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Tag: dogs

  • Best of CES 2023: Electric skates, pet tech and AI for birds

    Best of CES 2023: Electric skates, pet tech and AI for birds

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    LAS VEGAS — Tech companies of all sizes are showing off their latest products at CES, formerly known as the Consumer Electronics show.

    The show is getting back to normal after going completely virtual in 2021 and seeing a significant drop in 2022 attendance because of the pandemic.

    Exhibitors range from big names including Sony and LG to tiny startups. You might see the next big thing or something that will never make it past the prototype stage.

    On Tuesday night, the show kicked off with media previews from just some of the 3,000 companies signed up to attend. CES officially opens Thursday.

    Here are some highlights:

    POKEMON, BUT MAKE IT BIRDS

    Bird Buddy showed off a smart bird feeder that takes snapshots of feathered friends as they fly in to eat some treats. The startup says its AI technology can recognize more than 1,000 species of birds, allowing users to share through a mobile app what kind of birds they’re feeding.

    “We try to kind of gamify the collection so it’s a really fun game that you can play — almost like a real life Pokémon Go with real animals and wildlife in your backyard,” said Kyle Buzzard, the company’s co-founder and chief hardware officer.

    The product has already sparked some interest from consumers who want to show the world what birds are coming into their backyards.

    The company, which began as a Kickstarter project in 2020, says it started shipping its bird feeders in September and has already sold all 100,000 in its inventory. The price for the basic feeder is $199.

    ELECTRIC SKATES

    Journalists had fun zipping around the exhibit hall on remote-controlled, electric inline skates from French startup AtmosGear.

    The battery lasts for 20 miles (32 kilometers), said founder Mohamed Soliman, who hopes people will see them as a viable way to commute, like electric bikes or scooters.

    “My goal is for everyone to go skating again because it’s so much fun, every time you see people skating you see them with a big smile,” Soliman said.

    A waist bag holds the battery and cables connected to the skates. They also can be used as regular skates when they need to be charged or skaters simply want to travel under their own power.

    The $500 skates are available for pre-order. The company has taken orders for 150 pairs so far and is aiming for 200 orders to start production.

    DIGITAL TEMPORARY TATTOOS

    A handheld device displayed by South Korean company Prinker allows you to quickly and easily apply temporary tattoos.

    The device uses cosmetic-grade ink with a library of thousands of designs or the option to make your own with the company’s app. After picking a tattoo, you just wave the device over wherever you want it applied. The tattoos are waterproof but wash off with soap.

    The flagship model is $279 and a smaller model is $229. Ink cartridges good for 1,000 tattoos are $119.

    HELPING FIND YOUR WAY

    Japan-based Loovic has created a device designed to solve the challenges of those who have difficulty navigating while they walk.

    The device worn around the neck employs sounds and vibrations to guide users to destinations, enabling them to look at what’s around rather than focusing on a phone’s map app.

    Loovic co-founder and CEO Toru Yamanaka said he was inspired to create the device for his son, who has a cognitive impairment making it difficult for him to navigate.

    The prototype device is not yet available to the public.

    A FITNESS TRACKER FOR YOUR DOG

    If you wonder what your dog is doing while you’re not home, French startup Invoxia has a product for you. The company’s smart dog collar monitors your pet’s activity and sleep, sending the data to your phone.

    The latest version unveiled at CES, which has a GPS tracker, includes more advanced heart health monitoring.

    The collar is $149 in the U.S. while a monthly $8.25 subscription to the app monitors the data and shares it with your veterinarian.

    METAVERSE FOR KIDS

    The creators of Roybi, an educational AI robot that helps children learn about STEM topics and new languages, are venturing into the metaverse.

    The RoybiVerse is expected to offer stations where K-12 and higher education students can learn about a wide range of educational topics.

    Users walking around the RoybiVerse will be able to visit an area where they’ll learn about dinosaurs or walk over to the virtual library where they can pick a book and read it.

    The RoybiVerse, which is expected to launch by mid-2023, will be available in virtual reality headsets and on a website. No robot needed.

    ___

    For more on CES, visit: https://apnews.com/hub/consumer-electronics-show

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  • Best of CES 2023: Electric skates, pet tech and AI for birds

    Best of CES 2023: Electric skates, pet tech and AI for birds

    [ad_1]

    LAS VEGAS — Tech companies of all sizes are showing off their latest products at CES, formerly known as the Consumer Electronics show.

    The show is getting back to normal after going completely virtual in 2021 and seeing a significant drop in 2022 attendance because of the pandemic.

    Exhibitors range from big names including Sony and LG to tiny startups. You might see the next big thing or something that will never make it past the prototype stage.

    On Tuesday night, the show kicked off with media previews from just some of the 3,000 companies signed up to attend. CES officially opens Thursday.

    Here are some highlights:

    POKEMON, BUT MAKE IT BIRDS

    Bird Buddy showed off a smart bird feeder that takes snapshots of feathered friends as they fly in to eat some treats. The startup says its AI technology can recognize more than 1,000 species of birds, allowing users to share through a mobile app what kind of birds they’re feeding.

    “We try to kind of gamify the collection so it’s a really fun game that you can play — almost like a real life Pokémon Go with real animals and wildlife in your backyard,” said Kyle Buzzard, the company’s co-founder and chief hardware officer.

    The product has already sparked some interest from consumers who want to show the world what birds are coming into their backyards.

    The company, which began as a Kickstarter project in 2020, says it started shipping its bird feeders in September and has already sold all 100,000 in its inventory. The price for the basic feeder is $199.

    ELECTRIC SKATES

    Journalists had fun zipping around the exhibit hall on remote-controlled, electric inline skates from French startup AtmosGear.

    The battery lasts for 20 miles (32 kilometers), said founder Mohamed Soliman, who hopes people will see them as a viable way to commute, like electric bikes or scooters.

    “My goal is for everyone to go skating again because it’s so much fun, every time you see people skating you see them with a big smile,” Soliman said.

    A waist bag holds the battery and cables connected to the skates. They also can be used as regular skates when they need to be charged or skaters simply want to travel under their own power.

    The $500 skates are available for pre-order. The company has taken orders for 150 pairs so far and is aiming for 200 orders to start production.

    DIGITAL TEMPORARY TATTOOS

    A handheld device displayed by South Korean company Prinker allows you to quickly and easily apply temporary tattoos.

    The device uses cosmetic-grade ink with a library of thousands of designs or the option to make your own with the company’s app. After picking a tattoo, you just wave the device over wherever you want it applied. The tattoos are waterproof but wash off with soap.

