Bringing a pet home always comes with unknowns. Which food agrees with him. What her itching turns out to be. How many appointments before somebody can name it, and what those add up to.

The pets in this issue arrive with more of those answers already found than most. A knee surgery already done. Six months of professional training already paid for. A diagnosis somebody chased down and a routine built around it.

Their families did that work, and none of it has to be done again.

Six pets this week. Could one of them be meant for you?

Taco

He will bring you the ball, drop it at your feet, and then sit down on it, which is his idea of a negotiation.

4-year-old Labrador Retriever/Shepherd mix in Spearfish, SD

Taco is silly and affectionate and unusually well trained, the kind of dog who wants to be wherever you are and treats a long walk like the main event of the day. His family has worked out the diet that keeps his stomach settled, so his next person inherits a solved problem instead of a puzzle.

He needs an active, experienced home with no other pets, where he can be somebody’s whole focus. Give Taco a job, a routine, and a person of his own, and he hands back every bit of that devotion. He is ready to travel to the right home, and he is ready now, so if he sounds like your kind of dog, this is the week to say so.

Meet Taco →

Hannah

Give kiss is one of her commands, and she has never once needed asking twice.

2-year-old American Pit Bull Terrier/Shepherd mix in Reseda, CA

Hannah is a sleek black girl with bright white accents who greets every new person like a long-lost friend. She is deeply food-motivated, which made her a star student in formal obedience, and she runs through sit, stay, down, heel, off, touch, and give paw like she is collecting applause. Her family has already carried her through knee surgery and found the daily medication that settles her allergies.

Hannah needs to be the only pet in her next home. Give her two walks a day, a routine she can count on, and a family ready to soak up all that devotion, and she will spend every day showing you exactly who she is.

Meet Hannah →

Stella

She has barked twice in seven months, and both times she meant it.

Almost 2-year-old Siberian Husky mix in Trenton, NJ

Stella is intelligent and observant, the kind of dog who watches the world closely and tells you what she needs through the quietest possible signals. Her family committed to more than six months of professional training with her, and what they built together is a calmer, more confident girl who knows a long list of commands and settles into a routine with ease.

She needs an experienced, adult-only home with a securely fenced yard, no other pets, and a person who will be her advocate out in the world and let her set the pace with new people. She comes with complete medical and behavioral records, pet insurance, and fully paid lifetime professional training support, so her next family never walks the road alone. Long distance is welcome.

Meet Stella →

Daisy and Ziggy

Ziggy is ninety-five pounds and has spent years trying to establish that this still qualifies him as a lap dog.

3-year-old and 7-year-old Old English Sheepdogs in Boulder, CO

Daisy is the athlete, forty-eight pounds of white and gray who can run six or seven miles, keep pace beside a bike, and then come home and wait, head held high, to be told she is wonderful. She was a timid dog once, and patient training and steady encouragement are what changed that. Ziggy is her security blanket and a good part of the reason she is brave, happiest with a soft toy, a swim, and somebody to lean his considerable weight against.

Their family worked out everything Ziggy needs. The allergy is specifically to chicken protein, so he eats a fish-based diet with pure liver treats. He gets his ears dried after every swim, a daily supplement for the achiness that follows a big adventure, and a hand up into the car. They need to go together, to a cat-free home with room to run and people who know what an Old English Sheepdog coat asks of you. The grooming is the real commitment here. Everything else, this family has already sorted out.

Meet Daisy and Ziggy →

Wolfie

She finds the one person in the room who has finally sat down, and makes that lap her whole afternoon.

1-year-old Domestic Shorthair in Austin, TX

Wolfie is affectionate, social, and thoroughly attached to her people, the kind of cat who would rather be in the middle of things than watching from a shelf. Her family found the cause of her skin sensitivity, a condition called feline hyperesthesia, and landed on the twice-daily medication that keeps it settled. Cats who have it generally live full, ordinary lives, and Wolfie's is built around a routine that works.

She is looking for an attentive household with people around during the day, gentle pets welcome, where somebody will keep the routine going. What she offers back is a devoted little shadow who thinks your lap is the best place in the house.

Meet Wolfie →

The money issue

A few things we wish every new pet parent knew.

Ask what else is possible. There is almost always another plan.

Almost every treatment plan has a less expensive version, and most people never hear about it. Among those who declined care over cost, nearly three-quarters say they were never offered an alternative. Vets are not withholding anything. They are being careful and waiting for you to open the door.

So open it. “I want to do right by him. Can you walk me through what this looks like at a few different price points?” That is not asking anyone to cut corners. It has a name in the profession: spectrum of care. What you get is the version of the plan you can actually finish.

Ask for the prescription, not the pills.

Your veterinarian can either sell you the medication directly or write you a prescription you fill somewhere else. Ask for the prescription. Most vets will write it without a second thought, and you can take it to your regular pharmacy or to an online pet pharmacy. A good deal of what gets prescribed is ordinary human generics: gabapentin, trazodone, fluoxetine, common antibiotics. The same discount cards you would use yourself work on those, and prices swing enough between pharmacies that it pays to check more than one. This only helps with the human medications, not the pet-only ones.

The best thing on this list is free.

Keeping a pet at a lean weight is the highest-return thing you can do for them, and it costs nothing at all. Pets kept lean live measurably longer and develop far less arthritis than pets carrying extra weight. Ask your vet what yours should weigh, then feed to that number rather than to the scoop on the bag.

And one place not to cut.

Food is the only line in a pet budget that has barely moved, up about 1% this year while veterinary services rose 5% and supplies nearly 9%. If you are looking for somewhere to trim, the food bag is the wrong bag.

Skipping the dental is not a saving.

Most dogs and cats carry some dental disease, and dogs with the advanced kind are more than twice as likely to develop kidney disease. Claims data ranks dental disease the most expensive common condition dogs get. Cleaning it early costs a fraction of treating it later.

Why we recommend pet insurance.

Emergencies do not schedule themselves. They turn up on a Tuesday night, and the family who already has coverage gets to spend that night thinking about their pet instead of about the bill. That is what you are really buying: the freedom to say yes without doing arithmetic first.

One thing worth knowing before you shop. Insurers cover what happens next, not what a pet has already been diagnosed with. So the sooner you enroll after a pet moves in, the more of their life is protected.

Bark with Barbie

A weekly note from Barbie, our canine behaviorist.

The most expensive words in dog training are “we will deal with it later.”

Almost every costly behavior problem began as a small one nobody addressed while it was still small. Leash pulling becomes leash reactivity. Guarding a bowl becomes guarding a room. A dog who is a little unsure of strangers at one becomes a dog who cannot have visitors at four. A few sessions with a good trainer while a behavior is new often cost less than one emergency visit.

If something your dog does made you think “that is probably fine,” and you have thought it twice now, book the session.

This Week’s Perks

• $30 Chewy eGift Card on $100 Order – Load up on the things that never go bad, litter, flea prevention, the enormous bag of food, and that $30 comes right back to you next month.

• $30 Off Rover Services – Drop-in visits for cats, walks and boarding for dogs. For the days you cannot be home, and the guilt that comes with them. Use code JOYFUL30.

• 30% Off Your Dutch Membership – Vet care from your couch and prescriptions to your door. Especially good for the pet who considers the carrier a personal betrayal. Use code PETS30.

• First Month Free with Trupanion – Direct vet pay and no payout limits, which is the whole argument above, in one link.

• 50% Off Your First Box from The Farmer’s Dog – Fresh food portioned to your dog, delivered to your door. Half off is a painless way to find out whether yours turns into a different animal at dinnertime. New customers only.

Support our mission

Every pet in this issue has a family who has been quietly hoping alongside them. The right match takes time, and time takes resources. Rehome Together covers the costs of the wait for families who cannot manage it alone, so no one has to give up on the right person for their pet. If you would like to chip in for a family finishing that wait, you can do so here.

Support Rehome Together →

Find their people

If you know someone whose home and heart have room for one of these pets, send this their way. And if this newsletter found you through a friend, subscribe so you never miss a week.

See All Pets →

For the families who did the hard part first,

Lauren & the Joyful Pets team

P.S. Hannah has already had the knee surgery. Stella has already done the six months of training. Ziggy has already found the one food that agrees with him. Somebody loved these animals enough to pay for the hard part, and then loved them enough to let go. The next family gets all of it.

This week, six pets are ready for that reader. A puppy in her teenage phase hoping for a family who runs. A Shepherd mix who tells you what she wants and expects you to keep up. A tuxedo and a Snowshoe whose guardian passed away and who are hoping to stay together. And two tabby littermates who come as a matched set.

Honey

10-month-old Labrador Retriever/Black Mouth Cur mix in Greer, SC

She flops onto her back the moment a belly rub is on offer, tail sweeping the floor like she has been waiting for this all day.

Honey is a goofy puppy in her teenage phase who sprints the fence line, digs for buried treasures, and invites everyone she meets to a spirited game of tug-of-war. She already knows sit, down, stay, up, and off, and she is looking for an active family ready to run, hike, and treat every weekend like an adventure.

Meet Honey →

Sage

5-year-old German Shepherd/Husky/Pit mix in Vallejo, CA

She tells you when it is dinnertime by staring meaningfully at her bowl, then at you, and if that does not work, she talks about it.

Sage is a great communicator whose happy days include long sniff-walks, bone-hiding missions, and long stretches curled up close to her people. She absolutely lights up around young children. Her adoption also comes with a month of professional behavioral support to help her settle into a calm home ready to welcome a loyal, cuddle-loving girl.

Meet Sage →

Cali and Tommy

6-year-old Domestic Shorthairs in Augusta, GA

Tommy will present himself for a brushing session, and Cali will supervise from a safe distance until she decides you have passed.

Tommy is the greeter, a sociable tuxedo who turns up wherever the people are and considers a good brushing the height of luxury. Cali, a Snowshoe mix, is the quieter half, thoughtful and watchful, and the trust she offers is worth every bit of the wait. After the passing of their guardian, these two are looking for a calm home where a shy girl can take her time and a social boy can collect all the attention he asks for. They have been side by side for six years and would love to stay that way.

Meet Cali and Tommy →

Chalky and Rusti

2-year-old Domestic Shorthairs in Hot Springs, AR

They will keep a careful distance for the first hour, and then Rusti will decide your shins belong to her and lean the whole way in.

Chalky and Rusti are littermates who do everything as a set, wrestling across the furniture, chasing each other from room to room, and collapsing into one tangle when the game finally winds down. New people take a little while to win over, and this pair is at their best in a patient home where they can watch from a distance first and come to you on their own schedule. They are looking for people who will keep them together, since what each of them relies on most is the other one.

Meet Chalky and Rusti →

Happy Tail: Penny

Penny is home. This joyful Bernedoodle spent months looking for a family committed to managing her epilepsy with daily medication and steady patience. A military family facing an unavoidable move found her exactly that, and in June, Penny stepped into a home built around her routine. Any of the pets in this issue could be next.

In the News

Blue-green algae is at peak season, and it can be fatal to dogs.

Warm, still, sunny lake and pond water can allow cyanobacteria to grow quickly in August, and dogs who swim in or drink contaminated water can develop serious liver or neurological symptoms within hours. Look for water that appears bright green, blue-green, or like spilled paint, and check for a film or scum on the surface or along the edges. If in doubt, keep your dog out. If your dog wades into questionable water, rinse them with clean water afterward. Watch for vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, seizures, or excessive drooling. If you suspect exposure, call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435 right away.

Back-to-school schedule shifts affect pets, too.

When kids head back to school and adults return to office routines, the household rhythm can shift almost overnight. Pets who have gotten used to summer’s steady company may struggle with the sudden quiet. Watch for pacing, whining, chewing, house-training regressions, or unusually intense greetings when you return. Build the transition gradually where you can, with short departures, calming enrichment such as frozen Kongs, puzzle feeders, and licking mats, and consistent morning and evening routines. If separation anxiety appears, talk with your veterinarian sooner rather than later. Early support can help keep those behaviors from becoming an established pattern.

This Week’s Perks

• $30 Off Rover Services – Use code JOYFUL30. Drop-in visits for cats, walks and boarding for dogs, so the routine holds steady on the days you cannot be home.

• 30% Off Your Dutch Membership – Vet care from your couch and prescriptions to your door, for cats and dogs both. Use code PETS30. Handy for a shy cat who finds the carrier stressful.

• First Month Free with Trupanion – Direct vet pay and no payout limits, reassuring in the first months with a new cat or dog while you learn what normal looks like for them.

• $20 Chewy eGift Card on $49 First Order – Litter, food, scratchers, leashes, and the toys that turn a new house into a home. New customers only.

• 50% Off Your First Box from The Farmer’s Dog – Fresh, human-grade meals portioned to your dog, delivered to your door, half off to start with free shipping. New customers only.

• Pet Help Finder – Free. Search your ZIP code for pet food pantries and low-cost veterinary care near you. Worth bookmarking now rather than the week you need it.

Find their people

If you know someone whose home and heart have room for one of these pets, send this their way. And if this newsletter found you through a friend, subscribe so you never miss a week.

See All Pets →

For the ones ready,

Lauren & the Joyful Pets team

P.S. Every pet in this issue has decided their person is out there. If one of them made you pause today, that pause is how a match starts.

Moose

1-year-old American Pitbull Terrier mix in Puyallup, WA

He asks for belly rubs by flopping dramatically onto his back, like he is auditioning for his own comedy special.

Moose is still very much a goofy puppy at heart. Most days he is carrying a ball around, working through a favorite chew toy, or angling for a game of fetch, and once all that energy is spent, he settles in beside his people to soak up as much affection as he can get. He already knows sit, stay, down, and leave it, and his love of treats makes him an eager, quick study.

Moose does best with an active family who enjoys outdoor adventures and thoughtful introductions to new people and dogs, since his enthusiasm can get a little ahead of his manners. He is a great match for older kids who can keep up with him, and he has shown nothing but curiosity around cats. Give Moose room to run and someone willing to keep teaching him the ropes, and he hands over a whole lot of loyalty and cuddles in return.

Meet Moose →

Blue

2-year-old American Pitbull Terrier in Springfield, MO

A big ball on a rope is, in Blue’s expert opinion, the single greatest object ever invented.

Blue is 75 pounds of blue-coated, white-accented charm who romps after that ball like it is the best game ever created, then flops down for a snuggle the second yard time ends. Car rides are a personal favorite, windows down, new sights rolling by. He already knows sit and is eager to learn more with a patient hand and plenty of encouragement.

Blue is looking for a calm, steady home with a securely fenced yard, where thunderstorms and loud noises are met with a reassuring hand. He does best as the only pet for now, with slow, thoughtful introductions if that ever changes, and a family who is happy to become his person one quiet day at a time. With structure and patience, his playful, tender side has all the room it needs.

Meet Blue →

Humphrey

1-year-old Hound/Terrier mix in Northborough, MA

He will stroll by just to give your ankle a quick lick, then grab a toy and lean in for a hug.

Humphrey has a habit of pausing his own good time to check on you. He shows off sit, down, wait, place, stand, look, and leave it with obvious pride, and he is just as happy with a long sniff walk or a frozen pupsicle on a warm afternoon. Black Kong chews and cuddle breaks on the couch round out his favorite things.

Humphrey blooms in a calm, predictable home, and his family has built him a daily routine, medication included, that keeps him steady and confident. He is looking for a household where someone is around for most of the day, a quieter home of adults or older kids without small pets, and a family glad to keep that routine going. Patience is the whole ask. What he gives back is a dog who leans in for a hug every single day.

Meet Humphrey →

Jasper

4-year-old Border Collie/Rottweiler mix in Colorado Springs, CO

He knows a trick called “middle,” where he tucks himself between your legs and sits down like he belongs there, and it is exactly as cute as it sounds.

Jasper is 70 pounds of merle-coated calm, the kind of dog who melts into your side on a quiet evening and follows you room to room just to be close. He is food-motivated and clever, with a list of commands that includes sit, stay, paw, spin, and that adorable “middle.” His favorite kind of walk is a slow, sniffy one where he can take in the world at his own pace, and he is content on his own when you need to step out.

Jasper does best in a peaceful home with a securely fenced yard, where he can enjoy calm walks away from other dogs and settle in with people who value quiet company as much as he does. He is gentle with children who know how to give a dog space. Give him a soft place to land and a steady routine, and he offers a whole lot of quiet devotion right back.

Meet Jasper →

Letting go with love: Navigating the grief of rehoming a pet

A guest reflection from Liz Weiner of HardPetDays.com.

In a society that doesn’t widely recognize the emotional impact of losing a pet, pet loss is often regarded as a type of disenfranchised grief. But losing a pet doesn’t always look like we thought it would, and losing a pet through rehoming adds another layer of complexity to an already misunderstood experience, making it feel especially isolating.

What many fail to understand is that when a pet is struggling, their person is likely struggling too. A relationship is ending, and that’s traumatic. Grief ranges from mourning what was to mourning what could have been.

No one begins their journey as a pet parent expecting it to end this way. We bring the best intentions, knowing what we know when we know it, with the resources available to us at the time.

