My latest project, National Geographic’s The Secret Life of Dogs, explores how dogs evolved from wolves and become our closest animal companions. This special edition is on newsstands April to July 2023 and also available on Amazon.
I signed on to this project more than a year ago, and researched and wrote this 96-page magazine in its entirity. It’s always a pleasure and an honor to work with the editors, photographers and designers at National Geographic. They decided to release two covers (inside the magazine is identical for both). Which one do you like best?
I recently started writing for a great new website called GreatPetCare.com developed by a team of pet-industry veterans who have worked for some incredible pet brands, including petMD, PetSmart, Petco, and Chewy.com. It’s newly launched, but already becoming populated with great pet health articles that are all reviewed by veterinarians. Read more:
Anyone acquainted with my dog knows he’s the most destructive pup on the planet. He usually chews any bed I give him to pieces. This bed not only stood up to his craziness, it’s comfortable and attractive. We truly love this bed!
I had the opportunity to review this Orvis dog bed for Business Insider. Check it out here:
Cats get dementia, too. So, what are the signs of cat dementia and what do you do if your cat has it? Can you prevent dementia in cats before it happens?
Cat hunting instincts are something that kitty parents can’t ignore. So, how do you engage your cat’s urge to hunt? And why are some cats better hunters?
Free feeding cats is convenient, but is it healthy for your kitty and right for every cat? How can you schedule your cat’s meals if you work away from home?
Famous (and very cute!) felines like Grumpy Cat and Lil BUB have osteochondrodysplasia. So what exactly is it, and what health conditions does it cause?
Is your cat itching or obsessively grooming? Do you see scabs on your cat? Find out about three different types of cat dermatitis and how to handle each.
My miniature poodle Jäger, looking healthy and happy.
I have a special interest in writing about pet health. The more we know about our pets, the better we can take care of them. These are just some of the articles I’ve written about caring for your dog’s health:
Have your noticed your dog pressing his head against the wall? It might be time to visit your vet. Here’s all you need to know about head pressing in dogs.
Are female dogs in heat the same as when human women get their periods? No, not exactly. Let’s review some interesting points about the dog heat cycle.
Is that dog gas an issue or just a smelly annoyance? Are certain breeds more prone to dog gas? Can you take steps to prevent dog gas in the first place?
From glass ornaments to holiday baking, this time of year presents seasonal dangers to dogs. Here’s how to keep your home safe for dogs during the holidays.
If your dog ate a sock, here’s what happens to that sock and when you need to see the vet. Plus, not sure if your dog swallowed a sock? Here’s how to tell.
The study, published in “Science of the Total Environment,” also found that a canned dog food it included that claimed to be BPA-free was actually not.
Most of us won’t get behind the wheel of a car without buckling up. Parents wouldn’t dream of driving without their baby or toddler secured in a car seat. For many of us, putting on a seat belt is as natural as breathing. So why is it that only 16 percent of us restrain our dogs in the car? That was the finding of a pet travel survey sponsored by AAA and Kurgo Pet Products.
Are you part of the 84 percent of people who said they don’t buckle up their dogs? Even if you’re part of the 16 percent who do restrain their dogs in the car, here are seven car safety facts all pet parents need to know:
1. The laws of physics apply to your dog
When it comes to bad things, you may suffer from the optimist mentality: “It won’t happen to me.” Lots of people think their dog will be fine even if they are involved in an accident. Well I have news for you: All pets, people, and inanimate objects are subject to the laws of physics. In an accident, an unrestrained dog can go flying — against the dashboard or backseat, out a window, or even through the windshield. Best-case scenario in a low-speed crash: Your dog is just a little dazed. Worst-case scenario in a high-speed collision or rollover? Your dog is dead.
It was just another night at the Perry house. The dogs were inside, happily wrestling and playing while the family looked on. But in an instant, things took a deadly turn.
The family’s smaller dog, Blue, was playing with their bigger dog, Scout, when Scout’s tooth became stuck beneath Blue’s collar. Both dogs panicked. As they struggled to break free, the collar twisted tighter and tighter until Blue began to strangle right before their eyes.
“That’s when our daughter Julia got to them,” Jim Perry said. “She was able to cut the collar off just in the nick of time.” But Blue was in bad shape. They rushed her to the 24-hour emergency clinic where she was admitted in critical condition.
I’ll never forget the day I met my Miniature Poodle puppy, Jäger. It was truly love at first sight. Here was my little baby! Squeeeee!!!
I didn’t get Jäger on a whim, though. That moment we met was the culmination of months of research and soul searching as my husband and I sought to bring home the “perfect” puppy. He’s 7 now, and he really is perfect for our family and just the most wonderful dog.
Even if you’ve gotten a puppy before, you still may need a refresher on where to start, so here’s some advice from the experts. You’ll have your dog for 10 to 15 years (or more!), so don’t rush. Take your time now to make a good choice, and it will pay off with a lifetime of love and happiness.
As the Editor-at-Large for Lucky Puppy magazine, I was able to help educate and entertain people who choose to rescue a pup (or kitty!) for all the same reasons we choose to think mindfully, eat healthy, and live green. It’s about giving back, and how a generous spirit can inform everyday choices — including the pet we bring home as part of our family.
Here are just a few of the heart-warming stories I wrote for Lucky Puppy:
Thanks to a new life on a farm for rescue Pugs, the sweet senior no longer has the frequent seizures rescuers believe were the result of previous abuse.
Anyone acquainted with my dog knows he’s the most destructive pup on the planet. He usually chews any bed I give him to pieces. This bed not only stood up to his craziness, it’s comfortable and attractive. We truly love this bed!
By Jackie Brown
Shelter Dog Makeover Contest Winners
Jackie Brown - Writer, Editor, Content Creator 