Good Dog Jack Presents
Happy National Dog Month! August 2026
It's National Dog Month!
Happy National Dog Month from me and Spot! We hope it's a grrrreat month for you, with lots of walks, treats, and belly rubs!
Star of the Month
* Jane *
* Jane *
Hi everyone, I’m Jane! I came to live at Sanctuary House in March 2026.
I’m not sure what happened. Maybe I got lost on a hunt, or maybe a hunter abandoned me. But there was a massive snowstorm and I was caught and lost in the snow.
I’m not sure what happened. Maybe I got lost on a hunt, or maybe a hunter abandoned me. But there was a massive snowstorm and I was caught and lost in the snow.
Fortunately, a nice man spotted me. I had no tags, no collar, and no microchip, so he couldn’t find my owner. He took me to the county dog office to wait, but no one ever called for me.
That’s when my luck changed for good, and they brought me to Sister Mary.
That’s when my luck changed for good, and they brought me to Sister Mary.
No one knew my name. Sister Mary tried a lot of common beagle names: Katie, Sadie, Bet, Bella, Sue, Annie, and then she said, “Jane.” That’s my name, so I looked up and ran right over to her!"
At first, I wasn’t too sure about going inside the house, but I watched the other dogs and decided just to follow them. Actually it’s very nice inside – I have my own crate and bed and a chew toy.
Sometimes Sister Mary calls me Janie Blue because she loves me and I’m a blue tick beagle.
Sometimes Sister Mary calls me Janie Blue because she loves me and I’m a blue tick beagle.
And Sister Mary says I am her best trained dog! It’s true that Piper knows more words than I do and that Mec knows words in two languages, but I know best how to walk and how to behave.
I always stay on Sister Mary’s left side and a little behind her. One of the most important things hunting dogs learn is not to walk underfoot or in front of the person with a gun.
I can see that Sister Mary doesn’t have a gun, but I still walk carefully! Once she dropped a dog biscuit, but I didn’t rush ahead to get it – I waited for her to pick it up.
My best beagle friends here are Thea and Sammy – I love to play with them, but they don’t know any rules!
I always stay on Sister Mary’s left side and a little behind her. One of the most important things hunting dogs learn is not to walk underfoot or in front of the person with a gun.
I can see that Sister Mary doesn’t have a gun, but I still walk carefully! Once she dropped a dog biscuit, but I didn’t rush ahead to get it – I waited for her to pick it up.
My best beagle friends here are Thea and Sammy – I love to play with them, but they don’t know any rules!
When I went for my vet check-up, they said I am about eight years old and that I have heartworm.
Sister Mary gives us medicine every month, and I’ll be retested at the end of August. The vet said I shouldn’t run too much. We try to be careful, but sometimes Thea and I get the zoomies! And sometimes we even go under the steps to get a different view!
Sister Mary gives us medicine every month, and I’ll be retested at the end of August. The vet said I shouldn’t run too much. We try to be careful, but sometimes Thea and I get the zoomies! And sometimes we even go under the steps to get a different view!
I'm having a very happy summer!
I hope you are, too!
I hope you are, too!
Ascension Hermitage & Sanctuary in Westover, MD, is a lifelong safe haven for orphaned, injured, ill, unwanted, or abandoned domestic animals, as well as a sanctuary for local wildlife."
Spot Talk
Hi everybody, happy August! Don't I look cool?! Hanna is SO jealous! I got to wear the "Help" sign, the pirate hat, AND the super groovy sunglasses! Wow. This is WAY better than a piece of cheese!
Mom is looking for dogs (and maybe even a cat or bird), for 'Star of the Month' in our upcoming newsletters. If you would like to be a 'Star' send Mom some photos and information about yourself. Easy, right?
Stay cool, like me, and have a grrrrreat month!
Your friend,
Spot
PS. Mom said she if you have a photo of your dog that you would like to share, she would love to feature it as "Photo of the Month."
Mom is looking for dogs (and maybe even a cat or bird), for 'Star of the Month' in our upcoming newsletters. If you would like to be a 'Star' send Mom some photos and information about yourself. Easy, right?
Stay cool, like me, and have a grrrrreat month!
Your friend,
Spot
PS. Mom said she if you have a photo of your dog that you would like to share, she would love to feature it as "Photo of the Month."
Ear Mites
Scratch scratch... shake shake... Have you noticed your dog constantly pawing at his ears and shaking his head? If there is also an unpleasant odor, the culprit might be ear mites. These tiny, eight-legged parasites look like miniature crabs and love making a home inside your dog's ear canals. Occasionally, they can even move out onto the head and body. Ear mites are highly contagious and will quickly spread to any other pets in your household.
The yuckiest thing about ear mites is what they eat: your dog's earwax and skin oils! Once ear mites move into the ear canal, your dog's body produces extra wax to try and flush them out. Unfortunately, this creates a literal all-you-can-eat buffet for the parasites. Although they can occur at any age, ear mites are most commonly found in puppies, and dogs with poor immune systems. They have a three week life cycle and reproduce rapidly.
