🎄 Merry Woofmas, Dog Lovers! 🐾

Welcome to this very special Christmas edition of the Dog Forum Newsletter! As our furry friends snooze by the fireplace (or try to unwrap presents early!), we've gathered some heartwarming stories to share on this magical day.

Whether your pup is sporting a festive sweater, helping to "clean up" dropped Christmas dinner, or just adding their own ornaments to the bottom branches of your tree, we hope this newsletter brings some extra joy to your holiday celebrations!

This Week's Dog-Centric News and Tips are in: 

• The Most Popular Dog Names of 2024

• What Can I Actually Wash My Dog With? A Vet's Guide 🛁

• Thread: Merry Christmas!

• Video: Dog & Pigs = Best Friends

Bark Bulletin of the Week

Join some of the most buzzing discussions on our forum!

HEARTWARMING STORIES

Shelter Dogs Pick Their Own Christmas Presents! 🎄🐕

@heschatt

Shelter dogs pick out their own Christmas toys! #christmas #shelterdogsoftiktok #rescuedog #animalshelter #humanesociety #HES #adoptdonts... See more

The Humane Educational Society (HES) just gave us the sweetest holiday moment: shelter dogs picking out their very own Christmas toys!

On December 20th, they transformed their shelter into a magical puppy toy store, with two rows of presents for their furry residents to choose from.

Shopping Styles

Just like us at the mall, these pups showed their unique personalities while shopping! Some were careful browsers, taking their time to sniff out the perfect toy, while others dove right in, wanting to play with everything in sight.

Each dog proudly carried their chosen treasure back to their kennel for some holiday fun.

Spreading Joy

This heartwarming moment captured hearts worldwide, going viral with over 600,000 reactions on Facebook and 5.4 million likes on TikTok.

As one viewer noted, "Moments like these remind us how much joy and personality each of these pets brings, even in a shelter setting."

Thanks to generous donations, these shelter pups got their own special Christmas miracle. And those wagging tails? Pure holiday magic! ✨

DOG FACTS

The Most Popular Dog Names of 2024: What We're Calling Our Four-Legged Friends! 🏷️

Ever wondered what everyone else is naming their dogs? Thanks to Rover's massive database of over a million pups, we've got the inside scoop on 2024's most popular dog names!

From timeless classics to modern trends, these names tell us a lot about how we see our furry family members.

The Name Game

This year has seen some fascinating trends in dog naming! Some names shot up in popularity by hundreds of percent, while others have stayed comfortably at the top for years.

Let's dive into what people are calling their new best friends!

Top Boy Dog Names of 2024

Charlie kept his crown as the #1 pick for boy dogs this year! Max, the former champ who ruled for a decade, had to settle for second place again.

The rest of the boys' top five included:

• Milo (your little soldier)

• Cooper (strong and friendly)

• Buddy (because who doesn't want a best friend?)

Top Girl Dog Names of 2024

Luna continues her reign as queen of the girl names for the third year running! The rest of the girls' top squad shows we really love our L-names and flowers:

• Bella (still sparkling in second place)

• Daisy (fresh as a... well, you know)

• Lucy (everybody still loves her!)

• Lily (keeping things floral and sweet)

Rising Stars

Some names have seen incredible jumps in popularity this year. "Brat" increased by 31% (perfect for those adorably spoiled puppies), while other names saw even bigger jumps of over 200%!

It seems that whether we're inspired by celebrities, nature, or just good old-fashioned pet names, we're getting more creative each year with what we call our four-legged friends! 🐾

Source: KinShip

Playful Picks

1. Wait for it…

2. Dog & Pigs = Best Friends

@pet.food.suppliers

A dog on a skateboard#dog #puppy #funny #fyp #dogsoftiktok

What Can I Actually Wash My Dog With? A Vet's Guide 🛁

Tempted to use your fancy shampoo on your furry friend? Hold that thought! Dr. Alycia Washington has some important advice about keeping your pup clean without turning bath time into a skin disaster.

The Human Shampoo Debate

Here's the scoop: Your dog's skin is actually way different from yours! It's three times thinner and less acidic than human skin.

So while your lavender-infused, anti-frizz shampoo might make your hair commercial-worthy, it could turn your pup's skin into an itchy mess.

Even worse?

It can mess with the normal bacteria on their skin, leading to all sorts of unwanted issues.

Emergency Bath Solutions

Got a dog who just rolled in something unspeakable and no dog shampoo in sight? Before you reach for your shampoo, here's what you should know:

• Water alone is better than human shampoo

• If you're desperate, baby shampoo is your least-bad option

• Save the fancy human products for yourself!

• Consider keeping an emergency dog shampoo stash in your car (trust us on this one!)

The Home Remedies Report

While dog-specific shampoo is always best, some alternatives get talked about a lot:

• Apple cider vinegar: Might help with itchy skin, but can sting if your pup has scratches

• DIY shampoos: Sound fun, but usually aren't as effective as the real deal

• Baby shampoo: Okay for emergencies, but not for regular use

Special Situations

Got a skunk situation? Skip the tomato juice (it's a myth!). Instead, try this emergency mix:

• Hydrogen peroxide (3%)

• Baking soda

• Dish soap Just remember - this mixture can't be stored, or it might pull a science experiment in your cabinet!

Bath Time Success Tips

Make washing your pup a spa day, not a wrestling match:

• Use warm (not hot!) water

• Skip shampooing the face to avoid soap in eyes

• Rinse like your dog's comfort depends on it (because it does!)

• Reward with treats and praise (make it rain treats if needed!)

• Use a non-slip mat to keep your pup feeling secure

• Have plenty of towels ready (and then add two more)

• Consider using a shower attachment for easier rinsing

How Often Should You Wash?

It really depends on your dog's lifestyle and coat type:

• Long-haired dogs might need more frequent baths

• Outdoor adventurers probably need more cleaning than couch potatoes

• Dogs with skin conditions might need special bathing schedules

• When in doubt, ask your vet for a personalized schedule

The Professional Touch

While home baths are great, sometimes you need a pro. Consider a groomer when:

• Your dog is too large to handle safely

• You're dealing with stubborn tangles or matting

• Your pup needs specialized grooming

• Bath time has become a major stress for both of you

Remember, a clean dog is a happy dog, but only if we use the right products! When in doubt, stick to products made specifically for our four-legged friends. Their sensitive skin will thank you, and you'll avoid those judgmental looks from your vet! 🐾

Source: KinShip

Quiz Answers

False! 👑

The late Queen Elizabeth II was famously devoted to Pembroke Welsh Corgis! She owned more than 30 corgis during her reign, starting with Susan, who was given to her on her 18th birthday.

These royal pups lived a life of luxury at Buckingham Palace, even having their own room called "The Corgi Room" and eating from silver bowls!

The Queen loved this breed so much that she's credited with making Corgis popular in the UK. And here's a fun fact: Her last Corgi, Muick, and a Dorgi (Dachshund-Corgi mix) named Sandy were by her side until the very end. Now that's what we call royal treatment! 🐕👸

Wishing You a Pawsome Holiday! 🎅🐕

That's all for this festive edition of Dog Forum's newsletter! We hope your day is filled with wagging tails, doggy kisses, and plenty of holiday treats (for both humans and pups!).

Remember to keep those chocolate decorations out of paw's reach, and maybe slip an extra treat to your four-legged friend - it's Christmas after all!

From our pack to yours, have a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year! May your holidays be filled with joy, love, and plenty of belly rubs! 🎄✨

Stay warm and cozy,
Josie

P.S. Don't forget to share your pup's Christmas photos in our dedicated holiday thread! We'd love to see all those festive furbabies! 🐾