Ladybug, a shelter pup at Pet Helpers, to be featured in national 'Puppy Bowl' show
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – Ladybug, a 12-year-old Chihuahua mix at Pet Helpers, will be featured this Sunday in a nationally televised 'Puppy Bowl' as the event's first-ever senior dog coach.
The telecast is meant to raise awareness about pet adoptions with 142 rescue puppies from 80 shelters across 40 states.
Pet Helpers said Ladybug came to Pet Helpers after her owner entered hospice care
The animal shelter on Folly Road said rehoming older pets can be challenging; however, Ladybug has proven that senior dogs have just as much love and energy to give.
'This is an incredible moment for Pet Helpers and for senior dogs everywhere,' said Melissa Susko, Executive Director of Pet Helpers. 'We've had a puppy in the Puppy Bowl before, but to see Ladybug take the field as the first-ever Senior Dog Coach is truly special. We're thrilled to be part of this event again, especially in a way that highlights the love and resilience of older dogs who are so often overlooked. Ladybug is proof that age is just a number, and we can't wait to cheer her on as she helps these puppies put their best paws forward.'
The show will air at 2 p.m. on Animal Plant, Discovery, Max, and Discovery+ among other channels.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Newsweek
5 days ago
- Newsweek
Woman Told Adopted Dog Is Chihuahua-Border Collie, People Aren't Convinced
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A woman's roommate recently adopted a dog, but when she found out the breed mix, she had her suspicions. Sarah, who is known on TikTok as @hitthecurbb, told Newsweek via TikTok that her roommate, Susan, saw a picture of the small dog and immediately fell in love with it. Susan adopted her, thinking the dog was a Chihuahua; however, Sarah thought otherwise. "I was personally suspicious that she was a mix of some kind with either a Border collie or cattle dog due to her behavior," Sarah said. "My roommate then looked at her chart and realized she was mixed with a Border collie." Sarah said her roommate must have missed the full breed listing on the chart originally, getting drawn in by the dog's adorable photo. But the pup, Miss Frizzle, was listed as half-Chihuahua and half-Border collie, a surprising and unusual mix. She revealed in a May 20 TikTok video the now-famous Miss Frizzle. Sarcastically, she kept asking how one could tell this pup is a Border collie, as the black-and-white dog timidly came closer. The animal looked up at her with giant eyes, accepting all the pets. Screenshots of a woman showing off her roommate's dog, Miss Frizzle, who is a half-Chihuahua and half-Border collie mix. Screenshots of a woman showing off her roommate's dog, Miss Frizzle, who is a half-Chihuahua and half-Border collie mix. @hitthecurbb/TikTok But after seeing how this small dog acts in their home, Sarah said she believes there is no denying that Miss Frizzle has some Border collie in her DNA. "She jumps off surfaces and lands perfectly on her feet; she is good at puzzles; she has endless energy for playing; and she crawls and crouches down like a Border collie," Sarah said. "According to my roommate, she also herds!" Viewer Reactions The TikTok video amassed over 129,300 views and 18,900 likes as of Monday, with the comment section showing viewers split between whether or not you can see the Border collie in Miss Frizzle by looking at her. "Hey, sorry, that is actually a Chinchilla. Hope this helps!" joked one user. Another added: "What a cutie. Bred to herd guinea pigs." A third person wrote: "She's herding dust bunnies when you're not looking." But many thought the signs were obvious: "All these people saying 'she has no Border collie' have never seen one before—the body language alone lmaoooo [laughing my a** off] it's so funny how they all act exactly the same." Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@ with some details about your best friend, and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
Newsweek
5 days ago
- Newsweek
Woman Returns Home—Unprepared for What She Finds in Dog's Bed