    The flagship model is $279 and a smaller model is $229. Ink cartridges good for 1,000 tattoos are $119.

    HELPING FIND YOUR WAY

    Japan-based Loovic has created a device designed to solve the challenges of those who have difficulty navigating while they walk.

    The device worn around the neck employs sounds and vibrations to guide users to destinations, enabling them to look at what’s around rather than focusing on a phone’s map app.

    Loovic co-founder and CEO Toru Yamanaka said he was inspired to create the device for his son, who has a cognitive impairment making it difficult for him to navigate.

    The prototype device is not yet available to the public.

    A FITNESS TRACKER FOR YOUR DOG

    If you wonder what your dog is doing while you’re not home, French startup Invoxia has a product for you. The company’s smart dog collar monitors your pet’s activity and sleep, sending the data to your phone.

    The latest version unveiled at CES, which has a GPS tracker, includes more advanced heart health monitoring.

    The collar is $149 in the U.S. while a monthly $8.25 subscription to the app monitors the data and shares it with your veterinarian.

    METAVERSE FOR KIDS

    The creators of Roybi, an educational AI robot that helps children learn about STEM topics and new languages, are venturing into the metaverse.

    The RoybiVerse is expected to offer stations where K-12 and higher education students can learn about a wide range of educational topics.

    Users walking around the RoybiVerse will be able to visit an area where they’ll learn about dinosaurs or walk over to the virtual library where they can pick a book and read it.

    The RoybiVerse, which is expected to launch by mid-2023, will be available in virtual reality headsets and on a website. No robot needed.

    ———

    For more on CES, visit: https://apnews.com/hub/consumer-electronics-show

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  • Unbelievable facts

    Unbelievable facts

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  • Bringing a dog along for a holiday stay? Make sure to plan

    Bringing a dog along for a holiday stay? Make sure to plan

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    NEW YORK (AP) — Traveling with dogs can be stressful. Throw in holiday home stays at one of the most chaotic times of the year and double that stress for humans and animals alike — especially when hosts have pets of their own.

    Large gatherings, unfamiliar smells and sounds, mixing older or sedate dogs with energetic pups, and introducing small children or cats to a dog with no prior exposure are among the issues that can spoil the experience or, worst case, cause physical harm.

    But tensions can be dialed way down with a little preparation, said certified dog behaviorist Gabrielle Johnson of Richmond, Virginia. Knowing when to pull the plug and head for a pet-friendly hotel or boarder is also key.

    “Certainly holidays can be a tricky time because everyone’s out of their routine, out of their schedule. We’re in tight spaces. Stress is high,” Johnson said.

    Johnson warns that dogs that are typically fine at home may be pushed too far. Learning to read unusual body language is important.

    “Things like yawning, licking their lips, turning away, looking away, freezing, getting tense,” they said. “We want to see soft, wiggly, loose, relaxed. If we see some of those (other) signs, it may be an indicator that it’s time to get our dog out of that situation.”

    Taking a crate along is a great idea for already crate-trained dogs but don’t try to force it for the first time, trainers said. Packing a bed and familiar blankets, toys, dishes, and food and treats are musts.

    First-time introductions between dogs should be done on neutral ground, outdoors. The humans should plan ahead in case pets need to be separated, including considering baby gates, particularly when dogs are eating. Owners who suspect anxiety might be a problem could consider medication.

    Nicole Ellis, a certified professional dog trainer for Rover.com, suggests practicing with dogs who have not traveled much. If a dog is going from a quiet rural area to a noisier urban environment, take a few shorter trips to simulate the holiday surroundings, she said.

    She also advises packing mental enrichment toys to help a dog decompress and navigate a new environment without getting rowdy. Licking and chewing also help a dog self-soothe, Ellis said.

    James Paasche of Central Point, Oregon, will spend six days in the San Francisco Bay Area with his wife, 6-year-old daughter and 11-year-old dog, Walter, for Christmas.

    Paasche’s brother has three dogs of his own, including two older ones. Walter, anxious his entire life, has met only his younger canine cousin. He takes medication but once nipped at a child on a previous stay at another home. The children of Paasche’s brother are older, but he’s concerned about the two new dogs.

    “You know how it is with older dogs, they get a little more set in their ways and are less amenable to new things that puppies and younger dogs just don’t care about,” Paasche said. The hosts have a garage for Walter if things go awry.

    Dr. Jamie Richardson, head of veterinary medicine for Small Door Vet in New York, said keeping a dog’s diet consistent should be top of mind.

    “Their GI tracts can get upset very easily with change,” she said. “Don’t assume your food will be available locally.”

    Richardson said dogs should be introduced to young children slowly and very carefully. If toddlers don’t understand the concept of leaving a dog alone, they should be separated.

    Home stays aren’t all gloom and doom, though.

    Phoebe Yung of Brooklyn adopted a pandemic pup, a rat terrier named Moose. She and her husband travel with Moose often, including long trips to Europe. The holidays have them driving to Montreal to stay with relatives — including two young children — for six days.

    “When she sees her pet carrier she jumps right in,” Yung said of Moose. “We really try to follow the rules of any house we’re in. We bring along a mat, and when she’s sniffing around a new place and seems to find a spot she’s comfortable with we put it down and that’s her spot.”

    Young children scare Moose, but she runs away and shakes in a corner rather than getting aggressive, Yung said. She added that she would step in if Moose gets too stressed.

    Emily Keegans, Seattle Humane’s chief of animal behavior, said dog owners should ask themselves if the situation is going to be a happy one for their animals, and communicate with hosts.

    “If I have friends or family come to stay at my house, my first question is ‘How does your dog get along with cats?’” she said. If the answer isn’t promising, she’ll put her cat in another room and talk through logistics.

    Lily Hargis lives in Richmond with Milo, the Labrador-Australian shepherd mix she rescued last year. She spent her last three Christmases visiting her great-grandmother — who has no pets — in Oak Ridge, Tennessee.

    “I’ll never forget the stress of that first holiday with Milo in her home, how worried I was about his behavior being perfect and reflecting on me,” Hargis said. “I think it’s especially tough when there’s a generational gap.”

    Happily, her great-grandmother warmed up to Milo right away: “Within five minutes she had him up on the couch and in her lap getting cuddles.”

    This year, Christmas will be closer to home, but she has other worries involving Bourbon, her stepsister’s ancient pit bull who “won’t tolerate any shenanigans.”

    To prepare, Hargis and her mother spent several sessions with Johnson, working on getting Milo and Bourbon to a place “where they could comfortably relax in the space together.”

