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Hello, I'm Sara. Enrich.Educate.Enjoy! life with your dog when you subscribe to our monthly newsletter and check out the resources I offer as a Creator & Educator!

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(Oops, forgot the links!) From migraine attacks to mindful routines, here’s what this season is teaching me

Learning Portal Login | Instagram | Blog | Shop | Everything Page Hi Reader, I’ll be honest, the past few weeks of storms here in Arizona have been tough. Between the shifting barometric pressure and humidity swings, my migraine attacks have been more frequent and intense than usual. It’s been a solid reminder that seasonal changes affect not just us, but our dogs too. Just like humans, dogs can struggle when the weather changes, from heat and humidity to wind, pollen, and even shifts in our...

Signature with words "Sara Miles" and "Owner, Smiles Dog Training (she/her)" and a circular picture of Sara sitting at a table holding a cup of tea and smiling

Learning Portal Login | Instagram | Blog | Shop | Everything Page Hi Reader, I’ll be honest, the past few weeks of storms here in Arizona have been tough. Between the shifting barometric pressure and humidity swings, my migraine attacks have been more frequent and intense than usual. It’s been a solid reminder that seasonal changes affect not just us, but our dogs too. Just like humans, dogs can struggle when the weather changes, from heat and humidity to wind, pollen, and even shifts in our...

Header Image - dog paw on human hand with the Smiles Dog Training logo and the words "Enrich. Educate. Enjoy! Newsletter" and "Helping pet parents elevate their experience with their dogs!"

Learning Portal Login | Instagram | Blog | Shop | Everything Page Hi Reader, I want to quickly share something important for the safety of your dog and your household. Dog Food Recall: Darwin's Natural Pet Products The FDA has issued a recall for two lots of Darwin’s BioLogics All-Natural & Grain-Free Beef Recipe for Dogs after samples tested positive for Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes. Here’s what you need to know: Lots affected: • Lot 11895, MFG Date Jul 29, 2025 • Lot 11826, MFG...

Header Image - dog paw on human hand with the Smiles Dog Training logo and the words "Enrich. Educate. Enjoy! Newsletter" and "Helping pet parents elevate their experience with their dogs!"

Learning Portal Login | Instagram | Blog | Shop | Everything Page Hi Reader, This weekend, something happened in my neighborhood that I can’t stop thinking about. My elderly neighbor, quiet, private, and someone I barely knew, passed away in her home. It took almost two weeks before anyone realized something was wrong. The only reason we found out? Her mail started piling up. And when I went to check on her, I heard a dog barking inside. No one even knew she had a dog. It took the mail...

Header Image - dog paw on human hand with the Smiles Dog Training logo and the words "Enrich. Educate. Enjoy! Newsletter" and "Helping pet parents elevate their experience with their dogs!"

Learning Portal Login | Instagram | Blog | Shop | Everything Page Hi Reader, I wanted to send a quick note with some good news—and a little update from behind the scenes. First, the big news: The Arizona animal cruelty bill I wrote about a while back passed! It went through with some modifications (as these things often do), but it's still a powerful step forward for protecting animals in our state. I’m so grateful to everyone who raised their voice, shared, and supported this effort. Truly,...

Sara, a white woman with long brown hair, stands in a desert setting at sunset holding her heart dog Finnick, a small brown and black fluffy dog, as they gaze at each other with deep love

Learning Portal Login | Instagram | Blog | Shop | Everything Page Hey Reader, I’ve been quiet lately, and I want to share why. My senior pup, Finnick, had health issues for a long while. I’d been managing them as best I could, but he declined quickly in May. I spent the last stretch of his life with my family, focused on comfort, connection, and saying goodbye. When he passed away, I took bereavement leave—and it’s been a hard, tender time. Finn was more than just my dog. He was my companion...

Signature with words "Sara Miles" and "Owner, Smiles Dog Training (she/her)" and a circular picture of Sara sitting at a table holding a cup of tea and smiling

Learning Portal Login | Instagram | Blog | Shop | Everything Page Hi Reader, You might remember I emailed recently about SB1234 — the bill to update Arizona’s outdated animal cruelty laws. Thanks to public pressure, that bill has been given a second chance... but it’s still stuck. Now it’s called SB1658, and it’s waiting for a vote in the House. It’s time to push this over the finish line. SB1658, a bill that would establish bare minimum standards of care for pets, is currently stalled in the...

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Hey Reader, I know it feels early to talk about fireworks, but trust me—now is the time to start getting ready. Every year around the 4th of July in the United States, shelters fill up with pets who panicked and bolted during fireworks. I’ve seen it myself as a former animal shelter worker—dogs breaking through fences, crashing through windows, even escaping crates. It’s heartbreaking, and it’s often preventable. If your pet has ever shown fear during storms, loud trucks passing, or...

Hi Reader, We’ve got a problem. SB 1234, the bill to finally update Arizona’s outdated animal cruelty laws, passed the Senate with strong bipartisan support. But now it’s stalling in the House—and that’s no accident. Instead of moving forward like it should, the bill has been assigned to two separate committees in the House: Judiciary and Rules, and Natural Resources, Energy, and Water. That’s not normal. It’s a tactic used to bury bills quietly before they ever get a fair hearing. We’re now...

Hi Reader, Spring is rolling in, and with it comes some big changes—wind, rain, pollen, and shifts in our daily routines. You might notice your dog acting a little differently: maybe they’re more restless, scratching more than usual, or even reluctant to go outside. Changes in temperature, humidity, and even your own schedule can impact your dog’s mood and behavior. Windy days can make everything noisier, pollen can trigger allergies, and shifting weather patterns can lead to discomfort or...