I've had a bit of a weepy morning, getting emotional over some very powerful pet stories. I always knew that pets could be the most amazing source of comfort and love. In the past I've experienced the wonderful companionship of a dog and the brilliant cheering effect of a couple of guinea pigs, a pair of canaries, a brace of tortoises and a tank full of fish (my mother was very patient). I began to understand a bit better how incredible the support of a pet can be when my grandfather died, and my mother's elderly cat shadowed my grandmother through the early, painfully difficult days until they became the best of friends.

So while the heartwarming stories of Jess, Ben and Susie that I describe on our Blogger blog were of no surprise to me, they still thoroughly touched my heart. To hear of a dog pulling someone back from the desperation of self-harm and suicide attempts is to fully understand the phenomenal power of the love these beautiful creatures have to offer.

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Today has been a good day for finding sweet, interesting or unusual dog stories on the Internet, so I've taken a leaf from the book of other professional bloggers and I'm doing a 'link dump'. Sounds unpleasant, I know! But all it means is dropping a few quick links to other sites that have caught my attention.

- Tests to be introduced for Swiss dog owners: More about this on our Blogger blog later!

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So you've decided to adopt a dog? First-time adopters and might be wondering about the best way to welcome their new pal into their home.

Some things are common sense, like doing as much research as you can and ensuring that the basics – food bowls, beds, toys – are ready; however, there are also extra tips to be offered by experienced dog owners. Turning to one of the biggest groups of dog lovers and adopters online, I dipped a toe in the DoggySnaps forums and asked what users had done to welcome their new pals home.

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Many of you will have seen a story about an artist called Guillermo Vargas Habacuc circulating in the papers and online - it made the London Metro just this morning. People are claiming that he captured a stray dog, tied it to a post and let it starve to death as part of an exhibition. This happened back in 2006, but he has been invited to display his artwork at the Bienniel celebrations this year.

If this is true, it is a horrifying story. However, reports from the gallery and investigations by the Humane Society in the US suggest that the dog was actually only tethered for a short time, that he was fed and that he subsequently escaped; they also confirm that Vargas will not repeat his art this year.

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As a general rule, people who love animals tend to be interested in the environment. Although our pets are domesticated, we learn respect for all living creatures and try to offer them as comfortable a home as we possibly can. We then extend this courtesy to wild animals and some of us even manage to think of humans from time to time...

Today is Earth Day, and to celebrate this many pet blogs and eco-conscious web sites are considering ways to make your everyday life a bit greener. Here at Dogs Trust I've been doing my research and have come up with just a few simple ways to make your pet ownership that bit greener.

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As Editor, I spend a chunk of my day trawling the 'net for the latest pet news; today I ended up with a very strange mix of things to think about!

The first was working dogs. Yet another friend of mine asked me what happens to dogs at Rehoming Centres that don't make suitable pets. A lot of people now know about the Sponsor A Dog scheme, which is a very important part of what we do. But fewer seem to consider the option of training a dog to go into work with the prison service, Armed Forces or police. I took a look at what kind of qualities make a great working dog and was surprised myself as some of what I discovered.

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We all know that dogs need regular daily exercise. The closer to a routine, the better for behaviour management, although some breeds are more relaxed and adaptable than others. Unfortunately we all know at least one family where affection for the animals can sometimes override common sense, and their pets are becoming more heavyweight.

There are some ways we can help though. The owner might not realise they can embark on a fitness routine similar to those we would plan for ourselves. So, which moves can we incorporate to make sure dogs get variety and fun on their walks?

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Anyone who's experienced the loss of a beloved pet will know that time to mourn is needed - even if it interferes with a crucial match.

Gilles De Bilde got himself in hot water with Belgian football club Willebroek after failing to attend a game in order to mourn the death of his dog.

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I feel a bit like I've gone back to my teaching days today...

No, I'm not comparing our lovely DoggySnaps community members to seven-year-olds eagerly learning about Vikings, but I've had to put on my Editor Hat (it's a fetching number with feathers) and remind a few of you of the rules.

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In view of the sad news of the loss of a Staffie puppy that you might have seen on the forum, it seems even more important to remind potential dog owners of all the benefits and responsibilities that come with owning - or being owned by - one of these amazing dogs.

Staffies are among the most faithful, enthusiastic and loving of dog breeds, but increasing numbers are finding their way to Rehoming Centres thanks to their dynamic personalities. Unfortunately, the breed’s macho reputation also seems to be putting potential adopters off…

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We're appealing for volunteers to help support the Freedom Project by providing temporary foster homes for dogs. The scheme has expanded rapidly since its introduction in 2004, so we're appealing to dog lovers in Yorkshire and London to aid us in keeping up with demand.

Over 280 dogs have been helped by the Freedom Project,  designed to help those escaping domestic violence.

Clare Kivlehan, Dogs Trust Freedom Project Manager, explains:

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Ending a relationship is enormously stressful, but when a dog is caught in the middle it can be even more distressing. How can you avoid a tug-of-war over man’s (and woman’s) best friend…?

Some ten percent of dogs handed in for rehoming come to Dogs Trust as the result of a break up. In a few cases, neither owner is prepared to take the dog; they either don’t want ownership or can’t offer him a proper life in their changed circumstances.

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Can you train your husband the way you train an animal?

Since her book was published in February, Amy Sutherland has been fielding angry comments from insulted men who feel like she's suggesting their partners treat them like dogs... Thing is, the way we treat our dogs - with love, affection, compassion, positive reinforcement and respect - isn't such a bad thing, is it?

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Know someone who is thinking of becoming a dog owner? Read on...

There are many reasons why dogs are brought to Dogs Trust or other rescue organisations, but one of the most common is that the dog is ‘unsuitable’ or the owner ‘cannot cope’. Is this really the case, or are we asking too much from our canine companions?

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If there's one thing I love (almost) as much as dogs, it's pet gadgets and gifts. Whether funny, playful or helpful, gizmos designed for pet owners never fail to make me smile.

Here are my top ten gadgets for dog lovers:

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Hello!

My name is Alex and I'm the new editor around these parts!

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