Mindy Norton

The 2020 Hero Dog Awards, celebrating its Tenth Anniversary, is seeking to find and recognize dogs who help people in many important ways. Dogs are nominated in one of seven categories: Service Dogs, Law Enforcement/Arson Dogs, Therapy Dogs, Military Dogs, Search and Rescue Dogs, Guide/Hearing Dogs, and Shelter Dogs.

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The Service Dog category includes animals that assist people with disabilities other than sight and hearing. Most have received special training.

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Law Enforcement dogs include what we often think of as police dogs, animals specially trained to patrol, search buildings, track criminals, and to detect drugs, narcotics and explosive devices.  Arson dogs are animals trained to sniff out accelerants that may have been used to start a fire. 

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Groups like the Animal Rescue Corps step in to help  through direct action in situations where animals are suffering or in danger.  Coordinating with local and regional animal shelters and animal welfare agencies, they can make a real, life-saving difference to protect animals.

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Humane Society of the United States defines "dog chaining" as the practice in which a dog owner tethers a dog outdoors to a stationary object for extended periods of time.  That practice poses a serious threat to the animal's physicial and psychological well-being.

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Summer heat can be uncomfortable, especially for your dog.  Most dogs enjoy being outdoors, but they can overheat or burn their paws before you know they are suffering.  Burned paws can blister and be very painful for your best friend.  It's up to you to make sure your furry buddy stays safe in the summer heat.

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Guiness World Records doesn't qualify dogs by breed, so they list August (or "Augie") as the 19th oldest dog in the world. But - of the first 18 oldest dogs, none were Golden Retrievers.  So that makes Augie a record-breaker as the oldest Golden Retriever  on record!

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Keeping your pet safe during July 4th celebration might mean confining it indoors, keeping it calm when the fireworks begin - and making sure it always has some form of ID, such as a microchip, or tags on the collar,  so your best friend can find its way home.

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Cats have been associating with people for thousands of years.  Cats were even official employees of the Postal Service in Great Britian in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries.  Their job?  Mouse control.  Probably the most famous was Tibs the Great, a 23-pound cat that served for more than 14 years; when he died, he was honored with an obituary in the Royal Mail's in-house magazine.

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When I was a child, I had a stuffed toy dog I named "Fluffy" because he was soft and - well - fluffy.  I could hug him and feel comforted.   So I don't have any problem believing an animatronic cat might stimulate the memory and imagination of a dementia patient.

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Joey the Cat is happy, and playful, and likes being around his human family.  And unlike his canine brother, Joey made sure everyone stayed safe when a fire broke out in the middle of the night!  (And yes, he did get extra treats!)

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Some dogs don't mind the rain, while others seem to really dislike going outside in wet weather.  But almost all dogs like to play.  Positive interaction between dog and human is good for everyone involved, and can reinforce the relationship between the two - even indoors when the weather is bad!

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In June, 2011, MWD Bronco was on patrol with his handler,  Staff St. John Mariana, in Afghanistan when they encountered an enemy combatant.  Bronco was shot in his muzzle.  He and Mariana were medically evacuated and Bronco underwent life-saving surgery.  It was a career-ending injury, but Bronco was adopted by his handler, who credits the dog with saving his life - just one of many examples of military canine heroism!

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Jeff Lyons describes Betty the Weather Cat as a mix of Maine Coon cat and Norwegian Forest cat.  Fans think this "working" cat should be compensated for her contribution to Jeff's weather report, so he shared a video of Betty enjoying a can of tuna.  At a time when people are concerned about the future, Betty is on air to make us all smile!

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Being kind to animals is something that we (hopefully) learn from our parents, especially our mothers.  Spaying or neutering your pet ensures your furry buddy won't contribute to the pet overpopulation problem.  So to all the female dogs and cats, here's wishing you a Happy Un-Mother's Day!

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Helping your pet keep its social distance from other animals (and people) may not be as difficult as you might think.  For example, it is possible to teach your cat to walk on a leash.  You need a lightweight leash and a cat harness (not a collar) - and patience!

