Rhonda Deussen, one of Jon’s professors, said after his first art show, “Jon Kittleson’s style is reminiscent of Matisse and Chagall, his work is new and bold. I find his approach to his subjects to be at once original and fresh. I am proud of his work.”

We couldn’t agree more.

Jon, thanks for bringing so much joy into the world with your original work.

P.S. Interested in being a guest-blogger? Contact us.  

The Power of Art

It seems eons ago that I enjoyed playing sports as a serious athlete. But when a bad wrestling accident in middle school left me partially paralyzed, my sports’ activities came to an end. I realized it was an opportunity to pursue my interest in art. I was fortunate to have excellent art instructors in high school, and I further developed my artistic talent at Tidewater Community College, where I received my associate’s degree in graphic arts.

Although I grew up in Virginia Beach, VA, I eventually moved to the Midwest to help my grandmother with the cattle farm my grandfather left behind. Thus my style as an artist has been inspired by the ocean, where I spent the first part of my life, and by rural midwestern subjects and landscapes, where I live now. My artwork is bold and vibrant, and I use a combination of acrylic paints and Sharpie oil-based paint markers to create colorful art that sparks joy.

As a young adult, I was diagnosed with rapid-onset dystonia parkinsonism, a genetic condition that sets off a neurological and muscular disorder. It affects my balance and mobility but not my ability to create art. The physical challenges brought on by my condition inspired a love of volunteering, something I do with the Good Samaritan Society. I’ve loved getting to know these wonderful people, and as I share my art with the residents, I encourage them to keep creating beauty.

The year 2012 was a big one for me. I married the love of my life, and I officially started my business, People & Pets by Jon Kittleson. I soon realized I needed to learn how to run a business. Over time, I put up a website, www.jonkittleson.com, and created a presence on social media sites, Facebook and Instagram. Today, I send a monthly newsletter to approximately 900 dog owners, mostly from the contacts I’ve made at dog events.

For a while, I wasn’t sure of the type of art I wanted to create; it was my wife who gave me the idea of painting pets—and people, too. She suggested I attend dog events, such as dog shows, dog agility contests, dog training events, and so on, where I started to develop a clientele.

I believe art represents the power to overcome any challenge, mental or physical. It certainly has done that for me.

I currently live in Austin, Minnesota, and was named Best Local Artist for 2023 and 2024. Recently, I learned that I’ve been nominated for Best Local Artist for 2025. I’m overjoyed, and humbled, by this recognition. I’m doing work I love to do, while bringing joy to my fellow dog-lovers. I recently finished my 325th portrait commission. Life is good!

~ Jon Kittleson

Connect with Jon:

www.jonkittleson.com
http://www.facebook.com/jonkittleson.artist
http://www.facebook.com/jonkittleson.artisthttp://www.instagram.com/jonkittlesonartist

Use the Contact form on his website, https://jonkittleson.com/contact/
He will add your email address to his monthly newsletter mailing list.

Dear Readers:

We hope you’ve enjoyed getting a glimpse of Jon’s joyous artwork and are as moved by his personal story as we are. By the way, if there is someone on your annual gift list who is hard to shop for because he or she “has everything,” consider the gift of a custom, commissioned pet portrait. It’s a one-of-a-kind gift of love that will be cherished for years.

The post The Power of Art appeared first on Dogs Are Amazing.

Thank you, Helen, for letting us hear from you again.

PS
Interested in being a guest-blogger? Contact me.  

Why Do Dogs Howl?
The Mysterious and Funny Instinct Explained

OMG, That Noise!

A car alarm goes off and your cockapoo bends his head back. You know what’s coming. He does it every time. “Owwwwooooooooooo!” Suddenly, your fluffy little couch cuddler is a wild thing.

A howling dog is a reminder that we have an animal on our sofa. It’s cute. It’s annoying. And it’s…a little mysterious.

So why do domestic dogs howl? Is it a call to their wolf ancestors? A way to express themselves? Or are they simply saying, “Someone turn off that siren!”

Understanding the reasons for that sound—and yes, there are many reasons for it—can help you respond to your dog’s needs. It might even strengthen your bond.

Let’s explore the instinct behind why domestic dogs howl. We’ll look at the different meanings behind the behavior. We’ll also talk about when to get your vet involved.

