Woman's World

This NFL Player Built One of the First Regenerative Organic Certified Chicken Farms in the United States

Ryan Brennan — Sat, 17 Oct 2026 16:30:29 +0000

Most NFL stars collect sneakers, cars or maybe a restaurant or two. Von Miller collected chickens.

You probably know Miller as a Super Bowl MVP and one of the most feared pass rushers of his generation. What you might not know is that one of his biggest off-field passions started in a college classroom.

As a student at Texas A&M, Miller took a meat-production class that introduced him to poultry farming. In an interview with Entrepreneur, he said the course sparked an idea he would eventually turn into a business.

Years later, at the height of his NFL career, he turned that interest into Greener Pastures Chicken, a pasture-raised poultry company in Texas.

It turns out the idea had plenty of fans in the locker room, too. Super Bowl-winning quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes, Drew Brees and Nick Foles have all invested in the company, giving it a roster of backers most startups could only dream of.

The farm’s next big win came in 2026 when Greener Pastures became Regenerative Organic Certified and Halal certified, marking a new stage for a business Miller had spent years building.

It’s also a sign of where food could be headed. As regenerative agriculture grows more popular, Von Miller’s chicken farm offers an early look at what that shift might mean for the meat aisle, where shoppers may soon have more chances to choose chicken raised with both the animals and the land in mind.

What makes Von Miller’s chicken farm different?

Plenty of chicken farms keep birds indoors for their entire lives. Greener Pastures takes a different approach, raising its chickens on pasture, according to its website.

The birds start out in a brooder for their first few weeks. Once they’re old enough to regulate their own body temperature, they head outside.

From there, the farm says the chickens are moved onto fresh pasture every day. They forage for grass, insects and grit, and they eat certified-organic feed, too.

All that moving around is also part of the farm’s plan for healthier soil:

Chickens graze and forage
Their manure adds nutrients back to the soil
Microorganisms help break that manure down
The pasture gets time to recover
The birds eventually rotate back onto healthier ground

Greener Pastures describes the idea as one where “healthy birds and healthy land can work together,” and says its chickens are raised without antibiotics or added hormones.

Giving chickens outdoor space and room to behave naturally also becomes part of how the farm manages and improves the land, tying animal welfare directly to soil health.

That’s why Miller calls Greener Pastures a “country club for chickens” and told Entrepreneur he wants people “to see everything” because “there’s nothing to hide.”

What makes Von Miller’s chicken farm Regenerative Organic Certified?

In 2026, Greener Pastures earned Regenerative Organic Certified status and is listed at the Silver level by the Regenerative Organic Alliance.

ROC builds on USDA Organic, then adds extra standards for soil health, animal welfare and social fairness.

Greener Pastures is a good example of how two of those pillars can overlap on the same farm:

Rotational grazing is designed to support the soil
Outdoor pasture gives chickens more room to move, forage and act naturally
The birds themselves become part of the farm’s nutrient cycle

The farm added a second certification that same year when it became Halal certified through the Halal Food Standards Alliance of America, and the company says its chickens are hand-processed according to Halal requirements.

That combination is rare. In fact, a Greener Pastures press release distributed through the National Restaurant Association Show described the company as one of the few U.S. poultry producers to hold both ROC and Halal certification.

“Foodservice operators are asking for poultry they can trust. Our ROC and Halal certifications formally validate the production standards we’ve delivered all along,” Neil Dudley, EVP of sales and marketing at Greener Pastures, said in the release.

The two certifications cover different things, but together they give buyers additional verification around how the chickens are raised, managed and processed.

Greener Pastures Chicken shows where regenerative organic could go next

Greener Pastures may be one of the first chicken farms to earn ROC certification, but it’s part of a much bigger shift in regenerative agriculture.

ROC has been branching out beyond early categories like rice, coffee and produce into a wider range of grocery products. That means shoppers have more chances to spot the label outside of specialty stores.

Elizabeth Whitlow, former executive director of the Regenerative Organic Alliance, told Organic Produce Network that ROC “is not intended to replace USDA Organic but to set a new standard for what’s possible in our food and farming systems.”

