Nekima Levy Armstrong -- an alleged organizer of an invasion of a church service in St. Paul, Minnesota, to protest Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations -- did some of the Trump Justice Department's work for them by posting the names of those involved in the incident on social media. Video...

Thin Lizzy went from being stone broke to recording the two albums that came to define their career, but bad luck always seemed to be lurking in the shadows

We are commanded to hide His Word in our hearts.

In 2020, the Smithsonian Institution declared that an “emphasis on [the] scientific method” and “objective, rational linear thinking” are “aspects and assumptions of whiteness and white culture.” In 2022, Christena Cleveland—formerly a professing Christian who’d been platformed by numerous prominent evangelical organizations—published God Is a Black Woman, in which she wrote, “We must eradicate the transphobia within ourselves and our communities. For if God is a Black woman, then She’s a Black trans woman. Obviously.” In 2025, a USA Today op-ed announced, “There is no scientific evidence that transgender women athletes have a physical advantage over cisgender women athletes.” These cultural artifacts are manifestations of what’s popularly termed “wokeness,” the outward expression of an ideology known as critical theory. Contemporary critical theory claims that 1. society is divided between oppressor and oppressed groups along lines of race, class, gender, and sexuality; 2. the ruling class, via its hegemonic power and influence, imposes their norms and values on everyone else; 3. oppressors are blind to social reality, but oppressed people have a special understanding of it through their lived experience; and 4. social justice will be achieved only when the systems and structures propping up these oppressive norms and values are deconstructed. Several works by evangelicals have effectively challenged critical theory at an academic level. Yet few people become captive to wokeness through studying scholars like Judith Butler or Kimberlé Crenshaw; instead, they’ve simply embraced a culturally ubiquitous, false narrative of oppression and liberation. To combat this narrative, Christians must tell a better story, one rooted in a biblical view of identity and community, objectivity and knowledge, and sin and salvation. Who Am I? To contemporary critical theorists, our identity is primarily horizontal; it’s found in membership in various demographic groups. Relative to these groups, critical theory compels us to internalize our status as either an oppressor or an oppressed person. Christians must tell a better story, one rooted in a biblical view of identity and community, objectivity and knowledge, and sin and salvation. For example, feminist scholar Peggy McIntosh, who coined the term “white privilege,” laments that—as a white woman—she was “taught to see [herself] as an individual whose moral state depended on her individual moral will” instead of “seeing [herself] as an oppressor.” In the same way, critical theory teaches people of color to see themselves as an unjust society’s victims who must support the grievances of all other oppressed groups. This intersectional solidarity explains why organizations like Black Lives Matter officially embraced LGBT+ advocacy and why their Chicago chapter tweeted out support for Hamas after the terrorist attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023. In contrast, Christianity teaches that our primary identity is vertical. We’re all creatures made in the image of a holy, loving God. We’re all fallen in Adam. And, as Christians, we’re all united in Christ. At a fundamental level, we have an identity bigger than race, class, and gender. These two views of identity will profoundly affect community. Critical theory promotes what psychologist Jonathan Haidt calls “common enemy” politics. “We” are the good people standing on the right side of history, while “they” are the unrighteous: the bigots, the haters, the robbers, evildoers, and tax collectors. In comparison, Christianity promotes “common humanity” politics, not only abstractly in the culture but also concretely in the church. Although critical theorists pride themselves on being inclusive, their views inevitably produce people and communities driven by anger, enmity, anxiety, and paranoia. The gospel, by contrast, forms people and communities marked by love, forgiveness, peace, and patience. What Is Truth? Through its appeal to lived experience, critical theory makes the pronouncements of oppressed people nearly unchallengeable. Privileged people (along with “unwoke” members of oppressed