It’s no secret that dogs are sociable creatures who are happiest being with others and having something to do. Not to get overly philosophical, but everyone needs a purpose.

Plus, dogs are like toddlers. If you don’t give them a constructive focus, they’ll find ways to entertain themselves, such as pulling all of the stuffing out of each cushion on your new couch, or enjoying four or five shoes -- each from a different pair. Not that we’ve had any experience with such things…

Does your dog love the water? Does he or she have a special toy they will do anything to retrieve? Do they have a strong play drive? If so, then the canine sport of dock diving or dock jumping may be for you.

Any breed, including mixes, and any size of dog can compete as long as they are six months old, healthy, and the love water! Dogs compete for distance, leaping for height and swimming for speed.

Now that the long winter is finally over, the dog parks are coming alive with the sounds of frolicking pups. For many dogs, these off-leash parks are an important part of sociability, not to mention exercise.

As a pet lover, you know your pet makes you happy. But you may be surprised to hear that science agrees that those warm feelings can lift your mood and even lower your blood pressure!

In fact, the positives are such that pets are now invited into all sorts of therapy settings, such as hospitals, to soothe and calm the patients. There is even a name for it: “pet therapy.”

Are you trying to convince your place of work to go pet-friendly? A 2015 Society for Human Resource Management survey found 8 percent of American workplaces allow employees to bring their furry loved ones to work, up from 5 percent in 2013. (Source)

It may seem like having your pet around is just going to be fun and games, but with the right considerations, more and more companies may want to consider the benefits.

While traveling with your dog can be fun, lets face it, it’s not always feasible. Erratic schedules and allergic family members can add stress for everyone, not to mention the difficulty of flights or long road trips.

That’s where dog boarding is helpful.

Protect your pets this season with our second installment of safety tips for the beach and pool!

Watch for signs of heat stroke.

Pets can easily overheat in the summer months, even while swimming. Remember to have fresh water available for your dog at all times and offer it frequently. Because swimming usually takes place during the hottest part of the day (between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.), it is important to give your dog regular breaks.

Do you think you know everything there is to know about canines? Think again! Check out these 23 interesting facts you may have never heard:

1. Dogs have a sense of time. It's been proven that they know the difference between an hour and five. If conditioned to, they can predict future events, such as regular walk time.