Police officer Ricardo Rojo of Arkansas was shocked when a large SUV passed his police car with two large dogs dragging behind it. When he questioned the driver, he said he was just “walking them.” But Rojo refused to let someone get away with such blatant animal cruelty.

Since then, both dogs have been taken into custody and put into foster homes. One dog suffered from severe injuries, while the other one got away with minor scratches. Both dogs are doing well despite all they’ve been through, and animal lovers are determined to give them a better life.

“Just Walking Them”

Rojo said that the two dogs behind the SUV were Huskies. The bi-colored Husky, now named Tigress, was tied to the back of the vehicle and forced to run behind. The white Husky, now known as Congo, broke loose from his leash. Yet, he kept following the car.

As the dogs ran past, Rojo followed in his police cruiser and pulled over the SUV. The driver, Leonard Barboza, told the officer that he was “just walking them.” After looking closely at the dogs, Rojo discovered that all four of Tigress’ paws were worn and bleeding. Congo had no apparent injuries but had signs of previously injured paw pads.

Rojo arrested Barboza for cruelty to animals. He transported him to the Washington County jail. He was later released on a $1,500 bond, and his court date is October 19th, 2021.

Huskies Prepare For a Happier Life

Tigress and Congo are currently in foster homes through Taysia Blue Husky and Malamute Rescue. Tigress needed special veterinary care for all four of her paws, which she couldn’t walk on without bandages or socks to protect them. Her neck also had soft tissue damage from her collar being pulled by the SUV.

Congo only had minor injuries from the incident, but both dogs had to be treated for worms and parasites. After over a week in her bandages, Tigress can walk comfortably without her paw wraps.

“She’s had her bandages changed on a daily basis, ointment added, but now she’s gone down to just wearing these little socks and they are healing very nicely,” said Jackie Roach with Taysia Blue Husky and Malamute Rescue.

Both Tigress and Congo are expected to start looking for their forever homes within the next few weeks. Roach said that the best part about fostering dogs at the rescue is seeing them grow, adjust, and learn how to be dogs again. These two sweethearts will get loving forever homes in no time!

H/T: 5newsonline.com
Featured Image: screenshots, 5newsonline.com

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It’s the end of September and we’re most of the way through 2021 already. For many of us, the past two years have been fairly challenging. Having our dogs always nearby for love and companionship during an ongoing pandemic has made a huge difference.

Rover released its Best Dog-Friendly Companies 2021 report on the 28th, which shows just how much dogs factor into our changing culture. The report lists the top U.S. companies that offer benefits for dog parents along with their ratings in this category and where the companies are based.

Rover’s head of people and culture, Jovana Teodorovic, noted:

“There’s a rising sentiment in American society that dogs are, in fact, a part of our nuclear families—they aren’t just pets. The pandemic only accelerated and strengthened those feelings.”

Which Companies Topped The List

According to Rover’s report, these are the top 20 dog-friendly companies based in the United States in 2021. The full report, which includes an additional 66 dog-loving companies, can be found here.

1. Amazon (Seattle, WA)
2. athenahealth, LLC (Watertown, MA)
3. Trupanion (Seattle, WA)
4. Kinship (New York, NY)
5. PetDesk (San Diego, CA)
6. Stride Health (San Francisco, CA)
7. Petco (San Diego, CA)
8. Purina (St. Louis, MO)
9. SelfMade (New York, NY)
10. SS&C Advent (San Francisco, CA)
11. WeWork (New York, NY)
12. VMware, Inc. (Palo Alto, CA)
13. PeopleConnect People Search (San Diego, CA)
14. PetSmart (Phoenix, AZ)
15. Procore Technologies (Carpinteria, CA)
16. Zogics (Lenox, MA)
17. Tripadvisor (Needham, MA)
18. Noodles & Company (Broomfield, CO)
19. FabFitFun (Los Angeles, CA)
20. The Farmer’s Dog (New York, NY)

How The Results Were Calculated

In order to arrive at these rankings, Rover polled around 90 dog-friendly companies across the United States. They also collected secondary data through Pollfish, surveying 1,000 U.S.-based pet parents. They used a points system to award these companies for certain dog-centric benefits.