groups such as pro-life women and black conservatives) are dismissed as victims of false consciousness, while the claims of marginalized people are valorized. This dynamic is most clearly seen within the transgender movement, where “gender identity” is wholly subjective and where any appeal to biology is described as bigoted and “transphobic.” Critical theory’s approach to truth inevitably produces a race to the bottom, as adherents strive to claim the authoritative status that comes with being maximally oppressed. Some detransitioners have even written about how embracing a trans identity was a way for them to escape the “oppressor” label forced onto them as “privileged” middle-class white teenagers. In contrast to critical theory, Christianity insists all of us are fallible sinners who need to look outside, not inside, to find knowledge and wisdom. God reveals himself in Scripture and in nature, and we must submit to his truth. This view of knowledge should produce in us a sense of humility, curiosity, and openness, as we all acknowledge we have blind spots that should be challenged by Scripture and by other believers in Jesus. What’s Wrong with the World? Ultimately, contemporary critical theory sees humanity’s fundamental problem as external: Certain groups have seized cultural power and have imposed their values on the rest of us. Conversely, the fundamental solution is internal. Those of us who are privileged need to “do the work:” divest ourselves of power, stop taking up space, and center marginalized voices. Critical theory argues that those of us who are oppressed need to speak up, act up, live our truth, and radically transform society. Christianity turns this view inside out. According to the Bible, our fundamental problem is internal: We’re sinners. We’ve all rebelled against God, from the least to the greatest. We all deserve his wrath. We’ve all fallen short of his glory. And the fundamental solution is external: God had to send his Son, Jesus, to die in our place and rise from the dead to rescue us. Critical theory shackles us to the treadmill of works righteousness. Instead of kissing cathedral steps and purchasing indulgences, we put up yard signs and buy Robin DiAngelo books. But the motivation is the same. Apart from Christ, we all feel the inescapable human need to justify ourselves; critical theory offers us a socially acceptable way to do it. The Bible tells a better and truer story. The bad news is that we can’t save ourselves; like Lady Macbeth, we’ll never be able to wash out that “damned spot.” The good news is that what we were powerless to do, God did for us in Christ so we could be forgiven and cleansed. New Atheism’s Cautionary Tale The early 2010s witnessed the zenith of New Atheism. Led by authors like Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris, Christopher Hitchens, and Daniel Dennett, the “Brights” were going to destroy religion and usher in a new era of reason, logic, and science. A decade later, their movement is all but defunct. What happened? According to atheists like Scott Alexander and Peter Boghossian, the coalition was largely swallowed up by wokeness. Critical theory shackles us to the treadmill of works righteousness. What the New Atheists failed to realize is that man doesn’t live by logic alone. Human beings are storytellers and story followers. We crave beauty and meaning and purpose. Trying to replace epic religious narratives with dry scientific facts is like trying to replace The Lord of the Rings with a washing-machine instructional manual. Wokeness is popular in part because it tells a compelling story. It tells us we’re part of a war between good and evil. We’ve been trapped in the Matrix, unaware of the battle raging around us. But now we’re awake and can join the revolution to usher in an age of love, progress, and equity. Christians mustn’t make the same mistake as the New Atheists. We need to show not only that the Bible is fundamentally opposed to critical theory but that it tells a better story. Yes, we’re part of a cosmic struggle between good and evil, but we were fighting on the wrong side. We were wicked rebels, justly condemned and without hope. At great cost to himself, our great Creator came in the flesh to conquer our enemy and rescue us. Now, we’re welcomed into his kingdom where we can join hands with brothers and sisters from every tribe, nation, and tongue until he comes again and makes all things new (Rev. 7:9; 21:5). Christianity’s story is the true story of reality. It has the power to displace whatever false narratives have captured our hearts and minds, including the ones promulgated by critical theory.