Get ready to unlock the mystery of your dog’s inner wild thing!

The Wolf Connection

Howling is an instinctive habit of dogs. They inherited the knack from their ancestor, the wolf.

When a wolf howls, it’s not just noise. The howl can carry for miles in the wild, communicating over long distances. Every howl from a wolf is a purposeful message to other animals.

Howling allows pack members to keep track of each other. That distinctive call helps them reunite if they become separated. The howl can say to others in the pack, “I’m here. Meet me here.”

Howling is also a way to claim territory, warning non-pack members to stay clear of the pack’s land.

Wolves might also howl together to signal the start of a hunt or to celebrate a successful kill, reinforcing pack unity.

I’m not saying your dog howls to announce territorial claims or rally your family to hunt. Dogs howling nowadays is an adaptation of that old wolfy habit. Evolution has refitted this ancient instinct to fit the current lives of domesticated dogs.

Which Domesticated Dog Breeds Howl?

Howling behavior shows up a lot in breeds with a working ancestry, such as Huskies and Malamutes. Howling has helped these dogs communicate with each other and their humans while working together in challenging environments.

But let’s be clear—howling isn’t limited to these breeds.

Plenty of dogs without a strong working background also howl. These dogs howl as a way to reach out to their “pack.” In this case, that means you.

Sometimes, a howl is a call to announce stress, isolation, or the desire for your attention and comfort. Howling might be your dog’s way of alerting you to something new in the environment, even if it’s as small as an unexpected sound.

In essence, the spectacle of a domestic dog howling isn’t just some ancient instinct. Today, dogs bring this primal communication into our modern lives as an expression of their bond with us.

Dogs Howl to Express Emotions

Often, dogs howl just to say, “I’m feeling some big feels here!” From loneliness to excitement, each howl offers a clue about what your dog is feeling and can carry a unique message.

A dog’s howl can mean:

• Loneliness: seeking connection or companionship, especially when left alone
• Anxiety: often related to separation, it could indicate distress or just general insecurity
• Excitement: being triggered by a high-energy event or a new experience
• Alertness: responding to unusual sounds or sights, like sirens or strangers
• Attention-seeking: trying to draw focus from people or other animals
• Stress or discomfort: reflecting unease with an unfamiliar situation or environment
• Contentment: relaxing or bonding, especially in a group setting
  This may be the cutest version of dog howling…

Common Triggers

Noises, especially high-pitched sounds, are one of the most dependable triggers. Doorbells, sirens (including on television!), or even someone playing a musical instrument can set off a hearty howl. And a lot of the time, dogs howl in response to any kind of noise. That’s it. Just some random noise, inside or outside.

Another big trigger is, well…other dogs howling. These pitches resemble the distant calls that once alerted their ancestors in the wild. So, your dog could feel an urge to “join in.” Or sometimes, pooches who hear the call of other animals in the neighborhood could just be answering back or staking out their territory.

When Your Dog Needs a Vet

A dog’s howl can sometimes signal discomfort, pain, underlying medical issues, or even dental problems.

Senior dogs are especially prone to howling due to cognitive decline or confusion (similar to dementia in people). This can lead to disorientation and anxiety, causing dogs to vocalize more frequently as a way to cope.

It’s important to pay attention when the howling is out of character.

A sudden increase in howling, inexplicable triggers, or changes in vocalization could be an early signal of physical or mental distress. A vet visit can help identify and manage any health issues that may be causing this change in your pup’s behavior.

Just Howl Along With ‘Em

I admit that when dogs howl, I find it cute. But I’ve never lived with a dog that howled regularly. So, if you’re annoyed, I get it. But maybe just step back for a minute and try to appreciate it.

One way to think of it is when a domesticated dog howls, we’re getting a peek through the window into their ancestry, their evolution. Sort of a moment with your dog’s wild nature.

And remember, that howl carries an implied compliment. Your dog is saying, “You’re my pack. I want to talk with you!” So instead of being annoyed, feel honored. You might even want to get down on all fours and howl along.

You can connect with Helen on her website.