But we can’t always control how life unfolds. We can deeply love a pet and face obstacles we can’t overcome. It’s not a time for judgment or comparison. It’s a time to remember that each of us has access to different resources, like financial, emotional, physical, time, and support, and what’s possible for one person may not be possible for another.

Maybe you took on more than you could handle and didn’t realize it until you were in it. Perhaps there was a change in job, health, living situation, or family dynamics. Or maybe the pet you’ve loved like a child can’t safely live with your new baby. Sometimes it’s an environmental mismatch, and no amount of behavior modification will change that. Or maybe you can’t afford the behavioral support your pet desperately needs to thrive, or the monthly medication they need to survive. None of these circumstances make us inherently bad. They make us human.

In an area with an undercurrent of stigma, setting ego aside and doing what’s in everyone’s best interest is frankly brave. I speak from personal experience, having shared my life with a dog who wasn't the right fit for me. I held on far longer than I should have, because I was more worried about what people would think than about what was best for both of us.

It’s not fair to pets or people to remain in an environment where they’re not thriving, and the emotional toll of chronic stress takes its toll on the quality of life for all parties. Too often, we fail to recognize that the human experience matters too.

Commitment doesn’t always look like staying together forever. Sometimes it looks like dedicating yourself to finding the best placement, even if that isn’t with you. Living amid the unideal circumstances of the messy in-between isn’t easy, but staying the course until a better placement is found is an incredible act of love for your pet, and for yourself.

In a space where most people don’t “get it,” Joyful Pets does. Through their judgment-free lens, they see the behind-the-scenes work. They acknowledge the courage it takes to do what’s best for both pet and person. They meet us where we are. And in doing so, they’ve built a space of compassion, hope, and a supportive framework to navigate the practical and emotional challenges of that messy middle.

Liz Weiner HardPetDays.com

This week’s perks

• $30 Off Rover Services – A sitter who understands a dog’s pace matters even more for one who is still building trust. Use code JOYFUL30.

• 30% Off Your Dutch Membership – Vet care from your couch and prescriptions to your door. Use code PETS30, handy for a dog on an ongoing routine.

• First Month Free with Trupanion – Direct vet pay and no payout limits, reassuring coverage while a new dog settles in.

• $20 Chewy eGift Card on $49 First Order – Stock up on Kongs, treat puzzles, and a good ball on a rope. New customers only.

• 50% Off Your First Box of The Farmer’s Dog – Fresh, vet-formulated human-grade meals tailored specifically to your dog’s calorie needs.

Jack is almost home

Jack, the velcro-hearted Pit Bull Terrier from Wyoming, Michigan, has found his family. They are settling into rural Maine with a fenced yard and a couch already saved for movie nights, and they are ready for him.

The only thing left between Jack and his new life is the drive itself. Getting a 70-pound boy safely across the country, fuel, tolls, and attentive care the whole way, costs $650, and his family hopes to have him home by early September.

If you would like to help Jack make the trip, every bit gets him there sooner.

Chip in for Jack’s journey →

Find their people

If you know someone whose home and heart have room for one of these dogs, send this their way. And if this newsletter found you through a friend, subscribe so you never miss a week.

See All Pets →

For the dogs who show up exactly as themselves,

Lauren & the Joyful Pets team

P.S. Not every dog needs a slow introduction. Moose will be your best friend in about four seconds. But if one of the other three caught your eye, know that the wait is worth it.

People who say cats are aloof have not met enough cats.

This week is a celebration of feline personality in all its forms. A soft-spoken tuxedo who communicates in tail flicks and polite paw taps. A devoted pair who explore, groom, and nap as a matched set. Two brothers, one who explores and one who snuggles. And a fetch-loving gentleman paired with a lady who argues with the birds.

Four households of cats, four completely different ways of saying I love you. Come meet them.

Book

A whisper-voiced tuxedo who sets boundaries with a polite, claw-free paw tap and accepts a Churu as a peace offering. 6-year-old Domestic Long Hair | San Diego, CA

Book communicates in a language all his own. His meow is surprisingly soft for a cat his size, his expressive tail tells you the mood before he does, and when he would like a little space, he lets you know with a gentle paw tap, no claws involved. He is calm and observant, often found perched at a window or lounging on his cat tree, watching the world go by with quiet interest. Shy and a touch aloof at first, he reveals a deeply sweet, sensitive nature once he feels safe.

Book would love a patient person who appreciates a subtle companion and lets him come to trust on his own timeline. A lickable treat goes a long way as a peace offering while he settles in. He happily bats toys around on his own and chases a laser dot, is unmoved by string but fascinated by a good shadow, and gets along with other cats, showing a gentle, protective side around them.

For the person who finds a little poetry in a cat’s quiet cues, Book is a soft-spoken treasure worth the wait.

Meet Book →

Daisy and Duke

A devoted pair of tabbies who explore, groom, and nap as a matched set and ask only to stay together. 4-year-old Domestic Shorthairs | Aliso Viejo, CA

Daisy is the curious one, a gray and tan tabby with soft white touches who quietly investigates every corner of a room. Duke, gray and white, is her devoted counterpart, all gentle affection and a standing request for belly rubs. Together they are a beautifully balanced duo, forever grooming each other and trading quiet reassurance, and they melt into sun-drenched windows, cozy blankets, and playful chases after little toys. Their favorite pastime is bird-watching, which they do with such total focus it becomes a show for anyone nearby.

Daisy and Duke are affectionate with the people they trust and do best in a calm, patient home where they can build confidence at their own pace. They can be shy with unfamiliar faces at first and warm up beautifully with time, consistency, and gentle encouragement. They are comfortable with other pets and gentle children, and their one firm requirement is that they stay together.

For the household that appreciates the quiet magic of shy, affectionate cats, Daisy and Duke offer tender moments, peaceful company, and a bond that only deepens with time.

Meet Daisy and Duke →

Brooklyn and Mango

A gray-tabby explorer who announces himself in a voice like a cheerful “hello?” and his orange-tabby brother, the gentle snuggler, bonded since kittenhood. Almost 7-year-old Domestic Shorthairs | Charleston, SC

Brooklyn is the curious one, forever off investigating a corner of the room before trotting back to check in with his brother. He plays with pom-poms, loves to be held, and has a voice that sounds uncannily like a person cheerfully asking 'hello?' It is impossible to hear without smiling. Mango is the gentle snuggler, happiest curled against someone he trusts or tucked up close to Brooklyn, with a soft spot for toy mice and catnip. He can be shy in new situations, but a little patience is all it takes for his sweet, loving side to shine right through.

The best of these two is how they are together. Brothers since Mango welcomed Brooklyn home as a kitten, they groom each other, nap in one cozy bundle, and share nearly every moment of the day. They are easygoing with other cats, calm dogs, and young children, which makes them a gentle fit for many kinds of homes.

Their one real requirement is simple: they come as a pair and need to stay that way. In return, they offer twice the purrs, twice the company, and a friendship that turns any house into a warm one.

Meet Brooklyn and Mango →

Cole and Fudge Ripple

A fetch-obsessed gentleman cat and his gloriously opinionated companion, a bonded senior duo who must stay together. Cole, almost 9, and Fudge Ripple, 10 and a half, Domestic Shorthairs | West Chester, PA

Fudge Ripple sits at the window and argues with the birds. She chatters at them, pauses, chatters again, the whole exchange delivered with the conviction of someone winning. Cole, meanwhile, is off retrieving a toy he has decided you should throw. He brings it back. He waits. That is the game, and he has been very clear about the rules.

Cole is the greeter of the two. New people, familiar people, it makes no difference to him. He says hello, then finds the nearest available lap and settles in for a nap. Fudge is friendly on her own terms and enjoys being petted right up until the moment she does not, at which point she delivers a small, polite nibble to let you know the session has concluded.

They both go a little unhinged for a laser pointer and will chase a mouse toy across a room until one of them loses interest and the other keeps going alone.

Cole and Fudge are indoor-only, tidy about the litter box, sensible about what they scratch, and healthy with no known medical issues. They are compatible with dogs. They are looking for a quieter home with adults or older children, because toddlers have proven stressful for them, and they need to stay together. A friendship this deep is not something you undo.

Meet Cole and Fudge Ripple →

Tips for New Cat Parents: 5 Things You May Not Know

New to cats, or just want to make yours a little happier? A few of the most useful things to know are also the least obvious.

1. Cats do not like to drink next to their food. In the wild, water near a kill can mean contamination, and the instinct stuck. Put the water bowl a few feet from the food, and try a wide, shallow dish or a fountain so their whiskers are not crowded.

2. Scratching is not bad behavior; it is a need. It stretches their muscles, marks their territory, and keeps their claws healthy. Offer a tall, sturdy vertical scratcher and a horizontal one, and most furniture problems solve themselves.

3. The slow blink is a cat saying I trust you. When your cat looks at you and slowly closes their eyes, blink slowly back. It is one of the simplest ways of saying “I love you” in their own language.

4. The litter box rule is one per cat, plus one extra. Keep them away from food and busy corners, and scoop daily. A surprising number of litter box accidents are really a message about the box.

5. Play before dinner, not before bed. A wand-toy hunt followed by a meal mirrors a cat’s natural hunt, eat, groom, sleep rhythm, and it is the best trick for skipping the zoomies at 3 a.m.

In the news

Keep the summer bouquets away from your cats.

Lilies are one of the most dangerous plants for cats, and they turn up in all kinds of summer arrangements. Many true lilies, including Easter, tiger, day, and Asiatic varieties, are highly toxic to cats, and even small exposures can cause serious harm, whether it is a nibbled leaf, a bit of pollen groomed off the fur, or a sip of the vase water. If you share your home with cats, the safest choice is to skip lilies entirely and pick cat-friendly blooms instead. If you think your cat has had any contact with a lily, call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435 right away.

A bird flu reminder for raw and freeze-dried diets.

Bird flu (H5N1) has turned up in some raw and freeze-dried cat foods, and the FDA now asks pet food makers to account for it in their safety plans. If you feed your cat a raw or freeze-dried diet, it is worth a quick check: look up your brand and lot number on the FDA recall list, skip any raw poultry-based products under recall, and ask your veterinarian about the safest options for your cat. Cooked and commercially processed foods are not affected.

Support our mission

Every cat in this newsletter comes from a family who loves them and reached out to Joyful Pets for help finding the next loving home. Rehome Together is how we make that possible for families who cannot manage the cost on their own, covering the real expenses of a safe, thoughtful placement. If you would like to help a cat reach their next chapter, you can chip in here.

Support Rehome Together →

Find their people

If you know someone whose home and heart have room for one of these cats, send this their way. And if this newsletter found you through a friend, subscribe so you never miss a week.

See All Pets →

For the cats who do everything their own way,

Lauren & the Joyful Pets team

P.S. The best thing about a cat is that they make you earn it, and then they choose you anyway. If one of these four households of cats caught your eye, that quiet, particular kind of love is waiting.

Jack

Three-year-old American Pit Bull Terrier in Wyoming, MI

In Jack’s opinion, snuggling is not a pastime. It is a daily responsibility.

He leans against your leg through quiet evenings and trots proudly beside you on wooded trails, checking in over his shoulder every so often just to be sure you are still there. He already knows sit, lay, shake, snuggle, and a bedtime cue called ni-night, and with a little patient encouragement he happily keeps learning. Wave a Kong chew or jingle the car keys and his inner goofball shows up fast.

Jack bonds hard and wants to be included. He does best with someone home much of the day, or a household where several people share the attention, since he can feel left out if the spotlight drifts, especially toward other dogs. A fenced yard and regular walks keep him relaxed.

One thing his next family should know: crates cause Jack real stress, so he needs a crate-free home where he can move freely and stay close to his people. That is the whole ask. Give him a couch and a person, and he is a happy dog.

Meet Jack →

Percy J

Seven-year-old American Pit Bull Terrier in Pleasant Garden, NC

He carries his favorite squeaky octopus from room to room, mostly so he always has an excuse to follow you.

At 85 pounds, Percy J is a gentle giant who has decided he is a lap dog, and he makes a surprisingly good case for it. He is house-trained, knows his basic cues, and stays calm and easygoing when he is home on his own. His idea of a perfect day is a leisurely walk followed by a long stretch of downtime pressed up against his guardian.

His energy is beautifully balanced, which makes him an easy fit for individuals, couples, or families, and for first-time and experienced pet parents alike. He asks for very little beyond company and a routine he can count on.

Percy has been searching longer than almost any dog in our program. He has done nothing to earn the wait. He is simply a steady, affectionate boy who has not yet met the right person. This week we would love to change that.

Meet Percy J →

Hiccup

Three-year-old Labrador Retriever, Pit Bull, and Mastiff mix in West Hartford, CT

He arrived at a veterinary hospital a year ago with injuries serious enough to cost him a front leg. Today he runs the yard on three and never seems to notice the difference.

Hiccup lights up for a squeaky toy, bringing it back again and again in a spirited game of fetch, then folds himself onto the couch as close to his person as he can get. He is remarkably smart, with a long working vocabulary that includes sit, stay, wait, touch, leave it, drop it, and find it, and he loves the back-and-forth of a good training session.

He forms deep, lasting bonds with his favorite human. Like many dogs who have come through real trauma, he is reactive to other dogs, to barking, moving garbage cans, and the fast, unpredictable movements of young children, so he needs a calm, adult-only home with no other dogs or cats.

A home with minimal stairs suits his three-legged mobility, and an experienced adopter who enjoys building on the progress he has already made will find a devoted partner in him.

Meet Hiccup →

Bradach

Two-year-old German Shepherd and Siberian Husky mix in Tacoma, WA

His favorite thing in the world is being close to you, whether that means curling up at your feet or shadowing you around the kitchen while you cook.

Born into a litter of seven, Bradach has always liked having a buddy nearby, and now he is looking for a human best friend to include in everything. Watching TV, reading a book, puttering in the yard, he wants to be part of it. At 80 pounds of black and cream, he is a gentle, goofy companion with a soft heart.

He knows sit and lie down and is eager to keep learning when treats and praise are involved. Tennis balls and food puzzles bring out his silly, curious side, and a securely fenced yard gives him room to explore.

He can be a little socially awkward with other dogs and does best with gentle, patient canine friends, so calm introductions are the way in. His feelings about cats are still unknown, which means slow, thoughtful meetings if there is one at home. A quiet household where he can keep growing in confidence suits him best.

Give Bradach a person to shadow and a spot at their feet, and he is a devoted sidekick for life.

Meet Bradach →

Sadie

One-and-a-half-year-old Domestic Medium Hair in Charlotte, NC

She plops into your lap, rolls sideways with a clumsy little flourish, flashes an unmistakable smile, and settles in for hours.

Sadie is a tuxedo girl with a tiny-revving-engine sound she makes while tearing up and down the stairs, and zoomies that end, every time, in a cuddle. She greets visitors like old friends, chases long string toys, sails through gravity-defying leaps, and rewards her favorite people with soft little kisses once she trusts them.

She did beautifully with a young child and loves being the center of attention, which means she would shine as the only cat, or in a calm home without easily startled feline company. Whether she can share a home with a dog has not been tested yet.

One practical note for her next family: Sadie is managing ovarian remnant syndrome and will need a specialist evaluation and a second spay before she goes home. It is a small chapter on the way to a very affectionate life.

Bring Sadie home, and you get a playful, cuddly, endlessly entertaining companion, zoomies and all.

Meet Sadie →

Bark with Barbie

The velcro dog who follows you from room to room is easy to love. He is also worth teaching to be alone.

Start small. Toss a treat a few feet away, step out of sight for ten seconds, and come back before he has a chance to worry. Build the time up slowly, keep your comings and goings calm and boring, and hand him a stuffed Kong or a puzzle feeder so that being alone becomes the good part of his day. A dog who learns that you always come back settles faster and panics less, and he will love you just as hard. Independence is not the opposite of attachment. It is what keeps a deeply bonded dog from tipping over into anxiety.

Sponsor a Family

Some of the families who come to us love their pets deeply but are in the middle of a job loss, a medical crisis, or a housing emergency, and they simply cannot afford the help they need to rehome with care. You can sponsor one of those families. Your contribution covers their rehoming service so a loved pet gets a thoughtful, dignified new start instead of a shelter.

Sponsor a family →

This Week’s Perks

• $30 Off Rover Services – For the days you cannot be home, a trusted sitter keeps your shadow company so your velcro dog is never left waiting by the door.

• 30% Off Your Dutch Membership – Vet care from your couch and prescriptions to your door. Use code PETS30. Answers for the small worries without making your always-underfoot companion sit in a waiting room.

• $20 Chewy eGift Card on $49 First Order – Stock up on stuffed Kongs and puzzle feeders that make alone time easier, plus a cozy bed for the one who would rather be on your lap. New customers only.

• 50% Off Your First Box from The Farmer's Dog – Fresh, human-grade meals portioned just for your dog and delivered to your door, half off to start with free shipping. A nourishing upgrade for the companion who is always at your feet. New customers only.

Happy Tail

Winnie is home. This gentle six-year-old Doberman mix loves belly rubs, sunny naps, squeaky toys, and being close to the people she trusts, and she is happiest in a calm, quiet home. A family on the coast of Maine read her story and saw their dog, with the peaceful house, fenced yard, and patience she was looking for. After a 1,200-mile journey from Chicago, Winnie stepped out of the van into her family’s waiting arms, exactly where she belongs.