Column Babylon 5 Rewatch Babylon 5 Rewatch: “Intersections in Real Time” An interrogator works to get a confession out of Sheridan… By Keith R.A. DeCandido | Published on January 20, 2026 Credit: Warner Bros. Television Comment 0 Share New Share Credit: Warner Bros. Television “Intersections in Real Time”Written by J. Michael StraczynskiDirected by John LafiaSeason 4, Episode 18Production episode 418Original air date: June 16, 1997 It was the dawn of the third age… We open with Sheridan in a featureless cell. He’s unshaven and injured. Flashbacks remind us of how he got captured last time. Some uniformed personnel enter and set up a desk and two chairs, then an interrogator—he’s never named in dialogue, but his guest credit says he’s named William, so we’ll go with that—enters and puts a briefcase down on the desk. He asks Sheridan if he has any allergies or illnesses, if he’s taking any medications, and if there are any issues with his heart. They go back and forth a bit, with Sheridan trying to attack William, but they’ve put a shock collar on him. If he gets within three feet of William, he’ll get a nasty shock. If he gets within two feet of him, he’ll be shocked much more intensely, enough to render him unconscious. Eventually, Sheridan answers in the negative to the health questions. He sits in the chair opposite William, and then finds himself bound by his wrists and ankles, which William says is for his own protection. After the credits roll, we come back to see Sheridan sitting in the chair with lights on each armrest shining in his face. William comes in and removes the lights, and says, “Good morning.” Sheridan says it’s dark out, and it was light out when William was there earlier, so it can’t be morning. But then William touches a control, and the light in the corridor changes. William also shocks Sheridan, admonishing the captain to never contradict him. William also explains that he’s got no personal animus against Sheridan, he’s just doing his job. He expresses surprise at Sheridan’s recent actions, as he’d never shown any interest in politics before. He asks if there have been any outside influences on him. Sheridan says no, which William records as a lie. There are, he says, always outside influences in one’s life. Suddenly, William announces that it’s lunchtime, which is at odds with his earlier insistence that it was morning. Since Sheridan hasn’t eaten in two days, he offers him half the corned beef sandwich with mustard—but only if he admits that it’s lunchtime, despite being explicitly told that it was morning only a few minutes ago. Sheridan says it’s lunchtime somewhere, and that gets William to share the sandwich. Credit: Warner Bros. Television Truth, William explains while Sheridan chows down, is mutable. When Sheridan fought in the Minbari War, the Minbari were the enemy. Now there is peace between Earth Alliance and the Minbari Federation, so the Minbari aren’t the enemy, and Sheridan has gone so far as to take a Minbari as a lover. Then he says that it’s suppertime, and prepares to leave. On his way out the door, he announces that the sandwich is poisoned. Nothing fatal, just a bunch of toxins that William himself has built up an immunity to. After the commercial break, we come back with Sheridan writhing on the floor of the cell, having apparently spent the night puking.   After explaining that they have to break his body before breaking his mind, he invites Sheridan to sit in the chair. To Sheridan’s surprise, he’s once again bound to it. William asks if Susan Ivanova is still his first officer. Sheridan refuses to answer, saying that Earth has their records, but Williams points out that it’s only accurate up until B5’s secession. William’s bosses want up-to-date, accurate information. (Tellingly, Sheridan never does provide it.) William also offhandedly mentions that his father is doing okay. He’s also being interrogated by one of William’s colleagues. William bumped into that colleague in the corridor and asked to pass on to Sheridan that his father sent his warm wishes. William then all but bullies Sheridan into thanking him for this. After prying that gratitude out, William then holds up a confession they expect Sheridan to sign. Sheridan not only refuses to sign it, but demands an attorney and a military tribunal. William’s response is that he will get none of those things as he has no rights anymore—and is surprisingly emotional for someone who says he’s just doing a job and has no animus toward Sheridan. William also says that, if Sheridan signs the confession, he’ll be free to go—and so will his father. So the fact that David Sheridan is still imprisoned is entirely Sheridan’s fault. During their next session, William brings in a Drazi prisoner, who appears to have been pretty thoroughly tortured. He confesses to being part of Sheridan’s conspiracy to overthrow EarthGov, and names Sheridan as a co-conspirator—as well as a senator that Clark doesn’t like, who’s just been added to the whole thing for convenience. Sheridan tries to convince the Drazi not to go along with this, and the Drazi decides to stop confessing. The Drazi is then strapped to a gurney and sent to Room 17. William then continues his interrogation, asking about Ivanova and who his contacts in the Resistance are. While he does so, the lights dim, and the Drazi’s screams can be heard. Credit: Warner Bros. Television William turns on a very loud recording on a loop telling Sheridan that he must confess and leaves the room. The next day, William turns off the recording and checks Sheridan’s