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Shaun Singer and Dr. Stephanie Culler are a husband-and-wife team who have been finding unique ways to research cancer. Culler is the founder of Persephone Biosciences, and Singer is the director of the “Poop for the Cure” project. For years, the duo has collected fecal samples to study cancer in humans.

However, they recently learned that human cancer isn’t very different from cancer in dogs. After some investigation, they realized that dog poop could further their research too. So, they’re paying dog parents for canine feces, and it could eventually lead to a cure for cancer!

How Can Dog Poop Cure Cancer?

Experts can tell a lot about cancer by looking at poop. By examining the poop of patients with and without cancer, they can discover which microbes lead to effective treatments. As it turns out, dog poop can uncover many similar things.

“Turns out dogs actually have more than 60% in common in their microbiome to us. They live in our environment. Some of them eat the same food. They drink the same water,” said Dr. Culler. “We’ve now realized dogs have cancer at the same rates that humans do. And we can potentially understand cancer in dogs to better our treatments in humans.”

So, Culler and Singer have been collecting poop from healthy dogs and dogs with cancer to learn about treating cancer in dogs and humans. They especially need samples from canines with cancer since those are harder to come by.

The Search for Poop

The couple has set up booths outside dog parks to gather more stool samples. They recently spent time at Nate’s Point Dog Park in San Diego, where there’s an excess of pet waste. Most dog parents were happy to hand over the poop instead of throwing it away.

Culler and Singer put each bag of poop into a cold container for preservation. Then, they have the humans fill out some paperwork about their dog’s medical history. Each person who donates poop gets $5 for their time.

It might seem like a gross way to do research, but it could eventually save lives. Scientists are determined to find a cure for cancer, which means finding research in any place possible. So, Culler and Singer will continue to travel around gathering dog poop samples to find ways to advance cancer research. They will also keep gathering human samples as well.

“The last four years through campaigns like ‘Poop for the Cure’ we’ve collected 1,000s of stool samples from cancer patients and healthy patients nationwide,” said Dr. Culler. “We are able to really understand which microbes in our microbiome impact treatment response.”

H/T: cbs8.com

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Charlotte Beard from Dorset, England, suffers from many health conditions, including non-epileptic seizures and a heart condition. She also has post-traumatic stress disorder after going through three miscarriages in the last few years. But her fourth pregnancy resulted in a beautiful baby boy, and she credits her assistance dog for part of the successful birth.

Her Maltese named Flump is known as the first dog in the UK to be a “medical aid” during a human pregnancy. He made sure his mom stayed healthy and as comfortable as possible while she gave birth. Beard believes more people should be able to have a birth experience like hers.

Always By Her Side

A doctor suggested Beard get an assistance dog after she had to give up her job for medical reasons. So, Beard brought Flump home when the pup was only ten weeks old. Beard and her boyfriend, Ash Pheonix, had gone through three miscarriages while trying to start a family. Flump had been there to support them every step of the way.

During Beard’s most recent pregnancy, she worried about how her PTSD could negatively affect the birth. She brought Flump to the hospital with her for support, referring to the pup as a “medical aid.”

“We say Flump is like my partner or an extension of myself. The idea of doing such a momentous moment in my life, also such a vulnerable point, without Flump by my side just didn’t seem right,” said Beard.

Flump stayed beside his mom as much as possible at the hospital. Pheonix ensured that the pup had occasional breaks and walks as needed. The only time Flump wasn’t in the room, besides his breaks, was during Beard’s C-section.

Dog Brings Family Together

Beard gave birth to a beautiful baby boy named Alfie. Even before Alfie was born, Beard believed that Flump shared a special bond with him. Flump stayed at the hospital with Beard and Alfie for five days following the birth.

Now, Beard hopes her story makes assistant dogs more common during pregnancies. They’re not allowed in all hospitals, but some people need a furry friend by their side in stressful situations like birth. Even just petting a dog can relax people and bring them joy.

“You wouldn’t ask someone to go to the hospital without their wheelchair so, as long as it’s reasonable, an assistance dog has the right to attend and assist their handler,” said Beard.

