Is It Safe to Share Your Food with Your Dog? What I Know and What I’ve Learned
🐾 Part of the “What Dogs Can and Can’t Eat” Series For many of us, food is how we show love, including to our dogs. But before you share a bite, it’s important to know which human foods are safe for dogs and which can be harmful. Sugar and sugar substitutes may seem harmless, but […]
What Foods Are Toxic to Dogs? Most Dangerous Foods + Why “Leave It” Can Save Your Dog’s Life
What foods are toxic to dogs? The most dangerous include xylitol (an artificial sweetener), chocolate, grapes, raisins, onions, garlic, alcohol, caffeine, and macadamia nuts. Even small amounts can cause serious, sometimes life-threatening health problems. While this is not a complete list, it covers the most common and dangerous foods dogs are exposed to at home […]
5 Dog Enrichment Toys Worth Grabbing During the Amazon Spring Sale
Real-Life Favorites Plus One Trending Find Dog Parents Are Loving Right Now Amazon’s Spring Sale is one of the best times to pick up dog enrichment toys, the products that actually improve your dog’s daily life, not just add more clutter to the toy basket. If you’re anything like me, you’re not searching for more […]
Can Dogs Eat Yogurt? Benefits, Risks, and Safe Treats
Can dogs eat yogurt? Yes, dogs can enjoy plain, unsweetened yogurt in small amounts. While it isn’t a dietary necessity, it contains probiotics that can support digestion and maintain healthy gut bacteria. Many dogs are curious about the foods their owners enjoy, and yogurt is one treat that can often be shared safely. For dogs […]
How to Get Your Dog Used to Being Brushed (Step-by-Step Guide)
Plus, The Best Brush for Double-Coated Dogs If you are wondering how to get your dog used to being brushed, the good news is that most dogs can learn to tolerate, and even enjoy, grooming with the right approach. Searches for “how to get my dog used to brushing,” “why does my dog hate being […]
Should Animal Welfare be Taught in Schools? Columbia’s Empathy Law Says “Yes”
“The greatness of a nation can be judged by the way its animals are treated.”— Mahatma Gandhi Animal welfare is front and center in Columbia. The country recently passed the Empathy Law, a landmark national policy that requires animal welfare and protection education in all public and private schools nationwide. The law integrates lessons on […]
Are Yams Good for Dogs? How Cooked Yams Can Help Dogs with Sensitive Stomachs
Can Dogs Eat Yams? Although yams and sweet potatoes come from two different plants, the answer to “Can dogs eat them?” is “Yes”. According to veterinarians cited in an article on PetMD.com, when fully cooked and served plain, yams (often labeled as sweet potatoes in the U.S.) are safe for most dogs. They provide: The […]
Turning Your Dog’s Story Into Music: Pet Anthemz Does That
What Is Pet Anthemz? A Few Things You Need to Know Pet Anthemz is a creative platform that lets pet parents create custom songs about their pets; songs that capture personality, quirks, habits, and heart. With AI-generated music and lyrics, the platform turns the details you share about your dog into a fully produced anthem […]
The Best Dog Training Aid? Pet Corrector: My Go-To Training Tool
Every dog trainer and seasoned owner has that one tool they reach for over and over again. For me, the best dog training aid is the Pet Corrector. If enthusiasm alone counted as equity, I’d probably own stock in it by now. I recommend it that often. So often, in fact, that I’ve lost count […]
How Man’s Best Friend Helped Settle the California Central Coast
A Photographic Exhibit Celebrating our Faithful Companions, Past and Present When we think about America’s western expansion, we often imagine wagons, settlers, cowboys, ranchers, and dreamers — but one essential participant is too often left out: the dog. They weren’t (and aren’t) just companions; they were workers, helpers, protectors, and emotional anchors through some of […]
Dog-friendly Vacations: Ideal Occasions for Rental Homes
When it comes to dog-friendly travel, rental homes consistently outperform hotels. Especially for longer stays or repeat trips. Space to Settle In Dogs adjust better when they have room to decompress. A rental home offers: Routine Without Stress Rental homes make it easier to maintain: That sense of normalcy matters — especially for senior dogs, […]
Remembering Our Dogs Through Art: Custom Pet Portraits From Nepal Dog
I’ve come to appreciate my custom dog portraits of Baldwin and Bliss more with each passing year. They were created by Nepal Dog Custom Folk Art in the Himalayas, and I’m endlessly grateful I met the founder, A. Michelle Page, years ago when she first shared her remarkable vision of immortalizing beloved animals—dogs, cats, chickens, […]
Dog-Friendly Carmel-by-the-Sea: Where Dogs Are Truly Celebrated
