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People fell in love with Marty the cat after his owner wrote a heartbreaking goodbye letter

“I know this is a small tragedy in the grand scheme of the world, but one that I feel acutely knowing that I expected many more years with my friend.”

By

Heather Wake

Marty the cat
Photo credit: Photo by Juanita Swart on Unsplash – RIP Marty

Tons of people found themselves clicking on the trending hashtag #RIPMarty, expecting to hear tragic news about a celebrity of some sort.

Instead, they learned about Marty the cat, whose owner shared the most heartbreakingly beautiful goodbye letter following his passing. That letter quickly went viral online, leaving folks completely invested Marty’s story, not to mention utterly devastated.

Will Menaker, who shared the letter on Twitter, began by sharing how he and Marty first met. Or more accurately, how Marty introduced himself by emerging from under a car and unapologetically following Menaker up to the steps of his apartment seeking pets. Eventually, as the weather began to get colder, Menaker experimented with bringing Marty inside.

“From that moment on I was in love. I wouldn’t say I ‘had’ a cat, but from then on I shared a house with a tuxedo cat I would name Marty,” Menaker wrote.

Other than being TNR’d (trapped, neutered, released), Marty’s past was a mystery. What Menaker did know of his feline companion was that he had “striking green eyes,” was “always friendly but aloof” and was “outgoing but possessed a Sphinx-like dignity that nothing could assail.”

Those are already lovely words, but you might want to grab tissues for this next part.

“Yesterday, we had to say goodbye. After months of trying to treat a cancer that he had been suffering from, enough was enough. He stopped eating and drinking entirely and by then had wasted away to weighing almost nothing…I decided to make the only decision we could on his behalf. He went to sleep in our house and in my arms.”

Tapping into every pet parent’s grief, Menaker wrote, “I know this is a small tragedy in the grand scheme of the world, but one that I feel acutely knowing that I expected many more years with my friend. We are heartbroken but grateful for the years that we did have him in our lives.”

Despite the obvious anguish, Menaker’s letter ends on a hopeful note.

“I firmly believe cats are connected in some way to the other side. They have been around human civilization for roughly 9,000 years and are the only animal species that has domesticated human beings and not vice versa…Whatever happens after our deaths, I think cats are somehow involved, and I hope that when it comes time, Marty will guide me on my own journey to the Western Lands.

“Goodbye Marty, I’ll miss you terribly.”

Menaker’s moving words had people in tears over a cat they didn’t even know.

Many commiserated with pictures of their own belated fur babies.

Others still applauded Menaker for showing Marty such compassion and love.

Goodbye, Marty. We might not know you, but we are touched by your story. Enjoy that great scratching post in the sky.

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  • Watch this senior beagle experience sunshine for the first time

    Photo credit: Canva Photos

    Beagles get along well with kids and other dogs and are generally considered easygoing.
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    Watch this senior beagle experience sunshine for the first time

    1,500 beagles were freed from a breeder that specializes in dogs for “biomedical research.”

    Evan Porter

    Beagles are one of the most popular dog breeds for people looking for a pet. Most years, they rank among the top 10 breeds in America. It’s easy to see why: the American Kennel Club (AKC) describes beagles as “loyal” companions that are often “happy-go-lucky.” They get along well with kids and other dogs and are generally considered easygoing.

    Sadly, that gentle temperament has made beagles a common choice for companies that conduct animal testing.

    Rescued lab beagle gets a second chance and sees the sun for the first time

    Luckily, there are plenty of people who want to save these beagles from a life spent behind bars in a lab.

    Meracle Paws is one such organization. They specialize in rescuing senior dogs, which are in especially great need of love and care. It’s far easier to find homes for puppies and younger dogs. Senior rescues are often left behind in shelters and at rescue organizations.

    But that doesn’t make the rescues any less meaningful. The team behind Meracle Paws recently took to Instagram to share a brief but emotionally overwhelming moment following a large release of dogs bred for research.

