Blog — Writer_Carrie_Pallardy

Chicago Loves Mutts: The City’s Top Dog Breeds Chicago is a city of dog lovers. Dog owners crowd Montrose Dog Beach to play in the lake with their pups. When you step outside, you’ll inevitably see dogs faithfully trotting alongside their owners (or lunging for the nearest pigeon). Block Club Chicago did a deep dive into city data to find out the top breeds in Chicago.   Mutts Take the Top Prize If you go to any given dog park in the city, the conversation starters are pretty much the same. What’s your dog’s name? How old is she? What...

5 Tips for Juggling Work and Your Dog More than half of households own pets in the United States, and dogs are the most popular choice of animal companion. In the last 10 years, dog ownership has jumped 29 percent, according to a Research and Markets report. Some dog owners have schedules that allow them to spend most of their time with their furry friends, but a lot of people work full-time and have to leave their dog at home. This can be a tough situation. Dogs are social, active animals that need time to run, play, and be with...

What Summer Treats Can You Share with Your Dog? Summer is a delicious time of year full of seasonal treats. While we lick our ice cream cones and indulge in our picnic spreads, we’ve probably watched our wide-eyed dogs turn on the charm and beg to share. It’s hard to turn down those puppy dog eyes, but it’s helpful to know what treats are a healthy (albeit still tasty!) option for your pet.   Berries Berries are the perfect bite-size snack. These fruits are high in nutritious properties, like antioxidants and fiber, which can make a nice, occasional add-on to...

5 Ways to Help Your Dog With Separation Anxiety If you’re anything like us at Sparky Steps, nothing breaks your heart more than having to leave your fur baby when you have to go to work. It’s even more heartbreaking if you come home to find that your dog has separation anxiety. Some signs of separation anxiety may include, urinating or pooping inside, any destruction habits, and pacing. But it doesn’t have to be like this. Here are five tips and tricks to help make this situation more bearable and to help your dog’s separation anxiety.   Puzzle Toys Every...

5 Things to Know About Rescue Dogs Dogs are man’s best friend, but a lot of pups are still looking for a home. If you are thinking about adopting a four-footed companion, here are five things to know about rescue dogs.   There are a lot dogs in animal shelters Each and every year, approximately 3.3 million dogs are taken in by animal shelters. The annual shelter adoption rate for dogs is about 1.6 million per year, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. That means at any given time there are millions of dogs...