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. A pet owner got the surprise of a lifetime after returning from a day out to discover her two Chihuahuas had become three. From the moment Lené Ackermann laid eyes on her Chihuahua Lola as a puppy some three years ago, she knew she was special. "We got her from a friend that was giving away some of her Chihuahuas babies," Ackermann told Newsweek. "She was the only girl in the litter and the smallest, so we knew we had to take her." In a household already containing four cats and a pit bull, Lola has always known exactly how to stand out from the crowd. "She loves being dressed up; we put her in little dresses and outfits, then she will run around to show everyone her outfit, tail wagging with the biggest smile on her face," Ackermann said. A lover of naps who refuses to sleep anywhere other than under a cozy blanket on the bed, Lola is also an avid foodie with something of a Spidey sense for knowing whenever anyone is opening a bag of chips. Up until recently, Lola's biggest passion was the army of toys she keeps a "protective" eye over. "She does not let them out of her sight," Ackermann said. "She will bark at any other animal that comes close to them. When she wants to eat or go outside, she drops it off with either me, my mom, my dad or my sister. We are the only people she trusts with her teddies. It is adorable." However, that all changed one day recently when Ackermann found Lola cuddling up to something far more adorable than any stuffed animal: a Chihuahua puppy. "We were out the whole day at a sports competition and, when we got home, there was a clean puppy lying with Lola in the bed," Ackermann said. Though the owner said she had noticed some minor physical changes, Lola's pregnancy was a completely surprise. "It really was not visible at all," Ackermann said. "You would think, because she is such a tiny dog, it would be quite obvious, but it was not! "We started speculating a day or two before only because two of the teats started swelling," Ackermann added. "Despite us having so many animals, we have never dealt with an animal pregnancy before because all our other animals are fixed, so we didn't really know what to look out for and what to be aware of." Westerman shared footage of this unexpected turn of events to TikTok under the handle @lenelickedthat. The video has been watched more than 1.7 million times and, in true Jerry Springer fashion, everyone was desperate to know who the father was. It didn't take Ackermann long to work out the likely culprit. "He's also one of our other Chihuahuas; his name is Pablo," she said. "But he is only 7 or 8 months old so we had no idea it was even possible for how young he was!" Spray and neutering procedures play an essential role in managing pet population in the U.S. and helping stem the flow of unwanted pets into the country's shelter system—but studies suggest there is a serious problem. A 2025 study published in the journal Frontiers in Veterinary Science project there being a 3.7-million deficit in the number of essential surgeries of this kind performed in high-quality high-volume spay-neuter clinics. Thankfully, Lola and Pablo's story has a happy ending. "They're a happy family now," Ackermann said. "At first, Lola did not let Pablo near the baby! Not sure why? It took her a while, but she's allowing him to also look after the baby a little bit. She's a caramel-colored girl, and we are keeping her. We are still trying to decide on a name."
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Yahoo
As a Mom of Two, These Are the Only Summer Toys I'd Ever Recommend
"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." Already looking at the clock and wondering why the time is ticking by so slowly? Summer can be a joyous season, filled with outdoor activities, family picnics, and weekend getaways, but it can also be draining for parents. Why not set yourself up for success by filling your cart with a few worthwhile toys? As a mother of two, I've absolutely been guilty of buying cheap toys with same-day delivery just to give the kids something to do, only to have those toys lose their luster (or worse, break) after a few hours. The following toys do not fall into that category! These toys are meant for long days at the beach, sunny afternoons in the yard, and late nights waiting up for fireworks. From travel toys that'll have your kids so occupied they'll forget to ask, "Are we there yet?" to playhouses that'll have siblings play like a nice little family to old-school family games, these toys are the best of the cozy coupes from Little Tikes are a time-honored classic. There are so many variations – Fairy, Dinosaur, Ladybug – but toddlers will go nuts for the latest collab: Bluey. This one is inspired by an iconic episode (that my own toddler has memorized), "Grannies." Ages 18 months to 5 years. $89.00 