More soon,
Lauren & the Joyful Pets team 🐾

P.S. Know someone with a person-shaped hole in their couch? Forward this along. One of these five just might be their velcro heart.

Some pets just know how to have a good time. They hear the sprinkler kick on and lose their minds a little. Their energy for fetch outlasts your throwing arm every time. They pounce on a feather like it owes them money.

This week is a celebration of that spirit. A young Malinois who lights up a room and a yard in equal measure. A goofy Lab mix who dances through the sprinklers. A cattle dog who treats fetch as a full-time job. And a confident young cat who plays like he has something to prove.

If your ideal home comes with a little happy chaos, meet the playful ones.

Gracie

A golden-coated Malinois who does not enter a room so much as light it up. 1-year-old Belgian Malinois mix | Santa Barbara, CA

Gracie is pure sunshine with a striking black muzzle and a spark of joyful mischief in everything she does. She was raised alongside nine other dogs, which made her fluent in the language of play, and she loves nothing more than romping around a yard before trading it all in for a belly rub. Underneath the athletic build is a genuinely tender girl who is happiest curled up near her person after a busy day. She is especially gentle with children and formed a devoted bond with a seven-year-old who thinks the world of her.

Gracie is looking for an active family ready to keep up with a clever, high-energy dog and give her plenty to think about. Her intelligence means she learns fast and needs real mental stimulation, structure, and consistency to stay her best self, and she thrives on positive reinforcement. She does beautifully with other dogs and would happily share her home with a canine playmate.

For the household that wants a bright, affectionate athlete who works hard and cuddles harder, Gracie is contagious joy on four legs.

Meet Gracie →

Chulo

A 90-pound goofball who dances through sprinklers and checks in mid-zoomie just to make sure you saw. 7-year-old Labrador Retriever, Mastiff, and Black Mouth Cur mix | Austin, TX

Chulo turns everyday moments into mini adventures. He dives into a game of catch, sprints laps around the yard, and greets a running sprinkler like it is the greatest invention of all time. His goofy personality is an absolute delight, and he has a rare, empathetic streak, the kind of dog who senses a hard day and quietly leans in. He can entertain himself with a chew toy one minute and trot over to be your sidekick the next. He gets along wonderfully with other dogs, knows sit, stay, lie down, and paw, and has a charming way of talking with you in gentle gruffs when he wants your attention.

Chulo will thrive with a family who enjoys an active dog and can offer a calm, structured home with clear routines, including a predictable, low-key mealtime setup where he can relax and eat in peace. A fenced yard, patient guidance, and a steady supply of tennis balls are the recipe for his best life.

For the person who wants a big, joyful, tuned-in companion for the sunny months and every month after, Chulo is ready to play.

Meet Chulo →

Ranger

A blue cattle dog who treats fetch as a full-time job and is very good at his job. 3-year-old Australian Cattle Dog | Prineville, OR

Ranger is 60 pounds of loyalty, brains, and boundless energy, always ready for the next adventure. Fetch is his life’s calling: balls and sticks are treasures in his world, frisbees are mysteriously beneath him, and one to two hours of daily ball play in a big yard keeps his sharp mind and busy body content. He already knows sit, stay, lie down, shake, quiet, and drop it, he learns quickly, and he is so food-motivated he will happily run through his whole repertoire for a good snack. He can be a little reserved with new people at first, but toss a favorite toy and add a treat or two and his playful heart shines right through.

Ranger is looking to be the only pet in an active home with a securely fenced yard and a family who loves to stay moving. He is selective about dog friends and would rather be your one and only, soaking up all the attention and all the fetch. Give him a job, a yard, and a routine, and he truly thrives.

For the active person or family who wants a whip-smart, devoted teammate, Ranger is ready to run.

Meet Ranger →

Poppa Bear

A confident young tabby who plays like an athlete and turns any lap into his favorite place. Almost 2-year-old Domestic Shorthair | Alto, GA

Poppa Bear carries himself with an easy assurance, but his favorite place in the world is right beside his people, ideally in a lap, soaking up every pet. He is affectionate, responsive, and wonderfully communicative, clearly letting you know when he is ready for play and when he would like a little space. Play is one of his great joys: a feather wand brings out his athletic sparkle, boxes are irresistible treasures, and an afternoon on the catio watching the world go by is pure bliss. His most charming quirk is a habit of offering enthusiastic back massages, a thoughtful little gesture from a cat who genuinely loves to connect.

Poppa Bear is looking for a calm, indoor-only home with predictable routines, daily interactive play, and people who respect his preferences around affection. He is a bit timid with other cats at first and warms up with patient, thoughtful introductions. He would also love to bring his companions Mama Bear and Baby Bear along if the right home has room, though he shines on his own too.

For the person who wants a lap cat with an athletic streak and a knack for surprising you, Poppa Bear is ready to settle in.

Meet Poppa Bear →

Bark with Barbie

A weekly note from Barbie, our canine behaviorist.

A high-energy dog is not asking for a marathon. He is asking for a job.

It is easy to assume the busy, athletic dogs need endless miles to be happy, and then to feel like you are failing when an hour of walking does not touch their energy. The secret most people miss is that mental work tires a dog faster than physical work. A twenty-minute training session, a snuffle mat, a food puzzle, or a game of find-it in the yard can leave a dog more satisfied than a long run, because it asks his brain to engage, not just his legs.

This matters even more in July. On the hottest afternoons, when the pavement is too warm and midday exercise is off the table, lean on the thinking games instead. Scatter breakfast in the grass, teach a new cue in the shade, freeze a stuffed Kong for the afternoon lull. Save the real running for the cool of the morning and the evening, keep water close, and let the mental work carry the middle of the day. A dog whose mind is tired is a calm, contented dog, no matter the temperature.

In the news

A parasite called the New World screwworm has reached Texas, so keep an eye on wounds.

Animal health officials have confirmed New World screwworm cases in Texas this summer, and because the parasite can affect any warm-blooded animal, pets are worth watching too. The practical takeaway for pet parents is simple. Keep your pet’s prescription flea and tick prevention current, check any cut, scrape, or bite wound daily, and call your veterinarian if a wound grows quickly, becomes red and draining, or shows what look like tiny white eggs. Caught early, it is very treatable, and everyday wound care and prevention go a long way. You can follow current guidance at the Texas Animal Health Commission and your own state’s animal health office.

A PEDIGREE wet dog food recall was issued in early July.

On July 2, Mars Petcare voluntarily recalled two lots of PEDIGREE Can High Protein Chopped Chicken and Duck Flavor (13.2 oz) for dogs after the product was fraudulently diverted into the market and may contain metal or plastic fragments. No pet illnesses have been reported so far. If you have this food at home, check the lot numbers against the FDA notice and do not feed it. You can always find the current recall list at FDA.gov/animal-veterinary and AVMA.org/news/recalls-alerts.

This Week’s Perks

• $30 Off Rover Services – For the busy summer days you cannot run the morning fetch session yourself, a steady sitter keeps an active dog happy and tired.

• 30% Off Your Dutch Membership – Vet care from your couch and prescriptions to your door. Use code PETS30. Handy for the scraped pad or hot spot that summer play sometimes brings.

• First Month Free with Trupanion – Direct vet pay and no payout limits, the kind of coverage that matters when an active pet runs into the unexpected.

• $20 Chewy eGift Card on $49 First Order – Stock up on tough fetch toys, a feather wand, a cooling mat, and a travel water bottle for the hot months ahead. New customers only.

Support our mission

Every pet in this newsletter comes from a family who loves them and reached out to Joyful Pets for help finding the next loving home. Rehome Together is how we make that possible for families who cannot manage the cost on their own, covering the real expenses of a safe, thoughtful placement. If you would like to help a pet reach their next chapter, you can chip in here.

Support Rehome Together →

Find their people

If you know someone whose home and heart have room for one of these pets, send this their way. And if this newsletter found you through a friend, subscribe so you never miss a week.

See All Pets →

For the pets who never met a toy they didn’t like,
Lauren & the Joyful Pets team

P.S. There is a particular kind of happy that only a playful pet can show you, the dog flopped in the grass still eyeing the ball, the cat mid-pounce on a feather. If one of these four caught your eye, a summer full of that kind of happy is one message away.

Today is about freedom, and in our world, that word is specific.

You know it already. Whether you once made the hard decision to find your pet a new loving home, or you opened your door to a pet another family loved first, you understand what it costs to put an animal’s wellbeing above everything else. You’ve lived the emotion most people only imagine.

That’s why I wanted to share this with you first.

Introducing the Stay Together Fund

Sometimes a family doesn’t need to rehome their pet. They just need to get through one hard moment. A vet bill they can’t cover. A sudden crisis. The kind of wall that makes a loving family feel they’ve run out of options.

You may know Sunny. Three legs, and more heart than many cats have on four. His paw needed surgery that took the whole leg, the kind of bill that makes some families feel they have no choice but to give up a cat they love. Sunny got his care. Not every family can say the same.

The Stay Together Fund exists for that gap. It helps families hold on to their pets through a temporary hardship, so a hard season doesn’t have to become a goodbye.

You know better than most what that choice feels like. If you’d like to help another family through it, this is how.

💛 Learn more or give. The Stay Together Fund lives under our sister nonprofit, Joyful Pets Rescue, a registered 501(c)(3) (EIN 46-4980474). Your gift is tax-deductible.

No pressure, ever. Reading this, or sharing it with someone who might need the fund, helps more than you know.

Keeping families together is the goal. But when staying isn't possible, a loving new home is the next best thing, and Meep is still hoping to find his.

Meep

An affectionate, independent gentleman with strong opinions about sunny windows and silvervine sticks. 9-year-old Domestic Shorthair | Killeen, TX

Meep is a 9-year-old brown tabby with strong opinions and a soft heart. He is the perfect blend of independent explorer and affectionate cuddler, famous for opening his “bakery” each night with vigorous kneading and the occasional drool of pure contentment. His tiny “meep” of a meow is where his name comes from and how he announces the important things, like when it is time for brushing (his favorite activity). He loves a silvervine stick more than catnip, will accept a Delectables yogurt treat as friendship currency, and spends long stretches of the day as a window-seat aficionado, chattering at birds from his sunny throne.

Meep needs a calm, adult-only home where he can be the only pet and the center of attention. He would be a lovely match for a retired individual, a quiet couple, or a household where life moves at a relaxed pace. He is currently on a short course of Fluoxetine to help him settle through his transition, a small, temporary support while he finds his footing. For the person ready to trade a silvervine stick for years of steady, opinionated company, Meep is your gentleman.

Meet Meep →

Tonight’s the night: quick fireworks help

If you have a noise-sensitive pet, the prep window has mostly closed, so tonight is about damage control. Set up an interior room with the blinds drawn and white noise or familiar music playing. Give a long-lasting chew or a stuffed Kong to redirect nervous energy. Keep them away from doors and windows, since a startled pet can bolt when fireworks hit. If your pet already has a Thundershirt or compression vest, put it on before the noise starts, not during. And if tonight goes badly, talk with your veterinarian this week about a calming plan so next year you’re ready well ahead of time.

This Week’s Perks

• $30 Off Rover Services - When the fireworks arrive and your household turns loud, a trusted sitter can give a noise-sensitive pet the quiet company they need.

• 30% Off Your Dutch Membership - Vet care from your couch and prescriptions to your door. Use code PETS30. Especially useful for a pet on ongoing medication, like Meep.

• First Month Free with Trupanion - Direct vet pay and no payout limits, exactly the kind of coverage that changes what a family can afford when a Sunny-sized bill lands.

• $20 Chewy eGift Card on $49 First Order - Stock up on essentials, treats, and toys. Every dollar saved on routine care is a dollar you have when things go sideways. New customers only.

For the ones who get to stay, and for a safe, quiet Fourth,
Lauren & the Joyful Pets team

P.S. Every pet in this community started with a family who loved them. Some kept their pet through a hard season. Some made the brave choice to find a new loving home. Both are acts of love, and both are why the Stay Together Fund exists: so the next family facing that choice has one more option before goodbye.

Some pets have a “you’re home” face.

The senior tabby who is already meeting you at the door, mid-sentence. The stocky pup who pops up on all fours and starts tapping the floor with his front paws. The goofy grinner who bounds to the door with a tennis ball still in his mouth. The bonded duo who arrive together like a small parade.

These are pets who lead with the greeting. Their whole love language is the closing of the distance, the warm rush at the doorway, the closeness of a person they have already decided they love. They are not the cool customers. They are not the wait-three-days-to-warm-up types. They are the ones who already think you are wonderful.

If you have ever wanted a pet whose biggest skill is showing up, keep reading.

Luna and Nabi

Bonded sisters, an orange social butterfly and an elegant grey-tabby cuddler, looking for one home for two. Domestic Shorthairs | San Francisco, CA

Luna and Nabi are a bonded pair, both ten pounds, both spending their San Francisco days as a duo. Luna is the orange tabby and the social butterfly. She chats with her people, plays fetch like a dog, curls up on chests, and washes her paws in the water fountain because she clearly has standards. Nabi is the elegant grey-and-white tabby who plays it cool by day, independent and observant, and then becomes wonderfully cuddly at night, climbing into bed to make biscuits beside her caregiver. Together, they cover both ends of the cat spectrum, lively and serene, and they bring out the best in each other.

Luna and Nabi need to be adopted together. They are compatible with other cats after slow, thoughtful introductions, and they are open to long-distance, so San Francisco does not have to be the limit. For the home ready to be greeted by both a chatty orange chairperson and a quietly devoted bedtime companion, here they are.

Meet Luna and Nabi →

Santana

A 65-pound Pit Bull who greets you with happy foot taps and a flurry of kisses. 5-year-old Blue Fawn Joy | Bowman, GA

Santana is 65 pounds of blue fawn joy, a 5-year-old companion whose signature greeting is a soft drumroll of happy foot taps the second you walk in, followed by an unrepentant flurry of kisses if you let him. His favorite game is chasing a small rubber tire in gleeful circles in the yard, leaping high to catch it mid-spin. He knows sit, stay, and come, loves a car ride, and has a special knack for sensing when someone needs a little extra love.

Santana needs a calm, new family experienced with large, strong companions who can offer structure and consistency. He would be his new family’s only dog, with a fenced yard for safe play. He is affectionate, social, and gentle with adults and children, and he communicates clearly when he needs space. For the person ready to come home to the foot taps, he is your boy.

Meet Santana →

Doggert

A goofy Pit Bull-Husky mix with a tennis ball habit and a love of toe kisses.
3-year-old Tan-and-White Vibrant Energy | Waxahachie, TX

Doggert is around 75 pounds of tan-and-white pure enthusiasm, an American Pit Bull Terrier and Siberian Husky mix with the biggest, most infectious grin you have ever seen and a tennis ball in his mouth at almost all times. He is a real crowd-pleaser at the dog park, zooming around like a furry rocket and making friends with anyone he meets. He is wonderfully friendly with other dogs, gets along with cats, and has a gentle, happy-go-lucky way with children.

Doggert needs a family with a fenced yard, room to run, and an active lifestyle that matches his Husky side. He is great on morning jogs, weekend hikes, or backyard fetch marathons, and equally content to flop down for a long belly-rub session afterward. Just keep a few tennis balls handy. He needs a chew object on rotation, and those are his trusted ones. For the home with a yard big enough for zoomies and a heart big enough for one oversized grin, this is your buddy.

Meet Doggert →

Violet

A chatty senior tabby whose signature move is following her people from room to room. 14-year-old Domestic Shorthair | Austin, TX

Violet is a fourteen-year-old grey tabby whose talent is companionship. She is the social butterfly of any room, wonderfully vocal, carrying on cheerful conversations, and even treating her people to her own particular style of singing. Wherever you go in the house, expect to find her happily tagging along, curious about every activity. She loves crinkly paper, boxes, and any little treasure she can turn into an adventure. Her signature move is the “dolphin technique,” where she rises up on her back feet to gently bump her head against your hand for a pet. Her senior years have not slowed her down. She approaches every day with the enthusiasm of a much younger cat.

Violet needs a calm, child-free home without other pets, where she can be at the center of a household’s attention. She is open to long-distance case by case, so she does not have to stay in Austin. She can be adopted on her own or alongside her sister, Veruca, if you have room in your heart for two. For the person ready to be greeted, followed, and softly sung to every day, Violet is your girl.

Meet Violet →

Bark with Barbie

A weekly note from Barbie, our canine behaviorist.

The way you come home matters more than you think.

A dog who leads with the greeting has been studying you. He knows the sound of your car, the squeak of the door, the rustle of your keys. He has watched you come and go a hundred times, and every reunion is a small ceremony. The body language he reads on you in those first thirty seconds becomes his weather report for the rest of the day. If you come home tense, his nervous system tenses. If you come home calm and warm, his nervous system softens into the warmth of you.