    “It just felt necessary,” Hargis explained. “There are so many aspects of the holidays that require our dogs to do things they really don’t practice much.”

    As soon as they arrive, Hargis will prepare frozen Kongs and other enrichment items to help Milo decompress in a quiet room.

    “Honestly, I sometimes get jealous of how well his holidays are curated to avoid stress and maximize fun,” Hargis said. “It makes me want to see how I can do the same for myself.”

    ___

    Follow Leanne Italie on Twitter at http://twitter.com/litalie

    —-

    For more AP Lifestyles stories, go to https://apnews.com/hub/lifestyle.

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  • Austin Pets Alive! | Christmas Week Cold Emergency in Austin – Help…

    Austin Pets Alive! | Christmas Week Cold Emergency in Austin – Help…

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    Dec 19, 2022

    Dangerous winter weather with temperature lows in the teens is predicted to hit Central Texas this week. With some of our animal enclosures exposed to the elements, temperatures this low severely strain our facility so we must get our Town Lake Animal Center shelter pets in warm homes by THIS THURSDAY. We’re calling on our community members for help needed NOW:

    1. Foster homes for cold shelter animals
      We need our animals, especially our dogs, out now, before the coldest weather hits Thursday. With Christmas week/holiday travel, we anticipate it will be very difficult to find fosters so if you are staying in the Austin area your help is urgently needed. Email [email protected] or come to our Town Lake Animal Center location (1156 W Cesar Chavez St.) between noon-6pm to foster. We do ask that you keep them in your home until at least Monday, December 26th.

    2. Supplies or monetary donations
      With facility and extra resource needs to handle this emergency, we are seeking monetary donations now. Click here to make a gift to help fund our response and operations. We also need people to donate any of the following supplies to be two-day shipped or bring them this week to our Town Lake location. (Drop off in front of building C.) Some of these will be sent to the neighboring shelters we support as well.

      • Blankets (ideally small, fleece – NO sleeping bags)

      • Medium & large dog coats

      • Moving blankets

      • Tarps

      • Waterproof/self-warming dog blankets

      • Self-warming heating pads

      • Space heaters

      • Heat lamps

    3. Other help for shelters we support
      Many neighboring cities’ animals are also at risk during weather emergencies like this, and are often far less resourced than Austin. We are also asking for help getting the following urgent needs met for these shelters this week (list will update as we receive requests for help):

      • The City of Devine Animal Shelter needs an adopter or foster for the animals here, especially puppies.

      • San Benito needs and adopter or foster for a cat and their dogs here. 

    4. Education and help for community pets
      Read and share this checklist to protect pets where you are.

    • Bring pets inside. The best thing you can do for your pet is to bring them inside with you. While some breeds of dogs are more tolerant of cold weather than others, no pet should be left outside for long periods of time when it is below freezing (32ºF). You know your pet best, so be vigilant about watching for signs of their cold tolerance and limit outdoor activities accordingly.

    • Check your car for cats. Our feline friends like to hide from this weather in car engines and/or wheel wells, so thump the hood of your car a few times and check your wheels for stowaways before you start the engine and take off.

    • Provide a makeshift enclosure for outdoor animals. If you’ve noticed outdoor cats or other animals in your community suffering from the cold (shaking, curled up, etc.) and you are worried about them, create a makeshift shelter for them to stay warm in. A closed box or Rubbermaid bin with a cut out in the side, with towels or blankets, will help keep them safe in the frigid temperatures. Click here for example directions for cat shelters from Alley Cat Advocates and click here for more on what to do for dogs in the cold from Best Friends.

    • Or consider opening your garage slightly (and leaving a heating pad or heat lamp on) to let cats in from the cold.

    • Put a sweater on your pup. If you have a dog with a short coat, you can keep them a bit more insulated by putting a sweater or dog coat on them. Be sure the sweater and coat are completely dry for each outing, though, as damp or wet outerwear could actually make them chillier.

    • Check paws. After outdoor activity, check your pet’s paws for any signs of cracking on the paw pads, redness between toes, or bleeding. Wipe them down after each outing, too, to remove any salt, ice, or chemicals.

    For city information about cold weather shelters and warming centers, visit www.austintexas.gov/alerts.

    Need help with a community pet? Visit the P.A.S.S. Facebook group. P.A.S.S. connects you to community member support for emergency pet food, pet resource assistance, and other emergency pet help.

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  • Exam finds famed LA mountain lion may have been hit by car

    Exam finds famed LA mountain lion may have been hit by car

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    LOS ANGELES — The famous Hollywood-roaming mountain lion known as P-22 is drastically underweight and was probably struck and injured by a car, wildlife experts who conducted a health examination on the big cat said Tuesday.

    The male cougar, whose killing of a leashed dog has raised concerns about its behavior, probably won’t be released back into the wild and could be sent to an animal sanctuary or euthanized, depending on its health, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife said.

    “Nobody is taking that kind of decision lightly,” spokesperson Jordan Traverso said during a videoconference. He added the agency understands “the importance of this animal to the community and to California,” and “we recognize the sadness of it.”

    P-22 was captured and tranquilized on Monday in the trendy Los Feliz neighborhood near his usual haunt of Griffith Park, an island of wilderness and picnic areas in the midst of the Los Angeles urban sprawl.

    State and federal wildlife officials announced last week that they were concerned the aging cat “may be exhibiting signs of distress” due in part to aging, noting the animal needed to be studied to determine what steps to take.

    Tuesday’s examination found the cat had an eye injury, probably received from being hit by a car and more tests would be conducted to determine if the animal suffered additional head trauma, said Deana Clifford, the senior wildlife veterinarian with the department.

    A computerized tomography scan is scheduled for later this week to look into other possible chronic health issues that may have caused his decline, Clifford said.

    P-22 was first captured in 2012 and fitted with a GPS tracking collar as part of a National Park Service study. The cougar is regularly recorded on security cameras strolling through residential areas near Griffith Park.

    P-22 is believed to be about 12 years old, making him the oldest Southern California cougar currently being studied. Most mountain lions live about a decade.

    “This is an old cat, and old cats get old-cat diseases,” Clifford said. “Any of us who had cats at home have seen this.”

    “We’re working through all of those issues and we’ll take a totality of the findings into account to try to make the best decision we can for the cat,” she said.

    P-22 usually hunts deer and coyotes, but in November the National Park Service confirmed that the cougar had attacked and killed a Chihuahua mix that was being walked in the narrow streets of the Hollywood Hills.

    The cougar also is suspected of attacking another Chihuahua in the Silver Lake neighborhood this month.