IV, which is how they’re feeding him now. William says that the IV will be discontinued if he doesn’t cooperate soon. All he has to do is sign the confession. Sheridan points out that, once he signs it, they’ll kill him. William says that isn’t true, they’ll keep him alive as a symbol that you can’t beat the system, which William declares as an absolute truth of our time. No, they’ll wait until he’s forgotten and then kill him quietly, not kill him soon after the confession, as that will make a martyr of him. No, they’ll let him live a happy life for some time. Sheridan is unimpressed and spits on the confession. The next day, William urges Sheridan to sign the confession. They’d prefer Sheridan alive and reading the confession in front of a live audience, as that will have more power than a recorded message, which can be accused of being faked. But William’s bosses are running out of time and patience, and they’ll settle for a faked video recording if they have to. Sheridan, however, refuses to give in. William said that the absolute truth of our time is that you can’t beat the system, but he also said that the truth is mutable, and that means that there is no absolute truth. And the system can be beaten as long as at least one person refuses to be broken. William scoffs at the notion that he can win, and Sheridan replies that he wins every time he says “no.” One last time, William asks if Sheridan will sign the confession. Sheridan says “no.” He’s then put on a gurney, and sent to Room 17, the same place the Drazi was sent. As he goes, a priest accompanies him down the corridor, reading last rites. He’s wheeled into a room with a person in an executioner’s robe and hood. After several seconds, more people come into the room with a chair and put Sheridan in it, putting another chair behind the gurney. They fold the gurney up into a desk. A completely different interrogator comes in to sit at the desk, and starts asking Sheridan if he’s has any allergies or illnesses, if he’s taking any medications, or if he has any heart issues. Get the hell out of our galaxy! Sheridan remains defiant to the end. In fact, he’s more defiant at the end than he is at the beginning, which is the opposite effect intended. The only times he gives in are when he accepts half a sandwich and when he thanks William for the best wishes from his father. But those serve to put him more on his guard, not break him as expected. Credit: Warner Bros. Television If you value your lives, be somewhere else. Twice Sheridan sees a hallucination of Delenn, which obviously gives Sheridan strength. Welcome aboard. Raye Birk plays William while Bruce Gray plays his replacement interrogator. Wayne Alexander plays the Drazi, having previously played Sebastian in “Comes the Inquisitor,” G’Dan in “And the Rock Cried Out, No Hiding Place,” and had the recurring role of Lorien at the top of this season. Gray will return next time in “Between the Darkness and the Light.” Alexander will next be seen as a Drakh in “Movements of Fire and Shadow.” Trivial matters. Bruce Boxleitner is, for all intents and purposes, the only regular in this episode. Mira Furlan appears briefly as a hallucination of Sheridan’s, but has no dialogue, and footage from “The Face of the Enemy” is used with Jerry Doyle and Claudia Christian as, respectively, Garibaldi and Ivanova. The title, according to scripter J. Michael Straczynski, is a literal description of the episode’s structure. Each act is in real time, broken by the intersections of commercial breaks. Straczynski credits his support of PEN International, which monitors the treatment of writers who are prisoners of conscience around the world, as well as the experiences of family members who have been victims of Nazi concentration camps and Soviet gulags as the primary inspirations for how this story developed. While there are definite echoes of similar works of fiction—1984 by George Orwell, the TV show The Prisoner, the movie Closet Land—that, according to Straczynski, is coincidental because they are all drawing on real-world instances of government-driven torture of prisoners. In Straczynski’s original plan for the series, this was to be either the end of season four or the beginning of season five, depending on which source you read. However, during the third season it was obvious that the Prime Time Entertainment Network that distributed B5 to syndicated markets was crumbling around them, so Straczynski tightened up the storytelling for season four making sure that it ended with closure on the President Clark plotline, in case the show ended after four seasons. However, to allow for some suspense, this was the last new episode for some time, airing in June, with the final four episodes held to October, as had become traditional. The echoes of all of our conversations. “Do you have any allergies or illnesses that I should know about? Are you currently taking any medication? Had any trouble with your heart? You’ll answer my questions when they are asked. Resistance will be punished. Cooperation will be rewarded.” —The start of each of Sheridan’s interrogations. Credit: Warner Bros. Television The name of the place is Babylon 5. “You just have to say ‘no, I won’t’ one more time than they can say ‘yes, you will’.”  