For a new dog, that first month of comings and goings is how he learns the shape of his new life. Quick out, quick in, low voices, easy hellos. Reserve the big enthusiastic greetings for moments when you are not also stressed. By month two, the greeting has become a ritual instead of a question, and the dog who used to wait at the door starts choosing to relax on the couch in between because he knows you always come back.

Your greeting is teaching him what to expect. Make it the warmest thing you do all day.

In the news

Cookouts are starting, so check what is in the trash and on the table.

Summer means more grilling and more dropped food, and a few of the most common cookout ingredients are also some of the most toxic to pets. Onions and garlic, grapes and raisins, chocolate, alcohol, xylitol-sweetened condiments, and corn cobs are the usual suspects. Cobs in particular can cause a serious intestinal obstruction if a dog manages to grab one. Keep the trash secured, ask guests not to slip table scraps, and rinse the grill area when you are done. If you suspect a pet has eaten something they should not have, call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435.

Start fireworks-anxiety prep this week, not on the night of.

For a noise-sensitive pet, the Fourth of July calls for preparation, not just a quiet room on the day. Talk to your veterinarian now about whether a short-term calming medication is appropriate. Practice with a Thundershirt, a compression vest, or a familiar calming chew so it feels normal by the holiday. Plan a long walk earlier in the day to take the edge off. On the night itself, keep them in an interior room with white noise or familiar music, close the blinds, and give them a long-lasting chew or stuffed Kong to redirect.

This Week’s Perks

• $30 Off Rover Services – For the rare day you cannot be the one home to greet them, a steady sitter who knows the routine is the next best thing.

• 30% Off Your Dutch Membership – Vet care from your couch, prescriptions to your door. Use code PETS30. Especially handy when summer heat or holiday stress throws something unexpected at you.

• First Month Free with Trupanion – Direct vet pay and no payout limits, the kind of coverage that matters when summer surprises turn into sudden vet visits.

• $20 Chewy eGift Card on $49 First Order – Stock up on essentials, treats, and toys so you can stay home with them when the heat is at its worst. New customers only.

Help Us Bring Winnie Home

Winnie has already found her family. Now she just needs the ride.

This gentle six-year-old Doberman mix is a loyal companion who loves belly rubs, sunny naps, and being close to the people she trusts. When her family’s life changed, they made the loving choice to find her a calmer home suited to her needs.

Her new family turned out to be on the coast of Maine. Their home is exactly what Winnie was looking for: a quiet house, a fenced yard, and patience.

The only thing standing between Winnie and them is 1,200 miles of road from Illinois to Maine.

We are raising $1,000 to cover her transport, fuel, and everything she needs for the drive. Every gift moves her closer to the doorstep where her family is already waiting. You can give $10, give $25, or sponsor 100 miles for $70.

When Winnie steps out of the van, there will be no strangers waiting. There will be her family.

When Winnie steps out of that transport vehicle, there will be no strangers waiting. There will be her family.

Donate to bring Winnie home →

For the ones whose love language is the greeting,

Lauren & the Joyful Pets team

P.S. The pets who lead with the greeting are also the ones who hand out the warmest welcomes. If you saw yourself in one of these pets, the foot taps, chest cuddles, and bedtime biscuit-making are yours to come home to.

Summer slows things down. Mornings start later. Afternoons stretch out. The pace becomes the soft, looping kind, the one with coffee on the porch and lunch at the counter, and that opens up something specific for the pets in this issue.

These are pets who need a person who is actually home. Not a person who is gone twelve hours and back exhausted, but a person who is there for the slow morning and the long afternoon, who works from the kitchen table, has retired into a quieter life, or is around with kids for the summer. The kind of person whose pet is never quite alone for very long.

This week, four pets shaped exactly for that life. A calm Pitbull whose favorite place is by your side. A Doberman mix who treats your lap as his second home. A young Lab mix who melts into the people she trusts. And a tuxedo cat who follows you from room to room, narrating the day in soft chirps.

If you or someone you love is the home-most-of-the-time kind, keep reading.

Neela

A calm, loyal Pitbull whose favorite activity, by her own count, is being by your side.
6-year-old American Pitbull Terrier | Noblesville, IN

Neela is 75 pounds of blue, tan, and snowy white, an American Pitbull Terrier whose calm, soulful presence makes every room a warmer one. She is mature, deeply bonded, and a master of the slow afternoon. She knows sit, stay, come, down, wait, and “go to bed,” follows a predictable routine that wraps at 10 p.m. bedtime, and indulges in the occasional counter surf when no one is looking. Calm, respectful, and steady, she is the secure, devoted companion her family adores.

Neela thrives with consistent companionship, so the work-from-home parent, the retiree, or the flexible-schedule guardian is her ideal match. She is great with kids six and older and friendly with other dogs after calm, polite introductions. She has not had much experience with cats and would need to be introduced to one slowly. Her current family is open to long-distance, so the right home does not have to be next door. In return, she is the shadow you have been hoping for.

Meet Neela →

Mocha

A master cuddler in a Doberman/Golden body, looking for the lap he was clearly designed to claim. 3-year-old Doberman/Golden Retriever mix | Oceanside, CA

Mocha is 80 pounds of black and tan loyalty, a Doberman/Golden Retriever mix whose foundational belief is that he belongs in your lap. He plays a good round of fetch in the backyard, pals around with his smaller dog sibling, and zooms with intention before settling in for serious cuddles. He knows sit, lie down, go, and “go to sleep,” follows a simple two-meals-a-day rhythm, and shines brightest with the family he loves. He is the kind of dog who walks in the door and makes the whole couch warmer.

Mocha needs a calm new family experienced with larger dogs and confident with structure. Because of his protective side, he prefers slow, thoughtful introductions at the door, and he is great with older kids and familiar guests. His ideal home has a fenced yard for backyard zoomies, and leash training is a happy work in progress since strong and curious are his default. With a steady routine and confident guidance, he is the right-hand companion who will keep your lap warm for the next decade.

Meet Mocha →

Adelina

A sensitive Lab mix whose loyalty arrives slowly and then never leaves.
2-year-old Labrador Retriever/German Shepherd mix | Walnut Creek, CA

Adelina is 60 pounds of sleek black coat and deep brown eyes, a Lab/Shepherd mix whose signature move is the belly-up sprawl she offers once she has decided you are home. She can read as aloof at first, but with patience and steady companionship, she melts in completely, and once she is in, she is in. She knows sit and is eager to learn more with a guide she trusts, lights up for the car, and becomes your shadow, your soft nudge, and your steadfast companion in equal measure.

Adelina needs a calm, pet-free home with someone who can be around most of the day. She is happiest in quieter spaces and responds beautifully to gentle structure and positive reinforcement. She is not looking for perfection. She is looking for one person willing to show her what safety and love look like, every single day.

Meet Adelina →

Mew

A tuxedo cat who follows you from room to room, narrating the day in soft chirps.
8-year-old Domestic Shorthair | Kentwood, MI

Mew is 10 pounds of tuxedo charm, a sweet eight-year-old Domestic Shorthair whose tail twitches with joy when she rolls belly up to greet you. She is a talker, generous with the soft meows and chirps, and a follower, content to trail you from room to room narrating the day. She chases balls down the hallway, keeps the place spider-free with a sneaky pounce, and makes biscuits on the blanket at bedtime.

Mew needs a calm, pet-free home where she can be the queen of her castle. She has lived around children, including an infant, and can coexist with respectful little ones who give her a safe retreat. She needs a hand with grooming her back end (she has strong opinions about it) and would love a scratcher or two so the furniture stays intact. For the patient guardian ready to set her up with soft places to nap and a quiet life, she is yours.

Meet Mew →

Happy Tail: Coco

A spirited bully breed who needed a home-most-of-the-time person, and found one. Adopted in June.

Coco is a 4-year-old bully breed girl whose playful nature, love of cuddles, and signature head tilt brighten any room she is in. She enjoys carrying her favorite squeaky toy, relaxing in sunny spots, and spending time close to the people she loves. Her first family knew she would thrive with a daily environment shaped around her, and they made the thoughtful decision to look for that match.

This June, they found it. Her new person works primarily from home, has a fenced yard, and brings extensive experience with bully breeds. Coco now spends her days on the kind of structured, attentive schedule she was built for. Neela, in this same issue, is hoping for what Coco just found.

More Happy Tails →

Bark with Barbie

A weekly note from Barbie, our canine behaviorist.

A dog who needs someone home is not a problem to solve. She is a dog who is honest about what she needs to thrive, and the right home reads that honesty as a fit checklist, not a warning. Separation anxiety, attachment, the slow-built bond that wants you in the same room. These are not flaws. They are how the dog tells you who she is.

When you bring home a Velcro dog, build your first weeks around the simple math of presence. Be in the room while she settles. Eat your meals at the same time each day. Keep the radio at the same volume. Let her see you walk down the hallway and come back, again and again, in small doses, so her body learns that you always return. By the end of the first month, the absence does not feel like absence anymore.

If you work from home or have a flexible schedule, your house is already set up for this kind of dog. You do not need to overhaul your life. You just need to keep doing what you are already doing, with one warm presence at your feet.

In the news

Beat the Boom: a pre-July 4th check every pet parent should do this week.

The Fourth of July is the single biggest day of the year for lost pets, because fireworks send dogs and cats over fences and out of collars in record numbers. If your pet is microchipped, log into your registry account this week and confirm that your cell phone number and address are current. If your pet is not chipped yet, schedule a quick vet visit before the holiday noise begins. Double-check your collar tags too, and consider a quiet interior room with white noise for the night itself.

The measuring cup fix that quietly changes your pet’s joints, weight, and life expectancy.

More than half of U.S. pets are classified as overweight, and the most common culprit is the random scoop. The coffee mug or yogurt container that lives in the food bin reliably overfeeds by 15 to 30 percent without anyone noticing. Switch to a proper measuring cup, follow the feeding guide on your food bag for your pet’s ideal weight (not current weight), and check in with your veterinarian at every annual exam. A small daily overage adds up to a big difference in joint health by year three.

This Week’s Perks

• $30 Off Rover Services – For the few moments you genuinely have to be out, a steady sitter who keeps her routine going gives your new shadow a soft landing.

• 30% Off Your Dutch Membership – Vet care from your couch, prescriptions to your door. Use code PETS30. Stay right next to her, even when she needs the vet.

• First Month Free with Trupanion – Direct vet pay and no payout limits, ideal for the pet you plan to keep close for many years of ongoing care.

• $20 Chewy eGift Card on $49 First Order – Stock up on essentials, treats, and toys without leaving the house, so your home-bound buddy never has to wonder where you went. New customers only.

Support our mission

Pets who need a calm, home-most-of-the-time match take patient work. We are looking for the specific person who can give them the right life, not the first person who applies. That kind of placement work takes resources, including vet care, behaviorist guidance, transport, and the time it takes to wait. When families cannot carry those costs alone, Rehome Together steps in so a loving family never ends up at a shelter for financial reasons.

Support our mission →

Find their people

If you know someone whose home and heart have room for one of these pets, send this their way. And if this newsletter found you through a friend, subscribe so you never miss a week.

Subscribe to Joyful Pets Weekly →

See All Pets →

For the homes where someone is always there,

Lauren & the Joyful Pets team

P.S. Summer slows everything down on purpose. If you have ever thought “the right pet for this season would be one who likes to be here as much as I do,” one of these four has been waiting for that exact match.

The shortest path between a pet and the right home is honesty.

Every pet in this issue comes with a disclosure. A bite history. A heart that needs daily medication. A list of triggers the right family will honor. A line in the profile that reads “best as the only pet, in an adult-only home.” These are not red flags. They are road signs, pointing the right family directly toward a pet who has been waiting for them.

When a family rehomes a pet they love, they tell us everything. The good, the hard, and the in-between. Our job is to pass that whole story along because the person who reads it and nods slowly, the one who says “I can do that,” is exactly who that pet has been hoping for.

This week, four pets whose profiles are honest, and the homes their honesty is built to find. The dogs whose families said the hard thing first are often the most loyal companions in the world to the people who hear them.

Benson

A gentle, intuitive boy who reads emotions like a book and offers comfort the way the best friends do. 5-year-old mixed breed | Street, MD

Benson is 75 pounds of cream-colored, soulful-eyed devotion, an American Pit Bull Terrier, German Shepherd, and Chow Chow blend whose thoughtful charm shows in every interaction. He knows sit, stay, come, and the sweeter cues of kisses and snuggles. He is happiest as a constant companion, joining you for car rides, watching the world from a window like a curious cat, or curling beside you on a quiet evening. He has a special way of offering comfort, gently leaning in or settling close when he senses you need him.

Benson needs an adult-only home with no cats and a securely fenced yard at least six feet tall. He is selective with other dogs and can be reactive with unfamiliar ones, and after rising tension with a dog in his current home led to a physical altercation, he does best as the only dog or with an experienced family who can manage gradual introductions. He responds well to guidance, answering “leave it” and turning his focus back to his person when another dog passes. He takes daily medication to manage allergies and support his emotional balance. For the right person who values a loyal, emotionally attuned partner, Benson is the most devoted friend in the room.

Meet Benson →

Winnie

A soulful Doberman mix whose trust is earned slowly and held close.
6-year-old Doberman Pinscher mix | Chicago, IL

Winnie is 40 pounds of tricolor, expressive-eyed gentleness, calm indoors and devoted to the people she trusts. She knows sit, stay, down, come, shake, and off, loves cozy sunny spots and belly rubs, and feels most at ease around women. She enjoys the simple rhythms of daily life and bonds beautifully with the person who lets her settle in slowly.

Winnie needs a rural, private, adult-only home, child-free, with a securely fenced yard and no cats or small dogs. Her new family should be experienced in behavior management and committed to working with a behaviorist. She has a bite history, including earlier incidents over the years and a more recent, serious bite that required medical attention. Her triggers include unfamiliar men, sudden bending or reaching toward the floor, busy or high-stimulation environments, and a strong prey drive toward small animals. She currently takes Fluoxetine to support her behavior needs. In the right home, on a quiet walk and a steady routine, she is loyal, loving, and a deeply comforting companion.

Meet Winnie →

Pumpkin Spice

A gentle senior whose pet parent passed away, ready to share a slower, sweeter chapter with someone new. 9-year-old Coonhound | Pine Valley, CA

Pumpkin Spice is 48 pounds of tan and white, soulful-eyed calm, a senior Coonhound whose quiet confidence makes every space feel a little gentler. She loves a peaceful morning walk after breakfast, an afternoon nap before dinner, time outdoors in a fenced yard, and the simple joy of a car ride with her person. She is calm indoors, independent, and content to spend time on her own, which makes her a wonderful match for a caregiver who appreciates a devoted, low-maintenance companion.

Pumpkin Spice needs a calm, predictable home without young children, where storms can be met with a reassuring presence. She takes daily medication for a heart murmur and is doing well on it. She is neutral with other dogs but does not seek out canine company, and her Coonhound prey drive means she is not compatible with cats or small animals. After the passing of her beloved guardian, she is ready for someone who treasures quiet companionship as much as she does.

Meet Pumpkin Spice →

Tofu

A devoted companion who matches your energy and loves his person fiercely. 7-year-old Australian Cattle Dog | Richmond, VA

Tofu is 49 pounds of mostly-white, sharp-eyed Cattle Dog who is happiest at his person’s side, whether that means a long hike, a run, or a quiet afternoon on the couch. He knows sit, down, place, roll, heel, come, shake, and high five, lights up for chew toys, and will keep up with you all day outside. He sleeps calmly while his people are out, and he is friendly and playful with other dogs, a great wrestling partner once he has decided you are a friend.

Tofu needs a calm, adult-only home without children, with a confident new family experienced with herding breeds or anxious dogs who can manage introductions slowly and honor his need for boundaries. He has a bite history rooted in fear and anxiety, with four or five incidents over the years, all when a stranger tried to make eye contact or pet him before he was comfortable. His incidents have stayed minor, and no medical care has been needed, but they are part of his story, and the right home will work with that. In return, he is loyal, deeply connected, and the kind of dog who never wants to be more than a step away from his person. His current family is open to long-distance adoption, so distance does not need to be a barrier.

Meet Tofu →

Happy Tail: Inti

A sensitive Border Collie whose honest profile led her straight to the right family.

Inti is a 3-year-old Border Collie with a sensitive heart and an intense bond with the people she trusts. Her profile held the full picture: she had nipped multiple people, broken skin once, and was protective of strangers in busy settings. She needed a calm, consistent guardian, an outdoor lifestyle to thrive in, and a quieter home where her sensitivity could be honored, not overwhelmed.

This May, Inti found that family. She settled in with someone who read her profile carefully, said “I can do that,” and meant it. She is proof that the hard parts of a profile do not push the right person away. They draw them in.

More Happy Tails →

In the news

Foxtail season is at its peak in much of the country.

The little grass awns that look like the tips of wheat are one of the most painful seasonal hazards a dog can run into. They embed in paws, ears, eyes, noses, and even under the skin, and they do not come out on their own. Check your dog over carefully after every walk through tall grass or dry fields, especially between the toes and inside the ears. If you notice sudden head-shaking, paw-licking, or a fit of sneezing after a walk, call your veterinarian sooner rather than later.

