“Leash reactive” dogs are usually reacting in overexcitement, fear or aggression.

If your dog keeps lunging on their leash, they’re developing a habit. The more they do it, the harder it is to change that habit. So how do you prevent lunging?

Don’t punish dogs for lunging

The AKC says not to punish your dog for lunging on a leash because that will likely exacerbate the problem. Your dog will associate the punishment with the other person, dog, or object, which can strengthen their fear or reactive response.

Be proactive

Plan your walks for times when your dog is unlikely to encounter any lunging triggers. This might mean adjusting your schedule to walking when fewer people are out, like in the evening or early morning.

Change your dog’s emotional response

The AKC says desensitization and counterconditioning can help alter dogs’ behaviors by changing their emotional responses from negative to positive (in the case of fear-based or aggressive reactivity) or from out-of-control excitement to calm (in the case of frustration).

One way to do this is training with rewards or treats. The AKC says:

“Start the process with your dog on leash. Wait for them to notice a trigger then immediately present a reward. When they glance at the trigger again, offer another reward. Continue as long as the trigger is present. With enough repetition, your dog will eventually glance at the trigger then turn right back in your direction, as if to say, ‘I saw it, now where’s my treat?’ This tells you that your dog has realized the trigger makes the reward happen, so the positive association is being formed.

“Now you can move a tiny bit closer to the trigger and repeat the process. The goal is to slowly reduce the distance between your dog and the trigger until they are within a few feet or less, all while keeping your dog under threshold. Then duplicate the entire procedure again with a new dog or person. Continue to repeat with as many examples of the trigger as necessary to convince your dog that their trigger makes great things happen. As a result, when they see any trigger, they will look to you for a reward instead of lunging.”

After a few weeks, you can start playing it on walks at a comfortable distance from others. Be sure to reward your pup because they react — every negative experience will set them back. If they do react, add more distance next time and repeat the step.

Note that the best time to play the game is before mealtime when your dog is hungry.

This year’s campaign is a month-long event from Aug. 10 to Sept. 10 and culminates in crescendo events the weekend of Sept. 7. 

Leading up to and during the campaign period, Clear The Shelters, in partnership with Greater Good, will host digital fundraisers to raise money for participating animal shelters. 

Hill’s Pet Nutrition is once again the lead national sponsor of Clear The Shelters.

Here’s how to donate through Clear The Shelters’ social platforms, including Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.

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How to donate on Facebook

Click to donate on Facebook or follow the steps below.

1. Find the fundraiser you want to donate to through a Facebook post or by visiting the Clear The Shelters page.
2. Click “donate to nonprofit.”
3. Type the dollar amount you want to donate.
4. If you agree, check the “cover donation processing fees.”
   1. Note: The processing fee is no longer paid by Meta. The fee will be deducted from your donation.
5. Click “continue.”
6. Fill out the donation form, include your contact information, credit or debit card number, expiration date, CVV and zip code.
7. You also have the option to donate through PayPal.
8. Confirm your donation.
9. You can also set up a PIN for additional security when making donations on Facebook.
10. Troubleshooting instructions from Facebook.

How to donate on Instagram

Click to donate on Instagram or follow the steps below.

From Aug. 10 through Sept. 10, the Greater Good Charities Instagram donation fund will be delegated/directed to Clear The Shelters. 

There are several ways to donate on Instagram, including to a nonprofit fundraiser in a post, during an Instagram Live video, or through a donation sticker in a Story:

• Donate to a nonprofit fundraiser in a post
  • Open the post, tap the banner on the right, tap Donate on the fundraiser details page, enter the amount, tap Continue, and then tap Donation visibility.
• Donate during an Instagram Live video
  • Tap Donate in the bottom left, enter the amount, tap Next, select a payment method, and then tap Donate at the bottom.
• Donate through a donation sticker in a Story
  • Eligible nonprofits can create a Story, add the donation sticker, and supporters can donate without leaving Instagram.

How to donate on TikTok

1. Click the + button.
2. Record a video, go live or post an existing video.
3. Tap the stickers icon on the right rail.
4. Select the “Donation” sticker.
5. Search for “Greater Good Charities” and select it.
6. Place the sticker on your video.
7. Add a caption and post, or continue live streaming.

To learn more about Clear The Shelters 2024 and search for adoptable pets in your area, visit cleartheshelters.com. You can also donate to your local animal shelters and rescue groups by visiting clearthesheltersfund.org.

Follow Clear The Shelters on Facebook and Instagram to stay up to date on this year’s pet adoption and donation news:

Hashtags: #ClearTheShelters & #DesocuparLosAlbergues

This story uses functionality that may not work in our app. Click here to open the story in your web browser.

In Virginia, several Loudoun County shelters are collaborating on a one-day adoption blowout. All fees will be waived, and there will be many different animals to choose from.

“We’ll definitely have all sizes, ages, breeds of cats and dogs, puppies and senior dogs as well, which are 8 years and older. They’re all wonderful animals looking for their forever homes,” a spokesperson from a shelter said.

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Anthony Beninca knows first-hand how important it is to give these pets a second chance.

“I think it’s great to adopt because you are giving these guys here a chance at a better home. It cannot be overstated the amount of joy that a pet will bring you,” Beninca said.

The event, sponsored by the organizations Friends of Homeless Animals (FOHA), Middleburg Humane Foundation, Humane Society of Loudoun County, and Homeward Trails, will be held in Segra Field on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Click here for more information.

In addition, the Humane Rescue Alliance in Washington D.C., will hold another Clear the Shelters adoption event from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Click here for more information.

Clear The Shelters is NBCUniversal Local’s nationwide pet adoption and donation campaign that encourages people to adopt from their local shelters. Each year, more than 100,000 animals are adopted from shelters and rescues that participate in our initiative. 

“Leash reactive” dogs are usually reacting in overexcitement, fear or aggression.

If your dog keeps lunging on their leash, they’re developing a habit. The more they do it, the harder it is to change that habit. So how do you prevent lunging?

Don’t punish dogs for lunging

The AKC says not to punish your dog for lunging on a leash because that will likely exacerbate the problem. Your dog will associate the punishment with the other person, dog, or object, which can strengthen their fear or reactive response.

Be proactive

Plan your walks for times when your dog is unlikely to encounter any lunging triggers. This might mean adjusting your schedule to walking when fewer people are out, like in the evening or early morning.

Change your dog’s emotional response

The AKC says desensitization and counterconditioning can help alter dogs’ behaviors by changing their emotional responses from negative to positive (in the case of fear-based or aggressive reactivity) or from out-of-control excitement to calm (in the case of frustration).

One way to do this is training with rewards or treats. The AKC says:

“Start the process with your dog on leash. Wait for them to notice a trigger then immediately present a reward. When they glance at the trigger again, offer another reward. Continue as long as the trigger is present. With enough repetition, your dog will eventually glance at the trigger then turn right back in your direction, as if to say, ‘I saw it, now where’s my treat?’ This tells you that your dog has realized the trigger makes the reward happen, so the positive association is being formed.

“Now you can move a tiny bit closer to the trigger and repeat the process. The goal is to slowly reduce the distance between your dog and the trigger until they are within a few feet or less, all while keeping your dog under threshold. Then duplicate the entire procedure again with a new dog or person. Continue to repeat with as many examples of the trigger as necessary to convince your dog that their trigger makes great things happen. As a result, when they see any trigger, they will look to you for a reward instead of lunging.”

After a few weeks, you can start playing it on walks at a comfortable distance from others. Be sure to reward your pup because they react — every negative experience will set them back. If they do react, add more distance next time and repeat the step.

Note that the best time to play the game is before mealtime when your dog is hungry.

But what is a “bonded pair”? According to Doreen Jakubbak, the executive director at Marty’s Place Senior Dog Sanctuary, a New Jersey-based animal shelter, it all boils down to the bond both animals have developed with each other.

“It is the term we use for when two dogs come from the same home or owner and we make a commitment to not separate them.”

Bonded pets come in all shapes and sizes. They could be a dog pair, a cat pair, or even a cat and dog pair. They may be littermates, come from the same household, or just developed a strong bond after being rescued.

When a shelter labels a pet pair as a “bonded pair,” it means both animals have a healthy relationship and usually sleep and play together so they want the pair to be adopted as a pair instead of separate.

“The one constant was them having each other so we believe that (separating them) would create unnecessary anxiety and further trauma to break that bond,” Jakubbak said.

What are the benefits of adopting a bonded pet pair?

Despite being a major commitment to adopt two pets, a bonded pair does come with its benefits, some experts say.

For starters, adopting bonded pairs has been proven to reduce separation anxiety, barking, destructive behavior and even potty accidents among some pets.

Similarly, bonded pairs might tend to learn quicker than single ones.

“Pets adopted together continue the learning cycle they experienced with their mother and siblings by watching what each other does,” said NOCO Humane, a Colorado-based nonprofit animal shelter. “As they socialize, play, and observe, they see how to behave along with associating the consequences of their actions.”

Lastly, if you’re in the market for two new pets, a bonded pair might be a better choice than adopting to separate animals since the pair is already comfortable together and no introduction is needed.

Visit ClearTheShelters.com between now and Sept. 30, 2024, to find out how you can adopt a pet virtually or donate online to help a shelter near you.

Not only did Giorgi adopt Chester, he also founded the sanctuary in the dog’s honor to ensure that as many special needs senior dogs as possible receive love and care.

Nestled in Stamford, Connecticut, the sanctuary is managed by Giorgi and his wife Anna Giorgi. The family, which includes Anna and Todd’s daughter, Jagger, and son, Lennon, offers unwavering love and support to senior dogs in need.

“I just get to be engulfed in love on a daily basis,” Todd said.

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At the sanctuary, neglected, senior, elderly, abandoned, sick, and hospice dogs can spend their remaining days in a secure and loving environment.

“We both had this passion to rescue senior dogs and make this their final home,” Anna said.

The organization’s operations depend on generous donations to meet expenses such as vet bills and medication.

With the help of social media campaigns, the sanctuary has received donations that help the Giorgi family continue rescuing and caring for senior dogs in need of a fur-ever home.

“The gift I give is I try to hold every single dog in my arms, kiss their head, and tell them that they’re a good boy or girl and that they’re gonna see all of our other dogs at the rainbow bridge,” Todd said. “What they give back in terms of gratitude is ten-fold.”

“Leash reactive” dogs are usually reacting in overexcitement, fear or aggression.

If your dog keeps lunging on their leash, they’re developing a habit. The more they do it, the harder it is to change that habit. So how do you prevent lunging?

Don’t punish dogs for lunging

The AKC says not to punish your dog for lunging on a leash because that will likely exacerbate the problem. Your dog will associate the punishment with the other person, dog, or object, which can strengthen their fear or reactive response.

Be proactive

Plan your walks for times when your dog is unlikely to encounter any lunging triggers. This might mean adjusting your schedule to walking when fewer people are out, like in the evening or early morning.

Change your dog’s emotional response

The AKC says desensitization and counterconditioning can help alter dogs’ behaviors by changing their emotional responses from negative to positive (in the case of fear-based or aggressive reactivity) or from out-of-control excitement to calm (in the case of frustration).

One way to do this is training with rewards or treats. The AKC says:

“Start the process with your dog on leash. Wait for them to notice a trigger then immediately present a reward. When they glance at the trigger again, offer another reward. Continue as long as the trigger is present. With enough repetition, your dog will eventually glance at the trigger then turn right back in your direction, as if to say, ‘I saw it, now where’s my treat?’ This tells you that your dog has realized the trigger makes the reward happen, so the positive association is being formed.

“Now you can move a tiny bit closer to the trigger and repeat the process. The goal is to slowly reduce the distance between your dog and the trigger until they are within a few feet or less, all while keeping your dog under threshold. Then duplicate the entire procedure again with a new dog or person. Continue to repeat with as many examples of the trigger as necessary to convince your dog that their trigger makes great things happen. As a result, when they see any trigger, they will look to you for a reward instead of lunging.”

After a few weeks, you can start playing it on walks at a comfortable distance from others. Be sure to reward your pup because they react — every negative experience will set them back. If they do react, add more distance next time and repeat the step.

Note that the best time to play the game is before mealtime when your dog is hungry.

But despite how intimidating they may look, behind the façade they are known to be lovable and well-behaved dogs.

That is exactly what celebrity dog trainer Tom Davis thinks.

“My absolute favorite breed to train is the pit bull,” Davis said.