Greener Pastures offers a glimpse of what that new standard can look like: animals raised differently, soil managed differently and a certification built to verify both.

And with names like Von Miller and Patrick Mahomes attached, Greener Pastures has something most regenerative farms don’t: built-in star power. That kind of visibility could help introduce regenerative organic chicken to fans who might never have noticed the label otherwise. Not bad for an idea that started in a college classroom.

Could a Daily Pill Help Your Dog Live Longer? The FDA Is Reviewing One Right Now

Hanna Wickes — Sat, 17 Oct 2026 13:30:53 +0000

Any devoted dog owner knows the quiet grief of watching a beloved pet slow down. Dogs live roughly 10 to 13 years, according to PetMD, and much of that final stretch often brings chronic illness, lost mobility and painful goodbyes. A biotech company called Loyal is trying to rewrite that equation with a beef-flavored daily pill, and the FDA is now reviewing it.

The drug, known as LOY-002, cleared a major regulatory hurdle in February 2025 when federal regulators deemed it likely to be effective. If the final steps go smoothly, it could reach veterinarians as soon as next year at around $100 a month.

How the daily pill works

Rather than treating a specific condition like arthritis or cancer, LOY-002 targets aging itself. The prescription pill is designed for dogs aged 10 and older that weigh more than 14 pounds, according to Good.is, and it works by reducing the effects of a hormone called IGF-1, or insulin-like growth factor 1.

IGF-1 helps puppies grow, but elevated levels later in life are associated with faster cellular aging, especially in larger breeds. By dialing down that signal, Loyal says the drug could slow a dog’s biological clock, lower the risk of age-related disease and preserve quality of life in a dog’s final years.

“Anyone who has cared for a dog knows the pain of watching them grow older, slower, and less active as they age,” Brennen McKenzie, Loyal’s director of veterinary medicine, told Newsweek.

McKenzie added that veterinarians already have ways to manage specific problems tied to aging. “But we also need preventive tools to slow down the decline caused by aging and delay the onset of those problems. That’s where therapies like the ones Loyal is developing come in,” he said.

Why larger dogs could benefit most

A longstanding rule of canine biology holds that bigger dogs live shorter lives. Great Danes and other giant breeds typically die far earlier than small breeds, and they are more prone to age-related disease along the way.

LOY-002 could be especially meaningful for medium and large breeds because their faster biological aging is tied to the exact hormonal pathway the drug targets. For the owner of an aging Lab, shepherd or mastiff, that connection is the whole point.

What the FDA has already approved

For owners counting the months, two regulatory milestones already matter. Loyal was founded in 2019 by Celine Halioua, now 31, and has raised more than $150 million. Its ongoing STAY study is a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial enrolling 1,300 dogs across 70 clinics, which the company calls the largest clinical trial in veterinary medicine history. Half the dogs receive the daily pill. Half receive a placebo. Neither the owners nor the vets know which is which.

The FDA has accepted the Target Animal Safety portion of Loyal’s application, with data from more than 400 dogs confirming the drug is safe for its intended use. Combined with the February finding that LOY-002 is likely to be effective, that puts the company two-thirds of the way to conditional approval. The remaining manufacturing submission is expected in 2027, meaning the earliest a prescription could land in your vet’s office is next year.

“Their goal is to prevent the harm of ageing before it happens,” Halioua told NDTV. “This brings us one step closer to the first-ever FDA-approved drug for lifespan extension.”

What it could mean for humans

Dogs are often described as the closest biological mirror humans have. They share our homes, breathe the same air and develop many of the same age-related conditions, from cognitive decline to cancer. Because dogs age roughly seven times faster than people, scientists can study longevity treatments in years rather than decades.

If LOY-002 works in dogs, it could open the door to similar therapies in humans. For now, though, the most immediate beneficiary of this research may be the graying companion curled up near your chair.

How One Rice Farm’s Duck Rescue Is Shaping the Future of Regenerative Farming and the Food You Buy

Ryan Brennan — Fri, 16 Oct 2026 21:00:26 +0000

Every spring, a family rice farm in Northern California pauses its planting plans to hunt for duck eggs. It’s a decades-old tradition that has quietly turned into one of the clearest examples of what regenerative farming looks like in practice. Here’s how the program works, why it exists and what it could mean for the way you shop for rice and other pantry staples.