Summer heat is here, so walk early, watch the pavement, and never leave a pet in a parked car.

The first real heat of the year sends pets to the emergency vet every year, because dogs shed heat mainly by panting and cannot cool themselves the way we do. Walk early in the morning or after the sun drops, and use the five-second rule on pavement: if you cannot hold the back of your hand to it for five seconds, it is too hot for paws. Never leave a pet in a parked car, where the inside can climb past 100 degrees in minutes even on a mild day, and always keep fresh water within reach.

This Week’s Perks

• $30 Off Rover Services – A sitter who follows the routine and respects a pet’s space is everything for a dog with disclosures or a cat who needs calm.

• 30% Off Your Dutch Membership – Unlimited virtual vet care from home, plus prescriptions shipped to your door. Use code PETS30. Especially handy for a pet with ongoing medication needs.

• First Month Free with Trupanion – Direct vet pay and no payout limits, especially valuable for a pet with ongoing medical or behavioral care.

Support our mission

Every pet in this issue carries a real disclosure, and the patient work of finding the right match for each one takes real resources. Vet care, transport, behaviorist guidance, and the time it takes to read between the lines of a profile all add up, and not every family can carry that cost alone. When they cannot, Rehome Together steps in.

It is what keeps money from being the reason a loving family ends up at a shelter instead of here. Your support goes directly to a pet’s journey from one home to the next.

Support our mission →

Find their people

If you know someone whose home and heart have room for one of these pets, send this their way. And if this newsletter found you through a friend, subscribe so you never miss a week. Subscribe to Joyful Pets Weekly →

See All Pets →

For the homes that read the hard parts and said yes,
Lauren & the Joyful Pets team

P.S. Honesty in a profile is not a problem to overcome. It is the gift the family before you left for the right person to find. If you saw yourself in one of these four, that match was built for you.

Some pets are content to do their own thing. They sun themselves while you work, glance up when you come home, and otherwise live their independent little lives. These five are not those pets.

The pets in this issue want you home. They want the sound of your keyboard, the soft murmur of the TV in the next room, the quiet reassurance of someone nearby. They are at their very best with company, and they go a little dim without it.

Jax

A big-hearted Boxer who is convinced he is a lap dog.
9-year-old Boxer mix | San Mateo, CA

Jax is 70 pounds of tan, sloppy-kissed devotion who has decided he is a lap dog and would like you to agree. His signature move is the “jumping jax,” a full-body wiggle of delight at the mere mention of a walk, and his second favorite thing is curling up at your feet for hours. He adores children, plays beautifully with dogs of every size at the local park, and brings joy to every room he enters.

What Jax does not love is being alone for long. He is at his best when someone is around most of the day, with a fenced yard for backyard adventures and a steady human nearby. A sensitive-stomach diet keeps him feeling his best. For a person who wants a big-hearted, big-feeling Boxer to share the days with, Jax is ready.

Meet Jax →

Maximus

An enthusiastic adventure partner who reminds you daily that love is loud, silly, and deeply loyal. 2-year-old American Pitbull Terrier | Albuquerque, NM

Maximus is 70 pounds of tan-and-white, goofy-hearted devotion. He is an all-star with squeaky toys, an enthusiastic runner, and the kind of dog who treats every new plaything like a joyful puzzle to solve. He is happiest with his legs moving and his heart connected to yours, whether that is a long walk, a backyard fetch session, or a cozy stretch of couch time after.

Maximus does experience separation anxiety and is at his best with people close by, though he willingly settles into his crate when asked. He thrives on structure, routine, and lots of human connection, and he has had sweet interactions with elementary-aged children. He is selective with other dogs and does best as the only pet, with an experienced guardian who can offer steady enrichment, patient guidance, and plenty of affection. In return, he hands you his whole oversized heart.

Meet Maximus →

Gigi

A vibrant young shepherd whose loyalty leans right into you.
Almost-2-year-old German Shepherd mix | Long Beach, CA

Gigi is 50 pounds of striking red and black with an elegant shepherd trot and a tail that wags like a metronome. She thrives on routine: a 6:30 a.m. breakfast, a morning walk where she sniffs every flower, and an enthusiastic round of ball that she greets each day as if for the first time. She is sharp and food-motivated, already knows sit, wait, and leave it, and has the kind of bright eyes that say she will happily learn just about anything for a treat and your attention.

Gigi bonds closely with her person, and that loyalty shows in shadow-style devotion: leaning her body into yours for cuddles, watching over you with gentle eyes. She is still building confidence with new people and dogs, and she is working on feeling secure when left alone, so she would shine with an active family that is home most of the day and ready to offer her the structure, patience, and steady company she needs.

Meet Gigi →

Mimi

A sensitive senior who blooms with companionship and a good Churu treat.
11-year-old Domestic Shorthair | San Diego, CA

Mimi is a gentle tortoiseshell senior whose presence is a quiet glow of comfort. She takes a little time to feel safe, and once she trusts you, her affectionate side shines in the sweetest ways: calm evenings, cozy routines, and the simple joy of being petted while the day winds down. She is a devoted fan of Churu treats, happy to show her playful side for a tasty reward, and she loves lounging in sunny spots and batting her stuffed mice around in soft little bursts of play.

Mimi does best with a patient person who is around during the day, because steady companionship is what helps her feel her best, and when she gets lonely she tends to over-groom. She would rather not be picked up, sharing her affection on her own gentle terms instead. In a calm, stable home where she can build trust at her own pace, she becomes a soothing, loyal presence that makes the whole space feel calmer.

Meet Mimi →

Sneak Peek: Cookie

A charming 10-year-old Havanese, 9 pounds of pure devotion in a white-and-brown coat. Scottsdale, AZ.

Cookie has spent a lifetime perfecting the art of companionship. She still has plenty of pep, hops happily on and off the furniture, and greets her people with warmth and enthusiasm. She is not much of a barker, but she is an excellent communicator who always lets you know exactly what she is thinking, often with a long, steady gaze that says you are the center of her universe.

She thrives in a busy, connected family that includes her in the day, errands, friend visits, and quiet afternoons on the couch. Cookie does have significant separation anxiety and does best with a new family who can keep her close most of the day, with doggy daycare or a trusted sitter for the hours they cannot. Her current family is willing to bring her anywhere in the U.S., so do not let distance stop you from reaching out.

If you would like to meet Cookie and her current family, respond to this email and we will make the introduction.

Bark with Barbie

A weekly note from Barbie, our canine behaviorist.

The fastest way to settle a sensitive, devoted dog is a routine they can set their watch by. Same mealtimes. Same walk windows. Same wind-down. Pets who know what to expect spend less of their day worried about what comes next.

Build the day around a few steady anchors: a morning walk, regular meals, a midday sniff-and-stretch break, and a calm evening wind-down. Keep your comings and goings low-key, so neither one becomes the main event, and reward calm behavior with calm attention rather than big greetings. Predictability is the quiet medicine for an anxious heart.

In the news

A new FDA-approved option for dogs with separation anxiety.

The FDA approved Tessie (tasipimidine oral solution) on May 6, 2026, the first drug cleared to treat both noise aversion and separation anxiety in dogs. Given about an hour before a stressful event or before a dog is left alone, it works by calming the fight-or-flight response that drives anxious behavior. Common side effects include lethargy, mild sedation, and occasional stomach upset. Tessie is not a fix on its own, since separation anxiety still responds best to behavior work and a steady routine, but it is the first medication approved specifically for this pair of conditions, and it is worth a conversation with your veterinarian if your dog has been struggling.

A nationwide raw dog food recall worth checking your freezer for.

Raaw Energy has expanded its recall after Listeria monocytogenes turned up in several samples of its frozen dog food. The recall covers more than 60 varieties manufactured between July 17 and December 23, 2025, plus one batch of “Beef and Turkey Medley” dated March 31, 2026. The company halted all production on May 21, and the recalled products were distributed through Raaw Energy’s website and pickup locations in Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. Listeria can sicken pets and the people handling the food, so dispose of any matching products and disinfect bowls, prep surfaces, and anything else that touched them.

This Week’s Perks

• $30 Off Rover Services – For pets who thrive with company, a steady sitter who keeps the routine going while you are out can make all the difference.

• $50 Off a Dutch Membership – Unlimited virtual vet care from home, plus prescriptions shipped to your door. Especially handy for a pet with ongoing needs.

• Free $30 Chewy eGift Card – Spend $60 on your first order and receive a $30 eGift card for essentials, treats, and toys. New customers only.

Support our mission

Every pet in this issue thrives with steady company, and getting each one to the right home takes real resources: vet care, transport, behaviorist guidance, and the patient work of finding the right match. Not every family can carry that cost alone. When they cannot, Rehome Together steps in.

It is what keeps money from being the reason a loving family ends up at a shelter instead of here. Your support goes directly to a pet’s journey from one home to the next.

Support our mission →

Find their people

If you know someone whose home and schedule have room for one of these pets, send this their way. And if this newsletter found you through a friend, subscribe so you never miss a week.

For the homes where someone is always nearby,
Lauren & the Joyful Pets team

P.S. The pets who need company are not asking for too much. They are asking for the very thing the right person already wants to give. If you can offer your presence, one of them is hoping you are reading.

Every pet in our care comes from a home that loved them first.

Their families taught them to sit. Hired the trainer. Tracked their medications. Disclosed every line of their behavioral history. Some sponsor the adoption fee on the way out the door so the next family says yes a little faster.

That is who we work with. Families who love their pet enough to reach out and do the hardest thing love can ask, which is to make sure their pet lands somewhere they will be loved just as well as the first time.

This week, four pets whose first families did the work. Their next homes start with a head start.

Dani

A devoted Velcro girl whose family invested in the trainer, the routine, and the paperwork.
4-year-old American Pitbull Terrier and Labrador Retriever mix | Rutland, VT

Dani is 52 pounds of sleek black coat, soulful eyes, and devoted Velcro energy. She is a full-bed sleeper who curls close and follows her people from room to room, with a gentle way of offering comfort, a soft lick when she senses you are down. She knows sit, stay, wait, and come, and her family invested in a humane trainer using positive reinforcement, so structure and clear guidance bring out her best.

The hard chapter of her profile is fully disclosed. She has pronounced fear-based reactivity toward other dogs and needs to be the only pet in her home, and she is wary with some new men until thoughtful introductions warm her up. She is not a beginner’s dog. For an experienced, confident pet parent with a fenced yard and a steady routine, Dani is a remarkable companion who pairs deep loyalty with a tender heart.

Meet Dani →

Bruddah and Crybaby

A tuxedoed duo whose family has kept them bonded and beautifully managed.
5 and 7-year-old Domestic Shorthairs | Dallas, TX

Bruddah and Crybaby are a bonded tuxedo duo who balance each other beautifully. Crybaby, the older at 7, is the lively conversationalist who narrates birds, toys, and the weather alike. Bruddah at 5 is the gentler half, a little quieter on first meeting and then softly affectionate, often touching a caregiver’s face or hair in a tender way.

Their family has kept them together through every chapter and is asking that the next home do the same. Crybaby follows a special diet for his urinary health, and his family has the routine well established. The boys share every favorite activity: fetching toys, jumping for feathers, chasing anything that moves, and watching the world go by from the windowsill. They are looking for a calm, indoor-only home with no other pets, and a caregiver who values the rare gift of two cats who have never known life without each other.

Meet Bruddah and Crybaby →

Dusty

A gentle gray tabby whose family taught him to trust at his own pace.
5-year-old Domestic Shorthair | Dallas, TX

Dusty is 10 pounds of soft gray tabby with a thoughtful, observant nature and a list of small joys his family has carefully discovered. He plays fetch. He stalks bubbles. From his cat tower he watches the world, and from your desk he joins Zoom calls, fully convinced the voices are meant just for him.

He is a cat who takes his time. He watches from a cozy perch before he comes close, then opens into an affectionate, playful companion. His family has done that patient introduction work for years, so his profile is honest: he warms up slowly, he is compatible with other cats with thoughtful introductions, and he may benefit from calming support during stormy weather. He thrives in a calm, patient home that lets him settle at his own pace.

Meet Dusty →

Chance

A striking, well-trained gentleman who gets along with everyone he meets.
7-year-old Labrador Retriever and Rottweiler mix | Porterville, CA

Chance is 95 pounds of calm, laidback devotion with striking eyes and the easy manners of a dog whose family put in the time. He settles beautifully when left alone and knows an impressive list of commands, from sit and stay to roll over and “time for bed.” He is ruled by his nose and lives for relaxed daily “sniffaris,” and he has a sweet habit of gently nudging you along as if to help.

What sets Chance apart is how easily he fits. He is good with children, friendly with strangers, and compatible with both dogs and cats, coexisting peacefully with the neighborhood cats right now. His family did the quiet work that shows: they recently started him on thyroid medication and the change has been wonderful to watch, with more energy, more play, and his coat growing back in. They even arranged transferable pet insurance for his next chapter. He asks for a fenced yard, a steady routine, and people to be devoted to.

Meet Chance →

Happy Tails: Maple

Maple is a bright young coonhound with energy and heart to spare. Her first family knew her well, an active girl who thrives on plenty of activity and room to run, and they were honest about exactly what she needed to flourish. That honesty narrowed her search to the right people.

The match arrived as a retired couple in North Carolina with coonhound experience, a fenced yard, and plenty of time. Maple now enjoys daily walks, backyard play, and camping trips. She is exactly where she was always supposed to be, and the work her first family did to set her up for that match is the reason it lasted.

More Happy Tails →

Bark with Barbie

A weekly note from Barbie, our canine behaviorist.

A new home does not have to feel new. Most of what makes a transition go smoothly is bringing the old home with the pet.

Start with what they loved. The exact rope toy. The favorite feather wand. The bedtime ritual. The phrase that got their attention. The treat that earned the trick. And something that carries the first family’s scent: a worn shirt, a blanket, a pillowcase, anything that has spent time close to them. Our scent glands sit right behind our ears, which is why the collar of a well-worn shirt holds the strongest trace of us. Cats find the same comfort in fabric that smells like the people who raised them, often more than dogs do.

Ask the family who came before. Pack it all up. Bring it with you. A pet who falls asleep on something that smells like their first family settles into a new place a little faster.

In the news

Florida strengthens consumer protections for pet sales.

Florida has passed a new law, SB 1004, adding safeguards for anyone bringing home a pet from a breeder or pet store. When it takes effect on July 1, pet sellers in the state will be required to disclose veterinary records, including exams, medications, and treatments. Financing terms will have to be shared in writing before a sale is final, and new families can terminate a financing agreement without penalty if the pet is later found to need ongoing veterinary care. It is a meaningful step toward what careful, transparent placement has always looked like, and it gives anyone bringing home a pet in Florida a stronger paper trail to rely on.

A raw chicken pet food recall worth checking your freezer for.

Albright’s Raw Pet Food has recalled a lot of its “Chicken Recipe for Dogs Complete and Balanced” formula after FDA sampling detected Salmonella. The affected product is sold in one-pound frozen pouches with lot code C001730 and a “Best By” date of April 28, 2027, and it was distributed nationwide directly to consumers and to select retailers in California, Massachusetts, South Carolina, North Carolina, Wisconsin, and New York. Salmonella poses a risk to pets and to the people handling the food, so dispose of any matching pouches and wash anything they touched.

Tick season is in full swing across most of the country.

Mid-May is peak activity for the deer ticks that carry Lyme disease, and warmer winters across much of the country have pushed populations further north and west than past seasons. Talk with your veterinarian about year-round parasite prevention, and check your pet after every walk through tall grass, especially around the ears, neck, and between toes. If you find a tick, remove it with fine-tipped tweezers as close to the skin as possible, and call your vet if you notice swelling, lethargy, or changes in appetite in the weeks after.

If you are restocking, Chewy is running 20% off your first pharmacy order with code RX20. Click here to shop.

Sponsor a pet’s journey

Every pet in this issue came to us with work already behind them: Dani’s training, Crybaby’s special diet, Chance’s thyroid medication. That care adds up, and not every family can carry the cost of rehoming on their own. When they cannot, Rehome Together steps in for the vet care, transport, behaviorist consultations, and the patient work of finding the right next home.

It is what keeps money from being the reason a loving family ends up at a shelter instead of here. Your sponsorship goes directly to a pet’s journey from one home to the next.

Sponsor a pet’s journey →

Find their people

Four pets. Four next homes that get to start where the first ones left off.

Dani needs an experienced, confident pet parent and a steady, only-pet home where her trainer’s work keeps building. Bruddah and Crybaby are looking for a calm, indoor-only home that will keep them together, with someone who appreciates both a vocal companion and a quiet one in the same room. Dusty wants a calm, patient home that lets him settle at his own pace, with a sunny window and a seat at the next Zoom call. Chance is the easygoing one of the bunch: good with dogs, cats, and children, and ready to fold into almost any loving home with a fenced yard and a steady routine.

If you know someone whose home and pace match one of these four, send this their way. And if this newsletter found you through a friend, subscribe so you never miss a week.

For the homes that loved them first,

Lauren & the Joyful Pets team

P.S. Rehoming is an act of love. It is the last one a family makes for a pet they have loved completely, choosing what is best for them even when it costs the most. Every pet we feature comes to us through that act. These four are no exception.

