Tag Archives: dog

Elephant’s Best Friend

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Originally posted January 2009 about this super cool elephant dog relationship. Our dog, Maggie wished she had an elephant friend.

Maggie’s cousin Jessica (she’s a human) sent us a great email about an elephant and a dog.  This is so cool.  Tara and Bella are very close friends.  Bella is a stray dog that found a home in an elephant sanctuary.  They are absolutely inseparable.  You have to see this amazing story found on CBS News – Assignment America.  This Animal Odd Couple Story is a must see video.

Aren’t elephants amazing. Do you want to learn more about the Elephant Sanctuary? The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee, founded in 1995, is the nation’s largest natural-habitat refuge developed specifically for the care of African and Asian elephants. Discover more information on the FAQ page.

As an Amazon Associate, I earn commission from qualifying purchases.

If you are an elephant or dog enthusiast, you might want to explore these fun treasures.

Elephant Treasures

Elephant Specialty Gifts on Amazon

Dog Treasures

Dog Specialty Gifts For Women

Our Dog Has Cancer – Now What?

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As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases, some of the links in our family’s cancer journey will take you to products you may find of interest.

By: Julie Walton and Blue Belle the Canine Contributor

Our dog thinking about surviving cancer.

Can We Rescue The Rescue Dog Who Rescued Us?

Blue Belle, the rescue dog that rescued us, now needs to be rescued again. Blue Belle has been a special member of our family for over 12 years. We adopted her when she was one year old.  We traveled from Idaho, across the state to Wyoming where we were told a no-kill shelter had the perfect dog for us. She had been found in a dog pound where some uncaring family threw her away where she was to be euthanized. The loving people of Lucky’s Place saved her and put her up for adoption. We were so happy when we found our new furever dog.

Please adopt me.
Bella wants to be our furever dog.
See Blue Belle’s Adoption Story HERE.

Blue Belle has had some health issues, but she has been a loyal companion so the vet visits and expense of caring for our fur baby is definitely worth the cost. 

We Hate Cancer!

We are talking about canine cancer. Can we rescue our precious dog from this awful disease?

In 2024 we discovered a lump on Blue Belle’s back leg. The vet said to keep an eye on it and when it grew quite a bit in a few months we knew to make another appointment with our vet. He performed surgery the next day and we returned to the vet clinic several times for wound care. A sample was sent in to the lab and sadly we learned she had cancer.

Dog lump - MCT cancer.
Blue Belle had a large lump on her back leg. After surgery the vet sent in samples to the lab.

We learned a new term. MCT, Mast Cell Tumor. We had no idea what that was. But knew it was serious. Our vet gave us several options. One option was to make an immediate appointment with an oncologist and he gave us the name of a local oncologist he recommended. I called her office right away and was pleased to get an appointment within a few days. 

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Creating a Dog-First Home Without Breaking the Bank

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Guest Post by: Nick Burton  Ourbestdoggo.com

Dog at home.


Image by Freepik

Your dog doesn’t care if your patio furniture is West Elm or Walmart. What matters to them is safety, space, and spots to sniff. Shaping your home and yard into a haven for your pet doesn’t have to run your wallet ragged. With a little grit, a pinch of planning, and a sense of what dogs genuinely need, your space can transform. No need for sprawling lawns or fancy gadgets either. Just smart choices, creative reuses, and a few changes that make life a whole lot better for both of you.

Pet-Safe Landscaping

Start by asking yourself where your dog likes to wander. If it’s the flower beds, you’ve got a problem, but not an expensive one. Consider raised planters or hardy border shrubs to protect fragile areas while giving your pup clear boundaries. Swap out toxic plants for hardy, non-poisonous ones like marigolds, sunflowers, or rosemary, which not only survive your dog’s curiosity but also look decent doing it. Mulch smart, too—skip cocoa mulch and go with cedar or pine. Browse these dog-friendly backyard ideas to help you sketch out the transformation.