Beard’s health conditions hold her back in many ways, but she won’t let them stop her from giving her family the best life possible. Alfie and Flump are both very loved, and they’re lucky to have each other. It’s amazing how having a dog by our sides can make our lives so much better!

H/T: dailymail.co.uk
Featured Image: Instagram

The post Assistance Dog Becomes First UK Canine To Aid Human’s Pregnancy appeared first on iHeartDogs.com.

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WARNING: Content may be sensitive to some readers.

Rosabella never imagined that she’d be in a loving home, but her story is proof that dreams come true. The young Pit Bull mix spent the holidays on the verge of death. A heartless human had locked her in a crate with no blankets and left her alone in below-freezing weather.

If Ruff Start Rescue in Minnesota hadn’t come to save her, Rosabella would’ve passed away without knowing what love is like. Thanks to the kindness of volunteers, she’s becoming stronger and more loving every day.

Discarded Like Garbage

Photos from the day the rescue found Rosabella are heartbreaking. The poor pup is just skin and bones, and she was alone when the weather was four degrees Fahrenheit. She only weighed 19 pounds, but she should’ve been closer to 45 pounds. When Breanna Jensen saw Rosabella’s photos, she knew she had to foster the sweet canine.

“If she hadn’t been found that day, she would have died,” said Jensen. “She was discarded like garbage. She was surrounded by garbage bags. Obviously, she was emaciated and dehydrated and just on her last leg, honestly.”

Jensen normally fosters the dogs with extreme medical cases. She has cared for dogs with amputations, mange, and even porcupine quills. But she’s never cared for a dog quite like Rosabella.

Rosabella is currently on a special diet where she eats several small meals throughout the day to help her gain weight. Of course, the love and warmth of her foster home also go a long way.

Rosabella Deserves Love!

In only two weeks, Rosabella gained 10 pounds. She’s also becoming more playful and lively, especially around the other dogs in her foster home. Volunteers are calling her a “Christmas miracle!”

“She’s playful and she’s fun. She likes to run around the yard. She’s getting along really well with our other dogs. She is just the sweetest little girl in the whole world,” said Jensen. “Our little Christmas miracle.”

The rescue has been posting updates about Rosabella’s journey. The sweet little pup seems happier in every photo. She has the cutest little Pit Bull smile, and she often wears adorable sweaters to keep her frail body warm. This brave dog refused to let her hardships hold her back.

It’s unclear when Rosabella will be ready for a forever home, but right now, her loving foster parents will keep focusing on her healing process. She can tell she’s in a safe and loving place now, but she still needs lots of time and patience to make a full recovery.

H/T: minnesota.cbslocal.com
Featured Image: Facebook

The post Emaciated Dog Locked In Crate During Frigid Weather Gets Christmas Miracle appeared first on iHeartDogs.com.

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Certain human foods are always hazardous to our furry friends, and the holidays are an especially dangerous time for accidental ingestions. Family meals are often made with harmful ingredients, and there’s usually some Christmas candy lying around. So, it’s important to keep those treats out of reach to protect pets.

Unfortunately, a Staffordshire Bull Terrier named Hugo got a little too curious this Christmas. He found a way to access his family’s chocolate coins that they got for Christmas. He ate so much chocolate and foil that he was on the brink of death. Luckily, a veterinary charity saved his life!

Christmas Candy Nightmare

For humans, Christmas candy is exciting and tasty. But for dogs, it could be a death sentence. Amie, who owns 6-year-old Hugo, said she briefly left the house to go to the store. When she returned, torn-up foil from her chocolate coins was scattered throughout the house. All of the chocolate inside was gone.

“At first, Hugo seemed fine, but I felt sick with worry when he began vomiting blood. He then had a seizure, which was terrifying,” said Amie.

Amie contacted People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals, a veterinary charity known as PDSA, as soon as Hugo showed unusual symptoms. The vets did an x-ray on the pup, which showed that he had lots of foil trapped in his stomach.

So, Hugo stayed at the hospital overnight for major procedures. Vets gave him an intravenous fluid drip, medications, and extensive care to ensure he recovered.