For years, Davis, who founded the New York-based Upstate Canine Academy, has specialized in behavior-based dog training aimed at tackling challenging pet behavior.

According to Davis, pit bulls are so easy to train because they are bred to do anything for the humans they work with, which makes them naturally obedient and disciplined.

“In my experience pit bulls are some of the most loyal, trainable, and fun dogs to work with,” Davis said. “They also have a really good working drive and an off switch.”

The history of the American Pit Bull Terrier lineage is over 200 years old and can be traced back to 19th-century British bulls and terriers, according to the American Kennel Club.

Though they were initially bred to hunt, protect and drive livestock, the breed eventually turned into a family dog due to its loyal and enthusiastic nature.

“They like to go out and work with you, have fun and train but they also like to go home, cuddle and be a couch potato,” Davis said. “They are a really diverse dog.”

Why do pit bulls have a bad reputation?

According to Davis, it all boils down to the breed’s bond with its owner.

“The pit bull breed is so loyal and extraordinary that unfortunately it has given them a bad rep because of how loyal they are for their owners,” Davis explained.

“If the pit bull ends up in the wrong hands, that person can ultimately tell that dog to do anything they want. It’s one of the only breeds in the world that I’ve ever worked with that would literally die and do anything for their owner.”

Similarly, the AKC said pit bulls are “confident” and “strong” dogs, but “require an owner who will carefully socialize and obedience train the dog.”

Ultimately, any dog is what the owner makes of it, Davis explains. If the dog is not appropriately trained or disciplined, any good breed can turn into a bad pet.

“It always comes back down to training, whatever hands the dog is in is ultimately what the dog is going to act like,” Davis said. “It’s very important for dog owners out there to understand that if your dog is mean or aggressive or not listening when pulling on the leash, it’s a good chance that it’s because of you as the owner,.”

“There are no bad dogs,” Davis concluded.

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Pets are members of the family. So when it comes to taking care of yours and giving them the best life, what mistakes should you avoid?

Dr. Brett Levitzke, the chief medical officer of VERG Brooklyn, visited TODAY to share five things he’d never do as a pet owner knowing what he knows as a veterinarian.

Never use over-the-counter medicine without consulting a vet.

Levitzke advises to never use medicine without consulting a veterinarian as some medicine could be OK while others could be toxic to dogs and cats.

Never use retractable leashes.

While very popular, retractable leashes can be dangerous when used in traffic, around other dogs or at the veterinary clinic because they can make it more challenging to keep your dog under control. On that note, Levitzke says to never let your dog off the leash when in any of those situations. He often sees dogs come in because their owners didn’t have control over them when around other dogs, near cars or in an area where they could ingest something they shouldn’t.

Never feed a pet human food without knowing the risks. 

While your pet may beg for table scraps, do not feed them to your cat or dog as there could be health ramifications, Levitzke says. Some human food may be OK for your pet, but many foods like chocolate, onions, grapes, raisins and avocados are toxic to dogs. As for cats, many owners think they can have milk, but some are lactose intolerant. So if you want to give yours milk, make sure it’s a kind that is specially made for felines.

Never ignore your dog’s dental health.

Yes, your dog needs to have their teeth brushed, Levitzke says. Start getting them used to it when they’re a puppy and get in a daily routine to keep dental tartar and gingivitis at bay. You can find tooth brushes that are wearable on your finger or more traditional ones at your local pet store.

Never leave your dog in the car unattended.

Never leave your dog in the car unattended, Levitzke says, even if it’s only for a few minutes. Warmer temperatures are as dangerous for pets as they are for humans.

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This story first appeared on TODAY.com. More from TODAY:

• Video of groom turning for surprise first look with his puppy goes viral: ‘I had no idea’
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Expert dog trainer Tom Davis says it is ok to let your dog sleep on the bed, but there is a potential problem that owners need to make sure to avoid.

“My answer is, it doesn’t really matter as long as you can get your dog off (the bed) when they are older,” Davis told NBC Local.

Dogs who become accustomed to sleeping on the bed as puppies will want to do the same when they are fully grown, which could be as big as 100 pounds or more.

“Making sure that you can (say) ‘get off,’ or ‘down,’ and that your dog will actually do that so that you don’t have a fight when they are 100-plus pounds,” Davis added.

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Do you want to spend five hours or more in the kitchen cooking for your pets? That is about the average amount of time a pet owner might spend making homemade pet food.

Many pet owners believe cooking their pets’ food will be easier and cheaper than buying commercial food. But according to Dr. Lindsey E. Bullen, a veterinary nutritionist, that’s not the case.

There is a “misconception about one being able to create nutritiously balanced pet meals from human ingredients. That is just not possible,” she said.

How to find the right recipe for your animal companion

Rather than finding a random recipe online, Bullen recommends working with a board certified vet to create the right recipe for your furry friend.

“Food preparation done incorrectly could cause long-term damage to be borderline lethal to your pet,” Bullen said.

How about feeding your pets kibble?

Kibble might not be so attractive, but it could be a better option for many.

Even though pet owners might think commercial food is less healthy, Bullen reminds them there is no equivalent in the human world.

If you want to make your own pet food, make sure to research and work with the right professionals.

Bullen said she doesn’t see the benefit of cooking over feeding pets commercial food because every pet is so unique and it’s humanly impossible to get every ingredient right.

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These days, some interesting trends are emerging in the puppy-naming space. “It doesn’t come as a huge surprise to see that most of the trending dog names from 2023 and 2024 are dignified human names,” Brett Reynolds, CPDT-KA, a certified professional dog trainer and director of dog care at The Dog Stop, tells TODAY.com.  Per Reynolds, it’s also interesting to note that pet name trends also tend to mirror baby name trends — serving as “further proof of our growing infatuation with our fur babies.”  

Janice Costa, the owner of Canine Camp Getaway, a vacation camp for dogs, expands on that sentiment, sharing that she believes the initial trend of dog names following people names (Lucy instead of Lassie, Frankie instead of Fluffy) began when dogs started to become viewed as the new kids. “These days, we cook for them, dress them, travel with them and celebrate their birthdays, so it’s no surprise that naming them has taken on a more important role,” she says. But while human names like Bella, Molly and Max have long topped the most popular dog names lists, more creative dog names have come into the fold.

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As Reynolds further comments, the “Fidos” and “Chompers” of the world appear to be falling to the wayside, while distinguished “Bellas” and “Maximillians” are rising in popularity. Whether you choose a more traditional dog name or follow the trends, coming up with the right name for your fur-ever friend isn’t easy. Ahead, we’ve shared the best cute dog names across categories like food-inspired dog names, nature-inspired dog names, literary-inspired dog names, sports-inspired dog names and more.

Food-inspired dog names

• Waffle
• Skippy
• Cookie
• Olive
• Nacho
• Ginger
• Tater
• Bagel
• Biscuit
• Brownie

Nature-inspired dog names

• Lake
• Ocean
• Blossom
• Grove
• Dale
• Fern
• Fir
• Sky
• Sunny
• Thunder

Flower-inspired dog names

• Dahlia
• Rose
• Tulip
• Lily
• Violet

Celebrity-inspired dog names

• Fido
• Colin from Accounts
• Clifford
• Major
• Champ
• Lassie
• Mr. Big
• Comet
• Elvis
• Miles
• Fala
• Otis
• Scooby-Doo
• Sinbad
• Toto
• Coco
• Buck
• Santa’s Little Helper
• Elizabeth Taylor
• Duke

Sports-inspired dog names

• Mickey
• Babe
• Magic
• Shaq
• Serena
• Bolt
• Tiger
• Ali
• Kobe
• Jordan

City/state dog names

• Brooklyn
• Memphis
• Davos
• London
• Paris

Book/author-inspired names

• Gatsby
• Holden
• Tintin
• Argos
• Beezus
• Buck
• Snoopy
• Ribsy
• Sherlock
• Gromit

Celestial names

• Sol
• Leo
• Apollo
• Orion
• Comet
• Venus
• Stella
• Cosmo
• Astro
• Luna

Disney names

• Pluto
• Pongo
• Perdita
• Goofy
• Nana

Human names

• Sigmund
• Marshall
• Stella
• Oliver
• Toby
• Bella
• Charlie
• James
• Sam
• Phoebe

Classic names

• Rover
• Peanut
• Ruby
• Fluffy
• Bailey
• Rosie
• Scout
• Sadie
• Max
• Rocky

This story originally appeared on TODAY.com on April 30, 2024. More from TODAY:

• Billy Joel breaks down his ‘Piano Man’ lyrics about ‘real estate novelist’ Paul
• Eugene Levy will host the Emmys with son Dan. What to know about his 2 kids
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“Leash reactive” dogs are usually reacting in overexcitement, fear or aggression.

If your dog keeps lunging on their leash, they’re developing a habit. The more they do it, the harder it is to change that habit. So how do you prevent lunging?

Don’t punish dogs for lunging

The AKC says not to punish your dog for lunging on a leash because that will likely exacerbate the problem. Your dog will associate the punishment with the other person, dog, or object, which can strengthen their fear or reactive response.

Be proactive

Plan your walks for times when your dog is unlikely to encounter any lunging triggers. This might mean adjusting your schedule to walking when fewer people are out, like in the evening or early morning.

Change your dog’s emotional response

The AKC says desensitization and counterconditioning can help alter dogs’ behaviors by changing their emotional responses from negative to positive (in the case of fear-based or aggressive reactivity) or from out-of-control excitement to calm (in the case of frustration).

One way to do this is training with rewards or treats. The AKC says:

“Start the process with your dog on leash. Wait for them to notice a trigger then immediately present a reward. When they glance at the trigger again, offer another reward. Continue as long as the trigger is present. With enough repetition, your dog will eventually glance at the trigger then turn right back in your direction, as if to say, ‘I saw it, now where’s my treat?’ This tells you that your dog has realized the trigger makes the reward happen, so the positive association is being formed.

“Now you can move a tiny bit closer to the trigger and repeat the process. The goal is to slowly reduce the distance between your dog and the trigger until they are within a few feet or less, all while keeping your dog under threshold. Then duplicate the entire procedure again with a new dog or person. Continue to repeat with as many examples of the trigger as necessary to convince your dog that their trigger makes great things happen. As a result, when they see any trigger, they will look to you for a reward instead of lunging.”

After a few weeks, you can start playing it on walks at a comfortable distance from others. Be sure to reward your pup because they react — every negative experience will set them back. If they do react, add more distance next time and repeat the step.

Note that the best time to play the game is before mealtime when your dog is hungry.

The Kansas City Chiefs defensive end, who grew up in Greece before moving back to the U.S. when he was 13, said he always loved animals but could never have a dog growing up because his mom was allergic.

Fast forward to the present day, and he and his girlfriend have their very own flandoodle (a Bouvier des Flandres mixed with a poodle), Ralph, who the NFL star says is “amazing” and has “taken up the personality” of the couple.

“He’s big, you know, most of us are larger human beings,” Karlaftis told NBC Local. “He’s pretty lazy around the house — he likes to relax and just hang out. He’s awesome. Everyone loves him.”

“Ralph is family to me,” the 2021 All-American added. “You know, getting back home after a game, or after a long day of work, you know, to him, is awesome because you can’t be mad at him.”

“Leash reactive” dogs are usually reacting in overexcitement, fear or aggression.

If your dog keeps lunging on their leash, they’re developing a habit. The more they do it, the harder it is to change that habit. So how do you prevent lunging?

Don’t punish dogs for lunging

The AKC says not to punish your dog for lunging on a leash because that will likely exacerbate the problem. Your dog will associate the punishment with the other person, dog, or object, which can strengthen their fear or reactive response.

Be proactive

Plan your walks for times when your dog is unlikely to encounter any lunging triggers. This might mean adjusting your schedule to walking when fewer people are out, like in the evening or early morning.

Change your dog’s emotional response

The AKC says desensitization and counterconditioning can help alter dogs’ behaviors by changing their emotional responses from negative to positive (in the case of fear-based or aggressive reactivity) or from out-of-control excitement to calm (in the case of frustration).

One way to do this is training with rewards or treats. The AKC says:

“Start the process with your dog on leash. Wait for them to notice a trigger then immediately present a reward. When they glance at the trigger again, offer another reward. Continue as long as the trigger is present. With enough repetition, your dog will eventually glance at the trigger then turn right back in your direction, as if to say, ‘I saw it, now where’s my treat?’ This tells you that your dog has realized the trigger makes the reward happen, so the positive association is being formed.