DIY Dog Fencing

You don’t need a contractor to build a fortress. In fact, most dogs just need consistency and a clear line between theirs and the outside world. You can use wooden pallets, lattice panels, or repurposed fencing to create barriers that fit your budget and blend into your landscaping. Just ensure the height suits your breed’s jumping prowess and that gaps won’t tempt small adventurers. Invisible fences are an option but not always ideal for every temperament. Some of the smartest cheap dog fence ideas can be built with materials sitting in your shed.

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How to Actually Start a Dog Care Business (Without Losing Your Mind or Your Money)

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Image: Freepik

Guest Contributor: Nick Burton, Ourbestdoggo.com

If you’re the kind of person who slows down when you see a dog on the street and instinctively uses that “good boy” voice without thinking, it might be time to stop ignoring that itch to work with dogs for a living. Starting a dog care business isn’t just about turning your love for pups into a paycheck—it’s about showing up consistently, building trust with clients (both human and furry), and learning how to run a business that’s more than just cuddles and walks. The demand is real. People are busier than ever, but they don’t want their dogs to suffer for it. That’s where you come in.

Figure Out What Kind of Dog Care Actually Fits You
There’s a difference between loving dogs and loving dog care work. Not everyone wants to walk five huskies in the rain or scoop poop at 7 AM, and that’s okay. Maybe you’re better suited for in-home boarding, training, or even mobile grooming. Don’t feel pressured to copy what everyone else is doing. Build your services around what you genuinely enjoy and what your schedule allows. If you hate early mornings, dog walking may not be your jam—but maybe late-day drop-in visits are your sweet spot. Know yourself before you start promising the world.

Build Your Business Backwards—Start With the Client
Too many people dive in with a logo and an Instagram page before they’ve even thought about who they’re trying to reach. You need to reverse-engineer your business from the dog owner’s perspective. Ask yourself what they’re worried about. Is it safe? Reliability? Socialization for their anxious doodle? When you know what matters to them, you can build your offerings, policies, and communication around solving those exact problems. That’s how you become the no-brainer choice in your neighborhood.

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Dog Poop and Your Septic System – What You Should Know

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Mark Lewyn got in touch with us to share an article of interest to our readers. Read the article – WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT DOG POOP AND YOUR SEPTIC SYSTEM

The article features the following points:

  • Dog Fur and your Septic Tank: A Furry Problem
  • Dog Food and Your Septic System: A Surprising Culprit
  • Dog Play and the Drainfield: Fun But Risky
  • Dog Safety Around the Septic System: Keep Them Out of Trouble

He goes on to say that you might think that since human waste breaks down in the septic tank, dog waste would do the same. But here’s the catch – it doesn’t always work that way, and explains how dog waste can throw off the balance of your septic system. Looks like valuable information.

This is something I have never considered. But our family doesn’t have a septic system, we are connected to the city sewer system. Nevertheless, I started to think maybe I should make sure no waste from our dog would end up in the toilet.

Hope all is well with you and your fur babies. Let’s keep everyone safe.

How much should I feed my puppy?

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Well, actually I don’t have a puppy. Our family includes a 12 year old canine contributor and the smartest dog we know. But I imagine our readers would like to know the answer to this question. I received an email the other day from Rob at BetterPet.com. He offered to share a Guide to Puppy Feeding. It says you can keep your furbaby healthy, happy, and nourished with these puppy feeding tips, techniques, and advice.

The article on betterpet.com discusses the essentials for feeding your puppy. The size and age of your dog will be an important factor in determining how to feed your little friend. To calculate their daily food intake take note of your dog’s age, physical condition, and weight. Puppies need two to three times more calories per day than older dogs. So it will be good to feed them more often than adult dogs. Be aware that every puppy is unique so talk to your vet about your dog’s nutritional needs.

So, what am I supposed to feed my little puppy, you ask. Keep in mind your dog’s breed, medical conditions, and activity level. Dr. Jennifer Schott gives this advice:

The most important thing to look for is that the food is labeled for growing puppies. It’s also important that your puppy will consistently eat the food! I typically recommend foods from Purina, Hill’s, or Royal Canin as they consistently make good quality products and have multiple puppy formulations based on size and breed.

For more information about how much to feed your puppy, check out the article How Much to Feed a Puppy, Backed by Vets at betterpet.com.