Resources

Discover, The Magazine: Why Dogs Howl: The Scientific Reasons Behind this Contagious Behavior, by Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi

Nature/Communications Biology: Genetic distance from wolves affects family dogs’ reactions towards howls, by Fanni Lehoczki, Attila Andics, Arik Kershenbaum, Enikő Kubinyi, Daniela Passilongo, Holly Root-Gutteridge, Friederike Range, Vicente Palacios Sánchez, Lori Schmidt, Simon W. Townsend, Stuart K. Watson & Tamás Faragó 

AKC: Why Do Dogs Howl, by Stephanie Gibeault, MSc, CPDT

Mental Floss: Why Do Dogs Howl at Sirens, by Jake Rossen

Modern Dog Magazine: Beware the Howling Dog, by Stanley Coren

PetMD by Chewy: Why Do Dogs Howl? 5 Reasons To Understand Why Your Dog Is Howling, by Tiffany Tupler, DVM, CBCC-KA

The post Why Do Dogs Howl? The Mysterious and Funny Instinct Explained appeared first on Dogs Are Amazing.

Carolyn has been a guest blogger here before. She wrote, Lessons Learned From My Dog, which was posted in October 2020. That essay is as poignant and relevant today as it was four-plus years ago; the wisdom of Webster, a hound Carolyn and her husband adopted, is timeless. As I reread the piece, the lessons seemed particularly valuable now. 

This time around, Carolyn is writing about the challenges and joys of long car trips with a dog. Thanks, Carolyn. You’ve given us some good tips.

PS
Interested in being a guest-blogger? Contact me.  

Road-Tripping with Stella

Are we there yet?

Taking our four-year-old dog, 20-pound Stella, for a two-day car ride can be an adventure that requires careful planning—think of it as prepping for a road trip with a furry toddler who’s had way too much caffeine. Stella is nervous during travel, showing signs of violent shaking and loud panting. To keep her zen, our vet suggested a mild sedative, aka doggy chill pills.

Before hitting the highway, we administer the medication well in advance of take-off, so Stella doesn’t start her nap mid-traffic jam. On long driving days, it’s better to skip her breakfast to avoid turning the backseat into a certain disaster. We’ve learned that securing our canine co-pilot in a comfy car seat with her favorite blankie and toy can turn the journey from “Are we there yet?” to “Wake me up when we get there.”

Finding Dog-Friendly Accommodations

Sniffing out suitable places that accept dogs can be a bit of a scavenger hunt. Many online options exist, but comfort and cleanliness vary. Pet-friendly rooms sometimes come with lingering odors or furniture that looks like it’s been through a few too many chew toy wars. And walking the grounds is sometimes like tiptoeing through a minefield of doggie waste. It’s wise to investigate reviews from fellow pet owners and to give the place a call to confirm you won’t end up sharing your room with more than just your dog.

Dining Out with a Dog

We have found that eating out while traveling with a very social and (overly) friendly dog can be tricky. Lodging restrictions often don’t allow leaving pets alone, which means dining al fresco is our best bet. Outdoor dining can be fun if your dog plays it cool and doesn’t start begging other patrons for their burgers. In our case, Stella likes to say a nice hello to every person and every dog within sight, often making her the belle of the ball.

Embracing the Joys of Traveling with a Dog

Traveling with a dog can create memorable experiences, such as meeting new people, having companionship to walk the beach, and laughing over war stories about pet antics. For instance, when we all arrived groggy from our two-day journey to warmer climes last year, we met a fellow traveler in the dog park with tips on a local and dog-friendly restaurant for our first night, which meant we didn’t have to leave Stella all alone in a new spot (and in her semi-drugged state).

Though traveling with our beloved Stella comes with its quirks and challenges, the joyful moments far outweigh the hurdles. She certainly adds a spark of hilarity and fun to our vacation, ensuring every road-trip is unique and full of tail-wagging adventures.

Carolyn

Carolyn Lavin is the founder of Lavin Marketing Communications, a company specializing in marketing for professional services—law, accounting, finance, and technology.

You can connect with Carolyn on Facebook, LinkedIn, X, or YouTube.

The post Road-Tripping with Stella appeared first on Dogs Are Amazing.

Chris served 20 years in the United States Marine Corps, from January 1999 to January 2019, where a majority of his career was dedicated to the Military Working Dog (MWD) Program—as a K-9 dog handler, trainer, kennel master and program manager.

Thank you, Chris, for an enlightening and deeply moving tribute to our K-9 military heroes.

