Wildlife of the Pacific Northwest
One of the reasons I wanted to start this project was to learn about the wildlife of the Pacific Northwest. We share this region with a plethora of wild animals, animals that rely on the same ecosystem we do and are significantly affected by human action and...
Behind the Breed: American Bobtail Cats.
American Bobtails are rather interesting and unique cats, as get their name from their distinctive tails that are significantly shorter than other domesticated cats. American Bobtail cats also have tufted ears and toes, a large personality, and will often weigh 8-13...
Animal Podcasts.
I'm lucky enough to spend a whole lot of time with animals of various kinds and some of this time is walking around with dogs like Milo. Because I spend a lot of my day doing chores and walking, I listen to a lot of podcasts! And there are more than a few podcasts...
Behind the Breed: Dog Breed Groups.
'Behind The Breed' is a new series here at Animals of the Pacific Northwest that looks at the histories and characteristics of different dog and cat breeds. While many rescue pets might not be purebred, knowing the general characteristics of different breeds can help...
Mountain Goats in Washington.
In the autumn of 2018, mountain goats in the Olympic Peninsula made the news for a rather unusual reason. Park officials in Olympic National Park worked with the USDA Forest Service and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife to remove mountain goats from the...
Behind the Breed: Golden Retrievers
There are countless 'National/World Days' that are celebrated each year. One such day is National Golden Retriever Day that's celebrated every February 3rd! So for this week's 'Behind the Breed', let's take a look at these goofy and wonderful dogs. Golden Retrievers...
![When Elephants Were Young [Review]](https://i0.wp.com/animalsofpnw.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/img_1542.png?resize=400%2C250&ssl=1)
When Elephants Were Young [Review]
When Elephants Were Young is a 2016 documentary about wild and captive elephants in Thailand, one family's relationship with elephants and street begging, and the efforts to reintroduce elephants to the wild. Through interviews with numerous people, the film shows the...
Behind the Breed: Tuxedo Cats.
This week's 'Behind the Breed' will actually be focused on tuxedo cats! 'Tuxedo cats' aren't actually a specific breed but rather, a type of coloring that's found in different cat breeds. Many tuxedo cats are black and white and were given the name 'tuxedo' because...
End of Life Care for Our Pets
Making that decision to say goodbye to our pets isn't an easy one; sometimes, they do pass on without intervention while there are other times when we need to help the over the rainbow bridge. Our pets and working animals, for many, are a part of the family but they...
Behind the Breed: Maine Coon Cats.
Maine Coon Cats are large, long hair cats that originated in the northeast United States. They were first recognized as a specific breed in Maine, where they are, unsurprisingly, the state cat! Maine Coons evolved to survive the harsh winters of the northeast and were...
What Happens After You Adopt?
When you adopt a rescue animal, you're honestly changing their life by providing a loving forever home. For animals that might spend most of their lives at a shelter or rescue organization, having a new home and family can make such a difference! But there are some...
Welcome to the World Lucky (L124) the Orca!
For the first time since July, a new baby orca has been spotted in the Salish Sea! The news came out last week that a new calf was spotted swimming with the Southern Resident Orcas in Puget Sound, making this little one the first successful pregnancy and birth for...
Behind the Breed: Labrador Retriever
Each week, I'll be sharing information about different cat and dog breeds! For the first 'Behind the Breed', here's some information about labrador retrievers: Labrador retrievers, according to the American Kennel Club, are the most popular dogs in the US and have...
Behind the Breed.
Behind the Breed is a new series about the history and characteristics of different breeds of cats and dogs! There's nothing wrong with a pet that's a mix or a mutt; Rooster, for example, is probably a black lab mix and has all the characteristics of a lab retriever...
Rooster’s 7th Gotcha Day!
At the beginning of 2012, Rooster came to my family's home for a home visit to see if he'd be a good fit with us. It's been seven years since then and he's been a wonderful and consistent part of our family. Even with all his anxiety and flaws, I can't imagine a life...
