In today's issue:

-Meet our adoptable dog of the day

-Enjoy a laugh with our dog meme of the day

-Get great information in our featured article

-Take our action of the week

-Check out our family photo of the day

Join our Facebook group - Post Your Pooch!

10 Weird Little Hacks Costco Shoppers Should Know

Do you shop at Costco? Then you know the thrill of saving money. But you might be missing other smart ways to stretch your dollars. Check out our list of genius money hacks—almost as good as that $1.50 hot dog!

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How Dogs Help Us Heal from Depression

Since October is Depression Awareness Month, we wanted to evaluate how pups help our mental health. When you’re living with depression, even the smallest daily tasks like getting out of bed or making breakfast can feel like climbing a mountain. The world outside loses its color, replaced by an overwhelming fog of isolation, exhaustion, and self-doubt.

Yet, for millions of people navigating this heavy landscape, hope arrives on four paws. A dog doesn't care about your resume, your untidy living room, or how long you’ve been staring at the wall. They simply look at you, wag their tail, and offer unconditional presence.

Beyond being faithful companions, dogs possess an extraordinary capacity to help us heal, offering comfort grounded in both biology and emotional connection.

The Science of Soul-Soothing Companionship

The emotional shift you feel when petting a dog isn't just in your head. It’s in your chemistry. Interactions with dogs trigger a cascade of natural neurochemical changes:

• The Oxytocin Boost: Known as the "bonding hormone," oxytocin surges in both you and your dog when you share gentle contact or eye contact, lowering feelings of stress and fear.
• Taming Cortisol: Gentle physical touch like stroking a dog's soft fur actively drops levels of cortisol, the body's primary stress hormone.
• Serotonin and Dopamine: Engaging with a pet stimulates the release of these feel-good neurotransmitters, helping elevate mood and calm anxious racing thoughts.

Gentle Anchors: How Dogs Reshape the Day

Depression often thrives on aimless, unstructured time. Dogs gently dismantle that pattern by introducing simple, meaningful routines:

• A Reason to Get Up: A dog needs breakfast, a fresh bowl of water, and a morning walk. When caring for yourself feels impossible, caring for another living creature provides a gentle, non-judgmental nudge into action.
• Reconnecting with the World: A daily walk forces a break from indoor isolation. Stepping outside—feeling the morning air, seeing green grass, or sharing a quick smile with a fellow dog owner—quietly grounds you in the physical world.
• Unfiltered Living in the Present: Dogs don't worry about yesterday’s mistakes or tomorrow’s anxieties; they live entirely in the now. Watching a dog delight in a squeaky toy or sniff a patch of grass is a masterclass in mindfulness.

Silent Acceptance When Words Fail

Perhaps the greatest gift a dog offers during depression is their complete lack of judgment. You don't have to explain why you feel bad or put on a brave face to make them feel comfortable.

When you sit on the floor and cry, a dog doesn't ask for explanations. Instead, they simply curl up beside you, rest a chin on your knee, and stay until the storm passes. That quiet, unwavering presence reminds us that even in our darkest moments, we are never truly alone.

Dog Food and Supplement Recalls

Here are the recent recalls and advisories:

• FI - Pet Supplements: Potential Salmonella Contamination
• Northwest Naturals - Chicken Recipe: Potential Salmonella and/or Listeria Monocytogenes Contamination
• Fromm - Wet Canned Dog Food: Potential Metal Contamination
• Oma's Pride - Canine Food: Contaminated with Salmonella
• Pedigree - High Protein Chopped Chicken & Duck Flavor Wet Dog Food: Potential Plastic Contaminants

Want to help find lost pets?

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We want to feature your pup!

We want to share your pup with our pack. Email us your favorite doggy pic or video with your pup’s name, and we'll try to feature it as a family photo in one of our upcoming newsletters or on our Facebook page.