The news and first-hand accounts coming out of Ukraine are heartbreaking, frustrating, gut-wrenching, and so much more. According to the United Nations Refugee Agency, roughly 2.7 million Ukrainian refugees have fled to neighboring countries and the European Union is...
Pomeranians are small, affectionate dogs with foxy faces and gorgeous double coats. These dogs may be tiny in stature but are large in personality and have long been a favorite of royals and commoners alike. Poms are particularly great for novice owners and do great...
As the continent’s largest mammal, bison are majestic, incredible animals that have long called North America home and were declared the national mammal for the United States in 2016. But after European colonization of the Americas, the population of these animals...
Dating back thousands of years, the Native American Indian Dog has a wild appearance and patient temperament. The exact origins are unknown and highly debated, including whether or not the breed today is actually a recreation of an extinct breed. Native American...
After months of short days and long nights, spring finally feels like it's right around the corner! The astrological start to the season doesn't happen until March 20th/21st but there are still plenty of ways you and your pets can get ready for the longer days and...
Open, green spaces are an incredibly important part of urban cities and one type of these spaces is a dog park! Dog parks are great places for dogs and their owners to spend time outside, socialize, and release some pent-up energy. Relatively speaking, these parks are...
With their iconic egg-shaped head, pointed ears, and triangular eyes, these dogs have an incredibly unique look to them. While Bull Terriers may seem intimidating to some, they can actually be goofy, loyal, polite dogs and are great for active homes. They are muscular...
As an adventurous, outgoing breed, Savannah cats are not for those wanting a quiet, couch potato feline. These cats can be quite large and in charge compared to other cat breeds and would do well with people who understand their audacious spirits and agile skills....
There are many different ways to have a career working with animals. One such way? Becoming a zookeeper! Keeping wild animals in zoos has a long and controversial history (and the dehumanizing and incredibly racist trend of keeping people in zoos around the turn of...
As one of the newest breeds recognized by the American Kennel Club, the Mudi seems like a mix between a Miniature Poodle and German Shepherd, both in temperament and appearance. This breed has origins in Hungary, where most of these dogs currently live, and has worked...
Throughout history, humans have domesticated many different plant and animal species for a variety of different reasons. Cotton has been used for fabric (like clothing and rugs) and rope; wheat, lentils, rice, and potatoes are some of the first domesticated plants...
Also known as the Blue Gascony Basset, the Basset Blue de Gascogne is a small scent hound that is rarely seen outside its native France. While recognized by the United Kennel Club in the United States and by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale in Belgium, this...
While generally mild, the winter weather in the Pacific Northwest can include everything from overcast skies and 45°f, pouring rain and floods, a significant amount of snow and ice, and everything in between. Surviving the winter with animals can, unfortunately, mean...
The last two years have been difficult, to say the least. For me, this site has been a saving grace and on some days, a reason to get out of bed. That's been particularly true during the Covid pandemic. It's been an absolute joy learning and sharing about all the...
The Pacific Northwest is lucky enough to have many different types of wild animals, including several different types of wild rabbits! One of the smallest and most endangered wild rabbit populations is actually the Columbia Basin Pygmy Rabbits. These rabbits are tiny,...
Working in the animal welfare realm is a wonderful, heartbreaking, terrific, and sometimes maddening experience. You get to help, in some form or another, so many animals in so many different ways. The adoption success stories are so joyful, with families becoming a...
Winter in the Pacific Northwest can be a bit difficult to deal with at times, as this season brings longer nights, overcast days, and cold, wet weather. Flora and fauna species alike have developed adaptations and survival mechanisms to get through this time of year....
These big, tough dogs are one of the oldest breeds in the world, hailing from what is now modern-day Turkey. Anatolian Shepherds are livestock guardians, having spent thousands of years working alongside human shepherds by protecting flocks of sheep. They are...
When I was a kid, my family went on road trips all over the Pacific Northwest during spring and summer breaks. There was always one place we'd stop for lunch if we were in the area; talking with my sister and some Googling revealed this place to be The Eatery at...
English Foxhounds are a fairly rare breed nowadays, ranking near the bottom of the American Kennel Club's popular breed list (188 out of 197!). But despite that, these hounds have a long history as hunting dogs and they're medium in size, standing 23-27 inches at the...
Living in the Pacific Northwest means living with a certain amount of water, particularly rain. November through January are especially wet but average rainfalls do depend on where in the northwest you happen to be. The Great Bear Rainforest and Hoh Rainforest, for...