Welcome to Dog-Eared, a curated roundup of what we’re reading, watching, and thinking about in the digital dog world. We gather dog news that stands out: smart reporting, thoughtful essays, notable studies, and the occasional viral moment that earns its place.
Grab a treat (for yourself and your pup), get comfortable, and dive into some of our favorite dog-related content. We hope you enjoy it as much as we did!
Weekend Watch and Read
Even Superman has a dog!
What Superman’s Pet Owes to a Badly Behaved Rescue Dog | E. Zuckerman for The New York Times
As Krypto makes his big-screen debut in James Gunn’s Superman, Zuckerman explores how a real-life badly behaved rescue dog inspired the creation of Krypto, Superman’s canine companion. It’s a fun look at how our messiest, most challenging pets can inspire even our greatest heroes.
The Secret Origins of Krypto the Superdog | D. Dockery for Vulture
Dockery traces the 70-year journey of DC’s “goodest boy” from experimental test subject to cultural icon. From his 1955 comic debut as Jor-El’s rocket guinea pig to his role in the Legion of Super-Pets, Krypto has weathered editorial reboots and tonal shifts while embodying both “Rockwellian Americana” and delightfully outlandish sci-fi.
Remembering
Hortmans’ Beloved Dog Gilbert Lay in State with Slain Minnesota Lawmaker and Her Spouse | J. Hanna for Associated Press
A Minnesota Lawmaker and Her Husband Are Lying in State. Next to Them: Their Golden Retriever | E. Londono for The New York Times
In June, Minnesota State Representative Melissa Hortman, her husband, Mark, and their golden retriever Gilbert were laid to rest after a tragic shooting. Gilbert became the first dog to lie in state at the Minnesota Capitol—a powerful testament to the bond between humans and their canine companions.
The Hortman’s trained dogs for Helping Paws, a nonprofit that provides service dogs to people with disabilities. Helping Paws accepts donations to support this tremendous effort. Training and matching an Assistance Dog takes about 2½ years, requires thousands of volunteer hours and an investment of about $30,000. See our Weekend Watch below to learn more about the impact of trained service dogs on those who rely on them.
Documentary Spotlight
Unleashing Hope: The Power of Service Dogs for Children With Autism | Streaming on Hulu, Produced by Rosie O’Donnell
This documentary special showcases the transformative impact of service dogs on children on the autism spectrum. The film captures both the challenges these families face and the remarkable ways specially trained dogs can provide stability, comfort, and independence.
Documentary Deep Dive: Don’t miss the reporting on the film by the Guide Dogs of America—essential context for understanding this important work.
Donate and Support: The film highlights the work of Guide Dogs of America | Tender Loving Canines, who provide highly trained autism service dogs at no cost to eligible children and their families.
Think Piece
How To Save a Dog | D.W. Brown for The New Yorker
Brown’s charming essay follows a city’s search for a shaggy white dog named Scrim, weaving together themes of community, compassion, and the lengths we’ll go to for our canine companions. It’s both a specific story about one dog and a universal meditation on why we care so deeply about animals in need.
Perfect for: Anyone who’s ever stopped everything to help a lost dog—or wondered why we do.
Quick Bites
- Product Pick: Looking for the ultimate pet hair vacuum? A. Mularz and K.I. Adelson for The Strategist recommend the Dyson Gen5detect Cordless Vacuum Cleaner.
- Style Watch: Scarf shopping? Jour de Casting scarf 70 by Hermès.
- Viral Worth Reading: Little Bear Lumi, the Samoyed with 1.3+ million followers, played ring bearer in a custom tuxedo. Read “They Met at Summer Camp. Now Their Famous Dog Is Stealing Hearts” by T. LaGorce for The New York Times.
That’s a wrap on this issue of Dog-Eared! Found something we missed? Drop us a line at [email protected]. And remember—the best dog content is the one that makes you appreciate the pup sleeping at your feet right now.
The Dog-Eared Team
