"Why does watching a dog be a dog fill one with happiness?" - Johnathan Safron Foer

Happy Friday! Here's the scoop:

• FGF: the special needs doodle who’s now living his happiest life

• Our favorite easy dog snack

• The real reason dogs sneeze when they play

Did you know?
Newfoundlands, Portuguese Water Dogs, and Dachshunds all have one rare trait in common. Can you guess what it is?

(scroll to the bottom to find the answer!)

Feel Good Friday: Meet Josh the special needs Goldendoodle
This Goldendoodle is living the good life now that he’s found his forever home. Kimberly Elliot found Josh the Goldendoodle on an online rescue site. She and her husband decided to foster Josh, but soon realized that their lives would all be improved if they stayed together.

Josh has a neurological condition that causes him to have certain physical limitations. To help Josh get around, Elliot gave him a specially made set of doggie wheels, a harness to help him get up, and a doggie backpack for hikes.

"He doesn't seem to be fazed by his physical challenges. He's just an amazing, vibrant soul," Elliot says.

Inspired by Josh’s positive attitude, Elliot started the Be Like Josh organization to rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome dogs who are living with neurological disabilities. Elliot also does community outreach to teach love and acceptance for all animals. 5-year-old Josh continues to inspire Elliot and everyone he meets. We love Josh!

Do(g)-It-Yourself
Looking for a healthy homemade treat for your dog? Try these super simple green bean crunchies.

With just two ingredients and plenty of antioxidants, these tasty snacks improve your dog’s energy level, support their immune system, and reduce dry skin. Your dog will love these DIY goodies!

Make your own green bean crunchies:

• What you’ll need: frozen cut green beans, olive oil.

• Preheat the oven to 170º F.

• Coat the green beans with olive oil in a mixing bowl.

• Spread the green beans on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

• Dry the beans in the oven for 8 hours, or until they’re crunchy.

• Allow the green beans to cool completely.

• Give your dog a tasty snack!

• Store the leftovers in an airtight container for treats throughout the week.

Why do dogs sneeze when they play?
Have you noticed that your dog tends to sneeze when it plays? You might’ve assumed it was a mild allergy, but it turns out that sneezing during playtime is a behavioral signal to communicate, “Hey, it’s cool. We’re just playing.”

Dogs love to play, of course. But playing isn’t merely fun for dogs – playing is an important socialization practice that improves a dog’s overall wellbeing. A sneeze during play is meant to signal either the human or another dog that any barking or growling is just for fun, and not a fight.

If your dog is sneezing more than normal, you may want to take your dog to the vet to make sure they’re not suffering from an allergy or breathing issue. However, if your pup sneezes while you’re playing, it is most likely just their way of telling you they’re having a blast.

Did you know?
Answer: webbed feet!

Dogs that are renowned for their swimming ability, such as Newfoundlands and Portuguese Water Dogs, have webbed feet to help push themselves through the water. Dachshunds also have webbed feet – and although their original purpose was to hunt and dig out small game, these unlikely looking dogs love to swim (but should always be supervised!).

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