Honoring Our Military Working Dogs

March 13 is the observation of K9 Veterans Day

Serving as a dog handler and devoting my career to K-9 continues to be an absolute privilege, and the partnership I shared with my specialized search dog (SSD), Lucca, showed me the transformative power that dogs have—not just in practice, on the battlefield, saving lives—but at home, in those quiet moments where the dark memories steal your peace of mind.

Dogs have been an invaluable asset to our nation’s military since the inception of the K-9 Corps on March 13, 1942. It’s fitting that we remember this pivotal date because it marked the beginning of military working dogs (MWD) assuming a vital role in combat. Its genesis was thanks to petitions from a civilian organization called Dogs For Defense (DFD), that had recruited and trained pet dogs to make them ready for potential deployment.

Since retiring in 2019, Chris now trains dogs for the Government, as well as serving as president for US War Dogs—a non-profit that supports military working dogs through their service and in retirement. 

More than 40,000 dogs were donated to the war effort following the attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1942, with 10,000 of them making the grade to join the K-9 Corps to serve their nation as sentry and messenger dogs. 

Since WWII, dogs have been utilized in a range of roles, including scout dogs and mine detection dogs, to name only two, and across major conflicts: From the frozen tundra of Korea to the jungles of Vietnam; from the vast deserts of Iraq to the unforgiving mountainous regions of Afghanistan. You can read more about the history of MWDs and their role in the US Military on our website, USWarDogs.org.

Lucca K458

Lucca and I served two tours together in Iraq and her detection capabilities saved lives almost daily. A German Shepherd/Malinois mix, Lucca was part of a program to train dogs to meet the threats that coalition troops were facing in the heat of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, specifically, improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

Lucca and other SSDs like her were trained to search off-leash at distances of over 500 meters to find hidden explosives in roadways, open areas and vehicles. Lucca wore a radio harness that I and her second handler, Juan Rodriguez, could use to communicate with her and give her commands from a distance. Her poise, skill and abilities were incredible: In two tours to Iraq and one tour to Afghanistan, she conducted more than 400 patrols. Nobody was ever injured while Lucca walked point.

She saved my life on more than one occasion, and I firmly believe that she is the reason I made it home to my family.

Supporting the K-9 Family

Since retiring from the Marine Corps, it’s been my honor to stay connected with the MWD community in my role as president of US War Dogs Association. Supporting K-9s, their handlers and families, throughout their lives—but particularly in retirement—is our reason for being. My team of volunteers and I work hard to make sure we can support as many MWDs as possible, with care packages while they’re on active duty and with veterinary care and medications during their retirement. Retired MWDs receive no VA or financial assistance, so we are often the last line of defense when families are faced with expensive medical costs to take care of these dogs, who gave their best years in service to our nation.

We owe our K-9 heroes a debt of gratitude that can’t be paid, but through US War Dogs Association, we will try our hardest to show them the respect and care they deserve. So, wherever you find yourself this March 13, spare a thought for the thousands of dogs that have served with faithfulness and skill to secure and protect America’s freedom.

K-9 leads the way!

To support US War Dogs this K-9 Veterans days, click here.

About Chris Willingham:

After serving 20 years in the United States Marine Corps, Chris retired as a Master Sergeant. Today, Chris trains dogs for the Government, as well as serving as president for US War Dogs—a non-profit that supports military working dogs during their service and in retirement. 

You can connect with Chris on LinkedIn.

# # #

Readers: I encourage you to support US War Dogs for the important work they do every day.

PS: Interested in being a guest-blogger? Contact me.  

The post Honoring Our Military Working Dogs appeared first on Dogs Are Amazing.

The conference was attended by aspiring writers from across the country and beyond, and the faculty hailed from a multitude of states; Susan was living in Ohio at the time, and I lived in Rhode Island.

Every evening after the last workshop ended, many of the faculty would meet in the Oak Long Bar (we were all staying at the Fairmont Copley Plaza, a lovely old hotel in the Back Bay section of Boston), for a drink and bite to eat. Although the fare was superb, the biggest pleasure for all of us was hanging out with our “tribe”: fellow writers, editors, literary agents. Long-term friendships were formed and, when the annual conference was discontinued in 2020, the professional and personal connections that were born there continued.

