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Herding breeds are a favorite of many active dog owners because of their fun-loving personalities. They are energetic, intelligent dogs that excel in training and make great active companions and performance competition dogs.

While many are not used for their original purpose of herding, they do still need jobs to do and should be provided adequate mental and physical stimulation.

#1 – German Shepherd Dog

The German Shepherd Dog has been one of the most popular canine companions in the United States for many years. They are loyal, intelligent and energetic dogs that enjoy spending time with their families. Also used as police and military dogs, they are noble guardians and will look after their families.

#2 – Australian Shepherd

This breed originated in the United States, despite its name, and is a very popular herding dog. They excel at various dog sports such as obedience, herding, and agility, and make great running and hiking companions. Always ready for fun, the Australian Shepherd needs an active home.

#3 – Shetland Sheepdog

The Shetland Sheepdog is a big dog in a small package. They are active and intelligent and love working with their owners. They enjoy training in agility, obedience, and many other sports, and make a great companion for someone looking for an active, smaller dog.

#4 – Pembroke Welsh Corgi

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is known for its adorable looks and strong personality. Despite their size, there is a lot of dog in that tiny package. They are very active, very intelligent dogs that need a job to do. Even with short legs, they make great hiking companions and enjoy many performance dog sports.

#5 – Collie

The Collie is recognized by the character Lassie, who shows the breed in its best form. Collies are gentle dogs that are deeply loyal to their families. They are not as active as many of the other herding breeds, but they do still require adequate exercise and mental stimulation.

#6 – Border Collie

The Border Collie is probably the most widely used herding breed today. They are still very strong herding dogs across the world and are one of the most popular breeds for performance sports like obedience, agility, and disc dog. They are quirky dogs with unique personalities and are generally not recommended for novice owner.

#7 – Australian Cattle Dog

The Australian Cattle Dog is a stubborn, active breed that does best in an active home. They make great hiking and running companions and are easily trained and competed in performance dog sports. They are often stubborn, as required for their work herding cattle, but form very strong bonds with their owners.

#8 – Belgian Malinois

The Belgian Malinois is arguably one of the most versatile dog breeds today. They are used widely in police and military work as well as competing at high levels of many performance dog sports. They are very active and intelligent dogs that need a job to do. Although not recommended for the novice owner, they are one of the most affectionate dog breeds and make wonderful companions for a truly active owner.

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Alfalfa is a Golden Retriever named after the famous character from The Little Rascals. No one is more deserving of that name than this three-year-old pup. Like the film character, Alfie has a signature cowlick on the top of his head. He’s had it ever since he was a pup. No matter how much you brush it, it always sticks back up.

It’s the cutest characteristic, and it has helped make Alfie a social media star! Now, this Golden Retriever posts lots of TikTok videos, where he proudly shows off his unique hairstyle.

The Cutest Cowlick

Even as a newborn puppy, Alfie had one patch of hair that stood upright on his head. It also looks like a tiny shark fin. As he grew, the cowlick stayed and kept getting cuter. It’s what he’s known for, so his humans would never dare cut it off.

“Alfalfa has always had a cowlick,” said Kate Merrick, Alfie’s mom. “It’s visible in his tiny newborn picture and very prominent in his 6-week pictures. We were worried it would go away as he grew, but he’s grown now and it’s still there.”

Alfie loves to play with every human and dog he meets. Merrick said he loves tennis balls and will chase a ball around the yard all day if you let him. Merrick even made a hole in their fence so he can pass the ball to the neighbors on the other side. Luckily, the neighbors love throwing the ball back over the fence for Alfie in a unique game of fetch.

Alfie has two young human siblings, who he is very gentle around. His family also brought home a new Golden Retriever puppy named Iroh, who Alfie loves to play with. Unfortunately, Iroh doesn’t have a special cowlick like Alfie though.

Alfalfa Will Steal Your Heart!

