"We have had the pleasure of fostering, saving and adopting many dogs from different organizations but we have yet to find any place as passionate about the animals in their care as Linda Blair and the staff at LBWF. Her drive, compassion and knowledge of each dog is amazing - the dogs become part of her pack. We have fostered many dogs from a few local shelters for several years after losing our own pups to old age and cancer before deciding to make a decision to find our next family member. So I can share that although those shelters and organizations care about their animals they also are looking for a "place" for them and it is unfortunate because a lot of times, those dogs are returned. The dogs in turn, go back to the foster or they stay at the shelter, sad, confused and unloved. LBWF was not this way. When we identified our now dog Monty on line we immediately contacted LBWF to inquire. We were FULLY screened, and I mean FULLY; sent photos of the house, video of the yard and interior. We were asked about exercise levels, etc. initially we thought this was crazy but the truth was, LBWF wanted to make sure Monty would be placed in the right environment. Once that was established, we were invited to visit. We thought to ourselves, visit? What?! But there was a method to the process. So we went for the 6 hour drive to 'visit' Monty. Linda met us there, we spent several hours with her and Monty, walked the dog and simply being with him before being asked if we wanted to take him home. That was 3 years ago. To say LBWF is the best is not enough, they CARE"
— nestor a.
Adoptee
"Linda is passionate about giving dogs safe, loving forever homes. When I went to the rescue to meet and pick up my dog, she helped me learn how to walk my future pup which was helpful for a first time dog owner like me. She taught me how to walk him in a heel and how to hold the leash. She showed me that he can sit before doors rather than rushing out. We spent time meeting him, feeding him treats. Linda provided everything I needed to get started: bowls, food, leash, collar, informative resources, etc. My dog at the time was rescued from a shelter where he was so scared from moving around to avoid his kill date. She fed him to a healthy weight and got him to an adoptable state. I’m sure behind the scenes, she did lots of training with him as well. It’s been nearly four years with my dog now (Bentley). Last summer, he ended up in the ER and intensive care unit for renal failure. I told her all about it and she helped me learn more about natural resources for improving his health. I am passionate about eating nourishing food made from scratch, so I switch from kibble and canned food to making my dog’s food from scratch. She has supported and encouraged me through this whole process. His been able to live a healthy life with completely normal kidney values (most of the time) on his new diet."
— alexis h.
Adoptee
"Hello. My name is Mike Ahmadi and I would like to nominate Linda Blair and her WorldHeart Foundation for your Best Dog Rescue and Shelter Contest. I am on my third rescue from Linda’s shelter, and I cannot express enough gratitude to her for devoting her life to rescue work. I first came across her foundation in 2009 after our dog passed away from old age. My dad was terminally ill, and we wanted to lighten the atmosphere in the house and a dog always seemed to be able to do just that. I was on PetFinder.com and clicked on a blue pit-bull mix and it took me to Linda’s website. Sterling was a beautiful blue pit-bull mix. Linda rescued him from a high kill shelter in Los Angeles. He was in a stall towards the back part of this shelter and the volunteers there forgot about him. He didn’t make much noise and, as a result, he wasn’t fed for days. When someone finally noticed Sterling, he was put on the euthanasia list as his health was in decline. Thankfully, a volunteer there reached out to Linda and said that Sterling was special and very sweet. She wanted Linda to come and take him to her WorldHeart Foundation shelter. Thankfully, she did just that. She nursed him back to health and put him on her website. That is when I saw him, and the rest was history. Sterling was about five or six years old when we got him, and we got to spend nine beautiful years with him. He was a gentle giant (93 lbs) and the sweetest boy. My dad loved him. When Sterling passed, my mom and my aunt (identical twins) were living together. Both were 82 years old and, once again, the atmosphere in the house needed a boost. I called Linda and told her that Sterling had passed and that I was interested in adopting again. She immediately said, “I have the PERFECT dog for your mom and aunt!!!” She sent me photos and videos of a dog named Pippa. I fell in love with her, as did my aunt. My mom was on the fence about another dog. So, I decided I needed to rescue Pippa and that my mom would just have to get used to the idea of having another dog in the house. This ended up being the best decision. My mom and aunt ended up driving up to the shelter with me to meet Pippa. It was love at first sight. Pippa was so sweet and immediately had a rapport with my mom and aunt. We ended up having six wonderful years with Pippa. She was a very special dog who had an uncanny ability to adjust her energy level and mood to whoever she was with at any moment. She was sweet, gentle