“Now you can move a tiny bit closer to the trigger and repeat the process. The goal is to slowly reduce the distance between your dog and the trigger until they are within a few feet or less, all while keeping your dog under threshold. Then duplicate the entire procedure again with a new dog or person. Continue to repeat with as many examples of the trigger as necessary to convince your dog that their trigger makes great things happen. As a result, when they see any trigger, they will look to you for a reward instead of lunging.”

After a few weeks, you can start playing it on walks at a comfortable distance from others. Be sure to reward your pup because they react — every negative experience will set them back. If they do react, add more distance next time and repeat the step.

Note that the best time to play the game is before mealtime when your dog is hungry.

“Leash reactive” dogs are usually reacting in overexcitement, fear or aggression.

If your dog keeps lunging on their leash, they’re developing a habit. The more they do it, the harder it is to change that habit. So how do you prevent lunging?

Don’t punish dogs for lunging

The AKC says not to punish your dog for lunging on a leash because that will likely exacerbate the problem. Your dog will associate the punishment with the other person, dog, or object, which can strengthen their fear or reactive response.

Be proactive

Plan your walks for times when your dog is unlikely to encounter any lunging triggers. This might mean adjusting your schedule to walking when fewer people are out, like in the evening or early morning.

Change your dog’s emotional response

The AKC says desensitization and counterconditioning can help alter dogs’ behaviors by changing their emotional responses from negative to positive (in the case of fear-based or aggressive reactivity) or from out-of-control excitement to calm (in the case of frustration).

One way to do this is training with rewards or treats. The AKC says:

“Start the process with your dog on leash. Wait for them to notice a trigger then immediately present a reward. When they glance at the trigger again, offer another reward. Continue as long as the trigger is present. With enough repetition, your dog will eventually glance at the trigger then turn right back in your direction, as if to say, ‘I saw it, now where’s my treat?’ This tells you that your dog has realized the trigger makes the reward happen, so the positive association is being formed.

“Now you can move a tiny bit closer to the trigger and repeat the process. The goal is to slowly reduce the distance between your dog and the trigger until they are within a few feet or less, all while keeping your dog under threshold. Then duplicate the entire procedure again with a new dog or person. Continue to repeat with as many examples of the trigger as necessary to convince your dog that their trigger makes great things happen. As a result, when they see any trigger, they will look to you for a reward instead of lunging.”

After a few weeks, you can start playing it on walks at a comfortable distance from others. Be sure to reward your pup because they react — every negative experience will set them back. If they do react, add more distance next time and repeat the step.

Note that the best time to play the game is before mealtime when your dog is hungry.

While people oftentimes turn to a puppy to take home, there are so many advantages to having an elder companion.

As a matter of fact, dogs aged seven and older are typically housebroken, less destructive, and calmer than younger dogs. The devastating reality, however, is senior dogs have a 25% adoption rate, compared to a 60% adoption rate for younger dogs and puppies, according to ASPCA.

“After about 12 years of volunteering in animal shelters, what I noticed was the older dogs that I fell in love with were getting passed over for puppies,” said founder and CEO of Muttville Senior Dog Rescue Sherri Franklin.

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Franklin vividly remembers when of her favorite dogs at the shelter — a cheerful 8-year-old Beagle Basset — was euthanized for space because she wasn’t considered adoptable.

“I knew I had to do something,” Franklin said. “I started taking home dogs one at a time, fixing them up, getting them to see my vets and finding them homes on my own.”

It was such a large mission, which led Frankin to start a nonprofit in 2007. In the past 16 years, Muttville Senior Dog Rescue has saved over 9,000 senior dogs.

“I like to say we made senior dogs sexy,” she said.

Did you know older dogs often end up in shelters after their owners pass away, get sick, or transition to assisted living?

“I know for me personally, one day I’m going to grow old, or older, and I hope at some point in time when I need it, there will be someone out there that’s going to provide the assistance that I need,” said Doreen Jakubcak of Marty’s Place Senior Dog Sanctuary.

While there are many benefits to adopting senior dogs, be prepared to accommodate semi-annual veterinary checkups, special diets and decreased mobility.

The key is to address any and all health issues as early on as possible, Jakubcak advises. Catching any health ailments before they worsen can oftentimes rectify the issue or at least save the dog before it becomes untreatable.

“People often ask us how do you do it when you have to say goodbye?” Jakubcak said. “We focus on that quality of time, we focus on knowing that we did our best and we gave that dog the best care we could during that period of time they were with us,” Jakubcak said.

So what are you waiting for? This is your sign to run to a shelter and take home a loyal senior dog today.

Numerous studies have shown the positive effects pets have on humans — reducing stress, anxiety and depression, as well as improving overall mental health.

For many individuals, having an Emotional Support Animal (ESA), most commonly cats or dogs, can be a very helpful experience.

So what exactly is an ESA and what are the steps in having one? Take a look:

What is an Emotional Support Animal?

An ESA is an animal that helps individuals deal with mental and emotional disabilities.

While ESAs are not trained to perform specific tasks like service animals, they mainly offer support and comfort with their existence.

How do you make your pet an emotional support animal?

The first step of the process is finding the right pet — which sometimes includes checking out local shelters.

It can oftentimes come with a hefty price tag as the owner has to pay for food, boarding, care, adoption fees and more.

Next, you’ll need an ESA letter from a licensed mental health professional. The therapist must state your mental health condition and how the pet will help your symptoms.

Individuals must have an emotional support animal letter for housing to qualify their pet as a state-recognized ESA.

Who qualifies to have an Emotional Support Animal?

To qualify for an ESA, an individual must have a psychological condition or a professionally diagnosed mental illness. The licensed therapist must see that your animal provides you with support and comfort.

ESAs are seen to benefit people with anxiety, stress disorder, panic attacks, bipolar disorder, depression and PTSD.

How to make my cat a service animal?

Unfortunately, cats cannot be service animals because they cannot be trained to do a task for a disabled individual.

While cats can be trained to do certain tasks, it’s not to the depth that a service animal is required to be.

Cats, however, can be ESAs under Federal Law.

The perfume costs 99 euros ($108) for 100 milliliters (3.4 ounces) and has been certified suitable for animal use. It follows a Safe Pet Cosmetics protocol designed to ensure a degree of safety of cosmetic products for animals comparable to that required for humans, Dolce & Gabbana said.

“Through a compliance recognition to this protocol granted by Bureau Veritas Italia, participating companies demonstrate their sensitivity in creating products that ensure the safety and respect of the animal, in accordance with established standards,” the company said in the statement issued for the launch of the perfume.

Bureau Veritas Italia is a publicly held company that provides inspection, laboratory verification and certification services.

All of the dog owners consulted agree that the fragrance is “gentle and well accepted by their pets,” and veterinarians approve of the product, according to the company web page dedicated to ‘Fefé’, which cites performance reviews by veterinarians and customers.

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But not all veterinarians agree on the use of perfumes for dogs, as they may interfere with the animal’s sense of smell and cover up bad odors that could be a symptom of diseases.

“Dogs recognize themselves by smells, they recognize a person by a smell,” said Federico Coccía, a veterinarian in Rome who holds a doctorate from the University of Teramo.

“When the dog arrives, he sees you, wags his tail, but first smells you and then recognizes you because you are stored in one of his ‘smell drawers.’ Therefore, this world of smells should not be changed,” Coccia added.

Coccia said becoming aware of an ongoing dermatological disease can be problematic if dogs’ natural odors are covered up. “In the case of sebaceous dermatitis, for instance, the smell somehow completes my diagnosis.”

“The smell of breath, the smell of earwax are disguised by the perfume. So, it could be a problem even for us vets,” Coccia said.

Among the enthusiastic users of pet fragrances are groomers who take care of the hair and aesthetics of dogs.

Aliof Rilova Tano, a dog groomer at Morgana Carpentieri’s La Boutique delle Birbe parlor in Rome, said that in general he is in favor of using fragrances for pets.

“Our dogs live with us, so a little dog at home on the couch next to us with a perfume is always pleasant,” he said.

Grooming customers often feel the same way, so much so that customer Mariarita Ricciardi said she is in favor of “anything that has to do with a natural scenting … and that can also help the quality of the hair.”

However, there are also pet owners who would never use perfumes on their animals.

“Especially brand perfumes, it seems to be a very exaggerated process of humanization,” said Francesca Castelli, a dog-owner strolling in Rome’s Villa Borghese.

The MVP — or “Most Valuable Pup” — was an instrumental part of the team leading up to the Olympics, quietly sitting by trainings and Olympic trials while watching his gymnasts flip through the air.

Beacon is a therapy dog trained to give cuddles and calm nerves. He was seen comforting Suni Lee in an Instagram post the four-time Olympic medalist captioned, “thank god for beacon.” His badge — complete with a dapper headshot — read “goodest boy.”

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“It’s such a joy for me to see him happy and to see the joy that he gives other people,” handler Tracey Callahan Molnar said.

Beacon is part of the U.S. gymnastics team’s efforts to prioritize emotional wellness in athletes, a topic which was pushed into the spotlight after Simone Biles dropped out of the 2020 Tokyo Games.

Though the pup wasn’t able to join the team in Paris, his handler sent the gymnasts a video of support.

“Beacon, what do you want to say to the team?” Callahan Molnar asked the pup, who gave an enthusiastic bark.

After watching the video, Asher Hong said he heard a “Go Team USA!” in Beacon’s woof.

“We love you Beacon!” the women’s team cheered to the camera.

Monarrez was 28 and living with her parents in 2015 when Gizmo, then 2 years old, slipped past a faulty gate in the backyard of their home in Las Vegas.

The decade that followed brought a lot of change. Monarrez, now 37, moved into her own home, earned a master’s degree in English, and began her teaching career in higher education. But throughout the years, Monarrez said, she never stopped trying to find Gizmo.

Now, she was climbing into her car to drive across town to meet Gizmo at an animal hospital. Monarrez was later told that a woman had found the now 11-year-old dog and dropped him off at the vet, where they scanned his microchip, triggering the email notification that sent Monarrez to her knees, crying.

Within hours of receiving that email on July 17, Gizmo was back in his owner’s arms. Monarrez called it “a miracle.”

“Hindsight is 2020,” she said. “I’m so glad I registered his microchip.”

Their reunion came at the same time a new Las Vegas city ordinance requiring pet owners to microchip their cats and dogs is set to take effect Aug. 1.

Monarrez said Thursday that Gizmo’s first week back at home has brought mixed emotions.

It’s clear, she said, that the nine years they had spent apart had changed Gizmo, too. The 8-pound Chihuahua had grown afraid of shadows, heights and birds, and Gizmo now walked with a limp. Monarrez said both of the dog’s eyes were also severely infected, and some of his teeth were missing.

“Even though he looked so different, when I looked in his eyes I knew immediately it was Gizmo,” Monarrez said, recalling the moment they were reunited at the vet’s office. “And as soon as I said his name, he tilted his head and he didn’t stop staring at me.”

While Monarrez and her parents can’t stop thinking about what Gizmo endured after he went missing, their focus now, she said, is on addressing his health issues and “showering him with all the love that we were holding onto for all those years.”

“Leash reactive” dogs are usually reacting in overexcitement, fear or aggression.

If your dog keeps lunging on their leash, they’re developing a habit. The more they do it, the harder it is to change that habit. So how do you prevent lunging?

Don’t punish dogs for lunging

The AKC says not to punish your dog for lunging on a leash because that will likely exacerbate the problem. Your dog will associate the punishment with the other person, dog, or object, which can strengthen their fear or reactive response.

Be proactive

Plan your walks for times when your dog is unlikely to encounter any lunging triggers. This might mean adjusting your schedule to walking when fewer people are out, like in the evening or early morning.

Change your dog’s emotional response

The AKC says desensitization and counterconditioning can help alter dogs’ behaviors by changing their emotional responses from negative to positive (in the case of fear-based or aggressive reactivity) or from out-of-control excitement to calm (in the case of frustration).

One way to do this is training with rewards or treats. The AKC says:

“Start the process with your dog on leash. Wait for them to notice a trigger then immediately present a reward. When they glance at the trigger again, offer another reward. Continue as long as the trigger is present. With enough repetition, your dog will eventually glance at the trigger then turn right back in your direction, as if to say, ‘I saw it, now where’s my treat?’ This tells you that your dog has realized the trigger makes the reward happen, so the positive association is being formed.