Once Alfie grew up, Merrick decided to make a TikTok account for him. She said every time she posts a video of the pup, she gets lots of questions about his unique cowlick.

On TikTok, Merrick shares videos of Alfie completing social media trends, doing silly activities, or just going about his everyday routine. Over 50,000 people follow him because he’s so cute! Plus, his silly personality is sure to bring a smile to anyone’s face.

“Alfalfa is a wonderful family dog that brings us so much extra love,” Merrick said. “He keeps us laughing and entertained.”

Alfie wants to show the world that it’s okay to be different. He embraces his unique look and he loves the extra attention it gives him.

For more adorable Alfie videos, check out his TikTok page!

H/T: thedodo.com
Featured Image: @weratedogs/Instagram

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At first, there was a dispute when military dogs in Afghanistan allegedly got seats on planes over humans. But as it turns out, not all dogs got to fly to safety. A new image on social media revealed that many Afghanistan military dogs are all alone in kennels near an abandoned helicopter. If they don’t get help soon, they could die or suffer from torture.

These dogs served in our military with as much dedication as their handlers. They deserve a much better fate than this. Luckily, animal organizations are already trying to find a way to save them.

A Horrific Death Sentence

Animal rights advocates have described this situation as a death sentence for the dogs in Afghanistan. All U.S. troops reportedly left Afghanistan on August 30th, 2021, but 51 military dogs didn’t make it on the transport.

“It sickens us to sit idly by and watch these brave dogs who valiantly served our country be put to death or worse,” said Dr. Robin R. Ganzert, president and CEO of American Humane. “In order to prevent this tragedy from occurring, these K-9s should be loaded into whatever cargo space remains and flown to safety.”

Luckily, help is on the way. Joshua Hosler, the president of Veteran Sheepdogs of America, is doing everything he can to ensure that these military dogs are safe. The organization started raising money for a 737 plane out of Kabul, which costs about $1.67 million. They hope to also rescue some people from Kabul on the same plane.

There’s Still Hope

The nonprofit announced that the dogs are being cared for in their crates and are provided with food and water. So, they’ll be safe while Hosler scrambles to gather enough funds for their rescue flight.

A rescue organization pledged $500,000 to this fundraiser, but the donation fell through. While it’s frustrating, Hosler is still confident that they can raise the necessary funds. The last update that the organization shared stated that they were up to $1.4 million so far.

“51 contracted military working dogs are safe & being cared for in their crates. We had all funds for the plane, but an animal rescue org fell through. So we are scrambling to cover their amount of $500,000 of the $1.67 million,” Veteran Sheepdogs of America wrote on Twitter.

There’s still time for these dogs to fly to safety. If you’d like to help rescue humans and military dogs from Afghanistan, please donate to Veteran Sheepdogs of America. Every donation helps!

H/T: tmz.com
Featured Image: @VetSheepdogsUS/Twitter

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The hardest part about going on vacation is leaving your dogs behind. So, why not bring them? James Middleton, Kate Middleton’s brother, believes the best trips are the ones he takes with his dogs. And he has six furry friends! So, as a part of his dog food company’s blog, he shared some tips on how he successfully travels with all his four-legged family members. Some of his stories are the cutest, especially when he bikes with his dogs in a big basket.

It’s always possible to have a great vacation with your dogs by your side. Just take a look at Middleton’s advice!

James Middleton’s Dogs

Like many of the members of the royal family, such as Queen Elizabeth II and Meghan Markle, James Middleton is a huge dog lover. His social media is full of adorable pup photos. He currently has six dogs: Ella, Zulu, Inka, Luna, Mabel, and Nala. He even revealed that Ella saved his life by comforting him during dark times.

To give back to other dog lovers, he created a dog food company called Ella & Co. He also started writing blog posts on the website to provide beneficial information to fellow pet parents. One of his recent posts is about going on vacation with your dog. Many people find traveling with dogs tricky, but Middleton knows it wouldn’t be the same without them.

