Police Dog Gets Fired From K-9 Job For Being Too Cute And Friendly, Later Gets An Even Better Job

When it comes to the qualities of a good police dog, we have to mention their intelligence, aggression, strength, and sense of smell. They are specifically trained to assist police and other law-enforcement personnel. For this reason, if a dog is too cute and friendly, he is just not for this type of work.

Meet Gavel, the adorable German shepherd who was fired from k-9 job for being too friendly. Yup, instead of sniffing out explosives or tackling suspects for the Queensland Police Service in Brisbane, Eastern Australia, Gavel was more interested in getting belly tickles and cuddles from strangers.

To read more on this story, click here: Police Dog Gets Fired From K-9 Job For Being Too Cute And Friendly, Later Gets An Even Better Job

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Oak-Mite Bites: Cicadas May Have Left D.C. Region An Itchy Gift

The incessant, shrieking sounds of cicadas may no longer be afflicting the Washington region, but experts say the insects may be bringing a new nuisance — oak leaf itch mites. And they bite.

“We wake up at night just scratching,” said Cynthia Palmer of Arlington, speaking for herself and her 16-year-old daughter. Palmer said she has 12 to 15 bites all over her body and finds new ones daily. “It’s like we have splotches of white paint all over us now that we’re using the calamine [lotion]. The sores are red and swollen, so it’s not pretty.”

To read more on this story, click here: Oak-Mite Bites: Cicadas May Have Left D.C. Region An Itchy Gift

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‘High-Rise Syndrome’ In Cats: They Don’t Always Land on Their Feet -Breaking the Myth

It is often said that cats always land on their feet – and indeed they do have a complex righting reflex that naturally kicks in as a cat falls, allowing it to orientate itself to land on its feet. However, the fall needs to be high enough to allow the cat to twist, but not too high to cause serious injury, and the cat’s legs need to be able to absorb the shock of the fall. With high falls the jaw often hits the ground and is broken, and other severe injuries can also occur. Older or less agile cats may also not be able to right themselves in time.

To read more on this story, click here: ‘High-Rise Syndrome’ In Cats: They Don’t Always Land on Their Feet:- Breaking the Myth

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I Cannot Figure Out Why My Cat Begs For Water From the Sink, So I Asked 2 Vets

My cat Elvis is very particular about the water he drinks, almost never drinking from the water dish my two other cats use. Instead, whenever I brush my teeth, he sits on the counter waiting for his cup of bathroom tap water. Recently, he's started begging to drink water straight from the tap. He'll jump into the bathtub to lap up the water after someone showers. My dad has even gone so far as to figure out that Elvis's preferred drink is a blue bowl of water from our fridge, microwaved for one minute to warm it up, and set down for him on the floor right next to his scratching post.

To read more on this story, click here: I Cannot Figure Out Why My Cat Begs For Water From the Sink, So I Asked 2 Vets

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These Common Household Foods Can Be Poisonous To Your Pets

(Meredith) -- It’s National Pet Poison Prevention Week and many pet owners may not be aware of all of the foods that can be dangerous to their cats and dogs.

Pet expert Haylee Bergeland from DailyPaws.com has some important information you should know to keep your pet happy and healthy.

Bergeland says that common pet poisons owners tend to forget are things like caffeine.

To read more on this story, click here: These Common Household Foods Can Be Poisonous To Your Pets

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Dog Paw Problems: What You Can Do About Them

The eyes are windows to the soul, but your dog’s paws might be windows to his well-being. They provide a prominent place for health issues to reveal themselves to you and your vet.

“Dogs feet are generally hardy, and minor cuts and abrasions usually heal quickly,” says Dr. Neil Marrinan of Old Lyme Veterinary Hospital in Old Lyme, Conn. But some injuries and conditions need your vet’s attention. Dr. Marrinan and Dr. Brett Levitzke, medical director of the Veterinary Emergency and Referral Group, Brooklyn, N.Y., describe some common paw problems and what pet parents can do about them.