Several of these workplaces go beyond the already impressive amenities, like allowing dogs to come to the office. Benefits also include paid time off for new pet parents, financial stipends for pet insurance, and pet care services.

A Post-Pandemic Shift

Teodorovic summarized that these dog-centric company features increasingly exist because we’ve loved spending more time at home with our dogs lately. Since the pandemic, it’s been hard to return to work without them.

“It’s abundantly clear that pet-friendly benefits are not only appreciated by employees, but they’re actually creating a more productive workforce and competitive hiring process. While some businesses may move to remote work, many others will transition back to the office or into a hybrid workplace plan. We anticipate more than ever that they’ll consider where and how pets fit into the equation.”

In fact, data in Rover’s report indicates that 77% of Americans now care more about working for a dog-friendly company after spending so much time with their pups during the pandemic. This benefits the companies polled as well, of which 95% believe that being a pet-friendly company has positively impacted hiring and recruiting.

Beyond the place you work, certain cities also tend to have more dog-friendly businesses and services. Check out our list of dog-friendly U.S. cities here.

H/T: Globe Newswire

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Death is a difficult thing for anyone to grasp. But while humans understand the concept of death, dogs likely don’t know why humans and animals disappear. One dog called Lessie, also referred to as Lassie by some sources, didn’t know how to cope with her human’s death. She shared many years of her life with her human father, so she didn’t understand when he disappeared one day.

However, when she attended his funeral, she could tell that he was in the casket. The confused and heartbroken pup stayed by the coffin for the entire service and refused to part with it afterward.

The Most Devastated Family Member

Lessie’s story gained lots of attention on social media once a photo of her began circulating. It showed her sitting in the back of a vehicle right beside her dad’s casket. Even after a beautiful funeral, poor Lessie still didn’t understand he was gone. She wanted to keep sitting beside him forever.

Sweet Lessie rode in the back of the hearse all the way to the cemetery where her human was going to be buried. She’s heartbroken to go on in life without him, but it’s clear that she loved him more than he could ever know.

The funeral directors at Onoranze Funebri GF in Italy assured everyone that this event wasn’t staged. Lessie surprised everyone with her emotional reaction, so they let her spend as much time near the casket as possible.

Time to Say Goodbye

Sadly, that ride in the hearse was the last time Lessie got to be close to her human’s casket. But she’ll have memories of him that will live on for the rest of her life. Her story inspired many people, proving that the bond between a human and a dog is truly something magical. After all, dogs are known to be very comforting during funerals and other difficult times.

“God bless this dog. They are man’s best friend and they never forget their owners even if they have been bad,” one person commented on Facebook.

Lessie is now living with some of her human’s family members so she can have some consistency. Yet, she will forever miss her dad, who was there for her through every up and down in her life. It will take her a long time to grieve and move on from this loss, but there are plenty of humans willing to love and support her every step of the way.

H/T: fascinatingthings.net
Featured Image: Facebook

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Today, your dog isn’t interested in eating, nor has energy that was exhibited yesterday. Normally, your dog is eager to eat and equally eager to play and get into mischief. Being the excellent parent that you are, you make an appointment for your dog to see your veterinarian. While you aren’t sure what may be going on, in your gut, you know that this isn’t normal behavior.
Your vet comes in and asks qualifying questions. You both agree to run blood work and various other tests that may need to occur. A few days later, your vet calls with the test results. Then, the word comes across the phone and you feel like the wind was just sucked out of you. Your heart drops to your feet. What is the word? Cancer.

Do you know the early warning signs that your dog may have cancer? It’s important to note that most of these symptoms could also indicate another ailment and they are not isolated to a cancer diagnosis. Should your dog be exhibiting one or any of these symptoms, the best option is to call your veterinarian for an exam and testing. Here are five (5) warning signs of cancer.

