"I hadn't planned on adopting a dog. I am retired and grew up with dogs but I haven't had one since I was a teen. Tragic to Magic was at a "Doggy Street Fair" I attended. I was so impressed at how caring their volunteers were. They explained their mission and introduced me to their dogs. After much discussion I took a sweet dog named Betty White home with me to foster. The rescue gave me a packet of care information and they contacted me regularly to see how we were doing. After two weeks I was a foster fail and who knew failure could be so perfect! Betty has become a sweet addition to my family (2 cats) and I can't imagine our home without her. Betty was in their care for almost a year and she is so well behaved and healthy (I received her veterinary records). She is a calm and well socialized dog that I can bring anywhere without any problems. I credit this to the care and attention she had with this rescue."
— janice f.
Adoptee
"Tragic to Magic is like family! They have the most loving animals and volunteers. We adopted the most wonderful dog from them and we still keep in touch and visit their adoption events regularly."
— beverly s.
Adoptee, Supporter, Fan
"The most heart filled miracle workers --who rescue from the streets of Mexico. They transform the homeless , sick, wandering canines and heal them, until they are well enough to be afopted. Major medical efforts are daily routine. They are True blue rescuers. They deserve the award."
— lisa l.
Volunteer / foster
"In 2021 we lost our 11 year old dog Buddy to cancer. Our home felt so empty without him. While searching for a new addition to our family we found Tragic to Magic. When we met Skye it was love at first sight. We learned that she was rescued off the streets, we brought her home where she could be loved. We had a little struggle adjusting at first, she was afraid of everything and everyone. I reached out to Tragic ti Magic and they put me in touch with someone that was able to help us understand what she was going through. It has been 3 years now and we couldn’t be happier! She is so sweet, cuddly, and funny. She makes me laugh everyday. I am so thankful to Tragic to Magic. The name surely is fitting."
— kathy l.
Adoptee
"My beautiful boy was found by these people on the side of the road after he had been hit by a car. They scooped him up took him into veterinary Care. He recovered and after I adopted him at an adoption fair he now enjoys a wonderful life with me in Canada. He is a wonderful companion and I truly appreciate the work that Tragic to Magic does"
— katherine p.
Adoptee
"Tragic to Magic brought us our sweet dog, Charlie. They are angels, boots on the ground folks, who go into Baja to rescue dogs and puppies from the most unfortunate situations, helping to spay/neuter, rehabilitate, and rehome them. So very grateful for this dedicated grassroots rescue and all they do for dogs who would otherwise have nobody."
— darcy d.
Adoptee
"I saw this beautiful face pop up on my Facebook through Tragic to Magic. A black and white mama who was abandoned on the streets with her six puppies had been rescued. They had called the public to give their best name ideas for the new rescue. When I looked at that picture, her face was just so sweet and her eyes were tender. I commented that I wanted her name to be “Mandy!” And to my surprise, the name was chosen for her. I didn’t really think much of it, as I was actually caring for my dying German Shepherd, Rex. In planning his passing, I knew that the other dog I had, Darla Lou Darling, was going to need an immediate companion. It was in that moment, that I remembered the sweet face of that rescued mama, Mandy. It wasn’t long after my German Shepherd of 12 years died that Mandy came into our home. Although it was a heartbreaking time of loss, Mandy completed our little pack, bringing comfort, and lots of laughs to Darla, and I. For this reason, I chose the complete name of “Mandy Moon” because her light brightened our darkness. It is because of the work and commitment of Tragic to Magic thousands of dogs have homes, find health, are restored, and also restore the hearts of their new owners."
— jodie m.
Adoptee
"I rescued Amy from Tragic to Magic. They responded quickly and guided me through the adoption process. They allowed me to foster for two weeks before adoption. They also stated if it doesn’t work out to contact them. You can see how they want the best for their animals."
— kat b.
