Girl Scout Cookies Go to the Dogs, A Chihuahua-Coyote Connection, ASPCA’s Dog of the Year, and More!
A dog’s need for treats now has representation among the Girl Scout’s baked goods. photo: GSA
Canine Cookies: Girl Scouts Get with the Pup Program
The Girls Scouts have finally gone to the dogs!
That's right, those cute little snack pushers will soon be hawking a cookie treat especially made for our furry friends. Called Patch Pals, they're described as a "soft-baked, blueberry muffin-flavored" cookie featuring one of four "patch" designs meant to evoke iconic Girl Scout experiences, though we doubt your pup will care about that last part.
Kids and pets being what they are, we bet a lot of dogs have been secretly scarfing down plain old Girl Scout cookies for years now (not the chocolate varieties, we hope). Still, it's nice they can finally have a cookie all their own, one that’s guaranteed to be canine-friendly.
Online sales of Patch Pals start January 12 so mark your calendars and save this link: girlscouts.org!
And as always, bone appétit!
Source: yahoo.com
A prime example of a practically wild, coyote-like beast. photo: AdobeStock
Well, That Explains a Lot: The Chihuahua-Coyote Connection
Is your little Chi-Chi part coyote? A recent genetic study says yes.
Unlike most American dogs who descended from European breeds, researchers found the Chihuahua has retained 4% of its ancestry from “pre-contact” dogs - those who lived here before Europeans arrived - including wild canine species like the coyote. It’s unclear exactly when coyote DNA entered the Chihuahua lineage. But whether intentional or accidental, the crossbreeding between the two no doubt occurred many generations ago.
Coyotes are untamed and territorial, glimmers of which can still be seen today in Chihuahuas’ famously small-but-mighty personalities. Their size is almost certainly the result of later selective breeding by humans. But anyone who’s ever known a Chihuahua can tell you that a wild independent streak still lurks in that tiny package.
Source: theconversation.com
Apparantly, Canyon’s prowess as a Search and Rescue dog is only seconded by his handsomeness. photo: KENS5.com
Meet Canyon: ASPCA’s Dog of the Year
Each year, the ASPCA presents its annual Humane Awards to recognize humans and animals who’ve made extraordinary contributions through their heroism, service, or advocacy. And while all the awardees are remarkable, let’s face it - we’re mainly here for the pups.
That’s why we’re pleased to announce that the 2026 Dog of the Year is Canyon, a handsome Yellow Lab mix who started life as an abandoned stray and has gone on to become a premier search-and-rescue dog, earning certifications in both Human Remains Detection and Wilderness Operations.
Canyon has deployed his remarkable skills in a number of major disasters including the Maui wildfires, Hurricane Helene, and the 2025 Texas floods, where he spent over 90 days searching for survivors and victims amid the brutal summer heat. He and his handler have also assisted in many missing persons and homicide cases, helping to bring answers to families under the most heartbreaking circumstances.
Canyon and his fellow honorees - which include a pair of miniature therapy horses named Aiden and Pearl - will be feted at a special luncheon in New York's famed Plaza Hotel on October 8. No word if the Plaza's dress code will apply to four-footed attendees, but you know a cute guy like Canyon can probably get in on his looks alone.
Sources: usatoday.com, kens5.com
A pensive French Bulldog contemplating his ancestors. photo: Getty Images
Ban Flat-Faced Dog Breeds? New Hampshire Lawmaker Tries a More Nuanced Approach
Several European countries have already banned the intentional breeding of flat-faced dogs, citing the cruelty inherent in their extensively documented health problems. Now a New Hampshire lawmaker hopes to bring a more nuanced approach to her home state.
It’s well known that flat-faced dogs often suffer from narrow nostrils and windpipes as well as excess soft tissue that blocks their airways and makes it difficult to breathe. Some, like the wildly popular French Bulldog, are prone to additional ailments related to overbreeding, including eye problems and hips so narrow that their puppies must be delivered by Caesarean surgery.
New Hampshire State Representative Ellen Read had already introduced a measure to ban flat-faced breeds back in 2024. But that bill was met with strong pushback from the American Kennel Club and other groups who argued there were more ethical ways to breed dogs short of a total ban. Now Read is trying again with a more nuanced version.
Read says her new bill wouldn’t ban the breeding of these dogs outright. It would simply stop the intentional breeding of two dogs with the same health problems. This would allow ethical breeders to gradually return flat-faced breeds to healthier standards by introducing dogs with better proportions and more functional snouts, in theory addressing the AKC’s previous objections.
Read’s new measure won’t receive a bill number until the filing process is complete in January. But stay tuned for updates on what sounds to us like a reasonable, humane compromise.
Source: usatoday.com
Not just for the art-y or budget conscious, using a GoPro and a dog as the perfect way to document a family ritual. photo: Swayze’s Instagram
Wedding Shots: Best Pup’s POV
Wisconsin couple Emily Cowles and Josh Watson knew they probably wouldn’t be able to spend quality time with each of their guests at their big outdoor wedding reception.
But luckily, they knew the right dog for the job. They simply strapped a GoPro to their nine-year-old pup Swayze and set him loose in his snazzy tux collar to greet friends and family. “Probably one of the best ideas we had for the wedding,” said Cowles.
“It was so sweet to see his POV,” she added. “He caught such funny moments, some cinematic, and some that I’ll cherish forever with my grandma, who recently turned 91.”
Check out Swayze’s festive Instagram footage here - and cheers to all!
Source: people.com