A fifteen-month-old Goldendoodle pup, that almost never barks found his voice and saved his family’s life during the Christmas season.

As a holiday treat, Evelyn Janes decided to campout on the floor with her six-year-old twins in front of the Christmas tree, while her oldest daughter Brainna was spending the night with a friend, and their father was working a late shift. Evelyn Janes of Haverhill stated she woke at 4 a.m. to the loud barking of their dog Bear, who was making enough racket to shake the heavens, which was highly unusual for him.

After sitting and looking around toward the area in which Bear was barking, Evelyn saw a bright light coming from the dining room, while looking out the door she could see flames shooting up the outside wall of her home.

As Evelyn gathered the twins up to race out the door, she was surprised to see two newspaper carriers about to pound on her door. Handing the twins over to them, she rushed back into the burning house to rescue Bear, who was still standing guard over his home.

The decision to campout with the twins and Bear in front of the Christmas tree probably saved their lives. The children’s bedroom was located in the portion of the house, which received the most fire damage.

As Evelyn exited her house with Bear, two of her neighbors that are also local firefighters came running barefoot into her yard wearing their pajamas to aid the family.

The two firefighters ran into the house without shoes, to check and make sure no one was still in any danger.  As they returned through the door it became obvious they were thinking of the children, their arms were loaded with gifts from under the tree.

Evelyn described Bear and the two neighbors as her hero’s. The neighbors fought alongside the other firefighters without any shoes or gear; dragging the hoses and helping out in every way they could.

The Janes family along with Bear plans to come back to the neighborhood where they have lived for 11 years, to rebuild. Evelyn stated the family could never leave all their wonderful friends and the most remarkable neighborhood in the world.

Needless to say, Bear is not only a family pet, but he’s their hero too.

This story is truly a Christmas miracle, for the Jane family.

Dr. Susan Wright DMV has been a practicing veterinarian more than 10 years. Susan is the staff dog bark collar expert for Dog Fence DIY. When she’s not caring for dogs in her professional life, Susan enjoys bringing them into her personal life through books and movies.

A new study shows dogs not only respond to the words and ministrations of humans, dogs can understand and anticipate the intentions of their people.

With skills equivalent to that of a 6-month-old human, dogs who were spoken to or who had direct eye contact with a person were more likely to follow that human’s gaze as it moved across the room than if the person didn’t make direct eye contact with them.

Research is shedding light on human-like qualities of domestic dogs in fact, one study in the July 2011 issue of Learning & Behavior found that domesticated dogs were more likely to beg food from a person looking at them as opposed to someone who wasn’t paying attention.

One expert found that dogs have the developmental abilities of a human 2-year-old, with the average dog capable of learning the meanings of 165 words.

Given the intelligence of service dogs I’m inclined to believe the intelligence of dogs goes well beyond a toddler, but then again, my dogs are people too.

The image here is of my dog Jake. Jake passed away a year ago, but through his entire life, I often commented on just how very much he was like a toddler. I could tell him to retrieve his teddy bear, he’d go get it – whether it was somewhere outside or in, he would find it and bring it back. When he’d get a new chew bone, he’d take it outside to share with his doggie buddies from up the road. There were so many times I’d pause at Jakes action in amazement at his ability to really understand me. He really was a very special pooch.

My three girls, Maggie, Effie and Molly are all very humanlike in so many ways. Their toddler style antics have me smiling every single day.

Do you have a dog that is smart and almost humanlike? What’s something your dog has done that has stopped you in your tracks, amazed at just how smart they are?

When you get a new pet they become part of your family. Dogs are loveable pets that happen to require a great deal of care. One of the decisions you’ll need to consider once getting a dog is whether or not you will have your dog spayed or neutered. This is a hot topic amongst breeders and those involved with animal rescues and shelters. The decision to have your dog spayed or neutered is a personal choice but while pondering this option; consider the pros and cons that weigh in with this topic.

Reasons to Spay or Neuter

Overpopulation:

One of the most important factors that many people stress as to why dog owners should get their pet spayed or neutered is because there are already so many stray dogs with thousands being killed each year because they had been abandoned, unwanted, lost or too much work for the family they were with. When dogs are simply abandoned they are forced to re-enter the world on their own and their wild instincts are forced to return. Dogs then become a risk to people, other animals and tend to cause damage to personal property. The goal of neutering or spaying dogs is to keep the population under control. A dog’s litter is typically about six puppies; a female can become pregnant as early as six months, then every six months after that.

Medical Benefits:

By spaying or neutering your animal you are reducing their chances of serious issues later on in life. Male dogs are less likely to develop testicular tumors and prostate problems. When a female dog is spayed before she goes into heat for the first time, she will be less likely to develop mammary tumors, ovarian cancer or a uterine infection. For both males and females, getting fixed also will help reduce the urgency to try and escape the yard in order to fulfill their animalistic desires. There have been many animals who’ve been hit by cars as they try to connect with the opposite sex to mate. Please note we are not suggesting that by neutering or spaying your dog you will not need to take safety measures, like an invisible fence, for your dog. Whether you neuter or not, we strongly encourage you to make sure your property is properly secured for your animal’s safety.

Temperament:

Another reason to spay and neuter your dogs is the benefit this procedure can offer to your pet’s temperament. When fixing your pet early in life, the dog is less likely to be aggressive and less likely to have mood swings associated with hormones. Your pet will be able to focus better as well. Additionally, dogs are less likely to mark their territory when spayed or neutered early on in life.

Reasons to Not Spay or Neuter

Pure Breed:

If you have a pure breed animal and are looking to breed your dog as a breeder, you of course would not want to spay or neuter your dog. Before you decide to become a breeder, make sure you do thorough research and understand the work and dangers that may come with breeding to both you and your dog.

Not Natural:

Some people are concerned with neutering and spaying their dog because it is medically interfering with how their animal was made, not wanting to mess with nature. Another is to willingly subject their beloved pet to the risks associated with anesthesia.

Become Lazy:

Getting your dog fixed may affect their temperament (many times for the better) and also their activity level – while their activity level may decline, they should still be taken on walks and played with for daily exercise. Some people may not want to chance the affect the procedure could have on their pet and choose to steer clear.

The choice is one only you, the pet owner can make. Hopefully we have given you some good information to help work through this decision on your own. Best of luck on your journey of being a great dog owner!

Dr. Susan Wright DMV is a practicing veterinarian of more than 10 years. Dr. Wright has written many articles proper pet care and is the staff expert on dog containment systems for DogFenceDIY.com