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Man believes he was set up after 5 French bulldogs were stolen from him in west Houston

HOUSTON – A man believes he was set up after five of his French Bulldog puppies were stolen from him on Houston’s west side. Days after checking into the hotel, Nij said he was held up at gunpoint and robbed of his puppies. He thinks back to last Friday when a man came up to him with his son to inquire about buying French Bulldog puppies. If you go and look at five or six in the afternoon, they’re all walking their dogs outside,” Nij said. “What’s also bad is every night the puppies’ mother cries and wines, I’d imagine it’s because she misses her puppies,” Nij said.

These dog breeds are most favored by thieves, group says

Several dog breeds are favored by dognappers in recent months, primarily due to their “high-value” quirk and the fact that they are easier to grab and run, according to the American Kennel Company (AKC). These are the five breeds that are often stolen by thieves, according to the AKC:French BulldogFrench bulldog thefts have been on the rise the past few weeks, notably the case of Lady Gaga whose two pups were stolen in California. Chihuahua (Pixabay)BulldogThe most common reason bulldogs, especially English bulldogs get stolen frequently is due to their behavior. Bulldogs are less likely to bite compared to other breeds, making them most-liked by thieves, according to Reader’s Digest. AdBulldog (Pixabay)Siberian huskySiberian huskies are very active, but they do not make good guard dogs, bringing a security disadvantage between dog owners and thieves.

Pet packing on pounds? Here is what you can do to help regulate their weight during the pandemic

HOUSTON – If your pet has put on weight during the pandemic, you’re not alone. A recent Hills Pet Nutrition survey says our four-legged friends are putting on pandemic pounds with us, and not every pet parent wants to hear it. Dr. Andrew Novosad with Sugar Land Veterinary Specialists says the first step to better health is recognizing there’s a problem. You find yourself having to be tactful… Yes, your dog’s overweight!” Dr. Novosad said. I think if you recognize that there is a problem, you can do things to try and counteract and to help,” Dr. Novosad said.

Best family dog breeds: Houston dog trainer shares her top picks

HOUSTON – If you’re thinking of adding a new puppy to your family, it’s important to consider what dog breed best fits your lifestyle. Each dog is different, but there are general and somewhat predictable personality traits associated with specific dog breeds,” said Bennett, the puppy expert who trained our beloved Tex. According to Bennett, is important that you ask yourself a series of important questions before bringing a new dog into your family unit. Are you physically able to provide the necessary exercise for a high energy dog? Talk to professional dog trainers who will be able to discuss the challenges of particular breeds,” she recommended.

Recall on brand of pet food expanded after more than 2 dozen dogs die, FDA says

A pet food recall has expanded after the Food and Drug Administration announced that more than two dozen dogs died after eating Sportmix brand dry kibble. The list of recalled dry pet food products announced by Midwestern Pet Foods, Inc. on December 30, 2020 is:Sportmix Energy Plus, 50 lb. bag Exp 03/02/22/05/L2 Exp 03/02/22/05/L3 Exp 03/03/22/05/L2Sportmix Energy Plus, 44 lb. bagSportmix High Energy, 44 lb. bagSportmix High Energy, 50 lb.

Ask 2: Is there a limit on how many animals a dog day care can have?

As part of our Ask 2 series, the newsroom will answer your questions about all things Houston. Question: I live next door to a dog daycare in Montrose and they seem to have a lot of dogs in such a small space. Answer: Commercial pet service facilities are not restricted to an exact number of animals that they can care for. The calculation is: (length of dog in inches + 6) x (length of dog in inches + 6) = required floor space in square inches. Required floor space in inches/144 = required floor space in square feet,” according to the provisions.

Campaign pups throughout the years: These 11 photos will make you crack a smile

We found the following 11 photos from Getty Images, and we thought they were worth a share. (Getty Images)Pierre, a 5-year-old basset hound, apparently is a loyal fan of then-President Johnson -- and was happy to pose with a campaign button. (Getty Images)A dog wears a campaign sticker for Democratic presidential candidate and former Vice President Joe Biden during a campaign stop at the Buttercup diner on March 3, 2020 in Oakland, California. This photo was taken in front of the White House as the pups wore campaign buttons for Lyndon B. Johnson for President. (Getty Images)In Honolulu, Hawaiian women are seen casting their votes during a presidential election -- and even a dog doesn't dare peek.