Few places in the U.S. love dogs as much as Carmel-by-the-Sea. Nestled along the Monterey Peninsula, this coastal village isn’t just dog-friendly — it’s dog-forward. From legendary hotels once owned by famous animal lovers to off-leash beaches and city-sponsored recognition of dog-centered art and writing, Carmel has built a reputation as one of the most […]
Dog Toilet Bowl Bolt Covers: The Unexpected Bathroom Upgrade Dog Lovers Love
If you live with dogs, you already know they don’t just share your home — they share every room in it, including the bathroom. That’s why one of the most unexpectedly charming dog-themed finds on Amazon right now is also one of the most practical: dog toilet bolt covers. They’re small, functional, easy to install […]
Dog Sayings, Demystified
What Popular Dog Phrases Really Mean — and Where They Came From Dogs have shaped human language for centuries. From folk wisdom and religious texts to literature and everyday conversation, dog sayings and idioms are woven deeply into how we communicate. Some expressions are affectionate, others outdated, and many reveal just how closely dogs have lived beside […]
Why Do Dogs Sniff Butts, Scratch after Potty, and Other Weird Habits
Here Are Answers and Insights to Many of Those Canine-related Questions If you’re a dog lover like me, you wish your pup could talk — even for just a few minutes — so you could find out what they’re really thinking. Since we can’t, I’ve gathered answers to some of the burning questions my fellow […]
Honoring Our Best Friends: A Beautiful Way to Remember Them
I want to share something that truly touched my heart. iHeartDogs.com – an incredible company I admire for their commitment to animal welfare – just launched a new online space called “The Rainbow Bridge” – a loving, free space where you can create a can create a FREE memorial for your dog who’s crossed the bridge – […]
The Best Dog Essentials on Wayfair: A Dog Mom’s Guide
Exciting Finds For a Happier, Calmer Home If you share your life with dogs, then you know the truth:our homes revolve around them — and we wouldn’t have it any other way. With my pack, Seven and Paige Turner, I’ve learned that the right dog items don’t just create a prettier home, they create a […]
The Best Dog-Friendly Wine Tasting in California’s San Luis Obispo County
Sipping With Furry Friends in Central California Wine Country Wine tasting with your dog in San Luis Obispo (SLO) County is one of the easiest ways to combine two of life’s great pleasures — exploring beautiful vineyards and adventuring with your best friend. Before Paige Turner joined our family, Seven was my one-and-only road-trip co-pilot, […]
Stress-Free Hotel Stays: Everything You Need to Know for Holiday Travel With Your Dog
With the holidays quickly approaching, many people are considering traveling with their furry family members. I say go for it! Whether you’re checking into a hotel or staying with relatives, traveling with dogs brings its own set of joys… and some amusing challenges. Over the years, I’ve stayed in countless hotels with my dogs, including […]
5 Best Indoor Dog Activities When the Weather Is Frightful
Rainy days, winter winds, and chilly evenings don’t mean the fun has to stop for you and your pup. When the weather outside is frightful, it’s the perfect time to get creative indoors — keeping your dog’s body active and mind engaged (and saving your sanity in the process!). Whether you’ve got a high-energy herder […]
Why Do Dogs Hoard Their Toys? Instinct, Comfort, and Control
My dogs, Paige Turner and Seven, are notorious hoarders. Paige Turner has a secret stash. Every few days, I find one of her favorite toys—sometimes the squeaky squirrel, sometimes the donut—neatly tucked away as if she’s saving it for later. Seven, on the other hand, prefers treats over toys, unless it’s his big boy ball. […]
Caring for Senior Dogs: Our Canine Kids Deserve the Best 🚗🐾
Don’t Leave Your Aging Dog Behind They may be getting older, but Seven (now 11) and Cousin Rosie (12) still love to go everywhere. Whether it’s a drive to the beach or a trip to the vet (yes, my dogs love their vet), they both hop into the car as if an adventure is just […]
Can Dogs Eat Nuts?
My House Rule: No. 🚫 Nuts That Are Bad for Dogs (and Why) Even though some nuts are technically “non-toxic,” most come with risks that outweigh any reward. Here’s a quick rundown of the most common ones and why they’re best left out of your dog’s bowl: ❌ Macadamia NutsAmong the most dangerous nuts for […]
10 Amazon Must-Haves Every Dog Owner Swears By
(From a lifelong dog mom and therapy-dog trainer on California’s Central Coast) I’ve been a dog lover all my life, but my serious journey into the dog world began in 2000, when I started training and competing in agility and volunteering with my first certified therapy dog. Since then, I’ve shared my home, heart, and […]