What’s happening: A rice farm has rescued about 30,000 duck eggs

Lundberg Family Farms, a rice grower based in Richvale, California, runs a Duck Egg Rescue Program each spring before its fields are prepped for planting. Working with the California Waterfowl Association, the farm searches its cover crops for nests and collects eggs by hand.

The farm has been doing this since the early 1990s and estimates it has rescued about 30,000 duck eggs.

The process is low-tech and hands-on. Volunteers, including local school groups over the years, walk the fields in a line holding a rope strung with noisy cans. When mother ducks fly up, the group finds the nests. Fourth-generation farmer Brita Lundberg has described it as a “giant Easter egg hunt,” according to Cherry Bombe.

Rescued eggs travel in feather-lined cartons to a local hatchery, where the ducklings hatch and are raised for about five weeks before being released into the wild.

Three things explain why a rice farm ends up in the duck rescue business.

The fields double as wildlife habitat. Lundberg has farmed in Richvale since 1937, and each winter it floods portions of its rice fields to mimic the wetlands that once covered more of the Sacramento Valley. The farm says those fields support more than 200 species, including thousands of migrating waterfowl on the Pacific Flyway.

The birds pull their weight, too. They eat weed seeds and press leftover rice straw into the wet soil, helping it break down before the next season.

Cover crops invite ducks to stay. Other fields are planted with winter cover crops to protect and rebuild the soil, and some ducks settle in to nest. “My grandpa and his brothers used to call our fields ‘bird hotels,’” Brita Lundberg wrote in a LinkedIn post. Once spring planting begins, those cover crops have to be mowed, which puts any remaining nests at risk.

The practices line up with regenerative organic standards. In 2023, Lundberg became the first U.S.-grown rice brand to launch Regenerative Organic Certified rice, a certification that builds on USDA Organic with added standards for soil health, animal welfare and social fairness. Its cover crops, flooded fields and duck rescue were already doing much of that work.

“That’s the story of regenerative agriculture in general. We care about the ecosystems around our fields. The community we are a part of. The team members who make it all possible. And the soil we stand on.”

Brita Lundberg, fourth-generation farmer, Lundberg Family Farms, via Organic Produce Network

What’s next: Duck stories, smarter labels and more regenerative rice

The duck rescue started as a practical fix. Now it’s shaping how the farm talks to shoppers, and that could ripple well beyond one rice field.

Wildlife could become the way brands explain regenerative farming

Lundberg has already made ducks the stars of its “Ducking Good Rice” campaign. The goal is to explain regenerative agriculture without burying shoppers in soil science.

“We knew if we talked about things like soil health metrics, consumers’ eyes would glaze over, or they wouldn’t look at the ad at all. But everyone can relate to a duckling,” Brita Lundberg said. “If we care this much about ducks, think about how much we care about rice.”

That approach is likely to catch on as more regenerative brands look for relatable ways to show what their farming practices actually do.

What it means for you: Expect to see more animals and farm stories on packaging and in ads. Enjoy them, but use them as a starting point. The certification behind the story is what tells you which standards a product actually meets.

Regenerative organic rice could become easier to spot

As the first U.S.-grown rice brand with Regenerative Organic Certified rice, Lundberg has set an example other growers could follow. More certified options would give shoppers a simple way to support farms that protect soil, animals and workers.

What it means for you: Next time you buy rice, check the bag for the Regenerative Organic Certified seal. It signals the product meets USDA Organic rules plus extra standards for soil health, animal welfare and social fairness.

Community conservation could keep growing

School groups have joined Lundberg’s spring egg hunts over the years, turning a farm task into a hands-on lesson in conservation. Programs like this give communities a direct connection to the wildlife habitat around them.

What it means for you: If you live in a farming region, look into local conservation groups like the California Waterfowl Association. Partnerships between farms and wildlife organizations are often where these kinds of projects begin.

What began as a way to keep ducks safe from tractors has become a simple, memorable way to explain regenerative farming. As more shoppers look for food grown with the land in mind, the stories behind that food, and the certifications that back them up, will likely matter more than ever.