    “We’ve carried 1000 Lab beagles out of that place [Ridglan Farms] into freedom. Today so many of them were seniors… dogs who spent their entire lives in cages breeding puppies for experiments and testing,” the caption read. “This sweet senior mama had never touched grass, breathed fresh air, or felt the sun on her face. Today I held her while she lifted her head to the sky and tasted sunshine with her little tongue for the very first time. I don’t think I’ll ever forget this moment for the rest of my life.”

    The video is only a few seconds long, but the look on the sweet dog’s face says it all. This tiny moment was years in the making.

    Video goes viral, and commenters are extremely moved

    Ridglan Farms in Wisconsin is a breeder that specializes in “purpose bred beagles for biomedical research.” For years, rescue groups lodged complaints and allegations of horrific animal cruelty against the facility.

    Just recently, the long battle finally came to an end. Legal pressure and intense protests ultimately convinced the organization to release many of its dogs. KAAL-TV reports that more than 1,500 beagles were freed in the operation. Ridglan Farms, which has agreed to surrender its license to avoid prosecution, has denied mistreating the dogs.

    Commenters on Meracle Paws’ post were overjoyed by the news:

    “Breaks my heart for all these babies but especially when I see the older ones. So much hell for so long … thank you for giving them a chance to enjoy the life they always should have had”

    “This vid of her smelling the air and face towards the sun is everything”

    “I’ve lived a very long life and watching this sweet soul discover kindness for the first time brought tears to my eyes”

    “can’t stop crying, this is so incredibly moving and beautiful..what joy and grace you have brought to this gentle soul!!”

    The cruel irony of beagles is that their adorable, cuddly, and forgiving demeanor makes them prime targets for abuse.

    The Beagle Freedom Project quotes one anonymous lab technician: “They won’t fight back. They let us do anything we want to them, that’s why we like beagles.”

    An uncomfortable reality is that animal research is sometimes considered a necessary evil in scientific progress, particularly in developments that help us better understand human diseases or create medications that could ease people’s suffering.

    The Ridglan Farms case reached the federal level, with both HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya getting involved. New York Rep. Nick Langworthy, who also advocated for the closure of Ridglan Farms, wrote in a letter: “This issue is not about opposing scientific progress; it is about ensuring that federally funded research reflects both ethical standards and scientific advancement.”

    The sweet senior beagle featured in Meracle Paws’ videos helps put a face to the cause. Watching her, and the others, touch grass and feel sunlight for the first time is heartbreaking, but more importantly, joyful and hopeful. It’s a cause well worth continuing to fight for so that more moments like this one can happen.

    Many of these beagles from Ridglan Farms are still in need of help or homes. You can learn more about how to help or adopt them here.

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  • A man who fell from his wheelchair into a lake and his little beagle saved his life
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    A man who fell from his wheelchair into a lake and his little beagle saved his life

    He could have drowned.

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    In 2022, eighty-one-year-old Harry Smith, who uses an electric wheelchair, was walking his beloved nine-year-old beagle mix, Sarah Jane, near a lake in Port St. Lucie, Florida, when the pleasant jaunt took a turn for the worse. Smith says that the left wheel of the chair “grabbed and spun me” and he wound up rolling down a grass embankment into the water. Smith can’t swim, could barely keep his head above the water, and without immediate help would have drowned.

    Sarah Jane began to bark loudly, capturing the attention of Edward Suhling, 58, who was working on a trailer with Aby “Jacob” Chacko, 49. “Sensing his owner was in trouble, his dog began to bark loudly, which alerted two bystanders across the street,” the Port St. Lucie police department wrote in a Facebook post.

    At first, Suhling thought the dog was being attacked by an alligator. Then he saw Smith’s head poking out of the water. Suhling and Chacko ran over to the pond, flagging down a police officer along the way.

    Two strangers jumped in without hesitating

    “As soon as I got here I saw the wheelchair and the dog and I recognized that’s Harry and I know he can’t walk,” Chacko said. Smith was in terror fighting for his life in the pond. “My legs don’t work,” he said. “I can’t push.”

