• 🐶 A real-life fox and hound friendship

• 🥰 10 dog-approved national parks

• 🐾 Get the most out of your Amazon Prime membership

• 🦴 Your guide to doggy hiking etiquette

• 🐶 Meet our DOTD, Charlie

• ❤️ A special word from our pups

True or False?

Yawns are contagious to dogs.

(scroll to the bottom to find the answer!)

A playful pup named Howie is officially best friends with a fox named Fig and it’s one of the sweetest things to witness. But, according to Howie and Fig’s mom, their bond didn’t form overnight. At first, Howie was a bit too rough and rambunctious in his attempts to play, which scared little Fig. However, Howie was determined to win him over and learned to be gentle, allowing their friendship to blossom into something truly special.

Now, you can catch them playing, rolling on the rugs together, giving nose kisses, and pawing at each other. Fig even squeals with excitement when he sees Howie. We can only imagine how inseparable they’ll be as time goes on – a real-life fox and hound!

Ready to explore the great outdoors with your pup by your side? National parks are some of the most surreal places to see, but many come with strict rules about bringing dogs. While some parks limit dogs to campgrounds, scenic overlooks, and paved roads, others are happy to welcome them. Let’s check out the friendliest national parks where your pup can explore with you!

1. Acadia National Park, ME

Acadia isn’t just one of the top 10 most-visited national parks in the U.S.; it’s also one of the best for dogs! With 100 miles of trails and 45 miles of carriage roads open to pups, there’s plenty of adventure waiting. You and your dog can explore stunning rocky beaches and forests, and enjoy those rare mountaintop sea views that make Acadia so special. Just a heads-up: swimming in the lakes is off-limits for everyone, not just dogs, since they’re public water sources.

2. Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve, CO

Great Sand Dunes National Park is a dream destination for dune-loving dogs! Dogs are welcome in the main areas of the park, including in the Preserve. One of the best times to visit is when Medano Creek is flowing—a seasonal creek that forms at the edge of the dunes, typically peaking in late May and early June. It’s perfect for pups to cool off, especially since the sand can get as hot as 150 degrees in the summer. The sight of pups wagging their tails and splashing around in the creek with the massive dunes as a backdrop is pretty awesome (I’ll admit, it was a big highlight of my visit—what can I say, I love dogs!).

3. New River Gorge National Park, WV

New River Gorge National Park is America’s newest national park, and they definitely got the memo that dogs are our adventure buddies! Pups are welcome on all trails, giving you and your pup the freedom to explore over 70,000 acres along the New River. Take in the rugged beauty of deep canyons and whitewater rivers, and even bring your pup to the rock-climbing crag!

4. White Sands National Park, NM

White Sands National Park lets your sand-digging pup explore almost everywhere with you, except inside the Visitor Center. The “sand” at White Sands is actually gypsum, covering 275 square miles of desert, making it the largest gypsum dunefield in the world! Roaming the wave-like dunes, on or off the trails, with your pup is an adventure waiting to happen.

5. Shenandoah National Park, VA

Shenandoah National Park stretches along the breathtaking Blue Ridge Mountains and is very dog-friendly. With just 20 miles of trails off-limits, your pup has nearly 500 miles of trails to explore, including a portion of the Appalachian Trail. They’ll love experiencing summit overlooks, rolling around in wildflower meadows, and hiking alongside waterfalls with you.

6. Petrified Forest National Park, AZ

Petrified Forest is one of the least visited national parks in the United States, making it perfect for some off-the-beaten-path dog exploring! Dogs are welcome on any paved roads, trails, and official wilderness areas in the park. The Petrified Forest is best known for its Triassic fossils and stunning views of the Painted Desert. The vibrant hues of the petrified wood—blue, red, yellow, green, and pink—are mesmerizing. It’s too bad our pups can’t see the colors quite like we do, but they’re just thrilled to join the adventure!

7. Congaree National Park, SC

Congaree National Park welcomes all visitors—humans and dogs alike! Your pup can wander on all the trails, including the boardwalks, where you’ll be surrounded by some of the tallest trees on the East Coast. And these aren’t just any trees; they’re national and state champion trees, the largest of their species. The park is also home to the largest intact expanse of old-growth bottomland hardwood forest left in the southeastern U.S., a place once used as a swampy hideout for bootleggers and runaway slaves.

For an extra dose of magic, visit in late spring or early summer when the park comes alive with thousands of fireflies each night. Just imagine your dog’s excitement as they try to figure out what these little creatures flying in the sky are—they might even try to catch them!

8. Cuyahoga Valley National Park, OH

Cuyahoga Valley National Park is an underrated gem in northeast Ohio that’s perfect for your adventurous doggo. This park allows your pup to explore over 100 miles of beautiful trails, winding through lush forests, rolling hills, waterfalls, and streams. Plus, here’s a fun fact: Cuyahoga Valley ranked among the top 10 most-visited national parks in 2021!

