Your daily dose of doggy goodness!
Every day, we celebrate our shared love of dogs and hopefully brighten your day. Enjoy!
Dog(s) of the Day:
Nakia
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Meme of the day: The dilemma of New Year’s Eve!
The Rewards Credit Card Made Just for Pet Parents
With vet costs rising 60% over the past decade, pets and pet parents both deserve a little relief.
Nibbles is the first credit card that comes with free pet insurance and 3x rewards at pet stores, pet services, and the vet. Plus, use the card anywhere else Mastercard is accepted for 1x rewards. Protect your pet and your wallet in one move. All those rewards mean more treats, too!
Nibbles is not a bank. The Nibbles Card is issued by Lead Bank. Fees and T&C apply.
Back to the Daily Grind? How to Help Your Dog Handle the Post-Holiday Blues
The holidays are a magical blur of extra treats, long walks in the crisp air, and—most importantly for our dogs—constant human companionship. For weeks, you’ve been their favorite pillow and their full-time entertainment coordinator.
But as the decorations come down and the laptop screen glows back to life, our four-legged friends can face a rude awakening. Moving from "24/7 together time" to "eight hours of silence" is a massive shift that can trigger separation anxiety.
If you’re feeling a little "puppy guilt" about heading back to the office, don't worry. With a bit of prep and a lot of patience, you can make the transition smooth for both of you.
Re-establish the "Work Day" Rhythm
Dogs thrive on predictability. If your holiday schedule involved sleeping in until 9:00 AM and mid-afternoon naps, your dog’s internal clock is currently set to "vacation mode."
Shift the Schedule: Start waking up, feeding, and walking your dog at the exact time you will once you’re back at work.
The "Pre-Departure" Routine: Do you usually grab your keys, put on a specific coat, or rattle your bag? Start doing these things throughout the day without actually leaving. It desensitizes them to the cues that usually signal "Mom/Dad is leaving me."
Practice "Micro-Absences"
Don't let your first day back be the first time they’re alone. Ease them into it with short bursts of solitude:
The Room Swap: Spend 15 minutes in a different room with the door closed while they relax in the living room.
The Coffee Run: Practice leaving the house for 5 minutes, then 20, then an hour.
The Low-Key Return: When you come back inside, keep it boring. If you make a huge fuss, you’re confirming that your absence was a big, scary deal. Wait until they are calm before offering praise.
Turn the House into an Infotainment Center
A bored dog is a worried dog. Provide distractions that make your departure feel like a "win" for them.
High-Value Treats: Save a special "long-stay" treat—like a frozen peanut butter toy or a lick mat—specifically for when you leave.
Ambient Noise: Silence can be deafening for a dog used to holiday chatter. Leave on a radio (classical music or reggae are scientifically proven to soothe pups!) or a white noise machine to mask outside triggers like delivery trucks.
Puzzles: Hide small treats around the room to encourage a "scavenger hunt" once the door closes.
Quality Over Quantity
When you are home, make it count. A tired dog is a restful dog.
Pro Tip: A vigorous 20-minute walk or a game of tug-of-war right before you head to the office can help burn off the nervous energy that often fuels pacing or howling.
When to Seek Extra Help
Sometimes, holiday withdrawal can turn into severe separation anxiety (destructive behavior, self-harm, or persistent accidents). If your pup isn't settling after a week or two, consider reaching out to a positive-reinforcement trainer or your vet. There is no shame in a little extra professional support!
Transitioning back to work is a "bittersweet" moment for us, too. But remember: your dog loves you just as much at 5:00 PM as they did at 9:00 AM.
Dog Food and Supplement Recalls
Here are the recent recalls and advisories:
Bonnihill Farms (Fromm Family Foods) - BeefiBowls Beef Recipe gently cooked frozen dog food, 16 oz. chubs for potential plastic contamination
Foodynamics - Freeze Dried Pet Treats for potential Salmonella contamination.
Nature’s Own - Pet Chews Bully Bites Treats for potential Salmonella contamination.
Family Photo of the Day:
Penny Pie!
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.
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Meme of the day - Instagram: @luney_doodle