Washington D.C. is about to make history. On October 1, 2026, landlords in the District will no longer be allowed to turn away a dog because of breed, weight, or size. The law is called Roscoe’s Law, named for a pit bull mix who belonged to the councilmember who wrote it.

It is the kind of law that should not have to exist. But it does, because for millions of renters, a breed restriction is not a minor inconvenience. It is the reason a family has to choose between their home and their dog. It is one of the most common reasons families come to us. The lease changes. The love does not.

The four dogs in this issue did not come to us because of a lease. Each is here for a reason of their own: behavior with another dog in the home, a long foster journey, a household that had grown too full to give each pet what they need. But all four are exactly the kind of dogs Roscoe’s Law was written for. Pit bull. Great Pyrenees. German Shepherd. The breeds, the weights, the sizes that landlords reject before anyone meets the dog. All four will face the same housing reality when they look for their next home.

What they need is someone whose situation lets them say yes. Maybe that is you.

Bleux

The dog who just wants to be where you are.
6-year-old American Pitbull Terrier | McKinney, TX

Bleux’s ideal day involves a patch of sunlight, a spot on the couch, and whoever is sitting closest to him. He is not complicated. He does not ask for much. He naps, he walks, he leans.

He knows sit, stay, and come. He adapts to routines without fuss and is equally content with an easy walk or a slow afternoon. Wherever you settle, he settles next to you. That is essentially the whole relationship.

His family has loved him for six years and describes him as lovable, very low maintenance, and easy to spoil. They are rehoming him because of occasional, unprovoked moments with their two other dogs at home, and they want to protect both their other dogs and Bleux’s future. Bleux needs to be the only pet in his next home, and he has only ever known an indoor life. With people, he is uncomplicated loyalty. He will be turned away from most rentals before anyone learns any of that.

Meet Bleux →

George

112 pounds of quiet, consistent love.
3-year-old Great Pyrenees/Saint Bernard mix | Hickory, NC

George weighs 112 pounds and takes up whatever space you give him. Not because he demands it. That is just what 112 pounds does.

He is not a dog who asks for constant affection. He will settle at your feet while you cook dinner. He will lie on the floor next to you during a movie. His love is quiet and consistent, the kind that does not announce itself. When he does lean in, it stays with you.

His foster family has spent the last 15 months building his trust. He knows sit, down, shake, easy, and stay. He needs space and time before close physical contact, and has had one fear-based bite and one separate snap without contact when unfamiliar people moved too quickly toward him. He benefits from thoughtful mealtime management and does best in a home without other male dogs. A professional trainer who evaluated him called him a normal dog with a big heart who needs a patient guide, and has offered to support his next family with video and phone consultations. He is not turned away from rentals because of anything he did. He is turned away because of what he weighs.

Meet George →

Bear

A wiggling cuddle champion who needs to be the only dog in the room.
2-year-old German Shepherd mix | Rancho Cucamonga, CA

Bear is 40 pounds of tan and black with a charming white patch on her chest. She knows crate, outside, no, and drop it. If you toss a ball, she is ready for action all day. Inside, she is a world-class cuddle champion: lap climbing, gentle hugs, sweet kisses. She is good with people, has never bitten a human, and has been safe around the children in her family, including a child with special needs.

Her hard chapter is other dogs. Bear has been involved in repeated altercations with another female dog in her home, so her next placement needs to be the only dog in a secure, fenced environment with an experienced guardian.

Her family loves her enough to sponsor her adoption fee on the way out the door. The only thing standing between her and her next home is a landlord whose breed list does not include “German Shepherd.”

Meet Bear →

Spike

A 50-pound shepherd who truly believes he is a lap dog.
2-year-old German Shepherd mix | Rancho Cucamonga, CA

Spike is 50 pounds of striking black coat with a bright white chest patch and a pair of intelligent eyes. He is affectionate, athletic, and convinced he belongs in your lap. Squeaky toys are his treasures. Pools are his happy place. He knows sit, wait, crate, out, no, and come, and he waits patiently for treats with the focus of a dog who wants to do this right.

When he came into his current home, he was very fearful and easily startled. Over the past year and a half, he has grown tremendously. He now seeks affection, initiates play, and looks to his people for reassurance when sirens or strangers throw him off. He has lived peacefully with female dogs and is selective about new ones.

The trust he carries now is the work his family did. They sponsored his adoption fee on the way out the door. He, too, will be turned away from most rentals before anyone meets him.

Meet Spike →

Happy Tails

And here is what it looks like when the right home shows up.
Bella found her yard.

Bella is a black German Shepherd with a loyal stride and a heart that runs deeper than most people expect. Her family raised her from a puppy and loved her completely. When they had to move in with an elderly parent who could not accommodate a large dog, they had to find her a new loving home.

She is now in a peaceful home in Colorado with a family who has years of experience with German Shepherds, three adults home nearly full-time, and a secure yard to roam. They honor her nightly treat tradition and give her the one thing she always needed: enough space and people who are not going anywhere.

More Happy Tails →

Bark with Barbie

A weekly note from Barbie, our canine behaviorist.

Before you sign a lease or commit to an adoption, check the pet policy and be open and honest with your landlord. The fastest way to lose a home for a pet is to discover a restriction after the fact.

Most landlords who say no are picturing the worst dog they have ever heard about. A summary of your dog’s training, vaccinations, behavior history, and daily routine gives them a different starting picture. Calm and organized beats charming every time. If you are renting with a dog who is on a breed list, lead with structure.

A PawFax is exactly that, structured. It is the verified pet history report we built for moments like this: one document that covers complete medical, behavioral, and care records. Something a landlord can review before saying no.

Get yours at pawfax.com →

Setting up a new home for a big dog?

A few things that help:

• $30 off Rover services with code JOYFUL30, for the days a 50-pound shepherd or 112-pound Pyrenees needs a caring check-in while you are away.

• $20 Chewy eGift Card when you spend $49 on your first order, perfect for stocking up on the bigger crate, the sturdier leash, and the rope toys that survive a real chew.

• $50 off a Dutch membership for unlimited virtual vet care, especially useful for first-week settling-in questions that do not need a clinic visit.

Support our mission

Over 7,000 families have reached out to us. They have been facing job loss, medical crises, housing emergencies. They love their pets. They are doing everything they can. The resources sometimes run out before the love does.

Your generosity is what closes that gap. Last week, a generous supporter sponsored the rehoming service for a family who needed it, which means one more pet stayed with a guardian who knew them and their story. That is what this fund does.

With your support, families can keep their beloved pets through difficult moments or, if needed, rehome them with care and dignity rather than entering a shelter. Your support allows us to:

• Help families in crisis keep their pets with targeted financial support

• Cover rehoming service fees for families who cannot afford them

• Provide emergency foster care when a pet needs a safe place quickly

• Ensure pets are supported with compassion, whether they stay with their families or begin a thoughtful rehoming journey

Thank you for being part of our story, and for helping families and pets stay connected.

Give a gift →

Find their people

Bleux, George, Bear, and Spike are not hard to love. They are hard to house. If you know someone who owns their home or rents somewhere that does not restrict by breed or size, send this their way. And if this newsletter found you through a friend, subscribe so you never miss a week.

Subscribe to Joyful Pets Weekly →

See All Pets →

For the ones the lease forgot,

Lauren & the Joyful Pets team

P.S. Bear and Spike’s families have already sponsored their adoption fees. The only thing standing between these dogs and home is a lease that says yes.

The most devoted pets are not the ones with the loudest love. They are the ones who stay close.

The dog who follows you from the kitchen to the living room and back. The cat who places a paw on your arm and waits. The dog who celebrates your return home like it is the best moment of his day. The cat who curls up beside you at bedtime, in the same spot every night.

What they ask for is not extravagant. They ask to be near you. They ask to be in the same room.

Four pets, each deeply loved, each with their own signature way of staying close. The shadow. The lean. The polite paw. The place beside you on the couch.

Amelie

The original shadow.
Almost 8-year-old Labrador Retriever/Shepherd mix | Swannanoa, NC

Amelie is 40 pounds of sleek black coat and gentle eyes. She has been lovingly nicknamed “the shadow” because wherever you go, she goes. Kitchen. Bedroom. Backyard. Her favorite place is curled up close, especially with a child to adore.

She has grown up with young kids and would happily make herself part of their bedtime stories and pillow forts. Strangers make her bark, but only briefly. With a little reassurance, she warms up and leans in for pets like she has known you forever. She knows sit, stay, and off.

Amelie has extreme car sickness but rides happily in the bed of a pickup truck. Thunderstorms and fireworks are not her favorite, but a cozy couch and a caring voice settle her right down. Amelie would do well with a family that has a pickup truck, a fenced yard, and the kind of steady routine that lets her stay close to the people she loves.

Meet Amelie →

Django

Devoted to the people who make him feel safe.
2-year-old mixed breed | Bend, OR

Django is 50 pounds of sleek black coat with white accents and a thoughtful face. He celebrates your return home like it is the best moment of his day, leans in close for affection, and proudly carries a stick or ball on walks like it is his special job. Balls, frisbees, fetch, and swimming, he loves it all.

His intelligence shows in how much he enjoys training. He already knows sit, stay, down, come, heel, place, leave it, drop it, no bark, and ok as a release cue. Practicing those skills helps keep his mind engaged and his confidence growing.

Django is a sensitive dog who does best with structure, patience, and people he knows well. Unfamiliar noises, distractions, and other dogs on leash can make him uneasy, so he would do well with an experienced guardian, a quieter home without children or cats, and likely as the only dog. He takes daily Fluoxetine, which has been helpful. With time, trust, and steady support, Django will be a deeply devoted companion.

Meet Django →

Vin

A polite paw on your arm to ask for pets.
Almost 10-year-old Domestic Short Hair | Atlanta, GA

Vin is a 12-pound dilute tortoiseshell with a velvet-soft coat and the bearing of someone who knows exactly what she wants. She greets each day with conversation, asks for pets with a polite paw on your arm, and offers a high five if treats are in play. She is deeply affectionate and loves being close to her people.

She has a playful side too. Feather toys, laser chases, pouncing on catnip sticks under her favorite ripple rug. She is independent during the day and lights up in the evening with reliable zoomies that prove her spark is very much still there. She chatters at birds like a tiny commentator and is occasionally and adorably clumsy when jumping.

Vin needs to be the only pet in the home so she can fully relax and shine. She thrives in a household with multiple people to share her affection with. She may need occasional dental cleanings. In the right home, Vin brings warmth, charm, and plenty of personality.

Meet Vin →

Sammie

Quietly beside you, once she trusts you.
Almost 6-year-old Domestic Short Hair | Sunderland, MA

Sammie is a 15-pound cat with a sleek black coat and a thoughtful gaze. She forms deep bonds with her caregiver and offers companionship that feels quietly special. A place beside you on the couch. A curl close at bedtime. The kind of cat who watches her world from the highest spot in the room.

By nature, she is timid and sensitive. New environments and unfamiliar people make her uneasy at first, and she may spend a few days tucked away before settling in. With gentle introductions and patient positive reinforcement, she builds trust at her own pace.

She has enjoyed clicker training, sits and lies down for treats, and once carried a tiny puffball owl proudly until it wore out. She thrives in a quiet home with a calm routine, one or two adults, no other pets, and no young children. With patience, Sammie forms a deep bond and offers quiet, meaningful companionship.

Meet Sammie →

Happy Tails: Pickles

90 pounds of Labrador who still insists she belongs in your lap.

Pickles is 90 pounds of joyful affection and the firm conviction that she belongs in your lap. Her first family raised her from a puppy and gave her a happy start. When an unexpected military move changed what they could provide, they made the thoughtful, loving decision to find her a family who could continue giving her the life she knew and loved.

The match arrived in the form of a couple with a history of adopting senior Labradors and a strong belief in rehoming with love. They live on a spacious three-quarter-acre property, giving Pickles the freedom she adores alongside the indoor companionship she insists on.

She now spends her days being doted on, playing with ropes and bones, and accompanying her new family on daily walks. Pickles continues to act like the lap dog she believes she is, only now with a whole new lap and a whole new life to call her own. Proof that staying close is not a phase. It is a personality.

More Happy Tails →

Bark with Barbie

A weekly note from Barbie, our canine behaviorist.

With a sensitive or new-to-you pet, restraint is the gift. Resist the urge to pet, hug, or scoop right away. Sit nearby. Let them choose the approach. Reward calm with calm. Many dogs escalate not because they are reactive, but because they were touched before they trusted. The patience of the first week is the foundation of every week that follows.

Watch posture closely. A dog who wants distance will often look away, and you may notice slight tongue flicking when they are feeling nervous. Avoid a direct stare, which is typically read as a sign of pressure.

During the first week, skip competitive games like tug-of-war. Fetch or short obedience practice with treats is a better fit. Tossing treats rather than hand-feeding works better this early on. It keeps the reward positive and low-energy while maintaining appropriate boundaries.

Finally, keep a new dog on a leash or use a baby gate, and expand access gradually over the first month. These limits help because dogs often want to mark their territory when entering a new home.

In the news

Florida’s aggravated animal cruelty registry is live
Florida’s statewide searchable registry under Dexter’s Law is now live through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. The database lists people convicted of, or who entered guilty or no contest pleas to, qualifying aggravated animal cruelty offenses. The law also added a 1.25 sentencing multiplier for aggravated animal cruelty cases.

A microchip helped Dodger find his family after more than 7 years
This spring, an orange tabby named Dodger was reunited with his family more than seven years after he disappeared during a move from California to Florida in 2018. He was later found in California, and a microchip scan helped reconnect him with his family.

Sponsor a pet’s journey

When a family cannot afford the cost of rehoming their pet directly, Rehome Together steps in. Vet care, transport, professional behaviorist consultations, and the patient work of finding the right next home all add up, and many families cannot cover that cost on their own. Rehome Together makes sure cost is never what sends a pet to a shelter when their family came to us to find them a loving new home.

Your sponsorship goes directly toward funding a pet’s journey from one home to the next.

Sponsor a pet’s journey →

Find their people

Four pets. Four people out there ready to be their constant.

Amelie is looking for someone with a pickup truck and a fenced yard. Django needs an experienced, patient guardian and a quiet, only-pet home. Vin would do well in a home where she can receive plenty of attention as the only pet. Sammie needs a quiet adopter willing to let trust build slowly.

If you know someone whose home and pace match one of these four, send this their way. And if this newsletter found you through a friend, subscribe so you never miss a week.

In good company,
Lauren & the Joyful Pets team

P.S. The deepest love a pet gives is rarely loud. It is the dog who walks behind you to the kitchen. The cat who falls asleep on the couch where you usually sit, even when you are not in the room. They are not asking for much. They are asking to be near you. The pets who stay closest love the longest.

There is a kind of pet parent we do not talk about enough. The one who reads the whole profile before saying yes. The one who sees a note about a fight, a seizure, a history of reactivity, and does not flinch. The one who has done this before and knows what the work looks like.

These are the people who make rehoming work for dogs whose stories are a little more complicated. They are not looking for a puppy with no past. They are looking for a dog who needs exactly what they know how to give.

This week, four dogs whose notes are longer than most. Each of them is a gift in the hands that know them.

Maximus

Loyalty loud enough to fill a room. Looking for the person who can hold it.
2-year-old American Pitbull Terrier | Albuquerque, NM

Maximus is 70 pounds of vivid personality. Squeaky toys are puzzles. Long walks are the best part of his day. He is friendly with people, sweet with elementary-aged children, and generous with nuzzles, tail wags, and heartfelt gazes.

His story includes a hard chapter. After significant changes at home, he became increasingly protective and reactive toward the resident dog, which led to multiple fights. His guardian worked with a trainer, then made the difficult, loving decision that the right next step is a home where he can be the only pet.

He needs an experienced guardian, a fenced yard, and someone who is home often, since some separation anxiety comes with the package. He gives that person a bright, loyal, goofy companion who leans into every routine they build for him.

Meet Maximus →

Murphy

65 pounds of curiosity and a deep commitment to cheese treats.
6.5-year-old Boxer/American Pitbull Terrier mix | Austin, TX

Murphy greets each day with the energy of a dog genuinely excited to find out what comes next. Long walks. A game of fetch that turns into chasing the ball twice as long as you planned. A bone in the evening. A car ride whenever it is on offer.

He is affectionate and present, happiest in the room where his people already are. He comes when called, knows sit, stay, and come, and rides well in the car. He is friendly with other dogs and has done well with a younger pup, so a canine companion is possible in the right home.

He needs an experienced guardian who understands big, energetic, intelligent dogs, a secure fenced yard, and enough structure to channel his curiosity into good decisions. He will dig occasionally. He will surprise you with his enthusiasm. That is the deal.

Meet Murphy →

Mila

Athletic, loyal, and unusually honest about what she needs.
5.5-year-old Labrador Retriever/Australian Cattle Dog mix | Wrangell, AK

Mila is 45 pounds of golden charm and real athleticism. A Chuck-it ball. A trail. A run with her person. She responds to a long list of commands, and her one-sided snarly smile shows up when she is at her most relaxed.

