Did you know…

Did you know _% of dogs sleep in their owner’s beds.

(scroll to the bottom to find the answer!)

In a small Colombian city, a man known as Rubén, or "Noé," shares an extraordinary bond with his ever-growing pack of rescued dogs. Despite not having a permanent home, Rubén dedicates his life to offering love and care to the abandoned dogs he meets.

“They are living beings. They are everything to me,” he shared in an interview.

What began with rescuing one dog has blossomed into a family large enough to require a custom double-decker push cart. Each dog has a story—some were left at traffic lights, others tied outside stores—but all have found love with Rubén.

On the top level of the cart, pups like Rocky, Ears, and Cheeks enjoy the ride alongside Tyson, a pit bull, and Shakira, a German shepherd. Senior dogs like Tembleque and Parkinson rest below, taking in the world with calm contentment.

Rubén ensures his furry family is well-fed, often preparing hearty meals of milk, carrots, oats, and ground meat—even when it means skipping his own meals. “They eat first,” he says.

Through all life’s challenges, Rubén’s dogs remain his constant source of joy and purpose. “They don’t care if I’m toothless or dirty,” he says. “They only care that I’m by their side.”

This remarkable man shows us that love truly knows no bounds—and that every dog deserves a second chance.

Some dogs have an extraordinary ability to navigate back to their families, even over astonishing distances. From a rescue pup trekking 35 miles to a collie mix journeying 2,800 miles, these incredible stories show how dogs rely on their instincts and unique senses to find their way home.

Dogs likely inherit their homing abilities from their wolf ancestors, who roamed vast territories. Experts believe dogs create mental maps of their surroundings, relying heavily on their exceptional sense of smell—up to 100,000 times stronger than ours. This ability helps them track familiar scents and retrace their steps.

Dogs also recognize landmarks by sight, smell, and sound, using these cues to orient themselves. Some studies suggest they may even tap into Earth’s magnetic field, a phenomenon known as "magnetoreception." In one experiment, dogs followed a “compass run,” briefly aligning with the Earth’s north-south axis before finding a direct path home.

While these journeys are remarkable, they’re rare. Most modern dogs are bred to stay close to their humans and may not have the skills or experience for long-distance homing. That’s why it’s essential to keep your pup safe and secure.

Identification tools like microchips and collars with up-to-date contact information can be lifesavers, ensuring your furry friend doesn’t need to rely on their instincts alone to make it back to you.

Ultimately, while a dog's navigation skills are impressive, their bond with you is what drives them to return home.

For many survivors of domestic abuse, pets are more than companions—they’re lifelines providing comfort and unconditional love during challenging times. Sadly, the fear of leaving pets behind in unsafe situations often keeps survivors trapped. According to the National Domestic Violence Hotline, 65% of survivors delay leaving due to concerns for their pets’ safety.

Fortunately, organizations are stepping up to help. Programs like Safe Havens for Pets connect survivors with foster homes and animal-friendly shelters. These services ensure pets are cared for while survivors find safety, with resources like protective orders and assistance retrieving pets left behind. Safe Havens also provides grants to expand resources in underserved areas.

In Minnesota, Women’s Advocates leads the way with their pet foster program, which offers essentials like food, veterinary care, and training. The program recently teamed up with local nonprofits to form the Minnesota Pet Foster Coalition, addressing both immediate needs and long-term solutions. Their efforts are funded by grants and private donations, including a $100,000 grant from the Department of Justice.

Looking ahead, Women’s Advocates is creating a co-sheltering facility where survivors and their pets can stay together. This project, slated to open in 2026, promises a safe haven for all—whether furry, feathered, or scaled.

These initiatives remind us that no one should have to choose between their safety and their pet. By supporting these programs, we can help survivors rebuild their lives—together with their beloved animals.

🟨🟨🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️ 🌿 I already have tried it! (25%)

🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 💊 Yes I would definitely consider it (52%)

🟨🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ 😷 I'm not sure it's for me (23%)

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🤔 Did You Know: 45% of dogs sleep in their owner’s beds in the U.S.!

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