 Lumps and Bumps 

Yes, there are going to be lumps and bumps that your dog will develop throughout its life. The only way to know for sure if the new “growth” on your dog is not cancerous, consult with your vet. One easy thing that you can do weekly, massage your dog. Sitting down on the floor, giving your dog a nice overall massage not only will feel great for your dog (you too) and isolate bonding time, this will also allow for you to identify any new growths.

Change in Appetite

If your dog goes from being a passionate eater to no or little interest; providing no change in their diet, consult with your vet. A change of appetite in your dog doesn’t necessarily mean cancer, when a dog has no interest, more times than not there is something going on that needs further investigation.

Pain

Providing your dog did not jump off the bed like Superman, and there is an indication of pain, consult your vet. If your dog is limping, sensitive to touch; or, the pain is too great for your dog to move, your dog needs to see your vet.

Wounds takes long to heal

If your dog has an open wound and it is taking longer than normal to close and heal, medical attention is needed.

Foul odor

You know you just bathed your dog and has been inside, yet, there is a foul odor. This sign is of concern as cancer will produce an odor.

Again, not all of the signs above mean that cancer is present within; they do indicate that medical attention is needed and should be sought as quickly as possible. The best thing to help “fight” cancer begins with prevention, early detection, and research.

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When you think of dog shows, maybe you imagine the purebred-focused events you see on TV on Thanksgiving. The Animal Foundation’s annual “Best in Show” actually features adoptable rescue dogs of all shapes and sizes.

“Best in Show” is the Animal Foundation’s biggest fundraiser of the year, and it’s been going on for 18 years now. The money raised goes to several important causes, like their foster program and their kitten nursery.

The 2021 Event

For the first time in 2021, Animal Foundation also featured adoptable kittens in their formerly dogs-only show. Sweetening the deal even further was the presence of celebrity guest judges singer/songwriter Debbie Gibson, Chloe Koast of KSNV, and entertainer Gregory Popovich.

After last year’s event went virtual due to the pandemic, Animal Foundation’s “Best in Show” opened up to spectators again in September 2021. This year’s show took place at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas. Of course, with the delta variant making things a little iffy, viewers were welcomed to join via live stream as well.

Tickets only cost $5, and a silent auction at the event raised even more funds for saving animals. These shelter dogs certainly benefit from the Animal Foundation’s support! All 28 dogs who participated this year ended up finding their forever homes after the event.

According to The Animal Foundation, some of the show participants actually became foster fails and ended up with the families who looked after them leading up to the event. That includes the show winner, a little tripod dog named Elton.

Here’s a little peek at what the show looked like:

All About Winner Elton

When Elton arrived at the shelter at nine months old, he had several open wounds on his leg. The vets had to make an important decision to save him. The Animal Foundation wrote on Facebook that it didn’t keep Elton down:

“Worried an infection could spread throughout his body our veterinary team knew it was best to amputate Elton’s leg. Our team quickly fell in love with Elton’s sweet disposition.”

This sweet miniature Poodle captured the hearts of his foster family too, who ended up adopting him for life. The organization added:

“He will spend the rest of his life having fun pain free.”

Elton deserves his win, but after the success of this event, all the dogs are winners! If you had to miss this year’s “Best in Show” event, follow The Animal Foundation for more information on the next one.

H/T: Fox5
Featured Image: Facebook

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Pulaski County, Kentucky, is home to about 65,000 residents. Of those 65,000 people, there is one with an exceptionally large heart. Jacob Maggard may only be 8-years-old, but he has enough kindness and compassion within him to last several lifetimes!

Jacob’s neighbor, Cheryl Sears, passed away on May 22nd. Rather than flowers, Cheryl’s family asked for donations to be made to the Pulaski County Animal Shelter, where her daughter, Kim, is the Assistant Director. Jacob was so inspired by this request that he decided to take action.

Rather than asking for gifts for himself, young Jacob asked for birthday presents he could give to the shelter. He collected supplies that he proudly donated to help dogs and other animals in need.