![Happy New Year! [And Reflections On the Last Year]](https://i0.wp.com/animalsofpnw.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/new-year.jpeg?resize=400%2C250&ssl=1)
Happy New Year! [And Reflections On the Last Year]
The new year has officially begun! I've spent the last few years ringing in the new year with a quiet celebration with Rooster; he falls asleep very early on and I often watch the celebrations/fireworks at the Space Needle in Seattle on television. It's not a...
Happy Holidays!
During this time of the year, the days are cold and rainy while the nights are long. The holidays can be stressful and overwhelming but they can also be a fantastic way to spend time with friends and loved ones. Plus, the end of the year is an excellent way to...
Puppy and Kitten Care.
Puppies and kittens are, at least in my opinion, incredibly cute and one of the best parts of life and the internet. They're tiny, curious, loving, and cute as heck! While these things are all true, it's also true that every puppy and kitten will grow and they'll also...
![The Tigers of Scotland [Film Review]](https://i0.wp.com/animalsofpnw.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/the-tigers-of-scotland.jpg?resize=400%2C250&ssl=1)
The Tigers of Scotland [Film Review]
The Tigers of Scotland is an hour-long documentary about Britain's only native but very elusive wildcat. Initially starting off as a pitch for visiting Scotland, the film eventually delves into the Scottish Wildcats (Felis silvestris silvestris), an animal that's now...
Owls of the Pacific Northwest.
Of the 19 species of owls in North America, 15 can be found in the northwest at different points in time during the year! Many owls are nocturnal (although there are a few exceptions) and hunt at night. They're some of the most skilled night hunters, as their wings...
![Pick Of The Litter [review]](https://i0.wp.com/animalsofpnw.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/pick-of-the-litter-movie-poster.jpg?resize=400%2C250&ssl=1)
Pick Of The Litter [review]
Pick Of The Litter is a recently released documentary that follows five puppies born at Guide Dogs For The Blind (GDB) as they train to become guide dogs for blind and visually impaired people. The litter of Labradors is cuter than can be but the work they might do as...
Thanksgiving.
Happy (early) Thanksgiving to all in the United States! For many around the country, tomorrow is a wonderful day filled with family, friends, food, and feeling grateful. For those who are celebrating tomorrow with pets, there are a few things to keep in mind...
California Wildfires
Over the last couple of years, California has been hit by several major wildfires. The latest wildfires have displaced hundreds of thousands of people, roughly fifty people have died in one of the fires, and there has been a bunch of property/forest damage. Some...
Traveling With Pets.
As the winter holiday season grows closer, many people are making plans to travel to see family and/or friends. Traveling can be stressful this time of year as more and more people are on the roads or traveling via planes or trains. But traveling can also be a whole...
Washington’s Proposed Temporary Ban On Whale Watching Tours.
The population of the resident Salish Sea orcas has been a big concern for many around the Pacific Northwest the last several years. These animals are an iconic and vital part of the Salish Sea but their numbers have been dwindling over the decades. Currently, only 74...
Art Projects With Animals.
Recently, I decided to get a print of Rooster's paw. As he gets older, I know we have less time with him and I just wanted an extra something to remember him by (in addition to all the photos I've taken!). So with some research and a trip to a nearby crafts store, I...
Adopting A Senior Animal.
Did you know that November is National Adopt a Senior Animal Month? Adopting rescue animals can be a wonderful, rewarding experience for everyone involved! You, as the person, gain a new fluffy family member and the animal will have a loving home. If you're looking...
Pumpkin Peanut Butter Treats.
There's only one more week until Halloween! While you make costumes or plan something fun to do that day, there's an easy treat you can make for your dog! Peanut butter pumpkin treats are tasty, autumn-themed treats and the best part is that they're soft enough for an...
Pet Halloween Costumes and Treats.
Halloween is just around the corner and so much fun can be had during this time of year! From pumpkin patches to apple picking to corn mazes and so much more, autumn in the Pacific Northwest is, in my opinion, a truly wonderful time of the year. And one of the most...