Fungal Infections

Yeast organisms (fungi) are normally found on your dog’s paws, but an underlying condition can cause them to multiply and cause problems. Licking excessively is a tell-tale sign of a yeast infection, Levitzke says, along with red nail beds, a reaction to salivary enzymes. Other symptoms include itching, redness and discharge.

Yeast infections are often secondary to allergy, the doctors say, with the most likely culprit atopic dermatitis. However, environmental or food allergies also could be to blame. “The vast majority of dog paw problems are skin problems that are worse at the feet,” Marrinan says.

Your vet can test the area to determine if yeast is the culprit and treat the infection with topical products, antifungal wipes and shampoos. If these treatments don’t do the trick, the underlying allergy may need to be addressed with antihistamines, steroids or anti-itch medications, Levitzke says. If a food allergy is suspected, elimination diets—where ingredients are taken out and then added back in—can help identify the trigger.

Ringworm, a fungus found in soil or brought in from other animals, plants or from dog parks, also can infect your dog’s feet, and is not actually a worm or a ring. “It can look like a swollen toe or an abscess,” Marrinan says. Your vet will examine a sample of hair or skin under a microscope or send it to a lab for diagnosis. You can treat ringworm and prevent its spread with medicated bath products and a thorough cleaning of your dog’s environment. Ringworm is contagious and may spread to humans or other pets.

Bacterial Infections

Like yeast, bacterial organisms also are normally found on your dog’s paws, but a secondary health condition can cause them to multiply excessively. Symptoms include licking/biting, redness, swelling, pain/itching and abscess. Your vet can take a sample tissue from the affected area and evaluate it to determine if bacteria are the problem and, if so, prescribe either oral or topical antibiotics and antibacterial shampoos and soaks.

Ingrown Toenails

Nails that are not trimmed properly or naturally worn down by walking outside can become painful ingrown toenails. Your vet can treat them with antibiotics and pain medication, but severely ingrown nails might have to be surgically resected, Levitzke says.

Torn Toenails

A torn nail is common in the emergency room, Levitzke says, often after a tussle with another dog or a paw snags on carpeting or other material. When the entire nail has been pulled off,  take your dog to the vet for immediate treatment to stop bleeding and manage pain. Antibiotics also might be prescribed. “If the nail has been incompletely removed, the treatment would be to remove the remaining bit,” Levitzke says.

Burns

Hot asphalt can hurt your dog’s paws, and burns need to be treated immediately. Bandaging usually is required as a protective barrier on the skin or paw pad affected, Levitzke says. Antibiotics and pain medication are also typically indicated.

Frostbite

Think of frostbite as a cold burn. As with burns from hot asphalt or pavement, these injuries need immediate veterinary attention. Treatment for frostbite includes bandaging, pain control and anti-infection measures. Avoid this injury by limiting your dog’s exposure to the elements.

Winter Salt

Prevention is the best way to avoid these injuries, Levitzke says. Put booties on your dog’s feet and use dog-safe salt. If your dog does get salt on his paws, wipe it off with a towel/paper towels. “We find that it tends to burn particularly when the paw pads with salt on them touch the snow, so try to avoid walking through salt and then snow, or wipe off feet between getting salt on them and walking through the snow,” he says.

Ticks

“One of the more common places we find ticks hiding is between the toes,” Levitzke says. “It is best to have a veterinary medical professional remove the tick.” Never take a lit or recently lit match to the tick. If you can’t get to the vet, use tweezers to grip the tick from the head and gently pull it out. The head must become detached along with the body for successful removal, he says. Pet supply stores also sell special tick-removal tools.

Mites

Mites such as Demodex canis can present a frustrating problem and require a deep skin scrape or a biopsy to diagnose, Marrinan says. These mites can cause Demodicosis in which the mites that normally live in your dog’s hair follicles multiply and cause swelling, hair loss and scaling on your dog’s paws. Your vet will examine hair or skin samples under a microscope to accurately diagnose the condition, which is treated with medication, sometimes for several months.
Hairy Feet

Dogs with lots of hair on their feet can catch gum, sticky asphalt, burrs and thorns in crevices, which can be hard to find and painful to remove. Prevent these problems by having the hair clipped by your groomer. Ingrown hairs manifest in short-haired dogs as tiny pimples and can lead to furunculosis, an infection deep in the hair follicle that can abscess and cause tissue damage.


