Paws&Beyond

05/30/2026

Ella wants to let everyone know we are running low on some supplies to keep the shelter running clean and smooth! We know the community is always a huge help whenever we are in need so Ella figured she'd come ask for a few donations!

We are in desperate need of:

Paper towels
Bleach
RESCUE cleaner
Odoban or Simple Green
Used or new towels
13 gal trash bags
Small blankets for cats
Sanitizing wipes
Wet cat food
Wet dog food

We usually feed food brands like Purina, Iams, Diamond Naturals, Blue Wilderness, etc. but we accept any brand and type! All donations can be dropped off either at the shelter - if no one is there they can be left outside the door since we are in and out a lot throughout the day. They can also be dropped off at the Bucksport Public Safety building on Franklin Street.

Amazon Wishlist: https://tinyurl.com/BAS-wishlist

05/20/2026

05/11/2026

Every time a dog shows aggression towards a person, the conversation almost always lands in the same place; “what’s wrong with that dog?”
But the reality is far less simple and, if we’re honest, far less comfortable.

A recent study looking at the views of professionals working directly with these cases found that aggression isn’t driven by one thing, or even a handful of obvious ones. There were 18 different factors identified and most of them had very little to do with the things people like to blame, like breed or age.

What stood out instead was everything around the dog. The way they’re trained. Whether their needs are actually being met. The environment they’re living in. And, perhaps most importantly, how well the people around them understand what they’re trying to communicate.
In fact, almost all professionals in the study pointed to a lack of understanding of dog behaviour as a key risk factor and thats the bit that should make us stop and think. It shifts the focus away from the dog being “the problem”, and towards something much more uncomfortable, the human side of the relationship.

If a dog is living in a world where their signals are missed, their needs aren’t quite met, and their environment feels unpredictable or overwhelming then their behaviour is going to reflect that.

So maybe the better question isn’t “what’s wrong with the dog?” It’s “what’s this dog living through?”

Reference: Howell et al. (2026). Factors influencing the expression of human-directed dog aggression: A qualitative study of professional opinion. Applied Animal Behaviour Science.

05/09/2026

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and we want to talk about something not often discussed: mental health in veterinary medicine. 💚

Veterinarians and veterinary technicians face some of the highest levels of stress in any profession. Studies show veterinarians are 2–4 times more likely to die by su***de than the general population, with veterinary technicians also at increased risk.

Why? It’s a combination of factors many people don’t see:
– High-pressure environments, especially in emergency veterinary medicine
– Emotional strain and compassion fatigue from caring deeply for every patient
– Difficult conversations about treatment, cost, and end-of-life care
– Client conflict and, increasingly, online criticism and bullying
– Significant financial stress, with average veterinary school debt exceeding $200,000

We share this not for sympathy, but for awareness.

Behind every exam, emergency surgery, and late-night case is a team that cares deeply and is doing their best under intense pressure.

If you’ve ever had a positive experience with a veterinary team, a small act of kindness, patience, or understanding can go further than you think.

If you’d like to learn more or support mental health in veterinary medicine, check out Not One More Vet ➡️ https://nomv.org/

04/28/2026

This is a post about Tessa but it’s also a post about all the dogs we love, so I think it’s worth reading even if you don’t know Tessa.

Almost two years ago Tessa was diagnosed with heart disease and this past week we were told she now has Congestive Heart Failure. This wasn’t news we were ready for but she is 13 after all, and with the help of an amazing team at Portland Veterinary Specialists and our team here at Salty Dogs, I am hopeful about the time we have left with Tess.

Reflecting on Tessa’s life lately, I’ve had to interrupt myself from going down a path of guilt. “Was her life full enough? Did I do enough? Did she experience enjoy joy? If only I had done xyz training she could have done this and that.” Social media certainly doesn’t make this easier.

If I had spent my time training Tessa to be out in public more, would she have been able to do it? Yes. Would she have enjoyed it? Probably not. Would it have increased her quality of life? No. Was her time better spent in the woods, on the porch, with her friends and family, playing and romping? I think so.

When thinking about the training skills your dog needs, I think it’s worth asking: do they really need to do this, or do I just want them to? Sometimes the expectations we place on our dogs and on ourselves to train is so high and I can’t find a really good reason to do it.

I realize this post is a little scattered, the anticipatory grief is a real…mindf**k. But what I think I’m trying to say is, when you look back on your dogs life, you’ll remember the moments of joy and love, not how tight their heel was or how long they could hold a down stay in a stressful environment. Gear your training towards the skills that allow your dog to life a joyful life.

04/24/2026

I’m on vacation with my kiddos until May 1st☀️
So please be patient if you try messaging or inquiring, I will get back to you next week!🐾

04/19/2026

TODAY IS THE DAY!

It’s not too late to join us and learn more about your dog, how to live with them, and why they do the things they do!

Our workshop today at 3:00 will cover everything you need to know AND is a fundraiser to help cover costs for dogs in our community who need training help.

Message us to sign up!

04/18/2026