– credit, Elle Baumgartel / SWNS Clever canines that have a talent for learning vocabulary can pick up new words by simply overhearing their handlers’ conversations, say scientists. Parents and dog owners know that some words should not be spoken, but only spelled, to prevent small ears from eavesdropping on the conversation, and previous research … Read more
Misquamicut Fire Department – credit, released For a pair of Maine dog owners, 2026 started with a dreadful scare after their naughty golden retriever ran out onto a frozen pond and broke through the ice. Without any means of rescuing their pooch or resisting the deathly chill of the frozen water, the owners called 911 … Read more
Walk for Peace Journey – via Instagram An abandoned dog has joined a mission of peace across the world and, despite some mishaps, has stayed with it every paw of the way. During their opening 112-day peace walk in India, a group of Buddhist monks found an abandoned dog—or perhaps the dog found them. The … Read more
Family photo with Shadow the Cat – credit, Jeremy Barton Was it bad luck to name a black cat Shadow? The family cat, owned by Jeremy Barton, his wife, and their two sons, went missing while Barton was heading home from the far north of British Columbia, vanishing into the forest just like his namesake. … Read more
Choco, the lost dog – Courtesy Helping Paws and Claws on Facebook A sweet little lost pooch has come home in time for Christmas—to a bigger family than the one he left. That’s because little Choco was gone for 5 years. But his hominid mama Patricia never gave up hope of finding him again. It … Read more
Bryan Reisberg with newly-adopted Bertha (left) – Credit: Bryan Reisberg It all started with a Corgi in a backpack in a crowded subway car. Bryan Reisberg noticed that his dog Maxine had a way of cheering people up, bringing some light into their lives during their daily commutes underground. Serious faces became smiles. Stress faded. … Read more
– credit, Ai Tsujimura SWNS Family dogs boost kids’ mental health by changing microbes that live in their bodies, according to a new study. Researchers found that the pets prompt changes in the human microbiome, the collection of all microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi and viruses, that inhabit the human body. Hundreds of studies have shown … Read more
Julia Stults gets treatment from Pile of Puppies – Courtesy of Dina Stults Even if cancer can survive chemotherapy, it’s no match, at least for a moment, for the smile that shines from underneath a pile of puppies. Pile of Puppies is a Portland-based nonprofit that brings large litters of puppies to the homes of … Read more
Tony James bids farewell to his pig, Roscoe – credit, courtesy of Gwen Jakubisin A Portland man found himself homeless at 44 years of age, along with his dog and a 250-lbs. pet pig. But the fire department’s special homeless assistance team got the man and arranged for a trip home to his family in … Read more
Sgt. Bo wins 2025 American Humane Society Hero Dog – Credit: Faye Okert A stray mutt that turned into a service dog soothing kids after a school shooting has just been crowned the 2025 Hero Dog Award by the American Humane Society—and now he’s winning hearts nationwide as a symbol of comfort and courage. Sgt. … Read more