~Source~
Dr. Neil Marrinan/Old Lyme Veterinary Hospital in Old Lyme, Conn. 
Dr. Brett Levitzke, Medical Director/Veterinary Emergency and Referral Group, Brooklyn, N.Y.



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9 Great Apes At San Diego Zoo Become First Non-Humans To Receive A COVID Vaccine

 

SAN DIEGO (CBS Los Angeles) – Nine great apes at the San Diego Zoo have received a COVID-19 vaccine, it was reported Thursday.

The four orangutans and five bonobos received an experimental vaccine developed by drug maker Zoetis, per CBS News.

The zoo chose to give the great apes the vaccine after several gorillas at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park contracted COVID-19 in early January.

To read more on this story, click here: 9 Great Apes At San Diego Zoo Become First Non-Humans To Receive A COVID Vaccine

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Understanding Why Cats Like High Places

Cats are often more comfortable in the upper part of a room where they can keep an eye on the world below them.

Most cats enjoy being in high places. Whether it's a high shelf, a window perch or the top of the refrigerator, your cat may feel more comfortable in the upper half of the room where he can keep an eye on the world around and below him with greater confidence.

Instinct plays a large role in determining this feline habit. Cats are tree-climbing mammals that descended from Proailurus, the first true cat. Early cats were hunters and many of them lived in the rain forests. Their claws enabled them to climb skillfully, escaping into trees for safety or climbing up high to lie in wait for prey. In other words, climbing had survival value and became hard-wired as a way of life for cats.

To read more on this story, click here: Understanding Why Cats Like High Places

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Meet Smoothie, The World’s Most Photogenic Cat

 

As you can see from these pictures, Smoothie knows how to pose for the camera. Then again, it’s pretty easy for her. After all, while most of us have a best angle, EVERY angle is Smoothie’s best angle! With 175k followers and counting, Smoothie is the cat that Instagram was made for, so head on over to her popular page and join her legion of worshippers. As it says on her site, “Sometimes you just need a Smoothie in your life”. We couldn’t agree more.

“This gorgeous kitty has a coat of fur that is luxuriously long and fluffy. When she sits up tall, her legs are hidden behind all that floof. With that bushy tail strutting about, she turns herself into a foxy kitty.“

To read more on this story, click here: Meet Smoothie, The World’s Most Photogenic Cat

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A Complete Guide to the Best Rabbit Breeds

Rabbit breeds come in all shapes, sizes, colors, and personalities, which can make picking the right one overwhelming. The American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA) officially recognizes 50 unique breeds, ranging from the playful Californian rabbit to the adorable English Lop. If you’re considering adopting a bunny, we have everything you need to know to help find the perfect companion.

To read more on this story, click here: A Complete Guide to the Best Rabbit Breeds

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Do Not Use Dog Hair For Bird Nests

Safe and natural materials for birds to make their nest

Thank you so much to the person who wrote to me and asked about leaving materials outside for birds to use to make nests. While it isn’t time to think about that now – we still have snow in Manitoba – there are many places in the world where birds are looking for materials right now. You can also use this list to gather up materials later.

There are two common things that people put out thinking they are helping birds but they are not. Their little legs get caught, twisted, and broken. Those two things are mesh fruit bags and the other is yarn and string. There was a recent article suggesting that people put things inside a mesh bag so that the birds can pull the material out. Please don’t. Use a wire suet container – they cannot get their tiny legs caught in it – if you feel you have to hang up the material. There are also craftspeople making specialized metal objects just for this purpose. And while yarn is commonly thought of as a good nesting material and people delight in seeing the colourful strands woven into a nest, the yarn also can get twisted around little legs. I know that no one putting out nesting material wants to break the legs of these lovely creatures.

To read more on this story, click here: Do Not Use Dog Hair For Bird Nests

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Did You Know That You Could Be Living Near Some of the World’s Most Dangerous Animals?

