Parade Pets

Everyone has something they have to do that they absolutely hate. For me, it's washing my hair: it's so much work! Dogs have things like that too, which might include baths, nail trims, or apparently, getting their ears cleaned. 

On Wednesday, May 1st, one dog mom recorded her battle with her pup as she tried to clean his ears. He put up a very good fight, but something tells me he wasn't victorious in the end:

#fyp #goldenretriever #goldens

Millie and Bennet have the best relationship. Bennett is definitely the sassy one: Millie is pretty chill!

Related: Golden Retriever Puppy 'Spying' on the Neighbors Is Here for All the Drama

Bennett is, like all other Golden Retrievers, complete chaos in the form of a fluffy, lovable dog. While he enjoys long walks and being told how gorgeous he is, he also undoubtedly loves causing drama and making life as hard as possible for everyone around him. When he's not avoiding ear cleanings, he can be found stealing shoes and fighting with the family's robot vacuum. 

He also, like all Golden Retrievers, needs regular maintenance. His long fur is easily matted, and if it gets overgrown, it can negatively impact their ability to see and walk. Fur grows just about everywhere on a Golden Retriever, including in those massive floppy ears. Unfortunately for Bennett, ear cleaning is part of their regular routine. 

A Golden Retriever's ears are one of the cutest things about them. They're big and floppy and sometimes they fold over, which makes them look like little aliens. However, even with as cute as they are, they're also one of the most worrisome parts of the dog.

Golden Retrievers are famous for their ear infections, especially during the summer months. As it warms up, they spend as much time swimming as they can, and their floppy ears trap water. Additionally, their ears tend to get yeasty in the summer: it's a warm, dark place. Bacteria will thrive. Luckily, there are a few things you can do to prevent them:

1. Put doggy swim caps on them before they get in the water. 
2. If you can't do that, let them swim, but clean and dry their ears as soon as they get out. 
3. Clean their ears once a week (or more if they're swimming often).
1. Be careful not to be excessive, though, because the solution can dry out their skin. 
4. Have regular checkups at the vet for them to look in there!

If your dog has an ear infection, you'll know. They may be off-balance, shake their heads excessively, or have a really bad smell coming from them. It's okay and easy to fix: some medicine from the vet and a better cleaning routine and you're golden (no pun intended...)!

It's such a privilege to have the opportunity to watch our dogs grow older — that usually means that they're having a long, happy, healthy life, which is the best possible outcome. But that doesn't mean it's always easy to see the changes in the dogs we knew as energetic and playful as they age, and to discover they can no longer do something that was once no big deal at all to them. There's a more positive way to look at it, though: This also gives us the opportunity to show them how much we love them by helping them out more than we once needed to.

One dog mom is showing how she's doing that for her aging Golden Retriever in the sweetest TikTok video. Her elderly dog needed a little extra help, and she was more than happy to provide.

i think raffi approves of the new comforter and pillows. 🥰🤍 #goodnightguys

On Wednesday, May 1, @makenziecann shared a video to show what happens when her Golden Retriever, Raffi, wants to snuggle with her. Now that he's a senior dog, he can't get up on her bed by himself to join his mama, but she's always willing to give him a boost — literally. 

When he needs help getting up there, he just puts his adorable face on the side of the bed, wagging his tail. That's all it takes, and she lifts that sweet boy up, where he immediately cuddles up to go to sleep. This is a guy who knows how to do bedtime right! 

He looks so happy and at peace in bed with his mom — and since she wrote in her caption that she just got new pillows and a new comforter, it seems like he's extra comfy up there. 

Makenzie has been sharing 13 year old Raffi's story on TikTok for awhile now, along with all of the ways that she's trying to help her dog live out the rest of his life in the happiest, most comfortable ways possible.

Sometimes, for them, that means bringing along a wagon so that he can join her and the other dog in the family for a walk. Other times, they're hanging out and doing things that dogs (and people) love that are also easy for a senior dog to participate in, like sharing an ice cream cone. 

At this point, more than 20,000 subscribers are following along with this bittersweet journey, and it really seems like these two are making the most of the time they get to spend together. 

It looks like Makenzie and Raffi are both very lucky to have each other. May they have many more happy memories still to make! 

Sometimes, we find ourselves with pets we never anticipated, even if they're not technically our pets. They come around all the time, knowing that they're safe with us and can expect to find food and some comfort if they need. There's nothing sweeter!

One woman had this exact thing happen to her with a pair of foxes, Freddie and Frannie. They spend all their time in her yard, and when they're cold or the weather is bad, they know they can go to her for comfort. On Wednesday, May 1st, she showed everyone that he really does expect to be treated like a dog:

Replying to @Skylar Stewart

I love this for @feeyatheflowertot, but I am so jealous. I have 3 dogs, but for some reason, I suddenly think I need a pet fox...

Related: Baby Fox and Baby Raccoon's 'Fairytale' Friendship Needs a Cuteness Warning

Thea has been "mothering" foxes for a while. It started out with one she named Fergie, who came into her yard one day skinny and suffering from a bad case of mange. Unfortunately, nature took its course with Fergie, but not before she got to experience a few months of love and care. 

Before Fergie stopped coming around, she brought Thea her two babies, who she dubbed Freddie and Frannie. She's been taking care of them since they were just kits, and they know they can trust her. Though she doesn't like to let them in her house, there are a few videos on her page of her taking them in at different times. Funnily enough, her orange cat doesn't even seem to mind!

I'll just come right out and say it: don't. A fox may wander into your yard. Then it comes back, and you think to yourself... maybe I could just have a fox. Then you're putting food out for it, and then you're trying to bring it inside, and your life is a mess. It's a terrible idea. 