“I love traveling with my dogs and making new memories with them in exciting places,” Middleton wrote. “More dog owners are thinking about dog friendly holiday destinations as a wonderful way to bond with their pets. You no longer need to leave your dog behind! Traveling with them is a great way to enjoy a change of scenery with your four-legged friend.”

One of his favorite adventures with his dogs is biking. He has a large basket in front of his bike that fits all six of his dogs inside. He shared videos of the dogs in the basket on Instagram, and they clearly adore going for bike rides. Sometimes, you just need to get creative to make sure your dogs don’t have to be left behind.

Tips for Canine Traveling

In addition to sharing cute biking videos, Middleton also gives dog lovers traveling advice on his blog. He discusses topics like where to stay, what to bring, and how to plan ahead.

Here are some tips from Middleton’s blog:

• Choose a location that your dog will love – would they prefer a quiet cottage or a busy campsite?
• Find out if the place enthusiastically welcomes dogs or just allows them.
• Become familiar with local vet clinics in the area you’re traveling to.
• Brush up on basic training, like “sit” and “stay,” to help keep your dog calm.
• Along with the usual essentials, bringing a dog first aid kit is a great idea.
• If possible, make lots of stops during the trip there so your dog can stretch and do their business.

By planning ahead and keeping these tips in mind, vacationing with dogs can be exciting and manageable. For more advice, you can see Middleton’s full blog post. Not every dog will enjoy traveling, but it can be a great bonding experience for you and your pup!

Watch Middleton Bike with His Dogs:

H/T: people.com
Featured Image: @ella.co/Instagram

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An adorable introduction between a Golden Retriever and a tiny kitten has made its way around the internet. An originally hesitant kitten is now attached to her canine friend’s hip, making their initial introduction even more endearing.

This adorable friendship began when a 4-week-old kitten was found all alone in a field. Her rescuer quickly found the perfect couple to help care for the orphaned kitten. The moment they met the little ball of fluff, they fell in love and decided to keep her!

The couple already had a Golden Retriever at home that has always been good with cats, but they were unsure of how she would react to something so tiny. Thankfully for the animal-loving community online, they recorded the moment Lucy met her new feline buddy.

In the video, you can see their Golden Retriever, Lucy, visibly excited by the sight of a new friend in her home. She happily bounces around the room with glee, waiting for the tiny kitten to join in on the fun. Understandably, the kitten was a bit nervous around a pup about 50 times her size.

The video ends with Lucy gently pawing at her kitten friend and following up with a playful bow to gain the kitten’s trust. The adorable video soon comes to an end, leading many to wonder what happened next.

Thankfully, the couple’s daughter has continued to share the pair’s journey to friendship over the last few weeks.  The kitten has since been named Joey and is absolutely in love with her Golden Retriever bestie.

New TikTok videos show Lucy and Joey cuddling up next to each other, rolling around on the ground playing, and even clips of Joey resting on Lucy’s back. It appears that once Joey decided to let her guard down, she added a loyal companion to her circle.

Golden Retrievers are often just huge bundles of love, but this friendship is truly special. If they have grown this close in just 3 weeks, we can’t wait to see how much their friendship blooms as even more time goes by.

Katie has promised to share as many videos as possible of Lucy and Joey’s growing friendship. With how cute this content has been so far, it’s clear that their journey will be one you won’t want to miss.

We send our thanks to Katie’s parents for saving Joey in her time of need and can’t wait to watch her grow up alongside her best doggie friend.

H/T: news18.com
Image Source: TikTok/Katiesquibb

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As an Olympian and a Gold Medalist, skier Gus Kenworthy has a huge platform. A lifelong animal lover, Kenworthy uses that platform to advocate for their welfare.

His rescue dogs are incredibly important to him, and they inspire him to work with animal welfare organizations both in the U.S. and abroad. When he’s not freestyle skiing in competitions, he’s a loving and dutiful dog parent.

