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There’s really nothing better than a dog. A true friend and companion, a trickster, a playmate, and often the life of the party, what would our lives be without our four-legged friends? 

The famous humorist Will Rogers once said, “If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went.” Dogs live to love us, so here’s a few ways to return that love and show your best friend how much they mean to you.

Hanging Out with Your Buddy – Every day you have your routine, and it undoubtedly includes time spent away from home – at work, running errands or just living your life. But don’t forget that you have a buddy at home whose whole life revolves around you. Of course you can’t be with your dog all day, but it’s important to make time to hang out with your dog every day.

• Walks and Runs: Every dog breed needs daily exercise, but do a little research on your pooch and make sure he is getting enough physical fitness every day. You’re not only assuring your dog’s health, but you’re showing him that he’s important enough to show off. And remember that it’s his time to enjoy the outdoors, so be patient when he stops to smell the flowers

• Dog-friendly Outings : Pet-friendly activities are popping up all over, so take a little time to research dog-friendly spots in your neighborhood and town. Many outdoor restaurants and more shops than ever are not only allowing you, but inviting you to bring your dog along for the fun. 

• At Home: Long day at work or just feeling like keeping it local? Don’t forget that even if you’ve had a busy day, your dog has been busy waiting for you to come home, so don’t forget to give him some attention. Throw a favorite toy (back and forth a few thousand times), play a game of hide and seek, or set up a doggy treat hunt in your home.

Taking Care – You watch what you eat, have good hygiene and have regular checkups with your doctor, so why wouldn’t you want the same for your dog? One of the best ways to love your dog? Making responsible choices when it comes to their everyday health

• Food : Your dog’s diet can determine not only the longevity of his life, but also the quality. Dog’s don’t judge their food in calories or health benefits, so it’s up to you to make good choices with what to put in his bowl. Read the bag, check the ingredients, do your homework, because don’t you want to have your best friend around as long as you can? You want a food that has real meat, fruits and vegetables, not fillers, and the artificial flavors or colors have to go. Choose a diet suitable for your dog’s breed and stage of life; 

• Grooming : Can you imagine what your hair would look like if you didn’t brush it for months and you only got a haircut every couple of years? Or what if you never trimmed your fingernails or brushed your teeth? If you wouldn’t neglect your own hygiene, why would you neglect your dogs? Not only does poor grooming cause your pet discomfort, but some factors, like not regular teeth-brushing, can pose serious risks to his health.

• Vet Care – Regular veterinary care for your dog is part of being a responsible owner, and this includes two exams a year at the minimum. Stay up to date on vaccinations (most importantly for distemper, parvovirus, hepatitis and rabies) and visit the vet if your buddy is injured or shows lingering signs of sickness.

The Special Treatment – Hopefully you have lots of opportunities to show your dog a special reward; he didn’t chase the mailman at lunch, or you left your brand new shoes out all night and not a chew mark to be seen, or maybe it’s your dog’s birthday. Whatever the reason for celebration, here are some ways to give your buddy the special treatment

• Dog Massage – Sure, that can sound a little strange at first, but dogs, especially dogs with more than a few years under their collars, can reap the benefits of a good massage. Massage can be calming in times of anxiety, relieve joint stiffness in arthritic dogs, or even provide a warm-up for athletic dogs before play. 

• Treats – Treats are often the go-to choice for rewarding your dog, but if you truly love your pooch, you will only give treats with the right ingredients and offer these kind of tasty rewards in moderation. 

There’s a saying that goes, “Dogs may not be our whole lives, but they do make our lives whole.” Dogs spend their waking moments vying for our attention and hoping to show us how much we are loved. Take time for your dog today and show him just how lucky you feel to have him in your life. Make your pet be happy, healthy and well.

With so many different personality types among them, it can be difficult to read your cat’s mood and overall wellness; however, studies have shown that happy, healthy cats (regardless of personality) all exhibit similar physical and vocal cues to indicate that they are happy and healthy.

1. Good Grooming

A happy healthy cat will keep himself well-groomed. Not only that, but he might also feel inclined to groom other pets or even you. Some pet owners call licks from their cat “kisses”. They’re not wrong as your cat’s attempt to groom you is a show of trust in your bond.

