Newsletter Test

Conversations with people making a difference for dogs

Executive Director,
Baypath Humane Society

I've always loved animals and been fascinated by the way dogs learn, communicate, and overcome fear. Dogs don't speak English—they are constantly reading our body language, tone, energy, and routines, and I find that relationship incredibly interesting and rewarding. Watching a scared dog learn to trust people again or a reactive dog make a dog friend is one of the best parts of this work.

What's one recommendation you have for people concerning their dog?

Be patient and focus on positive reinforcement training. Dogs learn best through consistency, trust, and rewarding the behaviors you want to see rather than punishment or fear. They are incredibly smart and eager to learn when we set them up for success.

What do most people misunderstand about dogs?

I think many people underestimate how much dogs are constantly communicating with us through body language. Their tails, eyes, posture, movement, and even subtle behaviors tell us how they're feeling long before they bark or react. A lot of behavior issues improve when people learn to slow down and better understand what their dog is trying to say.

"Dogs are constantly communicating with us through body language. The more we learn to listen, the stronger the relationship becomes."

What's the most rewarding part of your work?

The most rewarding part is watching transformation happen over time. Seeing a fearful dog begin to trust people, a stressed dog relax, or a reactive dog successfully interact with another dog is incredibly meaningful. Of course, seeing them ultimately go to loving homes is the best outcome of all.

What's one thing every dog owner should remember?

Your dog is always watching and learning from you. The calmer, more patient, and more consistent you are, the more secure your dog will feel. Building trust and communication matters much more than trying to "dominate" or punish a dog.

What's one thing we should do with our dogs every week?

Incorporate enrichment into their routine every week—and ideally every day in small ways. Food puzzles, sniff walks, training games, frozen enrichment toys like West Paw Toppls, or opportunities to problem-solve help exercise their brains and reduce stress. Mental stimulation is just as important as physical exercise.

What is your dog's worst habit?

My dog demand-barks for treats and because she's deaf, she has absolutely no idea how loud she is. She's very confident in her opinions and isn't shy about sharing them when snacks are involved. It's hard not to laugh sometimes, even when I'm trying not to reinforce it.

How can people reach you?

People can learn more about Baypath Humane Society through our website, social media channels, or by reaching out directly to me at ejefferis@baypathhumane.org. We're always happy to talk about adoption, behavior, training resources, and ways to support animals in need.

As temperatures begin to rise, June is a good time to pay closer attention to exercise routines and hydration.

Dogs can overheat more quickly than many people realize, particularly during the first warmer weeks of the year before they have adjusted to seasonal changes.

New Website Launched

In early June, we launched the new MoreWoof website, a project we’ve been working on for several months. We're thrilled with the fresh new look and the improvements we've been able to make throughout the site. Product pages have been updated, we've added new photography, and we've even introduced a fun quiz for dog lovers (be sure to check it out!).

The new site also gives us a home for our guides and newsletters. You can check out our first guide, How To Choose The Right Rescue Dog For Your Life (And Not Just Your Heart), and we'll be adding this June newsletter (and future ones) to the site shortly.

But that's not all. We've also added several new products and designs that we're excited to share with you.

Embroidery Has Arrived!

We've wanted to introduce embroidery for some time because there's something timeless about the look and feel of a beautifully stitched design. We're launching with two embroidered sweatshirts, our popular Sideways Glance design and a classic MoreWoof logo sweatshirt, as well as two embroidered caps.

If you're a fan of embroidery like we are, we think you're going to love these.

New Greeting Cards

New Phone Cases

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New Designs for the Life Is Better With A Dog Collection

That work requires time and patience, both of which are often in short supply. Baypath does a wonderful job at provide seemingly boundless amounts of this resource. This month, we share the story of Barley. After being adopted as a puppy, Barley returned to Baypath as a young adult struggling with stress and socialization challenges. Passed over by many, he finally found the perfect match in Tom, who saw the loving dog beneath the big feelings. Today, Barley is thriving as a loyal companion and beloved shadow. Take a moment and read Barley’s full story and dive into Baypath’s website to get an update on their work and the exciting expansion that is happening at Baypath, https://baypathhumane.org/barley-worth-the-wait/

One of the most important animal welfare initiatives in recent years has been the growing effort to reduce the puppy mill pipeline by restricting the retail sale of commercially bred puppies in pet stores. New York banned the sale of dogs, cats, and rabbits in pet stores in 2024, and Massachusetts is on the cusp of adopting similar legislation. These laws do not prevent people from adopting dogs or working with responsible breeders. Instead, they are designed to reduce the demand for large-scale commercial breeding operations that often place profit ahead of animal welfare.

The thinking behind these efforts is simple: when fewer puppies from inhumane breeding facilities can reach consumers through retail channels, the economic incentive for those operations begins to disappear.

MoreWoof founder, Paul White, a retired attorney and lifelong dog lover, is currently leading an effort in Massachusetts aimed at regulating internet puppy sales. The proposal would require anyone advertising a puppy for sale online to obtain a certification from an approved inspection services that the breeding facility complies with all applicable animal welfare standards in the state where the breeder is located.

The goal is straightforward: to stop the unspeakable cruelty to dogs being used for breeding in puppy mills by making it harder for irresponsible breeders to sell puppies anonymously online with no control over the conditions in which those puppies were bred. The proposed legislation would also enable prospective dog owners make better informed decisions about where their puppies come from.

We believe every dog deserves a healthy start in life, and we will continue to share updates on these efforts and opportunities for dog lovers to get involved in future newsletters.