Dogs The latest news in the world of dogs

Local groups and advocates are making life better for pitbulls and other chained dogs in Nashville. Living day after day on a chain is a punishment no creature deserves any time of year... especially dogs, who are pack animals that desire to be part of the family...

To many Americans, it may come as a surprise that declawing a cat is illegal in countries across the world, where it is recognized as animal cruelty. It may also come as a surprise that it is indeed cruel. After all, we love our pets. We love our cats. And yet, many Americans continue to subject their feline friends to a barbaric procedure simply because they don't fully understand the procedure and its implications...

Simply put, we love our dogs. We pamper them with yummy treats and belly rubs. We walk them, and toss the ball, and play chase in the yard. And that’s just the beginning! There are so many ways in which you can enrich your dog’s daily life while strengthening the bond you share and having fun to boot! Here are six of my favorite ways to offer health and happiness to your pooch pal...

Pet hair in your sofa cracks. Bones and toys scattered everywhere. That comfy but not-so-pretty dog bed in the corner. It’s no secret that living with pets can take its toll on a household, and your home can quite literally go to the dogs in a short amount of time. How many of us have looked around the house and wondered, “Where does my space come in? The one that looks like that room in Southern Living?”...

There are three core behaviors that every dog will benefit from knowing and practicing reliably. Follow these tips for creating a better bond with your pooch pal...

Meet the winners of our 2011 Readers' Choice Awards! It’s no secret that Nashville has gone to the dogs—and cats. As pet lovers, we have the best in bakeries for Bowser, pet-friendly patios, doggie daycares and mobile groomers. We’ve got amazing mutt-friendly hotels, beautiful boutiques, dedicated animal welfare groups and bountiful dog parks...

Dogs are masters at using all parts of their bodies to relay their intent. The two ends of our furry friends are the most expressive, actually: eyes and tails can tell us a lot about how Fido is feeling...

It is a rare and beautiful January afternoon in Columbia, TN. The sun is out, the air is warm and the rabbits are taking full advantage of the unseasonably pleasant weather. I have just arrived at Bunny Rescue, a charming old house in the country nestled among horse pastures and farms. As I make my way into one of several privacy fenced yards, I am greeted by Henny Penny, a quite handsome rooster who clucks and crows his way toward me to dance and puff up his chest in a grandiose display of colored feathers...

Spring is the beginning of what I like to call “crazy season” for cats. Females have spent all winter reproductively dormant. As the days grow longer and the nights become shorter, a specialized gland in the female cat’s brain recognizes that spring is coming and turns on their reproductive system. What does this mean to us as a community? That as spring approaches, every unsprayed female feline comes into heat, like clockwork, in unison...

Thinking of adopting a pooch rescued form a puppy mill? Congratulations! These dogs certainly deserve a second chance at life and will repay your kindness with years of loyal affection and love! Adopting a rescued puppy mill dog is one of the most compassionate things you can do as a pet guardian. That said, it’s also important to understand that your new pup may have very different needs from a regular dog...