Now that the long winter is finally over, the dog parks are coming alive with the sounds of frolicking pups. For many dogs, these off-leash parks are an important part of sociability, not to mention exercise.

Are you trying to convince your place of work to go pet-friendly? A 2015 Society for Human Resource Management survey found 8 percent of American workplaces allow employees to bring their furry loved ones to work, up from 5 percent in 2013. (Source)

It may seem like having your pet around is just going to be fun and games, but with the right considerations, more and more companies may want to consider the benefits.

Did you know that some dogs are more prone to ear infections than others? It is true. Floppy-eared dogs like Cocker Spaniels, Basset Hounds, and other long-eared dogs tend to have more ear infections than dogs with upright ears. So do dogs who swim a lot.

Have you ever wondered why your dog eats grass like it’s a delicacy? It is a little perplexing really, your dog goes outside and gulps the curd down maybe only to throw it up later. 

You may have heard that dogs eat grass to stimulate vomiting when they have an upset tummy. That is probably true with some dogs though it is not the majority. Others do it because they are bored...or even… because they like the taste.

It turns out there is a technical term for eating grass and other things that are not food. It’s called “Pica.”

If you are like a lot of dog lovers, you recognize the importance of a healthy mouth for your dog, but you might be a little confused. How often should you brush your dog’s teeth yourself vs. taking Fido to the veterinarian for professional teeth cleaning? Are there long-term health implications if you DO NOT get your pup’s teeth cleaned regularly? Are there signs of dental problems you can look for in your dog's mouth? Great questions, all!

The heart could easily be considered the most important organ in a dog's body. It pumps nutrients and oxygen throughout the body. When it is not working well, it affects everything else, including stamina and breathing for starters.

Have you ever held a dog toy in front of a puppy and let him “mouth” it? As you have probably noticed, puppies will put their mouth on most anything, and it is completely normal since they use their teeth to explore the world around them and play with one another.

In fact, if you have watched puppies in a litter with their littermates, you will see that they climb all over one another and nip each other in an ongoing bout of exploration. When they are a few weeks old, this can seem harmless, maybe even cute -- until one of those sharp teeth nips your hand a little too hard!

If your dog went missing, how would you try to find him? Post “lost” notices on electrical poles and on Facebook? Comb the neighborhood calling for your dog and looking at your phone every three seconds in case someone found him? Call your shelter to ask if anyone had found him and taken him to the shelter?

While all of these are viable -- and common -- practices, there are a few ways you can increase the odds that you will be reunited with your pooch should the unthinkable happen.