Whether they are beloved main characters, faithful sidekicks or just to add that cute factor ― dogs in video games are always a welcome sight!

Dogs in video games span genres – from those grainy adventures (remember Duck Hunt?) to first-person-shooters (FPS), the virtual canines are just the good boys and good girls as in the real world. In this episode, we celebrate the good boys (and good girls) of the virtual world. 

When the World Trade Center collapsed on September 11, 2001, nearly 10,000 emergency rescue workers joined in the efforts to help. More than 300 of those heroes were dogs.

From search and rescue dogs to comfort dogs to bomb detection dogs, these canines’ stories of courage and healing are a long-lasting legacy that must never be forgotten. Amidst all the chaos, firefighters, policemen, medical professionals and civilians acted bravely and selflessly. 9/11 Rescue dogs worked tirelessly alongside humans. 

Making dog shampoo for your furry friend isn't hard, but you want to make sure you're using the best ingredients.

There are a wide variety of dog shampoos available in the market, but you might just want to make your own instead. Yes, DIY dog shampoo is easier than you thought, and smells great too!

You don’t want to use any extra chemicals in your dogs’ shampoo as they can be harsh on the dog’s skin and overall health. With an all-natural homemade dog shampoo, you can rest assured that your dog isn’t exposed to any harmful chemicals.

See also: Tips to care for dry skin in dogs and how to help your itchy dog? 

We’re often asked by kind hearts regarding Bangalore animal helpline numbers. In this episode, we discuss a list of charitable foundations, NGOs, and shelters in Bangalore that you may refer to as a ready reckoner.

Given the traffic woes in Bangalore and the fact that most of these shelters are understaffed, please try to take the injured animal to the nearest facility. If possible, please try to comfort the animal in need and provide first aid, and care till the ambulance arrives.

Also, see – Animal helpline in Mumbai 

The city of Joy, Kolkata, often has readers reaching out to us for adoption updates or animal helpline numbers. In this episode, we’ve compiled a list of charitable foundations, NGOs and shelters in Kolkata that you may adopt a dog from. You can also contact them in case you spot an injured animal.

Here are some noteworthy Kolkata animal shelters and NGOs that you may contact for pet adoption. This list of Emergency contact numbers would also come in handy to help animals in need of medical care. 

Also see: Why adopt a desi dog? and Indian dog breeds you should know

Regular exercise is essential to stay healthy and fit. Dogs are no exception to this. 

Puppies and young dogs — have a lot of energy, and if they don’t get the chance to burn it off, they may end up destroying your shoe, table, charger (you get the idea). Inactive dogs are often overweight dogs, and, as with humans, that brings plenty of health risks.

Obesity contributes to a dog’s risk of diabetes, respiratory disease, and heart disease.

The amount of exercise that is “enough” depends on your dog’s age, breed, and health. In this episode, we discuss how you can exercise with your dog.  

Dogs help reduce the risk of dying early by 24%.

Researchers found that dog ownership was associated with a 24-per cent reduced risk of death from any cause among the general public, and a 33 per cent lower risk of death among heart attack survivors who live alone, according to the reports, published in the journal Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes.

How dogs can help you live longer?

Mosquitoes can carry and spread plenty of nasty diseases to both humans and dogs. When it comes to diseases spread by mosquitoes, the best solution is prevention.

There are many ways to reduce the chances of your dog being bitten by mosquitoes, even during the summer when you and your pup want to spend more time outside, and there are steps you can take to prevent diseases from infecting your dog if they do happen to get bitten.

In this episode, we discuss handy tips to protect your dog from mosquito bites. 

Also see: How to keep your dogs safe from ticks?

Alicia Souza has been drawing since a kid, but unlike many kids, she just never stopped!

We dogs are delighted to present this interview Alicia Souza ― dog lover, ace artist and an overall wonderful human being on how dogs inspire her illustrations.

Alicia Souza’s keen observations on everyday life and the ink renditions that they inspire have a happy tribe following her. 

Her musings on – pets, couples, friendships, and Bangalore have not only fueled a business spanning artwork, merchandise – notebooks, fridge magnets, phone covers, home decor, and even books but also inspired people to adopt instead of buying pets. She also holds merchandise sales to help drive proceeds towards animal welfare organizations in Bangalore like Charlie Animal rescue centre.

Did you know that dogs can get seasonal allergies just like humans? It's true! Seasonal allergies in dogs usually manifest as itchy skin, but there are other telltale reactions. For instance, if your pooch has a runny nose, is excessively scratching, or just acting a bit off, it could very well be allergies.

Read how you can identify seasonal allergies in dogs, as well as tips for getting your pet back up and running should they fall under the weather.