Doggie Blog

EXTRA ITCHY? HOW TO TELL IF YOUR DOGGIE SUFFERS FROM SEASONAL ALLERGIES & HOW YOU CAN HELP 0

Five Amazing Mutts for National Mutt Day 0

On the last day of July, we get to celebrate our four-legged heroes with National Mutt Day, also known as National Mixed Breed Dog Day. This celebration takes place twice a year on July 31 and December 2, and raises awareness for mixed breed dogs in shelters around the nation. Approximately 80% of dogs in shelters are mixed breeds!

While not all the dogs featured here come from mixed lineage, all of them prove their intelligence, strength of spirit, and willingness to share the trials of life with their human companions. 

Jasmine

While working his beat, British Policeman Geof Grewcock inspected a shed and found a skinny-to-the-bone, filthy greyhound inside. He took the abused female to the Nuneaton and Warwickshire Wildlife Preserve to rehabilitate her. And ever since, Jasmine has repaid that kindness by the ton.

Geoff founded the wildlife preserve as a place for sick and injured animals. Jasmine fit right in.

"When I first met Jasmine, you could tell she had been emotionally devastated but was a gentle dog by nature," he said. "And soon, she started nurturing the other animals." 

During her life with him, Jasmine stepped in as mother to puppies, foxes, a fawn, four badger cubs, 15 chicks, eight guinea pigs, 15 rabbits, a deer, and her favorite, a goose.

Jasmine died in 2011, but her legacy lives on through her story and the animals she nurtured. 

Pearl

Another magnificent mutt, Pearl, escaped a bleak fate at a Los Angeles animal shelter and went on to save lives around the world. 

Initially, a group that trains seeing-eye dogs saw potential in the beautiful black lab but found her too hyper for the job. But her I'm-just-getting-going attitude made her perfect for the National Search and Rescue Dog Foundation. 

Pearl passed the intense training program for these four-legged heroes and found herself in Haiti in response to the earthquake of 2010 and Japan in 2011 after the tsunami.

From rescued to rescuer, Pearl proves the power of our amazing friends!

Rancho

Just like their humans, not every dog earns the title of amazing for training-intensive, spectacular feats. Rancho helps his owner with the laundry and even knows how to fold. Check out this beautiful shepherd pulling his weight around the house here.

Survivor

Imagine falling from a fishing boat and becoming lost at sea. That's what rescuers from an oil rig 135 miles off the Thai coast believe happened. This brave little fellow swam up to their boat without a sound of complaint or suffering. The crew used a rope to pull him from the water and gave him the only name that fit: Survivor. Click here to have a look at the pictures of this lucky dog and his new family in the comments.

Chancer

Chancer changed the life of his humans within 24 hours of joining the family. His first night in his new home, Chancer crawled into bed with the family's adopted teenage son, Iyal, who displays symptoms of fetal alcohol syndrome. After years of round-the-clock care and little rest, the entire family got its first good night's sleep. Iyal's new companion keeps him calm and lessens the severity of the symptoms that do slip through, Iyal's mother says.

Giving back to the Givers

All mutts are amazing. They just need the opportunity to prove it. Like people, every dog has a unique personality. These differences make them perfect and especially ideal for their owners. When choosing your new family member, please consider adoption!

If you want a hero, best friend, soul mate, and protector in your life, considering adopting one of the many dogs that find themselves in shelters through no fault of their own. Check out this list of animal shelters by state to help get you started.

If you want to help but can't adopt, never fear. Agencies large and small, national and local, always need supplies like dog food, collars, and leashes. Check out their websites or call them to see how you can give back to our marvelous, four-legged companions.

Putting Our Best Paws Forward: Animal Aid Society 0

Here at Doggie Dailies, we believe there is no better feeling than helping those in need. That's why every quarter we pick a new charity to donate a portion of our proceeds to!

We’re now in the third quarter of 2020 (July - October) and this quarter we're excited to be donating to Animal Aid Society of Hampton, Virginia.

About Animal Aid Society

Animal Aid Society (AAS) is a non-profit, no-kill dog shelter located in Hampton, Virginia. Since its founding in 1971, AAS has helped countless stray, abandoned, and abused dogs find their happily ever after in coastal Virginia. 

Open to the public 365 days a year, AAS utilizes campus-style kennels that give each of each dog their own temperature controlled housing with access to an outdoor area 24 hours a day. In it’s nearly 50 years of operation, AAS has transformed from a home-based, one-woman effort to a 41 kennel facility located on 7 acres of land with over 100 volunteers. 

After all these years, it remains committed to providing dogs with medical care and safe shelter until they can be placed with a foster family or with their forever family!

Noticing A Need 

Nearly 50 years ago, Sue Henninger, an animal advocate and military wife, noticed a sad trend in her coastal Virginia military community. When military families were given new orders and had to relocate, they often couldn’t bring their furry family members with them. The only option at the time was to surrender their pets to a kill shelter. 