THREE SIGNALS TO WATCH

1. Lundberg’s next spring duck egg rescue and how many eggs volunteers collect from the cover crops

2. New ad campaigns from Regenerative Organic Certified brands that use animals or farm stories instead of soil data

3. More rice brands carrying the Regenerative Organic Certified seal on grocery shelves

Tara Davis-Woodhall and Hunter Woodhall Team Up with IAMS to Give Your Dog a Marathon of Their Own on the Strava App

mbryant — Wed, 23 Sep 2026 16:03:18 +0000

Whether they are training to compete on the world stage or fitting movement into their everyday schedule, gold medalists Tara Davis-Woodhall and Hunter Woodhall know that success is about more than crossing the finish line. It is built through early mornings, recovery days, and the motivation to keep showing up. Their dogs, Milo and Winnie, are often right there beside them. Now, those loyal training partners have a finish line of their own to cross.

Tara and Hunter are partnering with IAMS and Strava to give dogs a chance to reach a major milestone of their own through the IAMS Dog Run Marathon. The month-long virtual challenge invites dog owners to walk, jog, or run a total of 26.2 miles with their pups throughout September using the Strava app.

As dogs work toward their 26.2-mile goal, proper nutrition can help support them through every walk, jog and run. IAMS High Protein Dog Food is made with real chicken and beef, with 80 percent of its protein coming from animal sources,* to help support strong muscles, healthy energy and whole-body health.

We caught up with Tara and Hunter to talk about life with Milo and Winnie, how their dogs fit into their active lifestyle and why they want pet parents everywhere to join the challenge.

What roles do Milo and Winnie play in your lives and training routines?

Tara: They are our best friends and always the most excited to see us come home. They fit our vibe and are the best shadows for me and Hunter. Whatever we’re doing, they want to be doing the same thing – whether it’s playing outside, doing recovery, or just relaxing on the couch.

As professional athletes, what have your dogs taught you about staying active and enjoying the journey?

Hunter: It can be easy to get caught up in what’s coming up or the pressure of a big competition, but our dogs remind us that life can also be fun and easy as well. When we’re playing with them or going on runs and walks, they just enjoy it. They have no expectations. They’re just enjoying being able to get active.

What made you excited to partner with IAMS and Strava for the IAMS Dog Run Marathon?

Tara and Hunter: Our dogs are part of so many moments in our lives, so we loved the idea of creating a challenge that puts dogs at the center of the experience. They are often the ones beside us for everyday moments and workouts, but they do not get to join us on competition day. The IAMS Dog Run Marathon gives dogs a chance to cross their own finish line.

How does the IAMS Dog Run Marathon work?

Tara and Hunter: Dog owners can join the challenge through the Strava app and log a total of 26.2 miles with their dog from September 1 through September 30. The miles can be completed through walks, jogs or runs, so it is designed to be approachable for different routines and activity levels. Participants track their activities using Strava’s Pet Tag feature, and daily mileage is capped at 5K, or 3.1 miles, to help prioritize dogs’ safety.**

Why is proper nutrition so important for active dogs like Milo and Winnie?

Tara: Just as nutrition plays a major role in how Hunter and I can recover and continue to get stronger, the same is true for our Milo and Winne. And just like us, our dogs also have a high-protein diet!

What would you say to someone who wants to participate but does not consider themselves a runner?

Hunter: You do not even have to be a runner at all to take part. The challenge is about completing the distance together over the course of the month. Daily walks, weekend adventures, and short jogs can all count toward the 26.2-mile goal. It is about finding a pace that works for you and your dog and enjoying that time together.

Celebrating Four-Legged Finishers

The celebration continues beyond the virtual finish line. One randomly selected grand-prize winner will have their dog crowned the first-ever official IAMS four-legged marathon champion and receive a $10,000 training bonus, 26 bags of IAMS High Protein Dog Food, a custom medal and the chance to have their dog’s face featured on a running shirt worn by Tara and Hunter. Twenty-six randomly selected finishers will also receive a VIP, or Very Important Pup, prize package featuring exclusive IAMS running gear and 26 bags of IAMS High Protein Dog Food.