A Wish List Became A Reality

When Jacob got the idea in his head, his mother, Lisa, decided to help him make his dreams come true. Lisa contacted the shelter to see what supplies they needed most. Then they made an Amazon wish list which Lisa and Kim both sent out. The wish list quickly became a reality as supplies started pouring in faster than a wagging tail at the dog park!

“Some people had the donations mailed to her house and some were mailed here,” Kim said. “I had package after package coming in here from Amazon that people had called in donations.”

Jacob’s heart for helping runs in his blood. His family moved to Somerset, Kentucky from California just last year after his dad retired from the military. Jacob’s mom is a veteran also. Before they moved back to Kentucky, Jacob’s family rescued a dog from the SPCA who Jacob named Junior Flash.

“We had always donated to the shelter, whether it be used towels or an abundance of dog food,” Lisa told the Commonwealth Journal. “In California, our local shelter was very close to our home. They would put needs out on Facebook all the time, and Jacob and I would go to the store and pick up stuff to give. For him, giving to the shelter is very normal but this one was special because it’s ‘Miss Cheryl’s shelter.'”

Jacob Was Shocked At What He Saw Next

Though many of the items had been shipped directly to the shelter, there was quite a bit at Jacob’s house that still had to be delivered. Jacob and his family packed their SUV to the brim. It wasn’t until that moment that Jacob realized just how much people came together to help. The SUV was full of cat and dog food of all kinds, treats, collars, toys, and anything else you can imagine!

Jacob took a look and exclaimed in amazement, “Wow, the animals are going to be so happy!”

His kindness continued to flow as he visited each and every dog in the shelter that day, personally handing each one a yummy treat.

“Jacob is a sweet boy and his love of animals has always shone through,” Lisa said.

And for good measure, Jacob went to bed that night and prayed that every dog in the shelter would find a home filled with love – as much love as he had for each of them.

h/t: Commonwealth Journal

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Rommel Quemenales was only 11-years-old when a documentary was released about his life on the streets. His dad left him at an early age and his mom showed little interest in her many children. So, Rommel began begging and finding money in his own ways. But he wasn’t doing it alone. During his time on the streets, he met a homeless puppy, who quickly became his best friend.

Rommel named his dog Badji after his brother Adji who disappeared many years ago. Rommel takes Badji everywhere with him, and he takes care of the dog’s needs before his own. They’re the most heartwarming pair you’ll ever see!

Rommel and Badji are a Dynamic Duo

Rommel and Badji live in Quezon City in the Philippines. Front Row Publications shared a 25-minute video about the boy’s life back in 2015, which pulled at the heartstrings of viewers. Rommel showed the camera crew what his daily life looks like and how he and Badji survive on their own.

According to Rommel, his father left them in 2009. His dad fell in love with their nanny and never returned to his family. His mother is still around but doesn’t care that Rommel spends most of his time on the streets. Sometimes, Rommel stays with his older sister, who is at work more often than not. Most of the time, Badji is Rommel’s only real companion.

Rommel said that his little brother Adji got lost when they were younger and that Badji the dog reminds him of his brother. His mother says they looked around town for Adji at first but never called the police. According to his mom, their father said they shouldn’t worry about Adji. He said the boy would turn up one day, but Rommel still doesn’t know where he is.

“[Badji is] my playmate. I really do think of him as my brother,” said Rommel. “I even carry him as I did my brother.”

A Day in the Life of Rommel

Little Rommel spends most of his days begging for money. He goes around town, politely asking strangers for change. The boy collects and saves up as much money as he can, and he uses it to feed Badji, and then himself. He carries Badji with him most of the time, but when he sets the pup down, Badji always follows closely behind.

“I would be so lonely without you,” Rommel said to Badji.

Rommel also saved up money to get school supplies so he could further his education. Despite his age, he never made it past second grade. Luckily, many people stepped forward to help Rommel achieve his dream of finishing school. The local school allowed him to attend third grade as long as he kept himself clean and brought his own notebooks. Rommel was the only student without a school uniform, but he didn’t mind. He said it’s about the education, not the uniform.