    P-22 has lived much of his life in Griffith Park, crossing two major freeways to get there. He was the face of the campaign to build a wildlife crossing over a Los Angeles-area freeway to give big cats, coyotes, deer and other wildlife a safe path to the nearby Santa Monica Mountains, where they have room to roam.

    Ground was broken this year on the bridge, which will stretch 200 feet (some 60 meters) over U.S. 101. Construction is expected to be completed by early 2025.

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  • Alaska law officer killed in muskox attack outside his house

    Alaska law officer killed in muskox attack outside his house

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    JUNEAU, Alaska — A court services officer with the Alaska State Troopers died Tuesday after being attacked by a muskox outside his home near Nome, the agency said.

    Curtis Worland was trying to scare away a group of muskox from near a dog kennel at his home when one of the animals attacked him, according to a statement from the troopers that said Worland was declared dead at the scene.

    Court services officers are law enforcement officers that provide prisoner transport services, courthouse security and court document service, troopers spokesperson Austin McDaniel said. He could not immediately say how many animals were part of the group that Worland was trying to keep away.

    The Alaska State Troopers, Alaska Wildlife Troopers and state Department of Fish and Game are investigating.

    Muskoxen are stocky, long-haired animals with slight shoulder humps and horns and can weigh up to 800 pounds (363 kilograms), according to the fish and game department.

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  • Keep Cats and Dogs Away From the Christmas Tree

    Keep Cats and Dogs Away From the Christmas Tree

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    Just like people, cats and dogs like shiny things, wrapped gifts, and nibbling on snacks. This time of year, the temptations are plentiful.

    That said, keeping them away from the Christmas tree (or any holiday decor) can be like teaching them a new trick.

    So how do you keep your tree pet-free? Use these 10 tips to keep everyone jolly all season long.

    1. Try a fake tree. Not only can you use them year after year, but they won’t have any of those pesky pine needles that could land your pet in the pet ER if eaten. Cats in particular are balls of curiosity, so they’ll check out anything that looks like it’s worth exploring. Even the strong smells can be a problem for your furry friends, especially when they have asthma or trachea problems (common in older dogs).
    2. Prevent pouncing. A tree can seem like a huge activity center for pets. Keep your tree away from furniture they could use as a jumping off point to get at that tree and possibly knock it over. This isn’t as much of an issue with older pets, but better safe than sorry. You can also try a smaller table-top tree that won’t be as much of a danger if it tips.
    3. Secure the tree.Kids and pets alike see a tree and think, “I should touch this! I should pull this!” But there are things you can do to help prevent a dangerous toppling tree. Use a heavy-duty tree base and make sure it is secure. And attach the tree to hooks on the wall or ceiling with fishing line or ropes (you can find decorative ones at holiday time).
    4. Cover the water. Your pet doesn’t know the difference between their own bowl of water and the one at the bottom of the tree that may have toxic fertilizers and breed harmful bacteria. Tree water could cause nausea or diarrhea if your pet drinks it. Cover any water with a Velcro tree skirt or some other covering so pets can’t drink it.
    5. Make your tree boring and unpleasant (to your pets!).Cats love sparkly things, so ditch the tinsel. It’s harmful to kitty tummies. Cats and dogs don’t like the smell of citrus. They also don’t like aluminum foil. One tip: Wrap the base of your tree in foil and line with orange or lemon peels. Just be careful with the strong smells if your pet has asthma or trachea problems. Talk to your vet if you’re unsure.
    6. Keep your furry friends active.Make sure your petshavelots to do while you’re busy with holiday baking and online shopping.“Keeping your [cats and dogs] – especially the younger ones occupied and allowing them to get all of their energy out is key,” says Kim Johnson, DVM, an emergency vet in Ventura, CA. And, Johnson says, even with lots of their own toys and activities, never leave your pet unattended around the tree.
    7. Watch out for glass and lights. Ornaments look like fun toys to cats. Glass from a broken ornament can cut your feline family member or could damage their sensitive digestive tract if eaten. “I tell my clients to move them about 3 feet higher on the tree,” says Johnson. They will be harder for furry paws to swipe. This goes for lights too, says Johnson, which can cause shock and organ failure if chewed on by your kitty.
    8. Avoid the ‘Home Alone’ problem. Don’t leave your pets alone with the tree – or lit candles, or unattended food, or holiday plants. “No matter how old your pet is, they have the mind of a 2- or 3-year-old toddler,” says Johnson. “Think about that in human terms. You wouldn’t leave your toddler around the Christmas tree alone, so it’s the same for cats and dogs.”
    9. Consider a pet fence around the tree. You can use a small indoor fence to surround the tree so no little paws can get close. You can pick one of these up at your local pet store or online if you don’t have one already. They come in all shapes and varieties – even clear plexiglass so pets (and kids) can look but not touch! But talk to your vet first – these may not be practical for particularly large or athletic pets.
    10. Get wild – go treeless. You can create your own pet-safe centerpiece to replace a traditional tree. Look online for creative ideas made from metal, wood, or even from a collection of holiday cards arranged in the shape of a tree. It just might become your tradition – and certainly party topic – for years to come.

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  • Keep Your Pet Safe for the Holidays

    Keep Your Pet Safe for the Holidays

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    The holiday season is often full of good things – family get-togethers, gift-giving, delicious food, and festive decorations. Your pet can be part of the fun, but there are a few things you might need to do to keep them safe – because there’s nothing festive about an unplanned visit to the veterinarian.

    Kim Johnson, DVM, an emergency vet in Ventura, CA, recalls a time when a patient brought in her cocker spaniel during the holidays.

    “This lady had just returned from Europe and had several ounces of fine French chocolate for gifts,” says Johnson. “She was only gone a few hours and put the chocolate out of reach (so she thought) only to return to find candy wrappers everywhere!”

    Johnson and her team were able to get the pup’s tremors and rapid heartbeat under control after some treatment and an overnight stay. But they were lucky, says Johnson. “He had eaten about 3 pounds of chocolate. … Thankfully he was OK.”

    So how do you keep your fur kids safe and happy all season?

    Decorating Don’ts

    It’s so much fun to decorate for the holidays – until your pet gets into something that can hurt them. Holiday decor like sparkly tinsel and tree ornaments can look like toys to some pets. Tinsel can cause tummy trouble and dehydration. Pets may get sick enough to require surgery in some cases. The same goes for those pretty, shiny ornaments: Broken pieces could cut your pet or damage their insides if eaten.