“Now you can move a tiny bit closer to the trigger and repeat the process. The goal is to slowly reduce the distance between your dog and the trigger until they are within a few feet or less, all while keeping your dog under threshold. Then duplicate the entire procedure again with a new dog or person. Continue to repeat with as many examples of the trigger as necessary to convince your dog that their trigger makes great things happen. As a result, when they see any trigger, they will look to you for a reward instead of lunging.”

After a few weeks, you can start playing it on walks at a comfortable distance from others. Be sure to reward your pup because they react — every negative experience will set them back. If they do react, add more distance next time and repeat the step.

Note that the best time to play the game is before mealtime when your dog is hungry.

“It’s really important to remember that if it’s hot outside for you, it’s even hotter for your pets,” says Dr. Sandra Faeh, American Veterinary Medical Association president. A dog’s breed, weight and chronic health issues also matter. “There’s not one specific temperature that we can say, `this is the right temperature to go outside,’ because they’re all different.”

In the U.S, over 180 million people, or 63% of households, have at least one pet, according to an American Pet Products Association report. Pet-related spending is projected to be over $150 billion this year, yet a lot of pooch parents aren’t accustomed to changing routines or buying items for hot weather. This summer’s heat is making that more normal.

Of course, the surest strategy against high temperatures is to take pets out in the morning and evening, Faeh advises. If you must take them out during the day, be quick and stick to shade, grass and dirt. Pavement can be a scorcher on paws.

“We often think that their paws are thicker, they’re not as susceptible to the heat, but they are. They can blister, they can hurt,” Faeh said.

One paw-sitive measure: Faeh says dog booties made with a thick fabric can help with hot surfaces. Dogs just need time to get the hang of walking in them.

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Pets can also suffer sunburns, which can manifest as lighter pigment on the nose, or around the face on short-hair breeds. Veterinarians can prescribe special sunscreen.

Providing relief even after brief sun exposure is as important as sun protection. Cooling mats and small fans can help. And besides giving dogs water, you can wet their bodies with cool water. But not too cold, Faeh warns.

“If they get cold too quickly, their vessels constrict and then they have a harder time cooling off,” she said.

In a power blackout, Faeh suggests putting pets in a cooler part of the home like a basement or a windowless room. Keep fresh water on hand and any blinds or curtains closed.

Signs to look for if a dog is experiencing heat-related stress or heatstroke include restlessness, excessive panting, drooling and even vomiting. Cats show distress through open-mouth breathing. In any of these scenarios, contact a veterinarian immediately, Faeh advises.

There’s a wide array of pet accessories and devices available to help beat the heat, says Pete Scott, American Pet Products Association president. But some markets have been caught off-guard by the higher temperatures.

“You don’t think of Connecticut as being 100 degrees,” said Scott, who is based in Stamford. “You’ve got to be vigilant and be prepared. Like if it’s a week out when they say a heat wave is coming, everybody stocks up on bottled water. But they don’t also stock up for their pets.”

Besides booties, protective gear can mean a sun visor and doggy sunglasses or goggles, if your pet will wear them.

David Escalante started Kaykos Dog Shades out of his San Francisco Bay Area home in 2016 after putting a makeshift pair of sunglasses on his family’s pit bull. Now, Escalante, his father and brother hand-make every pair in his San Jose garage. They have sold nearly 15,000 in the last three years.

Each pair has a drawstring, nose bridge rest and lenses that he says protect against ultraviolet light rays.

“We try to push … to let people know, ‘Hey, you know, think about your dog’s eyes now that you’re out and it’s super bright,” said Escalante, who sells more during heat waves.

Other helpful tools include cooling collars and elevated dog beds that help with airflow, Scott says. You can also feed Fido chilled goodies like canine-friendly gelato, pup-sicles and ice cream mixes.

“When it’s hot, we all like a little frozen treat. So do dogs, so do cats,” Scott said.

Another solution is an indoor dog park. Spencer Mak and his wife, Lauren, have operated two Mak Pack Dog Training & Boarding facilities in suburban Phoenix since 2020. The 10,000-square-foot Chandler location includes an indoor dog park with agility exercises, climbing obstacles and a bounce house. They offer a $10 drop-in rate and a $49 monthly membership.

At its busiest, the indoor area has accommodated as many as 100 dogs. In June, when temperatures spiked, Mak saw 520 admissions compared to 300 in May — a nearly 75% jump.

He’s currently working on building an indoor doggy pool with ramps and floats.

Summertime also sees cases of people leaving or forgetting pets in hot cars. The temperature inside a vehicle can surpass the outside very quickly.

“It is so much better to just leave them at home and know that they’re gonna be wagging their tail and giving you kisses when you walk in the door,” Faeh says.

Some vehicles come with dashboard alerts if a child or pet is still in the back. There are also backseat car alarms on the market. But ultimately, “it always comes down to the human that owns the pet,” Scott says.

“Hill’s Pet Nutrition is an incredible, longstanding advocate for vulnerable pets and the shelters and rescues in communities across the nation that care for them,” said Bruce Kallner, SVP of Business Development, NBCUniversal Local. “Their sponsorship of Clear The Shelters has been a key driver of the campaign’s expanding impact and the milestones we’ve celebrated. As we embark on our 10th year, we’re again thankful for Hill’s Pet Nutrition’s contributions and remarkable collaboration.”

To support the 10th anniversary of Clear The Shelters, Hill’s Pet Nutrition will provide adoption kits to help new pet parents and their pets get a healthy start on their new life together. Kits containing starter bags of Hill’s science-led nutrition, coupons, pet-parenting tips and other supplies will be available at select shelters during the campaign.

“Tackling the growing challenge of the over capacity crisis happening in our nation’s shelters requires a team effort, which is why Hill’s Pet Nutrition is proud to continue our support of the Clear The Shelters campaign,” said Yvonne Hsu, US President and General Manager at Hill’s Pet Nutrition. “Supporting the significant work animal shelters do for the pets in their care is a priority for Hill’s as we work toward our collective goal of connecting more shelter pets with loving families.”

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Clear The Shelters directly aligns with Hill’s Pet Nutrition’s mission to support shelter pets in need through the Hill’s Food, Shelter & Love program, which partners with shelters 365 days a year by providing science-led nutrition to feed the pets in their care, as well as financial support and other needed resources such as pet food for community food pantries. For more than 20 years, the Hill’s Food, Shelter & Love program has provided more than $300 million in food to shelters across North America, and has helped more than 14 million pets find new homes. To learn how Hill’s Pet Nutrition supports shelters and pets, visit Hill’s Food, Shelter and Love.

As part of the Clear The Shelters initiative, NBC and Telemundo owned and affiliated stations across the U.S. and Puerto Rico will partner with animal shelters and rescue services in their communities to promote pet adoption and raise needed funds. To mark the campaign’s 10th anniversary, donations to participating shelters and rescues can be made at ClearTheSheltersFund.org from Aug. 1 to Sept. 30.

The 2023 Clear The Shelters campaign led to more than 158,000 adoptions – lifting the all-time adoption total past one million – and raised over $575,000. More than 1,400 shelters and rescues representing 49 states and territories, including the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Guam – along with 152 NBC and Telemundo stations – participated in last year’s campaign between Aug. 1 to 30.

For more information on Clear The Shelters, including participating animal shelters and rescues, along with details on local events, visit ClearTheShelters.com and the Spanish-language site DesocuparlosAlbergues.com.

Follow Clear The Shelters on social media:

X: @ClearTheShelter
Instagram: cleartheshelters
TikTok: @cleartheshelters
Hashtags: #ClearTheShelters & #DesocuparLosAlbergues

The nationwide pet adoption and donation campaign from NBCUniversal Local is returning for the 10th straight year this August, the company announced on Tuesday.

The monthlong adoption initiative will take place from Aug. 10 to Sept. 10; and in honor of the 10th anniversary, the donation initiative will have an extended run of Aug. 1 to Sept. 30.

Clear The Shelters’ landmark anniversary comes after the campaign surpassed 1 million all-time adoptions in 2023.

“Surpassing the one millionth all-time adoption last year and now celebrating our 10^th campaign are not just milestones, these numbers help quantify the incredible support Clear The Shelters has received from communities around the nation and the impact it’s had on vulnerable animals and the shelters that care for them,” said Meredith McGinn, NBCUniversal Local’s Executive Vice President of Diginets & Original Production, in a release.

Clear The Shelters sees NBC and Telemundo stations nationwide partner with animal shelters and rescues in their local communities to promote pet adoptions and to fundraise. The campaign has raised millions of dollars for participating animal shelters and rescues since launching in 2015.

Last year, over 150 NBC and Telemundo stations teamed up with 1,400-plus shelters and rescues located across 49 states and territories, including Puerto Rico and Guam. The 2023 campaign helped over 150,000 pets find homes while raising more than $575,000.

Details on highlights, activations and initiatives for 2024 will be announced at a later date.

Clear The Shelters has multiple partnerships that will be extended for the 2024 campaign. For the seventh straight year, Hill’s Pet Nutrition will serve as the campaign’s national sponsor and partner.

Meanwhile, virtual pet adoptions will be available through WeRescue for a sixth consecutive year. WeRescue allows prospective adopters to search for pets in their area, submit adoption applications and ask questions directly to shelters.

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The campaign’s fundraising efforts will continue to be led by longtime partner Greater Good Charities, while animal and pet brand The Dodo will return as a media partner for an eighth campaign.

“It’s a privilege to partner with participating shelters, affiliate stations, Hill’s Pet Nutrition and our employees, to continue to grow and expand this initiative,” McGinn said.

For more information on Clear The Shelters, including participating animal shelters and rescues, along with details on local events, visit ClearTheShelters.com and the Spanish-language site DesocuparlosAlbergues.com. Follow Clear The Shelters on social media:

• X: @ClearTheShelter
• Instagram: cleartheshelters
• TikTok: @cleartheshelters
• Hashtags: #ClearTheShelters and #DesocuparLosAlbergues

Wild Thang won the 2024 World’s Ugliest Dog contest in Petaluma, California, on June 21.

Wild Thang, an 8-year-old Pekingese, has competed in the contest four previous times, placing in second three times before finally winning first place this year.

The dog was born and raised in Los Angeles and recently retired to North Bend, Oregon.

According to his bio, Wild Thang contracted distemper as a puppy from a rescue foster.

“He survived, but not without permanent damage,” his bio says. “His teeth did not grow in, causing his tongue to stay out and his right front leg paddles 24/7.”

Apart from the physical issues, Wild Thang is “a healthy, happy Glugly (glamorous/ugly) guy,” his bio says.

He and his owner Ann Lewis took home a $5,000 check.

NBC News’ Gadi Schwartz helped judge the 2024 contest, along with Linda Witong Abrahm, Brian Sobel, Amy Gutierrez, Fiona Ma.

Last year, a hairless Chinese Crested pup named Scooter took home the title. Scooter was born with deformed back legs and turned into animal control for euthanasia by his breeder. He was rescued by the Saving Animals From Euthanasia (SAFE) rescue group, which his owner is a member of, and now uses a cart to help him walk.

The contest has been going on for nearly 50 years, according to the Sonoma-Marin Fair’s website, where the event takes place. The annual competition focuses on celebrating the uniqueness of all dogs and the benefits of adopting.

“The annual World’s Ugliest Dog Contest is not about making fun of ‘ugly’ dogs,” the website reads. “But having fun with some wonderful characters and showing the world that these dogs are really beautiful!”

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Rugby happily licked a plate of peanut butter as Walling inserted needles along her back; acupuncture and a ketamine injection to help with pain and mobility problems.

As an end-of-life care veterinarian, Walling considers both pet and owner to be her patients. She’s there to make sure animals are as comfortable as possible in their final days, and help humans through the difficult decision of knowing when it’s time to say goodbye.

“I find a lot of the time, the biggest part of my job is helping the owners,” said Walling. When it came time to euthanize Rugby at a later visit, the whole family was there.

There are a number of options available to help aging pets and their caregivers, including hospice and palliative care, at-home euthanasia and a growing number of so-called pet death doulas. But navigating decisions around the end of their life can still feel overwhelming. Here are some ways you can take care of your pet and yourself.

How can I make my elderly pet more comfortable?

Hospice and palliative care veterinarians like Walling specialize in home visits, which can be a good option if transporting your pet to the vet’s office becomes too difficult.