Adoptee
"About a year ago we adopted a chihuahua mix through Tragic to Magic. Our adoption took place at Petsmart in Happy Valley Oregon. The pup was in really good shape for a guy who had been running on the street for much of his life! We felt that this pup as well as the others that day had been well socialized by recuers/fosters ...Our guy took the expected few days to adjust and decompress in his own space and another week or so to be interested in our other dog..but after that..no stopping him. We really appreciated that he had his initial shots and neuter when we got him. Our family vet pronounced him a healthy, good looking little guy. Hope Tragic to Magic returns to our area at some point. Henry Thomas Pickles just might need a friend in the future."
— melissa l.
Adoptee
"I adopted my Wesley from Tragic to Magic in 2020. TTM rescued his malnourished mother and 4 siblings who had been born in a dump. They nourished mom back to health and bottle fed the pups till they were all back to good health and then everyone got adopted to good homes. TTM dedicates itself to dogs in tragic situations and commits to nursing them back to good health and getting them good homes. I’m so grateful for their kindness and hard work."
— susan s.
Adoptee
Discover the Jack Russell Terrier, a breed celebrated for its intelligent and affectionate nature. Recognized as a small dog, Jack Russell Terriers have their origins in England, where they were initially bred for fox hunting and vermin control starting in the 19th century.
Discover the Dalmatian, a breed celebrated for its affectionate, trainable, and loyal nature. Recognized as a medium-sized dog, Dalmatians have their origins in Croatia, where they were initially bred for coaching (running along carriages), guarding, and hunting starting in the 16th century.
Discover the Bernese Mountain Dog, a breed celebrated for its affectionate, loyal, and playful nature. Recognized as a large dog, Bernese Mountain Dogs have their origins in Switzerland, where they were initially bred for guarding livestock and droving work starting in the 1st century.
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog in Albuquerque? We’ve got you covered! Take a look at the best local dog parks and plan for your next adventure in Duke City.
44.5 percent of all American households share life with a canine companion. Pet professionals like dog trainers, veterinarians, and veterinary behaviorists are more important than ever as our modern society becomes increasingly difficult for four-legged friends to navigate—dog reactivity, anxiety, and general stress from lack of proper enrichment are on the rise in domestic dogs.
Does your dog ever growl when you walk by their food dish? Maybe they get possessive of treats, carrying them far away and giving you side-eye when you start to approach — or snarling at your other pets or children if they get too close.
As almost every dog owner is aware, the nose of a dog is an amazing thing. Just as they can pick up sounds we can’t hear, their sense of smell and ability to pick up scents is well beyond ours. In fact, dogs have 40 times the number of olfactory receptors as humans.
More than 80 million Americans rely on their service dogs to help them navigate the world. Task-trained assistance animals perform a huge range of life-changing—in many cases, life-saving—services: These dogs act as eyes for visually impaired handlers, provide mobility support, alert to seizures and blood sugar crashes, interrupt anxiety attacks, remind their people to take medications, and so much more.
You thought your dog was house trained. Your home was clean from puddles of pee, those dreaded middle-of-the-night bathroom breaks were behind you, and you loved every minute of dog ownership… until your four-legged best friend started using the bathroom inside again. What’s going on?
Ah, poop. We humans think it’s disgusting… but many of our dogs seem to love the stuff. If you’re wondering why your canine companion tries to eat feces (either their own or that of other animals) you’re not alone!
Do you have a water-loving dog looking to burn some energy? There are countless dog parks to visit throughout our country — but some of them become far too hot in the midday sun to be safe for your pets to play. That’s why we’ve put together a list of some of the best dog water parks throughout the United States! At these locations, your pup can frolic, splash, and swim to their heart’s content.
* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
Does your dog destroy every toy you give them? Is your house littered with remnants of fabric and stuffing of all different sizes? Are you tired of investing in “indestructible” toys only for your pup to still dismantle—or worse, get bored of—them in just a few days?
You’ve been told your dog needs regular exercise. There’s a reason “walking the dog” is a classic daily activity: Frequent excursions give your pup a chance to experience the world, maintain a healthy weight, and — most importantly — spend time with you! Consistent physical activity can also improve their strength, muscle tone, coordination, and mental ability over time.
* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
Many dogs have gotten a bad reputation over the years for being "dangerous breeds." Rottweilers are among them. Like pit bulls and other large, blocky-headed types of dogs, these powerful and beautiful animals are often assumed to be aggressive.
