fun things to bark about

New England Equine Rescue – North Fleece from Just Dogs & Ristorante Massimo

NHSPCA Auction for the Animals

Help a Horse

New England Equine Rescue - North (NEER)

needs extra support, and hopefully some of our readers can lend a hoof. Due to COVID-19 the non-profit, based in Andover, has experienced an increase in surrender inquiries as well as many calls from people looking for food assistance for their animals. As NEER has had to cancel several fundraising activities, the funds that normally keep them going this time of year are low. Visit their website to learn more about donating and to check out their horses and donkeys that are looking for their forever-greener-pastures. (NeerNorth.org)

Fleece for Pups & Peeps Fall is when serious snuggle-in time begins, and we’ve got both pups and peeps covered! Just Dogs in downtown Newburyport offers luscious fleece blankets in a variety of designs. From dog bone prints to handsome plaids, these baby-soft blankets are sure to make your pup’s tail wag. Ristorante Massimo will be offering outside dining through the end of October, and they’ve got your comfort covered! Each guest will receive a complimentary fleece blanket to keep them warm while dining and then take with them for snuggling in at home.

NHSPCA Auction for the Animals This year’s annual Auction for the Animals fundraising event will be held virtually on Sunday, November 7. The theme is “There’s No Place Like Home,” and you can experience this unique, interactive online gala right from the comfort of your own home. The live-streamed auction will feature an array of incredible experiences, trips and other wonderful goods. You may also participate in their silent auction online from October 24th through November 24th. We hope you

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can lend a paw to help more pups find a new home. For more information, please visit their website. (NHSPCA.org)

A New Mamma About two years ago Tahlequah, a killer whale from the Puget Sound area, made national news after carrying her dead calf for 17 days and nearly 1,000 miles before letting it go. Tahlequah was going through what researchers have deemed a grieving process that is not uncommon among orcas who are known for their strong family bond. Now we have wonderful news to share. Tahlequah is a mamma again! She gave birth to a new calf in early September…a boy! According to a press release from the Whale Research Center, "She was still capable of producing a live calf after an approximate eighteen-month gestation! Hooray! Her new calf appeared healthy and precocious, swimming vigorously alongside its mother in its second day of free-

Tahlequah Carrying Dead Calf - Source AP Tahlequah's New Calf on the Right - Source Minn. Star Tribune 2020 Winner

Stadium Pups

I Love You

Presidential Pets

swimming life." This brings the endangered orca whale population in this area to approximately 73.

Big Fat Bears October 6th marked the end of voting for the annual “Fat Bear Week” 2020 contest. In this year’s eagerly awaited election, voters chose their favorite fattest bear waddling around the banks of the Brooks River in Alaska’s Katmai National Park. And, the winner was Bear No. 747, Earl of Avoirdupois! The bears are so portly due to hyperphagia, a process they go through before hibernation. During this stage it’s impossible for the bears to feel full, meaning they put on a significant amount of weight from gorging on salmon and other foods. This extra weight is important because a bear can lose up to a third of its body mass during hibernation. Last year’s winner was a brown female named Holly, who was also a heavyweight contender in this year’s competition. Presidential Pets In this election year it probably is more fun and PAW-sitive to talk about presidential PETS! The AKC Museum of the Dog is open again and has a new exhibit that looks at the different dog breeds and pets that have lived in the White House, explores their history and highlights the dogs owned by previous presidents. The Presidential Dogs Exhibit runs through January 3rd. Why not take a road trip to NYC and learn more about Franklin D. Roosevelt’s dog named “President” and Jimmy Carter’s dog named “Grits!” There are also a variety of interesting virtual tours one can take on their website. (MuseumOfTheDog.org) Stadium Pups How darn clever is this? Subaru Park, the stadium that’s home to Major League Soccer team The Philadelphia Union, won’t be empty this season…even with no fans attending. Cutouts of images of real, adoptable local dogs will fill the seats, compliments of Subaru of America.

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The automaker has a long-standing tradition of using pets in its marketing and supporting local pet adoptions. And this unique idea is certainly worth woofing about! (PhiladelphiaUnion.com/Subaru)

I Love You Some interesting research from Canine Cottages, a dog-travel website based in the United Kingdom, revealed the importance of three simple words: I LOVE YOU. In a recent study they discovered that hearing “I love you” increased pups’ heart rates by 46%. They fitted four dogs with special heart rate monitors to find out what got their tails wagging most when interacting with their human. The study also found that cuddling calms a dog when they're feeling anxious (or when they're frightened by bad weather). When cuddled, the dogs' heart rates decreased by 23%. So be sure to say these three words to your pups as often as possible, as they deserve it.