    “The dog was splashing in the water,” Suhling said. “So we both ran over here and I jumped in the water, and my buddy grabbed his arms and I grabbed his legs and we got him up on shore.”

    After Smith was safely out of the water, the police officer administered medical attention and he was cleared to go home. Unfortunately, his wheelchair didn’t work, so the officer pushed him back to his home.

    The Port St. Lucie Police Department later called Suhling, Chacko, and Sarah Jane heroes on its Facebook page. “We are thankful for Mr. Smith’s dog and the two bystanders that helped save his life!” the police department wrote on Facebook. “And as the saying remains true…A man’s best friend is his dog.

    “She’s such a good dog,” Smith later said about Sarah Jane. “Everybody in this neighborhood loves her, they all look out for her.” After the pair made it home safely, Smith was sure to give his dog a treat. “I love her, always have, always will,” he said.

    Why dogs know when their owners are in danger

    While the dog’s heroics are pretty amazing, Sarah Jane knew that Smith was in danger and sprang into action for a couple of reasons. A lot of dogs have a strong fear of water. Not all of them love it like Labradors. If Sarah Jane was afraid of the water, she would have sensed her guardian was in serious danger.

    Secondly, a 2020 study from Arizona State University tested whether dogs will help if they think their owner is in trouble. For the study, owners called out to the dog while appearing to be trapped inside a box. The dogs often attempted to free their owners after hearing them cry for help.

    Beagles are known for being active and adventurous, but are they good swimmers? According to a vet-reviewed article at Dogster, Beagles aren’t known for their love of water, and if they can swim, it doesn’t mean that they enjoy it. They can learn how to swim, but they aren’t natural swimmers.

    The story of Sarah Jane and her guardian Harry Smith proves, once again, that we just don’t deserve dogs.

    This article originally appeared four years ago. It has been updated.

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  • 8 things dog people need to know about cats before interacting with them
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    8 things dog people need to know about cats before interacting with them

    Don’t treat them like a dog.

    Annie Reneau

    Have you ever watched a person who has only ever had dogs try to interact with a cat? When dog-only people encounter cats, the result can be a mix of entertaining, bewildering, and, occasionally, a bit dangerous.

    Obviously, cats are not dogs, and treating a cat as if it was a dog may or may not go well for you. So, if you’re one of those dog lovers who find themselves at a loss for what to do with a cat when you’re around one, here are some things to know that may save you some scratches or humiliation.

    Ditch the high energy, embrace a sense of aloofness

    Dogs are often eager. Cats are usually aloof. With many dogs, the more excited you act, the more they’re like, “Hey, you my friend! We best buds! Let’s play and hang out!”

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    Cats don’t react to energy the way dogs do. Photo credit: Canva

    Cats do not play like that.

    Approaching a cat with high energy puts them on edge. They might see you as a threat and become aggressive. Or they will simply “peace out” and leave the room. The best thing you can do if you want to make them comfortable is ignore them.

    Let them come to you

    If you absolutely must approach a cat (because they’re just irresistibly cute), do so very slowly. But it’s really best to just sit on the floor and wait for them to come to you. Don’t try to force it. They might ignore you completely at first, or they might immediately come right up and start rubbing on you. There’s no way to know, so just wait.

    Rubbing on you might mean ‘go ahead and pet me.’ But it might not.

    If a cat rubs up against you, that’s a good sign. If you’re new to them, it means they’re already comfortable with you. But it’s not necessarily an open invitation to pet them, either. Cats are fickle. Before you get too excited and go in for some pets…

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    Cat rubs are usually a good sign. Photo credit: Canva

    Offer them your fingers

    Cats are big on smell. Before your hand touches their fur, they want to know what they’re dealing with. Try holding out a finger or two for them to sniff, preferably coming from below their head instead of above. After they’ve smelled you, they might stick around for pets, or they might not. If they do…

    Don’t pet them like a dog

    No to head pats. Yes to chin and cheek scratches. No to belly rubs unless their human gives you the green light. (Most cats will destroy your hand if you try to rub their belly, but some love it.) No to hard strokes down their back, at least at first. Cats all have different touch preferences, so gently trying around their chin, cheeks, shoulders, and back is the best way to start.