SYMPTOMS:
Scratching
Increased earwax
Thick, black-colored ear discharge
Head shaking
Sores around or on the ears
Itching of the head and neck
DIAGNOSIS:
If you think your dog may have ear mites it is important to bring him to your vet to be properly diagnosed. Since ear mites are so similar to dog ear infections, your vet will be able to find out which is affecting your dog and prescribe the correct treatment. If you take a look inside of the ear of a dog with ear mites you will see dark reddish brown or black debris throughout the ear canal. This debris has been described as looking like coffee grounds. The ear mites are visible to the naked eye and look like white dots among the dark debris. You may even see them moving around.
Once diagnosed, your vet will prescribe the appropriate treatment. It is important to follow the treatment directions in order to completely rid your dog of these parasites. Ear mite infections can be serious if left untreated resulting in damage to the ear canals and eardrums, leaving deformity of the ears, and possible deafness.
PREVENTION:
Always make sure to dry your dog's ears using a towel and cotton swab whenever you bathe him, or if he has spent time in the water. A routine ear cleaning once a month can also help discourage the presence of ear mites. Don't forget, if your dog has recently recovered from ear mites, make sure you clean his bedding thoroughly and check your other pets for infection.
The yuckiest thing about ear mites is what they eat: your dog's earwax and skin oils! Once ear mites move into the ear canal, your dog's body produces extra wax to try and flush them out. Unfortunately, this creates a literal all-you-can-eat buffet for the parasites. Although they can occur at any age, ear mites are most commonly found in puppies, and dogs with poor immune systems. They have a three week life cycle and reproduce rapidly.
SYMPTOMS:
Scratching
Increased earwax
Thick, black-colored ear discharge
Head shaking
Sores around or on the ears
Itching of the head and neck
DIAGNOSIS:
If you think your dog may have ear mites it is important to bring him to your vet to be properly diagnosed. Since ear mites are so similar to dog ear infections, your vet will be able to find out which is affecting your dog and prescribe the correct treatment. If you take a look inside of the ear of a dog with ear mites you will see dark reddish brown or black debris throughout the ear canal. This debris has been described as looking like coffee grounds. The ear mites are visible to the naked eye and look like white dots among the dark debris. You may even see them moving around.
Once diagnosed, your vet will prescribe the appropriate treatment. It is important to follow the treatment directions in order to completely rid your dog of these parasites. Ear mite infections can be serious if left untreated resulting in damage to the ear canals and eardrums, leaving deformity of the ears, and possible deafness.
PREVENTION:
Always make sure to dry your dog's ears using a towel and cotton swab whenever you bathe him, or if he has spent time in the water. A routine ear cleaning once a month can also help discourage the presence of ear mites. Don't forget, if your dog has recently recovered from ear mites, make sure you clean his bedding thoroughly and check your other pets for infection.
What's Cooking?
with Hanna Banana
with Hanna Banana
Happy August and Happy National Dog Month!
Yum, I LOVE strawberries, don't you? Some fruits, including grapes and raisins, are toxic for dogs. But not strawberries! Cherries, peaches and plums contain pits and they can be dangerous too. But not strawberries! Like blueberries, strawberries are perfectly safe in moderation for sharing with your dog.
In honor of one of my favorite things to eat (strawberries!) I have a recipe for a delicious strawberry cookie for your favorite dog!
Bone appetit!
xoxoxoxo
Hanna Banana, your favorite chef!
Yum, I LOVE strawberries, don't you? Some fruits, including grapes and raisins, are toxic for dogs. But not strawberries! Cherries, peaches and plums contain pits and they can be dangerous too. But not strawberries! Like blueberries, strawberries are perfectly safe in moderation for sharing with your dog.
In honor of one of my favorite things to eat (strawberries!) I have a recipe for a delicious strawberry cookie for your favorite dog!
Bone appetit!
xoxoxoxo
Hanna Banana, your favorite chef!
YUMMY STRAWBERRY COOKIES
Ingredients:
1/2 cup diced strawberries
1 banana
1 cup whole wheat flour
1/4 cup oatmeal
1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees
1. Mash bananas and strawberries
2. Add in flour, oatmeal and yogurt. Stir until well combined.
3. Turn dough out onto well floured counter. Dough will be sticky.
4. Roll dough to 1/4" and cut out shapes with cookie cutter.
5. Place on lightly greased cookie sheet.
Bake for 15-17 minutes until golden brown and still slightly soft.
Store in refrigerator in airtight container for up to 3 weeks.
Note: My dough was really sticky so I added more flour. Hanna loved these cookies!
Ingredients:
1/2 cup diced strawberries
1 banana
1 cup whole wheat flour
1/4 cup oatmeal
1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees
1. Mash bananas and strawberries
2. Add in flour, oatmeal and yogurt. Stir until well combined.
3. Turn dough out onto well floured counter. Dough will be sticky.
4. Roll dough to 1/4" and cut out shapes with cookie cutter.
5. Place on lightly greased cookie sheet.
Bake for 15-17 minutes until golden brown and still slightly soft.
Store in refrigerator in airtight container for up to 3 weeks.
Note: My dough was really sticky so I added more flour. Hanna loved these cookies!
Photo of the Month
"Lucy"
"Lucy"
Lucy is a happy girl and the newest pup at Ascension Hermitage & Sanctuary
Good Dog Jack
Smiling Riley
Two special Westies who will remain in my heart forever.