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!
Dog Life
“Help! I’ve Become a Helicopter Parent to My Dog.” | by Rachel Feintzeig for The New York Times
A self-aware confessional about falling down the rabbit hole of dog parenting culture. The author initially scoffed at friends’ suggestions for human-grade dog food and canine boarding school, but when her high-energy Australian labradoodle Sally needed more than apartment life could provide, she found herself coordinating play dates, enrolling in doggy day care with heated pools and obstacle courses, and pinning Sally’s academy certificate next to her son’s math award. As Feintzeig observes, “Parenthood makes hypocrites of us all.”
Arts & Culture
Elliott Erwitt’s Secret Muse | “Dog Days” by Elena Clavarino for Air Mail
The legendary French-born photographer who died in 2023 at 95 was known for his photographs of “benevolent irony”—many featuring our four-legged friends. As he explained, “Dogs make easy, uncomplaining targets, without the self-conscious hang-ups and possible objections of humans caught on film.” Now his beloved collection gets a beautiful reissue from Phaidon, featuring 500 dog photographs and a charming essay by P.G. Wodehouse. Air Mail offers a preview of the collection, sharing a handful of photos from the book.
Erwitt’s insight: “This is not a book of dog pictures but of dogs in pictures.”
DogDogs by Elliott Erwitt, with text by P.G. Wodehouse
Home & Design
Dana Perino’s House Tour | The New York Times
The Fox News host’s Bay Head, New Jersey beach house reveals a serious case of dog devotion. The décor blends maritime and canine themes, with dog art throughout, including portraits of her late Vizsla Jasper (one painted by George W. Bush) and photos of current dog Percy. “Sometimes our decorator will hide the dog pictures from me, but I always find them and bring them back,” Perino admits. Her “perch” office on the third floor and favorite morning reading spot in the sunroom show how a true dog person designs a home around both work and four-legged family.
Sports
Bruce the Bat Dog’s Major League Debut | MLB.com
The Washington Nationals called up Bruce, a 21-month-old golden retriever, from Triple-A Rochester for his MLB debut. The ceremony included a pregame press conference and special recognition for the bat-retrieving dog.
Trend Watch
Puppy Yoga: The Phenomenon Everyone’s Talking About
The American Kennel Club calls it “the ultimate feel-good experience”: yoga classes where puppies roam freely. Classes are booming nationwide, with participants calling it “the happiest hour of their lives.”
A Slate writer’s honest take captures the appeal: Despite arriving skeptical, she found herself “entirely free from suffering” when mini schnauzers provided “totally uncompromised fun” during practice.
The benefits are real: stress relief for people, crucial socialization for puppies. But investigations have found studios sourcing from puppy mills, operating without licenses, or creating unsafe conditions. Animal welfare advocates raise concerns.
Our recommendation: Puppy yoga can be a genuinely joyful experience when done right. Before booking, do your homework—ensure the puppies are responsibly sourced, properly cared for, and that the studio prioritizes animal welfare over profit.
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
