True or False?

Dogs think squeaky toys are alive.

(scroll to the bottom to find the answer!)

Bringing home a dog feels priceless, but the real-world costs add up fast. Most new pet parents spend anywhere from $395 to $2,455 in the first year, depending on food, vet care, and the basics like bowls, beds, and leashes. Puppies often cost more than adult dogs thanks to extra vaccines, supplies, and training needs.

Beyond the essentials, there are the “life happens” costs: emergency vet visits, grooming, and travel fees. A single unexpected illness can run a few hundred dollars to over $1,000, which is why many people choose to either save a little each month or look into pet insurance. Even fun stuff, like toys and treats, swings wildly depending on size and taste; giant breeds tend to have giant price tags.

The good news? There are plenty of ways to save without cutting corners. Many shelters cover spay/neuter and vaccines in the adoption fee, secondhand gear can slash setup costs, and simple at-home grooming keeps expenses low. With a little planning, dog parenthood stays joyful and budget-friendly.

Dogs are like family. From getting the zoomies for treats to snuggles when you need them most, dogs just make life better.

Make their life better with the Nibbles pet rewards credit card. The card comes with free pet insurance that gets your dog the care they need in case of any unexpected surprises.

Give your dog the only credit card that is made just for them.

Nibbles is not a bank. The Nibbles Card is issued by Lead Bank. Fees and T&C apply.

Thank you to Nibbles for sponsoring Daily Dig.

Meet Daily Dig reader Karen’s puppy, Rex! Rex may only be 14 weeks old, but this chihuahua mix already knows how to charm a crowd. After 15 years of dreaming, Karen finally got her pup, and he’s everything she hoped for. Sweet, silly, and full of love, Rex enjoys birdwatching, being outdoors, and (adorably) trying to befriend the cats.

Thanks to Karen for sharing this little heart-stealer with us! Want your pup to be featured next? Send us a photo, their name, and a few fun facts. We’d love to introduce them to our Daily Dig audience.

The holiday season makes most of us reflect on gratitude, and while dogs can’t sign their name in a card or whip up a pie, they absolutely have their own ways of saying “thanks.” It just looks a little different than how humans do it. Experts say the biggest clue is simple: dogs choose us. When a dog follows you around, curls up beside you, or nudges you into a game of fetch, that closeness is its own quiet “I appreciate you.”

A thankful dog also feels safe enough to be fully themselves. That means soft eyes, loose body language, goofy play, and no signs of appeasement like yawning or turning away. Confidence is gratitude in dog language: the freedom to be relaxed, silly, spontaneous, and completely unfiltered around you.

And sometimes, it’s as small as a tail wag when you hand them a treat. Dogs show gratitude every day by being open, present, and trusting. And for us dog-lovers, this appreciation might be the most heartwarming “thank you” of all.

From royal revelations to quirky habits, here’s what’s making tails wag:

• 🐶 How to cover unexpected vet bills

• 👑 Dog adorably discovers she’s a Disney princess

• 🧸 Why some dogs secretly hoard their toys

Give your dog free pet insurance and the only credit card that is made just for them.

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: False-ish. The squeak triggers their natural prey drive, but they don’t believe it’s a real animal.

🐶 DOTD: Give your pup the spotlight by submitting them for the dog of the day! Reply to this email with the best pictures of your dog. Be sure to include their name and a short description so they can 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 a festive holiday picture of your dog for a surprise in your inbox!

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