True or False?

Dogs can't get sunburned.

(scroll to the bottom to find the answer!)

From the moment her puppies are born, a mother dog is all in. She rarely leaves their side during the first few weeks, keeping them warm, clean, and well-fed. At this point, the pups can’t hear, see, or walk—so she does everything for them.

But things start to shift around week three. The puppies begin trying solid food, toddling around, and spending more time awake. That’s when the mom begins stepping back, leaving the whelping box more often. She’s not abandoning them—she’s giving them space to figure things out.

It’s a subtle but important moment: she’s teaching them independence.

This natural weaning process is crucial for their development. As they explore, play, and meet people, they learn key social skills—not just from humans, but from their mom and littermates. If it’s rushed, puppies may struggle with behavior later on.

So if your dog ever had a litter, or you’ve brought home a young pup, know this: their early lessons in confidence started with a nudge from mom.

This Mother’s Day, treat the woman who does it all—walks, treats, vet visits, and maybe even scooping litter.

Litter-Robot makes life easier with a self-cleaning litter box that handles the dirty work for her. It’s quiet, efficient, and perfect for homes with one or multiple cats. Right now, save up to $50 on bundles—plus free shipping and a 90-day trial.

Pair it with something just for her: Suntegrity’s mineral sunscreens are clean, cruelty-free, and packed with skin-loving ingredients. Made with non-toxic, reef-safe formulas, they protect while nourishing—so she can glow without compromise. Use code MOTHER10 for 10% off.

Or give her the gift of creativity with Skillshare. With thousands of expert-led classes in everything from photography to design, she can learn something new—or finally make time for that hobby she loves.

Three small upgrades that make a big difference—because the best gifts are the ones that take care of her, too.

Shop our full gift guide for more dog mom gifts here.

You feed them, walk them, tuck them in at night—but does your dog actually think of you as their parent? According to dog expert Travis Brorsen, many pups do. It’s not about titles—it’s about trust.

Dogs show this bond in some surprisingly sweet ways. If yours looks to you for direction in new situations or checks on you from room to room, that’s a big deal. It's their way of saying, you make me feel safe.

Some pups bring you gifts, like socks or their favorite toy. Others just want to snuggle. These behaviors aren’t random; they’re signs your dog sees you as family.

And if they follow you everywhere? It’s not clinginess—it’s love.

In a small Missouri town, rescuers had been trying to catch a stray dog for weeks, but couldn’t figure out where she was stashing her puppies. The answer? A hollowed-out tree trunk deep in the woods. Turns out, this clever mama had found the perfect shelter to keep her 11 pups safe from cold, predators, and prying eyes.

Tanya Meeks of Ozarks Pet Rescue spotted the hiding place and quickly assembled a team. They could only reach two puppies before the others retreated into the narrow trunk. That’s when a volunteer’s young son stepped in—literally. His small hands were just the right size to help save the rest, one squirmy pup at a time.

Meanwhile, the mother dog had vanished.

To lure her back, rescuers played audio of the puppies’ cries through a speaker. After days of waiting, she returned and walked right into a humane trap. Her name is Aida now—and she’s safe, sound, and reunited with her pups.

1. Treat the dog mom in your life- shop our full list of picks in our Mother’s Day Gift Guide here.

2. How to keep flies off your dog

3. This pup looks just like a real-life Snoopy

4. Why does my dog smell so bad?

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. Dogs can get sunburned, especially those with light skin or fur.

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