By Jade Scipioni Published July 29, 2017 Industries FOXBusinessOpens a New Window.
Dipper (Matt Libassi)

Hundreds of people in Michigan came together to say a tear-filled final goodbye to a cancer-stricken dog who served three tours in Afghanistan with the U.S. Marines.

Cena the 10-year-old black lab received a hero’s farewell Wednesday before being euthanized at the USS LST 393, a museum ship in Muskegon, and carried off in a flag-draped coffin.

Cena, who was recently diagnosed with terminal bone cancer, was a bomb-sniffer for the Marines until his retirement in 2014. The celebration for Cena was organized by his owner, Lance Cpl. Jeff Young, who was paired with the dog in 2009 and 2010 while on a combat tour in Afghanistan and who adopted him in 2014. Cena then became DeYoung’s service dog to help him with his post-traumatic stress disorder.

“My whole adult life I’ve had Cena,” DeYoung said. “When I was 19 overseas learning how to be responsible, I had Cena. And now I’m 27 and I’m having to say goodbye to one of the biggest pieces of my life.”
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By CarolineGolon on May. 18, 2017

Infographics By: www.ghergich.com

As pet parents know, a home with a dog is a home full of fur. It’s on every carpet or rug, in every corner, all over your clothes and maybe even in your morning coffee. While a house full of fur is a fair exchange for the loyalty and unconditional love provided by our favorite canine companions, dog shedding can become overwhelming if left unchecked. Here’s all you need to know about shedding, how to keep that fur tamed, and how to keep your dog happy and healthy.

Why Do Dogs Shed?
Dogs shed for an important reason: to get rid of old, dead fur to make room for new growth, according to Vetstreet.com. This happens year-round, but some breeds shed heavily twice a year in what’s called “blowing their coat.” This typically occurs in the spring, when many dogs shed their winter coat to make way for a lighter summer coat, and again in the fall when dogs get rid of that lighter coat in favor of warmer, denser fur. And dogs that are mostly indoor dogs tend to shed more evenly throughout the year as their coat density tends to be more uniform.

Before you blame the furry tumbleweeds in your house solely on your dog, know this: Humans shed between 50 and 100 hairs every day. And we shed hair for the same reason—to get rid of old hair and make way for the new.

Not All Breeds Shed the Same
There are some dog breeds that shed more than others. Shedding is most apparent in double-coated breeds. They have a long protective overcoat as well as an insulating undercoat.
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Summer is here, and we’re back with our annual tradition – the DogWatch Summer Reading List for Dog Lovers! This year’s round up features sled dogs, mysterious strays, desert companions, powerful noses, and more canine-friendly topics. Pick up one of these 10 great titles, or check out our previous DogWatch Summer Reading Lists, and enjoy a relaxing summer read in your favorite spot with your favorite four-legged friend by your side! (PS – Cat Lovers, we’ve got you covered, too!)

Canine Fiction

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Dogs are masters of reading our body language, but how well can you read your dog’s cues? While observing a dog’s behavior, some signals are confusing and might not mean what we think. Have you ever heard any of the following statements about dog body language?

Dogs wag their tails for a number of reasons. If their body is very loose or wiggly and they’re wagging their tail sideways or in circles, that’s probably a good sign that they’re friendly. An alert, dominant or aggressive dog may still wag their tail, but generally their body and the base of their tail is stiff or tense. A lowered tail that’s wagging back and forth quickly is usually a sign of a submissive dog.

When you see a dog’s hackles, it doesn’t always mean the dog could become aggressive. If the hair on their back is raised between the shoulders and tail, the dog could be alert, excited or fearful. When the hackles are around the shoulder and extending up the back of the neck, it’s usually related to dominance or aggression. Haley raises her hackles along her back and tail area when she’s excited about meeting or playing with a new dog. Her tail will also become bristly when she’s on alert.

Dogs may yawn when they’re tired but sometimes they yawn when they’re stressed or when they’re trying to calm another dog. Yawning is just one of the many calming signals used by dogs in various situations.
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By Judith Newmark St. Louis Post-Dispatch   Jun 9, 2017

Bob Laut looks like a tough character: muscular arms, shaved head, plenty of tattoos.

Look closer. The tattoos are of dogs. And not just generic dogs. Some of them depict particular dogs, dogs he has known and loved.

Still, you might think twice before you opened your door to him. But I didn’t. The first time he came over, I wanted to weep for joy.

This was a couple of years ago when, due to a hideous miscalculation, my husband and I became the temporary home to five dogs at once: our two, my sister’s two and our daughter’s large, powerful and energetic puppy. They weren’t all supposed to be there at the same time. Whatever you are picturing, double it. Or better, quintuple it. Chaos does not begin to explain how wild life was at our house.

One afternoon in the midst of this, when I was out shopping for dog food (as usual), I spilled out my story to a total stranger. “Oh,” she said, “you need to call Bob Laut.”

It is a measure of my desperation that on the strength of this advice, from a woman whose name I did not even know, I called.

He said he could come by next week. “Next week?” I said. Laut heard something in my voice. “I’ll be there tomorrow,” he said. “How’s 10 o’clock?”

I felt better already. I felt better still when the bell rang, right on the dot. But here’s when I felt best of all:
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Pet ownership represents a large emotional – and financial – commitment. Whether you buy from a pet store or a breeder, adopt an animal from a shelter, or take in a stray, initial costs are just the beginning of the story.
This guide examines the different costs associated with pet ownership and helps you know what to expect, how to plan for these expenses, and potential ways to reduce the financial burden of pet ownership.
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By Fox 5    Published May 04, 2017
A Texas woman says the beloved dog she once shared with her ex-husband has helped bring the couple back together.

Rebecca Hernandez, 25, told FOX 5 she started dating her ex, Frankie, in 2007. They were high school sweethearts, and got married at a young age in 2012. One year later, when Rebecca says she was having “baby fever,” the couple got Apollo, a German shorthaired pointer mix, who was malnourished at the time.

Rebecca said there was never a dull moment while having Apollo and Frankie around.

“Apollo is a cheese-ball like Frankie, and I think that’s why they love each other so much.”

Two years ago, the couple decided to call it quits and separated. Frankie, who at the time worked as a U.S. Marine, stayed in California. Rebecca and Apollo headed home to Texas.

The breakup was not only tough on Rebecca and Frankie, but also on Apollo.

“He [Apollo] had to get use to not seeing him [Frankie] everyday,” Rebecca said. “Living in different places, it wasn’t easy for them to see each other.”
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