9. Indiana Dunes National Park, IN

Indiana Dunes is a fun and welcoming park for your pup to frolic on sand dunes and splash around in Lake Michigan. Your dog has access to over 40 miles of trails and every beach! Just be sure to check the dates before you go— from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day, the lifeguarded swimming area at West Beach is off-limits for paws. But with 15,000 acres to explore, your dog is in for the walk of their life!

10. Wrangell–St. Elias National Park & Preserve, AK

The vast, untouched wilderness of Alaska is unlike anywhere else in the U.S., and Wrangell–St. Elias National Park and Preserve is full of awe-inspiring beauty. The best part? Your pup can join in on America’s largest national park. Dogs are allowed on all trails and even in the backcountry. While much of the park’s remote beauty is only accessible by air, two gravel roads are usually passable during the summer months. Whether you’re flying in with your pup or taking the scenic drive, the glaciers alone make it worthwhile.

Alaska’s Lake Clark National Park and Preserve also allows dogs, but it’s strongly recommended to leave them at home. With no road access and frequent encounters with wildlife like bears, moose, and wolves, it’s best to keep your pup safe at home (or at Wrangell–St. Elias National Park and Preserve!).

What’s your favorite national park to visit with your pup?

There was a time when we had to jot down our shopping lists with pens and brave the crowded malls. Then Amazon came along like a shopping superhero. You're probably enjoying free shipping and exclusive shows, but there's more benefits you might not know about. Make the most of your membership with these 10 hidden perks.

Ready to hit the trails with your pup? Hiking with dogs is the preferred way for most dog owners to enjoy the great outdoors, but it comes with its own set of rules. Remember, a well-behaved dog and a mindful owner make for a happy trail! Follow these doggy hiking etiquette tips to ensure safety and a pawsitive experience for everyone. Happy hiking!

1. Keep Them on a Leash

It’s not just a rule—it’s a safety imperative. Keeping your dog on a leash ensures you always know where they are and keeps them safe. Whether your pup is eager to make friends with wildlife or assert their dominance, we definitely don’t want them crashing a bear’s picnic or joining a moose’s meet-and-greet! Remember, the wilderness is their home, not ours! Having your dog on a leash also helps protect the surrounding environment. It keeps them off non-designated trails, preserving the native plants that aren't meant for foot—or paw—traffic.

2. Pick Up Their Poop!

One of the golden rules of hiking is to LEAVE NO TRACE. This means picking up after your pup and disposing of their waste properly. No one wants to step in a surprise gift on the trail! More importantly, it’s a privilege to enjoy these natural wonders, so let's not take advantage of or disrespect these protected places. A good tip? Carry a few extra baggies—just in case.

3. Respect Wildlife

Keep your dog from chasing or harassing animals to avoid disrupting the natural behavior of local wildlife. It's also important to be aware of potential wildlife dangers in the area and brush up on how to handle encounters. Park staff can offer valuable tips to keep you and your pet safe, whether it’s steering clear of mountain lions, moose, or rattlesnakes.

4. Check Park Regulations

Each park has its own set of rules for pets, whether they’re limited to picnic areas and parking lots or certain trails and backcountry areas. It’s best to do a little homework before you go and check the dog-friendly zones. Knowing where dogs are and aren’t allowed will save you from becoming “that” person who breaks the rules.

5. Keep Vaccinations and ID Up to Date

Ensure your pet’s vaccinations are current and that they’re wearing proper ID tags. It’s also a good idea to have a recent photo of your pet on hand. This way, if your adventurous pup decides to explore a bit too far, you can help get them back safely and quickly.

6. Bark Ranger Program

Last but not least, many national and state parks participate in the "Bark Ranger" program, which promotes responsible pet ownership in national parks. It’s a fun way to showcase your commitment as a dog owner and can even earn you and your pup some extra park cred! If you ever need a quick reminder about dog etiquette, just remember B.A.R.K.: B is for Bag Your Waste, A is for Always Wear a Leash, R is for Respect Wildlife, and K is for Know Where to Go.

Meet Charlie, the rescue dog who her owners say actually rescued them. She’s got a fierce determination when it comes to catching her ball—just look at that form! Thanks for sharing this great shot!

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, yawns are contagious to dogs. They are more likely to yawn when their owners do.

🐶 DOTD: Give your pup the spotlight by submitting them for the dog of the day! This month's theme is dogs and their furry friends. Reply to this email with the best pics of your dog with a buddy, a short description, and their name 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 your dog’s favorite hiking spot for a surprise in your inbox!

Welcome to Daily Dig! We’re a small team of dog lovers who strive to bring a pawsitive dose of pup content to your inbox every morning. Join our pack of over 180,000 paw pals when you subscribe today!