Vets Save Hugo’s Life

Thanks to the determined vets, Hugo’s life was saved. PDSA nurse Donna Southwould said the pup could’ve died if he hadn’t gotten to the vet in time. He has returned home since his procedures, but he needs to continue resting until his recovery is complete. Amie can’t thank the vets enough for saving her companion.

“There were a number of times I thought we were going to lose him, so to have him home for Christmas is a miracle,” Amie said.

Amie is forever grateful that Hugo is making a promising recovery. But sadly, not all pets in this situation have a happy ending. So, it’s best to be careful with what human foods your dog eats, especially around the holidays.

PDSA reminds dog parents to keep dangerous items out of reach from their furry friends. Foods like chocolate, grapes, raisins, and onions can all be toxic to canines. So, be extra careful where you keep your holiday leftovers.

H/T: nypost.com
Featured Image: Facebook

The post Vets Perform Life-Saving Surgery On Dog Who Ate Christmas Chocolate appeared first on iHeartDogs.com.

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Just before noon on Sunday, December 19th, 2021, a white truck pulled up to the Walton County Animal Shelter in Florida. A man and woman exited the vehicle with a black dog and approached the doors, even though the shelter is closed to the public on Sundays.

They paid no attention to the sign on the front door that reads “STOP, do not bring your animal inside” and lists a phone number where assistance can be reached. After sifting through some donations out front, the man put down a box. Security footage shows both people getting into the truck again, without their dog, and driving off.

According to a statement from the Walton County Sheriff’s Office, an hour passed before the staff inside saw the black dog peering through the shelter’s windows. Then they saw the box the couple left behind with their heartbroken dog. There was movement inside of it.

That’s when shelter staff learned the box contained 11 puppies. As the Sheriff’s Office summarized in a Facebook post:

“These dogs have clearly had a rough 24 hours. Abandoned just days before Christmas and left out in the cold.”

An Abandoned Family Finds People Who Care

Even though the shelter was technically closed, the dedicated staff made sure all 12 dogs made it inside right away for care. The Sheriff’s Office wrote:

“Thankfully, staff are always on hand to care for the animals. The puppies and their momma were quickly brought inside and given shelter.”

They may not know how these 12 dogs were treated before they arrived at the shelter, but at least they’re in good hands now. Alaqua Animal Refuge took them in, and they will soon be available for foster or adoption.

“In our care, they will all learn what it feels like to be loved and taken care of,” AAR wrote on Facebook.

Reach out to Alaqua Animal Refuge if you’re local and can adopt/foster! According to officers:

“The puppies appear to be friendly, although momma dog is wary of people (and who could blame her.)”

Dumping Animals Is Cruel AND Illegal

To play devil’s advocate: It’s always possible that people who abandon their animals genuinely don’t know they have better options. The Walton County Sheriff’s Office requests that anyone struggling to care for a pet contact Animal Services first.

“Dumping animals is ILLEGAL and these individuals could face criminal charges. Reaching out does not mean dropping animals off on a day when the shelter is closed and leaving them for dead. It means picking up the phone and allowing Animal Services employees to provide a time for intake and to collect information about your animals.”

In the comments on the police department’s post about the abandoned family, some indicated that leaving the dogs right outside the shelter is better than nothing. The Sheriff’s Office addressed that argument, noting:

“A lot of comments on here are saying, at LEAST they brought them to the shelter. We don’t think things should work this way. What’s the MOST someone can do? Shouldn’t that be the expectation?”

After investigating, police identified the two individuals seen in the security video. The investigation is ongoing, but the Sheriff’s Office had this to say:

“In the mean time we would like to remind folks; turning your animals in when you are in dire circumstances is certainly one thing. We recognize and know things are hard for everyone right now. But, there is a right way to surrender your animals and a wrong way. This is certainly not the right way.”

Don’t just abandon the animals you can’t care for! Help is out there for those who take the time to seek it.

H/T: WFLX.com
Featured Image: Facebook

The post Shelter Staff Astonished To See What’s Inside Box Left With Abandoned Dog appeared first on iHeartDogs.com.