at Dive N' Surprise is new for 2025 and I had my own 6-year-old daughter test it out. This is her review: "This toy is perfect. I like that it's pink. I wouldn't change anything." You heard it here first, folks. Ages 5 and up. $12.99 at and '00s toys are all the rage right now. Lite Brite was great then, and it's even better now because the brand released a Mini Touch version. With no small pieces to keep track of, it's ideal for the car. Ages 6 and up. $20.96 at to get dirty? Peg Perego makes the most reliable ride-on toys for bigger kids. My son is partial to the John Deere Ground Force Tractor, but if you have two kids, I highly recommend the John Deere Gator XUV. It's an investment, but that's what grandparents are for, right? 3 to 8 years. $398.99 at to break out the pressure washer this summer? Your kid will love playing Mom or Dad and "helping out" with their own version. If you really want to earn points, get the Auto Repair Workbench, too. 3 to 8 years. $49.99 at rolling around the blacktop on one of these? They've improved from when we were kids; handtomind added handles so no one's fingers would be in danger of being scraped up. This model comes in three colors: orange (pictured), blue, and green. Ages 4 to 10. $29.99 at has some awesome toys for little kids — check out the Water and Sand Sensory Table — but I'm duly impressed by their kits for older kids. The Automatic Bubble Blower is an instant favorite, but the Chain Reaction Workshop is pretty remarkable, too. Ages 9 to 11. $24.00 at cannot believe how entertaining this little fish is. The battery-operated toy from SwimWays comes in four variations and we love ours so much that we've already ordered a second one. Whether your kids know how to swim or they're still in floaties, they'll love following this little guy around the pool. Ages 5 and up. $14.99 at truly nothing more delightful than watching my 3-year-old diligently try to hack through our trees with this fake chainsaw. It's our favorite of Red Toolbox's Stanley Jr. line, which also includes a hedge trimmer, a leaf blower (complete with fake leaves), and a weed whacker. Pro tip: Get your kid the leaf blower so they can cool you off at the pool. Ages 3 and up. $41.99 at a toddler who won't go anywhere without a doll? Get them a doll that's meant to get wet as a summer companion. The Splash and Play Seahorse Doll from Madame Alexander was built to withstand long hours in chlorinated waters and even comes with her own terrycloth robe. Ages 2 and up. $50.65 at a builder on your hands? Go all-out with a mega set from Playmobil. This RV-themed kit will keep them busy for hours, but if the price tag is too steep, opt for the camping set. Ages 4 and up. $118.99 at you're headed to a backyard barbecue, bring this two-in-one toy that'll distract the kids while you have a second cheeseburger. They can jump to the music then try the ring toss game once they're exhausted. Ages 4 and up. $26.95 at love just about any craft kit from Made By Me. The materials are a really good quality for the price (most are under $12) and the kids end up making something we actually want to display. Window art is my pick for the summertime, but you can't go wrong with rock art or sand art. Ages 6 and up. $9.97 at toy companies will never stop introducing new substances to muck up our carpets, will they? If your kids like slime and kinetic sand, they'll love Slimy Sand. Grab a kit with molds or just buy a bucket of the stuff. Ages 3 and up. $22.99 at only is this a fun and easy craft for the summer, it'll make a great gift for the grandparents! You can also use it for pets, just make sure you wipe Fido's paw before he goes inside. No age listed. $9.99 at the mini-me who follows you everywhere, might I suggest an itty-bitty barbecue set? This one comes with everything they need to make a delicious wooden meal. (My kids are also big on the ice cream counter.) Ages 3 and up. $15.39 at cannot over-exaggerate how much kids love stuff that glows in the dark. They can use these magnetic tiles in their room after the sun goes down, in a camping tent, or shut up alone in their closet. (Is that just a my-kids thing?) Ages 3 and up. $26.49 at have to venture outside of Amazon for these water blasters but trust me when I say it's worth it. I'd never seen battery-powered water blasters before, and my kids went absolutely feral over them. They shoot water with barely any pressure on the trigger, light up, and are easy to refill. Ages 6 and up. $24.99 at art is a big trend for