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THE BARK BLOG
Pour a cup, grab a pup, and settle in.
We’ve got plenty to bark about.
READ THE LATEST POSTS
What's Happening Inside Your Dog's Brain
Your dog isn't giving you attitude. Their brain hijacked the wheel. Part 3 of Building Braver Dogs gets into what fear actually does inside a dog's head — and why "just get over it" was never going to work.
2 days ago8 min read
The Day Pike and Gus Tried to End us
When Pike and Gus came home smelling like the Upside Down, our day turned into a full‑scale decontamination event. In this Wait … What?!? post, I share the whole chaotic saga — plus the science behind why dogs roll in foul odors and what to do when your dog proudly brings home a smell so bad it could peel paint.
4 days ago6 min read
The Dachshund
Adorable, stubborn, and built like a loaf of bread with opinions — here's what it actually takes to love a Dachshund, from badger-hunting history to the vet bills nobody warns you about.
5 days ago8 min read
LIFE WITH DOGS
Stories, lessons, adventures, and everyday moments from life with Pike, Gus, and the dogs who inspire My Barking Life.
What's Happening Inside Your Dog's Brain
Your dog isn't giving you attitude. Their brain hijacked the wheel. Part 3 of Building Braver Dogs gets into what fear actually does inside a dog's head — and why "just get over it" was never going to work.
2 days ago8 min read
Confidence Is a Skill, Not a Personality Trait
Sit, stay, come — sure. But if I could give every dog just one thing, it wouldn't be a perfect command. It's the belief that they can handle whatever comes next. Here's what that looked like for Gus this month.
Sep 134 min read
The Heat Dome Is Back
Your dog's cooling system tops out fast in a heat dome, and it tops out faster than yours does. Here's the difference between heat exhaustion and heat stroke, how to spot trouble before it's an emergency, what to do if it happens anyway, and how to keep him engaged, indoors and out, until the heat breaks.
Sep 17 min read
The real cost of responsible dog ownership
Adoption fees get all the attention, but they’re the smallest part of bringing home a dog. This post breaks down the real cost of responsible dog ownership — food, vet care, training, emergencies — and why “not yet” can be the most loving answer. Plus, how My Barking Life helps close financial gaps so more adoptions succeed.
Aug 177 min read
Why Confidence Building Matters More Than Obedience
A confident dog isn't fearless—they just believe they can handle whatever comes next. Here's what Gus's growth-spurt regression taught us about rebuilding trust, one rubber mat and one brave stranger at a time.
Aug 114 min read
Walking the Line
An off-leash dog, a scary few seconds, and a lot of feelings about who's actually responsible when a walk goes sideways. Spoiler: it's not the dog wearing the leash.
Aug 47 min read
Two Dogs, a Kia Soul, and a Week of Unexpected Adventures
We packed two adults, two dogs, and everything we needed into a Kia Soul for a week-long road trip to Kennerdell, Pennsylvania. Here's what we learned.
Jul 2711 min read
Build a Better Dog First Aid Kit
Pre-made dog first aid kits are expensive and half-full of stuff you'll never use. Here's what's actually in mine — from dollar store basics to the two items I almost skipped and now never travel without.
Jul 185 min read
What's Breed Got to Do With It
Exploring dog breeds with curiosity, history, and a reminder that every dog is an individual.
5 days ago8 min read
Sep 815 min read
Sep 213 min read
Aug 2612 min read
Aug 199 min read
Aug 1212 min read
Aug 59 min read
Jul 299 min read
day trippin' with dogs
Exploring the world with our dogs. Come along!
Gus Goes to Hilltop
Gus explores the former Hilltop Golf Course in Coshocton, Ohio, with Pike, testing his recall while navigating trails, wildlife, hills, and a new disc golf course.
Sep 36 min read
Making Room for More Wild
What happens when we make room for a little more adventure? Pike and Gus find out on the first Day Trippin’ with Dogs adventure at beautiful Clary Gardens in Coshocton, Ohio.
Aug 235 min read
wait ... what?!?
We take a look at the insanely weird topics dog owners can relate to.
The Day Pike and Gus Tried to End us
When Pike and Gus came home smelling like the Upside Down, our day turned into a full‑scale decontamination event. In this Wait … What?!? post, I share the whole chaotic saga — plus the science behind why dogs roll in foul odors and what to do when your dog proudly brings home a smell so bad it could peel paint.
4 days ago6 min read
Did Your Dog Ever Grow a Toe Out of Its Chest?
A dog that appears to grow a tiny toe out of its chest sounds like something straight out of a fever dream. But strange, horn-like skin growths really can happen. Here's what they might be — and what to do if your dog develops one.
Aug 214 min read
pet parent toolkit
Downloadable guides, checklists, and resources to help you care for the dogs you love.
Tick Talk
Ticks are small, patient, and efficient. They’re also one of the most effective disease-delivery systems in the animal kingdom — capable of transmitting bacteria, parasites, and viruses that can cause kidney failure, paralysis, and death in dogs. Most tick-borne diseases are treatable. The catch? You have to catch them early. Here’s a full breakdown of the tick species found across the U.S., what they carry, and what you need to know to protect your dog.
Jul 1411 min read
Who Let the Suits In?
There's a scene in almost every horror movie where the protagonist walks into a familiar place and something feels off. Everything looks the same on the surface, but something essential has been hollowed out. That's increasingly what's happening at your local vet clinic. Same sign on the door. Maybe even the same doctor behind the exam table. But somewhere upstairs, the decisions are being made by people who have never once looked a dog in the eye.
May 165 min read
Is your dog ready if disaster strikes?
Bad weather season is here. Is your dog ready? Here's how to build a pet emergency plan — and a free printable checklist to make it easy.
May 23 min read
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The Australian Shepherd
Australian Shepherds are brilliant, athletic, loyal dogs — and a whole lot of dog. Before you fall in love with a blue merle on the internet, learn what this breed was designed to do, what they need from you, and how to know if an Aussie is the right match for your life.
Kim Brown
Aug 199 min read
What advocacy really looks like
Advocacy doesn’t have to be big to be meaningful. Through My Barking Life, I’ve learned that helping one dog — through a Training Assistance Grant, a sponsored adoption fee, or a simple story that changes someone’s perspective — can create real, lasting impact. This is what advocacy looks like to me.
Kim Brown
Aug 175 min read
Mind Your Own Kibble
There's a particular kind of person who shows up in the comments section of every shelter post. You know the one. They've never fostered an animal. They've never worked a single shift at a rescue. They may or may not have even adopted. But the moment a dog appears on their feed looking sad — which, for the record, is most dogs in shelter photos, because shelters are disorienting and cameras are alarming — this person is ready to dispense justice.
Kim Brown
May 185 min read
The Australian Cattle Dog (Blue Heeler)
There are 225 Australian Cattle Dogs available for adoption within 100 miles of me right now. That number isn't a coincidence — it's a pattern. And patterns mean something. This week on What's Breed Got to Do With It, we dig into the breed that people chronically underestimate: where they come from, what the dingo ancestry actually means, why they end up in shelters in such staggering numbers, and what the right home for one actually looks like.
Kim Brown
May 147 min read
What's Breed Got to Do With It — Vol. 1
Every year, thousands of dogs are surrendered to shelters not because their owners were bad people, but because the match was wrong from the start.
Kim Brown
May 124 min read
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