True or False?

Dogs experience REM sleep similar to humans.

(scroll to the bottom to find the answer!)

A viral video showing shelter dogs “choosing” their future owners seemed like the kind of sweet story every dog lover wants to believe. It turned out to be AI, but Animal Care Centers of New York saw something real hiding inside the idea: a chance to help shelter pups meet people in a more personal way.

The shelter created “Love At First Wag,” a carefully planned meet-and-greet where approved adopters could let the dogs make the first move. Participants filled out an online form first, sharing details about their home, activity level, dog preferences, pet experience, and what behavioral needs they felt prepared to support.

To keep the experience calm and safe, each session was limited to up to 10 potential adopters. Medium and large adult dogs were brought in one at a time, giving each pup space to sniff, wander, and maybe find that little spark with someone in the room. It is a heartwarming reminder that adoption is about more than a cute moment. It is about giving dogs the time, care, and choice they deserve.

If your dog has ever stared blankly during a video call, please know they are not being rude. Dogs just do not experience screens the way we do, so a tiny version of your face on a phone can feel pretty confusing to them.

One big reason is scent. Dogs recognize the world largely through smell, which means seeing you without all the familiar “you” smells can make a video chat feel incomplete. Their eyes also process visual information faster than ours, so moving images on a screen may look choppy or strange instead of smooth.

Screen size can make it even harder. A phone or tablet may be too small or low-quality for a dog to understand, and even a TV can feel odd when your face appears without the rest of you nearby. Some dogs may recognize familiar faces in photos, but many respond more strongly to a voice they know.

So if your pup ignores FaceTime but perks up when you talk, that still counts as a sweet hello. For dogs, hearing your voice may feel more familiar than seeing “screen you.”

If your child has struggled with anxiety, depression, or pulling away from everyday life, you may have already wondered how much of it traces back to their phone. For a lot of families, the connection to social media is hard to ignore and it turns out they may have more options than they realized.

Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, and YouTube have spent years building features designed to keep young users engaged, often at a real cost to their mental health. The way these platforms were built was not accidental. The notifications, the endless scroll, the algorithm were all intentional, and for a lot of kids, the effects have shown up as anxiety, disrupted sleep, depression, and a slow drift away from real life.

Courts have recently started holding these companies responsible, and families who have been affected may be entitled to compensation. If your child's mental health has been impacted by time spent on social media, it's worth a few minutes to find out where you stand. Checking your eligibility is free and comes with no obligation.

See if you qualify.

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Meet Teddy, a sweet rescue with a mellow heart and a very patient pose, submitted by Daily Dig reader Dolores.

Teddy takes his time with life in the best way. After needing surgery at just 4 months old, he still has his crooked paws, but nothing slows him down. With that thoughtful little face, he seems to be saying, “Mom, just take the picture.”

Thank you to Daily Dig reader Dolores for sharing Teddy with us! Want to see your dog featured next? Send us their photo and name for a chance to be our next Dog of the Day!

Here are our favorite picks of the week, rescue heroes and Hollywood legends included:

• 🏡 Influencer helps shelter dogs find homes

• 📱 Has your child been negatively affected by social media? See if you qualify for compensation

• 🐾 40 unforgettable dogs from the movies

🐶 Join us on Instagram for more cute dog content

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,

Ivy, Callie, Finnegan, Stitcher, and Huey 🐾

🦴 A Little Treat

🤔 True or False: True. This is when dreaming occurs and why you see twitching or movement.

🐶 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.

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