Not only are foxes extremely unpredictable, they're predators. By laying out food, water, and shelter for them (especially as kits), you're hindering their hunting instincts, and that could be deadly. Without a natural fear of humans, foxes are much more likely to be run over, hunted for sport, or killed for getting too close to humans who don't feed it. 

Thea's situation was a little bit different: Fergie brought the kits to her and then died. Without their mother, they would've been doomed, but not with her to care for them. Even still, if you find abandoned kits, you should contact animal control first. Otherwise, they'll pull a Freddie and demand to come inside!

Border Collies are highly intelligent animals and, as such, can perform a wide variety of tricks. From simple commands to complex herding instructions, a Border Collie has a perfect handle on themselves and their abilities. It's amazing to watch!

Too often when we're watching a dog do tricks, we focus more on the whole picture rather than the details. A recently posted video finally gives us the time to look at the dog's face as he's working, and his funky expressions did not disappoint:

The best boy 🐶 #tiktokdogs #dogtraining #dogtricks

Kelly Bove did an excellent job training this good boy, and that shows. I love how focused he is on his task!

Related: Border Collie Attempts to Play 'Jenga' and Doesn't Understand the Assignment

This dog mom currently has two Border Collies: Zain and Trek. She had a third one named Envy, but she recently passed away. All three of them were very close, and while Zain and Trek miss their sister very much, they're doing what Border Collies do best: working through it. Keeping them occupied with commands and games will help distract them from their grief.

The most impressive part of Trek's entire display is the way he runs backwards before performing an epic spin. That shows some real control over his movements! He also never blinks, which is really interesting: his eyes are gorgeous, but after a few seconds, I got scared and had to look away first!

Dogs use eye contact as a dominance move. Eye contact is often the first step in training a dog at all: before you give them a command, you have to be sure they're listening, and there's no better way to make sure you have someone's attention than to make eye contact with them. 

In dog shows, the judges actually prefer to see you making eye contact with your dog rather than with them. Though an occasional glance at the judges is perfectly fine, most of your time should be spent focusing on the dog. Additionally, a dog who's expecting continued eye contact is much more likely to go off-course if they think you're not paying attention. 

Eye contact can be taught like any other command: a simple word and some positive reinforcement will turn them into pros in no time. I had a friend once who had a Great Pyrenees, and she trained him to do all tricks in three parts:

1. "Eyes," where he'd look at her.
2. "Tail," where he'd sit on the ground.
3. Whatever the real command was: "roll over" and "high five" were some of Rocky's favorites. 

With Border Collies who are actually working with a herd, they typically wait for a command before they act. That's a perfect time for eye contact - and Trek takes full advantage!

While dogs don't need a massage to manage their stress from the office, they still enjoy this treatment's relaxing aspects. What's not to like? It feels good to have your face and shoulders massaged, and canines are experts at taking in all the pets they can get.

This funny Rottweiler would not hesitate to join his pals for a spa day. His look of total relaxation will help you feel calmer, too. Watch him living his best life in this April 26 video.

Just massaging a Bear 🐻❤️ or is this a Rottweiler?! #massagetherapy #massagetherapist #facialtreatment #facialmask #asmrrelax #rottweilersoftiktok

Beau is a handsome fellow who knows how to enjoy simple pleasures. He is completely relaxed as his dog massage begins, and his eyes are wiped clean. Then, it's time for a chest massage using rubber duckies. Lol! It only gets better when the massage includes the use of exfoliating gloves. Those must've felt nice over his thick and luxurious fur. Whether his décolleté gets long strokes of effleurage or his face is being scrunched, he doesn't move a muscle. Even having his acupressure points released keeps him in a state of pure bliss. He only opens his eyes when the cream comes out to moisturize his nose and ears. It must've smelled good enough to be worth waking up for!

Related: Rottweiler Can’t Get Enough of Small Human Sister After 3 Days Apart

This gorgeous boy is an excellent representation of this exceptional breed's serene and affectionate nature. Although they may have once been used to pull carts and plow fields, many today are now experts at enjoying the finer things in life. Despite a Rottweiler's enormous size and incredible strength, like Beau, they are the most sensitive of dogs who love to be showered with affection.

This dog's spa day has humans feeling a tad jealous. Viewer @DeanMariscal remarked, "Ok, wait! Does this dog get better treatment than I do? Lol, I'm going to send this to my wife. She really needs to see this!" Ha! This dog lives better than most of us do. Viewer @DarkShali responded, "This cracked me up!! His face!! He's reached nirvana. And he is gorgeous!" He's not worried about anything at all. Viewer @Samantha inquired, "Can someone tell me how so many dogs are calm for this? My dog would freak out and flip my camera over. Seriously, I don't get it; is it training?" Although all of my Rotties have enjoyed massages similar to this, it helps to begin these types of activities when they are young. 

While there are many things we can learn from our dogs, this is one of the most important lessons, as we could all undoubtedly use a little more self-care. If you last had a massage or facial some time ago, take this as your sign to book a day at the spa.

Dogs hate it when we clean, did you know that? It means we're taking away all of their favorite crumbs and dust, picking up all of their trinkets, and moving things around. They hate that! They hate it more, though, when we don't put all of their trinkets back afterward. They have to go searching for them! Really, how dare you? 

A Chocolate Lab learned this lesson the hard way on Wednesday, May 1st. His mom may have put up his dog bed, but he was going to get in it no matter what, and he was very successful:

This was the sweetest moment to capture 🩵 and of course I had to make the bed for him so that he can cocoon and watch TV in his bed on the coffee table ☕️📺 #cutedog #labradorretriever #pets

Charlie and Tobie are very spoiled, very happy pups. According to their mom, they have a bunch of beds throughout the house, but he doesn't even care. He wants this one!

