Pet Digest

Tobias is a tough guy and a survivor. After everything he had already been through, he somehow bounced back like nothing bad had ever happened. He was growing into quite the character—and quite the dog. By the time he was approaching his first birthday, Tobias had turned into an absolute beast of a guy, weighing in at around 70 pounds. That was a full 30 pounds heavier than we had originally expected. His personality had flourished right along with his size. Tobias was the kind of dog who ran straight to Mom and Dad whenever something wasn't right. Bump his knee? He was in your lap with those big, teary eyes. Something scared him? He wanted his people. In many ways, he wasn't just another dog in our home. He was another toddler. The Conversation About Neutering As Tobias approached his first birthday, we started having the conversation about neutering. At the time, I had already spent quite a bit of time researching the subject. My understanding was that large-breed...

Let's go back in time to when we first brought Tobias home. It was the middle of October, and we were having an unusually warm fall. I was desperate for a new baby and had been sending pictures of puppies to my husband on a regular basis. Finally, the day came. He looked at one of the pictures and said, "That one. Looks like a real dog. Call them." And just like that, the adventure began. Tobias was approximately five weeks old when we went to meet the litter. We knew we still had about three more weeks before we could bring him home, but we were excited to see him. We drove up to the house, and almost immediately, our hearts sank a little. The puppy advertised as potentially being around 40 pounds was definitely not going to be 40 pounds. Mom and Dad were huge, and the puppies we could see were already approaching 20 pounds. At this point, we were crushed. This wasn't the puppy we thought we were looking for. We started counting. One. Two. Three. Four... Where was th...

What Is Wrong With Tobias? — Meet Tobias After several months away, I’ve decided it’s finally time to start writing again. And this time, the series I’m starting hits particularly close to home. This is going to be the story of diagnosing my own boy, Tobias. The last few months have been rough for him. He has dealt with the loss of a beloved sibling, ear infections, allergic reactions, and hot spots. To say he has been struggling would be an understatement. Right now, he is spending a lot of his time living in a cone, and life is definitely not easy. So, without further ado, let me introduce you to Tobias! Meet Tobias Tobias is an 8-year-old, 70-pound Lab/Shepherd cross. I’ve always suspected there may be some Mastiff and Boxer in his family tree based on his parents and his overall appearance, but there’s no confirmation of that. At eight years old, we aren’t quite into the senior years yet, but we’re getting closer. Over the past year, Tobias has lost approximately two po...

how does sexual maturity affect ligament development? We actually see something similar in humans. The sex hormones that signal “maturity” (and I mean physical maturity, not mental) develop at different rates in males and females, and they play a huge role in how the body finishes growing. These hormones are responsible for signaling growth plate closure—basically telling the body when bones are done lengthening. They also influence collagen synthesis, which is important for the strength and elasticity of many tissues. We usually think of collagen in terms of skin, but it’s just as important in ligaments, helping them stretch and stabilize joints properly. In dogs, typical spay and neuter procedures remove the ovaries or testicles, which stops the production of these hormones. If this happens before a dog has finished developing, the body no longer receives the signals it needs to complete normal growth. A helpful way to picture this is to compare it to humans. It would be like interru...

Aural Hematomas and Head Shaking in Dogs: Causes, Risks, and Nutritional Connections If you’ve noticed your dog frequently shaking its head or observed swelling in its ear flap, you might be dealing with an aural hematoma . While alarming, this common condition is usually a symptom rather than the primary problem , often signaling underlying medical or behavioral issues. Understanding the causes, risks, and the role of nutrition — including anti-inflammatory support like turmeric and ginger — can help you manage, prevent, and treat these conditions effectively. What Is an Aural Hematoma? An aural hematoma occurs when blood accumulates between the ear cartilage and the skin. This usually results from trauma, such as excessive head shaking or scratching, which ruptures small blood vessels in the ear flap. Hematomas can vary in size and severity: Acute hematomas appear suddenly and are often painful, with swelling and warmth. Chronic hematomas may develop over time and can resu...

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 Day 19: Winter Grooming Tips for a Healthy Holiday Season Winter grooming isn’t just about looks — it’s essential for your dog’s comfort, skin health, and mobility. Between dry indoor air, snow-packed fur, and household heating systems pulling moisture from the environment, your dog's coat and skin work extra hard this time of year. Day 19 of our 25 Days of Christmas with Your Dog series focuses on keeping your dog clean, moisturized, and winter-ready. 🧼 Why Grooming Matters More in Winter Cold weather changes everything about your dog’s coat and skin. Indoor heat can cause dryness, while outdoor snow leads to matting and moisture issues. Grooming isn't just about appearance — it supports mobility, prevents infections, and helps detect health changes early. For dogs who struggle wi...

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 Day 18: Snow & Ice Safety for Dogs Winter weather can be magical — glittering snow, crisp air, and the cozy feel of bundling up for a seasonal walk. But under that beauty are hidden dangers for dogs, from road salt to ice melt, frostbite to slipping injuries. Day 18 of our 25 Days of Christmas with Your Dog countdown covers everything you need to know to keep your dog safe, warm, and confident outdoors all winter long. ❄️ Cold Weather Risks: What Dog Parents Should Know Some dogs love the snow, while others prefer to stay indoors. No matter their size or coat type, winter presents health risks: Frostbite — often affecting ears, paws, and tail tips Hypothermia — especially for small, thin-coated, or senior dogs Paw pad burns — from salt and chemical ice melt Slipping injuries — torn ...