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The footage of an adorable American Bulldog desperately desiring his birthday song to end so he can chow down on his birthday pupcake has been delighting millions across the internet. And it’s easy to see why.

The way the beaming birthday boy reluctantly refrains from jumping onto the table while practically pacing and making such overly excited facial expressions is almost too much cuteness to bear.

Ace, the American Bully, is officially two years old. And, to mark the occasion, his family wanted to sing h” m “Happy Birth “ay” and present him with his very own doggie birthday cake. But when they got everything ready and started the song, he became absolutely overwhelmed with excitement. Yet, good boy Ace exerted extreme patience, which we presume, was excruciating for him.

In the background of the clip, you can hear his happy family singing the classic birthday tune as the sweBully’sy’s gaze locks onto his special cake. His eyes practically fall onto the table as he stares at the cake and his body shakes with excitemenIt’t’s obvious that this sweet boy is eagerly anticipating every single bite. 

Ace licks his lips and sniffs his special treat as his family sings. Personally, I found the way he restrained himself to be incredibly impressive, as it was obvious he was going crazy inside. His palpable excitement, and sweet smiling face are incredibly adorable, and not unsurprising. Who doesn’t get excited about birthday cake? This sweet boy sure is living his best life.

Since this sweet video has already been viewed over 10 million times, it’s obvious we aren’t the only ones losing our minds over its incredible cuteness. We think of our canine companions as family, so of course we want to celebrate their birthday, and give them a super special day.

You can check out our article about awesome ways to celebrate your dog’s birthday by clicking, here.

Ace’s loving family decided to sing to him and treat him to a tasty pupcake. They’re such a special treat, and can even be bought online or made in your very own kitchen. Other pet parents are opting to throw puppy parties and dress up their dogs in themed hats or bandanas. And don’t forget to commemorate your dog’s special day with a photo shoot. 

But whatever way you decide to celebrate, what matters most is remembering just how lucky we are to have such amazing animals in our lives. 

Featured Image: TikTok

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Around 150 dogs were residing at Animal Services in Abilene, Texas, prior to August 26th, 2022. In the early hours of that Friday morning, a man broke into the shelter and unlocked several of the kennels, causing chaos.

The man climbed the fence surrounding the shelter and came in through the roof. He then released a bunch of dogs, letting them loose in the building. Things got worse from there.

An Unnecessary Tragedy

One major takeaway from this incident and the resulting tragedy is that shelter dogs are kept in separate kennels for a reason. Some dogs don’t get along with others, and some don’t respond well to being over-stimulated in the shelter environment.

ALL KIND Animal Initiative, a local animal welfare organization, has been frantically working to clean up the mess this man made. In a Facebook post later that day, ALL KIND informed the concerned public:

“The horrific break-in and subsequent turmoil at Abilene Animal Services resulted in the tragic death of one dog, multiple dogs still unaccounted for, and has also left numerous dogs with injuries.”

Different dogs being suddenly thrust together into chaos ultimately resulted in fear and violence. Some fought, others ran. Abilene Police, who discovered the devastating aftermath, shared in a statement:

“Officers found one of the canines deceased, and several other canines injured due to what is believed to be fighting amongst the animals. Several other canines escaped the property through an outside gate, requiring Animal Shelter crews to attempt to locate them outside of the property grounds.” 

Detectives later picked up someone who matched the description of a possible suspect and brought him in for questioning. They then officially arrested and charged 38-year-old George Paul Jones for breaking and entering, animal cruelty, and theft of a motor vehicle (he fled the scene in a van stolen from the shelter).

Jones is currently being held at the Taylor County Jail. As of this post, his motives are unclear. Was he looking for his lost dog? Did he feel like unlocking cages was actually for the dogs’ benefit? Was he just causing anarchy?

Ultimately, it’s sad that shelter dogs who might have found proper homes in time ended up severely injured and, in one case, dead.

The Abilene Community Rallies For The Dogs

One silver lining is how quickly local animal rescuers and civil servants responded to a call for help. Shelter employees came in on their days off, volunteers stepped up, and one quick-acting animal control officer even saved a life by breaking up a dog fight.

RELATED: 6 Methods For Safely Breaking Up A Dog Fight

That saved life belongs to a dog named George, who is currently recovering in a foster home from injuries he received that day. ALL KIND established a medical fund to help pay for his care as well as that of the other dogs who suffered injuries.

ALL KIND’s statement continues:

“We are extremely thankful for the Abilene Animal Services employees, the Abilene police department and the All Kind volunteers that rallied to recapture and provide immediate care and assistance to the dogs as well as clean up and repair the destruction to the building.”

