• 🐶 Maddie loves her city’s garbage men

• 🥰 Eco-friendly houseplants safe for your pup

• 🐾 Stay informed with 1440

• 🦴 10 common houseplants that are toxic to dogs

• ❤️ A special word from our pups

Did you know…

What is the loudest recorded bark?

(scroll to the bottom to find the answer!)

Maddie is a one-year-old Golden Retriever from Belfast, Northern Ireland, who’s best friends with her city’s garbage men. We Rate Dogs shares that since she was a puppy, Maddie has excitedly rushed out every Friday to greet her favorite people—and the feeling is mutual! They’ve become such close pals that she now has her very own high-vis jacket with her name on it, which she proudly wore during her BBC News interview.

Her yard's perfect height makes it easy for the workers to give her pets, and now they even rotate shifts just to make sure everyone gets their Maddie time. Marc Doran, one of the newer bin men, told BBC that petting Maddie was one of the first things he learned when he started the job—sounds like an amazing job perk if you ask me!

In another video, Maddie’s tail spins like a helicopter from pure excitement when she sees her friends. The happiness is contagious as you see the garbage men smiling just as much. It’s clear that she makes their day as much as they make hers!

Can we enjoy the air-purifying benefits of houseplants while keeping our homes safe for our pups? Absolutely! With a bit of careful selection, you can find plants that are both eco-friendly and safe for dogs. Here are 8 beautiful, dog-friendly plants that won’t cause trouble if your pup decides to take a nibble.

1. Money Tree

Although the money tree doesn’t grow actual money, it’s a fantastic choice for both air purification and your pup. It’s non-toxic to dogs and thrives in bright, indirect sunlight. It’s beautiful with a brown braided trunk and glossy green leaves. You can place it on the ground where it can grow tall or on a counter or table if it’s still small.

2. Spider Plant

I’m happy we get to include the spider plant in this list. It’s not only gorgeous with its long grassy green-and-white striped leaves, but it’s also a powerful air purifier. According to a NASA study, spider plants can remove up to 95 percent of common airborne toxins like formaldehyde. Hang it in a basket or place it on a shelf.

3. Bamboo Palm

Also known as the parlor palm, the bamboo palm is a hardy, low-maintenance air purifier with waxy green leaves that’s safe for dogs.

4. Boston Fern

The Boston fern (Nephrolepis exaltata) is a lush, low-maintenance plant that loves humidity and indirect light. Just remember, true ferns are safe, but asparagus ferns are not—a quick check is crucial to make sure your plant is the right kind!

5. Areca Palm

Known by many names, including golden butterfly palm and cane palm, the areca palm is a pup-friendly plant that helps clear formaldehyde and other toxins from the air. This palm not only improves air quality but makes your home look like you’re in the tropics!

6. Orchids 

Orchids are safe for our pups and can even add some color to your home with flowers of pink, white, and yellow. Some people find it challenging to get orchids to bloom again after their initial bloom. If you’re looking for a plant with lower maintenance, you might want to explore other options. Although, I’ve had an orchid for years that continues to bloom, and I have to admit I don’t have a green thumb!

7. ​​Haworthia

Haworthia plants are perfect for dog parents who wish they could have Aloe plants. Also known as the zebra plant, this non-toxic succulent offers a similar soft, spiny look without the risks. Haworthia is a slow-growing plant that typically reaches 3 to 5 inches in height, with rosettes of fleshy green leaves spotted with white. It's easy to care for and can tolerate moderate-to-low light conditions.

8. Peperomia

The diversity of colors and textures across Peperomia species makes them a favorite among houseplant enthusiasts. They’re non-toxic to dogs, look great in containers, and don’t mind if you occasionally forget to water them. Plus, they emit a high amount of oxygen, contributing to a healthier indoor environment.

For more positive and interesting eco-friendly content, visit The Canopy.

Houseplants can instantly brighten up any space, adding a touch of nature that makes our homes feel fresh and lush. However, as dog parents, we sometimes need to make sacrifices—including saying goodbye to some plants. Some houseplants can be dangerous to our pups, so it’s important to choose with them in mind. Here are 10 common houseplants that are toxic to dogs. Keeping them out of reach or out of your home entirely is the best way to keep your pup safe.

1. Aloe Vera

Aloe is known for its skin-soothing properties, but while the gel inside the leaves is safe for dogs, the plant itself isn’t. If chewed, the toxins (anthraquinone glycosides) can cause vomiting, diarrhea, changes in urine, and lethargy. Aloe is considered moderately toxic to pups, but it’s still not worth exposing them to it!

2. Jade

Jade plants are a type of succulent that people love for their resilience and long lifespan (up to 100 years!), but they’re not dog-friendly. While the specific toxins aren’t well understood, ingestion can lead to vomiting, slow heart rate, and even depression in your pup.

3. Dumb Cane

Dumb cane, or Dieffenbachia, has some of the most beautiful large leaves with white centers, but it’s a big no-no for dogs. It contains calcium oxalate crystals that can cause severe burning, swelling, and irritation in your dog’s mouth. In rare cases, this swelling can obstruct breathing and become life-threatening.

4. Pathos

This heart-shaped, glossy plant is fully toxic to dogs—from roots to leaves. If ingested, pothos can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and in extreme cases, liver failure.

5. Sago Palm

Every part of the sago palm is extremely poisonous to dogs. The toxin cycasin can cause vomiting, seizures, liver failure, and even death. It’s even listed in the Pet Poison Helpline’s Top Terrible Toxins list. It’s a don’t-even-think-about-it plant for dog parents—no mini palm tree is worth the risk to your pup!

Top Terrible Toxins

6. ZZ Plant

The ZZ plant is attractive for its leaflet-lined stems, but can cause vomiting and diarrhea in dogs. Like several others on this list, it contains calcium oxalate crystals, leading to oral irritation and potential respiratory issues.

7. Elephant Ear

Elephant ear’s vibrant leaves are beautiful but dangerous. Its sharp calcium oxalate crystals can cause intense swelling and burning in a dog’s mouth, making breathing difficult and, in severe cases, fatal.

8. Asparagus Plant

Asparagus ferns are relatives of the lily family, making them toxic. Ingesting the berries can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain, while repeated contact may lead to skin irritation.

9. Peace Lily

While calming and minimalist in appearance, the peace lily is far from peaceful for dogs. Its calcium oxalate crystals can cause severe oral irritation, excessive drooling, and difficulty swallowing. This was one of the plants I had to give up when I got a pup who was determined to taste everything in sight.

10. Chinese Evergreen

Like peace lilies, it can cause vomiting, oral pain, and trouble swallowing or breathing due to calcium oxalate crystals.

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With lots of love,

Stitcher, Minnie, & Finnegan 🐾

🦴 A Little Treat

🤔 Did You Know: The loudest bark ever recorded by a dog was 113.1 decibels, made by a golden retriever named Charlie. Charlie's bark was measured at the Purina Bark in the Park event in Adelaide, Australia on October 20, 2012.

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