    Happy Cats Haven shared these signs to watch for that indicate a cat might not like the way you’re petting it:

    • Restlessness
    • Skin rippling
    • Ears flattening or flicking
    • Tail thumping or thrashing
    • Turning head toward the petting

    Your hands are not toys

    Playing with cats can be a blast. They are predators with excellent hunting skills, so play involves stalking, chasing, and attacking. But to save yourself some painful scratches, use a laser pointer or a cat toy on a string, not your hand. (They’re not likely to actually play with your hand anyway. And if they do, you might regret it.)

    @ellie_thetabby

    Her new toy obsession #cats#pets#trending

    ♬ original sound – bojackeats

    Don’t put your face near a cat that doesn’t know you

    Even if the cat is lying perfectly contentedly next to you. Even if you’ve had some positive interactions. Not even if the owner says, “Oh, he doesn’t scratch.” The only time our generally docile cat has scratched or bit someone was when a child put their face up to his when he was curled up on a chair. This is one place where the advice for dogs goes equally for cats. Faces and unfamiliar animals don’t mix.

    Don’t try to pick it up

    Some cats are fine being picked up. Many cats are not. Most cats will not take kindly to some stranger trying to manhandle them, which is (probably) how they view you trying to pick them up. Bodily autonomy is important for our feline friends. Don’t violate it. Sit on a chair or sofa and see if they’ll climb onto your lap, but don’t pick them up to make it happen. Very few cats will respond well to that.

    cat, blinking, cat behavior
    Cats blink slowly to tell you they like you. Photo credit: Canva

    Staring a cat in the eyes can be a sign of aggression, which can stress them out. However, if you do make eye contact, try a very slow, sleepy-eyed blink or two and then look away. Slow blinks are a sign of affection.

    But honestly, not looking at them at all might make them more likely to approach you. Again, cats like aloofness.

    If a cat deigns to let you pet it, scratch it, play with it, or otherwise interact with it, you may feel like you have been specially chosen. Embrace the feeling, because that’s exactly what has happened.

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  • Kitten named Duck learns to run on two legs and she looks like an adorable velociraptor
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    Kitten named Duck learns to run on two legs and she looks like an adorable velociraptor

    It hasn’t slowed her down one bit.

    Jacalyn Wetzel

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    Babies are really adaptable, and the same can be said for baby animals. It’s likely because they just don’t know any other way of life, so they just go with what they’re given and, miraculously, make it work. Even knowing that, however, it’s still hard to imagine a kitten getting around without their front legs.

    Cats essentially use everything from their whiskers to their tails to balance, so how would one walk without two of it’s four legs? The answer is, carefully at first. Duck is a rescued kitten who, unfortunately, had to have both of her front legs completely amputated. While she was wobbly at first, she quickly adapted.

    Meet Duck, the wonder cat

    Duck’s human, Cody, shares her daily shenanigans on his Instagram page aptly named Purrasic Duck, which has amassed over half a million followers. In 2020, he told Duck’s story to The Dodo, revealing how she was rescued and how, against all odds, she developed her agile moves. If you’re having a hard time picturing a two-legged cat on the run, it looks a lot like a furry velociraptor chasing a laser pointer.

    “I ended up naming her Duck because she kinda waddled. She’d kinda take it slow, she waddled trying to figure out her balance,” Cody told The Dodo.

    Before long, Duck was off to play with her much larger dog brothers. Her pug brother even offers her a little assistance in the face cleaning area since Duck doesn’t have paws to do it herself. She returns the favor by cleaning his face too. It’s an adorable relationship, but if you want to see a furry velociraptor chase after cat toys, you’ll need to watch the video below.

