In today's issue:

-Meet our adoptable dog of the day

-Learn about our Shelter of the Week

-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!

Muttville Senior Dog Rescue is a pioneer in animal welfare dedicated to giving older dogs a sweet second lease on life. Founded in San Francisco in 2007 by animal advocate Sherri Franklin in her own home, Muttville was created to address a heartbreaking gap in animal shelters: senior dogs. These pups are often deemed "unadoptable" due to age or minor health needs, being overlooked or euthanized despite having so much love left to give. That's why Muttville, and organizations like it, are so important.

Since its inception, Muttville has rescued and rehomed thousands of senior dogs, changing the perception of senior pet adoption nationwide.

What Makes Muttville Special

• Cage-Free Living: Unlike traditional shelters, Muttville operates open, cage-free facilities where rescue dogs can lounge on cozy beds, socialize comfortably, and feel at home while waiting for their forever families.
• Comprehensive Care: Every incoming pup receives thorough veterinary attention, dental work, grooming, and tailored medical support to ensure they are healthy, happy, and comfortable.
• Hospice Program: For senior dogs with terminal conditions or specialized needs, Muttville provides compassionate hospice care and loving homes, ensuring every dog spends their final chapter surrounded by comfort and affection.

Matching Moments, Holiday Memories

Our most anticipated holiday collection is here. Shop best-selling holiday PJs for the whole family—furry friends included—made for cozy nights, festive mornings, and matching moments all season long.

Shop Pajamas

Why Your Dog’s Tail Wags While Sleeping

There is hardly a sight more heartwarming than watching your dog curled up in a cozy ball, fast asleep. His breathing slows, his paws begin to twitch, and suddenly (thump, thump, thump) his tail starts wagging against the floor.

It is one of the sweetest, most endearing quirks of dog ownership. But what is actually going on inside your furry friend's mind when his tail starts wagging in dreamland? As it turns out, those nighttime wags are a fascinating window into your dog’s brain and his deep emotional bond with you.

Entering the Realm of Doggy Dreams

Just like humans, dogs go through several stages of sleep. The magic happens during REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep, which typically begins about 20 minutes after a dog falls asleep.

During REM sleep, a dog's brain activity spikes, mirroring the same neural patterns observed when he is awake. His eyes dart behind closed lids, his breathing becomes irregular, and his mind begins processing the day's events. If his brain is replaying a joyful moment—like chasing a tennis ball, greeting a friend, or getting a belly rub—his body naturally responds with a tail wag.

Dream "Soreness" and the Switch That Softens

You might wonder why your dog isn't up and running around if his brain thinks he’s actively playing.

Nature has a clever safety mechanism built into the brainstem called the pons. The pons acts as a temporary switch that paralyzes large muscle groups during REM sleep, preventing dogs (and humans!) from physically acting out their dreams.

However, this switch isn't always 100% airtight, especially in puppies and older dogs:

• Puppies have underdeveloped brainstem structures, so more movement "leaks" through.
• Senior dogs may experience a weakening of this mechanism as they age.

Small twitches, quiet muffled barks, soft whimper-puffs, and happy tail wags are simply gentle physical signals that manage to slip past the switch while the rest of the body stays safely relaxed.

What Are They Dreaming About?

While we can’t hand our pups a journal to write down their dreams, canine researchers and neuroscientists believe dogs dream primarily about their everyday lives.

Because dogs experience the world largely through scent, play, and social interactions, their dreams likely consist of:

• Running through tall grass or fetching a favorite toy
• Exploring exciting new smells
• You! Studies suggest that dogs dream heavily about their primary caregivers—re-living moments of praise, play, and affection.

So when that tail starts thump-thumping in the middle of the night, there is a very high chance your pup is dreaming about a happy moment shared directly with you.

Should You Wake a Tail-Wagging Sleeper?

It can be tempting to gently wake your dog up to join in on the happiness or give him an extra cuddle. However, the adage "let sleeping dogs lie" really is the best rule of thumb.

Even during a happy dream, waking a dog abruptly out of deep REM sleep can startle him, leaving him disoriented or momentarily confused. REM sleep is critical for memory consolidation, physical recovery, and cognitive health.

A Gentle Tip: Instead of waking him, simply take a moment to enjoy the adorable display. If you want to show love, quietly whisper soft words of reassurance or gently place a hand nearby—but let him finish his restful journey.

A Window Into Pure Joy

A sleeping dog’s wagging tail is a gentle reminder of the innocent, joyful way dogs process their world. It shows that even in slumber, their days are filled with enough happiness and love to spill over into their dreams.

The next time you catch your pup wiggling his tail in his sleep, take comfort in knowing that he is resting deeply, feeling secure, and likely replaying one of his favorite memories with you!

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

Want to help find lost pets?

Download our RoverAlert app to receive notifications of missing pets in your area.

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.