Rooster’s Bucket List [An Update]
Over the past few months, Rooster and I have been spending a whole lot of time together! As a dog with some intense anxiety, he's always been my shadow and as he's gotten older, that really hasn't changed too much. We still spend a whole lot of time together but our...
National Wildlife Refuge Week
This week [October 14-20, 2018] is National Wildlife Refuge Week! Celebrated the second week of October each year, this week is a celebration of the wildlife refuges around the country, as these spaces around the country provide a safe habitat for thousands of animal...
5 Facts About Weasels in the Northwest.
Up until last October, I had no idea that there were wild weasels in the Pacific Northwest. I don't know why but it just never occurred to me that these animals lived in the wild here but it's true! There are a couple kinds of wild weasels that call the Northwest...
Indigenous Peoples’ Day.
For decades, Columbus Day was celebrated in many parts of the United States every second Monday in October. The day was to celebrate Christopher Columbus, the man who sailed the ocean blue in 1492 and "discovered" the new world. His "discovery", however, was of a...
Fun Facts About Bats
For the longest time, I was a little freaked out by bats. There was really no reason for me to be so scared of these little flying animals and nowadays, I think they're incredibly cute! Washington is home to more than 15 different species of bats and they're a great...
Doggos, Puppers, and Borks: The Internet’s Language About Dogs
It often feels like the internet can be both a great and terrible place but one of the best parts of the internet, in my opinion, is the love for and language about dogs. Over the years, dogs have been claiming their own corner of the internet, with cute videos of...
World Elephant Day
Elephants are by far one of my favorite animals. They're these huge yet utterly graceful animals and today happens to be World Elephant Day! While these animals aren't native to the Pacific Northwest, they're still wonderful animals that face numerous threats. Climate...
Good Snacks For Your Dogs.
This post contains affiliate links that I could make a commission off of. All opinions are my own. I've shared on Instagram countless times that Milo is an exceptionally food motivated dog, which makes sense for a golden. He loves just about everything food-related...
Are Essential Oils Bad For Your Pets?
Over the past couple of years, it seems like essential oils and aromatherapy as a home remedy have been gaining popularity. Essential oils are concentrated extracts from the seeds, roots, leaves, and blossoms from different plants, while aromatherapy is the general...
Sharks of the Pacific Northwest
I'm not going to lie: sharks kind of freak me out. At the very least, seeing the hit movie Jaws as a kid gave me a deep need to keep a large distance between me and these marine animals. Even so, there are so many types of sharks that live all around the world and...
Caring For Dogs
Over the last few months, I've written about what it's like to be a dog owner and what dogs need to be a happy and healthy part of your family! Dogs are a wonderful addition to a family and can often bring so much joy and love to a home. While they do need care and...
Happy Fourth of July!
For many around the United States, tomorrow is one of celebration, food, and fireworks of all kinds! There are so many traditions around the country: parades, barbecues and picnics, eating contests, going to a fireworks show, or even setting off fireworks yourself....
Foods and Plants That Are Toxic to Dogs and Cats
For many, their dogs and cats are a part of their family. And a part of being a pet owner means sometimes dealing with a cute face staring (and drooling) at us while we eat! While there are many foods that dogs and cats are able to share with us, there are many others...
Grooming Your Dog.
For many pet owners, the animals in our life mean so much to us and it can be hard not to spoil them 24/7! While having a pet like a cat or a dog can usually mean a lot of cuddles and definitely a lot of love, these animals do need regular care to keep them happy,...
Fostering Rescue Pets.
Fostering animals can be one of the most rewarding but difficult things to do to help local rescue groups. There are many rescue groups that rely on a network on foster families rather than having a shelter. Old Dog Haven, for example, is based out of the Seattle area...
Can My Dog Say Hi?
Over the years, I've gone on walks and interacted with a whole lot of dogs and generally, it's been a whole lot of fun! Bellingham, and the Pacific Northwest in general, is such a dog friendly place and many of the dogs that I've walked love to say hi to the other...