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    How Duck and Cody found each other

    Cody met Duck when she was found and brought into his sister’s animal clinic. “She was probably chilling in a car engine and her legs got caught up, and she survived that!” Cody can be heard saying as a voice over in the video. At first, Cody’s sister brought her over as a potential foster, but after just one day, Cody decided to keep her for himself. “When I met her, I just fell in love immediately,” he said.

    Duck has no shortage of friends to play with at home, either. In addition to her dog brothers, Cody rescues and either keeps or fosters plenty of baby animals, from chickens, turtles, and opossums to a raccoon, a squirrel, and of course, more dogs and cats. Duck also has a sister named Goose, who’s an adorable gray kitty with just one eye. Here they are hanging out together:

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    Duck is thriving, and so is her family

    Today, Duck is no longer a baby and has gotten this two-legged life down pat. She’s living happily with dad Cody and her many, many, many animal siblings and friends. On her social media pages, Cody includes a useful link for other pet parents, rescuers, and fosterers with recommended products to help make the rescue and rehoming process easy for everyone. Check it out here.

    Cody has got quite the rescue menagerie going and it’s so inspiring.

    This article originally appeared three years ago. It has been updated.

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  • This couple has the clingiest cat on Earth and people can’t get enough of his cute demands
    Chase might just be the clingiest cat ever.
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    This couple has the clingiest cat on Earth and people can’t get enough of his cute demands

    There are clingy cats—and then there’s Chase.

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    Cats are quirky. We all know this.

    Those of us who have had multiple cats throughout our lives know that some cats are quirkier than others. Maybe they like to sleep with their face in a shoe (true story). Maybe they won’t stop tearing into bags of Styrofoam packing peanuts and eating them, necessitating a shipping business to switch to cornstarch-based packaging (also true story). Maybe they can catch a crumpled-up piece of paper you toss into the air with their paws and bring it to you in their mouth like a dog playing fetch (awww, I miss that cat).

    Or maybe their unique quirk is that they have to be Velcroed to someone’s body every minute of every day. That’s Chase the cat in a nutshell: super sweet, but super clingy.

    Meet Chase, the world’s clingiest cat

    Chase belongs to Kareem and Fifi of the TikTok channel @dontstopmeowing. The couple have become Internet famous for their three very chill cats. Their “spaw day” videos showing how their cats, Chase, Skye, and Millie, get pampered went viral in 2021, and they’ve gained a huge following sharing life with their cats.

    All three are adorable, but Chase…oh, Chase is a special one. I’ve seen some clingy cats before, but nothing like this.

    Watch:

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    Literally clingy, as in “won’t stop clinging to the human.” How many cats like to be carried around like a baby? Not many, I’d guess.

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    When Chase wants Mommy, Chase wants Mommy.

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    Of course, Chase doesn’t always want Mommy. Sometimes it’s Daddy’s turn for all the lovin’.

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    Yes, they tried to train the clinginess away

    Fifi shares videos of her attempting to train the clinginess out of Chase, which are hilarious. This one has been viewed over 57 millions times.

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    She even dubbed the viral audio of a toddler video “I just a baby!” That fits perfectly with Chase’s hug-happy antics.

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    Oh, Chase. You’re just too much.

    @dontstopmeowing

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    And just because it’s so dang cute, check out this video of Chase meeting a baby for the first time. (Warning: Wicked adorable baby giggles incoming. Hold onto your ovaries if you have ’em.)

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    Then a baby joined the family

    It’s a good thing Chase got on with the baby so well, because the couple welcomed their first (human) baby, Taj, in January 2024 and Chase certainly had a hard time adjusting.

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    But today, it looks like Kareem, Fifi, Taj, Chase, Skye, and Millie are all one big happy family.

    @dontstopmeowing

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    Keep up with the family on their TikTok and YouTube.

    This article originally appeared four years ago. It has been updated.