Do you know if you’re living near some of the world’s most dangerous animals? You very well could be. Whether you’re going for a swim, a hike, or even if you’re just relaxing outside, you might encounter a deadly creature. When it comes to danger level, size really doesn’t matter. Some of the smallest animals also are the deadliest.

Take mosquitoes, for example. These tiny pests are well-known for their disease transmission, causing more than 750,000 deaths each year, compared with the larger, more aggressive hippo that causes around 500 deaths annually.

The list contains creatures that are poisonous and vicious, huge and small — proving that danger isn’t dependent on size. But don’t let us scare you away from your next adventure; just be on your guard!

1. Tapeworm

The tapeworm is usually found in raw, contaminated fish or meat. This parasite causes cysticercosis, an infection that spreads throughout the body’s tissue, and affects the muscles and the brain, causing seizures. It can kill up to 700 people yearly.

Being vegan doesn’t look so bad now, does it?

2. Black Mamba

The fastest snake there is, the black mamba can travel up to 12.5 miles an hour. Like the Golden Poison Dart Frog, one of the snake’s bites is poisonous enough to kill ten people. There is an antidote for the venom, but it must be taken within 20 minutes of the bite to prevent death. If you find yourself in the savannas of Eastern and Southern Africa, you might see one of these snakes. Don’t be too worried though, they only attack when threatened.

3. Box Jellyfish

Let’s hope you can swim at a fast pace if you come near these stinging jellyfish. If you happen to be in Australia and swimming the Indo-Pacific region, you might be able to catch a transparent box jellyfish. The sea creature has 15 tentacles, grows to approximately 10 feet long, and is transparent. Their long tentacles are coursing with nematocysts (stinging cells), and attack the skin cells, nervous system, and heart all at once. There are hundreds of stinging incidents — most fatal — annually.

The venom has an antidote, but most victims don’t make it to the hospital to receive it. Survivors are usually left with weeks of pain and scarring.

4. Cape Buffalo

With the nickname “black death,” there’s little guesswork around whether or not these African mammals are deadly. Although calm in a herd, when an individual cape buffalo is threatened or hurt, you better keep your distance. Six feet tall and weighing in at almost a ton, the animals are a force to reckon with, and are apparently the most deadly creatures dwelling on the African continent. You can’t outrun these animals either, as they can reach a charging speed of 35 mph.

5. Cone Snail

With a beautiful, small, and delicate appearance, these Caribbean sea creatures live close to the shore in shallow water and on coral reefs. But what’s a beauty without its beast? These 4-inch to 6-inch snails have poisonous venom within their concealed, teeth-like projectors. If the venom, called conotoxin, enters the victim, they face complete paralysis. Your best bet is heading to the emergency room ASAP. Better hurry because according to the snail’s nickname (“cigarette snail”), the poison will kill you in about the same amount of time it takes to smoke one.

6. Saltwater Crocodile

Unlike the black mamba, the saltwater crocodile is much more inclined to attack, as they’re easily provoked. The croc can be found in the oceans near India, Vietnam, and northern Australia.

Weighing more than a ton and stretching 23 feet in length mean it’s no match for mankind. Their bite delivers a pressure of 3,700 pounds per square inch  compared with the 200 psi of a man’s bite into a piece of meat. The crocs cause hundreds of deaths annually — more than sharks.

7. Deathstalker

Found in the deserts of the Middle East and North Africa, this scorpion’s venom is the most deadliest of its kind. The sting can cause fever, coma, convulsions, paralysis, and ultimately drowning from fluid build up in the lungs. Seek medical help immediately to avoid the side effects of the sting!

8. Rabid Dogs

More than 30,000 people are killed by dogs each year, mostly due to the dog being infected with rabies. This usually occurs in areas where there’s a heavy stray dog population, such as India.

Don’t worry though, dogs are still a man’s best friend, just watch out for the stray ones!

9. Tsetse Fly

Flying around such sub-saharan countries as the Congo and Angola, the tsetse fly’s deadly punch comes from the parasites it carries. Trypanosomes cause what’s known as the “African sleeping sickness.” The disease disrupts the sleep cycle, as well as changes behavior, and can result in a lack of coordination. No vaccines or medicines exist, and death can be the final result. However, you can take precautions by wearing neutral colors, steering clear of bushes, and wearing permethrin-treated gear.