It would’ve been very easy for this to slip into being a gimmick episode, but thanks to a great script by J. Michael Straczynski and a couple of magnificent performances by Bruce Boxleitner and Raye Birk, it very much isn’t. Some great works of dramatic screen fiction have been done with just a couple people in an interrogation room. There’s the movie Closet Land (with Alan Rickman and Madeleine Stowe), there’s the Homicide: Life on the Street episode “Three Men and Adena” (with Moses Gunn, Kyle Secor, and Andre Braugher), and there’s Star Trek: The Next Generation’s “Chain of Command, Part 2” (with Sir Patrick Stewart and David Warner). What made all three of them work was a superlative combination of writing and acting—you’ll note that the seven actors listed in this paragraph are among the finest. It’s to the immense credit of Straczynski, Boxleitner, and Birk that this episode deserves to be mentioned in same breath as the other three I cited. Credit also to director John Lafia, who gives the whole thing a very theatrical feel befitting the story, which could easily be done as a stage play. What I especially like is that William’s techniques are all good ones for breaking a subject, with the misdirections, the attempts at mitigation (“I’m just doing my job”), the velvet glove covering an iron fist (giving him half the sandwich only to reveal that it’s poisoned), mixing friendliness (“I’m the only ally you have here” and conveying his father’s good wishes) with brutality (shocking him for disagreeing, bellowing that he has no rights). But while Sheridan does bend a few times, he never breaks. In fact, he’s more defiant at the end of the episode than he is at the beginning, which is probably at least one reason for William being replaced as Sheridan’s interrogator. Sheridan’s made a lot of speeches on this show, and he’ll make more, but for my money, the most effective thing he’s ever said was his response to William’s query of “But can you win?” with “Every time I say ‘no’.” Birk’s performance is what really makes it, though. He doesn’t have Secor’s or Braugher’s intensity or Warner’s or Rickman’s charisma, he really is just a guy doing a job. The biggest truism about fascistic regimes is that they start with a charismatic leader, but they’re maintained by a whole lot of people who are just following orders, just doing a job, just doing what they’re trained to do. While Straczynski has issues with the first part of that (which we’ll talk about a couple of episodes hence), he’s absolutely got the banality of evil part down pat, from Alex Hyde-White making NightWatch sound so reasonable in “In the Shadow of Z’ha’dum” to Roy Dotrice’s well-meaning stooge in “The Fall of Night” to here. Next week: “Between the Darkness and the Light.”[end-mark] The post <i>Babylon 5</i> Rewatch: “Intersections in Real Time” appeared first on Reactor.

Your dog’s health depends on more than just occasional walks and regular meals. We at DogingtonPost believe that consistent dog lifestyle tips-covering exercise, nutrition, mental stimulation, and social engagement-form the foundation of everyday wellness. This guide walks you through practical strategies to support your dog’s physical and mental health every single day. Daily Exercise Routines for Optimal Health Dogs need between 30 minutes to 2 hours of daily exercise depending on breed and age, with high-energy working breeds like German Shepherds, Border Collies, and Australian Shepherds requiring significantly more activity than low-energy companions. Large-breed puppies and senior dogs present different challenges-puppies need shorter, frequent sessions to protect developing joints, while seniors benefit from gentler, consistent movement that maintains mobility without causing strain. Rather than following a one-size-fits-all approach, assess your dog’s individual energy level, body condition, and behavior to determine the right amount. Dogs displaying restlessness, excessive barking, destructive chewing, or persistent begging for attention often signal inadequate exercise and mental engagement, not stubbornness or bad temperament. Breaking Activity Into Multiple Sessions Splitting exercise into two or three shorter sessions throughout the day works better than one long walk for most dogs. A morning walk of 20–30 minutes, an afternoon session from a dog walker around 11am–1pm, and an evening walk of 30–45 minutes provides consistent stimulation without overwhelming your dog’s system. This approach prevents digestive issues-avoid intense activity immediately after meals to reduce bloat risk, particularly in deep-chested breeds. If you work full-time and cannot provide midday exercise, hiring a certified dog walker for that afternoon slot becomes essential, not optional, for maintaining your dog’s physical health and preventing boredom-related behaviors. Matching Activity to Age and Breed Brachycephalic breeds like Bulldogs and Pugs benefit from shorter walks in cooler times since their respiratory systems struggle with heat and prolonged exertion. High-energy working breeds require not just physical exercise but mental challenges-a Border Collie needs more than physical activity alone to stay engaged. Puppies under one year should avoid repetitive jumping or running on hard surfaces until their growth plates close, making controlled walks and play sessions preferable to agility training. Senior dogs, typically those over seven years old depending on breed size, need consistent gentle movement to maintain muscle mass and joint flexibility, though intensity and duration should decrease from their prime years. Watch for panting, limping, reluctance to continue, or excessive drooling as signs your dog has reached their limit-these indicate overexertion, not laziness, and pushing past them risks injury and joint damage. Recognizing When Your Dog Needs More Your dog’s