     

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  • A compassionate vet paused his exam to give a tiny, terrified dog some much-needed cuddles
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    A compassionate vet paused his exam to give a tiny, terrified dog some much-needed cuddles

    “To see a male vet doctor being nurturing and patient with this little fella warms my heart.”

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    It’s safe to say that most veterinarians go into animal medicine because they love animals and want to help them. But in the day-to-day business of doing exams, treating various medical conditions, and helping pet owners through agonizing decisions about their companions’ end-of-life care, the pure joy of simply loving on an animal can get lost.

    But as one vet demonstrates, veterinary care sometimes means providing some personal cuddle comfort. Dr. Kris Vine, DVM, a veterinarian in Las Vegas, was captured giving a new patient, a scared Chihuahua-Dachshund mix, some affection and reassurance in the middle of his exam.

    Watch the moment that won the internet

    “My new patient was scared to get his vaccines so I had to give him some lov’n between each one,” Dr. Vine wrote. “He did good.”

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    The doggo puts his paws up on Vine’s chest and nuzzles his little face into him, and we can see by the tail between his legs that the poor thing is terrified. But he finds comfort in Vine’s soothing strokes. “I’m not only their doctor, but their safe space as well,” Vine tells Upworthy.

    Vine’s hope is to make the animals in his care as comfortable as possible, and people are loving seeing his genuine, patient compassion for the frightened pup.

    “Perfect example of real compassion a person has inside of them both for himself and his job,” wrote one person. “So touching.”

    “Omg why can’t all vets AND groomers be like this?!!! ,” wrote another. “I dropped my last groomer cause I didn’t like the tone she used with my baby.”

    “It is good to receive love ❤️ to help get through our fears ❤️ ,” shared another.

    veterinarians, vet tech veterinary medicine, pet care, animals
    We all do better with a little comfort. Photo credit: Canva

    Why vet visits are so scary for animals

    It’s so true. Lots of animals are afraid to go to the vet, especially if they associate it with something painful or negative. Having a caring, compassionate vet who goes out of their way to provide comfort to a frightened furry friend can make a big difference in how an animal feels about vet visits.

    To be fair, vet visits can be scary. Plenty of humans have anxiety about going to the doctor even when we fully understand why we need to go. For an animal, it’s just an unfamiliar place with strange smells and harsh lighting where someone pokes and prods them without their consent. Many pets have to be put into a carrier and ride in the car to go to the vet, which may cause them stress. Vets can do a lot to ease an animal’s fears, but owners can do even more at home beforehand to prepare their pet for a vet visit.

    5 ways to make vet visits less stressful

    PetLife Animal Hospital recommends these steps to help animals feel more at ease about going to the vet:

    1. Make Car Rides Positive

    If your pet only goes in the car to visit the vet, they may associate car rides with fear. Take them on short, enjoyable rides and reward them with praise or treats afterward to help break the negative association.

    2. Turn the Carrier into a Comfort Zone

    Keep the pet carrier out at home—not just when it’s time to leave. Line it with soft blankets, place treats inside, and let your pet explore it at their own pace. This turns the carrier into a familiar, safe space.

    3. Schedule “Happy Visits”

    Stop by your local vet office or animal hospital just to say hello! Let your pet meet the team, get a treat, and leave. No needles. No exams. Just good vibes and friendly faces.

    4. Stay Calm and Confident

    Your pet looks to you for cues. If you’re calm and positive, it helps them feel safe. Use a cheerful voice, avoid rushing, and reassure them with gentle touches.

    5. Talk to Your Vet About Extra Help

    Some pets need a little more support. Ask about calming sprays, anxiety-reducing supplements, or even prescription options if needed.

    veterinarians, vet tech veterinary medicine, pet care, animals

    Vet visits can be stressful, but there are steps to make them easier for everyone. Photo credit: Canva

    Making sure our pets get the medical and emotional care they need is an important part of pet ownership. Finding a caring vet is a big part of fulfilling those responsibilities, so thanks to Dr. Vine for setting such a beautiful example.

