According to BBC News, "Yawning is known to be contagious in humans but now scientists have shown that pet dogs can catch a yawn, too."

Researchers say the copying activity suggests that canines are capable of empathizing with people.

I could have told them that—and they could have witnessed it—when I first brought Meadow into my home more than seven years ago.  read more »

Retired Greyhounds Racing For Home
By Laura French

At the end of the racing season, five-year-old greyhounds reach mandatory retirement age. Other dogs might also be retired depending on their record at the track.

That’s when organizations like Northern Lights Greyhound Adoption (NLGA) step in. In late July, a volunteer from Kansas City brought 11 dogs to Minnesota for placement by NLGA. Vida and Jemma are two retirees who will soon start new lives as cherished companions.  read more »

When I first read about this, I thought it was a hoax. But it's not.

Mayor James Valley of Helena-West Helena, Arkansas says strays in his town are better off fending for themselves then they are at the local animal shelter. So, he ordered 10 dogs to be turned loose into the St. Francis National Forest.

Apparently, the animal shelter in Helena West-Helena was shut down last January. Since then, stray dogs have been placed in a temporary shelter consisting of four uncovered pens at the city sanitation department.

Local people were complaining that the animals were still not properly cared for, so the mayor decided the animals would be better off in the forest.  read more »

Out Of The Mouths Of Babes
By Kelli Ohrtman

It is both beautiful and sad that kids are often so much more aware than we are. This weekend, my aunt and two young cousins (ages seven and eleven) came to visit. My aunt asked what exactly my job is. So often when I tell people that my job is a puppy mill campaign specialist, they ask “what’s a puppy mill?”

It kills me to hear that because my entire job is devoted to educating people about where pet store puppies come from. When I come across someone who isn’t aware of “my” issue, I feel that I’ve fallen short. Or rather, all of us in animal welfare have fallen short—right there in front of me is someone whom we haven’t reached.  read more »

Origin Behind "Dog Days of Summer"
By Laura French

Most of us are familiar with a few constellations that were named for animals. Taurus, the bull; Cancer, the crab; Aries, the ram—these constellations are associated with signs of the Zodiac. In the northern hemisphere, we can also see Ursa Major and Ursa Minor — “Big Bear” and “Little Bear” — although water-loving Minnesotans are more likely to call them the “Big Dipper” and “Little Dipper.”

If we could get away from city lights, we’d see many more constellations, including Canis Major — “Big Dog.” Sirius is the brightest star in that constellation. The Romans who named it thought that it radiated heat, like the sun. Their proof: the weeks in July and early August when Sirius rises and sets with the sun tend to be the hottest time of the year. Those were dubbed “the dog days.”  read more »

Sometimes when you work with animals, you see the worst in humans. And sometimes, you see the very best. I was at the vet picking up a prescription for Dakota when I saw both.

An older-looking dachshund was wandering around the lobby while I waited for my prescription. Her ribs were very prominent, her skin gathered in folds around her ankles and her fur was either completely missing or sparse in areas.
 read more »

My husband Brian, our dogs Dakota and Meadow, and I stayed at an amazing lake home on the North Shore. Finding dog friendly lodging is hard enough, let alone luxurious pet friendly accommodations.

If you are looking to rent a pet-friendly cabin or lake home on the North Shore, check out Cascade Vacation Rentals. Their website allows you to search for accommodations with the amenities you need and includes a pet friendly search option.

Before summer slips away, read the story about our stay and view the photo slide show. If you know of other great dog friendly accommodations, please share them here.  read more »

Algae Alert by Laura French
The dangers of blue-green algae to humans and pets are serious enough for the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) to devote a Web page to it. More accurately called “cyanobacteria,” the algae create toxins that damage the liver and may be cancer-causing.

Mild symptoms include muscle pain, rashes, vomiting and diarrhea. Extreme exposure can cause convulsions, paralysis and respiratory failure. In 2007, at least four dogs died in Minnesota from drinking water that contained blue-green algae, according to the MPCA.  read more »

Occasionally, I’m sent things that I just have to share. I love this video and thought many of you would appreciate it. Enjoy.

This is a good story. And a great reminder to microchip your pets. As long as you keep your contact information updated with the microchip company, chances are you'll be reunited with your lost pet— —even after five years and across 850 miles—as in Rocco's case.