Meet Houston’s only certified grief therapy dogs, Axl and Izzy

The advertiser paid a fee to promote this sponsored article and may have influenced or authored the content. The views expressed in this article are those of the advertiser and do not necessarily reflect those of this site or affiliated companies. HOUSTON – The Carter-Conley Funeral Home is a family owned and operated funeral home in Houston that was established in 1992. What really sets them apart from other facilities are their two certified therapy dogs, Axl and Izzy. The Carter-Conley Funeral Home is Houston’s only funeral home to have these loving grief therapy dogs on staff, that families who come in can turn to in a time of need.

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What are grief therapy dogs? Meet Axl and Izzy, who work full-time at this Houston funeral home

Axl, also known as “Grief Therapy Dood” and Izzy, “Grief Therapy Doodette,” are certified therapy dogs and work full-time as a grief therapy dogs at Carter-Conley Funeral Home in Houston. Although there are several others in Texas and throughout the country, Axl and Izzy are the only certified therapy dogs assisting full-time at a funeral home in Houston, according to Carter-Conley Funeral Home. Axl later received his certification as a therapy dog and continues to comfort families at Carter-Conley Funeral home at a time when they need it most. Once the Conleys felt confident that she could meet all of the requirements of the therapy dog certification, Izzy went through the testing process. Following in big brother Axl’s paw-prints, Izzy became a certified therapy dog.

‘The best boy’: This dog’s obituary will remind you why they truly are man’s best friend

His pet parent, Sallie Hammett, decided to write her dog an obituary that has tugged on the internet’s heartstrings since she shared it on Twitter. pic.twitter.com/FKmqeivtq9 — Sallie Hammett (@SallieGHammett) September 22, 2020“Charlie’s favorite activities were walking, stick collecting, swimming, smiling, and snoozing,” Hammett wrote. “He relaxed in the Charlie-sized holes he dug himself, and dove straight into the oncoming waves,” Hammett wrote. “We will think of him every time we open the peanut butter,” Hammett wrote. “In leiu of flowers, the family asks that you give all your pups some extra love in honor of Charlie.”Good boy, Charlie.

WATCH: Stranded dog rescued from bridge above Mississippi River

While working over the Missippi River, a bridge inspector for the bridge-design company Stantec noticed a dog stranded beneath the deck, 120 feet above the river. According to Fox 10, Ryan Natalu, the lead climber and rescue technician at the scene quickly called the police for assistance and climbed down to save the dog. Natalu assessed the dog for injuries before assembling a makeshift harness out of rope and lifted the dog to safety. It is unknown how the dog ended up on the bridge deck. APT reported the dog was taken into care by local police.

One Good Thing: Bonded dogs reunite after getting separated during Hurricane Laura

The best buddies from Louisiana were seperated when they were rescued after Hurricane Laura. Now, they’re finally back together. Whisper, a hearing-impaired Shepard mix, was one of several dogs and cats brought to the Houston SPCA after Laura. When a team from the SPCA looked at the pooch’s paperwork, they saw she was already bonded to another dog named Sassy. Unfortunately, Sassy had been taken to a rescue in Fort Worth, so the Houston SPCA got to work to reunite the pair.

How to prepare your dog for when you return to work

HOUSTON – With more business opening across Texas, a major concern for dog parents is heading back to work and leaving their pups home alone again. “It’s really important to start leaving for small increments of time, even if it’s just for 15 minutes. “Don’t let your dog be velcro dog, meaning following you every single place that you go, whether it means, I’m going to go check the mail. But you do need to seek help from professionals to help you and to help your dog. If your looking for help to train your dog, Believe in Dog Training has a canine training and enrichment center in the Heights.

Hurricane preparedness for dogs: Houston puppy trainer shares 5 safety tips | HOUSTON LIFE | KPRC 2

Hurricane preparedness for dogs: Houston puppy trainer shares 5 safety tips | HOUSTON LIFE | KPRC 2Published: July 23, 2020, 2:32 pmYou're probably aware by now that there's a tropical depression in the Gulf of Mexico that's headed straight for Texas. It's a great reminder to prepare ourselves and our dogs for hurricane season. The puppy expert, Stephanie Bennett, owner of Believe in Dog Training, shared 5 things you can do now to keep your dogs safe in case of emergency.

What are the most popular dog breeds in Houston? This new study by Rover ranks them.

HOUSTON – Houston loves their dogs, but have you wondered which breed tops all? Currently, Mixed breed dogs, Labrador Retrievers and Chihuahuas round up the top three in the nation. Miniature SchnauzerWith many high-rises and apartment buildings in the Houston area, it’s no surprise that the Miniature Schnauzer is the perfect dog for apartment life. Miniature Schnauzer (Free-Photos)2. If you are looking for a dog that’s easy to show tricks, Poms are just perfect for it.