You can donate to the fund on ALL KIND’s Facebook page. If you’re nearby, you can also help by keeping an eye out for the missing dogs. Hopefully, they can be safely recovered and focus on their main mission of getting adopted. Contact Abilene Animal Services at (325) 698-0085 if you spot one!

Featured Image: Facebook/Facebook

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Getting their first dog is one of the most exciting moments a kid can experience. But a boy named Chase only got to spend a month with his Lab puppy named Sam before she disappeared. The 5-month-old pup ran away from the family’s apartment in Boise, Idaho.

Sam is still missing after over a month of searching, but Chase’s dad, Chico McKinney, refuses to give up. After one sighting and some disturbing text messages, he’s more determined than ever to bring the puppy home. But now, he suspects that she was kidnapped and is being held for ransom.

The Search Begins

McKinney spent the first week spreading fliers around the neighborhood and going door-to-door asking for sightings. He said Sam has cream-colored fur, but she has a few brown spots on her shoulder. She also doesn’t have pigment in her nose or around her eyes and mouth.

“She’s about 5 months old so she’s probably still pretty small and gangly,” McKinney said. “Somebody said they saw her walking on Kootenai and Owyhee, somebody walking her, some college-age kids, they said.”

But after that first sighting, McKinney didn’t hear anything for a while. They searched near where the puppy had been seen with no luck. Then, McKinney received a suspicious text asking if there was still a reward.

Bizarre Text Message

When most people find a lost dog, their first message is something along the lines of “I found your dog.” So, asking about the reward first made McKinney uneasy. Yet, he confirmed that there was still a reward and asked if they found her.

After McKinney asked for pictures, the person sent a few photos of Sam, which helped McKinney feel better. However, the person wanted proof of ownership, such as paperwork from the breeder, before they’d return her. McKinney told them he’d only feel comfortable giving that information in person, and after that, the person stopped responding.

RELATED: Dog Stolen To Breed At Puppy Farm Returns Home 2 Years Later

Within a few minutes, McKinney got another unusual text claiming that Sam was dead. This seemed even more suspicious, and McKinney assumed the suspects were just trying to get him to stop looking.

“So my friend messaged you guys about your dog and I’m sorry to inform you that she isn’t alive, I don’t know how but they found your ad and thought dead or alive the reward would apply. She’s in the backyard buried, she’s been there a few days now. My friends just wanted the reward. I’m truly sorry,” the text said.

Help Bring Sam Home!

After that, McKinney finally decided to get the police involved. Yet, they were unable to trace the phone numbers because they came from internet-based numbers. McKinney said he’ll keep searching as long as there’s hope.

“As long as it takes, really,” McKinney said. “I mean, I don’t think we’ll give up until we don’t think there’s any hope. And right now, I still feel like there’s hope.”

McKinney said if the people who have Sam do the right thing, he won’t be mad anymore, and he’ll thank them. So, if anyone has information about Sam’s location, they can call the Ada County non-emergency dispatch at 208-377-6790, Crime Stoppers at 208-343-2677, or the number on the fliers at 208-860-3197.

Featured Image: YouTube

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Celebrating dogs come pretty naturally to those who adore them. Since most of us consider our four-legged pals fuzzy family members, it’s only obvious that we enjoy celebrating their birthdays! Whether you know your pup’s actual birth date or you just want to honor the day he came home with you from the shelter, we’ve got some great ideas to help you get the fun started!

#1 – Pick the Perfect Location

Location choice will depend on a number of different factors, such as the time of year, the number of guests, and the size of the dogs attending. A party of 10 Saint Bernards is probably going to need a larger location than a Dachshund party. If you’ve got a large yard, you should have no problem holding it at your home. But apartment dwellers might need to find a dog-friendly park nearby. No matter what you choose, your pup and his furry friends are sure to have a blast!

#2 – Provide Drinks & Snacks

You’ll obviously have plenty of fresh water available at all times since dogs can get very hot and thirsty running around all day! But when it comes to snacks, make sure to check with the other owners about any ingredients you might want to avoid. Some pups have very sensitive tummies and can be allergic to certain ingredients. You certainly don’t want to give out anything that would harm your guests!

#3 – Cake!

This is one of the best parts of the party! Following the same guidelines for choosing snacks, try to find or make a cake with ingredients that your guests should be safe eating. There are more and more dog bakeries popping up every week, and tons of dog-friendly cakes and treats can be made from simple ingredients in your home! In fact, you might have as much fun baking the cake with your pup as you do feeding it to him!

