The 2021 Hero Dog Awards seek to find and recognize dogs who help people in many important ways. Dogs are nominated in one of seven categories: Service Dogs, Shelter Dogs, Law Enforcement and Detection Dogs, Therapy Dogs, Military Dogs, Guide/Hearing Dogs, Search and Rescue Dogs.

The 2021 Hero Dog Awards seek to find and recognize dogs who help people in many important ways. Dogs are nominated in one of seven categories: Service Dog, Shelter Dog, Law Enforcement and Detection Dog, Therapy Dog, Military Dog, Search and Rescue Dog, Guide/Hearing Dog.

The 2021 Hero Dog Awards is seeking to find and recognize dogs who help people in many important ways. Dogs are nominated in one of seven categories: Service Dogs, Law Enforcement and Detection Dogs, Therapy Dogs, Military Dogs, Search and Rescue Dogs, Guide/Hearing Dogs, and Shelter Dogs.

Almost every veterinary technician or veterinary nurse will tell you they do what they do because they love animals. What they do every day can help animals live longer and stay healthier, which means they also help pet owners, making sure they understand what to do for their furry friends. When a vet tech does their job well, everybody wins!

Vaccines can help prevent illnesses and avoid costly treatments for preventable diseases - or stop diseases from being passed between animals. That is especially important if your pet comes in contact with wildlife or unvaccinated domestic dogs.

Most of us eat some things that we know are not good for us, especially around holidays or family get-togethers and celebrations. The problem with letting your furry friend indulge is that some things are not just "not good" for them but instead may be harmful. It is up to us to make sure our pets stay healthy so we can all be happy!

Some dogs work as human remains or cadaver dogs; they search for bodies. Search and Rescue dog Oreo is a Pomsky - part Pomeranian and part Siberian Husky, specially trained to find living victims in disasters.

Most folks like kittens - after all, kittens have built-in cuteness! But - they don't stay kitten-like for long. Eventually they become cats. So if you adopt a kitten (with all its cuteness), before you know it you have a CAT! And if you really didn't want a cat as a pet, then adopting a cute little bundle of feline fur and whiskers and big eyes is probably not the right thing for you. However, if you are willing to lose your heart to a feline friend, even an adult one, and you have room in your life for a new furry friend, consider adopting one now, especially during Adopt a Cat Month!

The name Pekingese gives you a clue to the origins of this breed. At one time, these small dogs (usually 7-14 pounds) could be owned only by the royal family of China, where they lived in the palace and even had their own servants. In the late 1800's, they were brought to Britain, and later to America. In 1906, the American Kennel Club registered its first Pekingese. This is a breed that bonds with its owner, but can still have an independent (some might say "royal") personality!

Let's bust some myths that have plagued our feline friends for too long! All cats are not alike - they can be as different from each other as humans are. You may wonder what your cat is thinking or feeling, but understanding your furry buddy begins with knowing some facts about cats.

Our very first cat, Heidi, was a tortoiseshell kitten. We thought she was beautiful, and so unique! The first time we saw another tortoiseshell cat in someone's yard, we were surprised to see a feline that looked just like our pet! The tortoiseshell coloring is so named because their coat resembles, well, the shell of a tortoise. Keep in mind that tortoiseshells can be found in a variety of cat breeds, so their size and personality can vary greatly. Our current pet, pictured here, is a tortoiseshell named Gypsy. She is a sweetheart!

A hearty little dog, Rags won the hearts of soldiers with whom he served, many times helping to save their lives. In October, 1918, he and his rescuer, Private Donavan, were both wounded in battle and evacuated to a military hospital in Illinois. Donovan died in 1919 from his wounds but Rags, who had lost his right eye in the attack, recovered. In 1920 a military family at Fort Sheridan adopted him, and took them with him wherever they were stationed.

Every year hundreds of pets die because they were left unattended in a parked car. In just minutes an animal can suffer heatstroke, irreparable organ and brain damage and death. Even if you live in a state where the laws do not allow you to rescue the pet, you can still search nearby establishments to see if you can locate the driver.

When grooming your pet, brush or comb in the direction of hair growth. Use short firm strokes with a brush or comb and be careful to stop if you encounter a mat in the fur. Gently work the tangled hair loose before continuing. Make it a pleasant time for your pet - and for you!

Pet moms know that having a four-legged companion brings with it a number of benefits for the human. A pet can help a person feel less isolated (a real benefit many new owners discovered during the pandemic). Pets reduce our stress and help us relax. They can lower our blood pressure, reduce anxiety and depression, even help to ease chronic pain. And if you adopt a pet from your local animal shelter or rescue group, it makes room for another animal to have a chance at a new forever home!

This dog is one of the lucky ones - he survived the tornado, and is rescued! If his owner had a disaster plan, he might not have needed to endure this. Make a list of items your pet will need to get by for several days, and make your own "bug-out" bag! The best advice is to not wait until the last minute to evacuate. The American Red Cross website has some great information to get you started.

Losing a pet can be traumatic for both owner and animal, but if your furry friend has some reliable ID it greatly increases the possibility your four-legged companion will make its way back home to you. Check with your veterinarian or local pet store about options for having your pet microchipped.

When feral cats are spayed or neutered and released, it is possible they may be trapped again. It is easy to tell if a male has been neutered, but not a female. To prevent unnecessary surgery, one ear of a spayed feral cat is "tipped" (the tip surgically removed) so that it is obvious the cat has already been spayed!

Hugging is a universally recognized sign of affection that we humans use with each other, so of course we want to shower that love and affection on our canine friends, as well. The problem is that our dogs may not appreciate it nearly as much as we might think!

Having a pet around the house may change the way you celebrate certain holidays, and that includes Easter. Pets are attracted to shiny objects, or things that have a tantalizing smell. Taking the time to make sure your best friend stays safe during the holiday will make it a happy time for everyone!