July 2021

• President Joe Biden found Champ the German Shepherd (2008-2021) through a breeder. In 2018, the breeder was charged with animal cruelty.

• Linköping University researchers have studied the relationship between stress levels of dogs and their owners, using hair samples to measure their respective cortisol levels. Ancient dog breeds like the Basenji seemed to be less affected by stressed-out owners, but overall the owners’ personality and stress levels did affect the dogs’ stress levels.

• According to English folklore dating back to at least the 16th century, there’s a ghostly black dog that roams the coastline and countryside of East Anglia. He is called Black Shuck, Old Shuck, Old Shock, or simply Shuck.

• One of the earliest U.S. postage stamps that included a dog was issued in 1893 as part of the celebration of the Columbian Exposition. The stamp is based on the painting "Columbus Before the Franciscans at La Rabida" by Felipe Maso, a 19th century Spanish painter.

• Oxytocin and serotonin are released in our bloodstreams when we have a positive interaction with a dog. The same is true for dogs, which is why they want to be petted.