💌 The Delivery Poodle 🐩

📦 🐩 The Delivery Poodle

🐶 Heroic Dog is Showered with National Praise

👩‍⚕️ How to Manage Dry, Crusty Paws and Noses

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Poodle Delivers Packages from House to House
 

• Sparky is an active poodle who makes his way from house to house, blessing neighbors with his presence and the occasional package.

• He follows the same path each day, carrying a little backpack with goodies that Sparky’s neighbors share with one another.

• Sparky’s loving personality and desire to see all of his friends each day has united the neighborhood, showing us just how much dogs can do to bring people together.

• Meet Sparky below, and take his overwhelming friendliness as an example of what a good neighbor truly is!

 Weekly Learning 📖 🐾

Latest Reads:

• 🐶 Home Remedies for Dry Noses in Dogs

• ☹️ Can Dogs Get Depressed?

• 🕊️ End of Life Considerations for Dogs

• 🧴 Can You Put Vaseline on Dogs?

Newest Video: Common Houseplants Toxic to Dogs! ☠️

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💐 Heroic Dog Buford Showered with Gifts for His Incredible Rescue

• 🐶 Last week, we introduced you to Buford—the heroic Anatolian Pyrenees who rescued a lost toddler in the Arizona wilderness. This week, Buford’s story continues to inspire an outpouring of love from around the world.

• 💌 From chew toys to handwritten notes, strangers everywhere have sent gifts and gratitude to Buford’s doorstep. He’s now an honorary member of the Yavapai County Search & Rescue Team—complete with his own vest.

• 🐕‍🦺 Buford’s story is a powerful reminder of just how deeply dogs can touch our lives. One pup’s instincts and loyalty helped save a child—and united thousands in a shared moment of hope.

Crusty Nose & Paws: Hyperkeratosis Remedies

For our complete guide, you can click here to learn more about hyperkeratosis.

If your dog has dry, crusty patches on their nose or paw pads, they might be dealing with hyperkeratosis—a common skin condition that leads to an overgrowth of keratin. These rough, thickened areas can become discolored, sensitive, and even painful.

While it might not seem serious at first, hyperkeratosis can interfere with two major parts of your dog’s life: their sense of smell and their ability to walk comfortably. The good news? In many cases, it can be treated or managed with simple at-home care.

Let’s break down what causes hyperkeratosis, how to treat it, and when you should talk to your vet.

What Causes Hyperkeratosis in Dogs?

There’s no single cause—hyperkeratosis can develop from genetics, dry skin, immune issues, or even just daily wear and tear. Here are the most common culprits:

1. Genetics

Some breeds are just more prone to it. Brachycephalic breeds (like pugs and bulldogs) often struggle with nose dryness due to their facial shape, which limits their ability to lick and moisturize. Retrievers, spaniels, and terriers are also genetically predisposed.

2. Dry Noses and Paws

Just like our lips can crack in winter, your dog’s nose and paws can dry out in hot or cold weather. In response, their body produces more keratin to protect these areas—but this layer can grow too thick, leading to cracks, discomfort, and even infection if left untreated.

3. Hormonal or Autoimmune Conditions

Conditions like canine lupus, distemper, or Cushing’s disease can cause chronic inflammation and dryness, indirectly triggering keratin overproduction. If your dog has ongoing health issues, this may be part of the puzzle.

4. Constant Pressure or Rubbing

Walking on hot pavement, laying on hard floors, or repeated friction from rough surfaces can cause skin to thicken—just like a callus. This is especially common on elbows, hocks, and paw pads, particularly in larger dogs.

5. Parasites, Allergies, or Skin Irritations

Scratching, licking, or biting at irritated skin can further inflame the area and signal the body to toughen it up with keratin. Allergies, mites, fleas, and even hookworms can contribute to this cycle.