The International Association for Animal Hospice and Palliative Care maintains a directory of its members.

Vets can prescribe medication to treat infections, pain and chronic conditions, and help with diet changes. But there are simple things owners can do themselves around the house to make their pet more comfortable.

As dogs age and their limbs become stiffer, slippery floors like hardwood and tile become difficult to walk on. Try putting carpet runners or yoga mats where your pet walks, and especially where they stand to eat. For breeds with longer hair, you can trim the fur off the bottom of their paws to give their pads more grip.

“We had to take all of the area rugs and patchwork our kitchen,” said Rugby’s owner, Sam Boege.

For larger dogs that need help getting up or going outside, Walling recommends a special harness that has front and rear handles.

Cats don’t struggle with slippery floors as much, but they do get arthritis. If your cat is having trouble stepping up into their litter box, it might be a good idea to get one that’s lower to the ground.

For both dogs and cats, try raising the food and water bowls so they don’t have to bend down as much.

How do you know when it’s time to say goodbye to your pet?

If medication and pain management aren’t relieving your pet’s suffering and you’re trying to decide if it may be time to let them go, look for signs like loss of appetite and difficulty breathing — and check with your vet.

“There is a spectrum of time when a euthanasia is an appropriate decision,” said Dr. Dani McVety, a veterinarian who founded Lap of Love, the country’s largest network of at-home euthanasia providers.

Lap of Love provides resources on its website that can be used to evaluate your animal’s quality of life.

Planning for at-home euthanasia can be a good choice for pets who aren’t experiencing immediate medical emergencies. It’s smart to prepare ahead of time and understand how the procedure works so you can focus on your pet in their last days.

“You’re not shortening their life, you’re shortening their death,” Walling said.

Where to turn for emotional support at the end of your pet’s life

You don’t have to go through the end of your pet’s life alone.

The Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement provides information on its website to help pet owners understand euthanasia and grief. Lap of Love offers pet loss support groups several times a week. There are also pet loss counselors, grief specialists and animal chaplains who offer one-on-one support.

Animal end-of-life doulas, or “death doulas,” offer emotional, spiritual and informational support around the time of death. They aren’t required to have medical training, but may work with veterinary providers. A doula can help owners process feelings of grief and loss or assist with practical steps like planning for final days.

“Everybody’s different,” said Lauren Seeley, a death doula based in New York City. “What I find is most people aren’t ready to deal with it until it’s already happened.”

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How did it go? Well, the veterinarian made it from Queens to Manhattan, spending the last 32 years traversing the streets of her hometown as a full-time house call doc.

And, boy, does she have stories to tell, from escaping a massive, ailing and territory-threatened Rottweiler, fangs fully bared, to three weeks on intravenous antibiotics after a nasty bite from a cat patient.

Then there’s the humans behaving badly (“No dog of mine will be neutered!”) and the pampered celebrity-owned pets, including the beloved dogs of the late Joan Rivers, whom Attas counted as a friend. Cher once bared all to show Attas a rash after she adopted a dog with mange, and Billy Joel serenaded her on piano.

“You’ll never guess what happened today,” was Attas’ nightly refrain to her husband. Now, she’s collected those tales into a juicy and compassionate memoir, “Pets and the City,” out June 18.

Woven among her stories are tips and advice for animal lovers. (Forget the Easter lilies, cat people.)

The pug-loving Attas had no grand business plan for her City Pets practice when she first packed up supplies and began traveling by subway and taxi. She had just left a tony Upper East Side animal hospital and some of her clients, including Rivers, wanted to keep using her. She assumed the house calls would be temporary.

“When I started, it was a novelty,” Attas said. “From day one I was busy.”

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She has more company now as concierge services in general have grown in popularity. Other vets around the country do it full time like Attas, while some maintain brick-and-mortar practices and provide home services for end-of-life care.

Attas, meanwhile, has graduated to a private car and driver. She starts her days at 8 a.m., accompanied by one or both of her nurses. She allowed The Associated Press to tag along on a recent afternoon.

“I initially thought my practice would be filled with people who had difficulty getting to the veterinarian and maybe older people who had pets, or people with physical disabilities,” she said. They do seek her out but, Attas said, “what I didn’t realize was how attractive it would be to all kinds of other pet owners.”

Meet Puddy, the beloved 19-year-old domestic short hair cat of artist Wendy Beyer. The arthritic black-and-white feline has high blood pressure and requires monthly checks. Beyer found Attas through an online search.

“It’s life-changing,” Beyer said of having Puddy cared for in the comfort of his own home, a cozy sun- and art-filled apartment in the Hudson Yards neighborhood. “He’s never liked being in a carrier. It’s so traumatic trying to get him in the carrier myself.”

Beyer also likes Attas’ no-pressure approach to her decision to let Puddy age naturally without heroic measures.

“I think it’s helping to extend his life. He’s a really relaxed chill kitty. He’s not being stressed out,” Beyer said.

Hop on over to Fifth Avenue for a check on Cody, an adorable, barky white Maltese who, at age 8, is a bundle of fun-loving energy. He’s at the center of Lisa Healey’s life.

Cody has itchy allergies and a heart murmur. Attas, who helped the Healeys bid farewell to a previous dog, regularly sees Cody in the couple’s spacious apartment.

“This is our child and we would do anything for our children, so it’s worth the cost. It’s worth every penny. I don’t even think about it,” Healey said.

House calls are a far different beast for vets than regular practices. There’s the travel, of course, no small thing in Manhattan. On a recent round, Attas and nurse Jeanine Lunz made use of their in-car time answering phone calls, working on scheduling and tending to the numerous other tasks most vets deal with when they have a few minutes between exams.

“It takes much longer than just waiting for a patient to come in and going from exam room to exam room in a hospital,” Attas said.

The cost of her transportation (she’s Manhattan-only) is included in the fee. She charges an additional fee for seeing multiple pets at once. It’s less than making more than one trip to a vet’s office or what other vets may charge for seeing more than one pet on the same day, she said. Attas restricts her practice to dogs and cats.

In all, Attas said her services can be about 30% more than brick-and-mortar practices. She doesn’t perform surgery, but she provides typical care, from vaccinations to blood and urine draws, relying on specialists for things like severe heart and eye issues. She uses animal hospitals when large equipment is needed or for acute emergencies when every second counts.

So far, Attas has seen more than 7,000 animals in her travels, including the pets of Joel, Wayne Gretzky, Steve Martin and Kevin Kline. At minimum, she or one of the two other vets in her practice visit 12 to 15 homes daily. Her personal best in terms of animals seen in a day is 23.

Attas and her human clients point to other advantages of house calls. Once clients are established, the humans don’t have to be home.

“Sometimes they have their doorman let us in. Sometimes their nanny or their housekeeper is at home. And many of our clients actually give us keys to their apartments,” Attas said.

Attas dispels the notion that her client list is solely filled with pets of the wealthy.

“I go to billionaires’ homes. I go to housing projects. I work with not-for-profits to help seniors continue to live with their pets,” she said. “Some of my favorite clients through the years were people who didn’t really have a lot, but what they cherished most were their pets.”

Attas never wants to be so busy that she loses the intimate value of home visits.

“When you’re in the home, you’re experiencing how that pet lives,” she said. “I can’t even think of how many times I have been in someone’s home where I see something that is a complete danger for a pet.”

That includes potential killers like open windows with no screens, toxic plants and unsecured terraces. She ended one owner’s practice of serving up massive quantities of catnip after the cat went seriously loopy.

And she found an unlikely object inside a bull terrier that wasn’t coming out the way it went in: His human’s giant over-ear headphones. The human wondered where they had gone.

“We couldn’t figure out how he even consumed them,” Attas said.

She keeps a keen eye on humans who sometimes need help themselves.

“I’ve seen seniors who have lost pets and lose their will to live. In one particular case that I talk about in the book, a lovely woman’s elderly dog passed away, and when I went to check on her a week later she was a fraction of the woman I had seen the week before,” Attas said.

Attas brought the grieving 90-year-old client a senior dog to adopt under the guise of fostering.

“She immediately had a reason to live again,” Attas said, “and took care of that dog until the day she passed away.”

Brandon Garrett was traveling north on U.S. Forest Service Road 39 with his four dogs on Sunday night when he “failed to negotiate a curve” and crashed over an embankment, according to the Baker County Sheriff’s Office. While Garrett was able to crawl about 100 yards from the wrecked vehicle, where he remained overnight, one of his dogs ran four miles to their camp and alerted family members.

Garrett’s relatives then set out to search for him, and finally located his vehicle on Monday. Garrett and his three other dogs were found alive, but the family couldn’t reach them due to the terrain. They called for help around 9:30 a.m. Monday. 

Sheriff’s deputies responded to the scene along with Baker County Search and Rescue, Pine Valley Rural Fire District and Halfway Ambulance. Sheriff Travis Ash located the vehicle and a dog in the “steep, brushy ravine,” and as he was searching for an access point, heard Garrett calling for help.

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Ash rendered first aid while Pine Valley Rural Fire volunteers and U.S. Forest Service employees used chainsaws to clear a path for rescuers. Once the team was able to reach Garrett, they loaded him into a rescue basket and used a highline rope system to pull him across the ravine.

Garrett was transported by ambulance to a nearby Life Flight helicopter and airlifted to a hospital, the sheriff’s office said. The sheriff’s office did not specify the nature of his injuries, or his condition.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs provides talk therapy and medications to veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder and runs a pilot program involving service dogs. The VA can prescribe service dogs to certain veterans diagnosed with a visual, hearing or substantial mobility impairment, including eligible veterans with PTSD, and will cover some costs associated with having a service dog.

The agency continues to review the research “to evaluate the effectiveness of service dogs,” said VA press secretary Terrence Hayes, “and we are committed to providing high-quality, evidence-based care to all those who served.”

Study co-author Maggie O’Haire, of the University of Arizona’s veterinary college, said one of the researchers’ goals was “to bring evidence behind a practice that appears to be increasingly popular, yet historically did not have the scientific base behind it.”

For the study, service dogs were provided by K9s For Warriors, a nonprofit organization that matches trained dogs with veterans during a three-week group class. The dogs are taught to pick up a veteran’s physical signs of distress and can interrupt panic attacks and nightmares with a loving nudge.

Researchers compared 81 veterans who received service dogs with 75 veterans on the waiting list for a trained dog. PTSD symptoms were measured by psychology doctoral students who didn’t know which veterans had service dogs.

After three months, PTSD symptoms improved in both groups, but the veterans with dogs saw a bigger improvement on average than the veterans on the waiting list. The study, funded by the National Institutes of Health, was published Tuesday in JAMA Network Open.

It wasn’t clear from the study whether spending time with any dog would have had the same effect. (About 40% of the veterans in both groups owned pet dogs.) And all the veterans in the study had access to other PTSD treatments.

Service dogs should be considered complementary and not a standalone therapy, O’Haire said.

“When you add it to existing medical practices, it can enhance your experience and reduce your symptoms more,” she said.

PTSD is more common among veterans than civilians, the VA says, affecting as many as 29% of Iraq war veterans over their lifetimes. Symptoms include nightmares, flashbacks, numbness or the feeling of being constantly on edge.

“I would wake up in the middle of the night, almost nightly, in a pool of sweat,” said Dave Crenshaw, who served with the Army National Guard in Iraq and was diagnosed with PTSD in 2016 while working undercover in law enforcement. Antidepressants helped with some symptoms, he said, but he still felt numb.

The 41-year-old veteran met his service dog, a pointer-black lab mix named Doc, in 2019. He immediately felt what he described as “joy and wholesomeness. It’s just an overwhelming feeling of ‘Hey, everything’s going to be OK.’”

Doc senses when he’s upset, often before he notices himself, and come close, Crenshaw said. Today, Crenshaw is no longer taking antidepressants and is enjoying retirement from the military and law enforcement. He gives Doc credit for getting his life back on track.

“It’s the greatest medicine with the least amount of side effects,” Crenshaw said.

___

The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

The airline caters to owners who want to avoid putting their four-legged best friends in a crate or carrier when traveling.

Bark Air flies private Gulfstream G-5 jets, as opposed to your standard airliner.

The airline’s website calls it a “white paw” experience, with a quick check-in process for the dogs and their human companions.

Concierges provide everything from music to lavender-scented refreshment towels on board. Pups can choose between water or bone broth, all served during takeoff and landing to keep their ears safe when the cabin pressure changes.

