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5 Fun Activities for your Dog in the Fall Who doesn’t love fall? The leaves are changing colors, spooky programs are coming onto television and you can watch football every Sunday! While there are many fun fall-themed activities for you to indulge in, Sparky Steps wants to provide you with some autumn-inspired fun for your dog! Leaf piles! The classics never get old. Raking up all of those leaves can be a pain, but having a dog makes it more fun. Throw the good old tennis ball into your pile and watch as your pooch nosedives right on in. They’re...

Approaching Dogs Properly: Insights to Help Keep You Safe It’s a statistic that really makes you stop and think about what's safe and what isn't safe. Data from the CDC and other sources indicates that several million dog bites happen every year. In fact, according to the website dogbitelaw.com, more than 750,000 human victims seek medical attention annually for some type of canine bite. Many animal behaviorists will tell you that animals can try to bite when they’re feeling threatened, vulnerable or fearful. Here at Sparky Steps, we care for dogs every single day. One thing we know for sure...

Why Dogs Should Never Be Off-Leash, Even in Their Own (Unfenced) Yard How many times have you been walking your dog and been approached by other dogs, presumably in their own yard, but not leashed? Have you worried about what could happen if they left the yard and attacked you? What if your dog thought you were being attacked and went after the other dogs? The reality is, accidents can happen in a split-second. Dog owners should be considerate toward people walking down the sidewalk or street, even if they’re not walking with any dogs of their own.   Poor...

Ten Pup-Friendly Places Worth Visiting Dogs are more than pets, they’re family. Oftentimes, though, unless you’re going to the park or for a walk around the neighborhood, you have to leave your furry family member behind when you go out…or do you? Read on for a list of restaurants and shops where your dog is welcome—some of them may surprise you!   Starbucks Dogs are welcome to sit outside and enjoy the day on the Starbucks’ patio. If you request it, your local Starbucks may also offer a “puppuccino,” which is a small cup of whipped cream. Yum!   Half...

Why You Must Microchip Your Pet We love our pets. In fact, most of us consider them family members. They provide companionship, unconditional love, comfort, affection, and just plain happiness. We will do just about anything we can to ensure their happiness and well-being. And we would be lost without them. That is why it is so difficult to understand why some pet parents do not take the time to microchip their furry best friends and register their contact information.   Lost or Stolen The statistics are not only sad, but they are also preventable. According to the American Humane...