Her relationship with other dogs is where her story gets nuanced. She has had intermittent dog-directed reactivity that escalates quickly, sometimes into physical engagement, often linked to anxiety or resource guarding. It is not constant. It is more likely in environments she considers her own. Notably, she is calm and respectful around cats, chickens, and ducks.

She needs a structured, experienced home where she can be the only dog, with an active individual or couple who will run with her, hike with her, and throw the ball. No young children. In that home, Mila is devoted, entertaining, and ready.

Meet Mila →

Ace

A vocal, vibrant young shepherd who does his best work one-on-one.
2-year-old German Shepherd | San Diego, CA

Ace is 70 pounds of tan sable coat and an expressive personality. Fetch, tug-of-war, splashing in water, long walks, and car rides, he is in for all of it. After the burst, he settles for cuddles and long, peaceful naps pressed close to his person. His food motivation is strong, and his desire to learn is stronger.

He is friendly with strangers, good with children, and calm outside the home, where he stays focused on his person and is not reactive to other dogs. Inside the home, he has shown brief episodes of lunging, growling, or showing teeth toward another dog without a clear trigger. No injuries, and none of it shows up outside the home.

He needs a knowledgeable caregiver who understands the breed, a structured routine, and a home where he can be the only pet. He just needs the person whose hands are steady enough to let that be enough.

Meet Ace →

Happy Tails

Tanky’s Inspiring Journey to a New, Loving Family

Tanky’s story is a quiet testament to resilience, hope, and new beginnings. After a tragic incident involving another dog made it impossible for him to remain with his family, Tanky needed something specific: a home that understood his needs and offered the structure, expertise, and patience he deserved. The search was narrower, longer, and more careful. The right home for Tanky was always going to take time to find.

It arrived in the form of a seasoned Dogue de Bordeaux guardian who read the whole profile and said yes. With complimentary canine behaviorist consultations from our team and a new family ready to meet him with patience and compassion, Tanky settled in. His guarded demeanor softened. His loyal, loving heart showed up.

He is now thriving in a home filled with love, security, and understanding. Proof that even pets with challenging pasts can find happiness in the right hands.

More Happy Tails →

In The News

National Lost Dog Awareness Day was April 23.

A reminder that one in three pets will go missing at some point in their lives, and that microchipped dogs are more than twice as likely to make it home. The catch: a study published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association found that microchip records for over a third of pets entering shelters are out of date, often because the family moved or changed phone numbers since registration. Updating yours is a five-minute task. It could save you the worst week of your life.

Tick season is here, and it started early.

April through September is peak tick season across most of the country, and a mild winter has them out earlier than usual. Ticks carry Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, and babesiosis, and a daily check-over after outdoor time (especially around the head, ears, and feet) catches most of them before they latch on. If your dog or cat is not on a current parasite preventative, this is the week to talk to your vet. Heartworm prevention belongs on that list, too.

If you are restocking, Chewy is running 20% off your first pharmacy order, and PetSmart is taking 35% off your first Autoship pharmacy order.

Chip In

Maximus, Murphy, Mila, and Ace are here because their guardians reached out for help. Four dogs whose families are doing the hardest thing love has ever asked of them.

If one of these stories stayed with you, consider chipping in to help us keep doing this work. Every contribution goes directly toward supporting placements, transport, and the families who need us most.

Chip in to support Joyful Pets →

Find their people

Four dogs. Four experienced pet parents out there who will read the notes and say yes.

Maximus needs a patient, experienced guardian, and a home without other pets. Murphy needs structure, space, and someone who understands big, energetic dogs. Mila needs an active, experienced home where she can be the only dog. Ace needs a knowledgeable one-on-one home where he can be the only pet.

If you know someone whose home and experience are the right fit, send this their way. And if you found this newsletter through a friend, subscribe so you never miss a week.

In good hands,

Lauren & the Joyful Pets team

P.S. The best pet parents I know are the ones who went in with their eyes wide open. They knew the medication schedule. They knew the triggers. They knew which corner of the house the dog would claim first. Knowing the full story does not make adoption harder. It is what makes it last.

There is no single type of dog who finds their next family through us.

Some will carry a toy to the door before you have even hung up your coat. Some are 95 pounds with opinions and a bottomless enthusiasm for whatever you are doing next. Some are the kind of dog who makes a house feel settled just by being in it. Some will curl up beside you at the end of a long day and make you wonder how you ever did evenings without them.

What they share is this: the right person for each of them exists. And that person might be reading this right now.

This week, four very different dogs. One of them could be a wonderful fit for your life.

Apollo

He Has His Own Opinion About Sirens.
5-year-old Siberian Husky | Mesa, AZ

Apollo carries his squeaky toy through the house with the pride of someone who has accomplished something important. He will drop it at your feet and look at you like he is absolutely certain you want to throw it. He also does a high-five. He learned “gentle” and means it. He will chase you through the yard with the enthusiasm of a toddler who cannot believe his luck.

At 95 pounds in a striking black and white coat, he is hard to miss. He loves long walks, energetic runs, car rides, and water. Like a lot of Huskies, he has opinions about sirens and will howl along with them, creating his own contribution to the neighborhood soundtrack. He is good with other dogs, cats, and children, and he settles easily when left alone for short stretches.

He is looking for the right person. Someone whose schedule has room for a dog with his energy and enthusiasm, and who finds his commentary on passing emergency vehicles charming rather than inconvenient.

Meet Apollo →

Tula Baloola

She Has a Lot to Tell You About Her Day.
4-year-old Boxer/American Pitbull Terrier Mix | Canton, NC

Before you even open the door, you can hear Tula. Full-body tail wag, happy wiggles, and that unmistakable “arrrooooo” that means she has been waiting for you and needs you to know it right now.

She is 50 pounds of high energy and genuine affection. She fetches. She snuggles. She knows sit, down, leave it, and focus, and comes when she is called, which matters a lot for a dog who wants to be in the middle of everything you are doing. After a day of walks and play and training, she curls up beside you and softly snores while the evening winds down.

She needs an active home without cats or small animals. A fenced yard. Someone whose schedule has room for real daily exercise, not just a quick trip around the block. She can become reactive at barriers when other dogs pass, which means her best home is one where she can focus entirely on her people rather than managing the world going by outside.

If your weekends look like trails and your evenings look like someone should be curled against your side, Tula has a lot to tell you about her day.

Meet Tula Baloola →

Sarang

Quiet Walks. Slow Mornings. A Dog Who Just Needs a Home.
4-year-old Jindo/Labrador Retriever Mix | Fort Worth, TX

Sarang’s ideal day does not ask much of you. A walk through the neighborhood at a comfortable pace. A meal. Some time near whoever is home. He is calm when left alone, good with other dogs, friendly with people of all ages. He settles into a routine without friction and stays there.

At 65 pounds with a snow-white coat and an easy smile, he is the kind of dog who makes your house feel like someone is always glad you came back. He knows sit, touch, shake, down, and wait. He is patient and attentive and does not require constant activity to feel content.

He is a dog who will settle into your life without friction, make himself comfortable without fuss, and be genuinely glad you came back every single time. The right home for Sarang does not require much. Just someone who is steady, present, and happy to share their evenings with a gentle companion who asks very little and gives a great deal.

Meet Sarang →

Stitch

Exactly the Dog He Looks Like.
4-year-old American Pitbull Terrier Mix | Humble, TX

Stitch has a rich reddish-brown coat, a soulful gaze, and the gentle confidence of a dog who grew up alongside a young child and learned how to be careful with little hands. He accepts hand-fed treats calmly. He greets other dogs with an easygoing social spirit. He takes new people in stride.

He knows sit, wait, come, and down. He entertains himself when left alone without making it anyone’s problem. He would welcome continued training, not because he has anything to work through, but because he finds it rewarding and he likes to show you what a good boy he is.

He can be your first dog. He needs daily outdoor time, space to stretch his legs, and a home with a steady rhythm. That is the whole list. The rest he already has figured out.

Meet Stitch →

In the News

Brazil just passed a pet custody law.

As of April 2, separated couples in Brazil can now share custody of their pets. If they cannot agree on an arrangement, a judge decides, taking into account each person’s living situation, schedule, and ability to care for the animal. The law only applies if the pet spent most of its life with the couple. It is a small legal shift that says something larger: more and more, the world is recognizing that pets are family, not property.

Chewy is getting into veterinary care.

On April 8, Chewy announced it is acquiring Modern Animal, a veterinary platform with 29 clinics and round-the-clock virtual care. The deal will expand Chewy’s vet footprint from 18 to 47 locations nationwide. For pet parents who have struggled to get an appointment, or who live somewhere without many options, that kind of access matters. It is worth watching.

A Note from Our Sponsor

This issue is supported by KONG. Fifty years ago, a German Shepherd named Fritz fell in love with a rubber axle stop, and KONG has been making toys for dogs like him ever since. They believe every pet belongs in a family, and they are putting their support behind this issue. Their sponsorship supports Rehome Together, a Joyful Pets program that helps cover support costs for families who could not otherwise afford them, whether that means helping them keep their pet or helping them place their pet safely with a new loving family.

One pet that program could help: meet Theodore. He is a 4-year-old American Pitbull Terrier in Highland, CA, whose family raised him with love and consistency. He carries his Kong toys around like treasured prizes. He follows his favorite person from room to room, greets strangers with a relaxed tail wag, and settles into whatever your evening looks like. He needs a fenced yard, a home without cats, and someone who can give 65 pounds of loyalty the room it needs.

Meet Theodore →

Learn more about KONG →

Deals Worth Fetching

Chewy is handing out a $30 eGift Card when you spend $100. Code HAVEFUN at checkout, which honestly feels appropriate. Load up on flea prevention or litter, the stuff that never goes bad, and that $30 comes right back to you for next month. Shop Chewy →

Petco has 10 to 20% off if you pick it up yourself. No code, just switch your cart to in-store pickup. If you have ever paid to ship a 40-pound bag of dog food, you already know why this matters. Shop Petco →

PetSmart is taking 40% off your first Autoship order. PetSmart is taking 40% off your first Autoship order. On a $100 bag of kibble, that is meaningful savings for only a few clicks. Shop PetSmart →

Find their people

Four dogs. Four different kinds of homes. Apollo needs energy and time. Tula needs trails and commitment. Sarang needs calm and consistency. Stitch needs outdoor time and a steady daily rhythm.

The right person for each of them exists. If you know someone who might be compatible with one of these dogs, send this their way. And if this newsletter found you through a friend, subscribe so you never miss a week.

For every pet still waiting,

Lauren & the Joyful Pets team

P.S. National Pet ID Week runs from April 17 to 23. If your pet is microchipped, take five minutes this week to make sure the registration is still current. It is the smallest thing you can do that matters most.

Every pet in this newsletter is someone’s whole world. They are part of a daily rhythm. The footsteps at the door, the quiet presence beside you, the small routines that make a house feel like home.

Their families have not stopped loving them. Life has changed in ways that love alone cannot solve. These pets are not starting over. They already know how to love deeply. They are ready for the next person who is ready to receive that love.

If one of them feels like your match, trust that instinct.

Bailey

Eleven Years of Loyalty. Still Plenty Left to Give.
Labrador Retriever | Walpole, NH

Bailey moves through life with a quiet confidence. He walks into a room, settles beside you, and makes it feel like he has always belonged there. At 83 pounds with a glossy black coat, he carries his years with ease.

His days are simple and steady. A morning walk, a soft place to rest, and time spent near his person. He knows his commands and offers them gently, like small gifts. He may be a little stiff after a nap, but his routine, including joint support and consistent meals, keeps him comfortable and content.

Bailey is crate-trained, rides well in the car, and handles short stretches alone. What he values most is being near someone. His whole world is built around that connection.

He would thrive in a calm home as the only pet, with a fenced yard and someone who is around most of the day. Not because he demands attention, but because companionship is what he knows and loves.

Meet Bailey →

Ernest

Sensitive. Loyal. Worth Every Bit of Patience.
5-year-old German Shepherd Mix | Redding, CT

Ernest does not need a big life. He needs a steady one.

At 75 pounds with a soft cream coat, he stays close, following you from room to room simply because being near you helps him feel safe. He is gentle with the people he knows and friendly with new faces, and he has lived comfortably with children, a cat, and even chickens.

Ernest thrives on consistency. Loud environments and frequent change can make him uneasy, but with a predictable routine, he settles into a calm and trusting companion.

He is managing epilepsy with daily medication, and his care is consistent and straightforward once established. He is looking for someone who understands that this routine is simply part of caring for him.

He would do well with a patient and thoughtful family who values a slower pace and the reward of building trust over time. Ernest is ready to give his full loyalty to someone who understands him.

Meet Ernest →

Fancy & Felix

The Little Spoon and the Loyal Shadow.
9-year-old Domestic Short Hair Siblings | Northampton, MA

You will not find one without the other.

These two have never known life apart, and they are ready to continue that story together.

Fancy is the white one, always finding her way into the perfect spot beside you. She gently nudges her way into the little spoon position like she has been practicing her whole life. She is playful in her own way, happily turning a piece of paper into a full game.

Felix, with his black coat and small white marking, stays close by. He follows you from room to room, offering soft, conversational meows as if checking in. He has a habit of standing on shoes as though he has quietly claimed them.

Together, they bring a calm, comforting presence. They share window watching, nap side by side, and fill a home with quiet companionship.

They would thrive in a calm environment with someone who has time for connection, conversation, and daily routines. They are comfortable with visitors and older children and would love a home that appreciates their gentle bond.

Meet Fancy & Felix →

Patty

Calm Joy. Quiet Loyalty. A Chocolate Lab Who Still Believes in Good Days.
8-year-old Labrador Retriever Mix | Spring, TX

Patty brings a steady, easy presence to everyday life. At 48 pounds with a warm chocolate coat, she is both gentle and quietly playful.

She enjoys simple things. A walk, a game of tug, or resting beside you with her chin nearby. She knows her commands, rides well in the car, and handles short periods alone, greeting you warmly when you return.

Her playful side shows up in small, joyful moments, but she is just as happy sharing quiet time. That is her gift, making companionship feel effortless.

Patty manages occasional seizures with daily medication, and her routine is consistent and well established. She takes everything in stride.

She would do well with someone who appreciates a calm, steady companion and understands the value of a gentle presence.

Meet Patty →

Looking for your match? These four are just a few of the pets waiting for their next family. Browse all of our available pets and find the one who needs you.

See All Pets →

In the News

If your pet’s microchip is registered to an old address or a phone number you no longer use, this is your nudge. National Pet ID Week runs from April 17 to 23 this year, and its whole purpose is getting pet parents to check one simple thing: can someone actually reach you if your pet gets lost? Dogs with a working microchip are 2.5 times more likely to make it home. For cats, that number jumps to 20 times. Many local shelters and vet offices offer free microchip scans during the week, so it is worth calling yours to ask. Takes five minutes. Could save you the worst week of your life.

This Week’s Partner Pick

Pumpkin Pet Insurance: When you take on a pet who already has a history, you are also taking on whatever comes next. Pumpkin covers up to 90% of eligible vet bills for accidents and illnesses, with no breed restrictions and no upper age limits. That kind of safety net makes saying yes a lot easier. Get a free quote →

Help Us Find Their People

Every pet in this newsletter has a family who loves them. What they need now is more reach.

The more people who see these stories, the more likely Bailey, Ernest, Fancy and Felix, and Patty are to find the right home. One subscriber can become one share, which can become a match that changes everything.

If you found this newsletter through a friend, consider subscribing so you never miss a week. And if you are already here, forward this to someone who might be the right fit for one of these four. That is how this works. One person tells another, and a pet who is someone's whole world gets to keep being that, in a new home.

Subscribe to Joyful Pets Weekly →

Until every pet finds their person,

Lauren & the Joyful Pets team

P.S. If one of these four feels like someone you know, forward this to them. Sometimes the right match starts with a friend saying, "I think this one needs you."

Banks

7.5-year-old Australian Cattle Dog/Border Collie mix in Berkeley, CA

He may be the fastest tripod you’ll ever meet.

Banks rockets after a tennis ball with jaw-dropping speed, pivots like a seasoned athlete, and returns with bright eyes that say, “Again?” The rear leg amputation never slowed him down. If anything, it clarified what was already true: this dog was built for movement, for work, for the kind of focus that makes Border Collie people nod in recognition. He’d flourish in agility, working, or farm environments.

He responds to sit, down, stay, heel, place, come, fetch, leave it, crate, and “good night” when it’s time to settle in. He’ll fetch the paper and offer a post-bath shake on cue. Smart, food-motivated, eager to please. After a full day of adventure, he cuddles as close as physically possible, leaning into his people with complete devotion.

Banks needs one to two hours of vigorous exercise daily, significant outdoor space, and someone experienced who can continue working with him on resource guarding around food. Loud noises like vacuums can make him uneasy. No young children.

If you live for early morning hikes, long games of fetch, and the kind of loyal companionship that sticks close on the couch afterward, Banks is ready.