The airline currently only offers one-way and round-trip flights from New York to Los Angeles and New York to London. Prices start at $6,000 for a flight to New York.

“Leash reactive” dogs are usually reacting in overexcitement, fear or aggression.

If your dog keeps lunging on their leash, they’re developing a habit. The more they do it, the harder it is to change that habit. So how do you prevent lunging?

Don’t punish dogs for lunging

The AKC says not to punish your dog for lunging on a leash because that will likely exacerbate the problem. Your dog will associate the punishment with the other person, dog, or object, which can strengthen their fear or reactive response.

Be proactive

Plan your walks for times when your dog is unlikely to encounter any lunging triggers. This might mean adjusting your schedule to walking when fewer people are out, like in the evening or early morning.

Change your dog’s emotional response

The AKC says desensitization and counterconditioning can help alter dogs’ behaviors by changing their emotional responses from negative to positive (in the case of fear-based or aggressive reactivity) or from out-of-control excitement to calm (in the case of frustration).

One way to do this is training with rewards or treats. The AKC says:

“Start the process with your dog on leash. Wait for them to notice a trigger then immediately present a reward. When they glance at the trigger again, offer another reward. Continue as long as the trigger is present. With enough repetition, your dog will eventually glance at the trigger then turn right back in your direction, as if to say, ‘I saw it, now where’s my treat?’ This tells you that your dog has realized the trigger makes the reward happen, so the positive association is being formed.

“Now you can move a tiny bit closer to the trigger and repeat the process. The goal is to slowly reduce the distance between your dog and the trigger until they are within a few feet or less, all while keeping your dog under threshold. Then duplicate the entire procedure again with a new dog or person. Continue to repeat with as many examples of the trigger as necessary to convince your dog that their trigger makes great things happen. As a result, when they see any trigger, they will look to you for a reward instead of lunging.”

After a few weeks, you can start playing it on walks at a comfortable distance from others. Be sure to reward your pup because they react — every negative experience will set them back. If they do react, add more distance next time and repeat the step.

Note that the best time to play the game is before mealtime when your dog is hungry.

Fashion designer Anthony Rubio threw the now-annual event Monday night at New York’s American Kennel Club Museum of the Dog. Eighteen dogs took to the red carpet to give their spin on the top fashion statements from the 2024 Met Gala and its “Garden of Time” theme.

From Nicki Minaj to J-Lo and Chris Hemsworth, the dogs really met the moment with their copycat looks.

Check out some of the doggie doppelgängers for yourself.

LaLa, a Pomeranian as Nicki Minaj

Ted Gram, a Poodle as Bad Bunny

Miley-Jo, a Chorkie as Cardi B

Saya, a Pocket Pitbull as Shakira

Layla, a Shichon as Sarah Jessica Parker

Fritz, a Pomeranian as Ed Sheeran

Daffodil, a Pomeranian as Jennifer Lopez

Livie, a Morkie as Gigi Hidid

Gizmo, a Shih Tzu as Chris Hemsworth

Like the Met Gala, the Pet Gala serves as a benefit event for the host museum. Tickets into the Pet Gala were $300.

“I want people to understand that we’re not making fun of the Met Gala. We’re not mimicking the Met Gala,” Rubio said. “We’re elevating and appraising and appreciating the wonderful designs that were presented at the Met Gala by the most talented designers of the world.”

Safe to say everyone involved had a ball!

Lt. Col. Esteban Cardenas said the dogs — Ares, Kratos, Zeus, Titan and Gaia — were part of the first class of canines used by the department’s rescue unit, which works with German shepherds and golden retrievers.

Cardenas recalled some of their feats, including aiding in finding survivors of earthquakes and landslides across Ecuador and abroad, including a mission to Mexico in 2017.

He said veterinarian reports had suggested it was time to retire the five dogs.

“Today for us is a day of mixed feelings. We really would not want them to leave. We would have liked to have them with us in our ranks,” Cardenas said.

The dogs’ new owners were selected carefully after meeting certain requirements, he said.

Gaia’s new owner, Valeria Zevallos, said she was amazed by her new pet’s previous career of saving lives.

“Many adventures await us now. After her work adventures, family adventures,” she said.

One morning this year, Farmer had an uninvited guest: a stray and underfed dog. And when you already have two dogs and over 40 other animals, what’s one more?

Farmer documented their first encounter on his @MarkOnTheRanch TikTok, posting the video on April 15. “Stray dog on the farm today,” the video reads.

In it, Farmer’s dog Luna spots the stray first, approaching him. Farmer tries to coax the dog forward, whose bones were visible, with a bowl of food. “It took a minute,” he wrote, but the dog ate and eventually followed him back to the house.

“He won the lottery he just doesn’t know it yet,” the caption reads.

Speaking to TODAY.com, Farmer explains the story behind the viral moment — as of May 13, the video has over 7 million views.

“I just so happened to be walking outside one morning — I just had a goat deliver babies — and I saw him outside of the goat pen sniffing around,” Farmer, a retired Marine firefighter, tells TODAY.com.

Farmer has a six-year-old Doberman named Luna, professionally trained by Farmer’s husband who is a retired Air Force canine handler. “I think if there was a dog to be a role model for Roman, it’s Luna,” he says.

“Protector” Luna noticed the stray dog first, Farmer says. He assessed the situation based on Luna’s reaction.

“She didn’t even go after him aggressively. She wasn’t barking, she immediately just started crying. So I knew there was a problem. He needed help. He wasn’t a threat,” he says.

Farmer spent the day trying to let the stray know that he wasn’t a threat and their home was a safe environment. “I didn’t try to touch him or approach him in any way. It took like five or six hours, but he eventually came up on the porch and walked in the house. It was done after that,” he says. “I knew right away that if he let me I was going to help him. And he let me.”

He decided to name the stray pup Roman. The name, he says, is “punny.”

“The first reason I called him Roman is because I just found him roaming around on my farm,” he says. “But also, I’m a huge Nicki Minaj fan. So it’s a little reference to (Minaj’s alter ego) Roman Zolanski.”

Farmer, who has been sharing his life on his South Carolina farm on TikTok for years, saw people’s interest in Roman’s story. He goes live on TikTok about four times a week at 9 a.m. ET, giving updates on all his animals — including Roman.

Followers love seeing Roman open up, show his personality and join his new “pack.” In addition to Luna, Farmer also has a miniature pinscher named Bruce Wayne. In videos, he happily wags his tail when he’s woken up, and decides to join Farmer’s two other dogs on the bed.

Followers watch Roman’s physical transformation, now that he has a diet and medication plan to help put on weight and control his heartworms. Farmer does a weekly weigh in and posts the results.

“We’re going to hopefully put about 20 pounds on him. The vet said an ideal healthy weight for him would be around 70 pounds, and he’s a little over 50 now so about 20 pounds to go,” Farmer says.

Farmer and the vets believe Roman is a hound of some sort and about a year old. He will eventually want to get the newcomer DNA tested.

His origins are unclear — but his personality isn’t. Farmer says he’s a gentle dog. “He has done so well with all of my other animals. I have footage of him interacting with my baby goats, sniffing them through the fence and just acting totally fine,” he says.

The only animals left to meet are the chickens, but “he hasn’t walked that far across the property yet.”

Roman has only interacted with a handful of people, Farmer says. “We live in the middle of nowhere. People don’t come here, so he doesn’t really have the opportunity to interact with other people. But the ones that he has interacted with, he’s just been so sweet,” he says.

Through this saga, Farmer is living out the intention of his TikTok. He created the account during the pandemic “so that other people could escape the craziness of the world” and live in his “paradise, even if it’s just for an hour a day.”

“For three years now, I just come on almost every day just sharing to make people’s day brighter. That’s all,” he says.

Roman has definitely captured the hearts of thousands of followers — and Farmer will continue to share updates on the newest member of his family.

When asked what message he would like to share with his new and regular followers, he says: “Do something nice for somebody, even if that somebody is yourself, and then don’t tell somebody that you did.”

This story first appeared on TODAY.com. More from TODAY:

• Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager praise Kelly Clarkson for weight loss ‘transparency’
• She placed her son for adoption. 18 years later, they had a chance encounter at Walmart
• Kids ask parents to ‘dance like it’s the ‘80s’ in new TikTok dance challenge. Parents deliver

This story uses functionality that may not work in our app. Click here to open the story in your web browser.

Until then, we had dismissed a pet insurance policy as an unnecessary expense since the premiums and deductibles exceeded the typical annual vet costs we paid out of pocket.

Apparently, we weren’t alone in that thinking, as only about 25% of pet owners have pet insurance, according to a recent NerdWallet survey.

And yet, when it came down to it, there was no question we’d spend more than $3,000 if it meant keeping our chunky cat healthy and alive.

In the 10 years since we adopted our exquisitely lazy and self-possessed tabby, he has become our muse, the subject of endless chatter, social media posts and at least one professionally painted portrait that’s displayed on our wall.

And as someone who hadn’t owned a cat before, I was surprised by the strength of our bond over the years, especially after spending every single day together during the pandemic.

But in 2023, during a fit of the “zoomies,” Wally leapt off our bed and landed with a hard thud on the floor. We think that’s when the limp started. After getting X-rays at the vet, they said he had torn a ligament in his leg.

Without treatment, he would likely develop osteoarthritis, which would only worsen his pain. All told, the related vet bills, including X-rays, cost over $3,500. We paid for the surgery with savings, and Wally has since recovered.

Shortly after the surgery, we signed up for pet insurance through my wife’s employer. The decision was a no-brainer for us: We already got burned once by unexpected expenses and our cat wasn’t getting younger. Plus, we got a reasonable rate of about $30 per month.

But more than that, we want to avoid tough decisions down the road.

What you get with pet insurance

Typically, pet insurance covers accidents, illness and wellness, which pays for routine care like annual exams. Accident and illness coverage are usually bundled together as a “comprehensive” plan, while wellness is commonly an optional add-on.

Comprehensive pet insurance policies that include accidents and illness cost an average of $53 per month for dogs and $32 per month for cats, according to personal finance website ValuePenguin. Adding wellness coverage increases the cost to $95 per month for dogs and $51 per month for cats.

These rates assume a rather common yearly deductible of $500, which is the amount you have to pay out of pocket before the insurance kicks in. These rates are also based on policies offering 80% coverage for vet bills, up to a maximum coverage of $5,000 per policy year.

You can find plans with lower deductibles, higher maximums and 100% coverage, but those factors will likely raise your monthly premiums.

Crucially, pet insurance does not cover preexisting conditions, which are based on medical records from prior vet visits. With Wally, periodontitis is a precondition, which means that we will have to pay for tooth extractions, if needed. 

Is pet insurance worth it? The answer isn’t obvious

I can see why most people don’t sign up for pet insurance. To many, it may not seem worth the cost. And in some cases, it isn’t.

Routine vet visits, including checkups, heartworm tests and vaccinations, typically cost less than $300, according to estimates by health-care financing company CareCredit. If that’s all your pet needs for a given year, you probably won’t exceed a $500 deductible and would save more money by simply paying for these services out of pocket.

But there’s also a downside to this approach. My wife and I learned the hard way that emergency or life-saving procedures like hospitalization or surgeries can cost more than $3,000, which many people can’t easily afford.

These expenses are often unexpected and can put pet owners in the difficult position of choosing whether a necessary procedure is worth the cost, especially if they have an ailing or elderly pet. 

In our case, we aren’t thinking of pet insurance as a way to save money. Instead, it’s a way to soften the blow of unexpected costs when they arise. We know that some procedures won’t be covered, but it’s a risk we’re willing to take.

How to know whether pet insurance is right for you

Financial planners who spoke with CNBC Make It were divided on whether pet insurance is worth the cost.

That’s because the value for any given pet insurance policy depends on several factors, including your pet’s overall health, whether your pet is genetically prone to specific diseases, or your pet’s preconditions and lifestyle. The cost of your plan and what it covers will be big factors too. 

“Insurance is never a slam-dunk purchase,” says Rikin Shah, an insurance agent and founder of the insurance broker GetSure.

To help decide whether pet insurance is right for you, he suggests that you “crunch the numbers” by comparing the annual cost of insurance with your vet bills in the last year. If the numbers are somewhat close, then you’ll likely feel better about purchasing a policy, he says.

“I would recommend weighing the risks qualitatively,” says Shah. “If your pet is young, healthy and stays indoors primarily, an emergency fund may make more sense. However, if your pet does not have significant preexisting conditions and is older or is a breed prone to health issues, insurance may be the safer bet.”

