"I just like animals more than I like people. It's that simple." - Betty White
Happy Monday! Here's the scoop:
Mason the Avalanche Dog, preparing for duty
Today’s DOTD is a very mini Maltese!
Walk this way
True or False...
A small dog's average resting heart rate is around 70 BPM.
(scroll to the bottom to find the answer!)
A day in the life of a Colorado Avalanche Dog
Ever wonder how an avalanche dog prepares for duty? On ski slopes, avalanche dogs are important members of the rescue team when someone goes missing. It’s a tough job, but Mason, a four-year-old golden retriever with Copper Mountain ski patrol, loves every minute of it.
On a typical day, you can find Mason hanging out with his human and canine coworkers in the ski patrol duty station on Copper Mountain, listening to classic rock on Sirius XM. When it’s time to practice his avalanche rescue skills, he heads out into the snow. To Mason, it feels like playtime. Afterward, he’ll curl up on a chair and nap.
His handler, Abby Seymour, told the Denver post, “He has this big smile, and he rolls in the snow at the bottom of lifts every morning. A lot of times people will be walking by and they’ll be like, ‘Oh, is this his first time out this season?’ It’s like, ‘No, this is every day. He’s really excited and happy to be here.’ He just loves the snow.” Mason just might be the ski patrol’s employee of the month!
Image courtesy of The Denver Post.
Dog of the Day
Meet today’s dog of the day: Max!
Little Max the Maltese is 14 yrs. Old. Here he is with his matching birthday cake. He is such a blessing to his family - thanks for submitting max, Katie G!
P.S. Want your pup to be featured in a future Daily Dig? Submit their pic to woof@dailydigdogs.com or DM us on Instagram! Include their name and anything that makes them special (we know, we know, everything about them is special).
Why do dogs always walk one way on their walks?
When you go for a walk, does your dog tend to pull you in a particular direction as soon as you get outside? This is a common behavior for many pups. So, why do they do it?
Dogs like routine. They feel secure when they follow a habitual pattern, and experiencing familiar sights and smells on a walk can make dogs feel confident.
While having a basic routine helps a dog thrive, it’s important not to create too strict a schedule for your dog. When a strict routine is enforced, dogs can become reliant on those patterns and develop behavioral issues like separation anxiety. That’s why it’s best to give your dog structure without imposing a tight regimen.
If you notice your dog leading you away from home on your way back from a walk, they might be trying to extend their time outdoors. When you’re in a hurry and need your dog to follow your lead, you can use mental stimulation to keep your dog’s attention focused on you. When it seems like your dog is craving more exercise, it’s fine to take your dog’s cue and enjoy the great outdoors for a little longer!
True or False...
Answer: False! The average resting heart rate of a small dog is around 150 BPM, about 50% faster than that of a human's (which is 70 BPM).
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