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:
Miley
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Meme of the day: That’s how it works!
The first pet rewards credit card with free pet insurance, meet Nibbles
Vet bills aren’t getting any cheaper. Costs have jumped more than 60% in the last decade, and pet owners are feeling it. But one new card is actually helping lighten the load.
The Nibbles Pet Rewards Credit Card offers 3x rewards on pet purchases - from vet visits to toys - and even includes free pet insurance for one eligible pet, with no annual fee. It’s a smart way to save while keeping your best friend happy and healthy.
Nibbles is not a bank. The Nibbles Card is issued by Lead Bank. Fees and T&C apply.
The "Golden Grump": Why Our Aging Dogs Turn Into Stubborn Seniors
If you’ve noticed your once-eager Golden Retriever suddenly developing "selective hearing" when you call them from the backyard, or your senior Beagle planting their paws like concrete pillars during a walk, you aren’t alone.
As our dogs enter their twilight years, many pet parents notice a distinct shift in personality. The dog who used to live to please you now seems to have a very specific agenda of their own. It’s a phenomenon many affectionately call "Senior Stubbornness," but beneath that newfound defiance is usually a mix of wisdom, physical changes, and a touch of "I’m too old for this."
It’s Not Defiance—It’s Perspective
In their youth, dogs are often driven by an intense desire for play, praise, and social validation. But as they age, their priorities shift. A senior dog has seen it all, smelled it all, and chased enough tennis balls to know which ones are worth the effort.
The Comfort King: That "stubborn" refusal to get off the couch isn't necessarily a protest; it might just be that their joints are stiff, and that specific spot is the only one that feels good.
The Power of Routine: Older dogs find immense comfort in predictability. If you change the route of your afternoon walk, they might stop in their tracks simply because "this isn't how we do things."
The "Selective Hearing" Mystery
One of the most common complaints from senior dog owners is that their dog has stopped listening to commands. Before you assume they’re being "naughty," consider the physical reality:
Sensory Decline: Hearing loss often starts with higher frequencies. They might not be ignoring your "Come!"—they might literally not hear the pitch of your voice anymore.
Cognitive Changes: Just like humans, dogs can experience "brain fog" or Canine Cognitive Dysfunction (CCD). Sometimes, they aren't refusing a command; they’re just taking a few extra seconds to process what you're asking.
Conservation of Energy: An older dog calculates their "spoon theory" carefully. If the reward (a tiny biscuit) doesn't outweigh the effort (standing up from a deep sleep), they might just decide to stay put.
Living with a stubborn senior requires a shift in our own expectations. We move from being "trainers" to being "accommodation specialists."
Patience is a Superpower: Give your dog 10 seconds to respond to a command instead of the usual two.
High-Value Bribery: If the old tricks aren't working, upgrade the treats. Dried liver or a bit of plain chicken can do wonders for "curing" senior stubbornness.
Check with the Vet: Often, what looks like a bad attitude is actually masked pain. A dog who refuses to go down the stairs might have undiagnosed arthritis.
The Beauty of the Senior Soul
There is something deeply charming about a dog who finally knows who they are. Their stubbornness is often a sign of a life well-lived—a dog who feels safe enough and loved enough to express their own opinions.
When your old friend decides they’d rather sniff a single patch of grass for five minutes than finish the block, try to meet them where they are. After all, they’ve spent their whole lives following our lead; they’ve earned a few years of calling the shots.
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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:
Mimi!
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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.
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Meme of the day - Instagram: @axelunleashed
