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!

Comfort for Every Season

The pajamas that started it all. Crafted from buttery-soft TENCEL™ Modal, Eberjey’s iconic Gisele PJs come in a variety of classic silhouettes made for slow mornings, cozy nights, and every comfortable moment in between. Once you slip them on, you’ll understand why they’re a favorite.

Shop Eberjey’s Women’s Pajamas

Where Dogs Love to Be Scratched Most

There is no sound quite like the contented sigh of a dog who has just been scratched in precisely the right spot. While every dog has a unique personality, canine anatomy reveals specific "sweet spots" that trigger feel-good endorphins, relieve hard-to-reach tension, and strengthen the bond between humans and their four-legged best friends.

Behind the Ears and the Base of the Neck

If you want an immediate reaction, start right behind the ears. This area contains a dense nerve network that triggers the release of endorphins when stimulated.

Moving down toward the base of the neck provides extra relief. Collars and harnesses sit around the neck all day, compressing fur and tightening muscles. A gentle circular scratch here acts as a soothing massage after a long day.

Under the Chin and Along the Chest

Reaching directly over a dog's head can feel intimidating or intrusive to many pups. Starting under the chin or scratching the broad area of the chest is a gentle, welcoming alternative.

Dogs carry significant muscle mass across their chest and shoulders, which often grows tight from walking, playing, and running. Soft scratches in the hollows of the chest allow your dog to maintain eye contact with you—a non-threatening gesture that triggers mutual oxytocin releases for both of you.

The Base of the Tail (The "Thump Spot")

Few spots yield as dramatic a reaction as the lower back, right above the base of the tail. This spot is packed with sensitive nerve endings. It is also one of the hardest places for dogs to scratch themselves.

A firm scratch here frequently triggers the famous involuntary hind-leg twitch (the scratch reflex). When you hit this area, most dogs will lean their full weight back against you to ask for more.

The Classic Belly Rub

When a dog rolls onto their back and exposes their belly, it is a sign of ultimate trust and relaxation. Scratching the belly stimulates nerve pathways near the trunk, encouraging deep breathing and stress reduction.

Note: Look for loose, relaxed body posture. A soft tummy and open mouth mean "keep going," while a stiff body or tucked tail suggests they might just be showing submission rather than asking for a rub.

Reading Your Dog's "Consent"

The key to finding your dog's absolute favorite scratch zone is watching their subtle cues:

• Green light: Leaning into your hand, sighing, licking their lips, soft eye contact, or nudging your palm when you stop.
• Red light: Turning their head away, stiffening, yawning, or walking away.

As a general rule, most dogs prefer you avoid sensitive areas like their paws, tail, and the very tip of their nose unless they specifically invite touch there. Try a quick 5-second "scratch test": scratch a spot, pause for three seconds, and see if your dog asks for more. If they lean back in, you've found their sweet spot!

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.