Animals pat life

Having trouble teaching your canine friend to sit on command? We have a few tips and tricks to help you help you and your pup work on their doggy manners. It's much easier than you think! Here's how you can teach a dog to sit upon request: Hold a lure (a tasty treat or toy that a dog loves) in front of his face at nose level. Let him sniff it so that he realizes you are holding something he likes.   Slowly move your hand with the lure in it from the dog's nose up, along the top of his muzzle, between his ears. The treat should be held high enough that the dog has to crane his neck, but not so high he needs to jump up. When your dog looks up at the lure, he will probably sit to maintain his balance. As soon as he sits, praise him and feed him the treat or let him play with the lure. After the dog has learned to sit with the lure, add the verbal cue, “Sit.” Once the dog sits reliably with a lure, try to drop the lure and simply use your empty hand as a signal by following th

Some visitors to Animal Friends find a dog, cat or rabbit who is just right for them on their first visit. Others come back several times, waiting to find their perfect match. And then there are those who find exactly who they’re looking for without ever stepping foot inside the building. Which is how Josh first met Delight … After losing his 12-year-old Coonhound mix, Maggie, to an unexpected illness, Josh knew he could never replace her. She was one-of-a-kind, but something told him there was a place in his home and heart for another hound. So, Josh began searching online for a dog who needed him just as much as he needed them. Soon, Josh came across the profile for our very own 6-year-old English Coonhound named Delight. She needed a patient family, one who would be willing to take the time to work with her. You see, Delight had a very timid nature and, while her closest human friends knew how sweet and friendly she was, her shyness made it hard for new friends to see her true color

Meet Orrie (short for Orrville)! She’s a 9-year-old cuddly domestic shorthair with a gorgeous brown tabby coat. Orrie’s ideal home would be one that is quiet and stress free where she can continue living the life that she’s used to as an indoor cat. She is very gentle and so affectionate, but young children and other pets tend to make her nervous, so she’d rather join a family with older members where she’ll be the only pet. When things are nice and calm, Orrie’s favorite thing to do is curl up on a warm lap and purr the day away. If you have a cozy and welcoming home with room for a sweet feline member, get to know Orrie! You can contact her current family at wnatali116@gmail.com .

It all started in August when Wonder Woman, a young Treeing Walker Coonhound and her litter of newborn puppies were transferred to Animal Friends from another shelter. The playful puppies were all given superhero names like their mother … Batman, Supergirl, Ironman, Huntress, Superman and, of course, Aquaman. When they were just a few days old, a call went out to shelters across the country  – Animal Planet was in search of the stars of Puppy Bowl XIV. So, these adorable pups put on their best face and struck a pose for the camera. We sent Aquaman's photo off to Animal Planet and crossed our fingers! A few weeks later, the great news arrived – Aquaman had been selected to compete in the big game! With just a short amount of time to prepare, Aquaman set his sights on the Lombarky Trophy and the coveted title of MVP (Most Valuable Pup). The filming of the Puppy Bowl was to take place in  New York City in October, so when the time came, Aquaman hit the road and was on his way to the

Jake is a purebred Jack Russell Terrier who is just over 2 years old. He is good with children and other dogs and despite his small size, loves to be the boss! Jake is an active boy who will need daily exercise.     This handsome boy's family has been experiencing some changes and have made the difficult decision that they can no longer give Jake the lifestyle they know he deserves. He loves to cuddle (especially with kids!) and is a great companion for his family, young and old alike. It's very important to Jake's family that he find a loving home that will give him daily walks, lots of love and all of the care and affection he's become accustomed to.   If your family could be the one that Jake needs, contact his family:   CarterFamily4423 @gmail.com | 412.514.4628  

Meet Henry! This handsome black domestic shorthair is about 3 years old and was found as a stray by a Good Samaritan. For a while, he was living outdoors and being cared for by his new human friends, but when the weather turned cold, they decided to bring him inside. Henry is neutered and has tested negative for both FIV and Feline Leukemia. And, he's up-to-date on all of his vaccinations – all he needs is a loving family to call his own! During their time with him, Henry's caretakers have seen his sweet and silly personality and have learned how much he likes to play! Henry absolutely loves people and is very friendly with everyone he meets. This ebony kitty is very talkative and will keep you entertained with his constant chirps and mews. Henry's foster family doesn't have the room to take in another cat permanently, but they know he is going to make a great companion to a lucky family. He is very good about using his scratching post and is litterbox trained. Henry al

 This handsome 7 1/2-year-old Labrador Retriever is Roxas. At 90 pounds, he is a big, powerful dog with a heart of gold. Roxas hasn't had any medical issues during his time with his current family and has been on a healthy and balanced diet for the majority of his life.   Roxas is typically a very well-mannered and obedient boy and generally has a quiet and mild personality. He knows how to sit, stay and come and is eager to learn a few more commands. While Roxas loves to play with his human friends, he can be a bit selective with other canine companions, so he will need a chance to be properly introduced before interacting with other animals.   This friendly pooch is in search of a family that can give him the loving home he deserves. While he is a very sweet dog, Roxas can be protective of people, so his new family will need to be aware of this when introducing him to friends, neighbors and other visitors. If you think you can give a playful middle-aged pup a warm and welcoming