Your dog is reactive. They’ll see another dog, person, or other stimulus in the environment (like a car or bike) while out on a walk and suddenly go crazy at the end of their leash. The barking, lunging, and growling feels embarrassing for you — and it’s clear that your pup isn’t having a great time either.
Does your dog display reactivity to other pets or people? Maybe they’re a new rescue pup and are still settling into your home. Or they were sick growing up, so you missed their critical socialization period. Possibly they’ve had a bad experience after being raised as a normal puppy.
Do you have a reactive dog or suspect you may have one? You’re not alone!
* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
From 2009 to 2020, there was a 40 percent increase in the development of public dog parks. Designated spots for canine exercise have become commonplace in every major city in North America — many pet owners won’t even consider renting an apartment that doesn’t have its own fenced-in pet area for their canine companions.
Thousand Oaks, California has been a safe haven for Sniffspot host, Jen, since childhood. Having grown up in busy Santa Barbara, Jen, an introvert from an early age, would seek out solitude and serenity away from tourists attractions and droves of people visiting from elsewhere. “My grandparents own 60 acres about a 30 minute drive from here, and I grew up spending every summer and every holiday visiting them on the ranch,” Jen explained. “In Santa Barbara, we wouldn't go to the beach on the weekend because that's where everybody was, so you'd find places off the beaten path where the tourists weren't. For me, the ranch was just my happy place.”
Ellen is the host of Country Pasture Getaway, one of Sniffspot's most popular sniff spots. She has taken the time to write up the lessons she has learned about how to be a great sniff spot host.
Just 20 minutes outside of the busy city of Portland, Oregon, and settled right on the banks of the Columbia River, you’ll find what countless visitors have flocked to the area in search of – mountain views, crisp, clean air, and running water for miles. What you might not expect to find, however, is a hidden oasis designed just for dogs and their people, owned and operated by a farming couple and enjoyed by visitors on two legs, and four.
Fran is the host of Ranch Setting, one of Sniffspot's most popular spots. She has taken the time to write up the lessons she has learned about how to be a great Sniffspot host.
Looking for a space to play with your dog no matter what the weather’s like outside? Look no further than our list of the best indoor dog parks in the United States! These climate-controlled spaces are growing in popularity as pet ownership increases throughout the country. As a bonus, many of them also offer dog training, boarding, grooming, or daycare services on the premises.
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog? We’ve got you covered! It’s hard to narrow down, but we’ve put together some of the best off-leash dog parks throughout the country so you can plan your next adventure — along with a checklist of what to bring, what to know beforehand, and some frequently asked questions.
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog in Las Vegas? We’ve got you covered! Take a look at the best local dog parks to plan for your next adventure in Sin City.
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog? We’ve got you covered!
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog in Portland? We’ve got you covered! Take a look at the best local dog parks and plan for your next adventure in the City of Roses.
Discover the German Shepherd Dog, a breed celebrated for its intelligence, loyalty, and versatility. Known for its impressive size and smooth, graceful movements, German Shepherds excel in various roles, including as guide, therapy, bomb detection, and police dogs, while being a devoted family companion.
Discover the Labrador Retriever, a breed celebrated for its playful nature, affectionate temperament, and trainability. Labradors are known for their friendly demeanor and adaptability, making them perfect family companions and versatile working dogs.
Discover the Golden Retriever, a breed celebrated for its affectionate, playful, and trainable nature. Considered a large dog, Golden Retrievers were originally bred in Scotland for hunting and retrieving game beginning in the 1860s.
Discover the American Staffordshire Terrier, a breed celebrated for its playful, friendly, and loyal nature. Considered a medium-sized dog, American Staffordshire Terriers were originally bred in the United Kingdom for baiting bulls, fighting, and hunting beginning in the 1800s — though they're known as gentle, playful lovers today.
Discover the Australian Shepherd, a breed celebrated for its trainable, playful, and affectionate nature. Considered a medium dog, Australian Shepherds were originally bred in the United States for herding beginning in the 1950s.