little kids and mine prefer these Color Wonder books. Unlike books that come with water pens to color in pages, the kids get to chose colors themselves. These are great for the car and we also frequently bring them as a restaurant activity. Ages 3 and up. $8.58 at you have a big kid or a teen with an affinity for sports, grab a glowing ball for late-night fun. MindWare has both this football, which comes with a tee, and a basketball, which comes with a strip of solar-powered lights for the rim of your hoop. Ages 5 and up. $34.95 at still reigns supreme in the sandbox. These heavy-duty toys will last for years, especially the Steel Classics series. The dump truck is fun and durable, but my 3-year-old also loves the monster truck version. Ages 3 and up. $24.99 at is the industry standard for inflatable pools, so even if this dino-themed option isn't your jam, they have a pool for you. Octopus pool? Got it. Rainbow pool? Got it. Simple above-ground pool? Got it. Ages 2 and up. $86.99 at bag is all you need for a full—and I do mean full—day at the beach with a toddler. Literally they just want to play with water and sand. That's it. 18 months and up. $21.55 at Hydro Lacrosse set from SwimWays is perfect for families with older kids and adults who want to play together. It's meant for the pool (or beach), but you can also play with them on land. And for $15, you could do a whole lot worse. In some restaurants, a side of avocado is $15. Ages 5 and up. $15.00 at love binoculars. Save your Nocs and give them a pair meant just for kids: the GeoSafari Jr. Kidnoculars from Educational Insights. These have tens of thousands of positive reviews from parents, and I can attest that my kids fight over them every year. Ages 3 and up. $14.99 at you have a toddler and you're headed into warm weather, you need a water table. It's not a suggestion; it's a requirement. These tables will keep their hands busy, encourage standing, and get them familiar with basic laws of gravity. This one is slightly larger, so it's perfect for households with more than one kid. Ages 18 months and up. $79.99 at bouncy ball: so simple, so perfect. Name a kid that doesn't like one of these things. I'll wait. Ages 4 to 8. $18.88 at big fans of Step2's play structures in our household. They can get pricey, but this sports-themed option will keep toddlers entertained for hours. If you do feel like spoiling your kids, I highly recommend this camper-themed playhouse. Ages 2 to 6. $114.99 at ropes are a childhood staple, but not all jump ropes are created equal. This beaded version is shatterproof, comes in three lengths and three color options, and has top-notch reviews. It's a terrific way to burn some energy (and calories) if you are looking to up your own exercise game this summer, too! No age listed. $14.97 at may want to steal this Koosh playset from your kids. It comes with two paddles but you can also just challenge yourself to bounce the Koosh solo — major '90s vibes. Ages 4 and up. $21.99 at the joy of running up to a slippery slide and coasting down into a puddle. Back in my day, we just scorched out bellies. Your kids will have the benefit of using inflatable boards! This popular option comes in several colors and two lengths. No age listed. $29.99 at Flyer's ramp-car-combo is an investment, but we're on year three of this being the most popular toy in our backyard. Every kid who comes over for a playdate inevitably ends up on this thing. It's especially cool if you have a slight downhill slope — that way they really gain some speed. Ages 3 and up. $119.99 at some point, you will have an indoor day. Maybe the weather is crappy or just don't don't feel like a visit to the park, whatever the reason, you need an indoor toy. Get a set of tunnels, a bag of balls, and never look back. No age listed. $59.99 at all the gifts my daughter received for her birthday, this is the one she wanted to try first. It's shockingly easy to make these things and requires very little parental setup. We are now the proud owners (parents?) of an entire aquarium of slimy creatures. Ages 6 and up. $24.99 at 3-year-old son was always trying to steal his sister's Kinetic Sand — she has the ice cream kit — so we got him this cool folding sandbox. The guy loves it. It's may not be as colorful as the other kits, but it's just perfect for a toddler who loves trucks. Ages 3 and up. $22.49 at You Might Also Like 70 Impressive Tiny Houses That Maximize Function and Style 30+ Paint Colors That Will Instantly Transform Your Kitchen