Kenworthy’s Lifelong Love Of Dogs

When Kenworthy was just 11-years-old, he met his first dog Mack at the animal shelter. He told Daily Paws his time growing up with the rescue dog shaped him and his passions.

“Because of that experience, I think I’ve always felt strongly about animal adoption and knowing that had we not got Mack that day, he potentially could have been put down or lived a sad life. I feel so lucky that we got to give him an incredible life.”

During the 2014 Olympics in Sochi, Russia 11 years later, one year after Mack passed, Kenworthy made headlines with his efforts to find homes for Russian stray dogs abroad.

Around the time of the Pyeongchang Games in 2018, Kenworthy also worked with Humane Society International to advocate for thousands of dogs in Seoul. He ended up rescuing a fluff ball of a puppy named Beemo there.

“Borrowed Time” With Beemo

Tragically, Beemo died from a heart condition before she had even grown into adulthood. Her death came as a complete surprise to her dads, who had not known of this birth defect.

They brought her to the vet when she stopped showing interest in her food one day, where they then learned her heart was enlarged and her lungs had deteriorated. Realizing the severity of the situation, they brought Beemo to an emergency vet.

The poor thing didn’t survive. In a heartbreaking Instagram post, Kenworthy wrote:

“The past two days have been a blur. It all happened so fast that it’s still hard to believe it. The ER doc told us that even if we’d somehow spotted the issue earlier it wouldn’t have made a difference in the end. He said that she’d been living on ‘borrowed time’ from the get go.”

Though their time together was cut short, Kenworthy feels grateful he got to love her at all.

“I’ve never loved anything or anyone in the way that I loved that dog and she is and will always be deeply missed.”

Finding Birdie

Despite the heartbreak, Kenworthy kept up his work with HSI. In the summer of 2018, he fell for another dog from a litter rescued from Korea. The Korean Jindo and Labrador Retriever mix was also rescued from a dog meat farm.

Kenworthy named her Birdie as a tribute to Beemo, who “loved birds and the snow.” Birdie is now almost 3-years-old, and she and her dad are inseparable.

“We’ll watch TV together, she’ll hang out by my feet while I read, we’ll go for hikes and car rides. It’s actually not anything that any other dog owner doesn’t also do, but it feels connected and bonded and just a better experience having her there.”

In addition to being best friends, Kenworthy and Birdie are cover models for Autotrader’s 2022 “Calen-Dogs” calendar. Autotrader will make a donation to Adopt-a-Pet.com for each calendar claimed.

When asked why he does so much for his animals and stray dogs abroad, Kenworthy explained:

“There are so many animals in shelters that need their forever homes, so I hope that anyone hearing about my story and my experiences with Birdie would feel encouraged or implored to consider adopting a pet. It really has changed my life for the better in so many ways.”

No matter how many Olympic medals you have, there’s always time to rescue dogs!

H/T: Daily Paws
Featured Image: @guskenworthy/Instagram

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Soxman Funeral Home in Pennsylvania recently welcomed a unique employee to the team. Lilo is a three-year-old Labrador Retriever, but she plays an important role at the facility. She’s the funeral home’s permanent bereavement care dog, so she provides comfort to humans during times of grief.

Not only does this adorable canine get to cuddle with humans all day, she also gets lots of benefits with her job. She has plenty of space to herself at the office, including her own small condo on the second floor. She’s such a good employee, and she has what many dogs would consider a dream job.

Welcome to the Team, Lilo!

Lilo began her first day at the funeral home on her birthday. To her, it probably seemed like the greatest birthday present in the world. She has been working with the owners, Anna Nesbit and Brian Soxman for the past year, and now she’s finally ready to get to work.

Lilo came from a litter of eight Lab puppies, all of which have gone on to do other incredible things. Some of her littermates now work in roles like seizure detection and autism support. Nesbit and Soxman picked Lilo for the role because of her calm and sweet disposition. The pup has the perfect temperament for comforting those who are mourning.

