6 Ways To Manage Shedding Like A Pro
For breeds like Golden Retrievers, Great Pyrenees, and German Shepherds, shedding is just a normal part of everyday life. Getting a dog that sheds a lot means dealing with fur everywhere on a daily basis and I truly mean everywhere - on your clothes, the floor, any...
5 Ways You Can Be An Eco-Friendly Pet Owner
To finish up Earth Week 2021, here are some tips on how to be an eco-friendly pet owner!
Four Things To Consider With Going Zero Waste
Over the last few years, the zero waste movement has been having a moment. From appearing as a plot in shows like The Politician to being the focus of some social media influencers and businesses, this movement is being heralded as solutions to the climate crisis. And...
Earth Day Activities
Happy Earth Day! Here are some great activities to do today and this weekend.
The Lyrid Meteor Shower
The Lyrid Meteor Shower will peak tonight (April 21st) and early tomorrow (April 22nd) and continue for a few more nights. Learn the history of this shower and how to watch.
From The Archives: Visiting Tide Pools.
This post is from May 2019 and now includes a few updates and new videos! One of my favorite activities as a child was going to visit and interact with tide pools on different beaches. I grew up just a mile away from Bellingham Bay, just a few miles away from Larrabee...
Earth Day Summits
The 51st annual Earth Day is Thursday, April 22nd, 2021. There are so many ways to celebrate, including virtual summits, a meteor shower, nature scavenger hunts, planting gardens and park work parties, and more.
How are you celebrating?
Happy Earth Week!
Happy Earth Week! Each day this week, I’ll be posting about different ways to celebrate and fight for the planet.
Behind the Breed: Miniature American Shepherd
The Miniature American Shepherd is, in many ways, a more compact Australian Shepherd and despite its smaller size, still has all the energy and intelligence of a herding dog.
5 Fun Animal Print Face Masks (Because the Pandemic isn’t Over!)
The end of the pandemic may seem near but wearing a face mask is still important! Wearing a face mask while out in public can help decrease Covid-19 transmissions. Here are 5 fun animal print face masks!
Learn More About One of the World’s Largest Organisms: The Pando Tree of Utah
In Utah's Fishlake National Forest, there are 106 acres of forest that's actually a single Quaking Aspen with numerous shoots. At first glance, Pando, as the forest is called, looks like a grove of 47,000 individual Aspen trees. But a botanical researcher discovered...
Behind the Breed: Boerboels
Because of their muscular appearance and blocky head, these large dogs can easily be confused with Cane Corsos or other mastiff types. But Boerboels are their own, unique breed with origins in South Africa and Europe (through colonization). Boerboels, which roughly...
10 Great Mother’s Day Gifts, Cards, and Online Stores For Any Pet Loving Mom
Mother’s Day is a month away! If you’re trying to figure out what to get your animal loving mother (or any mothers in your life), here are some ideas!
Climate Change’s Impact on The American Pika
The American Pika is a cute, tiny rabbit-like mammal that lives in the rocky terrain of high elevation alpine mountains. Climate change seems to be affecting pikas in different ways.
Behind The Breed: Five Domestic Rabbit Breeds
There is this trend around Christmas and Easter to impulsively adopt pets like dogs, cats, bunnies, and chicks. When young, these animals are impossibly cute so it's easy to see why so many would want puppies, kittens, chicks, and bunnies around. But adopting an...
DIY Dog Treats That Are Easy to Make
Making your own dog treats can be a fun baking activity and ends with tasty snacks for your dog! There are so many recipes out there but here are a few easy recipes you can try today. Sweet Potato Chews This is by far the easiest treat to make on this list! All you...
Easter Activities for the Whole Family, Including Pets.
This post contains affiliate links to products. I may receive a commission for purchases made through these links. For those who celebrate, Easter is just around the corner! There are so many fun activities for this holiday, including Easter egg hunts, dying eggs,...
Behind the Breed: Papillons
These small, happy dogs are known for their big wing-like ears and agility abilities. Papillons are incredibly smart and friendly, making them great companions, especially for those who might live in smaller places or those who want to travel with their dog. They're...
15 Plants, Flowers, and Trees to Add to a Pollinator-Friendly Garden.
This post contains affiliate links to products. I may receive a commission for purchases made through these links. Pollinators like butterflies, hummingbirds, and bees are vital parts of an ecosystem. They support biodiversity, help crops, and are indications of the...
Celebrating Spring and the International Day of Forests.
This post contains affiliate links to products. I may receive a commission for purchases made through these links. Springtime in the Pacific Northwest is marked by many things. The days get longer, the sun starts to make an appearance, trees start to blossom, and you...
Camping With Dogs
This post contains affiliate links to products. I may receive a commission for purchases made through these links. One of the many great things about the Pacific Northwest is how easy it is to spend time outside. There are parks, lakes, rivers, mountains, the Salish...
Behind the Breed: Samoyeds
These white, fluffy dogs are known for their friendly, goofy nature. Bred initially for pulling sleds and other tasks, Samoyeds thrive in colder climates and often love snow. In fact, their history as sled dogs is why they're one of the oldest domestic dog breeds...
Stop Pipeline 3 in Minnesota and Alberta
President Biden had a busy first day at the White House back in January and one of his first executive orders was to stop the construction of the Keystone XL pipeline. While this is good news for the environment, this isn't the only pipeline that some are trying to...
