The veterinary profession continues to learn about the long-term health effects of surgeries done to prevent unwanted canine pregnancies. These insights help Dog Moms and Dads make better decisions about when to spay or neuter dogs. Simply put, our goals must bridge both reproductive protection and long-term comfort and health for the dogs we love. Researchers from UC-Davis looked at associated joint disorders, cancers, and urinary incontinence in 35 dog breeds and offered insights on making this important decision. In some cases, the best option may be leaving some dogs intact. 

Our youngest canine hero, Mr. Stix, has NOT been sleeping well for many weeks now. We needed some fresh ideas, then along came some new research from Big Barker dog beds done at the University of Pennsylvania Veterinary Clinical Investigations Center. Here's why our little dude needed a new bed and how it's working so far. Don't miss the end of the Big Barker review video -- so doggone funny.

If you need a good giggle about some of the silliest (and, yes, documented by science) ways dogs prove their love for us in every day life, check out our book review! You Know Your Dog Loves You Because ... by writer Jeff Parks and illustrator Mark Sean Wilson might make a good gift for your loved ones of all ages. Here's why. [Also, news about our Mr. Stix at the bottom of the page.]

100 Dogs and Counting is the latest book by Cara Sue Achterberg about her adventures fostering dogs and about the efforts of so many to save more dogs from places where they face little hope of being adopted. If you're looking for something new to read as the COVID-19 pandemic rages on and you feel strong enough to learn some tough things about the reality of animal sheltering and rescues, I recommend reading this book -- with a few caveats (at the bottom of the page).

Last summer I doubled the miles and time spent walking the dogs while recovering from major surgery. My sore feet paid the price. Dreaded plantar fasciitis.

I'd struggled with plantar fasciitis before, and custom orthotics from the podiatrist fixed my problem with super sore feet. This time, it did not work. My VERY expensive custom orthotics did sort of help the plantar fasciitis pain, but they caused me insane other kinds of sore feet issues. It was like walking with huge river rocks taped to my feet.

It was so bad, even just around the house, that I would try to figure out how to do things like put new sheets on the bed by taking the fewest steps possible. I never could get farther than a few houses down the road before the foot pain from the orthotics flared up.

I went back to see the podiatrist about 8 weeks later, and he made some adjustments to the orthotics that helped a tiny bit. But, I still hated them and stopped using them entirely.

Thankfully, the owner of a local running store gave me a better idea. Recovery shoes from OOFOS!   [Yes, I have a new affiliate relationship with OOFOS and will get a % of any sales made from my links. Remember, I only have such relationships with companies / products I actually use ... though, to be honest, they almost NEVER pay off. For example, I've had these links here for a few months now and NOTHING. I've earned exactly ZERO, so I deleted the adds from other places they were appearing on the site. I'll keep these here, just in case, but you know, likely nothing will come of it.]