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A tiger is definitely not a house pet, but it shares many traits with its small domestic cousin, the house cat.  Unfortunately one thing they share is susceptibility to COVID-19.  But while they might catch it from humans, there is no evidence that a human can catch it from an infected cat.  

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Your pet probably enjoys having you around more these days, but there may be times when boredom sets in.  And a bored pet can get into trouble.  Take time to play with your best friend.  It will be good for both of you, and help to strengthen the bond between you!

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When Cadbury invited pet owners to nominate their best friends as the next Cadbury bunny, and let America vote online for their favorite, there wasn't even a rabbit in the top ten!  The winner, a dog, has no back legs so he uses a special wheelchair or he "bunny-hops".  That may be his secret advantage - along with his great attitude and personality!  Congratulations, Lieutenant Dan!

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Ronald Reagan said, "We can't help everyone, but everyone can help someone."  This is a time when each of us may have an opportunity to be kind to another person, to an animal, and maybe to organizations that help people or animals.  How can you show a spirit of kindness today?

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The mental health benefits of having a dog or cat include help with depression, stress, anxiety - not to mention the companionship they provide to ease our loneliness.  Sounds like just the right prescription for a time such as this!

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A pet is naturally curious, and explores the world with its nose and sometimes its mouth.  Poison-proofing helps to keep your best friend safe and healthy.  Store medications securely, use only non-toxic houseplants, and choose cleaners and chemicals for use around the house that won't harm your furry buddy.

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In addition to preparing for your pet's care if you and your furry buddy are quarrantined together, also consider what might happen if you just can't get home.  Let your neighbors know your pet might need some care, or have a trusted friend who will make sure your four-footed companion is taken care of.  

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You may have heard that dogs and cats commonly have coronaviruses, and you are wondering if it's safe to keep your family pet.  The answer is that your dog or cat poses no risk to you, or your family or your friends.  However, it is more important than ever to keep your pet healthy!

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One amazing thing about a cat's ability to jump or "leap" is that the animal can twist its body around, even upside down, and then manage to land on its feet - with precision!  I had one cat that jumped to the top of an open door, landing with all four paws lined up in a row to stand at that great height and survey the room - remarkable!

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Many of those who have led our country from the highest office through good times and also difficult ones have had great support from some furry sources.  Presidential pets have often been in the news, but it all began with our very first president!

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Just a dog?  Well, this one is the reigning queen of the canine world as she just walked off with Best in Show, the top prize at the 2020 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.  Her highly stylized coat - which her handler says takes six hours of grooming - has been compared to a topiary, but at three years old this Standard Poodle reigns supreme!

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In 1877, a group of sporting men in New York decided they should hold a dog show in Manhattan.  They named their group after their favorite bar, the Westminster.  When the club staged its first dog show, the light bulb had not yet been invented, or the automobile.  In fact, Westminster Kennel Club is even older than the American Kennel Club!

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Even on Super Bowl Sunday, pet safety should still be a priority, but your four-legged friend may want to be part of the festivities.  The ASPCA suggests that you can put pet snacks in a special bowl so your guests have a good treat to give your furry buddy.  That way, everybody gets to be part of the fun!

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A two-year-old Pit Bull mix was rescued from an animal shelter and trained to be a detection dog.   After becoming an officer in the New Haven, Missouri Police Department, he did some public service work like visiting schools, senior centers and community events.  Then, just seven months after joining the force, he showed his real worth as a police officer when he made a big drug bust.  Way to go, K9 Jet!

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Cold weather poses at least as many risks to our furry friends as hot weather does.  For example, you wouldn't leave your pet alone in a car in the summer heat, but in the winter that car can become a refrigerator.  It's not a safe place for any animal, especially your pet.

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The Koala population has been so devastated already by the Australian Wildfires that the marsupial may end up on the endangered species list - a tragic thing to happen to such an iconic animal!

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