Category: cats

Category Added in a WPeMatico Campaign

Posted on

First Therapy Dog To Work At A Police Station In Iowa Passes Away At 13

The state of Iowa’s first ever therapy dog to work at a police station has crossed the rainbow bridge on Monday, December 02, the Iowa State University Police (ISUPD) shares in an Instagram post.

The therapy dog, a Golden Retriever named Zosia, was originally born in Poland but lived in Iron Hill Retrievers in Delmar, IA for the first five years of her life.

Her career as a therapy dog began in October 2017 after going through rigorous training.

“Zosia began volunteering at multiple organizations in Story County and warmed the hearts of many,” ISUPD shared.

And it was on March of 2019 when she finally became the first therapy dog to work at a police station in the state of Iowa.

She worked with ISUPD for over five years before retiring in May of this year.

In ISUPD’s heartfelt message to Zosia, they revealed how the pooch touched the lives of thousands of community members and how “her kind and caring soul helped so many.”

“The majority of her time was spent comforting individuals working through mental health related concerns,” the Police Department shares.

“She responded to crisis calls, visited classrooms and residence halls, helped with mental health trainings, greeted incoming students at orientation, and supported individuals who came to talk about the difficult things they were experiencing.”

“She loved on people so well,” ISUPD Mental Health Advocate Supervisor and Zosia’s owner, Kinsey Hauser told the Iowa State Daily. “It didn’t matter who you are, what you’d gone through, she didn’t care. She loved everyone the same.”

Aside from being a therapy dog, ISUPD also shares how Zosia was the “best mom”.

“She had a few litters of puppies and multiple were donated to service dog organizations,” ISUPD reveals.

Zosia is reportedly survived by Hauser and her family, her grandson Zebediah, and great granddaughters Sydni and Lena.

“Zosia will be profoundly missed, fondly remembered, and forever cherished,” ISUPD wrote.

“Her legacy lives on through her grandchildren and the work they do at the Iowa State University Police Department.”

Posted on

Surfing Dog Gets Inducted Into Surfer’s Hall Of Fame In California

Sugar the Surfing Dog makes history by becoming the first dog to be inducted into the Surfer’s Hall of Fame in Huntington Beach, California on Thursday, December 05.

NBC Bay Area reports that Sugar’s paw prints were immortalized in concrete alongside hooman surfing legends.

Before making history, the 14-year-old surfing dog had a rough start in life. As a puppy, she was abandoned on the side of the road in Oakland, California.

But Sugar was destined to for greatness in life. In 2011, while on vacation, Huntington Beach surfer Ryan Rustan found the pooch, and took her in.

During this time, Rustan was working through his drug addiction recovery, which the pooch helped him through.

You could say that they saved each other’s life and were meant to meet in that fateful day in 2011.

Rustan even credits the pooch with providing comfort and motivation during his recovery.  

“Some of the most amazing moments of my life [were] with her,” he said in an interview earlier this year.  

Today, Sugar is a 5-time World Dog Surf Champion, 5-time HB Surf City Dog Champion, Purina Pro Plan Incredible Dog Challenge title, and a Surfers’ Hall of Fame Inductee.

In an Instagram post on Sugar’s official account, Rustan wrote, “This is something I never imagined in my wildest dreams. It was so beautiful.”

“A true legend who inspired us all with her big-wave bravery and shortboard skills. Congrats, Sugar—you’ve earned your spot in surf’s highest honor,” the Surf Dog Events wrote in an Instagram post.

Aside from surfing, Sugar is also a therapy dog and does surf therapy for a lot of kids, Rustan reveals.

“It’s not just about surfing against people but also putting smiles on the little kids’ faces and the athletes that are disabled. She gets to ride with them.”

The Surfers’ Hall of Fame induction ceremony, according to its website, “pays tribute to those individuals who have made an indelible mark on the sport, industry, and culture of surfing.”

By inducting Sugar the surfing dog, they are recognizing the impact that the pooch has made on the sport, and on people’s lives.

Lisa Scolman, organizer of the Surf City Surf Dog event, tells NBC Bay Area, “I always dreamed of having a dog in the Surfers’ Hall of Fame, and no duo is more deserving than Ryan and Sugar.”

“Because of her, we started a shredder division, and dogs from around the world came to surf. Everyone wanted to compete against Sugar and Ryan.”

Posted on

Shelter Dog Who Has ‘Feud’ With His Doggy Door Receives Over 100 Adoption Application

For a lot of dogs, doggy doors are fun and gives them the freedom to go in and out of their homes whenever they want.

However, for one shelter dog at the Michigan Animal Rescue League, the doggy door is NOT fun – like AT ALL.

The shelter dog from the Michigan Animal Rescue League, named Arnold, is totally bamboozled over his doggy door – and the internet loves him for it!

Arnold is described as “goofy, affectionate, curious and bold” by content coordinator at Michigan Animal Rescue League Tommy Sanfilippo in an interview with The Dodo.

He is an English Bulldog/Pit Bull Terrier Mix and was found as a stray, so he had a rough start in life. But that doesn’t stop him from having a zest for life!

His profile reads, “Arnold is playful, friendly, and always ready for his next adventure, whether it’s a game of fetch, a long walk, or simply soaking up affection from his favorite humans.”

His profile also reveals that his warm and outgoing personality is sure to steal hearts, which he’s already proven now that the internet is in love with him!

@mi_animalrescueleague

♬ original sound – Michigan Animal Rescue League

You see, Arnold was moved to a new kennel recently, and it had a clear plastic doggy door that lets him freely move in and out anytime he wants.

However, Arnold is not like the other dogs – what other dogs see as the door of freedom, Arnolds sees as his nemesis.

 Sanfilippo said, “Arnold was pretty stumped by his doggy door.”

“We tried putting treats on the other side to entice him through, and even had a staff member squeeze through to show him that it’s okay, but he remained pretty wary of it,” he added.

In a TikTok video posted by the animal shelter, a staff member reveals, “Arnold just moved into a new kennel.”

The video then pans to Arnold, looking at the doggy door with a puzzled look, while the staff says, “He is not yet sure how to get through the dog door. He might need some pointers. Can anyone help my boy out?”

Now, Arnold is no longer afraid of the doggy door. So, to him, the next course of action was to pick a fight with the door.

In a follow up video, Arnold can be seen biting the plastic dog door with all his might and the staff saying, “you’re an interesting man, Arnold.”

While we mourn the demise of the plastic dog door as Arnold continues to antagonize it, the Internet is falling head over heels for the doggy door destroyer!

“Does Arnold know he’s a star?” one TikTok user wrote. “Way to overcome your fears, Arnold! We’re so proud of you,” another wrote.

Another user wrote, “There is a very special family out there waiting for this small man and his enthusiastic views about life.”

Sanfilippo reveals that Arnold’s “feud” with the doggy door has resulted in 120 adoption applications so far.

“Obviously he can only go to one home, but it’s cool to see interest in our shelter that could lead to some of our other animals getting adopted as well,” Sanfilippo said.

With the amount of applications for Arnold, we’re sure he’s going to meet his forever family soon, say goodbye to his shelter nemesis, and find a new enemy to fight with to fill all his doggy days!