10. Golden Poison Dart Frog

Native to the northern Pacific coast of South America, these rain forest frogs have enough poison to kill up to 10 people. About 2 mcg, which would fit the top of a toothpick, is all it takes to kill one person.

The Emberá indigenous tribe would lace their blow darts with this venom, ensuring death upon contact. If you happen to be visiting the rainforest, don’t go touching these frogs. The venom is hidden under the frog’s skin, making for a poisonous surprise.

11. Hippopotamus

These animals are known as Africa’s deadliest. They need no provocation and will attack just because. They are especially aggressive toward humans, known for tipping over their boats and even causing up to 500 deaths each year. They also can weigh more than 6,000 pounds, so try not to get squished.

12. Humans

Humans have been killing each other since the beginning of time. Wars alone have resulted in an estimated 1 billion deaths. Gun violence and terror attacks are just some of the ways humanity faces death. Our effects on climate change —and threat to pretty much every living creature —make us the most deadly species in the world.

13. Mosquito

Mosquitoes carry various pathogens that cause a staggering amount of deaths each year. More than 3,000 species of the insect exist and can be found all around the world. The Aedes, Anopheles, and Culex genera are largely responsible for transmitting malaria, encephalitis, yellow fever, chikungunya, elephantiasis, West Nile virus, dengue fever, and Zika. Together, these diseases have been responsible for 700 million deaths. Because they’re attracted to humans’ body temperature and the exhalation of carbon dioxide, more than half the human population faces infection. Insect repellents are your best bet against these blood-suckers.

14. Pufferfish

These blowfish can be found in such places as Japan, China, and the Philippines. They’re the second-most-poisonous vertebrate in the world and their neurotoxin — tetrodotoxin — is the most deadly. More poisonous than cyanide, tetrodotoxin causes paralysis, dizziness, vomiting arrhythmia, and breathing difficulty. The poison is spread throughout the fish’s skin, muscle tissue, and various organs. But that’s not enough to stop people from consuming the fish for a good meal. The poisonous parts are avoided in preparation and are uneaten, of course. In Japan, the meal is called “fugu,” and is prepared by trained professionals. However, deaths still result from not being careful enough preparing the fish.

15. Blue-Ringed Octopus

The last deadly sea creature on this list has venom that can kill up to 26 people in one bite. In minutes, the person bitten could be paralyzed and unable to breathe. If that isn’t painful enough, the victim — if breathing has been stabilized — could face hours of their body being neutralized.

16. Africanized Honey Bee

The dangers of Africanized honey bees, sometimes called killer bees, may seem obvious just by their nickname, but in all honesty their deadly moniker is actually underselling them.

Genetically engineered by a Brazilian beekeeper in the mid-20th century, the creatures are much more aggressive than their European counterparts.

They’re known and feared for their tendency to swarm in record numbers and relentlessly chase victims, sometimes for miles.

17. Great White Shark

While Great white sharks aren’t the killing machines that have been portrayed in media like Jaws, the creatures are still some of the most dangerous on Earth.

While they won’t knowingly hunt humans, great whites will often bite with their massive jaws to “test” if something is edible. Said bite can be instantly fatal to a human, and if not it will often cause them to quickly bleed.

18. Komodo Dragon

Komodo dragons are not generally thought of when people begin listing dangerous animals, however that probably has more to do with the fact that humans have limited contact with them in the wild.

The animals are deadly hunters who will track their prey, attack suddenly, and rip out their throats, then head back into the shadows until they bleed out. Only then will the Komodo feed.

19. Hyena

While hyenas are generally stereotyped as being cowardly scavengers, the truth is more complex.

Spotted hyenas kill over 95 percent of the food they eat. Striped hyenas are scavengers, however they are regularly able to chase away much larger animals, including lions, from their kills.

Hyenas don’t generally attack humans, however they have been known to on occasion in the past, especially at night.

20. African Lion

The king of the jungle is referred to as such for a reason.

The African lion is one of the world’s most accomplished predators, and while they’re not known to hunt humans, there have been several documented cases throughout history.