Related: Chocolate Lab Puppy Resisting the Urge to Steal Mom's Socks Proves the Struggle is Real

These two pups are both Chocolate Labrador Retrievers, and although they look like real, biological brothers, they're actually not. Tobie is ten months younger than Charlie, but even so, they share everything. As the younger sibling, Tobie's entire goal in life is to bug Charlie and make sure no fun is being had without him. 

The pup in this video is Charlie - he loves his cozy beds. According to his mom, though, none of the beds at the store were quite what he wanted: donut beds are great, but she wanted him to have a full-on basket kind of bed. After all, he did go viral last year for his love of lying in a laundry basket. 

She made this bed herself! The outside was hand-crocheted, and the inside is stuffed and lined with a soft and fluffy fabric. In a comment, she mentioned that she spent at least $200 in materials to make it!

Charlie and Toby apparently have dog beds all throughout the house, and they love and use them all. However, there are plenty of people who have never had dog beds in their homes before, and their dogs are fine. Myself included! It wasn't until I got my third dog that I decided to try out dog beds, and now, I couldn't imagine life without them. 

Dogs don't technically need dog beds, and if a dog never has one, they won't miss it. They'll find other places to sit and lie down, including on rugs, the floor, and your furniture. Having a dog bed personally makes me feel better just because I worry that sitting on the hard floor hurts them. If you have hardwood/tile/vinyl flooring all throughout your house, a bed can provide a much-needed break. 

With a space of their own to snuggle up in, dogs are less likely to feel the need to jump up on the furniture, especially if you're not on it. That will help prevent staining and discoloration - and it can be a big help during shedding season. You don't have to make your own bed for your pup to be comfortable, either: Costco, HomeGoods, and even IKEA all make good ones!

Bully breeds get a bad rap. They're big and can be a little intimidating at times, which often leaves people a little hesitant to bring them into their families. However, once they do, any Bully family will tell you that it was absolutely the best decision they ever made!

One shelter pup finally got to get out of the kennels and go home to his forever family. On Wednesday, May 1st, his mom posted how his first night's sleep in his new home went differently than anyone had imagined, but it was adorable regardless. You have to see it:

I woke up to him chasing puppies in his sleep 🥹 #dogsoftiktok #americanbully #rescuedog #dream

Tiny the American Bully deserves the world. I know it doesn't look it, but that must've been such a good, restful sleep!

Related: American Bully Stomps His Foot in Protest After His 'Blankets Get Messed Up'

Tiny was rescued back in 2021 from a local animal shelter. His mom saw an advertisement for him on the shelter's Instagram and immediately fell in love - he was adopted by another family first, but returned to the shelter the next day due to cat aggression. She was lucky enough to be able to swoop in and take him home!

Unfortunately, Tiny passed away on March 30th of this year; he'd had several surgeries since moving into his forever home, and he was suffering from fluid in his lungs. Tiny's mom assured his adoring fans that the whole ordeal was quick, painless, and that he was surrounded by lots of love. Hopefully he's chasing puppies in heaven now!

Being in the shelter is certainly not a vacation for dogs: it's scary. They're surrounded by unfamiliar noises, sights, and smells, not to mention they're often resting in kennels. All of that combined with the fact that they're scared usually means they're not getting very restful sleep which, like humans, can lead to a very grumpy dog. Sleep is very important for them - dogs spend as many as 14 hours a day sleeping!

This is referred to as "sleep debt." If it's not corrected, whoever is suffering from it will feel super physically and mentally fatigued, be irritable, and have a hard time focusing on just about anything. The only way to "repay" sleep debt is to sleep more, and in sleeping more, you sleep deeper and catch up on lost REM cycles.

That's exactly what's going on with Tiny in this video. After years of not being able to truly rest, he set foot in his new home and totally zonked out! His twitchy behavior and heavy breathing here is indicative that he's in REM sleep, which really does mean he's dreaming. Rest in peace, Tiny!

A Golden Retriever was relaxing on the couch until his orange cat sibling decided he was going to "reclaim" his favorite spot.

The interaction was filmed and shared on social media, and it's worth seeing. Take a look!

Waffles claims this couch as his royal throne #fyp #foryou #catsanddogs #dogsandcats #cats #dogs #puppy #goldenretriever #orangecat #grumpycat #vocalcat #pets

On April 30, 2024, TikTok user Waffles and Maple (@thegoldenbreakfastclub), a profile that chronicles the fun adventures of Waffles, an orange cat, and Maple, a good Golden Retriever, shared a hilarious minute-long video showing the interaction between the sweet doggo and angry cat.

Related: 'Bossy' Cat Won't Let Dog Down the Stairs and It's Too Comical

In the video, Maple is taking a nap on the couch next to his dad, and above him, sitting on the top of the couch, is Waffles, a common place for cats to sleep.

But it's clear pretty quickly in the video that Waffles doesn't want to see Maple on the couch. So he makes his move to make him move. 

The second Maple looks up at Waffles, he strikes, hitting him in the face like cats do. But it doesn't look like he has his claws out, so he likely was just sending Maple a message and not actually being too aggressive.

That didn't deter Maple, so he tried his meows. But that didn't work either. Maple is holding strong, burying his head into the blanket.

At one point Maple does get off the seat, and when he comes back, Waffles lets him know that he's still not impressed.

The full one-minute video is admirable, and you can tell the two are playing with a bit of seriousness.

"Waffles claims this couch as his royal throne," the video caption reads.

In the comments, people had a lot to say about the Golden Retriever's interaction with the cute orange cat.

"Waffles came from the extra spicy orange factory," one person joked.

"Waffles the couch goblin," joked someone else.

Another TikTok viewer added, "I love that Maple just assumes Waffles is their bestie, and it’s just a game."

"Fighting like cats and dogs" is a common phrase that explains why the two species never get along, but that doesn't necessarily have to be the case. The stereotype can be proven wrong; it just takes some slow introductions and a little patience.