Meet Banks →

Boots

3.5-year-old Boxer/Labrador Retriever mix in San Clemente, CA

Boots has a lopsided grin that could stop a room. One side of her face carries a classic Boxer expression. The other shows the lasting effects of facial nerve damage from surviving distemper as a puppy. The result is an endearing, slightly goofy smile that is completely, entirely her own.

She brings the same energy to everything else: stuffed animals, rope toys, and dashing around the yard with a happy bounce in her step. She’s compatible with kids, cats, and other dogs, and especially enjoys spending time with teens who match her upbeat enthusiasm. Car rides are another favorite.

Most of her teeth have been removed, so she may need ongoing dental care. But she eats, plays, and snuggles with total joy. Loud or high-pitched noises can make her uneasy, and she’d benefit from continued positive reinforcement training to build confidence.

After a day of fun, Boots is happiest curled up on the bed or relaxing in her kennel, content just to be near her people.

Meet Boots →

Daphne

Approximately 1-year-old Chihuahua/Shepherd mix in Temecula, CA

She was hit by a car. The impact left her with a broken knee, a broken hip, and a hernia. All of it required careful surgical repair.

Now she’s learning to walk with confidence again, growing stronger in her foster home with gentle guidance and careful activity limits. Short, calm walks are her routine right now. She may need joint support supplements and mindful weight management as she matures.

None of that has dimmed her spark

Daphne is playful, silly, and full of determination. Tug of war is her absolute favorite, and she loves chasing her frisbee across the yard. She’s wonderfully compatible with other dogs and would do well with a canine companion who can share games and cozy naps. She’s gentle and affectionate with children, greeting strangers with friendly curiosity.

She knows sit, come, and gentle, and she’s eager to keep learning. Like any young pup, she has a mischievous streak. Socks and shoes sometimes mysteriously relocate to her favorite treasure spot.

Most of all, Daphne is a cuddle bug who loves morning snuggles and being close to her people.

Meet Daphne →

Cooper

6.5-year-old American Pit Bull Terrier mix in West Milford, NJ

He’s had ACL surgery on both rear legs. Both times, he bounced back like a champ.

Cooper has spent the last five years as a true adventure buddy: riding shotgun on road trips, chasing lacrosse balls across the yard, hiking forest trails, splashing into lakes. The surgeries didn’t change that. He still moves with confidence and energy, still gazes at you with those expressive eyes that ask, “What’s next?”

At 70 pounds, he’s strong and sturdy, but his favorite place is wherever you are, preferably with his head resting gently on your lap. He knows sit, stay, paw (with either paw), and runs a picture-perfect fetch routine that ends with the ball at your feet every time.

Cooper manages allergies with monthly Cytopoint injections and weekly baths. He’s used to the routine and stays in great shape with regular vet visits. He needs a calm, adult household with no other pets. He’s reactive toward other dogs, especially around food and toys, and thrives when he doesn’t have to compete for attention.

If you want a loyal companion who’s already proven he can handle whatever comes next, Cooper is waiting.

Meet Cooper →

A Note From Lauren

This issue is personal.

My cat Sunny has cancer. He needs surgery to remove his leg. The diagnosis came fast, and suddenly I was the family sitting in the vet's office trying to process what I was hearing while already thinking about what comes next. The same moment I've watched hundreds of families go through.

And now I’m watching Sunny prepare for the same journey Banks has already completed, the same journey Boots and Daphne have already survived, the same quiet determination Cooper shows every single day.

This is why your subscription matters. Not just for the pets in this newsletter, but for the families behind them. The ones navigating the emotional, physical, and financial weight of loving an animal whose body has other plans. Your support helps us help them, whether that means staying together or finding the right next home.

So this issue isn’t just about four pets who need homes. It’s about what happens when the body changes and the spirit doesn’t. It’s about the families who said yes anyway.

This Week’s Offers

Pumpkin Pet Insurance: Accidents and unexpected diagnoses don't wait for a good time. Pumpkin covers up to 90% of eligible vet bills for accidents and illnesses, with no breed restrictions and no upper age limits. Get a free quote →

$50 off Dutch pet telehealth: Dutch is a veterinary telehealth service. You video chat with a licensed vet from home, get prescriptions shipped to your door, and have someone to text when something feels off at 10 pm. For pets with ongoing needs, it means fewer stressful car rides and faster answers. Start saving →

$30 off Rover services: Pets with special needs do best with a sitter who understands their routines. Find someone who’ll follow the medication schedule, respect the boundaries, and send you updates that actually put your mind at ease. Claim offer →

$20 Chewy eGift card: Joint supplements, prescription diets, mobility aids. Spend $49 on your first order and receive a $20 eGift card for the extras that keep special needs pets comfortable. Use code WELCOME at checkout. Shop now →

Join Us

There’s no paywall here. Free and paid subscribers get the same newsletter, the same stories, the same community.

Your paid subscription helps us help pets like Banks, Boots, Daphne, and Cooper either stay with their families or find new ones. It funds the profiles, the videos, the outreach that gets these pets seen by the right people at the right time.

Whether you subscribe for free or choose to support our work, you are part of something that matters.

Until next week,

Lauren & the Joyful Pets team 🐾

P.S. Know someone who understands that the best pets sometimes come with a little extra? Forward this their way.

Senior pets have already done the hard work.

They’ve moved past the chaos of puppyhood and the unpredictability of adolescence. They’ve settled into who they are. The way they sleep, the way they greet you, the things that make them light up or go quiet. All of it is already there, waiting for you.

Every pet in this issue spent years being genuinely loved. Not passed around, not guessed at. Loved, by a family that knows every quirk and habit and still chooses them. Those families came to us because circumstances changed, and because they want their pet’s next chapter to be chosen carefully.

That’s the thing about old souls. They’re not asking you to imagine who they might become. They’re showing you exactly who they are.

Important Notice About Our Facebook Pages

We want to make sure our community is aware of a situation that recently affected our Joyful Pets Facebook pages.

Our pages were targeted in a cyberattack that allowed unauthorized access to connected business accounts. Control of several pages was disrupted, and the personal account connected to our business manager was permanently disabled after suspicious activity was detected, activity that was not generated by us.

Because of this, please be cautious with any messages, comments, or requests that appear to come from our Facebook pages. If you receive anything unusual, unexpected, or asking for personal information, do not respond right away. Instead, contact us directly through our website or reply to this newsletter so we can confirm whether the message is legitimate.

Scammers sometimes impersonate legitimate pages or send messages that look official. When in doubt, verify with us first.

Eevee & Ellie

Pomeranian/Papillon & German Shepherd mix | 13 & 16 years old | Chula Vista, CA

Ellie still goes on beach outings, still leans quietly into the people she trusts once she decides they're worth it, still welcomes a long sniff-filled walk or a car ride as long as Eevee is nearby. Eevee, thirteen pounds of focused devotion, has made it her life's work to watch over Ellie: monitoring who comes close, communicating sharply when someone moves too fast, keeping a running inventory of Ellie's wellbeing all day long. Together they share beds, Freshpet meals, and the kind of unhurried daily rhythm that takes years to build. Ellie's eyes are growing cloudy and her hearing is fading, and Eevee manages a collapsed trachea, so their next home needs to be gentle and patient. If yours runs on that, these two will fit right in.

Meet Eevee & Ellie →

Cindy

American Pit Bull Terrier | Almost 9 years old | Denver, CO

Cindy's blue-and-white coat and 68-pound frame don't quite prepare you for how soft she is. She is a champion cuddler, an enthusiastic greeter with a famously wiggly behind, and a loyal shadow who follows her person through whatever the day holds. Her great loves are short sniff-filled walks, tug-of-war with squeaky toys, and dental treats, which send her into full-speed, eyes-wide, tail-spinning celebration every single time. She is gentle with respectful older children, has never been destructive in the home, and asks very little beyond your presence and a good game of tug. Cindy needs to be the only pet in a quiet household; she is fearful around other animals and does best without them. Her adoption fee has been sponsored, so all she needs now is you.

Meet Cindy →

Nala

Labrador Retriever mix | Almost 8 years old | Portland, OR

Nala is the kind of dog who mirrors your energy so accurately it feels like she already knows you. Up for a hike? She's at the door. Ready for a quiet evening? She's beside you with her ball, content just to be close. At 65 pounds with a warm golden fawn coat, she is deeply loyal and road-trip ready, the sort of steady companion who makes herself indispensable before you quite realize it's happened. She does best as the only pet in a home with a predictable rhythm, and once she learns yours, she settles into it completely and stays.

Meet Nala →

Juno

American Pit Bull Terrier/Bull Terrier/Shar Pei mix | 9 years old | Brookhaven, PA

Juno carries herself with the calm confidence of a dog who knows the rhythm of a happy life. She is friendly with strangers, grew up alongside young children, and greets everyone with genuine curiosity and a wagging tail. She loves fetch, neighborhood walks, and car rides, and the moment the activity winds down she transitions seamlessly into cozy couch mode beside her people. Juno needs to be the only dog in the home: she becomes reactive with unfamiliar dogs on leash, and she is most herself when she has her people all to herself. An experienced guardian who can give her that will find a devoted, uncomplicated companion.

Meet Juno →

Kalle & Maya

Mixed breeds (bonded pair) | 12 & 8.5 years old | Doylestown, PA

Kalle is twelve, white and black, 70 pounds, and shreds stuffed toys with the focused joy of someone who has been perfecting the craft for years. She takes her time trusting new people, and once she decides you're worth it she becomes a devoted shadow who rarely leaves your side. Maya is eight and a half, a gentle brindle at 35 pounds who has earned the nickname "vampire dog" for her love of nighttime walks and her habit of sleeping directly on her caregiver rather than merely beside them. She startles with fast approaches but melts into steadiness with a quiet hello and a treat. Their adoption includes a full month of behavioral support from a consultant. They need a home without cats, without other dogs, and with a patient, experienced guardian who understands that slow trust is the deepest kind.

Meet Kalle & Maya →

Welcoming a Senior Pet: What to Expect

They know how to be loved. They’ve done it before. What they don’t know yet is you, and that takes time.

Give them room to settle. Most senior pets spend the first few weeks figuring out the shape of their new life. They may sleep more than you expect, stay quieter than the pet you imagined, hold back the affection that will come later. That’s not grief. That’s adjustment. Two to four weeks is normal. Some need a little more.

Keep the enrichment small and specific. A walk that lets them stop and sniff is more satisfying than a longer one that doesn’t. A window with something to watch. A soft toy they can carry. Older pets don’t need less stimulation. They just need it in a different form.

See the vet early, even if everything looks fine. A baseline appointment in the first few weeks tells you where they’re starting. It means your vet knows them before something changes, not after.

The uncertain part doesn’t last. What comes after it is a pet who has already lived enough life to know what a good home feels like, and has decided yours is it.

Exclusive deals for our community

$30 off Rover services: Senior pets do best with a familiar, caring face when you’re away. Find a sitter who understands older dogs and cats. Claim offer →

$20 Chewy eGift card: Spend $49 on your first order and receive a $20 eGift card for the food, supplements, and comfort items that keep senior pets feeling their best. Use code WELCOME at checkout. Shop now →

$50 off Dutch membership: Senior pets see the vet more often. Use this link to get $50 off your first year of unlimited virtual care and have a trusted provider in your corner whenever you need one. Start saving →

Support Our Work

Every pet in this newsletter found their way to us because a family was in crisis. We keep families together whenever we can and find the right next family when we can’t. That work takes resources, and your support makes it possible.

Contribute to Joyful Pets →

Some pets play by the rules. These seven wrote their own. And somewhere out there is a family who’s been waiting for exactly that.

More soon,

Lauren & the Joyful Pets team

P.S. If someone in your life has been thinking about opening their home to a senior pet, this might be the issue to share.

If you have ever loved a cat, this one is for you.

Every cat in this issue is still at home, curled up in a favorite sunny spot, surrounded by the family who raised and loves them. Life sometimes changes, and these pet parents reached out because they want the same thing every caring family wants: confidence that their cat will be truly understood by whoever comes next.

Through our rehoming service, we help make that possible. Cats stay with their families while we connect them with people who are truly compatible. Each story comes directly from the people who know them best, the ones who have shared daily life with them and can answer every question about their personality, routines, and the kind of home where they will thrive.

That is something a shelter simply cannot offer. These seven cats are already known, understood, and deeply loved. Their families are here to help introduce them to the next family who will continue that care.

Mama Bear, Poppa Bear & Baby Bear

A Calico, a Fawn Tabby, and a Tortoiseshell Spark Plug. A Family, Complete. Mama Bear (4.5 yrs) | Poppa Bear (1.5 yrs) | Baby Bear (10 mos) | Alto, GA

The Bears are more than a group of cats. They are a family. Mama Bear is the calm, observant heart of the trio, a gentle calico who may seem shy at first but becomes your quiet shadow once she feels safe, appearing the moment head scratches are on offer. Poppa Bear is warmth in motion: first into your lap, first to offer what can only be described as a back massage, and fearless explorer of every cardboard castle that crosses his path. Baby Bear is pure joy in tortoiseshell form, practically airborne chasing her feather wand, flipping mid-leap, and racing to greet her people with the enthusiasm of someone who has never once been disappointed by a visitor.

Learn more and meet the Bears →

Danny & Lilbit

A Brown Tabby and a Black Cat. Best Friends Since Day One. Danny, almost 10 years old | Lilbit, 6 years old | Augusta, GA

Danny and Lilbit lost their beloved guardian, a gentle soul who called them his best friends and loved them deeply until the very end. Danny is the gentle giant of the pair: a large, mellow sweetheart whose motor-like purr kicks in the moment you say his name, and who considers your papers, your laptop, and your lap all equally reasonable places to be. Lilbit is more reserved at first, but give her time and she transforms into a charming little chatterbox who loves to talk with her favorite humans. Their absolute favorite pastime is being brushed, which they accept with the blissful, eyes-closed commitment of cats who have truly figured life out.

Learn more and meet Danny and Lilbit →

Lancelot

Shy at First. Yours Forever After. 9.5-year-old Domestic Long Hair | San Diego, CA

Lancelot is a flowing gray tabby who carries himself with quiet dignity, observing the world from the highest perch of his cat tree before deciding who is worthy of his attention. He bats crinkly foil balls with surprising precision, chatters at ravens through the window with genuine enthusiasm, and drapes himself across your desk to supervise your workday, occasionally nudging the keyboard with his face just to remind you he is there. His tongue peeks out now and then, a charming side effect of having no teeth that only adds to his considerable appeal. Once trust is earned, his thunderous purr fills the room and he curls across your legs each night like he was always meant to be there.

Learn more and meet Lancelot →

Hammie

Wobbly Walk. Unshakeable Confidence. Professional Cuddler. 8-year-old Domestic Short Hair | Austell, GA

Hammie has cerebellar hypoplasia, a neurological condition that gives him a wobbly walk and zero awareness that he is any different from any other cat. He lives for lap time, purring proudly as he snuggles in for hours, and will announce string toy time loudly and at length until you comply. He sleeps in positions of spectacular improbability, a cat-shaped question mark one moment, sprawled with zero shame the next, and bats at toys with endearingly clumsy paws that always find their mark eventually. He navigates life with grace, determination, and a sprinkle of sass, and his condition is stable and non-progressive, which means the only thing that will ever grow is how much you love him.

Learn more and meet Hammie →

Above and Beyond: Mama Kitty

Seven Weeks, One Village, and a Piece of Fried Chicken.

At Joyful Pets, our job doesn’t always end when a match is made. Sometimes that’s just the beginning.

When Mama Kitty slipped out of her new home, she vanished into an unfamiliar neighborhood. For seven weeks, our team ran a full search effort: trail cameras, feeding stations, flyers, a lost cat consultant, and a community of volunteers who refused to give up.

Then a neighbor spotted her. We moved the camera. And there she was: tired, hungry, and alive. We baited the trap with fried chicken. She walked in.

Her first family drove five hours to bring her back home. Today she is gaining weight, purring, and exactly where she belongs.

Protect Your Pet from the Unexpected

We are happy to extend an exclusive offer for medical insurance through Trupanion. If you have a vet visit coming up, please email me at lauren@joyfulpets.com before you go so I can send you the activation details. This coverage kicks in immediately after your exam, but you must activate it within 24 hours of your appointment to qualify. Please note that while most families receive a 30-day free trial, residents of CA, ID, FL, PA, PR, SC, and WA will receive a special discounted introductory rate instead due to state regulations.

Join us

There’s no paywall here. Free and paid subscribers get the same newsletter, the same stories, the same community. Paid subscribers are simply choosing to support our mission of keeping pets in loving homes and out of shelters. Your subscription helps us reach more families and place more pets.

Whether you subscribe for free or choose to support our work, you are part of something that matters.

Subscribe now

Cats do not audition. They do not perform for strangers or try to impress anyone. They simply show up, quietly and on their own terms, and one day you realize they have become the best part of your daily routine.

Mama Bear, Poppa Bear, and Baby Bear.
Danny and Lilbit.
Lancelot.
Hammie.

Seven cats. Four families who love them deeply and trust us to help guide what comes next.

Until next week,

Lauren and the Joyful Pets team

P.S. Know a cat person who has been thinking about adopting? Forward this their way.