behavior tells you whether current exercise levels meet their needs. Restlessness, excessive barking, destructive chewing of furniture or trash, digging holes in the yard, and overexcitement when you arrive home all point to insufficient physical and mental activity. These signs don’t reflect a problem dog-they reflect an under-stimulated one. Adjusting your routine to include more frequent walks, interactive play sessions, or hiring professional support can transform these behaviors within weeks. The afternoon potty and exercise window (11am–1pm) proves particularly important for dogs left alone during work hours, as this midday break prevents boredom and maintains consistent energy levels throughout the day. Planning Your Dog’s Daily Movement Try scheduling exercise around your dog’s natural rhythms and your own availability. Morning walks establish routine and energy release before your workday, while evening sessions provide wind-down time and bonding. Cooler times of day work best for most dogs, especially during warm months-early morning or late evening walks prevent heat stress and keep your dog comfortable. Adjust intensity based on temperature, terrain, and your dog’s fitness level rather than sticking rigidly to a predetermined schedule. This flexibility ensures your dog stays active without injury while you maintain a sustainable routine that fits your lifestyle. The foundation of daily exercise supports your dog’s physical health, but mental engagement matters equally. Interactive toys, puzzle feeders, and enrichment activities challenge your dog’s mind and prevent the boredom that leads to destructive behaviors-and that’s where we turn next. Nutrition and Hydration Fundamentals Your dog’s food choices directly shape their energy, coat quality, and long-term health-yet most dog owners pick kibble based on marketing rather than nutritional science. According to AAFCO guidelines, a complete and balanced diet must contain six essential nutrients: protein, fat, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and water. Protein requirements vary significantly by life stage, with puppies needing a minimum of 22.5% crude protein on a dry-matter basis while adult dogs require 18%, though practical ranges hover around 30% for most active dogs. Protein quality matters more than the percentage alone-high-quality animal proteins provide all essential amino acids your dog’s body cannot manufacture, whereas plant-based proteins require careful formulation and veterinary guidance to deliver complete nutrition. Understanding Fats and Essential Nutrients Fat serves as your dog’s most energy-dense nutrient and supports vitamin absorption plus essential omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids that reduce inflammation and strengthen skin and coat health. AAFCO minimums sit at 8.5% for puppies and 5.5% for adults, with good sources including fish oils, flaxseed, and canola oil. Your dog’s individual needs depend on age, breed size, activity level, and health status-a sedentary senior Pug requires far fewer calories than an active two-year-old Labrador, making portion control the difference between a healthy weight and obesity that increases diabetes, arthritis, and heart disease risk. Feeding Schedules and Portion Control Establish a twice-daily feeding schedule about 12 hours apart for most adult dogs, spacing meals at least two to three hours away from intense exercise to prevent bloat, particularly in deep-chested breeds. If your dog finishes meals quickly or begs constantly, puzzle feeders slow consumption and provide mental engagement while portion-controlled feeding prevents overeating. Measure portions according to your food’s energy density rather than guessing, and adjust based on your dog’s weight and energy levels every few weeks. Water Access and Hydration Fresh water access ranks equally with food quality yet receives far less attention from dog owners. Your dog should have continuous access to clean water throughout the day, with intake influenced by diet composition, activity level, and climate-dogs eating dry kibble typically drink more water than those on moist diets. Senior dogs and puppies often need more frequent water access to maintain hydration and prevent accidents, while high-energy dogs lose water through panting during exercise and heat exposure. Monitor your dog’s water consumption patterns; excessive drinking can signal diabetes or kidney issues requiring veterinary evaluation, while insufficient intake risks dehydration and urinary problems. During warmer months or after exercise sessions, keep water bowls filled and offer water breaks during walks, especially for brachycephalic breeds that overheat easily. Stainless steel or ceramic bowls stay cleaner than plastic and resist bacterial growth better, while filtered water systems remove chlorine and impurities that some dogs find off-putting. Life-Stage Nutrition Adjustments Life-stage adjustments matter considerably-puppies under one year need more frequent meals with adjusted nutrient ratios to support growth without causing skeletal problems, while senior dogs benefit from senior-formulated diets with lower calories but higher joint-support nutrients like glucosamine. Read food labels thoroughly to reveal whether products meet AAFCO nutritional adequacy statements and contain recognizable protein sources rather than vague meal descriptions. This helps you identify truly complete options from brands like Hill’s, Purina, and Iams rather than marketing-driven alternatives lacking scientific backing. With