According to the Animal Humane Society, when introducing a dog and a cat who will both live at your home, it's important that each dog and cat have their own "safe place" that the other cannot access. 

"Ideally, your living spaces will have multiple high areas, like shelving or furniture that your cats are allowed on so they can easily escape the dog if needed," the organization writes.

It's important to keep them apart at first and the introduce each other through opposite sides of the closed door. Then over time allow them to see each other, retreating if they get too roudy with each other, and treat them when they're doing well. 

"When the animals appear to be getting along well, allow them loose in the room together, keeping the dog’s leash attached and dragging on the floor so that you can step on it and prevent him from chasing the cat if he gets excited," the organization explains. "If tension erupts, go back to the earlier introduction steps and repeat the process."

Of course, a lot of this will depend on personality, too. Some pairs will get along better faster, while others may take a little more time to get there.

Animals always know when it’s time for a meal. They seem to have a sense of when we are preparing those tasty morsels for them, and they can understandably run out of patience as they wait.

This massive Maine coon is feeling pretty hungry and is hoping Mom can move a little faster. Thankfully, although he may be excited to eat, he’s gentle with his request. Otherwise, he may have knocked her over!

Watch this hungry kitty waiting for breakfast in a video from April 25:

A post shared by Zeus Maine Coon (@zeus.mainecoon.official)

Zeus is one beautiful cat! This large Maine Coon is almost as tall as his mother, and he towers over his feline sibling, who is also eagerly waiting to eat. Luckily, this boy is gentle, his mom shares, and does not use his claws despite pawing at her to let her know he’s waiting. That’s a relief because his massive paws could cause serious pain! Zeus is running out of patience as he waits for her to prepare breakfast, so he stands tall beside her, trying to hurry her along. This display highlights its incredible size even more. If you’re wondering what he’s eating for breakfast, his mom shared in the notes that he gets raw beef in the morning and access to dry food all day. No wonder he was so excited!

Related: Maine Coon Cat 'Making Biscuits' with His Big Paws Has Everyone In Awe

It’s surprising to learn that Maine Coons are not the tallest breed of cat, as reported by Catster. The Savannah cat takes the top spot when it comes to height, measuring approximately 16.5 inches. However, Maine Coons are not far behind, with an average height ranging from 10 to 16 inches. What’s even more impressive is their length, which can range from 19 to 40 inches. While they may be long, a healthy weight for these magnificent felines is around 18 to 22 pounds. The largest recorded Maine Coon was a remarkable 48.5 inches long from nose to tail. That’s so impressive!

Zeus’s incredible size wowed animal lovers. Viewer @kerrfroggie responded, “That small one could hide in the tail of the big one...so neat, how big!” That’s the truth. Viewer @tahlia_de_la_mare remarked, “My 12-year-old Maine coon has taken to doing this to the tablecloth at dinner. Too many times, I’ve lost my dinner to the murderous fluff ball.” LOL! They have the power and aptitude to do it. Another viewer remarked, “He’s big enough to make his own breakfast!” No doubt!

Besides being handsome, this big boy is gentle and kind. It’s a requirement with a feline nearly as big as you.

A small turkey chick thinks he's just another one of the ducklings, and he's stealing hearts all over the place. 

On April 30, 2024, TikTok user Chapel Acre Farm (@chapelacrefarm) shared a quick video of a little turkey with a little identity crisis. Take a look!

What happens when only 1 turkey hatches…#ducklings #springtime #turkey

In a short 24-second video, we meet several little ducklings and a turkey chick who is just a little confused.

Related: Turkey's Sweet Cuddles with Sanctuary Worker Are Enough to Make Anyone Melt

"Poor turkey thinks it's a duck," the text on the screen reads as we see a green kiddy pool full of ducklings swimming in the water.

But there was one little ducky in the water who didn't really look like the other ones.

Why? Well, the ducky water pond was for ducklings, but the one that stood out was a baby turkey. And that real turkey thought they were ducklings and pretended to swim around as if they were swimming, too.

"What happens when only one turkey hatches..." the text caption reads.

In the comment section, people were charmed by this sweet little turkey who thought he was a duckling.

"He can be whatever he wants to be when he grows up," one person wrote.

"The way he just walks when they are all swimming," someone else shared.

"Aww, baby turkey just wants to make friends," another person wrote.

"Just one of the gang," someone else commented.

According to Animal Corner, "Baby turkeys are such adorable little birds," and "they look nothing like they do in adulthood."

Funnily enough, baby turkeys look like little chickens but are a little longer-bodied.

"These little birds are warm, soft, and incredibly curious," the site explains. "They make friends easily and love to make a noise!"

All that totally checks out with this turkey, who thinks he's just another one of the ducklings. But some other interesting facts make baby turkeys super cool.

"Baby turkeys are called poults," Animal Corner writes. The word originates from "the old French ‘poulet,’ which means ‘young fowl,'" the site adds.

"As they grow, juvenile females are called ‘jennies‘ before becoming turkey ‘hens‘ as adults. Juvenile male turkeys are called ‘jakes’ before becoming ‘gobblers‘ or ‘toms‘ as adults."

And one of the weirder facts about turkeys has to do with their poop and the interesting thing their poop can predict.

"Believe it or not, there is a lot you can tell from a baby turkey from its poop," Animal Corner admits. "For a start, you can tell its sex and its age by the size and shape!"

According to the site, female turkey chicks are spiral-shaped, while male turkey poop is more of a J-shape.

As parent to a new puppy, we have a lot of things to teach them as they get older. If you're struggling with crate training your dog, there's an incredible 4-step hack that makes it so much easier!

On April 30, 2024, TikTok user Oakley (@oakleydoodlegram) shared a video of a sweet little puppy who is doing a really great job at crate training, thanks to his parent's smart 4-step hack. Here's what you should know.