    You can follow Dr. Vine on TikTok.

    This article originally appeared one year ago. It has been updated.

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  • Experts rank the most ‘loyal dog breeds’ and it’s stirring a debate among canine lovers
    Photo credit: Photo by Richard Burlton on Unsplash – A Golden Retriever puppy side-eyes the camera.
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    Experts rank the most ‘loyal dog breeds’ and it’s stirring a debate among canine lovers

    Who’s the best dog in the world?

    Cecily Knobler

    Upworthy Staff

    Another year, another list ranking dog breeds. Earlier in 2025, Care.com put out their latest, specifically ranking which dog breeds are considered the “most loyal.” In their post, pet expert Lindsay Pevny notes that, “Veterinarians and dog behavioral experts recognize several distinct brands of loyalty in dogs. While some are devoted to their favorite person, others are loyal to their entire human family. Each breed’s penchant for friendship sets them up for a lifetime of a unique relationship with their favorite humans.”

    Their list:

    1. Retriever (both Golden and Lab)
    2. German Shepherd
    3. Border Collie
    4. Great Pyrenees
    5. Chihuahua
    6. Vizsla
    7. Staffordshire Bull Terrier

    Not everyone agrees with the experts

    They also share the importance of intentional breeding. Pevny quotes Camp Bow Wow’s animal health and behavior expert Erin Askeland, who says, “Breeding history and the intention of the breed can shape their loyalty characteristics. Breeds bred for companionship or working closely with humans tend to exhibit higher levels of loyalty, for example, dogs who are bred to be trained as service dogs.”

    But far from everyone agrees with the list, and some don’t think such a subjective list can be ranked in the first place. On Reddit, someone asks, “What is objectively the most loyal dog breed?” One person simply responds, “Dogs.” And another claims, “My mongrel,” of course referring to their mixed breed pup. A few others mention their breed of choice, but there is no real consensus.

    When the question is opened up in broader terms on the subreddit r/puppy101 to ask, “What are the three best dog breeds in your opinion and why?” many more commenters jump in. Some argue, obviously, that it’s subjective based on what the pet guardian is looking for. Someone jokingly writes, “The ‘my dog’ breed unequivocally takes top spot. Universally adored.” Another states, “Dachshund, dachshund and dachshund. Why? I am a masochist, apparently.” But again, there is no consensus.

    In fact, other lists claiming to have consulted experts and animal behaviorists listed entirely different “most loyal” breeds for 2025. In their own list, The Spruce Pets throws Dobermans and Cocker Spaniels in the top ten, though Labrador Retrievers also hold the top spot.

    What about the clingiest breeds of all?

    If one changes the term from loyal to “Velcro dog,” it’s true that some breeds are a bit clingier than others. Though again, it’s based on the individual canine. A dog expert from Pets Radar explains that “Velcro” dogs were most likely bred to work alongside humans. Many pooches such as the Golden Retriever, the Lab, the Vizsla, the German Shepherd and the Chihuahua also make their list, though they add the Maltese, the French Bulldog and the Italian Greyhound.

    On their YouTube page, The Pet Collective lists their top 13 “most loyal dog breeds” and at number one? Lo-and-behold, it’s the Beagle! They claim, “Those who want a loyal and curious sidekick should get a Beagle.” They then show a Beagle begging for treats and adorably honking a car while throwing their head back like Snoopy.

    It’s pretty safe to say there is no objective “best” breed of dog. We love what we love and there are no wrong answers. As for loyalty, seems like that Redditor got it right. The true answer is simply “dogs.”

    This article originally appeared two years ago. It has been updated.

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  • Pass down the crown, Labradors. America has a new favorite dog breed.
    Photo credit: Photo via Pixabay – Poor, sad Labrador Retriever.
    ,

    Pass down the crown, Labradors. America has a new favorite dog breed.

    After 31 years of Lab dominance, the American Kennel Club named a new top dog.