and had a spark that made us smile and laugh. Somehow, Linda knew that this dog was going to be the perfect fit for our family…..more specifically for two old ladies. LOL! Again, we were so grateful to have had Pippa. Unfortunately, she passed last February 6th and, after six weeks, I realized that it was time for another rescue. I told Linda that Pippa passed and that we were looking for another dog. I saw a small, short and stout black staffy/pitty mix on the WorldHeart Foundation website whose name was “Tanya.” She was a little older and had the sweetest smile. I thought she would be a wonderful new addition to the family. So, I made an appointment to visit Tanya. My ten-year-old niece wanted to join me. We drove up to Acton from San Juan Capistrano and visited with Tanya. I recognized Tanya right away as we entered through the facility’s gate. My niece had no idea Tanya was on my list of dogs to visit. She immediately ran over to Tanya’s kennel space and started playing with her through the fence. Within 30 seconds my niece looked up at me and said, “SHE is the ONE.” Once again, Linda picked the perfect dog for our family. We sat with Tanya and played with her for about 30 minutes, and I knew my niece was right. Tanya was, indeed, the one! So, my mom is now 88 years old and in walks Tanya into the family room. And once again, it was love at first sight. Tanya is so gentle and sweet with my mom. She is just the best. Linda ended up rescuing Tanya from a high kill shelter in Lancaster. She was on a 72-hour watch and if no one rescued her within that time period she would have been euthanized. Bless Linda and her team of volunteers for taking these dogs out of such horrible situations. We have the most precious dog right now because of Linda and her WorldHeart Foundation. This is why I want to nominate her for your Best Dog Rescue and Shelter Contest. She and her team work tirelessly to save dogs like Tanya, Pippa and Sterling so that people like me can adopt these wonderful dogs. The love, joy, and laughter these dogs provide is immeasurable. So, thank you, Linda Blair and your WorldHeart Foundation. You’ll never truly know how grateful we are to you for the three beautiful rescues you have provided our family. You are special beyond words, and I hope you know that. The Ahmadi Family"
— mike a.
Adoptee, Supporter, Fan
"LBWF in Acton California is very special to me. Linda Blair welcomed me October 5th 2021 to meet Petey. He is a senior rescue 10+.Chihuahua. Petey is my 1st Dog ever and Linda recommended Petey as a foster, because I have no training and I agreed this was the right approach. Linda supplied me with all the supplies I needed. Linda and I texted everyday to check on Petey, and I sent her pics of sweet Petey and showed her how Loved this little boy is. I still 2+ year later send pics of Petey and how well he is thriving. I am so grateful 🙏"
— mary m.
Adoptee, Fan
"We have adopted two wonderful fur babies from Linda Blair Worldheart. Miss Blair is awesome and hands on in pairing fur babies with their families making sure the fit is just right. All fur babies are already spayed and neutered waiting for loving families. We adopted our two babies at separate times and Miss Blair made sure they were compatible together - in fact they actually remembered each other from the rescue and immediately hit it off. I highly recommend LBWF!!!"
— christine r.
Adoptee, Supporter, Fan
""Adopting Oti from the Linda Blair Worldheart Foundation in October 2020 was one of the most rewarding experiences of our lives. From the moment we stepped into their facility, it was evident that the team at LBWH was dedicated to ensuring every animal found their perfect match. Oti, a lovable mixed breed dog, captured our hearts instantly, and it was clear that he belonged with us. The compassion and care provided by Linda Blair and her team are truly exceptional. They go above and beyond to ensure that each animal waiting for their forever home receives the love, attention, and support they deserve. Their commitment to the well-being of every creature in their care is evident in every interaction and every adoption. Thanks to LBWH, our family has been enriched beyond measure by the addition of Oti. We are endlessly grateful for the work they do and the love they bring to both animals and families alike. If you're considering adoption, we wholeheartedly recommend the Linda Blair Worldheart Foundation. They truly make miracles happen, one adoption at a time.""
— janna n.
Adoptee
"Nestled in the hills of Acton, CA, the LBWF sanctuary is the most wonderful haven for bully dogs. After my sweet rescue bully died in 2020, I reached out to LBWF. Linda Blair and her staff worked hard to find us a great match for our family, and boy did they! The animals we could see all around were obviously healthy, clean, and kept in a comfortable and safe environment. We were very happy with the adoption process, which included bringing potential dogs to a large fenced area where they could interact with us in a natural environment, and later, a supervised introduction of the new bully to our much smaller dog. Linda personally provided nutrition guidance and followed up on our adopted dog. We are still in touch to this day, so much is the love that Linda has for the animals in her care."
— jacqui r.
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.