![Women to Know on International Women’s Day [Update].](https://i0.wp.com/animalsofpnw.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/international-women-days.jpg?resize=400%2C250&ssl=1)
Women to Know on International Women’s Day [Update].
Today is International Women’s Day, a day in which to celebrate women all around the world while also focusing on the many issues that women face on a regular basis. There have been so many women who have studied, worked with, and helped animals and the environment...
Behind the Breed: Rottweilers.
There are a few breeds that look or are considered dangerous. The title of 'most dangerous breed' has changed over the years but for some, rottweilers are a scary breed. Like with any breed, a dog's temperament is often dependent on genetics and life experience; plus,...
World Wildlife Day
Today is World Wildlife Day and this year's theme is "Forests and Livelihoods: Sustaining People and Planet". Started by the United Nations General Assembly in December 2013, today is a day to celebrate and raise awareness of the wildlife here on earth. There are so...
Getting Pet Stains and Odor Out!
There's nothing that gets me out of bed faster than a cat or dog vomiting. Cleaning up vomit (or even stool!) at 3am while half asleep is not what I call a good time but neither is waking up in the morning and accidentally stepping in something cold and very gross....
Today is International Polar Bear Day!
Started by Polar Bears International, today is an annual event that's celebrated to raise awareness about polar bear conservation. Climate change has made life for these iconic animals incredibly difficult and they've become the face of the negative consequences of...
Foxes of the Pacific Northwest
The Pacific Northwest is home to many mammals, including a couple fox species! There are 12 different extant fox species found all around the world but the red fox, arctic fox, gray fox, and kit fox call parts of the northwest home. There is even a small population of...
The Climate Crisis and the Green New Deal.
Climate change isn't just about living during the hottest years on record and through numerous wildfires, rising ocean levels, and melting glaciers. It's also about severe winter weather as well. Texas was recently hit with uncharacteristically freezing temperatures...
Adopting and Interacting with Wildlife.
The Pacific Northwest is home to a wide array of wild animals and there are plenty of organizations dedicated to helping them. Interacting with wildlife can be a tricky endeavor in the wild; selfies with wildlife have caused injuries and even death on a few occasions,...
Behind the Breed: Boxers
Boxers are a popular breed and for good reason, these dogs are goofy, bright, and energetic. Despite their square jaw and muscular statue, boxers are great family dogs and wonderful around children. They're medium in size and have short coats. If you're looking for a...
Docked Tails: Why Removing Your Dog’s Tail isn’t Necessary.
There are plenty of dog breed standards that include a docked tail as a necessary requirement, including the German Wirehaired Pointer and Australian Shepherd. The American Kennel Club is an iconic organization that's been around for more than 135 years and recognizes...
Sled Dogs.
Our relationship with dogs has existed and evolved over tens of thousands of years and different breeds were developed for different jobs. Chihuahuas in Mexico were bed warmers and watchdogs; Golden and Labrador Retrievers were hunting companions; Great Pyrenees dogs...
Protect the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
In the far north of Alaska, there is a vast, remote refuge that stretches nearly 20 million acres. The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is roughly the size of South Carolina and encompasses a range of ecosystems. It's also home to many animals, including all three...
Happy Holidays and Happy (Early) New Year.
Winter is officially upon us and the shortest days of the year are still to come. Whether you celebrate Hanukkah, Christmas, Yule, Kwanzaa, or any other holiday, I hope you have (or had) a peaceful, loving, and socially distanced celebration and a happy new year. This...
Behind the Breed: Dachshunds
These small and spunky dogs were originally scent hound dogs that hunted animals like badgers and foxes but nowadays, they're great family dogs! Dachshunds are short but long dogs with friendly temperaments and high prey drives/wandering potential. They're...
Behind the Breed: Scottish Deerhound
At this year's National Dog Show, the winner was Claire, a lovely Scottish Deerhound. Up until her win, I personally had no idea that Scottish Deerhound was a breed! This large, regal breed is similar to the Irish Wolfhound in...
Coyotes in the Pacific Northwest.
There are so many wild animals in the Pacific Northwest, in part because we have so many types of ecosystems. Mountains, lakes, rivers, deserts, the Salish Sea, and the Pacific Ocean are all home to many animals. One such species living here is the coyote, a distant...
Behind the Breed: English Bulldogs
These kind and dignified dogs are short in stature but still well-muscled and strong! English Bulldogs are rather iconic dogs and would make a great companion for many, unless you're looking for a running partner! With their relatively flat faces, Bulldogs are prone...
Giving Tuesday 2020
2020 has been a wild and chaotic year, to say the least. The year started with massive wildfires in Australia, the middle was caught up in the fight for racial justice, and it seems like we'll end the year in a global pandemic that's killed 270,000 people in the...
Behind the Breed: Irish Setters.
Learn more about Irish Setters, a wonderful breed with a brilliant red coat.
Talking with Your Dog or Cat.
Bunny, a young sheepadoodle dog, has gained popularity on TikTok for her ability to talk with her owner. No, she hasn't gained the ability to actually say words; instead, she uses buttons that say words! These buttons are augmentative and alternative communication...
Distance Learning Resources.
Covid-19 has drastically changed life as we know it and school is just one aspect that has shifted. Many school districts around the northwest and the country have gone online for the foreseeable future. If your kid is learning online, it can be stressful and...
Behind the Breed: Vizslas
These energetic red dogs are moderately popular in the United States and for good reason! As energetic and affectionate dogs, Vizslas are great family dogs and would make great running partners. Vizslas aren't for those looking for a couch potato in a dog, as they're...