Ready to get moving? Open the Strava app to join the IAMS Dog Run Marathon and visit iamsdogrunmarathon.com for complete challenge and giveaway details.

*Approximate and derived from an unprocessed state of ingredients.

**Always tailor exercise to your dog’s age, breed, health condition and fitness level. Consult your veterinarian with questions about whether participation is appropriate for your dog.

No purchase necessary to enter or win. Full terms and conditions can be found at iamsdogrunmarathon.com.

More Than 28,000 Pets Were Exposed to Toxic Plants Last Year. Here’s What It Means for Summer Safety

Ryan Brennan — Wed, 15 Jul 2026 13:01:08 +0000

If you have a garden or a few houseplants on the shelf, you’ve probably wondered whether any of them could hurt your dog or cat. The short answer is yes. Hundreds of common plants pose real risks to pets, and most owners don’t realize which ones are dangerous until something goes wrong.

Whether you’re planting a new flower bed, bringing home a bouquet or just curious about the pothos in your living room, here’s what every pet owner should know about toxic plants and how to keep their animals safe this season.

How common are toxic plant exposures in pets?

The numbers may surprise you. In 2025, ASPCA Poison Control received calls about more than 376,000 items pets were exposed to. Toxic plants made up 7.5% of those cases, totaling roughly 28,000 exposures. Dogs accounted for more than 12,900 of those on their own.

Plants and fungi came in as the sixth most reported category, trailing OTC medications, food and drink, human prescription medications, chocolate and veterinary products.

The risk increases in warmer months. Lance Wheeler, an emergency and critical care specialist at Texas A&M University Small Animal Teaching Hospital, told Campus Insights Media that pets spend more time outside during spring and summer where they encounter plants, fertilizers, pesticides and other environmental hazards.

“Dogs and cats, specifically, are going to be at a higher risk of these intoxications compared to people because they walk directly on treated surfaces and then groom themselves, which can lead to ingestion of harmful substances,” Wheeler added.

Garden plants that are toxic to dogs and cats

Many of the most popular landscaping plants are also some of the most harmful. Azaleas were the number one canine toxic plants exposure reported in 2025 and are equally dangerous for cats. Ingestion can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, weakness and cardiac failure.

Other outdoor plants toxic to dogs and cats include sago palms, foxgloves, bluebells, crocuses, yew, hydrangea and oleanders.

Seasonal and holiday plants bring additional risk. Poinsettias, lilies, tulips and daffodils are commonly gifted or displayed during holidays, putting pets in close contact with plants that are toxic.

“More common exposures like ivy, aloe and spring bulbs (tulips and daffodils) typically cause mouth and gastrointestinal irritation,” said Susanne Heartsill, DVM, DABVP, U.S. Director at Ceva Animal Health, in an interview with USA Today. She added that bulb ingestion can be more serious.

Houseplants that are toxic plants for cats and dogs

Indoor plants are just as much of a concern as outdoor ones. A large category of common houseplants contain insoluble calcium oxalate crystals, which are tiny needle-like structures found in the leaves and stems.

When a pet chews on one of these plants, the crystals cause immediate irritation to the mouth, along with pain, drooling, vomiting and loss of appetite. In rare cases, consuming large amounts can lead to throat swelling and difficulty breathing.

Some of the most common feline toxic plants and toxic plants for dogs in this category include pothos, peace lilies, philodendrons, ZZ plants, dumb cane, calla lilies, Chinese evergreen, elephant ear, Swiss cheese plant and flamingo plant.

Other houseplants to be aware of include lily of the valley, cyclamen, jade plant, snake plant, kalanchoe, bird of paradise and begonia.

What to do if your pet eats a toxic plant

Acting fast can make a real difference. Here’s what to do if you suspect your pet has eaten something harmful:

Seek veterinary care immediately if your pet shows signs of vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, weakness or collapse.
Head straight to a veterinary hospital if your pet is having trouble swallowing or breathing.
Bring the plant or flower with you to help with identification.
Remove the plant from your pet’s reach to prevent further exposure.
Contact the ASPCA Animal Poison Control at 888-426-4435 or the Pet Poison Helpline at 855-764-7661. Both are available 24/7.

