HeartsforPaws

10/01/2026

Happy National Black Dog Day to my 2

09/30/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Dx4kF8z75/

DISTRACTED DOG WALKERS

The distracted dog walker is commonly seen chatting on the cell phone, wearing headphones or socializing, while oblivious to what their dog is doing, how their dog is feeling or what is going on in the environment.

This may not sound like a problem, but it is something that many of us have a problem with, even more so if we have a reactive, sensitive dog.

I always compare walking a dog to driving a car. It’s not so much about our driving skills, but having to constantly be aware of the driving skills of others – trying to predict what they will do, which rules of the road they will ignore and how distracted they are. This is especially true in the country I live in, where driving can be a really stressful experience.

I understand that we often need to multi task – there simply doesn’t seem to be enough time in our day to accomplish everything we need to, but walking our dogs should not be one of these times.

“But my dog is really friendly, well socialized, gets on well with everyone, is well trained, knows this environment well etc. and I hear that. But another dog might not be – maybe they need space, are reactive, sensitive, selectively social, have health issues, might be terrified of another dog racing straight towards them chasing a ball thrown from a ball launcher etc.

If distracted dog walkers have no regard for other dogs or other people, they should at least have regard for their own dogs.

Walking your dog should be a time of bonding, of connecting, of seeing the world through their eyes, of reinforcing and rewarding wanted behaviours, of keeping them safe and protected, of being truly present in the moments.

08/26/2026

Happy National Dog Day to all our doggies

07/18/2026

‼️‼️🐾🐾🐾 FOSTERS NEEDED SUNDAY 7/19🐾🐾🐾‼️‼️

Kevin is 4 months old and 22-25 #. He needs a foster and a good bath!

With committed fosters they can arrive SUNDAY EVENING 7/19 in Geneva.

Email [email protected] or apply to foster here: https://www.starfishanimalrescue.com/foster/dog-foster-application

07/16/2026

Smoke and poor air can be tough on your furry friend's lungs. Learn how to protect your pet during smoky days and other air quality alerts.

07/10/2026

Scammers have been taking advantage of how much people love animals. They’ll steal and manipulate pet images, videos, and even use AI-generated deepfakes to help them trick you into giving them your money or personal information. Fortunately, there are ways to help you detect and avoid these kinds...

07/05/2026

Where are the doodles lovers at?

07/04/2026

HAS A FOSTER!

🐾🐾🐾 FOSTERS NEEDED SATURDAY 7/11🐾🐾🐾

“Lady is so gentle and sweet. We love her dearly but we feel like she deserves better. We are older and can’t walk her like she deserves. She does have a larger fenced in space and a huge heated dog house but she would be an awesome inside family girl.”

Lady’s owners cannot take care of her adequately. She is calm and gentle, not crazy like some doodles are. She has been on monthly nexguard plus. She loves people, kids, and ignores cats. She loves car rides. She will lay down and let her owners groom her and trim her nails without any issues.

Lady sounds like an ANGEL who deserves to be in a home where she can get the attention that she deserves.

See comments for video

With committed fosters they can arrive Saturday morning 7/11 in Geneva.

Email [email protected] or apply to foster here: https://www.starfishanimalrescue.com/foster/dog-foster-application

07/01/2026