Sue knew she couldn’t stand idly by and watch this happen. To avoid these animals being surrendered to a kill shelter, Sue offered to take in and care for these animals until they could be rehomed with loving families. That’s when the Animal Aid Society was founded. 

In its nearly 50 years of operation, with the generous support of their community and the tireless efforts of volunteers, AAS has transformed from a home-based, one-woman effort to a 41 kennel facility located on 7 acres of land with over 100 volunteers.

Driven By A Passion For Dogs 

Animal Aid Society is an all-volunteer organization! On average, the AAS volunteer force contributes 900 hours of every month, which translates to just under $275,000 annually in donated labor. Everyone from the daily dog walkers, the marketing team to the board members donates their time to create a safe haven for homeless dogs. That means that AAS is able to invest 100% of all donations and fundraising monies to provide for the dogs in their care. 

To encourage this passion in future generations, AAS partners with community groups (scouts and athletic teams) to create volunteer and educational opportunities for local teens and young adults. Families with children are encouraged to come and walk dogs in their park-like facility as a bonding experience and volunteering opportunity all rolled into one. 

The rescue strongly believes that the connection and interaction of volunteers with the animals results in a higher level of healing for both the volunteers and the animals. From walking and socialization to fundraisers and adoption events, volunteers are integral to the day-to-day operation of the rescue. 

Going the Extra Mile

Animal Aid Society has a comprehensive adoption process to ensure that each of their dogs is placed with a family that they will be able to thrive with. With each adoption, AAS provides as much information as possible about a dog’s medical history, personality, and temperament to the potential adopters. This allows the potential adopters to make an informed decision about whether the dog will be a good match for their family and lifestyle.

The relationship doesn’t end once the adoption is complete. Their positive reinforcement trainers are available to adopters for a no-cost consultation to help with the transition of bringing a new dog home.

If circumstances change or a placement doesn’t work out – AAS always takes the dog back. AAS has even gone so far as to fly a dog from across the continent when the family that adopted had to move overseas and couldn’t take the dog they adopted with them.  When AAS accepts a dog into their organization, they consider themselves to be responsible for that dog for the rest of his/her life. Once an AAS dog, always an AAS dog!

Effort to Rebuild

In 2016, the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services changed the shelter rules, requiring public and private shelters to follow the same set of regulations. This rule change states that unattended outdoor enclosures should have impervious floors. This rule change meant that the outdoor run portion of each doggie apartment was in violation of the new rule.

The volunteers of AAS have embarked on the monumental task of redesigning their facility and raising the estimated $2 million dollars needed to complete it. The new facility will be bigger and better! The new plan calls for four new sets of kennels, with larger play yards and more climate-controlled spaces. There will be a retention pond to reduce flooding issues and more paths for walks. Additionally, the new layout will be more visitor-friendly and allow potential adopters to view each dog.

This new facility will allow AAS to continue providing a safe haven for homeless dogs in their care for the next 50 years! If you want to help support their fundraising efforts for their new facility, click here to donate.

Brewing for Breeds

In January of 2020, AAS partnered with Tradition Brewing of Newport News for their BrewDog celebration. That’s when they came up with the idea to create the perfect summer beer to help spread awareness about dogs in need and to help raise money to rebuild the shelter.

Over the July 4th weekend, Tradition Brewing released  “Chasin’ Tail Pale Ale”. This specialty brew features a picture and bio of an adoptable AAS dog. A portion of the proceeds from Chasin’ Tail Pale Ale is donated to AAS, helping them get closer to their fundraising goal to rebuild the shelter. 

Our friends at Animal Aid Society work hard each and every day to rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome as many dogs as possible, but they can’t do it alone!

There are a few ways you can help... 

Of course, you can make a donation to the Animal Aid Society. Any amount you can afford to give will help pups in need! You can also lend a helping paw by donating items from Animal Aid Society’s Amazon Wishlist. There are tons of needed items at all price ranges that will help out in a big way. 

Animal Aid Society has many adorable, deserving dogs available for adoption. If you live in or near coastal Virginia and are interested in adding a furry family member to your home, take a look at all the loveable dogs available for adoption. All adoptable dogs are up to date on shots, spayed/neutered, and micro-chipped. 

Not able to adopt? Help Animal Aid Society spread its message and mission with your friends. Share Animal Aid Society’s information on Facebook and Instagram to let your friends know about this amazing organization.

There are so many ways to support the Animal Aid Society. Visit their website for a full list of ways that you can help. 

To learn more about Animal Aid Society or to assist them in their mission, visit their website, ‘Like’ them on Facebook, or ‘Follow’ them on Instagram.