Humans can infect their pets with coronavirus, FDA says

The Food and Drug Administration posted a video Friday that says pets likely cant spread the coronavirus, but they can get it from people. Limited information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates while humans can infect their pets, the transmission risk seems to be low. The FDA suggests following these tips when caring for a pet during the pandemic:Make sure pets are leashed when outside and practice social distancing when walking. If you are unable to find pet care, you should wear a face covering when around your pet. To learn more and to find other FAQs about coronavirus and pets, click here.

Overweight chihuahua abandoned along highway gets new chance at life

A disabled dog is on the mend after he was found locked inside a crate off the side of a New Jersey highway. A middle-aged Chihuahua, who has since been named Stanley, was found on the side of Route 80 by animal control on April 29, said Megan Brinster, executive director of Ramapo-Bergen Animal Refuge. Stanley was with animal control for about a week before the animal refuge was able to take him in. When he was found, Stanley was locked inside a crate and was "frozen in fear," according to a post from the refuge's Facebook page. While he loves being close to people, he is also liking his own space and adapting to his new life.

This adorable ‘unicorn’ pup has become a star on Instagram and TikTok

Shortly after her birth, she was critically injured and had to be taken to the Family Friends Veterinary Hospital in Grand Rapids, Michigan. "I lost my precious golden retriever Loki to lymphoma last year at 4 years old, so I had a heart for golden retrievers to begin with," Vorhees told CNN. I said if a golden retriever ever comes in, I'm going to want to take care of it and raise it. Samantha Smith, a veterinary technician at Family Friends Veterinary Hospital, posted a video of Rae on the social media platform TikTok, which made her a star on social media. Rae gets a lot of weird stares, with people asking what type of breed she is, not realizing that she's a golden retriever.

Believe In DOG Training’s Puppy Day School is a class your pup will love

Programs like Stephanie Bennett’s Believe In DOG Training Puppy Day school create a safe place for puppies to socialize, and have lots of fun! Puppy Day School is not a doggie daycare, but rather a very structured environment with a custom curriculum developed for each pup. They allow a max of 15 puppies per day, which keeps a very small ratio of 5 puppies per trainer. During the day, puppies are on a schedule that rotates between training, group play, enrichment activities, potty breaks, and rest. Check out Tex and Courtney Zavala’s dog Oscar below, they love it!

Dogs graduate from prison after training with inmates for 12 weeks

More than a dozen dogs graduated Wednesday from the Pups, Prisoners and Patriots Program at Lovelock State Prison in Nevada. The program aims to help inmates regain a sense of trust and responsibility, while also helping veterans and first responders after the dogs graduate. Two inmates share one dog every 12 weeks and prepare them for graduation. The dogs stay in the cell and the inmates train them every day. During the 12-week programs, the dogs get trained to help their soon-to-be owners with everyday tasks.

Allergic to dogs? It may only be the males

"Up to 30% of people who are allergic to dogs are actually allergic to one specific protein that's made in the prostate of a dog," said Dr. Lakiea Wright, an allergist at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston. "If you're allergic to only that specific protein in the male dog, you may be able to tolerate a female or a neutered dog," Wright said. Spoiler: Because all dogs make one or more types of proteins, there truly is no such thing as a "hypoallergenic" dog, Wright said. "But then we're also looking at specific proteins, the parts that make up the whole, to refine that diagnoses." How do you know if you’re only allergic to male dogs?

Unique sonogram picture shows rescued pitbull’s 10 puppies; how you can adopt?

(CNN) – The rescue of a very pregnant pitbull leads to an incredible sonogram picture. Her sonogram shows little jagged white lines, that are tiny spinal cords for all of Bonnie’s puppies. The very pregnant mamma was resting comfortably in her foster home at Blackdog All-Breed Dog Rescue. Bonnie’s foster mom and friends in the northwest suburbs will help care for her pups until they’re old enough to be adopted. If you’d like to help, Blackdog All-Breed Dog Rescue is accepting donations on their Facebook page.

Emergency surgery saves dog’s life after it eats fork, Cleveland family says

CLEVELAND, Texas – A dog that ingested a metal fork is expected to survive after emergency surgery, according to the dog’s owners. She says she knew she had a problem immediately, but she could not find a clinic that was cheap enough. Finally, she said she came across the Big Thicket Veterinary Clinic, outside of Cleveland, Texas. We have a fund that could help here.”The veterinarian performed emergency surgery and extracted the fork. To help further defray the cost of Chemo’s treatment, donations can be sent to the Big Thicket Veterinary Clinic.