#4 – Set Up a Photo Booth

Just like human parties, dog parties can be full of fun entertainment! A photo booth is a great way to capture wonderful memories while also giving dog owners a souvenir to take home and cherish forever. Let’s face it, we’re all constantly taking photos of our dogs anyway. So why not have some fun dressing up your pooch with props and snapping some photos?

#5 – Try Out Agility

If you’re looking for more fun things to do at your pup’s party, consider giving agility a try. Agility equipment can be rented or purchased at discount prices if you aren’t looking for competition training, and your dog is certain to enjoy learning new tricks. Teaching your pooch and her friends to go over jumps and run through tunnels for treats and toys will be a hit at the party!

#6 – Play Find It Games

Find It games are a fun way to teach your pup to use his nose. Hide treats in places in your house or yard, wherever the party is, and let each dog find them one at a time. You can start by showing your pup where you hide the first treat and encourage him to seek it out. Soon enough, you’ll be able to send him to find all of the hidden snacks without your help. Dogs don’t need training for this, and it’s a fun way to teach them how to use their noses and get their brains working for food!

#7 – Hold a Talent Show

Does your dog or any of her friends know any special tricks? Holding a doggie talent show will give you and your guests and opportunity to enjoy the dogs’ tricks! If someone is especially good at obedience training, they can even put on a little demo to show the rest of the party the cool things their dog can do! Let there be a fun prize for the pooch who’s voted the winner!

#8 – Make It a Pool Party

If your dog’s birthday is in the hot summer, set up some kiddie pools outside to let your dog and his friends play around in. Better yet, if you’ve got access to a dog-friendly pool, lake, or beach, you can turn it into a swimming party! No matter the pool size, however, the pups are sure to enjoy cooling off in the water after playing around so much.

#9 – Have a Treat Eating Contest

It’s no secret that dogs love food, so why not make a game out of it? Doggie bakeries make mini pies, muffins and cakes and are a great treat to use in an eating contest. If you’re not close to a dog bakery, you can make these treats at home too! Make sure each owner has a hold of their dog so that none of the pups get angry with each other over the food, and see who eats the treats the fastest!

#10 – Make Sure to Supervise

While you likely know your friends and their dogs well, disagreements between pooches can and do happen. Make sure that no dogs are left unsupervised together at any time, and make sure to keep an eye on their behavior around treats and toys. While they may be best friends outside of the yard, a dog might become possessive over their favorite item and aggress and their friend. Always be prepared for anything to happen, and you’re likely to have a fun, safe party!

The post 10 Great Ways to Celebrate Your Dog’s Birthday appeared first on iHeartDogs.com.

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When you’re a dog lover, you treat your pets like royalty. But a mama Beagle named Mia, who was recently rescued from an atrociously abusive breeding facility in Virginia, will now be living with actual royalty. 

Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, were looking for another Beagle to complete their family. Now, they have opened their hearts and home to a sweet new addition. 

Earlier this summer, 4,000 Beagles were freed from a horribly abusive breeding facility in Cumberland, Virginia. Not only were they breeding sweet, innocent Beagles to be sold to laboratories for animal experimentation, but investigators found dozens of animal welfare violations. Hundreds of puppies had died of “unknown causes,” their food dispensers were teeming with multiple species of insects, and they were crammed into dirty kennels. 

Due to their awful living conditions and a lack of proper temperature control (which allowed it to be over 85 degrees for longer than five hours per day), many of the dogs were experiencing discomfort, lethargy, and stress. Some dogs were experiencing uncomfortable eye conditions, fight wounds, severe dental disease, and inflamed paws. They were all truly living awful, abuse-filled lives.

This is exactly why Harry and Meghan were so interested in adopting mama dog Mia. They were specifically set on rescuing a dog with a troubled past, one that would be even harder to place. They know puppies find homes fast and wanted to help an older dog who has not lived the easiest life. 

Once they heard her story, they knew they wanted to adopt Mia, the seven-year-old mother of eight. And then, during their in-person meet and greet, everyone agreed that they were a match. 

“The minute they walked in, though, Mia ran to them, tail wagging. It’s as if she knew, ‘Oh, these are my people.’ And they were just immediately loving on her. I was like, ‘Oh, this is completely meant to be.’ Because Mia hadn’t done that with anybody else she had met before.” said Shannon Keith, president and founder of Beagle Freedom Project.

Last Month, mama Mia arrived at the Beagle Freedom Project in Los Angeles with eight of her newborn puppies, but now she has a new mom and dad. 