Don’t assume your pet is fine just because they look normal. Wheeler cautioned that symptoms can take hours or even days to appear, and it’s always best to err on the side of caution and contact a veterinarian as early as possible.

Preventing plants toxic to cats and dogs from causing harm

Prevention starts with knowing what’s around your home. The ASPCA maintains a searchable database of plants toxic to cats (428 species) and plants toxic to dogs (416 species). Once you know what to look for, a few simple steps can go a long way.

Remove toxic plants from your home and yard when possible. If removal isn’t an option, use barriers, playpens or elevated stands to keep pets away.
Supervise your animals outdoors, especially in unfamiliar areas. When walking your dog, keep them from sniffing or chewing plants along trails and sidewalks.
Swap out toxic plants for pet-safe alternatives like spider plants, Boston ferns, orchids and areca palms.
Stay alert during holidays when seasonal plants like poinsettias, lilies and tulips are commonly gifted or displayed.

The encouraging news is that overall toxic plant exposures continue to decline, showing that awareness is making a difference. But a single curious nibble is all it takes to turn into something serious. Staying informed is the simplest thing you can do to protect your pets.

The video “Toxins in the home and yard that can affect pets,” featuring Lance Wheeler, an emergency and critical care specialist at Texas A&M University Small Animal Teaching Hospital, was first published on Campus Insights Media.

At Least 47 Dogs Have Died From Heatstroke in 2026. Here’s How to Keep Yours Safe This Summer

Ryan Brennan — Mon, 13 Jul 2026 18:45:20 +0000

Summer changes everything about how you care for your dog. The walks get shorter, the water bowl empties faster and the risks you never thought about start to matter.

Heatstroke in dogs is one of those risks, and it’s far more common than most owners expect. It doesn’t just happen in parked cars. It happens on routine walks, in backyards without enough shade and on days that barely feel warm to you.

Knowing what to watch for and how to respond can be the difference between a scare and something much worse. Mobile dog grooming services can also help you keep up with preventive care without exposing your dog to the heat.

How common is heatstroke in dogs?

Far more common than most people think. A large-scale study published in Scientific Reports reviewed records from more than 900,000 dogs and found that roughly 1 in 7 dogs treated for heat-related illness didn’t survive.

The numbers continue to climb. In 2025, 151 animals suffered heat-related deaths and 365 were rescued, according to PETA. In 2026, there have already been 55 reported deaths (including 47 dogs and five cats) and 301 rescues despite the summer just getting started.

“I think people underestimate how intense the sun and the humidity, especially, can be,” Dr. Kailyn Thomas, veterinarian at Winter Park Veterinary Hospital, told News4Jax.

What temperature is too hot for dogs?

Lower than you might assume. Researchers at UNSW Sydney analyzed 20 years of veterinary data and found that a dog’s risk of death rises about 1% for every degree above 77°F. On days above 90°F, that risk spikes by nearly 10%.

That matters more than most owners realize, especially since the Scientific Reports study also found that dogs were showing up at the vet with heatstroke as early as spring, on days most owners wouldn’t consider risky.

What are the signs of heatstroke in dogs?

According to PetSafe, early warning signs include heavy or rapid panting, excessive thirst, seeking out shade, lagging behind on walks and gums that look darker or brighter pink than usual.

As heatstroke progresses, symptoms become more serious. Watch for thick ropey drool, bright red gums and tongue, weakness or wobbling, a rapid heart rate and vomiting or diarrhea.

The situation becomes an emergency if your dog collapses, develops pale or purple gums, loses consciousness or stops responding to their name.

What should I do if my dog overheats?

Move them to a shaded or air-conditioned area immediately. Offer cool (not cold) water and place damp towels on their belly and paw pads to help bring their body temperature down gradually.

If symptoms escalate to vomiting, wobbling or bright red gums, get to a veterinarian as fast as possible. Do not try to force water into a dog that is struggling to stand or stay conscious. Knowing what to do if your dog overheats matters because heatstroke can go from manageable to life-threatening in minutes.

