Lifestyle

The Humane Society of the United States estimates that some 6 to 8 million animals wind up in shelters and rescue centers each year on average, but less than half of them will be adopted. The exception to the rule was 2020, when pet adoptions rose by 15% during the coronavirus pandemic.

While they may come with fewer demands than their canine cousins, your cat’s very first time getting up close and personal with a newborn baby is a delicate moment. Cats are highly sensitive animals by nature — often far more so than dogs — and often require a prolonged adjustment period when the boat rocks.

So while you’re busy learning how to change a diaper, allow us to resolve at least one of those concerns for you as a belated baby shower gift: Introducing your dog to your baby.

In the world of pet affection, cats get a bad rep for being less loving than their canine counterparts. But cats can be just as affectionate as dogs — they just show it in a different way.

You know that feeling when you come home after a long, stressful day at work to find your dog waiting anxiously for you at the door, tail wagging, and ready to greet you, like he thought he’d never see you again? Affectionate, loyal and loving, our canine companions have a way of making us feel like the only people in the world.

For most of us, winter marks itself with chapped lips, icy sidewalks and severely limited parallel parking. Though for our pets, real hazards take precedence over frustrations: Our four-legged family members may not have the same ability to regulate their temperatures, change their circumstances and self-soothe as the season whirs along.

You’re probably familiar with service dogs for people with challenges like vision-impairment, diabetes and PTSD, but have you heard of a migraine alert dog? Believe it or not, dogs can be trained to alert humans who are about to have a migraine. But first, they have to be trained to identify the signs that you are about to have a migraine, so they know when to raise alarm.

Just like humans, it’s easier to teach your dog good habits if you start from a young age. But what about if you adopt an older dog or realize you want to establish new habits in your adult dog? Are you doomed to simply accept their behavior as is?

Potty training your dog requires patience, time and determination — no matter what kind of dog you have. But some dog breeds are notoriously harder to potty train than others.

When emergency strikes, having a plan can make all the difference. If you live in an area that’s prone to inclement weather, it’s a good idea to have a few steps in place to make sure you’re prepared for the worst, including having a plan in place for your canine pal. Here are some of the preparations you can make now so your dog is safe later.