2. Lifted or Twitchy Tail

You can tell a lot about your cat by her tail. When a cat holds her tail high in the air, it’s a show of confidence, and when she twitches the tip of her tail, it means she’s happy with whoever is around her.

3. Gets Comfortable

When cats are on the defense, they arch their backs, and their ears flatten. Happy cats will indicate they are such by being relaxes in their movements and sleeping positions. They will tuck their paws under when watching the world go by, for example.

4. Dilated Eyes

While your cat’s eyes won’t be dilated 24/7, a sign of happiness is a sudden dilation of the eyes—most people think it means their cat is about to go wild, but it’s not.

5. Forward-Facing Ears

When cats are upset, they will fold their ears back against their heads. Happy cats’ ears are forward-facing as if to say they’re interested in what you have to say.

6. Hearty Appetite

Healthy cats enjoy eating and will show enthusiasm at meal times by rubbing against your legs and guiding you to where food is typically served.

7. Playful Patterns

As cats age, their playing habits might change, but a sign of a happy cat is a playful spirit. Whether it is chasing a toy or just jumping and running around, happy cats are playful pets.

8. Good Sleeper

Cats can nap anytime, anywhere and for any length of time—that’s surely why they call them “cat naps”; however, a happy cat will want to sleep with someone…on your lap, with a fellow pet, in your bed, etc. What is more, a happy cat will sleep but not in excess as that is a sign of an unhappy cat.

9. Likes to Chat

Happy cats can be chatterboxes. Their high-pitched “talks” are signs that they are happy, happy, happy.

10. Purrs Like a Motor

Happy cats purr when they are feeling content. Often, this happens while they are getting a back scratch, but sometimes, a happy cat will purr just because. 

If this describes your cat, then rest assured, he is one happy, healthy kitty!

It doesn't take much to make your dog happy. Simply walking into the room is often enough for your sweet buddy to get excited. But there's happy, and there's absolutely, fur-standing-on-end, circle-spinning elated. And that's when you know you've gone above and beyond to really make your dog's day. Any of these sound familiar?

1. Your dog conks out early because she's had such a happy day.

If you and your dog have had an exciting day full of jogs, games of fetch and other fun activities, your dog may be so happy and satisfied that she doesn't have any energy left. Instead of pacing around the house like normal, she may be passed out on the bed — or couch or the middle of the kitchen floor — snoring contentedly.

2. He follows you from room to room, waiting with bated breath to see what you do next.

When you've really made your dog's day, he'll be happily anticipating the next fun thing you'll do. And then he'll follow you everywhere so he doesn't miss out!

3. Everything you do is exciting, even going to the bathroom.

When you've made your dog's day, everything else you do next also makes your dog's day. You could go to the bathroom or get a glass of water and your dog will dance with joy.

4. Your dog tries extra hard to obey the rules.

"Tulo showing off his sit!" by Mariposa Veterinary Wellness Center in Lenexa, KS via Flickr. License info.

Dogs can be mischievous. But when your pup's feeling particularly grateful, may do everything you ask without question. You might suddenly make it through a whole meal without any begging at the table.

5. He dances around in a wriggling mass of joy and excitement.

Little actions can make your dog's day, but some owners go the extra mile. Expect to be showered in joy when you do the unexpected.

6. She cuddles up — right on top of you.

"Therapy on the couch" by Monique Gidding via Flickr. License info.

Sometimes, your dog has to love you with her whole body. You may be sitting on a chair made for one person, but your 90-pound dog insists on trying to fit on there with you. Who says big girls can't be lap dogs?

7. Your dog sacrifices his favorite chew toy — to you.

"Milo and his strawberry" by Chris Gladis via Flickr. License info.

Have you ever been typing away on your computer, only to suddenly feel a furry presence nearby? There's your dog with his favorite chew toy, smashing it into the back of your hand while you're trying to work. Your dog might normally never want to relinquish his favorite toy, so giving it over to you is a sure sign of gratitude.