“She just has a way of bringing some warmth to a really sad time. She just looks up at you with those eyes and the families take that all in and you just watch them take a sigh of relief,” Nesbit said.

There are a lot of perks for Lilo at her new job. She has her own setup at the funeral home’s office, along with her own condo space on the second floor. When she’s not at work, she takes turns staying with Nesbit’s family and Soxman’s family. So, this lucky pup has three different places to call home!

Lilo is Working Hard

Lilo has already used her skills to help many people during dark times. Clyde Boyd is grateful that Lilo was there to help him during the preparations for his mother’s funeral. Agnes Boyd was 95 years old when she passed, and many family members came to the service. Lilo helped provide them with the comfort they needed.

“The part I really noticed was the great-grandchildren, they were very nervous and it was the first time they ever experienced anything like that, and she definitely made a difference, loosening them up, letting them be themselves,” Clyde said.

Nesbit and Soxman are overjoyed to have Lilo as part of their team. Her role is something that you don’t often see, so people are grateful for her presence. She’s there to greet humans and make them feel comforted throughout the entire process. Moments of mourning are the best times to have a loving dog by your side.

H/T: wtae.com
Featured Image: @SoxmanFuneralHome/Facebook

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Being a dog lover, you likely notice when pet food recalls are announced on the news or while scrolling through Facebook. Either a pet of yours has been affected, or the mere thought of your dog potentially becoming ill from their food had you beside yourself.

But how would you feel if there weren’t any laws governing pet food safety? Or, if you didn’t have anyone to tell you if something was potentially wrong with the pet food currently sitting in your pantry?

Well, that’s the current situation in Australia, and it’s the main reason why Molly Patton is so adamant about sharing her dog Scarlett’s story.

Since she was 12-years-old, Molly and Scarlett were best friends. The adorable Maltese-Shih Tzu had a sweet, hilarious personality that lit up rooms and added lots of love and laughs to Molly’s life. That’s why, for years, Molly and her family had been buying what they believed to be pure, 100 percent raw kangaroo meat for their dogs. But after both of the family’s pups began showing some serious symptoms, they realized that something was wrong.

Upon further investigation, they found out that not only was the meat a mix between kangaroo, horse, and beef, but it was also contaminated with a deadly toxin called indospicine. The natural toxin is found in native plants eaten by livestock, which wasn’t even supposed to be mixed into the “100 percent kangaroo meat” Molly thought she was buying.

“We weren’t notified. In fact, we called them [the wholesaler] after my mum came across a post on Facebook that flagged meat purchased from certain retailers between certain dates could be dangerous to dogs,” said Molly.

The family sent samples of the frozen dog food they purchased through wholesaler Backman’s Greyhounds Supplies to the CSIRO and the University of Queensland. The results confirmed that the food was indeed contaminated with indospicine. When contaminated meat containing indospicine is consumed regularly, the toxin can slowly build up in a dog’s system and cause liver disease.

“Never in a million years would I have thought that pet food would not be closely regulated … to make sure we are feeding, essentially members of our family, proper food that is safe to consume,” said Molly.

After eating the contaminated food, Ruby, Molly’s mother’s dog, spent eight nights in intensive care. Luckily, Ruby is making a slow recovery. However, Scarlett was in a fight for her life for almost a month before finally succumbing to organ failure. Together, the family has accrued $16,000 in medical bills. Agriculture Victoria reported that 68 of the dogs that ate the toxic pet food manufactured at the Maffra and District knackery have fallen ill, and that 26 have already died from severe liver disease.

Molly aims to honor the life of her precious pooch, Scarlett, by creating change. Melbourne law firm Maurice Blackburn is currently seeking affected dog owners for a class action lawsuit. Their hope is to accelerate the process of regulating Australia’s pet food industry.

“If anything good comes out of this, it would be to see the pet food industry regulated to the same standards as human foods and to see those regulations audited and mandated,” says Molly.