    Watch out for certain holiday plants too. Mistletoe – great for kissing, not great for pets. If eaten, it can lead to stomach or heart issues. Holly – great for decking halls, but it can cause diarrhea and vomiting in your four-legged loves. Lilies (more common at Easter) can lead to kidney failure in your furry friends. For extra safety, opt for fake plants, made of plastic or silk, or even pet-safe bouquets.

    Put potpourri out of reach. The liquid kind is toxic to pets and can be an issue for sensitive pet skin, eyes, and their mouth. And the crumbly kind is not safe to eat either. Strong scents like pine and potpourri can also cause issues for pets with asthma.

    Lights, from scented candles to Christmas or Hanukkah decorations, are attractive to pets but can be harmful. A candle can be tipped over and cause a fire or burn.

    And if your pet chews on holiday lights, the electric shock can be very serious as well. “Do not let your pets get a shock,” says Johnson. “They get fluid in their lungs from [electric] shocks. There is no easy treatment for that, so it’s very dangerous.” She recommends unplugging holiday lights when you can’t watch your pet.

    When Good Snacks Go Bad

    We all love snacking during the holidays – including your pet kids. But some snacks that humans like can be toxic to pets. These include:

    • Chocolate
    • Grapes, raisins, and currants (Think fruitcake!)
    • Caffeine
    • Onions
    • Alcohol
    • Turkey skin
    • Bread dough
    • Meats with bones
    • Food with any added fat (oil, butter, etc.)
    • Fatty meats like beef, pork, lamb, or duck

    These foods can cause an upset stomach, gas, pancreatitis, or worse, depending on the amount. So keep them out of reach and, of course, don’t feed them to your pet.

    Xylitol: Be careful if you or your loved ones are eating a low-carb or Keto diet, as the popular sugar alternative xylitol is toxic to pets. It can cause your pet’s blood sugar to drop and even lead to liver failure. Keep purses and backpacks away, since they tend to have packs of sugar-free gum or mints containing xylitol.

    Safe stuff: “Most carbs like rice or pasta are just fine for pets,” says Johnson. “Just make sure they aren’t cooked with butter, oil, or seasoning. Plain veggies like carrots or green beans are also fine, but stay away from leafy greens that can cause gas.”

    Party Poopers

    Some pets, like people, love a good party. Others would rather keep to their more quiet routine. Either way, risks abound. Guests that want to engage with your pets and make them happy may not know the dos and don’ts. Be open with your guests. Tell them about house rules and pet preferences, and even pet injuries if they have any.

    If you’re especially worried about pet accidents, bad behavior, or other problems, consider setting your pet up in a separate area. Just keep in mind that a pet alone in another room with nothing to do may become anxious and destructive. So be sure to leave them with a chew toy or activity treat like a Kong toy with peanut butter inside.

    If that’s not enough, consider leaving them with a pet sitter or at a boarding facility. Wherever you put them, be sure that they get their exercise and bathroom time and their regular food and water too.

    Safe Travels

    • Some airlines require a written health certificate to get your pet on the plane. This can take planning, so it’s best to speak to your vet well in advance.
    • Meds: Some pets need calming medication for travel as well. Talk to your vet about the right meds and the right dose.
    • Secure your pet safely in the car or plane. Talk to your vet about how best to do this.
    • Make sure your pet is up to date on all shots and exams.
    • Bring along pet health records and vaccine records, as well as all necessary prescriptions.

    Weather Wisdom

    During the holidays, the weather can be cold and icy. But outdoor winter activities can still be lots of fun for you and your pet as long as you take some precautions. Here are some ideas:

    • Protect the paws. Snow boots are one option but can be hard to put on your pup. Same for cats, where a puss in boots is no problem in a movie. Allow your pets time to get used to any pet clothing. Or use a balm to protect their paws from extreme cold.
    • Melt the ice. Keeping your pet’s paws safe also means using pet-safe ice melt. All pet owners know pets lick their paws. Make sure they aren’t eating something toxic that could hurt their stomach or worse. Morton, a company known for table salt, has a pet-safe ice melt for about $20 at most pet stores. Check out other brands as well.
    • Keep them warm. Our pets feel cold – especially shorthair breeds like chihuahuas. Go ahead and dress them in a sweater if you see them shivering a lot. Keep walks short if you can, and dry them off with a warm towel if they’ve been in snow or ice.

    The holidays are stressful enough. Don’t add an emergency vet visit – which can cost $2,000 or more. Pets are unpredictable, even with the best-laid plans. A few simple changes can help keep your pets safe and happy all season long.

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  • Dogs gifted by North’s Kim resettle in South Korean zoo

    Dogs gifted by North’s Kim resettle in South Korean zoo

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    SEOUL, South Korea — A pair of dogs gifted by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un four years ago ended up at a zoo in South Korea after a dispute over who should finance the caring of the animals.

    Kim had given the two white Pungsan hunting dogs — a breed indigenous to North Korea — to then-South Korean President Moon Jae-in as a gift following their summit talks in Pyongyang in 2018. But liberal Moon gave up the dogs last month, citing a lack of financial support for the canines from the current conservative government led by President Yoon Suk Yeol.

    The dogs, named Gomi and Songgang, were moved to a zoo run by a local government in the southern city of Gwangju last Friday after a temporary stay at a veterinary hospital in the southeastern city of Daeju, zoo officials said.

    With Gwangju Mayor Kang Gijung in attendance, the dogs were shown off Monday with their nametags around their necks as journalists and other visitors took photos.

    “Gomi and Songgang are a symbol of peace and South-North Korean reconciliation and cooperation. We will raise them well like we cultivate a seed for peace,” Kang said, according to his office.

    The dogs have six offspring between them, all of them born after they came to South Korea. One of them, named Byeol, has been raised in the Gwanju zoo since 2019. The remaining five are in other zoos and a public facility in South Korea.

    Gwangju zoo officials said they’ll try to raise Byeol and her parent dogs together, though they’re currently kept separately as they don’t recognize each other.

    Gomi and Songgang officially belong to state property. While in office, Moon raised them at the presidential residence. After leaving office in May, Moon was able to take them to his private home thanks to a change of law that allowed presidential gifts to be managed outside the Presidential Archives if they were animals or plants.

    But in early November, Moon’s office accused the Yoon government of refusing to cover the cost for the dogs’ food and veterinary care. Yoon’s office denied the accusation, saying it never prevented Moon from keeping the animals and that the discussions about providing financial support were still ongoing.

    Moon, a champion of reconciliation with North Korea, was credited with arranging now-dormant diplomacy on North Korea’s nuclear program, but also faced criticism that his engagement policy allowed Kim to buy time and boost his country’s nuclear capability in the face of international sanctions. Yoon has accused Moon’s engagement policy “being submissive” to North Korea.