You can see it not just in the shape of her mouth, but in the way her eyes beam and her ears perk up when you enter a room. Even during the most mundane of activities, like when you're just sitting on the couch reading a book or talking on the phone, she's "all smiles" in your direction.

8. He ensures your lap is his and his alone.

You sit down to watch TV, but your dog's so grateful that he jumps in your lap, blocking your view — and any one else in the room from getting to you. He's there to show you that he loves you the most.

9. Your dog snuggles up close at night.

A grateful dog may cuddle as close as possible while you sleep. And in the morning, instead of jumping up early for food, she may delay eating to get a little extra snuggle time. No complaints there!

There's never a dull moment when your dog's happy!

It was an image that won the hearts of people all over the world, a picture of two widowed penguins staring into the distance together.

The image of the two penguins, who were caught on camera comforting each other at St Kilda Pier, in Melbourne, Australia, has earned the man behind it and award at Oceanographic magazine's Ocean Photograph Awards 2020

Photographer Tobias Baumgaertner won the Community Choice Award for his image, which went viral earlier this year when he shared it on Instagram.

Tobias said he took the picture in 2019 saying the penguins spent hours next to each other.

https://www.instagram.com/tobiasvisuals/&utm_source=ig_embed

Congratulations Tobias! Your moving image has touched the hearts of millions of people around the world. It's a beautiful reminder of how lucky those of us with loved ones surrounding us are.

Here's a blast from the past! These dogs were All That” and then some. 

10. Sprocket from Fraggle Rock

This Jim Henson television show with the Best. Theme Song. Ever. opened with an image of the scruffy dog gnawing on his toy in Doc's workshop. Throughout the series, he was seen trying to alert his master to the Fraggles or chasing after Gobo. Later, he befriended the underground-dwelling muppets and even got his own episode.

9. Hound Dog from Saved by the Bell

Saved By the Bell taught us many important life lessons: Caffeine pills are bad news, trying to trick girls into dating you using subliminal messages will most definitely backfire, and never, ever, ever bet your friend's dog in a poker game. Zach Morris almost got Screech in some deep doggy doo doo when he lost Hound Dog, the Basset Hound of Screech's Elvis-obsessed mother, to Maxwell Nerdstrom in a game of cards.

8. Comet from Full House

Is Comet using Michelle as a doggy head rest? How rude! Trivia alert: Buddy, the Golden Retriever who played Comet, also played the lead role in Air Bud. #mindblown

7. Beethoven

Who doesn't love Beethoven? Well, besides George Newton. The messy, poorly behaved Saint Bernand famously got mud all over the sheets and ruined a barbecue—but still won the family over in the end.

6. Fly from Babe

 Border Collie and herding-dog extraordinaire, Fly is gets second billing to Babe, but in our minds, is the real star of this flick.

5. Charlie from All Dogs Go To Heaven

Technically, this was released in 1989, but we're counting it as a 90s flick since it gained popularity after its release. After being murdered by his nemesis, named Carface, Charlie sets out to prove “you can't keep a good dog down.”

4. Spike in Rugrats

Who can forget Tommy Pickles' beloved four-legged friend, Spike? (Can't you even hear his little scratchy baby voice calling the dog's name now?) Save this fact for trivia night: He was also married to a ridiculous-looking purple-and-white Poodle, named, you guessed it, Fifi. 

3. Quark in Honey, I Shrunk the Kids

This Russell Terrier, who is completely terrified of cats (like no Russell ever), got to be a hero twice: first by stopping Wayne Szalinski from eating the next-door neighbor in his cereal and later by bringing the rest of the flea-sized kids back into the home. 

2. Hercules, a.k.a. The Beast in The Sandlot

The legend surrounding this dog made him out to be a horrifying man-eating monster. Doomed were any who dared to enter his lair (the backyard). But when a prized baseball signed by Babe Ruth lands in Beast-run territory, the boys discover his bark is bigger than his bite. Then they became best friends. Forr-evvv-errrr.

1. Porkchop in Doug

You may remember this anthropomophoric blue dog as Doug Funnie's sidekick. He walks, rides a bike and a motorcycle, and plays several instruments, including violin, drums, and guitar (but was surprisingly absent from the Killer Tofu video).