Did you know…

Dogs often prefer ______ over treats as a reward.

(scroll to the bottom to find the answer!)

Valentine’s Day took on a furry twist in 2025, as animal shelters across the U.S. offered short-term sleepovers that let people foster a dog or cat for a few nights. Instead of reservations or roses, participants brought home a shelter pet, giving animals a break from kennel life and giving people a cozy, no-pressure way to spend the holiday.

Best Friends Animal Society hosted Valentine’s Day sleepovers in cities including New York City, Los Angeles, Houston, and Bentonville, Arkansas, with pickup dates running from Feb. 14 through Feb. 17. Time spent in a home helped pets relax and show their true personalities, which shelters used to make better long-term adoption matches.

For some fosters, the sleepover turned into something more permanent. Best Friends offered free adoptions over Valentine’s Day weekend, making it easier for people to turn a good connection into a forever home.

Other organizations leaned into the idea, too. Chewy partnered with shelters nationwide for its “Dogs’ Date Out” program, giving shelter dogs a special outing and a reminder that sometimes the best Valentine’s plans come in unexpected ways.

Meet Stella, an adorable beagle belonging to Daily Dig reader Crystal. Stella has been with Crystal for two years after being rescued, and she’s clearly found her forever home.

Described as the sweetest girl in the whole world, Stella spends her days enjoying cozy moments and soaking up all the love she deserves. Crystal says she would choose Stella again and again.

Have a dog you’d love to see featured as our next Dog of the Day? Send a photo and a short note about your pup to Daily Dig for a chance to be highlighted.

Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be about overthinking the perfect gift. Often, the most meaningful gestures are the ones that fit naturally into everyday life. Here are our favorite thoughtful picks focused on comfort, wellness, and the simple things that make life better:

• 💚 Paleovalley – A nourishing gift for anyone focused on wellness. Their 100% Grass Fed Bone Broth Protein is slow-simmered, collagen-rich, and easy to add to coffee, smoothies, or a cozy mug. Get 15% off.

• 🍳 HexClad – Cookware made for people who love to cook at home. These hybrid pans are dishwasher safe, PFAS-free, and built to last—no scratching, no constant replacing. Explore HexClad’s cooking sets.

• 🥤 Beast Blender – The newly released stainless steel mini blender that makes mornings easier. The Mini 600 Stainless Steel blends frozen fruit and ice fast, keeps smoothies colder longer, and features a blend-and-go design made without plastic. Browse the Blended in Steel™ Collection.

• 📸 Chatbooks – A meaningful gift made from real moments. Turn photos from a phone into beautiful Classic Photo Books in just a few steps. Get 20% off with code LOVE20.

• 💝 MetaGlow™ by Zend Wellness – This collagen supplement supports skin appearance, appetite balance, metabolism, and mental well-being, all in one daily scoop.* Odorless and tasteless, it blends easily into coffee, tea, smoothies, or oatmeal. Shop MetaGlow™ Collagen here.

Shop the full Revel Valentine’s Gift Guide here.

Thank you to our Valentine’s Day Gift Guide for sponsoring Daily Dig.

Valentine’s Day celebrations come with extra reminders for dog owners to watch what’s left within paw’s reach. Many popular holiday staples, especially chocolate and candy, can pose real risks for dogs if accidentally eaten.

Chocolate is one of the biggest concerns. It contains caffeine and theobromine, which can affect a dog’s heart and nervous system. Even small amounts can be dangerous, particularly darker chocolates. Candy is another risk, especially sugar-free varieties that may contain xylitol, a sweetener linked to dangerously low blood sugar and liver failure in dogs.

Flowers and decorations add to the list of hazards. Common bouquet flowers like lilies, tulips, and chrysanthemums can cause stomach upset if chewed, while rose thorns can injure paws or noses. Ribbons, gift wrap, balloons, and tape may look harmless, but can create choking or intestinal blockages if swallowed.

Open flames and alcohol round out the concerns. Candles can be knocked over by an enthusiastic tail, and alcohol isn’t safe for dogs.

Veterinarians recommend pet-proofing before celebrations begin, cleaning up promptly, and keeping emergency contacts handy, including the Pet Poison Helpline, in case a curious pup gets into something they shouldn’t.

Here are our favorite picks of the week, full of furry love and puppy poetry:

• 🌹 Our favorite Valentine’s picks

• 💌 30+ Valentine’s dog sayings that are too sweet

• 🩷 A Bernese puppy and orange cat fall in love

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

🤔 Did You Know: Dogs often prefer praise or attention over treats as a reward.

🐶 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 Valentine’s Day picture of your dog for a surprise in your inbox!

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