Buddy Up Animal Society

12/30/2025

12/28/2025

Several Bay Area dog owners are in shock, angry and, in some cases, grieving. They're trying to make sense of a case that started with the hiring of a dog sitter from one of the most trusted service apps, Rover. One of its approved dog sitters is at the center of a police investigation after at least two dog deaths and reports of abuse.

Story below.

12/19/2025

Getting a puppy? There will be days like this.

You basically need to become a homeschool puppy kindergarten teacher. Days are filled with gentle socialization, naps, puppy age activities and training, chews, more potty breaks, naps and the requirement of slip on shoes.

Remember that days of sleep deprivation and puppy woes may happen.
It's not all cute Instagram videos and puppy snuggles.

It's really a lot of potty breaks and chewing.

Photo is from a few years ago when Robin was just a few months old and while teething he went through a bout of extra chewing and irregular sleep cycle. Therefore I went through a bout of bed head. 😂

12/17/2025

Please stop forcing your dog to sit when you're passing another dog.

Your dog never needs to sit when they pass another dog, especially if they show signs of stress or fear like barking, growling or pulling

I know it might feel like you lost control but this is not your training moment.

You might even feel like you need to show the other dog owner that you will make your dog sit, maybe as an apology? I know it can feel embarrassing or like it was out of the blue but dogs do dog things and they react in dog ways not human ways.

So what to do?
Help your friend out. They are telling you they are too close, it's too much or it feels unsafe. Get them out of there. Safety and the feeling of safety are important. Show your dog when something scary happens they can trust you.

Plan to work on the issue later on when you can control the distance from the other dog.
Get help from a professional trainer if need be.

Get to know dog body language and why your dog is not undermining your authority but actually feeling freaked out.

The same is true for kids, cars and other things your dog might be overwhelmed or scared by.

12/13/2025

12/12/2025

Please be kind to Opossum, especially during the colder months...

Opossum are not particularly well equipped for life in northern New England, and yet they have been found here in increasing numbers since about 1900. Unlike other fur-bearing mammals in the region, opossums have relatively thin coats, and their ears, tails, and feet are virtually hairless.

Besides lacking the proper outerwear, opossums do not hibernate. Except for denning up for short periods during the very coldest weather, they must be out and about all winter searching for food, which makes them extremely vulnerable to hypothermia and frostbite. In fact, wildlife biologists use signs of frostbite to judge an opossum’s age; a frostbitten tail and ears show that the animal has lived through at least one winter. This far north – central New Hampshire and Vermont and southern Maine mark the northernmost reaches of their eastern range – opossums rarely live more than two years, though they live much longer in warmer climates.

( Interesting fact- they are the United States only marsupial )

12/09/2025

12/04/2025

Update- Adoption Pending!!!!!!!!!!
Dear Santa Paws,

My name is AJ and I am 13 years old. I am at Harvest Hills because my owner had to go to a nursing home and couldn't take care of me anymore. I have been in the shelter for almost four months and everyone has taken very good care of me, but this Christmas I wish to go home with a loving family. I have been a very good boy this year. I am housebroken and I never have accidents inside, and I love to clean up the floor after my people. I may be an older boy, but I still love to play and go for walks. My dream family will be patient people who will play with me and take me for walks but also allow me to rest when I am tired. I have lived with children and cats before, but I haven't socialized with dogs too much in my life. I have some medical issues that will need to be addressed, so my new family should be aware that I will need some vet care and a prescription diet. I guess all I really want is a loving home to call my own for the pawlidays!! I promise to be extra good for my new family and give them all my love (which is a lot!!). I hope you can make my wish come true this year.

Love,
AJ