proper nutrition and hydration supporting your dog’s physical foundation, mental engagement becomes the next critical piece of the wellness puzzle-interactive toys, puzzle feeders, and enrichment activities challenge your dog’s mind and prevent the boredom that leads to destructive behaviors. Mental Stimulation Transforms Your Dog’s Behavior Mental exercise tires dogs faster than physical activity alone, and this matters far more than most dog owners realize. A dog with an under-stimulated mind develops destructive behaviors, excessive barking, and anxiety that no amount of walking fixes. Your dog’s brain needs daily challenges through puzzle toys, scent work, and interactive games that force problem-solving and engage natural instincts. Why Mental Enrichment Matters More Than You Think High-energy working breeds like German Shepherds and Border Collies suffer particularly when mental enrichment is missing, though every dog regardless of breed benefits from activities that demand focus and decision-making. Mental stimulation combined with consistent exercise, proper nutrition, and social interaction creates the foundation that prevents behavioral problems before they start, making daily wellness practices far more effective than attempting to correct problems after they develop. Practical Enrichment Activities You Can Start Today Hide-and-seek games where you conceal toys or treats throughout your home stimulate your dog’s natural hunting drive and problem-solving abilities in ways that cost nothing but require consistency. Puzzle feeders serve double duty by slowing fast eaters and delivering mental engagement during meals, transforming ordinary feeding time into an enrichment opportunity. Frozen treats or pupsicles made from plain frozen carrots, apples, or broth provide extended engagement as your dog works to consume them, especially valuable on hot days when outdoor activity becomes unsafe. Scent walks where you allow your dog to sniff and explore at their own pace help reduce separation anxiety by providing mental distraction and keeping their mind occupied. Rotating toys weekly prevents habituation, keeping novelty high without requiring constant purchases of new items. Building Social Confidence Through Regular Interaction Socialization with other dogs and people shapes your dog’s confidence and emotional resilience, yet many owners skip this entirely after puppyhood. Regular interaction at dog parks, training classes, or organized play sessions prevents anxiety and fear-based aggression that develops when dogs lack exposure to varied social situations. Training classes accomplish dual purposes by teaching obedience while providing structured socialization, making them worthwhile investments for every dog owner. Changing walking routes regularly exposes your dog to different sights, sounds, and smells that keep their mind engaged and build adaptability to new environments. Creating a Home Environment That Supports Wellness Your home environment itself demands attention through consistent daily routines, a designated quiet space where your dog retreats to reduce stress, and quality time where you engage directly through play and affection rather than passive coexistence. Environmental enrichment extends beyond toys to include varied experiences that challenge your dog’s senses and cognitive abilities. A calm, predictable home (combined with interactive enrichment) helps your dog develop confidence and emotional stability that translates to better behavior in all situations. Final Thoughts Supporting your dog’s everyday wellness requires consistent action across four interconnected areas: daily exercise tailored to your age and breed, high-quality nutrition with proper hydration, mental stimulation through enrichment activities, and regular social engagement. These dog lifestyle tips work together to prevent behavioral problems, maintain healthy weight, strengthen your bond, and extend your dog’s quality of life. Small daily actions compound over time, transforming your dog’s physical health, emotional resilience, and overall happiness far more effectively than sporadic efforts or reactive veterinary care. Dogs receiving adequate exercise, mental engagement, and social interaction display fewer destructive behaviors, better focus during training, and calmer demeanor at home. Consistent nutrition prevents obesity-related diseases like diabetes and arthritis that plague sedentary dogs, while regular mental enrichment keeps your dog’s cognitive abilities sharp throughout their life. Your dog’s confidence grows when they experience varied social situations and environmental challenges, making them adaptable and emotionally stable in new circumstances. Building sustainable routines means customizing these practices to fit your lifestyle rather than abandoning them when life gets busy. Hiring a dog walker for the afternoon exercise slot, using puzzle feeders during meals, rotating enrichment toys weekly, and scheduling regular training classes require minimal additional effort once you establish them as habit. Visit DogingtonPost to access comprehensive resources that support your dog’s everyday wellness journey and connect with a community of dog lovers committed to enhancing their dogs’ lives.

CNN Anchor Wants Us to Focus on the Real Victims of Sunday’s MN Church Storming - the Helpless Terrorists

A judge and his wife were shot and wounded at their suburban Indiana home on Sunday — sparking a massive multi-agency investigation as the suspect remains at large, according to authorities. Tippecanoe…