packed with antibiotic-free protein, plus vegetables, fruits and other ingredients for help give your dog healthy eyes, skin and coat, or support joint health.

Jerky Bars are about 1.5? square. This makes them a bigger treat, so they’d be ideal for medium and large dogs. Small dogs would probably enjoy them very much, but would have to bite off pieces. So for smaller dogs, they’d make a great treat, but not for training, where you’d want a quick munch. Fortunately, they’re dehydrated, so they would be easy for a dog to bite through or for you to break them apart. Dehydrated meat is suitable for a dog snack, rather than dried meat that you’d find in a human jerky stick, because they have to sit on the shelf longer. Also, the dog can just eat it, rather than having to chew, chew, chew, like a regular piece of jerky. And for dogs who don’t take the time to chew, dehydrated protein is easier to digest than dried jerky.

There are two varieties: Vitality and Happy Hips. Each comes in four flavors: Chicken & Veggies, Lamb & Veggies, Turkey & Veggies and Salmon & Veggies. Each variety — although dehydrated — actually smell like the primary ingredient (turkey, chicken, etc.). This increases the dog’s interest.

These treats, wich are made in the USA, have a guaranteed analysis of 30% protein. The manufacturer’s website says they contain 85% animal protein. That could mean that of the 30% protein in each bar, 85% of that protein comes from animals and the other 15% might come from plant sources.

Jerky Bars are low glycemic treats, which I was happy to see, since there are a lot of foods and treats on the market that are said to benefit skin and coat, and then the first ingredient is wheat or corn, which gives many dogs skin allergies. Jerky Bars contain no gluten, corn, wheat, soy, BHA/BHT, ethoxyquin, byproducts, antibiotics, added hormones, artificial colors, artificial flavors or preservatives.

Our two test dogs loved the flavors we tested. The size and consistency was just right. They are flanking me as I write this, staring at the bags, then at me, then at the bags, then at me. : ) To put this in perspective, these are dogs who are accustomed to a raw diet. They dine every day on raw hamburger, chicken wings, fish, beef tongue, liver, gizzards, and other delicacies. Their training treats are beef hot dogs. If I put down a bowl of kibble, they look at the bowl and then look at me as if to say, “Erm, mom? What are we doing?” Given that, I would say that palatability for Jerky Treats must be very high.

The daily feeding guide advises dog owners to feed between 1 and 10 Jerky Bars to their dogs per day, depending on the dog’s size. This may be a way to encourage dog owners to feed these treats every day. However, at 32 cents apiece, I don’t think I would be feeding 10 per day to my two 75 lb dogs (that would cost $194 per month). So, since this is not intended to be a dog’s main source of nutrition, I would probably just feed these occasionally as a tasty and nutritious treat, rather than putting my dog on a feeding schedule of treats.

Overall, this is a well-thought-out, well-made, nutritious treat that’s shelf-stable, yet not cardboardy. Our test dogs found them yummy and easily digestible.

Manufacturer: Dogswell

Retail Price (15 oz/about 40 pieces): $12.99

Buy them at: A variety of websites and stores. Find a store near you by searching the Dogswell store finder, or Google “Dogswell Jerky Bars” to find an online retailer.

Click on our coupons page for a coupon for $1 off a bag of Jerky Bars

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Cleaning Dog Nose Prints Off Windows

If you’re like me, your dog leaves nose prints all over the windows, glass doors, and car windows. Dog slobber has mucous in it, so it can be slimier than saliva. Thicker, too, which is what makes it build up and stick so badly.

When you clean any window from both sides — which I often do — here’s a tip to make it go faster. Spray your cleaner of choice on the nose streaks and let it sit for a minute before wiping. This will cut through most of the “gunk” so you’ll have less scrubbing.

Clean the outside with horizontal strokes and the inside with vertical strokes. This way, if there’s streaking, you’ll know which side it’s on.

Choose a cleaner that doesn’t have a super-strong odor; our canine pals have a sense of smell that’s 1,000 times more sensitive than ours.

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