• 🐶 This cage-free dog shelter is a magical place

• 🥰 This could be why your dog flips the food bowl

• 🐾 Vet bills shouldn’t break the bank

• 🦴 What gives your dog the zoomies?

• ❤️ A special word from our pups

True or False?

Dogs can smell fear.

(scroll to the bottom to find the answer!)

Did you ever think a cage-free dog shelter was possible? It might sound like a dream, but Sherri Franklin made it a reality! Muttville, the country’s first cage-free shelter, and California’s first senior dog rescue, recently opened a new location that takes this dream to the next level.

Stepping into Muttville’s new HQ feels like entering a magical wonderland for dogs. There’s a pink-tiled glam room, a kitchen that looks like an Italian café and even offices styled like Victorian houses. It’s made up of three buildings, connected by a courtyard where the senior rescue pups can roam freely. There are also designated rooms for dogs who need more solitude or space, large breeds, and unspayed or neutered dogs.

But this shelter is more than just looks—it’s making a real difference. Muttville creates a welcoming, fun space that turns the shelter experience from depressing to joyful, boosting adoption rates. The thoughtful design encourages people to visit, spend time with the dogs, and get to know them (and fall in love with them!). Celebrity designer Ken Fulk helped bring this vision to life, blending whimsical details with functionality.

Beyond the amazing design, Muttville offers holistic care, like a Zen Room, volunteer acupuncturists, and Reiki practitioners to help anxious new pups relax. They also host dog yoga, movie nights, and more – Muttville is more than a shelter, it’s a community spot for dog lovers and advocates.

Since founding Muttville in 2007, Franklin has saved over 12,000 dogs. This new headquarters is a giant leap forward in reimagining animal rescue, with one mission always in mind: finding loving homes for senior pups. Be sure to put this shelter on your list the next time you visit California!

I have a confession to make: I vacuum and clean up dog food off my floor at least five times a day, probably more. Why? Because three out of my four dogs insist on flipping their food bowls while eating. It’s like a requirement! They just have to dump the food to eat it. I don’t get it. Do you have a dog like this? Let’s figure out why they do this!

Channeling Their Inner Wolf. Your pup might be tapping into their wild instincts! In the wild, dogs and wolves bury their food to save it for later, and flipping the bowl could be your dog’s way of getting in touch with their ancestral roots.

They Don’t Like Their Bowl. Sometimes, it’s as simple as your dog not liking their bowl. It might be too loud, too light, or even too big. We use a metal bowl, but it makes a lot of noise when my dog flips it (which happens way more often than just eating out of it!). So, I’m not sure this is the issue in our case!

Boredom or Frustration. A flipped bowl could be a sign that your dog is just bored out of their mind. Without enough toys or mental stimulation, some dogs turn mealtime into playtime. So, if they’re tipping that bowl, it might be time to add more fun to their day!

They Want Your Attention. Does your dog flip the bowl and then look right at you with those big, adorable eyes? Some dogs do it just to get your attention, almost like saying, “Hey, look at me! Play with me!”

Bowl on the Move. If your pup’s bowl slides all over the place while they eat, that might be why they’re flipping it. It’s their way of stopping the movement so they can eat in peace. A non-slip mat would solve this problem.

Does your dog flip their food bowl, too? What do you think is the real reason behind their flipping?

Sure, we all love our pets. It takes a special kind of love not to lose your mind when the dog chews your new pair of shoes or when the cat scratches up your latest IKEA purchase. But what if we told you a veterinary surgery could cost you up to $10,000? Suddenly, a few scratches start to look cute by comparison. That’s the kind of unexpected expense that pet insurance could spare you. So, if your budget doesn’t allow for steep spending on a moment’s notice, a pet insurance policy can protect your four-legged companion and your finances with up to 90 percent reimbursement. Now, that’s really cute.

Get your pet covered.

I've never seen my dog happier than when they're in the middle of a case of the zoomies. It's one of my favorite things—watching them get so overwhelmed with excitement that they can't do anything but run, spin, and let the happiness explode! But what exactly are zoomies? We dog parents know them well, but let's take a closer look at why our pups get hit with these hilarious bursts of energy.

The zoomies are known as frenetic random activity periods (FRAPs), which is defined by a sudden burst of energy that causes pets to run, jump, spin, and leap around. It's a normal and natural behavior that's a way for pets to release pent-up energy and express excitement.

A lot of things can trigger zoomies. Some veterinary experts believe they're often linked to times of transition, like when a parent comes home after a long day. Dogs may even zoom around after going potty as a way to celebrate. I notice my dog gets the zoomies after playing with my other dog, or even my toddler—they get so excited from the play that they just take off on their own!

When does your dog get the zoomies? What triggers them? We’d love to hear your fun stories!

Daily Dig is inspired and brought to you by our wonderful dogs. Our dogs, and all the other pups out there, make the world a happier, brighter place. ❤️

With lots of love,

Stitcher, Minnie, & Finnegan 🐾

🦴 A Little Treat

🤔 True or False: True, dogs can smell fear. Dogs have olfactory superpowers that can detect a human’s emotional state by the scent that a human emits.

🐶 DOTD: Give your pup the spotlight by submitting them for the dog of the day! This month's theme is pups in the holiday spirit. Reply to this email with the best pics of your dog looking festive, cozy, or spreading holiday cheer. Be sure to include their name and a short description to be featured in an upcoming newsletter.

🥰 Spread positivity: Do you enjoy starting your day off with our community? If so, please consider forwarding this email to help us spread our love of all things dogs!

💌 Reply for a surprise: If you are reading this reply with the most hilarious case of dog zoomies you’ve seen for a surprise in your inbox!

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