    Tod Perry

    Upworthy Staff

    The dog world shifted in 2022 as the sweet-faced, loveable Labrador Retriever was toppled as America’s favorite dog breed. The breed best known for having a heart of gold was replaced by the smaller, more urban-friendly French Bulldog.

    According to the American Kennel Club, for 31 years, the Labrador Retriever was America’s favorite dog until it was eclipsed in 2022 by the Frenchie. The rankings were based on nearly 716,500 dogs newly registered in 2022, of which about 1 in 7 were Frenchies. Around 108,000 French Bulldogs were recorded in the U.S. in 2022, surpassing Labrador Retrievers by over 21,000.

    How the Frenchie took over America

    The French Bulldog’s popularity has grown exponentially over the past decade. They were the #14 most popular breed in 2012, and since then, registrations have gone up 1,000%, bringing them to the top of the breed popularity rankings.

    The AKC says that the American Hairless Terrier, Gordon Setter, Italian Greyhound and Anatolian Shepherd Dog also grew in popularity between 2021 and 2022. As of 2025, Frenchies are still America’s top dog three years running.

    The French Bulldog was famous among America’s upper class around the turn of the 20th century but then fell out of favor. Their resurgence is partly based on several celebrities who have gone public with their Frenchie love. Leonardo DiCaprio, Megan Thee Stallion, Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez, Reese Witherspoon and Lady Gaga all own French Bulldogs.

    The breed earned a lot of attention as show dogs in 2022 when a Frenchie named Winston took second place at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show and first in the National Dog Show.

    Stars love them too

    The breed made national news in early 2021 when Gaga’s dog walker was shot in the chest while walking two of her Frenchies in a dog heist. He recovered from his injuries, and the dogs were later returned.

    They’ve also become popular because of their unique look and personalities.

    “They’re comical, friendly, loving little dogs,” French BullDog Club of America spokesperson Patty Sosa told the AP. She said they are city-friendly with modest grooming needs and “they offer a lot in a small package.”

    They are also popular with people who live in apartments. According to the AKC, Frenchies don’t bark much and do not require a lot of outdoor exercise.

    The French Bulldog stands out among other breeds because it looks like a miniature bulldog but has large, expressive bat-like ears that are its trademark feature. However, their popularity isn’t without controversy. “French bulldogs can be a polarizing topic,” veterinarian Dr. Carrie Stefaniak told the AP.

    The downside of having a Frenchie

    French Bulldogs have been bred to have abnormally large heads, which means that large litters usually need to be delivered by C-section, an expensive procedure that can be dangerous for the mother. They are also prone to multiple health problems, including skin, ear, and eye infections. Their flat face means they often suffer from respiratory problems and heat intolerance, and Frenchies are also more prone to spine deformations and nerve pain as they age.

    While they’re friendly, they can also be stubborn and may require more training than the average dog. Overall, however, the AKC says that French Bulldogs are good for families with children due to their laid back, social nature and lack of aggression.

    Here are the AKC’s top ten most popular dog breeds for 2022.

    1 French Bulldogs

    2 Labrador Retrievers

    3 Golden Retrievers

    4 German Shepherd Dogs

    5 Poodles

    6 Bulldogs

    7 Rottweilers

    8 Beagles

    9 Dachshunds

    10 German Shorthaired Pointers

    Part of the reason the 2022 list was so noteworthy was the change at the top, as these lists don’t tend to change much year to year. In fact, the 2025 Most Popular Dog Breed list looks very similar to 2022, with only minor movement. The biggest change was the Dachshund moving up to #5, nudging the Poodle out of the top five for the first time in years. Beagles came in at #6, Rottweilers at #7, German Shepherd Dogs at #8, German Shorthaired Pointers at #9, and Bulldogs at #10.

    So congratulations, Frenchies for keeping your top dog spot for the fourth year in a row.

    This article originally appeared three years ago. It has been updated.

    Keep Reading →
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