Home Remedies for Managing Hyperkeratosis

While some cases require a vet's help, mild to moderate hyperkeratosis is often manageable at home. Here are three remedies you can try:

1. Use a Dog-Safe Topical Balm

Look for a balm made with soothing, hydrating ingredients like shea butter, beeswax, coconut oil, vitamin E, or CBD extract. These help:

• Soften thick skin

• Soothe itching

• Protect against cracking

With consistent use, you might see improvement in 1–4 weeks. Even if the growths don’t disappear entirely, reducing their size and hardness can make a big difference in your dog’s comfort.

2. Protect Paws and Joints From Pressure

• Use booties when walking on hot, cold, or rough ground to prevent further damage.

• Ensure your dog has soft bedding—especially if they have elbow or hock buildup.

• Place cushions where they tend to rest on hard surfaces and gently encourage them to use them.

These small changes can stop hyperkeratosis from progressing—and sometimes even reverse it.

3. Supplement With Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Omega-3s help reduce inflammation, support skin health, and may help regulate keratin production. You can use:

• Fish oil

• Flaxseed oil

• Omega-3 chews

This remedy works best in combination with other care, especially if your dog’s hyperkeratosis is related to dryness or inflammation.

It’s Manageable, But Don’t Ignore It!

Hyperkeratosis might look harmless at first, but it can cause real discomfort and affect your dog’s quality of life. In serious cases, it can even lead to bleeding, pain, or infection.

The good news? With the right care—including topical balms, environmental adjustments, and proper paw protection—most dogs can find relief without invasive treatment.

If the condition is severe, spreading, or your dog has an underlying illness, it’s best to involve your vet. But if caught early, a few small changes at home can go a long way in keeping your dog’s paws, nose, and joints healthy and happy.

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Woman Finds Tiny Puppy in Trash Can

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This Week’s Key Pet News

Pet Owners Give Concerns Over Librela for Dogs

• ⚠️ A New Arthritis Treatment Is Making Headlines
  Some pet parents are speaking out after their dogs experienced serious side effects following treatment with a new osteoarthritis injection. A class action is underway in Australia, echoing growing concerns abroad.

• 💬 Vets Say It’s Helped Thousands
  Many veterinarians report overwhelmingly positive results—giving senior dogs a renewed lease on life. But stories like these remind us that informed consent matters with any treatment.

• 🧠 A Must-Read for Dog Parents Considering Beransa (Librela)
  If your dog is on—or may be prescribed—this new therapy, take a few minutes to read what’s happening globally. Understanding the full picture helps us all make safer, more confident decisions for our dogs.

Cat Shelter Finds The Strength to Carry On

• 🐱 Community Saves Local Cat Shelter in Crisis
  Faced with closure due to overwhelming vet bills, Friends of Felines received a flood of donations that gave the small rescue centre “the strength to carry on”—and continue saving cats in need.

• 💞 Nala’s Story Melted Hearts
  After four years at the shelter, Nala—an affectionate, resilient tortoiseshell with special needs—was finally adopted by a loving couple who say, “we can’t imagine life without her.”

• 🧡 A Reminder of the Power of Local Rescue
  This story is a beautiful example of what can happen when everyday people rally behind small shelters. With community support, these quiet heroes can keep changing lives—furry ones included.

Woman Saves Cat from Narrow Bridge

• 🚗 Bridge Rescue Heroics!
  When Amanda Ruiz spotted a cat stranded on the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, she couldn’t turn away. After circling back and braving traffic, she safely rescued the orange feline with help from a few kind strangers.

• 🐾 From Garfield to Giovanni
  Originally nicknamed “Garfield” for his chubby charm, the cat was found to be in great health and has since been adopted—now going by Giovanni in honor of the bridge where his story began.

• 💛 A Reminder of What a Little Kindness Can Do
  Amanda’s quick thinking (and a towel in the backseat!) turned what could have been a tragedy into a triumph. Click to see how one brave act gave a cat a second chance at life.