Prince Harry and Meghan have taken her to their home in California, where she will join a fellow Beagle named “Guy,” a Lab rescue, “Pula,” and two human siblings — Archie and Lilibet. Never again will she know neglect, for I’m sure this royal family will be treating their new furry family member just like a princess.

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All it takes is a matter of seconds for thefts to occur. Julia Salsich learned that the hard way when she was running a few errands with her Yorkie mix named Franklin. At one point, she parked on the 1300 block of H Street in Washington D.C. and put her flashers on. She exited the car for a second to drop something off, but as she was doing so, an adult man hopped in the car and drove off with Franklin still inside.

Salsich said she ran after the car screaming and begging for them to let Franklin out, but they didn’t stop. She was heartbroken. Cars are replaceable, but family members are not.

A Dangerous Day

On that same road, two other incidents happened that day. The carjacking occurred at 4:30 pm, but at 12:08 am on the same block, someone shot a man and drove away. The man survived, and a white Toyota Camry is the vehicle of interest.

Then, an hour after Salsich’s car and dog were stolen, Commanders rookie Brian Robinson was shot just three blocks away during a separate carjacking. Robinson sustained serious injuries but survived. There is no evidence that these three incidents are related, but it’s scary that they all happened so close together.

RELATED: Thief Steals Van With A Dozen Daycare Dogs Inside

Salsich’s car is a gray Honda Accord, and she believes Franklin is still inside. The thief used her card at a McDonald’s, and when she talked to the business, they confirmed that he was still in the car with her dog.

“I got an alert from my bank that [the suspect] used one of my credit cards at the McDonald’s that is on Nannie Helen Burroughs Boulevard NE,” Salsich said. “And, so we went over there and we talked to the person that was working in the drive-thru and he remembers seeing the guy. And, he remembers seeing Franklin on the front seat of my car.”

Bring Franklin Home!

Salsich and her family are devastated that Franklin is gone, but they won’t give up hope. All Salsich cares about right now is getting her dog back. She’s offering a $300 reward with no questions asked. Her car and the belongings inside it aren’t her priority right now.

“I just want you to know that Franklin is really, really loved and really missed,” Salsich said, addressing the thief. “And, he is a part of our family.”

While the overall crime rate in the area has been down this year, the number of car thefts is on the rise. It’s a good reminder to never leave a running car unattended, especially if your furry friend is inside. If anyone has information about Franklin’s location, Salsich wants them to contact her at jcsalsich@gmail.com.

Featured Image: YouTube

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The mysterious illness that has been killing dogs and concerning Michigan veterinarians for a few weeks has finally been identified. Despite initially testing negative in screening tests, all 20 dogs have been confirmed to have died from parvovirus.

Most of the dogs were either young (less than two years old) or had reached senior status. Also, none were entirely up to date on their vaccinations. 

What’s Parvovirus?

While not harmful to humans, parvo is problematic for pups. Not only is it extremely contagious through contact with contaminated feces, but symptoms can be severe. Within three to seven days of exposure to the virus, dogs may start to experience bloody diarrhea, dehydration, lethargy, lack of appetite, fever, and vomiting.

This is especially true for animals who have not yet been fully vaccinated and is one of the main reasons the parvovirus vaccine is considered a “core” inoculation for canines.

RELATED: Warning: Vets And Shelters See Drastic Rise In Deadly Parvo Cases

“We have not seen any dogs that die that are properly vaccinated. If you do not know if your dog is properly vaccinated or what properly vaccinated is contact a/your veterinarian,” said a post made by the Otsego County Animal Shelter.

It was a few weeks ago, on August 19, when the Otsego County Animal Shelter shared on their Facebook page that a mystery virus was killing canines in their area. Initially, they weren’t sure why so many dogs were dying. The mystery virus presented like parvo, yet all the affected animals were testing “negative” on their screening tests.

But in the release from the Department of Agriculture & Rural Development, Michigan State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory director Dr. Kim Dodd stated that further testing showed that all of the deceased dogs did indeed have parvo.

“While those tests are valuable in the clinical setting, they are not as sensitive as the diagnostic tests we can perform here in the laboratory. We continue to further characterize the virus in hopes of better understanding why those animals were testing negative on screening tests,” said Dr. Kim Dodd.

In light of recent events, Dr. Dodd is now encouraging area veterinarians who see sick dogs testing negative for parvo, yet presenting similar symptoms, to pursue additional lab work. Area officials have also been keen to remind dog walkers that this is one of the many reasons to make sure to clean up properly after their pup poops on their walk. 