👏👏 #fyp #australianlabradoodle #dogsoftiktok #dogtraining #puppytraining #cratetraining

In a quick 21-second video, we meet a beautiful Australian Labradoodle who is just learning how to use his crate. And the smart way his parents went about that.

Related: Dog Trainer Lists Common Mistakes People Make While Crate Training

According to the Humane Society of the United States, crate training when you have a puppy can be an important step to help your dog grow.

"Crate training a puppy takes advantage of the dog’s natural instincts to seek out a comfortable, quiet, and safe place when the environment around them becomes too loud or overwhelming," the organization says.

"It’s an important tool in preventing dogs from chewing on items in the home or during housetraining. Crates are also a safe way to transport your dog in the car."

In quick terms, the crate is like a baby crib where they can be safe when you need to be out of their site. But it's also like your bed, somewhere you can retreat to when you're overwhelmed, tired, or need some alone time.

And now, thanks to this video, we've got a smart 4-step hack to introduce the word "crate" to our puppies, which will be a far easier method than others.

The video's title says, "How we taught our new puppy [the word] 'crate,'" before breaking down the four steps and showing us how to do each one.

First up is luring, in which you hold a treat in your hand and run it across the floor to lure your pup into its crate. When the pup enters the crate, you give the treat to him.

The second step in the hack is resistance, where you put a treat into their crate and hold them, with gentle resistance, before letting them go to eat their treat.

The third step is adding the word. With this step, you'll start the puppy outside its crate and say the word "crate," hopefully getting it to jump into its crate. From there, you celebrate and give them their treat.

And the fourth step is "lots and lots and lots of treats."

It's such a smart and easy breakdown that makes this training look much easier than we've seen in the past. Really you just need to make sure you have a lot of treats, and that you are consistent. 

The Humane Society of the United States does give a reminder that crate training and crate use with a dog should not be used for all situations. And specifically, it should never be used as a form of punishment.

"While crates can be used to manage a behavior, they should never be used for punishment," the organization warns. For example, you should not put your dog into a crate if they're being disruptive during a gathering at your house by jumping or having mishaps with food. Instead, it would be far more effective to preemptively put your pup into their crate with an interactive toy before anything negative happens. 

"Regardless of the timing, using treats to entice your dog into the crate until they love going in on their own will ensure a positive association with it," the organization shares.

Everyone always says that seniors have earned the right to be a little whiny. Humans and animals alike can reach their golden years, and once they do, they really have earned the right to grumble. Existing is exhausting!

One Pug definitely felt the pressure of being alive on Friday, April 26th. He had to let his feelings fly, and that meant doing the only thing he knows how to do: scream. Turn down the volume on your headphones and check it out:

channeling my inner godzilla 🦖 #pug #godzillavskongroar #scream #fyp #funny

Floki and Vienna are a very whiny duo, but I love everything about them. Being a senior Pug can't be easy: that must be why they're always screaming!

Related: Mom Says Her Senior Pug Is ‘Aging in Reverse’ and She’s Honestly Right

Floki is a viral sensation, and has been on several occasions. He's most known for sitting in his window and screaming at whatever he feels is offending him at that time, though he does scream at other things. Some of his greatest screaming hits include:

1. Children laughing
2. The dark 
3. Dinnertime 
4. The TV
5. His Dachshund sister, Vienna

I don't think I've ever seen Floki barking even a little bit normally - come to think of it, I've never really seen any Pug bark normally. They may be small and notorious for their breathing problems, but when it comes time to whine, they magically have lungs of pure steel.

As dogs get older, you may notice that they tend to do a lot more complaining than they did as puppies, and it's often a lot louder. It's annoying, yes, but it's also not their fault; the situation requires some patience. Senior dogs may be screaming because:

1. Something hurts (their hips, joints, teeth, etc)
2. Something startled them
3. The light is hurting their eyes
4. They need help to get up, move around, or go out 
5. They have no idea they're being loud.

Aging also means that a dog's senses may be getting worse. Pugs in particular are at risk for cataracts and hearing loss. Unfortunately, losing your senses can be scary, and that leads them to rely more on you, which means more noise when they need something. The best thing you can do to prevent this noise is just to keep them comfortable: don't give them a lot to make noise about, and they won't. 

As long as the screaming is consistent and not a yelp or only happening when they apply pressure to one area, you can rest assured that it's not an issue of discomfort. Sometimes, our senior pups just want to scream!

Everyone thinks their own dog is cute — okay, most everyone — so I know that I probably have an overinflated sense of how special my pup is compared to all of the others out there. But then, there are some famous pets I've seen online who I simply cannot get over when it comes to the adorableness factor! Sure, some of it comes down to the fact that these pets are enjoying a cushy lifestyle, which includes expensive grooming... but some of them were straight up born this cute. 

That appears to include Chelsea Handler's new pup. And when she recently showed him off in a video on TikTok, people couldn't help but gush over the fact that he looks just like a bear cub! 

This my baby 🐶

Chelsea shared this sweet video on her official TikTok account on Tuesday, April 30, and honestly, I don't know how she gets anything done knowing that this beautiful Chow Cow named Doug is waiting for her at home! 

He's still young, but he's huge, and so fluffy... and somehow, Chelsea manages to carry him around and make it look easy. "This is my baby," she wrote in her caption. 

Looking at Doug's face, it definitely seems like the love is mutual — he doesn't mind being carried one bit! 

And of course, I'm not surprised at all to see that the comments are full of people totally losing it over how cute this dog is (just like I am). One person wrote, "Ma'am, you are carrying a bear in your arms. And now I also want one..." 

Chelsea first introduced her pup to her followers on Instagram, sharing the first photos of him in January when she let the world catch a glimpse of the newest member of her family. 

