“Dogs are great. Bad dogs, if you can really call them that, are perhaps the greatest of them all.” - John Grogan

Happy Wednesday! Here's the scoop:

• How a drone and a little creativity saved a stranded pup

• Our favorite source for reliable daily news

• A DIY treat + leash holder to simplify your walking routine

• One study’s results on sleeping next to our pets

True or False...
The Shih Tzu breed’s name means "Little Monkey" in Mandarin.

(scroll to the bottom to find the answer)

This lost dog was rescued in an unusual way
Necessity is the mother of invention, and thanks to some innovative thinking, this lost dog is now safely back home.

Millie, an adorable Russell Terrier and whippet mix, took herself on an adventure after slipping free from her collar while on a walk. Millie ran off and soon her whole neighborhood was on the lookout. They found her on the mudflats, in danger of being surrounded by the incoming tide. And yet, Millie would not come when she was called.

Just when things were getting dire, Chris Taylor – the chair of the Drone Search and Rescue team in Millie’s hometown of Denmead, England – came up with a creative solution. By attaching a sausage to a drone, they were able to coax Millie toward higher ground.

When Millie spotted her owners, Emma and Tony, she ran to them. Presumably she had had enough excitement for one day and was ready to return home. We’re so glad that Millie is okay!

What we're digging
As dog parents, we know morning routines with a pup can be a little chaotic (ok, sometimes extremely chaotic). Fortunately, finding a reliable news source doesn’t have to be.

Meet: 1440 — the fastest way to an impartial point of view on the news, delivered straight to your inbox every morning.

Their team scours 100+ news sources, ranging from culture and science to sports and politics, to get you caught up on the day’s events in a single 5 minute email.

The best part? It’s free. Check out our friends at 1440 and join here!

Do(g)-It-Yourself
When you share your home with a dog, things can get a little messy. That’s why having a place for everything – and keeping everything in its place – is the key to staying organized.

A leash holder is a great way to simplify your walking routine. Thankfully, you don’t have to be an expert carpenter to build your own leash holder, with a spot to hang up your dog’s leash and a jar for treats.

Make your own dog treat and leash holder:

• What you’ll need: mason jar, hose clamp, double robe hook, pallet wood or plain wood board, picture hanging kit, drill, screws, metal finishing solution, and a screwdriver.

• If you’re using plain wood from the hardware store, you’ll want to sand and stain your wood first.

• Pre-drill a hole into the hose clamp and a hole into the wood.

• Place the mason jar in the hose clamp, then use a screwdriver to screw the hose clamp to the wood.

• Line up the robe hook underneath the mason jar.

• Pre-drill two holes then screw in the robe hook.

• For a finishing touch, you can add some chalkboard paint to the top. Write your dog’s name, or just a simple “Woof.”

• Use the picture hanging kit to hang your leash holder to the wall.

• Fill the jar with treats and get ready to go for a walk!

Study finds women sleep better next to dogs
Dogs bring comfort and joy to our days, but it turns out that they also bring us benefits in the nighttime. According to a new study, women actually sleep better when they sleep next to their dog.

In this study, over 900 women in the U.S. were surveyed about their sleep habits. 55% said that they share their bed with a dog. 57% said they share a bed with a partner – so there was some overlap in canine and human bedmates.

The results indicated that dogs make the best bed partners, compared to humans or other kinds of pets. Dogs are less likely to wake their owners up in the middle of the night. Plus, compared to cats, dogs have the added benefit of giving women a sense of comfort and security.

In addition, dog owners reported going to bed and waking up earlier than participants who sleep alongside their cats, which is likely due to the daily routine that a dog will impose on your lifestyle. So, if you’re having trouble sleeping, consider cozying up with your pup to get some much needed shut eye!

True or False…
Answer: False! The Mandarin phrase “Shih Tzu” actually translates to "Little Lion.” The Shih Tzu breed was likely given its name because of its association with the Tibetan Buddhist God of Learning, who, according to legend, traveled with a small lion dog that could transform into a full-sized lion.

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