K-9 Companions National Headquarters

07/20/2025

07/17/2025

Italy just gave dogs a first-class upgrade! 🐕✈️ Medium and large pups can now fly in the cabin like the royalty they are—no more cargo hold for these VIPs!

07/17/2025

Sweet,
A farmer had some puppies he needed to sell.
He painted a sign advertising the 4 pups and set about nailing it to a post on the edge of his yard.
As he was driving the last nail into the post, he felt a tug on his overalls. He looked down into the eyes of a little boy.
"Mister," he said, "I want to buy one of your puppies."
"Well," said the farmer, as he rubbed the sweat off the back of his neck, "These puppies come from fine parents and cost a good deal of money."
The boy dropped his head for a moment. Then reaching deep into his pocket, he pulled out a handful of change and held it up to the farmer.
"I've got thirty-nine cents. Is that enough to take a look?"
"Sure," said the farmer. And with that, he let out a whistle. "Here, Dolly!" he called.
Out from the doghouse and down the ramp ran Dolly followed by four little balls of fur. The little boy pressed his face against the chain link fence. His eyes danced with delight. As the dogs made their way to the fence, the little boy noticed something else stirring inside the doghouse.
Slowly another little ball appeared, this one noticeably smaller. Down the ramp, it slid. Then in a somewhat awkward manner, the little pup began hobbling toward the others, doing its best to catch up...
"I want that one," the little boy said, pointing to the runt.
The farmer knelt down at the boy's side and said, "Son, you don't want that puppy. He will never be able to run and play with you as these other dogs would."
With that, the little boy stepped back from the fence, reached down, and began rolling up one leg of his trousers. In doing so he revealed a steel brace running down both sides of his leg attaching itself to a specially-made shoe.
Looking back up at the farmer, he said, "You see sir, I don't run too well myself, and he will need someone who understands."
With tears in his eyes, the farmer reached down and picked up the little pup. Holding it carefully he handed it to the little boy.
"How much?" asked the little boy...
"No charge," answered the farmer, "There's no charge for love."

07/17/2025

New peer-reviewed study by Washington & Kansas state University shows dogs treated with antibiotics were 3 times more likely to develop knee ligament tears (CCLD), and those given steroids were 3.5 times more likely, compared to dogs not given these medications.

"Results: 419 dogs (216 cases and 203 controls) were enrolled in this study. The odds of CCLD after systemic fluoroquinolone exposure was 3.00 times (CI 1.01-8.90) higher than odds of CCLD without fluoroquinolone exposure. The odds of CCLD after systemic glucocorticoid exposure was 3.51 times (CI 1.94-6.37)) higher than odds of CCLD without glucocorticoid exposure. Topical administration was not found to pose the same risk. Conclusions: These data suggest that administration of systemic fluoroquinolones or systemic glucocorticoids were identified as risk factors for the development of CCLD in Retriever breeds. Prospective studies are needed. Clinical Relevance: Although not all risk factors for CCLD can be mitigated, systemic fluoroquinolones and/or glucocorticoids should be used cautiously in Retriever breeds."

07/12/2025

12,000 years ago the bond between humans and dogs already existed. Check this out!

In the Levant, around 12,000 years ago, the Natufian culture marked a pivotal moment in human evolution, from nomadic hunters to early village life. Among their most touching legacies is a burial discovered in modern-day Israel, where a woman’s skeleton was found gently resting her hand on a puppy’s remains.

This grave, uncovered at sites like Ain Mallaha, is among the earliest archaeological proofs of emotional bonds between humans and dogs. Unlike wolves, the animal had physical traits—shorter snout, smaller size—suggesting it was a domesticated dog, not just a tamed wild creature.

What makes this discovery remarkable isn’t just its age, but its message: even in the Stone Age, dogs weren’t just used for hunting or protection—they were already companions. The grave’s careful arrangement implies affection, respect, or perhaps even spiritual symbolism.

As agriculture, permanent dwellings, and social rituals emerged, so too did one of the most enduring human relationships in history. The woman and her puppy, side by side in death, speak to a truth that’s lasted millennia: dogs weren’t just at our feet—they were in our hearts.

07/11/2025

This has been an exceptionally bad year for ticks in all of the places in the USA that have experienced extraordinarily wet conditions this year.

If you think ticks seem worse this summer, you’re not imagining it.

https://kinship-pets.visitlink.me/oNUAnh

07/10/2025

In the silence of disaster, they work without praise. Cadaver dogs who bring light to the darkest moments. Thank you for your tireless devotion.

07/07/2025

A woman warns pet owners after losing her dog to Xylitol poisoning. Learn about this hidden danger lurking in common household products.

07/02/2025

06/23/2025

Meet Mazi

06/14/2025

06/07/2025

Gotta love some of the cute pictures our staff takes of our client’s dogs in training! This is Auggie with one of our horses River looking on 😊