Featured Image: Pixabay

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A mail carrier in South Dakota had to take a detour on her route when she found an abandoned puppy in the middle of a gravel road. The black and white pup with big ears appeared to be only a few weeks old at the time. He was exhausted and underweight, so the mail carrier put him in a box that normally holds packages. She kept him with her for the rest of the mail route, and he was a great companion.

The puppy has come a long way since then. At the end of the route, the mail carrier made one special delivery. She brought the pup to a shelter to make sure he was cared for.

Priority Mail

The organization transferred the adorable puppy to Ruff Start Rescue in Minnesota. After hearing about his journey, they named him “Priority.” A woman named Taya offered to foster Priority so she could help him gain weight and become healthier.

Priority was only about seven pounds when he entered foster care, but he had no problem keeping up with the bigger dogs. He was very friendly and confident despite everything he had been through.

RELATED: UPS Driver Makes Time Amid Holiday Deliveries To Find A Lost Dog

“You might say he’s a much bigger dog in a small body. He has fit right in with our resident pack,” said Taya. “Despite being ten times smaller, Priority definitely holds his own in some epic wrestling matches!”

Once Priority was ready to begin the search for his forever family, the rescue posted about him on Facebook. No one would be able to resist his bunny ears and head tilt, so they knew he wouldn’t be available for long.

Delivery to a Forever Home

Sure enough, Priority found his forever home shortly after his post went up. Priority’s foster family handed the pup to his new mom, and both of them seemed ecstatic to see each other. She plans to keep his name.

His new family said they have about five acres of trails at their home that Priority can explore with them. It’s clear that he’ll never have to feel abandoned again.

RELATED: This UPS Driver Has Made So Many Pittie Friends On His Route – Check Out These Adorable Photos!

Azure Davis from Ruff Start Rescue hopes this story reminds people to call an organization if they find an abandoned animal. One call could save a life.

“It’s important people know there are many organizations like ours that can step in and help provide resources to find the owners of a lost pet and if that doesn’t work, find a home for the animal,” said Davis. “We just want to empower more people to make that initial save.”

There won’t always be a kind mail carrier around to save dogs, so we all need to do our part. Priority found the amazing life he has today because so many people helped and supported him.

Featured Image: Facebook

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Stephen Foster works as a part-time maintenance man at a gas station in Dade City, Florida. Since the recent death of his wife of 35 years, Stephen has come to rely on the love and companionship of his little dog, Ollie. The pooch even accompanies him to work, happily watching her dad from the end of a tether.

A few weeks ago, Ollie was hit by a car driving through the gas station parking lot and was left with a broken leg. The vet told Stephen euthanasia was his only option, but he and Ollie were about to meet a guardian angel. Actually, a whole bunch of them!

An animal control officer with Pasco County Animal Services urged Stephen not to give up hope. The next day, the officer returned with veterinarian Christine Glenn, who transferred Ollie to the PCAS shelter for further care. 

“Ollie is a special girl. He is this gentleman’s whole world. And without her he doesn’t sleep well at night. This is his companion since his wife passed away,” Dr. Glenn told ABC Action News.

Upon examination, Dr. Glenn discovered that Ollie had internal injuries in addition to her broken leg and would need to undergo surgery. The PCAS medical team, along with volunteers from the Humane Society of Tampa Bay, went to work repairing Ollie’s ruptured diaphragm. Her prognosis was guarded, but she proved to be a fighter, heading into yet another surgery—this time for her fractured leg—just days later.

With all that under her furry belt, Ollie began the long road to recovery. Stephen visited her in the medical suite every chance he got over the next few weeks. It was clear to all who witnessed their time together that Stephen and Ollie truly love one another.

“Her eyes soften when she sees him, and her little body wags. The love between man and dog is clear, and we at PCAS want to preserve this bond,” the shelter wrote in a Facebook update.

Finally, the day the pair had been waiting for rolled around. On Thursday, July 29, Ollie was released from the clinic!

She is not fully healed yet, but she is strong enough to spend the remainder of her recovery at home with Stephen—with several follow-ups at PCAS along the way. Once she gets medical clearance, Ollie’s pals at the shelter will provide her with a crate so she can safely accompany Stephen to work once again.

“Ollie means everything to me. Like I said, she’s my kid,” Stephen confided to ABC.

In addition to Dr. Glenn and the Humane Society of Tampa Bay, PCAS credits a grant from Maddie’s Fund and a partnership with Human Animal Support Services with their ability to save Ollie’s life.

Now Stephen can sleep soundly once again with his beloved Ollie back by his side!

See their beautiful reunion in the video below.

 

H/T to ABC Action News
Featured Image via Facebook/Pasco County Animal Services

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