Sue Bear Pupp

06/18/2026

Healthy Paws, Happy Walks! 🐶🐾

A little grooming goes a long way. Keep your dog's paw hair trimmed to prevent dirt buildup, irritation, and discomfort. 🐾

06/17/2026

I say this to my clients all the time . Specially the ones that want their competitive or insecure dog to be a social butterfly and love all other dogs. Here my friend Joseph Secreti from Maximum K9 Service & Nutrition explains that beautifully!

06/17/2026

How Hot Is Too Hot?

As the weather gets warmer, we have to remember something very important: dogs do not regulate heat the same way humans do.

We sweat over much of our body. Dogs mostly rely on panting, limited sweating through the paw pads, shade, airflow, hydration, and rest. That means a dog can become overheated much faster than many people realize, especially when excitement, drive, stress, or physical activity are involved.

The chart I am sharing is a general outdoor heat risk guide. It is not meant to replace common sense, observation, or veterinary advice, but it gives us a clear reminder that temperature alone does not tell the whole story.

A 75-degree day can already become a moderate risk for many dogs when they are working, playing, training, or standing in direct sun. At 80 degrees and above, we need to become much more careful. By 85 to 90 degrees, especially for large dogs, heavy-coated dogs, puppies, seniors, overweight dogs, brachycephalic dogs, or dogs with heart or airway issues, the risk can become serious very quickly.

Heat risk increases with:

High humidity
Full sun
Dark or thick coats
Intense exercise
High-drive working dogs
Poor airflow
Obesity
Age
Puppies under 6 months
Senior dogs
Brachycephalic or flat-faced breeds
Heart, lung, or airway conditions

Heat risk decreases with:

Shade
Fresh water
Short sessions
Longer rest periods
Lower intensity
Cooler times of day
Good airflow
Handler awareness

This is why, at Canine Evolutions, we adjust training based on the dog in front of us and the environment around us. On hot days, sessions will be shorter. Dogs will get more breaks. Shade and water are not optional. We do not push through heat to prove a point.

Good training is not about exhausting the dog.

Good training is about clarity, timing, relationship, emotional regulation, and safety.

Also remember the simple paw rule: if the ground is too hot for the back of your hand, it is too hot for your dog’s paws. Asphalt, concrete, sand, gravel, and even artificial turf can become much hotter than the air temperature.

And please, never leave a dog in a parked car. Even mild weather can become deadly inside a vehicle in a very short time.

Our dogs trust us to make the right decisions for them. Heat safety is not weakness. It is responsible handling.

Train smart. Watch your dog. Bring water. Bring shade. Keep sessions short when needed.

The dog always comes first.

Bart De Gols

06/13/2026

06/09/2026

And I 💯 agree with him !

05/09/2026

🚨 Cushing’s Disease in Dogs: The Signs Pet Parents Should Never Ignore

Excessive thirst. Constant hunger. Panting. Hair loss. A swollen belly. Recurrent skin or ear infections. Muscle loss. Restlessness.

These can all be signs of Cushing's Disease, one of the most common endocrine disorders diagnosed in middle-aged and senior dogs.

Cushing’s Disease develops when the body is exposed to chronically elevated cortisol levels over time. Cortisol is an essential hormone involved in stress response, metabolism, immune regulation, and inflammation, but excessive amounts can gradually disrupt multiple body systems, including the:

🔹️ skin
🔹️ muscles
🔹️ liver
🔹️ immune system
🔹️ gut microbiome
🔹️ metabolism
🔹️ cardiovascular system

This is the reason why many affected dogs do not simply “look older,” they often appear metabolically unwell.

⚠️ Common symptoms to look for include:

▪️ increased thirst and urination
▪️ increased appetite
▪️ panting
▪️ pot-bellied appearance
▪️ thinning hair coat or symmetrical hair loss
▪️ fragile skin
▪️ recurrent skin or ear infections
▪️ muscle wasting or weakness
▪️ lethargy
▪️ poor stress tolerance
▪️ elevated liver enzymes
▪️ recurring yeast issues

Many dogs develop Cushing’s naturally due to changes involving the pituitary or adrenal glands, while others develop “iatrogenic Cushing’s” after prolonged steroid medication use.

The good news❓️
Diagnosed dogs can continue to live happy, meaningful lives for years with appropriate management and monitoring.

Conventional veterinary treatment is often very effective and may include medications designed to regulate cortisol production and improve quality of life. In many cases, these therapies significantly reduce symptoms and help prevent complications associated with chronically elevated cortisol levels.

But management should not stop there.
Because Cushing’s affects the body systemically, supportive nutrition and lifestyle strategies may also play an important role in helping these dogs feel their best.

---
🌿 HOLISTIC SUPPORTIVE CARE

🥩 Fresh Food Nutrition
Dogs with Cushing’s often experience inflammation, muscle wasting, skin deterioration, and metabolic stress.

Feeding a moisture-rich, minimally processed, nutrient-dense diet with adequate high-quality protein may help support muscle maintenance, immune function, and overall vitality.

🐟 Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Omega-3s (EPA/DHA) support:
✅️ skin health
✅️ inflammatory balance
✅️ cardiovascular function
✅️ cognitive health
✅️ metabolic resilience

Sources such as fatty fish, algae oil, krill oil, and fish oil can be incorporated into the daily diet. Vitamin E should also be provided alongside omega-3 fatty acids to help protect these delicate fats from oxidation.

