It’s hard to hold back from petting any cute pooch, but these working dogs have a job to do. If you’re anything like the editors of Daily Paws, it’s just part of your DNA to want to greet every dog you meet on the street with a hearty “Who’s a good boy?!” and a pat on the head. But there are some hound/handler teams who work in tandem to perform certain tasks, many of which are crucial for the safety, independence, or mobility of the dog’s owner. Interacting with either the dog or the person can be an unwelcome distraction to their day-to-day life. Here’s why you can’t pet service dogs—even if you have the best intentions—and why it’s so important to give them their space. Why Can’t You Pet Service Dogs? Service animals are different from other pets. They are specially trained to perform tasks for their handlers (someone […]

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It might be a meow, a trill, or a yowl that enters your dreams as kitty tries to get your attention to tell you something important. Our feline friends try to be mysterious, but they know exactly how to get attention. The question is, do we know what they want? A cat meowing at night is eager to awaken you for something specific, so we’ll break down the kitty communication code. Why Do Cats Meow at Night? Cats have specific body language, and if you watch (and listen!) closely, you’ll learn a lot about their moods, emotions, and desires. For example, spraying or marking is often a tip-off that your cat feels stressed or threatened, especially by other cats or a change in their environment. A tail wrap around your leg means kitty is affectionate and trusting (various tail wags tell you a lot!) Even when they just follow you […]

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