Another option is skipping insurance in favor of a pet emergency fund that includes a few thousand dollars for pet costs.

“Because of the high cost, limitations and fine print in many policies, as well as the possibility of not needing the service, the risk of care for pets should be managed through planning, not insurance,” says Carol Fabbri, a certified financial planner based in Denver.

Of course, whether you choose pet insurance is a personal decision that isn’t entirely based on saving money — that’s what makes it a difficult decision.

“I have never recommended pet insurance per se, but I have it for my cat and have suggested people look at it,” says Nicole Sullivan, a CFP in Libertyville, Illinois. “For me, the peace of mind is reason enough to have pet insurance, but it can certainly vary from family to family.”

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Anyone who has lost a beloved pet would understand the sorrow the Hinshaw-Gratin family in Murrieta, California felt. They have been carrying a hole in their hearts after losing three beloved pets within a year. 

Then last week, Dee Hinshaw-Gratin and her husband saw the story of Angel, a 1-and-a-half-year-old Siberian Husky and German Shepherd mix, on NBC Los Angeles, they felt an immediate connection. 

“We looked at each other and said, “Yeah, we’re ready,” Hinshaw-Gratin recalled. 

The family was heartbroken and motivated to bring Angel home after hearing her harrowing tale. 

Angel had been under the care of the Mission Viejo Animal Services Center since she was found abandoned at Iglesia Park in Aliso Viejo at around 9 p.m. on Jan. 28. Officials said Angel was tied to a tree with her seven puppies in a box next to her.

“Can you imagine what happened to her? Tied to a tree at a park with her puppies. No food or water with her puppies, so she couldn’t even feed her puppies,” Hinshaw-Gratin said. 

Mission Viejo officials said just hours after NBC Los Angeles aired and published Angel’s story, there was a “surge” in adoption applications. But they decided not to look far and go with the Hinshaw-Gratin family, moved by their love of animals.

“The family members believed Angel would be their beacon of hope,” Kelly Tokarski, a public information specialist with the city of Mission Viejo, said in a statement. “This sweet young pup found her forever home with the caring family, residing on a spacious property, surrounded by love for the rest of her days.”

Tokarski also credited the Mission Viejo Animal Services Center’s nonprofit, DAWG, for saving Angel and her seven puppies.

Hinshaw-Gratin said she feels the family is complete once again.

“You’re a true angel girl,” Hinshaw-Gratin told the pup. “We lucked out, didn’t we?”

If you want to understand how different the human and animal medicine and vaccine industries have historically been, you don’t need to look much further than weight loss drugs.

On the human side, Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly struggled to meet the demand for Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro and Zepbound, respectively, since introducing them, as the popularity of these diabetes and weight loss treatment drugs surged in 2023. Other drug makers, like Pfizer and AstraZeneca, have outlined their strategies for getting into a market that could be worth tens of billions of dollars in the next decade, while small pharmaceutical companies are trying to grab a share in what has become the hottest part of health care.

Comparatively, the first medication designed to combat obesity in dogs was ultimately pulled from the market in 2014 due to lack of interest.

“I think I had one of the only dogs that was on it, and I’m going to make myself sound really bad when I explain why,” said Zoetis CEO Kristin Peck, named CEO in 2020 and named to the inaugural CNBC Changemakers list on Wednesday. “I don’t think a lot of people wanted to get their dogs weight loss drugs because if your dog is overweight, you have to admit that the reason is probably you’re not walking it and are feeding it too much.”

As the saying goes, dogs, and pets in general, have long been viewed as man’s best friend. But pet pharmaceuticals haven’t always matched that, and often a tick or flea collar was the lone preventive medicine many pets saw, outside of necessary vet visits.

But Peck said she has seen a shift in mentality from pet owners, as well as a shift in the pharmaceutical pipeline, that is bringing animal medicine more in line with human medicine.

“Newer generations see their pets very differently than previous generations,” Peck said. “Fifty, sixty years ago, your dog was in the backyard; now it has moved into your house, often your bed and sometimes replaced your children — your dog or cat has a stroller, a backpack and an outfit.”

When Pfizer spun off its animal health business in 2013 creating Zoetis, about 65% of the company’s business was livestock-related. That has flipped now, with 64% of the company’s revenue coming from products for companion animals like cats and dogs.

Peck has kept the company’s emphasis on innovation, developing products in pet categories that didn’t previously exist.

For example, the company had more than $1.3 billion in revenue from dermatology-related dog and cat drugs in 2022, compared to less than $1 million from products in that same category in 2013. The company’s top product in that category is Apoquel, which is designed to treat dogs who suffer from allergic itches and dermatitis.

“When we said we were going to have dermatology, [the reaction] was that dogs don’t need dermatology, they take some Benadryl if they itch,” Peck said. “But we said we think we can create a market, and to now have over $1.3 billion in dermatology sales, if I told you that was even remotely possible five or six years ago you would have said that was crazy.”

Peck credits the Pfizer spinoff for allowing Zoetis to better balance what the company wanted to do in animal health versus the human health side. “We only have one customer, and we are only thinking about that every day and with every dollar we spend, whether that’s on R&D, commercial or manufacturing,” she said.

This approach has led to the next product that Zoetis and Peck are betting on to become a $1 billion franchise: the treatment of osteoarthritis pain in dogs and cats.

In May, the FDA approved Librela, which is a monoclonal antibody treatment that can provide long-term control of OA pain symptoms in dogs, improving their mobility and overall quality of life. According to Zoetis, 40% of dogs have signs of OA, which can make it difficult for them to go up or down stairs, a hesitation to jump, limping after exercise and becoming more withdrawn.

A similar product was approved for cats, marking the first time that monoclonal antibody treatments, which have become increasingly popular for treating human illnesses, have been used to treat pet osteoarthritis pain.

“You can’t make a monoclonal antibody for dogs in a human health facility, so you have to be willing to outlay capital during clinical trials, and that’s a bold, large capital decision,” Peck said. “We’ve demonstrated that pet owners will pay if you find a product that has value.”

While Zoetis is focused on bridging that gap between human and animal health products, Peck said the company is also aiming to tackle some of the unique differences, like the diagnosis process.

“People with osteoarthritis, they go to the doctor, they get medication so they can live a healthier, longer and a better quality of life,” Peck said. “But if my hip is killing me but no one knows that because I don’t have a limp, it’s like the assumption that your dog doesn’t have osteoarthritis because it’s not limping.”

In June 2022, Zoetis spent more than $50 million to acquire pet care genetics company Basepaws, which produces DNA testing for dogs and cats focused on health and early detection of disease risks.

“You’re going to be able to extend life by looking at genetics and biomarkers to run diagnostics,” Peck said. “We’ll be able to get better at predicting, which will massively improve the quality of life of animals who can’t speak and can’t tell you they’re feeling some of the things that they are.”

Artificial intelligence is helping with that as well. Cats generally get less medical care than dogs due to the difficulty many owners face in bringing them to the vet, Peck said, so Zoetis has invested in AI technology that will allow cat owners to record their cat’s movements, upload those videos and have AI analyze it to see if the cat is dealing with any osteoarthritis issues.

Peck said Zoetis will remain focused on innovative approaches to animal health, taking some queues from human health but also forging its own path to deal with the unique challenges that come from taking care of cats and dogs.

Unlike 2014, could there now be an Ozempic for dogs and cats that works?

Peck said while the company continues to explore GLP-1s to treat pet diabetes, weight loss is not a current area of focus. Challenges related to cardiology, oncology and kidney disease are the highest priorities.

“We recognize the success this class of medications has had in human health. In terms of treating pet obesity, our work with genetic markers could yield a more targeted opportunity for a treatment that could be effective for pets and a solution pet owners would value,” she said. “A lot of the same technologies will work from humans to animals. And from animals to humans.”  

“Leash reactive” dogs are usually reacting in overexcitement, fear or aggression.

If your dog keeps lunging on their leash, they’re developing a habit. The more they do it, the harder it is to change that habit. So how do you prevent lunging?

Don’t punish dogs for lunging

The AKC says not to punish your dog for lunging on a leash because that will likely exacerbate the problem. Your dog will associate the punishment with the other person, dog, or object, which can strengthen their fear or reactive response.

Be proactive

Plan your walks for times when your dog is unlikely to encounter any lunging triggers. This might mean adjusting your schedule to walking when fewer people are out, like in the evening or early morning.

Change your dog’s emotional response

The AKC says desensitization and counterconditioning can help alter dogs’ behaviors by changing their emotional responses from negative to positive (in the case of fear-based or aggressive reactivity) or from out-of-control excitement to calm (in the case of frustration).

One way to do this is training with rewards or treats. The AKC says:

“Start the process with your dog on leash. Wait for them to notice a trigger then immediately present a reward. When they glance at the trigger again, offer another reward. Continue as long as the trigger is present. With enough repetition, your dog will eventually glance at the trigger then turn right back in your direction, as if to say, ‘I saw it, now where’s my treat?’ This tells you that your dog has realized the trigger makes the reward happen, so the positive association is being formed.

“Now you can move a tiny bit closer to the trigger and repeat the process. The goal is to slowly reduce the distance between your dog and the trigger until they are within a few feet or less, all while keeping your dog under threshold. Then duplicate the entire procedure again with a new dog or person. Continue to repeat with as many examples of the trigger as necessary to convince your dog that their trigger makes great things happen. As a result, when they see any trigger, they will look to you for a reward instead of lunging.”

After a few weeks, you can start playing it on walks at a comfortable distance from others. Be sure to reward your pup because they react — every negative experience will set them back. If they do react, add more distance next time and repeat the step.

Note that the best time to play the game is before mealtime when your dog is hungry.

“Leash reactive” dogs are usually reacting in overexcitement, fear or aggression.

If your dog keeps lunging on their leash, they’re developing a habit. The more they do it, the harder it is to change that habit. So how do you prevent lunging?

Don’t punish dogs for lunging

The AKC says not to punish your dog for lunging on a leash because that will likely exacerbate the problem. Your dog will associate the punishment with the other person, dog, or object, which can strengthen their fear or reactive response.

Be proactive

Plan your walks for times when your dog is unlikely to encounter any lunging triggers. This might mean adjusting your schedule to walking when fewer people are out, like in the evening or early morning.

Change your dog’s emotional response

The AKC says desensitization and counterconditioning can help alter dogs’ behaviors by changing their emotional responses from negative to positive (in the case of fear-based or aggressive reactivity) or from out-of-control excitement to calm (in the case of frustration).

One way to do this is training with rewards or treats. The AKC says:

“Start the process with your dog on leash. Wait for them to notice a trigger then immediately present a reward. When they glance at the trigger again, offer another reward. Continue as long as the trigger is present. With enough repetition, your dog will eventually glance at the trigger then turn right back in your direction, as if to say, ‘I saw it, now where’s my treat?’ This tells you that your dog has realized the trigger makes the reward happen, so the positive association is being formed.

“Now you can move a tiny bit closer to the trigger and repeat the process. The goal is to slowly reduce the distance between your dog and the trigger until they are within a few feet or less, all while keeping your dog under threshold. Then duplicate the entire procedure again with a new dog or person. Continue to repeat with as many examples of the trigger as necessary to convince your dog that their trigger makes great things happen. As a result, when they see any trigger, they will look to you for a reward instead of lunging.”

After a few weeks, you can start playing it on walks at a comfortable distance from others. Be sure to reward your pup because they react — every negative experience will set them back. If they do react, add more distance next time and repeat the step.

Note that the best time to play the game is before mealtime when your dog is hungry.

A sneaky pup found a way to sneak into the Metallica concert at Los Angeles’ SoFi Stadium last week and catch a few songs.

The band was performing at the stadium as part of their M72 World Tour.

Storm lives near the area and somehow found her way to a seat in the stadium, the band said in an Instagram post.

After a fun music-filled night, Storm was safely reunited with her family.

“She had a great time listening to her favorite songs, including “Barx Æterna,” “Master of Puppies,” and “The Mailman That Never Comes,” the post said.

Dogs are not allowed at SoFi Stadium, except for service animals, but this dog sure found a way to have a great time.

This story uses functionality that may not work in our app. Click here to open the story in your web browser.

News4’s Tommy McFLY asked you to submit pictures of your pets living a retiree lifestyle this summer, inspired by the retirement of legendary reporter and our challenge’s namesake, Pat Collins.

