Many people see dogfighting as a relic of our distant past, or a sick phenomenon that ended the day Michael Vick was arrested more than ten years ago. Even if it exists, surely it occurs only in a handful of dark corners of our country, run by individuals too despicable to live as ordinary members of our communities, right?

Today, Izzee and I go everywhere together, and she is known all around town. Izzee’s unconditional love is astounding. In return, I want to give her the best life possible including top notch food and chemical-free products. There have been so many ill-fated side effects from the chemical-based flea and tick prevention medicines. There was no way I wanted to take that risk with Izzee. This led me to research and create a homemade tick repellent and homemade flea spray for dogs that anyone could make at home…

When most of us get in our cars, the routine is non-negotiable. Children are buckled in safety seats or, if older, in seat belts. All the adults buckle up. When that’s all done, only then do we start the car and begin our journeys, knowing that we’ve taken an important step toward the safety of ourselves and our passengers. Unfortunately, those same safety considerations often don’t extend to our canine travelers…

The ASPCA is developing groundbreaking dog rehabilitation approaches that are giving rescuers new hope, and even more importantly, victimized dogs a second chance. That’s the idea behind the ASPCA Behavioral Rehabilitation Center at St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center in New Jersey, where a team of experts uses scientifically-based behavior modification techniques to help severely undersocialized dogs overcome their fears…

Traveling internationally for work or adventure? This will be an exciting time, but it can be overwhelming, too, especially if you’re trying to figure out how to safely bring your dog along with you. Whether you’re planning a DIY or enlisting the help of experts to oversee you and your pet’s logistics, keep these tips in mind as you start to make your big trip…

While the holidays can be the most festive season for us, they can also be the most hazardous time of year for our four-pawed family members. Fortunately, there are some simple things you can do to help make sure your dear dog or cat enjoys a healthy, happy holiday season…

Although I have fostered scores of dogs, some as long as a year, Gracie was the first one I felt compelled to keep. My main breed is English Cocker spaniels, but I also had an interest in a mini Wirehaired Dachshund, so I volunteered to foster for DRNA (Dachshund Rescue of America). The fourth dog I was cared for was Gracie, a seven-year-old, smooth-standard dachshund…

Our first dog as a couple was a Golden Retriever named Remington. My husband was not allowed to have a dog while growing up so when our new neighbors moved in with a litter of Golden puppies, and Ken had to adopt one of them. Three-month-old Remington joined our family in early 1999 and quickly made Golden lovers of us. He was a huge part of our family until we lost him to liver cancer in July 2008. No warning, he just stopped eating and was gone within a month after the vet diagnosed his disease. We were devastated…

Eight years ago I moved to a large home and wanted a very small dog. I visited two shelters many times but never seemed to be there at the right time. In desperation, I asked the kennel keeper if she could suggest a dog for me. She said a 40-pound, year-old stray was on death row and might be a good fit if I had no children at home…

One night while surfing online somehow this picture popped up and it was Charlie (to this day I have no idea how I found myself on the Furry Angels website). It was love at first sight. We had never heard about the Furry Angels Foundation, but we emailed a request to see if he was available. The foundation responded and after finding out what he had been through, we knew he was the one…