    In 2000, Kim’s late father, Kim Jong Il, gifted another pair of Pungsan dogs to then-South Korean President Kim Dae-jung after their meeting in Pyongyang, the first inter-Korean summit since their division in 1948. Liberal Kim Dae-jung gave two Jindo dogs — a breed native to a South Korean island — to Kim Jong Il. The North Korean dogs lived at a public zoo near Seoul before they died in 2013.

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  • Brother finds body Baltimore firefighters missed in building

    Brother finds body Baltimore firefighters missed in building

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    BALTIMORE — Several hours after firefighters extinguished a warehouse fire in southwest Baltimore early Sunday, the scene was eerily quiet as Donte Craig stepped through the charred rubble, trying to remain hopeful.

    He was looking for his older brother James Craig Jr., who leased the warehouse for his demolition and hauling business. After hearing about the fire, which was reported around 11:30 p.m. Saturday, family members grew increasingly concerned throughout the night because James Craig Jr. wasn’t answering calls or texts.

    Finally, his brother drove to the scene late Sunday morning.

    Inside the building, he found the body of his 45-year-old brother on the second floor. Baltimore Police have launched a homicide investigation.

    As the investigation unfolds, family members are demanding answers. They want to know how firefighters initially failed to realize the building was occupied.

    Their questions add to growing controversy surrounding the Baltimore Fire Department and its policies, which came under scrutiny after three firefighters died responding to a call early this year. The chief resigned last week in response to an investigative report that found numerous deficiencies.

    In response to questions about the warehouse fire, officials said they had no reason to believe anyone was inside the two-story commercial building. They also said the building was ultimately deemed structurally unsafe for firefighters to enter.

    But the Craig family said there were signs of occupancy, including about a half-dozen dogs spending the night in an adjacent enclosure. First responders had the dogs taken to an animal shelter, according to family members.

    James Craig Jr. used the first floor of the warehouse as a workshop, but he also had a bedroom upstairs where he sometimes stayed after working late. He collapsed near the top of the stairs, according to his brother.

    “He was trying to get out,” Donte Craig said in an interview at the scene Tuesday afternoon.

    He pointed to the staircase leading to the second floor. While parts of the building were severely damaged from the flames — including sections of the walls and floorboards that were reduced to charcoal and ash — the metal staircase remained intact.

    Donte Craig said he easily walked up the stairs Sunday morning and spotted his brother’s body before reaching the top. He questioned why firefighters didn’t make a similar effort.

    “They’ve got a lot to answer for,” said father James Craig Sr. “Why couldn’t they walk up one flight of steps? Maybe my son could still be alive.”

    The criticism comes amid existing turmoil for the Baltimore Fire Department. Chief Niles Ford, who had led the department since 2014, resigned last week after an investigative report found numerous deficiencies. The report examined the department’s response to a southwest Baltimore rowhouse fire that left three firefighters dead.

    Among the investigative findings: There was no program to notify firefighters about vacant and unsafe homes or standard procedures for battling fires and coordinating EMS responses at vacant buildings. The report also cited a culture of competition among firefighters that may have led to increased risk-taking.

    In that case, there were signs of a previous fire and structural instability, but firefighters entered the building anyway, officials have said.

    Baltimore’s high concentration of vacant buildings present a unique danger to firefighters. A Baltimore Sun investigation showed vacant homes in Baltimore burn at twice the national rate, but gaps in record-keeping have limited what firefighters know before proceeding inside.

    At the scene of the recent warehouse fire, firefighters initially entered the building and “performed interior operations to battle the fire,” department spokesperson Blair Adams said. But then the incident commander and safety officer discovered “some visual signs of structural instability” and ordered immediate evacuation. At that point, firefighters battled the fire from outside.

    The fire was placed under control around 1 a.m. Sunday, officials said.

    “There was no reason to believe anyone was inside,” Adams said in a text message Tuesday.

    She said firefighters responded to the scene again on Sunday after the body was discovered. Baltimore Police homicide and arson units also responded. Officials said the cause is still under investigation.

    James Craig Sr. said he’s not satisfied with the city’s response.

    “I’m getting assumptions; I’m not getting any facts,” he said Tuesday afternoon during a phone conversation with a homicide detective assigned to the case. “You have to remember, the reality of this is that I lost my son. That’s the reality of the whole thing.”

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  • Man who shot Lady Gaga’s dog walker gets 21 years in prison

    Man who shot Lady Gaga’s dog walker gets 21 years in prison

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    LOS ANGELES — The man who shot and wounded Lady Gaga’s dog walker and stole her French bulldogs last year took a plea deal and was sentenced to 21 years in prison on Monday, officials said.

    The Lady Gaga connection was a coincidence, authorities have said. The motive was the value of the French bulldogs, a breed that can run into the thousands of dollars, and detectives do not believe the thieves knew the dogs belonged to the musician.

    James Howard Jackson, one of three men and two accomplices who participated in the violent robbery and its aftermath, pleaded no contest to one count of attempted murder, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. It was not immediately clear which attorney represented Howard on Monday.

    Jackson and two others drove around Hollywood, the city of West Hollywood and the San Fernando Valley on Feb. 24, 2021 “looking for French bulldogs,” prosecutors said previously. They found Lady Gaga’s dog walker, Ryan Fischer, with the pop star’s three pets.

    Jackson shot Fischer during the robbery near the famed Sunset Boulevard, during which two of the dogs were taken. A nearby doorbell camera recorded the dog walker screaming “Oh, my God! I’ve been shot!” and “Help me!” and “I’m bleeding out from my chest!”

    Fischer later called the violence a “very close call with death” in social media posts.

    The dogs, named Koji and Gustav, were returned several days later by Jennifer McBride, who was also charged in the crime.

    The pop star had offered a $500,000 reward — “no questions asked” — to be reunited with the dogs at the time.

    Jackson also admitted the allegation of inflicting great bodily injury and to a prior strike, the DA’s office said Monday. The prosecutor’s office did not immediately say what the prior strike was.

    “The plea agreement holds Mr. Jackson accountable for perpetrating a coldhearted violent act and provides justice for our victim,” the office said in a statement. Howard had been charged with attempted murder, conspiracy to commit a robbery and assault with a semiautomatic firearm.

    Jackson was mistakenly released from jail earlier this year due to a clerical error. He was recaptured nearly five months later.