🤎 Liver Support
Many dogs with Cushing’s develop elevated liver enzymes due to chronic cortisol excess. Supportive nutrients often used in integrative care may include:

▪️ milk thistle (silymarin)
▪️ SAMe
▪️ phosphatidylcholine
▪️ antioxidant-rich foods and nutrients

🌙 Melatonin and Lignans
Some integrative veterinarians and holistic practitioners may also utilize melatonin and plant lignans in select cases of Cushing’s Disease, particularly for their potential influence on adrenal hormone pathways and steroid hormone metabolism.

Responses can vary considerably between dogs, and these supplements should be used under professional guidance as part of a comprehensive management plan rather than as standalone treatment.

🦠 Gut and Immune Support
Cushing’s dogs commonly struggle with recurrent yeast, skin infections, microbiome imbalance, and immune dysregulation.

Supporting gut health and skin barrier integrity may improve overall comfort and resilience.

🏃 Gentle Movement & Muscle Preservation Controlled exercise, enrichment, and maintaining lean body condition can help preserve mobility and muscle mass for as long as possible.

Most importantly, proactive pet parents should monitor for changes rather than dismissing them as “normal aging.”

Early intervention matters.

A dog drinking excessively, developing a pot belly, losing muscle, or suddenly experiencing chronic infections is communicating that something deeper may be happening internally.

💠 Holistic support is not about replacing veterinary care. It is about supporting the whole dog alongside appropriate medical management to help improve comfort, resilience, and quality of life.

Have you ever cared for a dog with Cushing’s Disease? What symptoms did you notice first?

— The Holistic Canine 🐾 theholisticcanine.us

NRC balanced meals at home:
👉 Fresh feeding, explained—finally.
"Fresh-Food Feeding Explained" eBook
Available on our website❗️
https://theholisticcanine.us/ebook/

02/27/2026

The Gulf Coast tick is a recent arrival in our area and can spread harmful germs. Populations have been found in NYC and Connecticut, but not yet in Suffolk County. If you believe you have encountered one, please keep the tick by storing it in alcohol or hand sanitizer and send a photo to: [email protected]

02/25/2026

ATTENTION PET OWNERS (02-24-2026): Rabies vaccine made by Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health is being recalled.

⚠️The recalled lot is IMRAB 3TF; serial 18665; expiration date March 12, 2027.⚠️

Vials in that shipment may have contained sterile water instead of rabies vaccine. Pet owners with questions about the recall should contact their veterinarians.

Owners of pets that received a rabies vaccination after September 29, 2025 should review their rabies vaccine certificates and contact their veterinarian if this product was administered.

Re-vaccination is required for pets that received the affected product. Veterinarians who received the affected vaccine shipment have been notified by the vaccine manufacturer and have been instructed to contact the owners of pets that received this product.

Pennsylvania law requires that dogs and cats are vaccinated against rabies within 4 weeks after the date the dog or cat attains 12 weeks of age and maintain a current rabies immunity as prescribed by rabies vaccine manufacturers.

Please note: The health department is simply passing along this information to the public, the recall was initiated by the manufacturer and under the input of the USDA.

02/12/2026

"Si dice spesso, con un sorriso sulle labbra, che i cani finiscono per assomigliare ai loro padroni. E di solito pensiamo a espressioni buffe, a sguardi simili, a pose quasi identiche nelle foto. Ma la verità è che questa somiglianza va molto oltre l’aspetto fisico. È qualcosa che nasce dentro, nel cuore stesso della personalità.

Una recente ricerca condotta su oltre 1.600 coppie di cani e proprietari ha dato voce a ciò che tanti amanti degli animali avevano sempre percepito: il legame emotivo tra essere umano e cane è così profondo da modellare il carattere di entrambi. Con il tempo si crea un’armonia silenziosa, quasi invisibile. Si finisce per condividere livelli di energia, socievolezza, calma e persino dolcezza. Non è magia. È empatia. È un adattamento emotivo reciproco, naturale e potentissimo.

Ogni nostra abitudine lascia un segno. Ogni gesto quotidiano, ogni sfumatura del nostro umore, ogni cambiamento impercettibile. Il cane assorbe tutto: il tono della voce, il ritmo delle giornate, le paure, le insicurezze. È come se il suo cervello si sintonizzasse sul nostro, danzando allo stesso ritmo, fino a diventare uno specchio fedele del mondo che gli offriamo.

Ma questo legame, così meraviglioso, ha anche un lato delicato che non possiamo ignorare. Funziona in entrambe le direzioni. Se siamo ansiosi, stressati, sopraffatti, anche lui può caricarsi di quel peso. Può far suo il nostro malessere e, nei casi più estremi, sviluppare una dipendenza emotiva che mette a rischio la sua serenità.

E allora forse, la prossima volta che incrociamo lo sguardo del nostro cane, vedremo qualcosa di diverso. Non solo un compagno fedele, ma una piccola finestra aperta su noi stessi. Un tenero specchio con la coda, che ci ama senza condizioni e ci ricorda ogni giorno quanto sia importante il modo in cui viviamo e coltiviamo la nostra relazione con lui.

Perché con un cane non si costruisce soltanto un affetto. Si crea una connessione che ci trasforma. Ci riflette. Ci mette davanti alle nostre fragilità e alle nostre qualità. E forse, proprio grazie a quello sguardo silenzioso che ci segue ovunque, possiamo imparare a diventare versioni migliori di noi stessi."