Should I shave my dog in the summer?

Not if they have a double coat. Breeds like huskies, golden retrievers, German shepherds and Labradors have a thick undercoat that acts as natural insulation, trapping a layer of cool air against the skin. Shaving removes that barrier and can actually make them hotter.

What helps instead is regular brushing. “If this hair is not physically removed via brushing, combing, or blowing out, the coat may not be serving its true purpose of keeping the pet cool,” says Dr. Ashley Navarrette, clinical assistant professor at Texas A&M.

If you’re unsure how much to trim, it’s best to leave that decision to a professional groomer to avoid improper cuts and potential injury.

What dog grooming tips help prevent heatstroke?

Beyond regular brushing, a few targeted grooming habits make a real difference in the summer.

Trim the fur around and between your dog’s paw pads. That’s where their sweat glands are and excess fur slows the evaporation that helps them cool down.

Check ears and skin regularly, especially after swimming or water play. Moisture trapped against the skin creates ideal conditions for infections and hot spots.

A monthly cool bath can also help keep your dog clean and free of summer pests.

Will my dog stop exercising when they get too hot?

No. Dogs are eager to please and will push past their limits to keep up with you. “A dog running with its owner in heat is not going to self-limit itself. It’s going to want to please the owner. So, you need to watch that,” Steven Marks, Founding Dean of Clemson University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, told Campus Insights Media. It’s on you to cut the activity short before they overheat.

How do I know if the pavement is too hot for my dog?

Press your hand to the ground before heading out. If it feels warm to you, it’s too hot for your dog’s paws. Asphalt absorbs heat and can burn paw pads at temperatures that feel mild in the air.

Can I leave my dog in the car with the AC on?

No. Even with the AC running, there’s no guarantee it will keep the interior cool enough. A mechanical failure or an accidental shutoff can turn a parked car deadly in minutes. Never leave your dog unattended in a vehicle.

What are the most important summer safety tips for dogs?

Make sure your dog always has access to shade and fresh water. If they aren’t drinking enough, try mixing water into their dry food to create a slurry or adding canned food for extra moisture. If your dog goes swimming, use a life preserver unless you’re confident they’re a strong swimmer and keep them close to shore.

Keeping up with grooming is one of the easiest ways to protect your dog all summer, and mobile dog grooming makes it simple to stay consistent without the hassle of getting out in the heat yourself.

The video “How to keep pets safe during summer heat,” featuring Steven Marks, the Founding Dean of Clemson University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, was first published on Campus Insights Media.

The No. 1 Reason I’ve Never Owned a Dog—and the Guilt I’m Slowly Learning to Let Go of at 32

Ryan Brennan — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 09:34:25 +0000

I’ve wanted a dog for as long as I can remember. And for just as long, I’ve had a reason not to get one.

It started simply enough. When I moved out on my own in 2014 at 20 years old, I told myself I wouldn’t get a dog until I owned a home. It felt responsible—mature, even. Dogs need space, I reasoned. They need a backyard with dog-friendly features. They need stability. And a twenty-something bouncing between apartments with roommates wasn’t in a position to offer any of that.

So I got a cat instead. 11 years later, I still have him, and I love being a pet owner. He’s been through every chapter of my adult life with me—the apartments, the roommates, the first house, the downsize back to an apartment. He’s proof that I can care for another living thing. But he also became a convenient excuse. I already have a pet, I’d tell myself. The dog can wait.

But how long am I willing to wait? Dogs are, after all, the most popular pet in America. According to the American Pet Products Association, 65.1 million U.S. households own a dog. Millennials—my generation—make up the largest share of pet owners at 33%.

And a study by the American Humane Association found that the person most likely to consider getting a dog is someone who’s single, younger, and living in the Western United States. I check every single one of those boxes. I’m 32, single and living in Las Vegas.

On paper, I’m the textbook candidate for dog ownership. In practice, I’ve spent over a decade convincing myself otherwise.

The conditions that kept changing

In 2019, I moved into my first house. It should have been the green light I’d been waiting for. I finally had a home. Six months later, I started working from home full-time—something I still do today—which meant I had more time and flexibility than ever to care for a dog.