    Another accomplice, Harold White, pleaded no contest Monday to a count of ex-convict in possession of a gun. White, who was in a relationship with McBride at the time, will be sentenced next year.

    The couple had allegedly tried to help White’s son, Jaylin White, avoid arrest in the aftermath of the shooting.

    Jaylin White and Lafayette Whaley earlier this year pleaded no contest to robbery.

    Whaley drove Jackson and the younger White around last year as they searched for the pricy dogs. Jackson and White jumped out and attacked Fischer, prosecutors said previously. They hit and choked the dog walker, and Jackson pulled out a semiautomatic gun and fired, striking Fischer once before the trio fled.

    Lady Gaga’s representatives and Fischer did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

    ———

    Associated Press writer Andrew Dalton contributed.

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  • Police: 180 dogs and cats removed from home by hazmat team

    Police: 180 dogs and cats removed from home by hazmat team

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    BRICK, N.J. — Some 180 dogs and cats were removed from a New Jersey home by a hazmat team after officials reported the animals were being kept in “horrible and inhumane conditions,” authorities say.

    Brick Township police said officers entered the home Friday night and found stacks of animal crates containing dogs and cats, but because of the conditions “the officers were forced to exit and requested that a hazmat team respond.”

    Two arrests were made, officials said.

    Police said rescuers in hazmat gear took about 10 hours to remove the animals. Police said 135 dogs and and 45 cats were removed; two of the dogs were dead when they were taken from the home and about eight animals were taken for emergency care, police added.

    “The home was full of animal waste and the animals were living in horrible and inhumane conditions,” police said in a statement, adding the home was “subsequently condemned” by the township’s building and code department.

    The animals were taken to a number of shelters with dozens of agencies and groups aiding with the rescue, placement of the animals and support services, police said.

    Two arrests on animal cruelty accusations were made and a child endangerment charge is also pending since a 16-year-old also was living in the residence, police said.

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  • Farmer: Georgia dog injured saving sheep from coyote attack

    Farmer: Georgia dog injured saving sheep from coyote attack

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    DECATUR, Ga. — A Georgia sheepdog is recovering at home two days after killing a pack of coyotes that attacked his owner’s flock of sheep, farmer John Wierwiller said.

    Casper, a 20-month old Great Pyrenees from Decatur, fought off a pack of coyotes who were threatening Wierwiller’s sheep farm, he said. The fight lasted longer than half an hour, left eight coyotes dead and bloodied Casper, with skin and part of his tail torn off, Wierwiller told Atlanta’s WAGA-TV.

    He scampered off but returned injured two days later after Wierwiller put out a call on social media.

    “He was kinda looking at me like, ‘Boss, stop looking at how bad I look, just take care of me,’” Wierwiller said.

    LifeLine Animal Project has raised more than $15,000 for the sheepdog’s hospital bills.

    Though dogs rarely prevail like Casper, packs of coyotes attacking pets have grown somewhat common in rural and growing suburban areas that abut wildlands throughout the Untied States.

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  • Noodle The ‘Bones Day’ Pug Dies At Age 14

    Noodle The ‘Bones Day’ Pug Dies At Age 14

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    It’s a somber “no bones” day for fans of Noodle the pug.

    The TikTok star who has brought joy to countless people has died at the age of 14, his owner Jonathan Graziano revealed in a tearful video on Saturday.

    “He was at home, he was in my arms, and this is incredibly sad,” Graziano said. “It’s incredibly difficult. It’s a day that I always knew was coming but never thought would arrive.”

    Noodle, a rescue dog who was 7 when Graziano adopted him, shot to fame last year through his daily vibe predictions. In the morning, Graziano would gently prop Noodle up in his dog bed. If Noodle remained standing, that would mean the day ahead was a “bones day” ― a day to get out there and make things happen. If the dog flopped back down in bed, however, it was a “no bones” day ― a day to relax.

    “A bones day is a day where you just have to go after your ambition or a task you were putting off,” Graziano told “Today” last year. “A no bones day is a day when you just have permission to wear soft clothes, self-care, take a bath.”

    Noodle’s influence was so great that he was honored by the state of New York in an official ceremony and commended for bringing “joy and hope to New Yorkers.”

    The typical lifespan for a pug is 13-15 years, according to the American Kennel Club.

    “He lived 14 and a half years, which is about as long as you can hope a dog can, and he made millions of people happy,” Graziano said. “What a run.”

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  • French Bulldog wins top prize at National Dog Show | CNN

    French Bulldog wins top prize at National Dog Show | CNN

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    CNN
     — 

    Who’s a good boy? This year, it’s Winston.

    Winston the French Bulldog won Best in Show, the top spot, at this year’s 21st Annual National Dog Show presented by Purina. Winston is the first French Bulldog to ever win the competition’s top prize.

    “They have cornered the market on energy, enthusiasm and just pure spunk,” show host John O’Hurley said of Winston and his handler, Perry Payson.

    Winston beat out hundreds of dogs to win Thursday’s prize. The Kennel Club of Philadelphia’s dog show airs every Thanksgiving following the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and is the most-watched dog show in the country. The dogs sometimes train for years in an effort to win the national title.

    Last year, Claire – a Scottish Deerhound – made history as the first dog to win the top title two years in a row.

    Every year, the dogs compete against other dogs in their breed to determine the best in breed. Then, all those winners compete against each other at the group stage – Sporting, Hound, Working, Terrier, Toy, Non-Sporting and Herding. The seven very best dogs in their group then compete to win best in show.

    This year is the first to feature the Mudi and Russian Toy, two newly recognized breeds.

    But this isn’t Winston’s first bout with fame: He also competed in the Westminster Dog show earlier this year.

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  • Famous Mexican search and rescue dog Frida dies

    Famous Mexican search and rescue dog Frida dies

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    FILE – Frida, one of three Marine dogs specially trained to search for people trapped inside collapsed buildings, wears her protective gear during a press event in Mexico City, Thursday, Sept. 28, 2017. Mexico’s navy announced Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2022, that the yellow Labrador retriever that gained fame in the days following Mexico’s Sept. 19, 2017 earthquake even without rescuing anyone from the rubble, has died. Over the course of her career, she was credited with finding at least 41 bodies and a dozen people alive. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell, File)

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  • 36 Gifts For the Person Who Won’t Shut Up About Their Pet

    36 Gifts For the Person Who Won’t Shut Up About Their Pet

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    We know it’s hard to find the right gifts for your loved ones, so we’ve compiled a ton of fashion and beauty-focused gift guides tailored to a range of interests and budgets. Check out our latest below and find more right here.