Thank you to everyone who shared shots of their pets. We want to give everyone a treat, but only one fur-tunate pet can take home a coveted Pat’s Prized Pets bowl.

The competition this year was intense! To pick a winner, we looked at all your submissions and found 10 entries that really got our tails wagging.

News4’s Erika Gonzalez, Chuck Bell and Jummy Olabanji rated each finalist out of 10.

Snuggly cat Hunter and lake lounging pup Boudreaux each got one perfect 10 score and tied for a very close second-place finish. But in the end…

And the Pat’s Prized Pets 2023 winner is…

Put your paws together for Jake, Benny and Elwood! These three sleeping beagles stole the hearts of the News4 team.

“I love that the one on top is piled up on everybody,” Erika said.

Chuck, who has two “knucklehead” dogs at home, was charmed.

“That to me is the ultimate relaxation. That’s three dogs behaving perfectly at the same time!” Chuck said.

These puppies will be drinking from the Pat’s Prized Pets bowl for years to come.

Congrats to all the lovely pets and their owners! We can’t wait for next year.

Want to know what’s up for your weekend? Sign up for The Weekend Scene, our newsletter about events, experiences and adventures for you and for your family around the DMV.

DCM is a disease in which the heart gets larger, leaving it weaker and less able to pump blood. Some larger breeds of dogs, such as golden retrievers and Great Danes, are susceptible to the condition.

The FDA’s most recent tally of dogs, and a much smaller number of cats, with diet-related DCM included 1,382 cases, 255 of which had been determined between Aug. 1, 2020 and Nov. 1, 2022.

In 2019, the FDA named 16 brands of dog food associated with the rare form of heart disease, although it didn’t suggest that owners stop giving the food, which often contains high levels of peas, lentils and potatoes, to their pets.

Read the full story on NBCNews.com here.

Omar Von Muller has been training dogs for longer than 20 years, and his dogs have performed in everything from commercials to Oscar-winning films.

But now his dog training has been one of the many businesses impacted by the ongoing writers and actors strike.

He just wishes he and his canine pals could get back to work. 

“After the pandemic, everything started picking up and everything started looking good. There were some good movies that were coming up and some pretty cool contracts that were getting ready to go and then the strike hits,” Von Muller said.

Von Muller says he and his fellow trainers have been doing private work to help pick up the slack, but say it’s not enough.

Whether it’s a loyal companion or pet, a service animal, a police dog, or a rescue dog, these amazing creatures have been playing a crucial part in humans’ lives. They offer unconditional love to us humans and make our lives fuller and more joyful.

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Find adoptable pets in your area using the ‘WeRescue' app

International Dog Day: History

International Dog Day has been observed since 2004, when a pet lover, Colleen Paige, celebrated the day as a way to raise awareness about dog shelters. Since then, International Dog Day has become a global celebration for all pet lovers who participate in events and activities to honor their pets and also to raise awareness about humans’ best friends. Paige is also the founder of National Cat Day and National Pet Day.

International Dog Day: Significance

International Dog Day is observed to highlight the conditions of hundreds of dogs who are in need of being rescued as they are deprived of proper care. The main aim of International Dog Day is to encourage people to take care of these needy animals.

On this day, people are encouraged to adopt stray dogs and also raise awareness about the problems facing them. Additionally, the message that this day conveys is to tell people to provide a safe, loving and caring environment for all dogs.

If you’re an animal lover who wants to adopt a furry friend, you should understand some key points prior to making such a crucial decision.

Here are some of the necessary considerations that one needs to make before adopting a dog:

• Make sure that you will be able to handle the financial expenses of keeping a dog.
• Take your time with the pet, as they will become a part of the family after the adoption.
• No more last-minute weekend getaways, as you will have a pet to take care of. Otherwise, you’ll need to plan and find a dog sitter or dog boarder in your vicinity.
• Dogs need to get outdoors and in the backyard, so you will need to take care of your pet’s walk every day for the betterment of their health.
• You’ll likely have to bear with dog hair everywhere in your house when you adopt a dog. If you are a cleanliness freak, then you might find it irritating.
• Visit cleartheshelters.com if you are interested in adopting a new furry friend!

Beyond the notorious chocolate threat, there are a handful of foods that can seriously compromise your dog’s health. 

Here’s a list of foods you should keep out of reach from your dog’s plate to ensure their well-being:

1. Citrus Fruit

Large doses of citric acid can lead to irritation and, in severe cases, may even cause nervous system depression.

2. Coconut oil

Coconut oil may have its benefits, but consuming too much can result in an upset stomach for dogs.

3. Dairy products

Dogs do not have a significant amount of lactase, which prevents them from effectively digesting lactose.

Dogs lack a significant amount of lactase, the enzyme needed to digest lactose. Consuming dairy products can lead to digestive upset. 

4. Raw meat

Raw meat can contain harmful bacteria, such as salmonella and E. coli, which are detrimental to both humans and dogs. 

Steer clear of this potential health hazard by ensuring your dog’s meat is thoroughly cooked. 

5. Cinnamon

As surprising as it sounds, cinnamon can cause various issues for dogs. It has the potential to irritate their mouths and make them sick. 

In more severe cases, it might lead to breathing difficulties, coughing, choking, liver disease, and even low blood sugar levels.

6. Onion

Onion consumption can lead to gastrointestinal irritation and blood cell damage.

While cats are more susceptible, dogs are also at risk if large amounts are consumed. 

7. Avocado

Though a popular superfood for humans, avocados can pose a serious risk to dogs.

Avocado consumption can lead to cardiovascular problems for dogs. 

While it can be tempting to share our favorite foods with our furry companions, it’s crucial to prioritize their health and safety by being mindful of what they consume. 

“Leash reactive” dogs are usually reacting in overexcitement, fear or aggression.

If your dog keeps lunging on their leash, they’re developing a habit. The more they do it, the harder it is to change that habit. So how do you prevent lunging?

Don’t punish dogs for lunging

The AKC says not to punish your dog for lunging on a leash because that will likely exacerbate the problem. Your dog will associate the punishment with the other person, dog, or object, which can strengthen their fear or reactive response.

Be proactive

Plan your walks for times when your dog is unlikely to encounter any lunging triggers. This might mean adjusting your schedule to walking when fewer people are out, like in the evening or early morning.

Change your dog’s emotional response

The AKC says desensitization and counterconditioning can help alter dogs’ behaviors by changing their emotional responses from negative to positive (in the case of fear-based or aggressive reactivity) or from out-of-control excitement to calm (in the case of frustration).

One way to do this is training with rewards or treats. The AKC says:

“Start the process with your dog on leash. Wait for them to notice a trigger then immediately present a reward. When they glance at the trigger again, offer another reward. Continue as long as the trigger is present. With enough repetition, your dog will eventually glance at the trigger then turn right back in your direction, as if to say, ‘I saw it, now where’s my treat?’ This tells you that your dog has realized the trigger makes the reward happen, so the positive association is being formed.

“Now you can move a tiny bit closer to the trigger and repeat the process. The goal is to slowly reduce the distance between your dog and the trigger until they are within a few feet or less, all while keeping your dog under threshold. Then duplicate the entire procedure again with a new dog or person. Continue to repeat with as many examples of the trigger as necessary to convince your dog that their trigger makes great things happen. As a result, when they see any trigger, they will look to you for a reward instead of lunging.”

After a few weeks, you can start playing it on walks at a comfortable distance from others. Be sure to reward your pup because they react — every negative experience will set them back. If they do react, add more distance next time and repeat the step.

Note that the best time to play the game is before mealtime when your dog is hungry.

Employees and doggos at the Homeward Trails Animal Rescue and Adoption Center in Fairfax County, Virginia, gathered on the front porch of the shelter in the morning to celebrate a big donation of pet supplies.

But they soon found out their shelter was gifted much more than supplies. Homeward Trails was one of three shelters in the country to be randomly chosen to receive a big check of $10,000. In all, there are 1,400 shelters participating in the ninth annual Clear The Shelters pet adoption and donation campaign.

“These funds and supplies will allow us to help so many pets and people in our community,” Homeward Trails said on its Facebook page.

Greater Good Charities and The Animal Rescue Site teamed up to surprise Homeward Trails with the money. The shelter also received much-needed blankets, bowls and toys.

“Shelters are at capacity. We need adopters. We need fosters. We need all kinds of different people stepping up. So that’s what Clear The Shelters is all about,” said Caroline Golon, who presented the check for Greater Good Charities.

During the month of August, Greater Good Charities and The Animal Rescue Site are working with NBCUniversal Local to help raise funds for registered animal welfare organizations across the country with weekly matching funds via ClearTheSheltersFund.org.

This story uses functionality that may not work in our app. Click here to open the story in your web browser.

With so many pets in the country, it’s no surprise that there are apps available to help pet owners take care of their furry friends. Here are three mobile apps that you might find useful.

1. Whistle 

This app is perfect for pet owners who worry about their pets running away. Whistle is a pet tracking app that syncs up with a special collar. This way, you can keep track of your pet’s location and receive alerts if they go beyond a predetermined perimeter.

Additionally, the collar glows in the dark, making it easier to find your pet at night. 

Whistle also has an add-on that tracks your pet’s physical activity throughout the day. You can set goals based on their age, breed, or weight, and even monitor their health information and habits. 

2. 11 Pets

If you’re looking for an app to help you keep track of your pet’s medical needs, 11 Pets might be the one for you. With this app, you can set reminders for anything health-related, including vet visits, storing medical records, and managing follow-up alerts. 

You can also record your pet’s vitals, weight, height, and body temperature. Sharing this data with a veterinarian can help them get a complete picture of your pet’s medical needs. 

Keep in mind that while the app offers exceptional utility, some features may be more tailored to a European audience.

3. GoodPup

This app is perfect for pet owners who want to improve their dog’s behavior. GoodPup offers lessons with certified trainers to help pet owners train their dogs. The app guides you along a course that includes a weekly video consultation, daily training goals, and 24/7 chat support.

GoodPup puts an emphasis on positive reinforcement, which is a technique endorsed by the American Veterinary Medical Association. 

Lessons include potty training, teaching commands like sit, stay, come, and let go, as well as improving socialization with people and other animals.

It’s important to note that we have not personally tried these apps, so this information is purely for informational purposes. However, if you’re a pet owner looking for ways to make life easier for you and your furry friend, these apps might be worth checking out.

Make sure to do your research to know what products work best for you and your family.

More: Pets

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Use the ‘WeRescue' app and website to find adoptable pets in your area

“Leash reactive” dogs are usually reacting in overexcitement, fear or aggression.

If your dog keeps lunging on their leash, they’re developing a habit. The more they do it, the harder it is to change that habit. So how do you prevent lunging?

Don’t punish dogs for lunging

The AKC says not to punish your dog for lunging on a leash because that will likely exacerbate the problem. Your dog will associate the punishment with the other person, dog, or object, which can strengthen their fear or reactive response.

Be proactive

Plan your walks for times when your dog is unlikely to encounter any lunging triggers. This might mean adjusting your schedule to walking when fewer people are out, like in the evening or early morning.

Change your dog’s emotional response

The AKC says desensitization and counterconditioning can help alter dogs’ behaviors by changing their emotional responses from negative to positive (in the case of fear-based or aggressive reactivity) or from out-of-control excitement to calm (in the case of frustration).

One way to do this is training with rewards or treats. The AKC says:

“Start the process with your dog on leash. Wait for them to notice a trigger then immediately present a reward. When they glance at the trigger again, offer another reward. Continue as long as the trigger is present. With enough repetition, your dog will eventually glance at the trigger then turn right back in your direction, as if to say, ‘I saw it, now where’s my treat?’ This tells you that your dog has realized the trigger makes the reward happen, so the positive association is being formed.

“Now you can move a tiny bit closer to the trigger and repeat the process. The goal is to slowly reduce the distance between your dog and the trigger until they are within a few feet or less, all while keeping your dog under threshold. Then duplicate the entire procedure again with a new dog or person. Continue to repeat with as many examples of the trigger as necessary to convince your dog that their trigger makes great things happen. As a result, when they see any trigger, they will look to you for a reward instead of lunging.”

After a few weeks, you can start playing it on walks at a comfortable distance from others. Be sure to reward your pup because they react — every negative experience will set them back. If they do react, add more distance next time and repeat the step.

Note that the best time to play the game is before mealtime when your dog is hungry.