Paws to Think

09/03/2026

Did you know that fostering an adoptable dog from IOWCAS is FREE?!

We need YOU to foster an adoptable dog!

Take a dog for a night, weekend, or however long you'd like. Totally up to you and your schedule!

Think you can't foster because you work? Think again! Eight hours in a crate (probably asleep) is better than 23 hours in a loud kennel alone 🤷‍♀️

Isle of Wight Animal Services is an open intake shelter. This means that we take in all of the stray animals found in Isle of Wight County, and the owner surrenders from residents within the county

We've had an uptick in stray dogs and currently have a list of people waiting to surrender their pets

We need your help to open kennels by temporarily fostering an adoptable dog!

IOWCAS covers all costs associated with fostering!

🐾What's holding you back from bringing home an adoptable dog for a few nights?

09/02/2026

Send a message to learn more

08/31/2026

Infertility and loss are both something that aren't talked about enough. Understandably, they're not easy or comfortable topics

I always thought I'd make this post with a pregnancy announcement, but it seems that it's just not in the cards for us

My wife and I tried to conceive (TTC) for about two years, starting in 2024. As a le***an couple, we ofc had to go different routes than a hetero couple

I actually got pregnant on the first attempt. Then, we unexpectedly lost Muffin. I miscarried about a week later.

Less than two months later, same thing. The second attempt worked, I got pregnant. Then we lost Conway. I miscarried about a week later.

What confuses me is the lack of discussion around TTC and pregnancy loss. Again, it's not an easy topic and it's taken me two years to be able to discuss it like this. But it was interesting because every single woman I confided in, had had a miscarriage. So, this unfortunately wasn't a topic women aren't aware of, yet, we're made to feel like it's something to keep quiet

Why is that when we as women are facing the hardest thing I've ever endured, we're isolated and made to feel alone?

Yesterday was Grief Awareness Day. I think we're all aware of grief and what it entails, but of course, grief affects us all differently and that's the thing we should try to understand

Today, I urge us all to consider the grief people are dealing with alone. The grief we don't always know about or see on the surface. You never know what someone is going through.

If you're comfortable, I'd love for you to share your own grief story. I often process my emotions and feelings by writing them. Of course, that's not for everyone!

08/31/2026

For years, I've seen people posting about the Nautical Dog anniversary sale, but usually too late to go

We FINALLY made it this year 🎉

As a dog trainer with too many dogs, I was like a kid in a candy store, but with BOGO dog treats 🤣🤷‍♀️

We got everything in the picture for free! Everything in the video is what we bought 😅

They had pretty much all of our favorite brands 😍 and a few new ones we're excited to try!

If you've never been, plan to go next year!

08/28/2026

Today is Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day 🌈

💙Azul was the first dog I adopted at 19. He's the reason I am where I am today

In the last four years, we've lost more than seven dogs. Granted, we've brought home hospice dogs, but that doesn't make it hurt less 💔

💚Fred was my second hospice dog. He had a collapsed trachea and passed unexpectedly just a few months later. BARC had him cremated and I brought him home where he belonged

🩷Ethel was my first hospice dog. She was at the shelter with Fred, but she appeared to be in worse shape. I had her for about two months before I went back for Fred. I had Ethel for 10 whole months. She taught me to rest. She'd yell at me until I sat down with her 😂🥹

❤️Muffin was my second foster fail, my heart dog. I was asked to take him to decompress because he'd shut down in the shelter. I initially thought there was an issue with his back because he didn't wag his tail at first. Each day, he stretched a little more and eventually started wagging it again! He passed unexpectedly two years ago

💚Conway was my first foster fail. After losing Azul, I wanted an older male for my next foster. He was obsessed with me and eventually won me over. He was 7 when I adopted him. My OG old man 🥹

❤️Lucy was my very first dog, the one who started my passion for dogs. She came to live with us for her last few months. Of course, we didn't know it'd be her last few months, so I'll always cherish that time with her

🖤Cash was also one of my childhood dogs. He and Lucy were always together, so he came to live with us too. He was an opinionated jerk, but we loved him 😂🥹

❤️Willie was our fourth hospice foster. He came from the same house as Fred and Ethel and also had a collapsed trachea. All three had the most solid temperaments with other people and dogs

Today, we remember all of the dogs included here and the ones who weren't. The ones who have taught us and shaped us into the people we are today 💜

🐾Who are you remembering today?

08/27/2026

Happy National Dog Day from the Bagley Bunch!

Of course, today was like every day, since our lives revolve around our dogs!

💜🐾How did you celebrate 🐕

08/26/2026

My top three favorite enrichment items (that you probably already have at home):

1. Cardboard boxes

2. Muffin tins

3. Metal bowl (mixing bowl, dog bowl, etc.)

Swipe through to see variations for dogs starting out and dogs who need more of a challenge!

💜🐾Have you tried any of these? If so, what'd your dog think?



Tips from a dog trainer / Affordable ways to enrich your dog / How to meet your dog's needs / Sniffing, licking, chewing, shredding

08/25/2026

Hounds aren't stubborn

*Cue the, "You haven't met my dog" comments* 😅😂

Dogs are usually labeled as "stubborn," when they don't do something when we ask (or take too long to do it)

In reality, dogs lack the capacity to be stubborn. It's a human quality that we project onto dogs (aka anthropomorphizing)

Typically, we as humans accidentally reinforce the wrong thing or punish the right thing!

For instance, if every time you call your dog, the fun ends and they have to go inside, they'll learn not to come when called 🤷‍♀️

In the case of hounds, people tend to forget how smart they are. Especially around here, hounds are used for hunting, thanks to their strong sense of smell! Sooo, there's not much more motivating to a hound than a good sniff!

This doesn't make them stubborn! Think of it as making it worth their while. We go to work for money, not pizza. Similarly, we need to "pay" our dogs with something (treats, play, toys, etc) that's equal to what we're asking them to do

Are you ready for a hound that teaches and challenges you?

Meet Brute!

When things get boring, he makes his own fun! 🥳

You'll never be bored! Brute is sure to keep your on your toes with a smile on your face!

Brute is ready to learn and grow with you! Apply online to foster or adopt!

Link in bio or visit the Isle of Wight County Animal Services website 🐾

🕑Open daily 11:30am to 3:30pm (closed Wednesdays)
📍13044 Poorhouse Rd., Windsor, VA 23487
☎️757-365-6318