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If you share your home with a fur child, then you know there’s nothing you can hide from snooping dog noses or curious kitty paws. Trying to hide snacks? You might as well give up the subterfuge because the kits and pups will bust the snacky secret wide open. Going for a walk? Forget trying to slip outside without the dog. And if you think you’re going to keep a cat out of something by hiding it away, go ahead and save yourself some trouble. Your cat will find the object and most likely make a bed out of it.

Long story short, your cats and dogs know the house better than you do, so make life simple and live in the open!

This well-known nosiness has us inspired as we scroll our favorite feeds and timelines this week. We’ve searched out the funniest and cutest posts about cats and dogs shared on social media. Enjoy, but remember, your furry bestie will probably want to investigate what’s got you laughing so hard!

Searched & Found: 21 Cute and Funny Posts About The Nosy-Rosies of the Family

#1 – Just found the TikTok of infinite cuteness…

@goretusya😾🧡♬ оригинальный звук – хэппи ню э

#2 – Seriously, doggos do know better, but they go on and do anyway.

i love telling my dog he “knows better”

— Brandy Jensen (@BrandyLJensen) December 21, 2021

#3 – Don’t forget to wash your paws!

#4 – Well, we’ve uncovered both horror and humor here.

Poor doggos 🤣#funny #dog pic.twitter.com/4wxQn1Amf6

— Nerdgiggles (@Al3xandrat) December 18, 2021

#5 – Boggled by the wideness of chonk…

#6 – Let’s just everybody settle down now…

#7 – When you become the chosen one…

#8 – How vewy scawy!

Caution…vicious dog attack. 😏😜🐶 pic.twitter.com/jmxlwyCnFB

— Fred Schultz (@fred035schultz) December 28, 2021

#9 – Sound on, or you’ll suffer the bite of the lion, the clenching jaws of the alligator!

@grizlly23##tiktokcat##catsoftiktok##cat##funnycat##animals##lovecats♬ original sound – Lorena Pages

#10 – Suspiciously and adorably alike…

#11 – Kitties have been sneaky fiends from the start of civilization…

#12 – Which one are you?

@hrhopkinThere are two types of dogs in this world. #uwtm #physicaltherapy #vetmed #dogtok #caninerehab #rehab #PT #derbydog #ccrp #blacklab #fieldtrial♬ original sound – Matthew Rincon

#13 – Be ready for what you might uncover if you decide to investigate feline activities.

pic.twitter.com/RUwzqaiazh

— memes i wish i could tag my cat in (@memesiwish) December 27, 2021

#14 – The plan for Corgi domination has been unveiled!

#15 – Chaos mode activated…

pic.twitter.com/clF0Kl1QcB

— Church of the Falling Cat (@fallingcatcult) December 26, 2021

#16 – The secret to happy living has been revealed.

#17 – The most remarkable discovery ever.

#18 – No dinner plate is safe from grubbing puppers!

Every meal time. I am there. #dogsoftwitter pic.twitter.com/xdbcUl14NY

— Ed Lewis (@EdLewis23246701) December 27, 2021

#19 – This should be the standard of feline measurement!

#20 – Indeed.

I feel like this is every #dog in the world 😂 #quote #funny #dogquote pic.twitter.com/VzuRcW7o35

— Lula (@LuluAitken) December 27, 2021

#21 – As cats already possess the wisdom of the ages, they often delight in telling us where we’ve gone wrong…

@goldenretrieversmilerDear diary…#goldenretriever #catsoftiktok #dogsofttiktok #fyp #friendship #sweet #dogs #goldenretrieverlife♬ original sound – SmileGoldenRetriever

There’s always more greatness to be sought out when it comes to our fur kids and social media. So, if you need more laughs and cuteness, check out these 23 Cute & Funny Posts That Describe The Wonder Of Cats & Dogs!

Feature Image: @fallingcatcult/Twitter & @mydogsplanet/Instagram

The post Discover The Hilarity Of Cats & Dogs In These 21 Funny Social Media Posts appeared first on iHeartDogs.com.

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