Humane Animal Welfare Alliance

06/19/2026

06/18/2026

06/18/2026

At our recent vaccine clinic, we microchipped 𝟖𝟏 𝐩𝐞𝐭𝐬, helping families add a permanent form of identification for their dogs and cats.

A pet microchip is a tiny electronic ID chip, about the size of a grain of rice. It is implanted under the skin, usually between the shoulder blades. The procedure is quick and does not require surgery or general anesthesia.

Each chip contains a unique ID number that, when scanned, is used to access the owner’s contact information in a secure registry database.

🚫 Important facts:
- Microchips are NOT GPS trackers
- They do NOT contain your pet’s name, address, or medical information
- They must be registered to be linked to your contact information

📋 Don’t forget after microchipping:
- Chips must be registered — TOAR will register chips from the clinic this week
- Keep your contact information up to date
- Ask your veterinarian to scan the chip annually

Microchips do NOT replace collars or ID tags so please be sure your pet is wearing identification.

Thank you to everyone who joined us at the clinic and helped make this service possible for our community. ❤️🐾

06/18/2026

Adoption pending.

Meet Tiny — a 3 lb Chiweenie puppy with soulful eyes and the sweetest little spirit. She and her sister were surrendered together and are now looking for families of their own.

Tiny is dog‑friendly, people‑oriented, playful, and cuddly — the perfect mix of Chihuahua traits and Dachshund traits. She loves being close to her humans and makes friends easily.

If you’re looking for a tiny companion with a big heart, Tiny might be the one. Ready to adopt? PM for an application, or see link in comments below.

06/18/2026

There's an uncomfortable part to this.

We like certainty.

See the signal.
Name the signal.
Understand the dog.

A lip lick.
A yawn.
Looking away.

Most people want one meaning for each.

One signal.
One answer.
One reason.
Done and dusted.

Dogs rarely offer us that luxury.

The same behaviour can be a calming signal, an appeasement gesture or a displacement behaviour.

The signal may be identical.
The meaning may not be.

Certainty is so tempting.

But to read dogs well, we need to stay curious.
We need to look at the context.

We need to question our first conclusion and even our second and third.

And sometimes we need to admit that what we're seeing doesn't fit neatly into what we thought we knew at all.

That's the uncomfortable part.

06/18/2026

NOT ALL LICKS = LOVE

It’s understandable to assume that when a dog licks a person or gives them “kisses”, that it’s an obvious sign of affection.

While licking is certainly associated with affection, social bonding, investigation, excitement, or a positive interaction, it can also serve a very different purpose.

There is a term called "Kiss to Dismiss" - credited to Jennifer Shryock of Family Paws®, who developed it to educate families about dog-child interactions.

She uses it to describe situations where a dog's licking is not affectionate, but is an attempt to create distance, reduce social pressure, or attempt to end an interaction.

It's about a dog trying to navigate an uncomfortable social situation in a polite way without having to resort to stronger forms of communication.

Context matters, the situation matters, body language matters!

A relaxed dog with soft eyes, loose muscles, a wiggly body, and voluntary engagement is sending a very different message to a dog that is showing the body language of stress when feeling trapped or restrained by an interaction.

It’s so important to notice and respond to a dog’s subtle communication to prevent a situation from escalating.

Not all licks mean love, some licks mean - please leave me alone.