Gut Check: What Most Doggie Parents Don’t Know About Probiotics 0

Did you know that the immune system of dogs resides in their gut just like that of humans? The gut is made up of about 70% of immune cells making it the biggest immune organ found in a body. Gastrointestinal health is critical to your pup’s overall well being.   

Just like humans, your dog’s gut is filled with bacteria - both good and bad strains - that can have a profound impact on your pup’s health and how he feels. This bacteria is often referred to by experts as the “forgotten organ”, or our microbiome. Bacterial imbalances can make your pet sick in all sorts of ways. The good news is that you can help fix those imbalances with the help of probiotics.  

Let’s take a look at the importance of bacteria to gut health, learn what probiotics are, and find out how probiotics can help your pup.

The Importance of Bacteria in Your Pet’s Gut 

An animal's body plays host to trillions of bacteria on a regular basis, and at least 70 percent of this bacteria lives in the mucosal tissues that line the digestive system.  If the thought of your beloved dog filled with bacteria makes you cringe, think again. While some bacteria can indeed have damaging effects, other strains of bacteria actually provide a variety of health benefits, including:

• Protecting the body against infection
• Synthesizing vitamins and other key nutrients
• Helping your pet digest food

What happens when your dog has too little of this "good bacteria" in his gut? The bad bacteria has an opportunity to overrun his digestive system -- and so it does. Many of the resulting problems strike the digestive system directly, resulting in constipation, diarrhea, digestive ulcers, bloating, discomfort, and gas. Cases of "leaky gut" related to bacterial imbalances may be factors in the development of diabetes, arthritis, allergies, mood disorders, liver disease, and obesity.

Fortunately, you can fight fire with fire -- or rather, you can fight bad bacteria with good bacteria. These positive bacterial strains take up space in the gut that would otherwise be occupied by destructive strains, resulting in a healthier gut and a healthier dog. The foods and supplements that provide these positive strains are called probiotics.

What are Probiotics for Dogs?

Probiotics are useful living microorganisms in the digestive tract. They produce short-chain fatty acids, which help treat and prevent several gastrointestinal system diseases by reducing the growth of harmful bacteria. 

There are a variety of different probiotics that provide a range of benefits. A variety of probiotic strains and their different benefits complement each other, enhancing their effectiveness. It ensures a healthy balance of bacteria is maintained and that no single group becomes too abundant.

Benefits of Probiotics for Dogs

Probiotics help to heal your pup from the inside out. By balancing the come with several health benefits to dogs. These include:

• Stronger Immune System: Probiotics work throughout the dog's digestive tract to maintain good bacteria for the optimal immune system. They also reduce inflammation and other chronic diseases. 
• Improved Brain Function: Probiotics support the production of neuropeptides and neurotransmitters in the gut. These microbiomes are helpful for brain health.
• Supports the Digestive System: Probiotics enhance the digestion of food and the assimilation of minerals and vitamins. They also relieve irritable bowel syndrome and constipation. 
• Prevents the Adverse Effects of Antibiotics: The presence of probiotics ensures antibiotics do not affect the good bacteria. This helps avoid side effects like diarrhea and other gastrointestinal diseases.
• Improved Dental Health: By inhibiting the growth of bad bacteria and promoting the growth of good bacteria, probiotics reduce the growth of bacteria that leads to common oral and dental diseases, including periodontal disease and halitosis.
• Other benefits: healthier coat and skin, allergy relief, and improved behavior and disposition. 

What to Look for in a Dog Probiotic

A variety of foods offer probiotic effects for dogs. If you want to make certain that your pet is receiving a healthy daily dose of probiotics, you’ll want to look into supplementation. Always consult with your veterinarian, but there are a few things you will want to look out for: 

• Variety of Bacteria Strains: It’s important that the probiotic you choose includes a variety of different strains. This will make sure your pup is getting the full benefits of probiotics and ensure a healthy gut environment is maintained. Some of these strains include Lactobacillus plantarum, lactobacillus acidophilus, lactobacillus brevis, and bifidobacterium bifidum.
• Colony Forming Units: Probiotics are made with colony forming units (CFU) to guard against the acidic stomach environment. The higher the number of CFUs, the more effective the probiotic. For the best supplements, go for probiotics with over 1 billion CFUs.
• Additional Prebiotics: Prebiotics help support the growth of probiotics in the gut, improving the balance of good and bad bacteria.

Top Tips for Probiotics for Dogs

You are most likely to have several concerns when starting with the probiotics for dogs. Here are some of the tips to help you through:

• Consult your veterinary on the best probiotics for your dog’s needs. The professional will advise you on the recommended probiotic strains and dosage.
• Read the label of every probiotic before use. It provides information on ingredients, dosage, and direction of use.
• The exact time it takes to notice positive changes in your dog depends on the dog and the probiotic.
• Some dogs experience upset stomachs at the start of probiotics. Be sure to introduce new supplements gradually to your dog’s diet.

Bottom Line