"Meet Doug Handler. He is an 8 month full blown Chow Chow rescue with my favorite body type. FULL-BODIED," she wrote in her caption at the time. "And he slept in my bed on our first night. Just the way I like it! I’ll see you tomorrow on the CW for the Critics Choice Awards." 

Since then, Chelsea has continued sharing updates on Doug, including this sweet selfie they took together while visiting Whistler. If you're not already following her on. Instagram and TikTok, now is a good time to start so you don't miss out on any Doug footage! 

The internet's consensus is, of course, that Doug is adorable... and I have a feeling we're all just waiting for the next photo or video of him to pop up on our feeds! 

Baby Jameela grabbed onto everyone's hearts when we first heard of her, and she has yet to let go. Everything about her story is just incredible: for a while there, it felt like Jameela just couldn't get luck on her side. Finally, however, she's found a home, and from the looks of it she couldn't be any happier. 

On Saturday, April 27th, the zoo where Jameela landed to start her new life shared a cheerful update. It's truly perfect for springtime:

Sun’s out, gorillas out. ☀️ #clevelandmetroparkszoo #babygorilla #jameela #gorillas

The Cleveland Metroparks Zoo has officially made its way into my list of favorite zoos, and it's all because of Jameela! I'm legitimately thinking about booking a trip there soon just to see her and queen Freddy for myself.

Related: Gorilla Baby Jameela's Bond with Foster Mom Grows Stronger by the Day

By now, everyone knows Jameela's story, right? She was rejected by her mom, Sekani, after a difficult pregnancy-turned-C-section at the Fort Worth Zoo. They tried their best to get another gorilla in their own troop to take her in, but it didn't work, and thus she was shipped off to Cleveland, where she met Fredrika. The several-time surrogate mom took her right in!

Since then, Jameela and Freddy have really bonded. The queen can be found carrying Jameela on her back, just like she would with one of her "real" kids. As it should be, Jameela and Freddy are almost inseparable, and the two of them went on a little adventure together outside. Some of Jameela's surrogate troop-mates were even around, and they seem to like her, too!

Jameela just landed at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo with Freddy and her family, but there's one question on everyone's mind: how long will she be staying there?

In the wild, infants stay with their mothers for anywhere from 4-5 years before they're ready to go off on their own. They spend a lot of that time attached to their mother's back, though they do get down to play with their siblings and try their hand at foraging every once in a while. After that, they sometimes will go off, but they can choose to stay in their troop, too. 

In a zoo setting, troops often stay together for the duration of their lives, and Jameela's situation may be no different. Where she ends up later on in life will depend on where she's needed: as a perfectly healthy female, she may end up being placed at a different zoo for breeding purposes. What matters now, though, is the fact that she's safe and loved by humans and gorillas alike!

When the days are longer, and the temperature rises, we spend more time outdoors with our animals. Unfortunately, this also means our pets are more likely to encounter unwelcome bugs, like fleas and ticks. While there may be a host of toxic products available to keep them at bay, they also come with a long list of side effects.

Thankfully, there are also natural options available. Even better, you can make this spray using only one ingredient you likely already have at home. Not only is it effective, but you don’t have to worry about what it’s doing to your cherished animals!

Watch this video from April 25 to see how easy it is to prepare!

🍋 Easy home remedy, natural tick (flea & mosquito) repellent for dogs 👏. Product solution (with discount coupon) included as well👍‼️#tick #ticks #ticksdog #dogtick #tickseason #tickseasonishere #lemon #homeremedy #homeremedies #nomorefleas #fleas #fleasonthedog #fleaseason #fleasandticks #naturalfleaandtickrepellent #dogfleas #mosquitoes #mosquitos #mosquito #mosquitorepellant #mosquitorepellent #naturalsolutionsfordogs #flea #dogwellness #doghealthtips #doghealth #microinfluencer #dogfluencer #pupfluencer #microinfluencertips #dogmom #dogdad#dogparents#dogparent#dogowner#dogowners#tiktoktaughtmethis#educational#value#coupon#dogcaretips

Not only is this simple to make, but it will also make our pups smell terrific. John’s (@johnspetsolutions) effortless recipe uses only one ingredient: lemons! Even better, pet parents don’t have to worry about any potential adverse side effects from using this natural spray. 

Related: The Best Ways to Keep Pets Safe from Fleas and Ticks

I can personally attest to the dangers of many of these chemical repellents. Years ago, before a warning was placed on them, my 10-year-old Rottweiler experienced acute and severe neurological side effects that included backend paralysis. Thankfully, with the help of many experts, she regained use of her hind end once again with only a few lingering effects, and I was lucky enough to spend another two years with her. Since that terrifying experience, I have never again put another flea and tick pesticide on my animals.

He first quarters a lemon to make this repellent and then places the pieces in a jar. He showed us that he used a leftover pickle jar to make his. That’s smart! Then he poured enough boiling water to cover them and placed the lid on. He then allowed this mixture to sit overnight, which he strained into a spray bottle the next day. He cautions that if reusing an old spray bottle at home, be sure that it doesn’t have any residual product from whatever was inside.

When applying to your dog, always protect their eyes. Spray it behind the ears, around the head, at the base of the tail, and in the armpits. Not only will this repel ticks, but it will repel fleas. It should be used once or twice daily, depending on how much time your pup spends outside. If you don’t want to make your own, you can always purchase his natural remedy or others. In addition to using natural sprays like this, I’ve discovered that sprinkling diatomaceous earth on my area rugs and dog beds and vacuuming it up also helps keep unwanted critters away.

I’m looking forward to trying this all-natural alternative. There’s nothing more important than keeping our cherished pets safe from harm.

If you thought dogs were the only domesticated animals able to steal, you're sorely mistaken. In fact, if there's one domesticated animal species that has the real stealth and desire to steal things, it's cats!

