Posts by Wendy Welch

What’s gotten into my pup?

What’s gotten into my pup?

January 20, 2023 | Comments Off on What’s gotten into my pup?

Many dog owners are familiar with the “puppy witching hour” – that period of time in the evening where your dog suddenly seems to have an excess of energy to burn off.  This is very normal, as dogs are crepuscular, meaning that they are most active around dawn and dusk and have extended periods of rest during the day and night.  Since both boredom and sleep deprivation can result in problematic behavior, here are a couple tips for using what we know about dog sleep patterns to help keep harmony in the home: Have a plan to give your dog
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Adoptable Dogs Waiting Twice as Long for Homes

Adoptable Dogs Waiting Twice as Long for Homes

December 6, 2022 | Comments Off on Adoptable Dogs Waiting Twice as Long for Homes

Ann Arbor, MI (December 6, 2022) — Across the state, animal shelters and rescues, including Ann Arbor’s Humane Society of Huron Valley (HSHV) are battling a capacity crisis of historic levels. More kittens have come in to HSHV this year than in the past 15 years, and dogs are waiting twice as long for adopters. Dogs in Grand Rapids’ Kent County Animal Shelter are waiting an average of 30 days longer for adoption. Royal Oak’s animal shelter reports having hit 200% capacity for dogs this year. “Current economic conditions and people going back to work are likely causing the slowdown
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Local Youth Win Humane Youth Awards 

Local Youth Win Humane Youth Awards 

October 17, 2022 | Comments Off on Local Youth Win Humane Youth Awards 

The Humane Society of Huron Valley (HSHV) received the most nominations ever, in this the fifth year of the Humane Youth Awards. The winner? Zoe Zhang, with runners up Maddie Miller and Cara Gilbert. All three are from Ann Arbor.
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Your dog: “Will work for food.”

Your dog: “Will work for food.”

October 3, 2022 | Comments Off on Your dog: “Will work for food.”

Did you know that dogs (and, it appears, all animals) are “contra-freeloaders”? This curious phenomenon means that given the option, they would choose to perform a behavior to acquire food even if that same food were freely available.
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From trash to treasure

From trash to treasure

September 12, 2022 | Comments Off on From trash to treasure

A cat was desperately trying to open a plastic bag on the sidewalk. A caring passerby stopped to look; someone had thrown her five kittens in there and tied it up. Fortunately, the Good Samaritan brought them to us, and now Mama and her family are treasured!
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What hackles mean

What hackles mean

September 9, 2022 | Comments Off on What hackles mean

While we're often told if a dog's hackles are up (their fur along their shoulders and spine), it's not good... it's actually just a state of heightened arousal!
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