And then COVID-19 arrived in early 2020 and robbed many of us, myself included, of a social life. Suddenly I was home all day, every day, with nothing but time. A Forbes Advisor survey found that 78% of pet owners they surveyed acquired their pets during the pandemic. Millions of people saw the same window I did—stuck at home, lonely, craving companionship—and they actually jumped through it. I didn’t. Why?

Because the house didn’t have a backyard. And just like that, I had a new condition. I’ll get a dog when I have a home with a backyard. The goalposts moved, and I let them.

If I’m being honest, the backyard thing was less about the dog’s quality of life and more about my own image of what dog ownership was supposed to look like. A dog in a yard. That was the picture in my head, and anything short of it felt incomplete.

Then, earlier this year, I moved back into an apartment. The house was too big for one person, and I wanted to downsize. It was the right call for my life, but it also meant I was further from that picture than ever. No home. No yard. No dog. And now, at 32, I have no idea when (or if) I’ll own a home again, let alone one with a backyard.

What owning a dog would mean for me

The thing about waiting for the right time is that you start to lose sight of why you wanted it in the first place. So lately I’ve been thinking less about yards and more about what a dog would actually bring to my life.

The science is pretty clear. According to the American Kennel Club, research shows that owning a dog can reduce loneliness, lower stress and improve cardiovascular health.

A study from Washington State University found that just 10 minutes of petting a dog can significantly lower cortisol levels. Dog owners are nearly four times more likely to meet daily physical activity guidelines than non-dog owners, according to a 2019 study published in Scientific Reports.

And for someone like me—single, working from home, not looking to be in a relationship or get married—the companionship factor alone is enormous. One national survey found that 85% of respondents believe interacting with pets reduces feelings of loneliness.

I have flexibility. I have time. I have love to give. The only thing I don’t have is a backyard. And I’m starting to realize that might not matter as much as I thought.

The backyard guilt I’m learning to let go of

I’d be lying if I said the backyard thing doesn’t still get to me. I’ve seen the TikTok videos—the ones where dogs experience a backyard for the first time after years of apartment living, tearing across the grass in pure, uncontainable joy. Those videos are beautiful, and they make me feel a pang of guilt for even considering raising a dog without that kind of space.

But here’s what I’ve started telling myself: that joy isn’t about the yard. It’s about freedom, movement and the bond those dogs have with the people who gave them a good life before the yard ever came along. Those dogs were loved in apartments. They were walked, played with, taken to parks. The yard was a bonus, not the baseline.

I live in Las Vegas. There are parks everywhere. There are dog parks. There are hiking trails just 20 minutes outside the city. A dog’s quality of life isn’t determined by square footage—it’s determined by what you do with the time you have together. And time is something I have a lot of.

Owning a dog doesn’t have to look perfect

There’s a quote I keep coming back to, even if I can’t attribute it to anyone specific: Don’t let perfect be the enemy of good. I’ve spent 11 years of independent living setting conditions for dog ownership, and every time I meet one condition, I invent another.

First it was owning a home. Then it was having a backyard. What would be next? A certain income? A partner? A fence? At some point, the conditions stop being practical and start being a way to avoid the vulnerability of just doing the thing.

The older I get, the more I feel it. The loneliness doesn’t get louder, but it gets heavier. And I’m not at peace with coming home to silence every day when I know there’s a companion out there who would be just as happy to see me as I would be to see them.

Where do I go from here?

I haven’t gotten a dog yet. I’m not writing this from the floor of a PetSmart with a leash in one hand and a bag of kibble in the other. But something has shifted. The question in my head is no longer when will I be ready? It’s what am I waiting for?

Life doesn’t have to be perfect to take the next step. There won’t ever be a perfect time—a perfect home, a perfect yard, a perfect set of circumstances all aligned just so. If I’ve learned anything from 11 years of saying no, it’s that waiting for perfect is just another way of saying not yet. And I’m running out of reasons to keep saying it.

Maybe the best time to get a dog was five years ago. But the second-best time? That might just be now. And hey — if a backyard ever enters the picture, I already know exactly what I’d build (you can learn more about that here).