Currently, there are no laws governing pet food safety in Australia, only voluntary standards. The negligence that allowed this tragedy to occur and the absence of government regulations leaves dogs and other pets vulnerable to another deadly mistake in the future. Australian consumer advocacy group CHOICE has written an open letter to the Minister for Agriculture David Littleproud, calling for the introduction of mandatory industry standards for pet food in Australia.

“I am beyond heartbroken, but the best legacy we can give Scarlett is to, in true Scarlett fashion, make as much noise as possible and ensure she is the last victim in this horrific saga,” says Molly.

H / T: abc.net.au
Featured Image: Molly Patton / Facebook 

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A Husky named Mackenzie arrived at her forever home when she was 10-weeks-old. At the time, her vision wasn’t perfect, but she seemed healthy otherwise. Yet, as she grew up, she developed glaucoma in one eye, and then the other. Despite Mandy Leung’s efforts to keep her puppy’s eyes healthy, the condition worsened. Leung eventually decided that the best thing to do for Mackenzie was to have her eyes removed to eliminate the pain.

It seems like a tough transition, but Mackenzie quickly got used to her new life. You’d never realize she’s blind at first, especially based on her heartwarming reaction to snow.

Snow Brings Happiness

Since Mackenzie lost her sight at a young age, she quickly adapted to life without vision. Instead, she uses her nose to get around, and being blind doesn’t hold her back one bit. She loves getting attention from humans, playing with other dogs, and most of all, running around in the snow.

“I love taking Mackenzie to new places to explore. New dog parks, new hiking trails. I want to expose her to as many new things as I can, that way she can experience the things normal dogs do. Even if you can’t see the beautiful scenery, you can smell all the different scents and just absorb it all,” Leung said.

As much as Mackenzie loves her outdoor adventures, everything is always better for her if there’s snow. Leung says that snow is one of Mackenzie’s favorite things in the world. While she’s often quiet and relaxed inside, she gets a burst of energy as soon as she senses the snow outside.

In one viral video on Mackenzie’s Instagram page, Leung captured the Husky getting overly excited about a fresh snowfall. The pup bounds outside and down the porch stairs with ease, and then begins running in circles around the snow-covered yard. If it were up to Mackenzie, she’d spend all day out there.

Making the Most Out of an Unfortunate Situation

Sometimes, Mackenzie spends several hours playing in the snow at a time, and she’s disappointed when her mom makes her eventually come inside. Luckily, her thick winter coat keeps her safe while outside in the cold temperatures. Instead of wallowing in sadness after losing her sight, Mackenzie is happier than ever. Her journey is an inspiration to many.

“Learning to adapt at such a young age has made her into a very confident girl,” Leung wrote on Instagram. “She gets around new places just fine and can play fetch like a normal dog! I even forget that she’s blind sometimes because she stares right into my eyes when she looks at me.”

Someone that Mackenzie has inspired the most is her littermate, Zorro. She sometimes meets up with him for playdates, and he recently had to have his eyes removed for similar reasons. So, Mackenzie didn’t hesitate to stick by his side and teach him some things after his surgery. Now, they still have playdates together as if nothing has changed.

It’s easy to pity special needs dogs, but in most cases, they’re just as optimistic and fulfilled as any other dog. Like every canine, they have their quirks, habits, and favorite things. And, of course, Mackenzie’s favorite thing will always be running around in the snow, no matter what challenges life throws at her.

Watch Mackenzie’s Reaction to Snow:

H/T: thedodo.com
Featured Image: @mackenziethehusky/Instagram

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Dickson and Sheryl Patton have an abandoned well on their property that has been there for about 100 years. Yet, they never had a problem with it until their Golden Retriever named Calvin fell into it. The 12-year-old dog wandered off while Dickson was mowing the lawn and fell through the rotted plywood on top of the well.