Susan and I hit it off immediately, bonding over our love of words, books, teaching, and dogs. I also found her to be enormously funny, and still do.

Thanks, Susan, for enlightening us on an important topic.

PS
Interested in being a guest-blogger? Contact me.

Does Your Dog Honk?

Dogs can vocalize in many different ways. They bark, whine, growl, and howl. But honk? Are dogs trying to get in touch with their inner goose? Nope. Dogs that have a dry, honking cough often have a condition called collapsing trachea. Although any dog can develop collapsing trachea, it is much more common in small dogs, such as Yorkies, Chihuahuas, and miniature and toy Poodles. Drinking or eating can bring on an episode, and honking is often worse at night. The honk can also worsen and become more frequent when the weather is hot and humid, which makes breathing more difficult. Excitement can bring on the honk, too. And, in all cases, the honking is much worse when these little guys are overweight.

So, what is going on? When dogs breathe in through their nose or mouth, the trachea, also called the windpipe, carries the air to the lungs. The walls of the trachea contain rings of cartilage that give the trachea a firm structure and hold it open in its normal round shape. In collapsing trachea, these rings of cartilage become weak and flatten. This narrows the airway and impedes the airflow when your dog breathes in. The result is that a normal breath can turn into a honking cough, especially in hot and humid weather or when your dog is excited, playing, or running. Some dogs may retch trying to clear their throat of respiratory secretions.

The problem can start in young dogs but usually shows up in middle-aged or older dogs. Over time, the airways can become inflamed, making the honking worse and breathing even more difficult. If your dog starts making this weird honking noise, a trip to your veterinarian is in order. Taking a short video of your dog honking to show your vet can be very helpful. Your vet will rule out other conditions that cause coughing, including kennel cough (infectious tracheobronchitis), bronchitis, and even pneumonia. History and physical examination are important for diagnosis. Other diagnostic testing may include radiographs (x-rays), bloodwork, a tracheal wash, and bronchoscopy. A tracheal wash is done to collect a fluid sample from your dog’s lower respiratory tract for analysis. This procedure is short but does require anesthesia. Bronchoscopy also requires general anesthesia and involves a flexible endoscope being inserted into the trachea so that your vet can directly see the inside of the trachea and lower airways.

The good news is that mildly affected pups can often do well with a few lifestyle changes. First and most important is to keep your dog fit and trim. Many conditions, especially those affecting the heart, lungs, and joints, are exacerbated by excess weight. If your dog needs to drop some pounds, work with your veterinarian on developing an appropriate weight loss program, with gentle exercise and diet modification.

Second, swap out your dog’s collar for a harness to avoid pressure on the neck. You may want to remove the harness at night so your dog can sleep more comfortably.

Third, your vet may prescribe medications, such as sedatives and cough suppressants, to decrease the cough reflex. A short-term steroid may also be prescribed to knock down the inflammation in the airways.

Severe cases, fortunately, are uncommon. These dogs honk so much that they frequently go into respiratory distress, gasping for air, and specialty surgery may be considered. In this procedure, C-shaped stents are placed around the outside of the tracheal wall to reinforce it and hold the trachea open for better airflow. Your vet can provide you with a referral to a veterinary surgeon, who will determine whether your dog is a candidate for surgery and discuss risks, potential complications, and costs.

Susan E. Aiello, DVM, ELS, veterinarian and award-winning writing instructor, is CHIEF VETERINARY OFFICER for Pawdentify, a company dedicated to “keeping pets safe, plain and simple. An ID tag is the first line of defense when a pet gets lost and leads to the quickest return home.”  

Dr. Aiello has many years of experience in veterinary and human medical communications, specializing in editorial services and writing training. She is a former Editor-in-Chief of The Merck Veterinary Manual, a Past President of the Board of Editors in the Life Sciences, and a Fellow of the American Medical Writers Association.

From 2010 to 2020, Susan served as a guest faculty member for the Harvard Medical School Continuing Medical Education course on Writing, Publishing, and Social Media for Healthcare Professionals. In her spare time, Susan loves to read, bowl, and play with animals of all species, especially her snorty pug, Moxie, and a mixed-breed mischief-maker who answers (sometimes) to Alfie.

You can learn more about Susan and connect with her on Facebook or LinkedIn.

The post Does Your Dog Honk? appeared first on Dogs Are Amazing.