    Whenever someone asks me what I want for a birthday, holiday or other special occasion, I have a hard time thinking of any one thing — I will, however, come up with at least three items I’ve saved for my pride and joy, my two pups, at the drop of a hat. I just enjoy shopping for them more than I do myself, and it makes me so happy to see them happy, whether that’s in a cozy new sweater for walks or chewing on a new rope bone. 

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  • This Smart Dog Toy Is $10 off Now

    This Smart Dog Toy Is $10 off Now

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    Disclosure: Our goal is to feature products and services that we think you’ll find interesting and useful. If you purchase them, Entrepreneur may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our commerce partners.

    You love your dog, of course. You love your dog so much that you bring her to the office every day, and your team thanks you for it. While there’s good reason to believe office pets are good for productivity, you still need a fallback for when your dog gets a little too amped up and needs to settle down and stop distracting people.


    Cheerble

    You’ve got things to do, so leave it to Wicked Ball to keep your pooch entertained. Successfully funded on Indiegogo and Kickstarter and featured on NBC, ABC, CBS, Fox News, and more, Wicked Ball is the interactive dog toy that entertains your dog when you’re otherwise occupied.

    This smart toy is 100 percent automatic with three interaction modes: gentle, active, and normal. It’s designed to help eliminate your dog’s feelings of loneliness and boredom when you’re not around, and also gives them the exercise they wouldn’t otherwise get during the day. In Intelligent Companion mode, you can balance activity and rest with 10-minute play and 30-minute rest cycles to keep your dog occupied all day. Plus, there’s a built-in snack hole for added excitement.

    You might worry that Wicked Ball would set your dog loose like a bull in a China shop, but the built-in collision sensor automatically avoids obstacles to keep the play in a safe area. And, of course, it’s durable and resistant to all the biting, gnawing, and scratching it’s bound to endure from your dog. Basically, it’s the smartest tennis ball you’ve ever seen and it can save you and your office a whole lot of distractions.

    Let your office go to the dogs, but keep tabs on your dog when you need to. For a limited time, you can get Wicked Ball for 18 percent off $49 at just $39.99.

    Prices subject to change.

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  • It feels like dogs know just when we need them most. Well, they might, experts say | CNN

    It feels like dogs know just when we need them most. Well, they might, experts say | CNN

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    Editor’s Note: Sign up for CNN’s Stress, But Less newsletter. Our six-part mindfulness guide will inform and inspire you to reduce stress while learning how to harness it.



    CNN
     — 

    When a family arrived at Koch Funeral Home in State College, Pennsylvania, to identify a loved one before cremation, Monroe took note — staying back to maintain the people’s privacy but ready to offer comfort if asked.

    Monroe isn’t a grief counselor or therapist. She’s an Australian Shepherd and resident therapy dog at the funeral home, said Jackie Naginey Hook, a celebrant and end-of-life doula there.

    “She has this affinity toward people who might be experiencing grief,” Hook said. “She is drawn to them.”

    Sure enough, when members of the family came out, they saw Monroe and asked to say hello, Hook said. Petting her opened them up to telling others about their loss.

    Some research has suggested that dogs — whether trained therapy and service animals or just friends in our homes — have a positive impact on human lives, said Colleen Dell, the research chair in One Health and Wellness and professor at the University of Saskatchewan.

    Just 10 minutes spent with a dog helped reduce patients’ pain, according to a March study for which Dell served as lead author.

    People often don’t talk about what they’re going through when grieving, Hook said. The process of mourning is as unique to a person as a fingerprint, and many don’t know how to be there for others who are going through it, she added.

    For many people, dogs can offer intuitive, unconditional and loving support in times of grief, Dell said.

    “We don’t give them the credit that’s due,” Dell said of the animals that provide needed support. “We don’t understand them to the extent that we should. When you start to pull it apart, there’s just so much going on there.”

    There are nuances to what people need when mourning a loved one, but generally family and friends should be present, offer hugs and listen without saying too much, Hook said.

    It sounds like a perfect job for a dog.

    “Healthy healing is really about giving yourself permission to feel what you’re feeling,” Hook said. “Our bodies know how to heal from a cut, and we know how to deal with this, too.”

    Luckily for us, dogs don’t judge or have expectations, Dell said.

    If someone has developed a strong bond and relationship with a dog, the animal is often able to intuit the emotions of those it loves, Dell said. It can mean the dog knows when to offer a gentle cuddle, she said.

    “When we lose a significant other … so many people say that coming home at the end of the day, coming home to an empty house is just hard,” Hook said. “Having a dog there to greet you can make a difference.”

    Or a dog can bring a little distraction with a bid for a game of fetch or a walk outside.

    “Getting up and going on a walk when you are grieving is incredibly difficult,” Dell said. “They are really good at living in the moment. That takes us away from thinking in the past or even too much in the future.

    “They want to go on a walk now; they want to play now.”

    When grieving and considering a dog, it’s important to think about how the animal would fit into your life and vice versa, Dell said.

    “The relationship we have with an animal is different than that which we have with a human,” Dell said. There are more benefits in some ways but also more drawbacks, she added.

    It’s a win-win situation when a dog can provide support and the owner can give the proper amount of care and attention, Dell said. But it helps to do your homework to find the right match and be prepared to make a long-term commitment.

    Having a dog can sometimes cause extra stress if it is going to be an added strain on time or financial resources to get veterinary care, a sitter for when you are away and training, Dell said.

    Dedicating time to learn how to train your dog can help it get the attention it wants and help you get more insight into building a solid bond that benefits you both, she added.

    If you are looking for a dog to keep you outside and active, look for a breed with a lot of energy. If you are busy but want a companion, maybe find a canine more inclined toward naps. If you travel, a carry-on size pooch is the way to go, Dell said.

    Often people grieving may find their patience lower — in which case consider a dog two years or older to avoid puppy antics, she added.

    Often dogs become available through foster care after the death of an owner, Dell said. “What a beautiful thing that would be,” she said about fostering an animal. “You’d really be helping each other.”

    But there are still ways to get the benefits from a furry friend without taking on any responsibility, Dell said.

    A pet belonging to a neighbor or family member can offer cuddles and play, she added. Or you can spend time in parks where dogs play or venues where therapy dogs might visit.

    “(Grieving people) need to feel loved,” Dell said. “These dogs (are) able to provide that in ways that have no strings attached.”

    Volunteering with a shelter or rescue group can also bring joy, she said. Just spending time caring for dogs or taking them on a walk can make a huge difference, Dell added.

    “You’re doing those things that are normal, that you never, ever think will feel normal again,” she said. “But they do.”

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