When Rommel goes to school, he drops Badji off with his mom or older sister. His sister has two dogs of her own, named Putol and Cosmo. All his younger siblings still live with his mother. Rommel often visits both homes, where he can cook food for himself and Badji. But he said his mom never asks him to stay at home and instead wants the money he collects.

Obtaining His Life Goals

Rommel’s life isn’t easy, but he always makes the most of it. The kind people who have helped support Rommel and his dog have helped him get an education, which is a huge win in his eyes. He wants to go to school so he can help his siblings too.

“I’m happy because I’m going back to school. I’ll be able to help my siblings out if I finish my studies,” Rommel said. “[I wish] that we have our own house one day, so that people can’t treat us like doormats anymore.”

The video leaves off with Rommel attending school and making the most out of life, no matter how difficult things get. He says he’s not afraid of anything because he has Badji by his side.

Unfortunately, there haven’t been any updates about Rommel and Badji since the video first aired. Hopefully, they’re doing better, and they’re still able to support each other during hard times.

Watch the Full Episode Here:

H/T: fascinatingthings.net
Featured Image: YouTube

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Actor Tommy Kirk was best known for the classic roles he played as a child, including those in Old Yeller and The Shaggy Dog. Many grew up watching him act beside dogs, and he was a beloved actor from many people’s childhoods.

But sadly, on September 28th, 2021, Kirk passed away at age 79. He left a lasting impact on his friends and fans, but as it turns out, his life wasn’t always as thrilling and magical as it might’ve seemed, especially when it came to acting.

Remembering Tommy Kirk

Kirk began his acting journey in the 1950s, where he starred in over 30 films. While he’s best known for playing Travis in Old Yeller, he was also known for The Shaggy Dog, Son of Flubber, and Swiss Family Robinson.

However, Kirk’s journey wasn’t easy. At around 17 years old, he realized he was gay, and he didn’t want to hide it. At the time, Disney wasn’t okay with that, so they stopped working with him. Sadly, he lost many acting roles because of it. Kirk’s family also distanced themselves from him, but he always had his co-stars to support him.

“My friend of many decades, Tommy Kirk, was found dead last night,” wrote fellow child actor Paul Petersen. “Tommy was intensely private. He lived alone in Las Vegas, close to his friend … and Old Yeller co-star, Bev Washburn … and it was she who called me this morning. Tommy was gay and estranged from what remains of his blood-family. We in A Minor Consideration are Tommy’s family. Without apology. We will take care of this.”

Kirk quit acting altogether in the 1970s, and he later started his own carpet cleaning business. Yet, he still attended conventions and interviews related to his past acting career. After Kirk’s death, his neighbor found his body in his home, but the cause of death is unknown.

Nostalgic Impact of Old Yeller

Of all the characters Kirk played, Old Yeller was undoubtedly his most memorable and lasting Disney role. Dog lovers quickly fell in love with the relationship between the child and dog in the film but were heartbroken by the devastating ending.

“One of the reasons people remember Old Yeller is not just the fate of a beloved dog, but the shattering grief expressed by his owner, so beautifully played by Tommy. I think his talent and range as an actor were taken for granted somewhat. He was really very versatile,” said film historian Leonard Maltin.

 

In his tribute to Kirk, Petersen reminded fans that Kirk loved them very much. They lifted him up and supported him when the acting industry let him down. And through it all, Kirk stayed true to himself.

Rest in peace, Tommy Kirk. Your legacy won’t be forgotten.

H/T: deadline.com
Featured Image: Facebook

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When you purchase products from the iHeartDogs store, a portion of those proceeds are donated to Greater Good Charities. Through Greater Good’s Rescue Bank program, shelter dogs can get healthy meals so the rescues can save their funds for medical costs and other care requirements. Donna is just one of the many dogs that Greater Good Charities has had an impact on!