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Black Galapagos Tortoise Hatching at the Three Jays Tortoise Sanctuary in Florida

 

When the breeding started, only 14 turtles from the island of Española remained. Now, the population has exceeded 1,000. A total of 15 species of Galapagos tortoises have been identified in the Galapagos Islands, two of which have become extinct and 12 are endangered.

How much does a Galapagos Turtle cost?

One or more: $6,995.00/each

Do Galapagos turtles bite?

They lack teeth, but their jaws are lined with horny sharp ridges, which come together like a pair of pinking shears. Some types of turtles and tortoises will bite defensively, but these gentle creatures almost never will. However, if a person should misjudge while offering them food, a large tortoise could easily remove a finger.

Megan says the green paint on his carapace (top shell) is to indicate what clutch this baby came from.

According to her, this species is an endangered Galapagos tortoise, one of many the sanctuary has bred for conservation purposes.

More information on the Galapagos Tortoise

                                               Click on picture

                                                       

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Why You Should Never Approach a Service Dog: Teen with Disabilities Had a Seizure When Her Service Dog was Distracted

Hailey Ashmore has several conditions, including: epilepsy, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, reactive hypoglycemia, severe allergies, gastroparesis, and asthma.

The 16-year-old from Dallas, TX relies on the help of her service dog, Flynn.

According to Fetching Apparel, Hailey was once a dancer on the varsity drill team, student council member, violinist and at the top of her class. However, with her conditions progressing, Hailey can only take classes online.

She is dependent on her parents, nurse, medications, and Flynn. The condition she grapples with the most is epilepsy, which causes seizures. Seizures are very serious; in another instance, a mom had a seizure and was unable to tend to her infant at the mall.

“To get a service dog you must be disabled to the point where you can no longer function at a normal quality of life without the assistance of service dogs,” said Hailey.

“It takes around two years of intense training and thousands of dollars (if you owner train) to actually be able to call your dog a service dog. A service dog can go anywhere its handler goes, with the exception of a sterile environment such as an operating room or burn unit, a religious building — such as a church, or some federal buildings,” she said.

The job of a service dog is very important to its human. See why Hailey is pleading with strangers to get them to stop petting her dog without permission.

  

                    Hailey has had Flynn since he was an itty-bitty puppy.

                              Needless to say, it was love at first sight.

Hailey also struggles with several conditions. “I have epilepsy, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome, reactive hypoglycemia, severe allergies, gastroparesis, asthma, and more,” Hailey told Fetching Apparel.

Flynn isn't just a friend — he is Hailey's service dog. Flynn can sense when Hailey is going to have a seizure before it happens. This gives Hailey time to respond, get help, and find a safe place.

One day, Hailey was visiting her dad at work. When she arrived with Flynn, a staff member could not resist how adorable he is. They began to pet him, ignoring the giant "STOP" sign he wears. "I immediately told him to stop [petting Flyyn],” Hailey told the Dodo.

"The only time somebody should ever approach Flynn and I is if I am unconscious and/or having a seizure. Besides that, nobody should try to pet or get near him. I wish people could understand that's what the giant stop sign patch means. If somebody distracts him I can get seriously hurt. If you see a service dog in public please educate your children, your friends, your family, anybody else that they are doing a really important job. Thank you."

While Flynn was distracted from the petting, Hailey had a seizure. “I am used to him giving me 10 minute warnings, so when he alerted that’s what I thought I had,” explained Hailey. “Out of nowhere I remember the world going black. I woke up with Flynn on top of my legs and my father cradling my head. On the whole left side of my face there was a terrible sting that made me tear up.”

                                  Hailey woke up with rug burns on her head.

"My service dog is my lifeline. I don't say that to be cute. He helps keep me alive just like life support. If he gets distracted this happens. If he gets distracted I can die. Do not pet service dogs. Do not call to service dogs. Do not taunt service dogs. Do not talk to service dogs. Do not do anything to service dogs. Thank you," she wrote on Instagram.

Many of us are so eager to connect with animals, we often forget that they are protecting their human. Let's learn something from another's mistake and be more mindful of other people's animals!

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