That's not just slander, it's true. If you don't believe me, just take a look at this video from Thursday, April 25th. Not only does this cat manage to steal a bag of Doritos, but he steals a car, too! They'll never catch him now:

that has to be the least inconspicuous getaway car ever

Loki Does Tricks, sure, but he also Commits Crimes. You an't even eat those, dude! What are you doing?!

Related: Cat Begging to Wear His Lion Mane Costume Is Just So Human-Like

Loki is a TikTok star. He has managed to get himself about 350,000 followers on TikTok - and a whopping 525,000 on Instagram. Both platforms get to see his antics all the time, and they're always hilarious: from stealing chips to demanding to wear his silly little costumes all the time, there's always something he wants. 

Loki actually made it to the final round of this year's Cadbury Bunny contest - he was almost the face of the famous Creme Eggs brand for the season! In the end, he ended up losing out to a raccoon named Louie, but it was a really close call. Since he didn't win that prize money, apparently, Loki had to turn to a life of crime. He's lucky he's adorable!

Unfortunately, cats will always find something to steal, and it's not their fault that they do it. It's in an animal's nature to build a "nest" of sorts, especially during pregnancy. If they start to feel like resources are scarce, they may start hoarding their things in a hiding place. It's a concerning behavior, but there are ways to help. You can try:

1. Locking things up (like chips, small packaged goods, fruits, etc).
2. Keep cats out of rooms that are unsupervised.
3. Redirect them when you notice them getting ready to steal. 
4. Offering them more enrichment. 

If a cat is stealing things, it might be because they don't have enough things to be interested of their own. Shiny things and things that crinkle are very enticing to a cat, especially a bored one. To combat this, make sure you're devoting time to playing with them and try switching up their toys every once in a while to keep things interesting for them!

Loki does this all the time: there are many videos of him sneaking into the cabinets or onto the counters to steal snacks. Locks on your cabinets may help prevent grubby paws from sliding inside. But honestly, I'm glad Loki's house doesn't have those - this is so entertaining to watch!

Some dogs might be easygoing in all aspects of their lives, but I've yet to meet any who are totally chill about everything. All dogs have their quirks, whether it's about their favorite toys, where they sleep at night, or which parks are their favorites to take a walk in. And usually, the food they eat (and when they eat it) is a topic that a dog will have an opinion on. My dog always eats the same flavor of food from the same brand, because nothing else will do... and if she's not fed exactly on time, she will make it everyone's problem. These pups don't mess around when it comes to dinner! 

So I'm not surprised to see that the dog in this viral TikTok video feels a certain way about how his dinner is served... but I will admit that his dining request is definitely a unique (yet relatable) one! 

Okay... this is getting ridiculous. I made the mistake of putting a small packet of Parmesan on his food one day and now we're at the point I have to buy a container for his food. He will come to me and stare me down, paw my leg and refuse to eat unless he sees and smells the cheese on his food. I've created a cheese loving monster 🤦‍♂️ I should change his name to Montery Jack at this point. #goldenretrieverlife #spoileddog #cheeseaddict #Zeno #monteryjack #rescuerangers #cheese #parmesan

On Tuesday, April 30, @zenogolden — a TikTok account dedicated to a beautiful Golden Retriever named Zeno, of course — shared a video of what happens when a dog's dad doesn't serve his dinner exactly to his specifications. But his specifications are parmesan cheese sprinkled on top of his dry dog food. What?! 

In the caption, Zeno's dad explained, "I made the mistake of putting a small packet of parmesan on his food one day and now we're at the point I have to buy a container for his food. He will come to me and stare me down, paw my leg and refuse to eat unless he sees and smells the cheese on his food. I've created a cheese loving monster." 

That's really funny... and also, I feel like I can relate to Zeno on a spiritual level. If you're eating a food where you can add cheese, you absolutely should. And like we can see in this video, he really does refuse to eat it until the cheese has been sprinkled on.

Has Zeno ever been to Olive Garden? I think he'd really like it there.  

Clearly, Zeno is just fine after eating parmesan cheese (at least, as far as I can tell from this video)... but do the experts believe this is a good idea? 

It's not necessarily good for them, but it's not an unsafe food for dogs, either. The advice is to offer it in small quantities occasionally if you're going to offer it to them at all (don't tell Zeno) and to be sure that your dog is not lactose intolerant before you do! It's also not safe at all for puppies, since their little bodies haven't developed enough to digest it yet. 

The positives is that it's delicious, but the bad side is that it could cause stomach upset and even weight gain, if they're eating enough of it. 

But with that little sprinkle on his food, Zeno's likely just fine. He can take it! 

There's nothing worse than muddy paw prints on your freshly cleaned floor. Unfortunately, that's just the reality of having a furry friend; unless you have boots for them that you're ready to put on every time they go outside, they're going to get a little bit of dirt in the house.

Unless, of course, you train them to wipe those little paws off before they walk inside. For one Pomeranian, her trick was completed, but not without a little bit of grumbling. Her mom posted the evidence on Tuesday, April 30th:

The queen of sass 💃🏻 #pomeranian #dogtok #funnydog #fyp #funnydogvideos #sassy

Lola the Pom has very little interest in wiping her feet, but she obliges anyway. Her mom is lucky!

Related: Funny Pomeranian Appears to Speak His Own Language While Chatting with Mom

Lola, a TikTok sensation with nearly 100,000 followers, is quite the personality. She does actually have a pair of rain boots, but she prefers just to wipe her feet when she goes inside. Boots can be a little irritating, especially if they're too small or the dog's nails are a little too long. 

It was the "wiping her feet" trick that made Lola go viral once before: a video of her in 2021 exploded when her mom posted about how she'd accidentally taught her dog to breakdance. The video got over 18 million views and 4.3 million likes! Since then, Lola is still breakdancing away, and it's just precious - even when she grumbles about it!