The Pattons called firefighters for help right away. It was no easy task, but the rescue team worked hard to save the senior dog’s life. Events like this are rare, so it was also a beneficial experience for the fire department.

One-of-a-Kind Rescue Mission

While Dickson mowed his lawn in Oregon, he realized that Calvin was nowhere in sight. He and Sheryl searched for about two hours before fearing the worst. But then, their other two dogs kept walking near the well, which caused a barking sound to come from deep inside the 30-foot stone-lined pit.

“When he heard them, he started barking from the well and as soon as I heard that I knew what had happened. I started ripping up the rotted plywood and called the fire department,” said Dickson.

Dickson suspects that Calvin chased a squirrel but then fell into the well when he walked on top of the rotted wood. He was trapped down there for at least four hours, and he was likely treading water for most of that time.

When Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue arrived, they used a tripod and rope system to lower someone down into the well. That person carried Calvin as the other firefighters lifted them back up to the surface so Calvin could reunite with his family.

How is Calvin Doing?

Since the rescue, Calvin went to the vet for an evaluation. The Pattons said that he was treated for hypothermia but is doing well now. He has been released from the vet and is back in his loving home.

“Incidents like this don’t happen very often, so it was a good training opportunity for our technical rescue team,” said Tim Nokes with Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue. “We can simulate technical rescues similar to that, but it’s not very often where we actually have a 30-foot-deep well we get to send someone down inside.”

The Pattons were also amazed by how professional and efficient the team was. They’re extremely grateful for the firefighters’ skills and dedication. Without their hard work, the innocent senior dog might not have survived much longer.

H/T: kptv.com
Featured Image: @TVFR/Twitter

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What your dog eats should keep them healthy, but recalls can get in the way of that. So, it’s important to stay on top of dog food recalls to ensure your pup’s safety. Maryland dog food brand Top Quality Dog Food recently recalled a batch of dog food.

The food might’ve been infected with Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes. Both bacteria could be harmful to humans and animals, so here’s what you need to know about the recalled products.

What Was Recalled?

Top Quality Dog Food voluntarily recalled 1-pound packages of the Beef HVM recipe with the lot number 071521.

This product shipped to several states, including DC, MD, VA, DE, PA, MA, CT, and SC. Customers received it either through mail or direct delivery from 7/27/21 to 8/2/21.

The recall took place after a state surveillance sample tested positive for the presence of Salmonella and Listeria. The company didn’t distribute the remainder of the batch since the FDA is investigating the source of the contamination.

Risks of Salmonella and Listeria

Both Salmonella and Listeria pose a threat to the animals eating the food and the humans coming into contact with it. People who don’t wash their hands after handling the food are at a higher risk of contracting the bacteria.

Salmonella can cause humans to experience nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramping, fever, and diarrhea. In rare cases, it can cause more serious health concerns, including arthritis, arterial infections, endocarditis, urinary tract infections, muscle pain, and eye irritation.

For pets, Salmonella can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, a decreased appetite, fever, and abdominal pain. Healthy pets can still carry Salmonella and pass it on to other humans and animals.

Listeria can be fatal for some humans, such as children, elderly people, those who are pregnant, and individuals with compromised immune systems. People can also experience symptoms such as fever, headaches, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and stiffness.

It’s less common for pets to be affected by Listeria, but they could develop diarrhea, depression, anorexia, muscle pain, respiratory issues, and shock.

If any humans or animals have unusual symptoms after coming into contact with the food, contact a medical professional right away.

What Should You Do?

Top Quality Dog Food claims to have notified all the individuals who purchased this food. If you have the affected products in your household, dispose of them immediately. Then, thoroughly wash your hands and anything else that the food might’ve touched.

You can also return the product to the place for purchase for a full refund.

For any additional questions or concerns, you can call the company at 240-802-6601 from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm EST. You can also reach them at customerservice@topqualitydogfood.com.

H/T: fda.gov
Featured Image: @TOPQUALITYDOGFOOD/Facebook

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