Bexata Animal Sanctuary, Inc., a Greyhound rescue in San Antonio, cared for Donna the Greyhound. She initially came from a Greyhound training farm. Poor Donna had a lot of health problems, including skin problems and intestinal issues. The shelter didn’t have the funds to give her a diet to help with those conditions, so Rescue Bank stepped in to save the day.

Donna’s Second Chance

Rescue Bank supplied Donna a special food for her health concerns, which also helped keep her coat and teeth healthy. Not only did they supply food to the dogs, but the rescue also received chew treats, comforters, and dog beds. Thus, the donations not only helped Donna and the other dogs survive, but they also thrived!

“On my website for my rescue there’s an adopted greyhounds page, and I’d say that most of them were able to thrive here based upon the goods received through Rescue Bank. That doesn’t just mean survive but thrive,” Bexata Animal Sanctuary, Inc. wrote. “2020 was not a great year for greyhound adoptions due to COVID-19, so we were extremely fortunate to be recipients of the Rescue Bank donations.”

With Donna’s food taken care of, the rescue was able to focus on her spaying, rehabbing, and socializing. Now, a couple gave her a loving home, and she’s living her best life. The animal sanctuary misses her and will welcome her back if ever needed, but they’re so grateful that she has found a forever family. And Donna seems so happy to be with them!

Every time you purchase something from the iHeartDogs store, Greater Good’s Rescue Bank provides meals for dogs like Donna. Every item bought could make a difference for a dog without a home. So, thank you to all the incredible heroes who have purchased products to help dogs in need!

Shop & Give Back!

The following products provide quality dog food for shelters and rescues, helping them reserve more of their precious funds for medical expenses, supplies, and spreading the word about their adoptable pups.

Images provided by Bexata Animal Sanctuary, Inc.

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“Ethan the Dog” is ready to play ball! Which, if you’ve been following his story, you know is nothing short of a miracle. He was chosen as the “celebrity” guest to throw out the ceremonial first pitch at the Louisville Bats inaugural “Hops & Hounds” event.

Bats fans were encouraged to bring their best furry friends to join them for an evening of baseball and sampling locally brewed beers. The event was held during the Louisville Bats minor league baseball game at Slugger Field.

Ethan and his story have captured the hearts of people all over the world. In January of this year, the one-year-old dog was found in a box outside of the Kentucky Humane Society. Someone discarded him while he was on the brink of death. He was starved to the point that he was so weak, he couldn’t even lift his head. A dog his size is meant to be 80 pounds, and Ethan was a startling 38 pounds when he was found. 

On-site veterinary technicians rushed to warm him with heated blankets and warmed IV fluids while he fought for his life. His condition required constant care, so he went home with a veterinary technician, so he could continue to be monitored closely.

There, he was kept on his IV fluids and fed every two hours. His condition became dire when he was rushed to the emergency vet for displaying rapid breathing and neurological symptoms, like twitching. Ethan survived and went through a period of living with daily seizures, but he has overcome the odds.

“His loving personality and joy for people is back in full swing and he continues to bring smiles and happiness to everyone we run across, his seizures seem to be gone for now. But we monitor his health so closely every day,” his family wrote in a Facebook statement.

How exactly does a dog throw out the first pitch at a baseball game?

Well, Ethan had a little bit of help from his dad, Jeff. The original idea was for Jeff to have Ethan stay on the pitcher’s mound while he walked to home plate, and Ethan was to bring him the ball. But Ethan had other plans. He is still a puppy, after all.

About halfway back to home plate, Ethan decided it was time to run and essentially chased his dad as he backpedaled towards home plate. Then, Ethan ran off towards the first base dugout. But, Jeff called him, and Ethan ran right back over to him. Together, they gave the ball to Buddy Bat, the Louisville mascot. You can see the adorable video below. 

Ethan has his own Facebook page, and he continues to inspire hope and resilience in his followers. His journey of losing enough muscle mass to not even be able to lift his head to now being a healthy, happy dog is incredibly motivational.

“Ethan has served as a beacon of hope for so many and has shown what the power of love, hope and courage can really do.”

H/T: people.com
Featured Image: Louisville Bats / Facebook

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