Lola may know how to wipe her feet, but even that's not foolproof, especially with a longhaired dog like a Pomeranian. There could be mud hidden in between their toe beans or even in the crevices of the skin. It's not their fault, so it's important not to get mad at them. When they get wet, dogs often get the zoomies, so your clean home could quickly become stained if you're not careful.

Luckily, there are a few easy ways to clean mud up after a dog has a good time playing outside:

1. Keep a spray bottle with equal parts hydrogen peroxide and water by your front door to grab when you come back in. 
2. Spray stained surfaces immediately when you notice and dab, don't rub, with a washcloth. 
3. Within an hour of the paws touching the furniture, get the covers or fabric into a vinegar soak for at least a few hours, but preferably overnight. 
4. If you can't remove the covers (like on mattresses or some couch cushions) you can steam clean them.

At the end of the day, it's just stuff. Muddy paw prints are reminders of quality time in the rain. If your dog doesn't know how to breakdance like Lola, don't sweat it!

Just like people, all dogs are different when it comes to kids. Some absolutely love them — after all, who else can keep up with their energy quite like a kid can? — while some just aren't into the small, loud people who run all around the house and sometimes steal their toys. Feeling either way is totally understandable, of course. And then, there are the dogs who seem to have been meant to be big brothers and sisters to tiny humans. I had that exact experience with our dog when my daughter was born, and four years later, they're still best friends.

I predict the same will happen with the dog in this TikTok video as well after watching this adorable footage. This pup was made for the big sister life.

She’s never far away 🥹 #minidachshund #dachshundsoftiktok #puppy #dachshunds #bigsis

On Monday, April 29, @george.and.remi shared this sweet footage of their Mini Dachshund interacting with their little boy, and it looks like this kid definitely has a friend for life in Remi.

Over the lyrics, the video says, "when your Dachshund is the most involved, sweetest, patient big sister," and the clips really prove that statement to be true. Wherever the baby is, she's sure to follow, whether they're playing in the yard or Remi's busy supervising bath time. 

You can really see that patience shining through when Remi's little brother is sitting next to her on the floor, touching her paws. Some dogs really hate that, but Remi doesn't even move a muscle.

And according to the comments, this isn't the only member of the breed who behaves this way. One fellow Dachshund parent wrote, "My girl had a new purpose in life when my daughters were born. Abby never left their side. So patient and loving." 

Like I said earlier, all dogs are different. But some dogs are instinctually protective of the babies in their families, and that's called a "pack drive." 

As dog behaviorist Alexandra Bassett told the American Kennel Club, those "den instincts" are going to be what encourages your dog to get to know (and protect) your baby right off the bat, and the more time they spend together, the stronger their connection will be. 

Dogs will also know that your baby is harmless to them and is a vulnerable creature. Of course, they should always be supervised when together, but your dog should be able to tell that this tiny creature means no harm, even if they've never been around a baby before! 

This is a mutually beneficial relationship for them. The babies get the joy and the love from growing up with a dog, while the dog is getting more attention from another human, which is never a bad thing in their eyes! 

Hanger is not an easy thing to manage, especially for a big dog. When hunger sets in, you have about ten minutes to do something about it before it becomes total hanger. Whether you're a person or a dog, this window is very real, and those around you will suffer the consequences!

On Tuesday, April 30th, one Cane Corso's hanger set in while she was actually waiting for her special treat at McDonald's. Her complaining was so cute that it went viral:

#shapoppinwithshannon #fyp #shapoppinwithquinnie #mcdonalds #chickennuggets #dogsoftiktok #quinniechronicles #doglife #doglover #quinniebowers #gentlegiant #bigdog #canecorso #dogmom #dogtok #animalsoftiktok #furbaby #adoptdontshop #rescuedog #spoileddog @McDonald’s

Unfortunately for Shannon Bowers, there's nothing she could do about this. What did Quinnie want her to do, go and cook the nuggets herself?! 

Related: Cane Corso Mama Gently Shares Her Toy with New Litter of Puppies

Quinnie is totally a drama queen - she's gone viral a few times, and every time, it's because there's something displeasing her. For example, another video posted a few days before that showed her battling it out with a dancing cactus. The cactus claimed the victory!

Regardless of her antics, Quinnie is a very sweet girl. Cane Corsos may be huge (up to 100 pounds), but they're some of the most playful, kind-hearted pups you'll ever meet. Just don't try to mess with their humans, or you might get the claws! For her waiting efforts, she was given 4 McDonald's chicken nuggets and a ton of love from adoring fans!

Some people might argue that dogs should definitely not eat McDonald's, and neither should humans. Technically speaking, McDonald's is not good for dogs. Almost everything a dog would eat there is fried in oil, and if it's not, it's still very salty. Dogs are not equipped to handle that much sodium. Still, most of it is not toxic, so they can safely eat small bites.

The quality of the food itself is also not great for the dogs, considering no one is actually sure of the exact quality of the food. In the grand scheme of things to feed your dog, McDonald's (and every fast-food chain) should probably be avoided.  

Quinnie got 4 chicken nuggets for a treat, and as a big dog, she'll be fine. For smaller dogs, a half or one whole nugget is plenty, and you should peel the breading off so they're only getting the meat. When you're feeding your dog fast food, make sure it's:

1. Only the meat portion (no whole burgers or sandwiches).
2. Plain and not dipped in anything. 
3. As "healthy" as possible (go for the grilled chicken if you can!)
4. In small quantities so they don't get a stomachache.

An underrated hero at fast food restaurants when you're bringing your dog is the apple slices. They really do go crazy for them - fast food apples tend to be very sweet. Maybe Quinnie can try that next time!