![Merlin went missing after a fatal car accident that killed his owner. Photo: Facebook / David McDougall](http://web.archive.org./web/20200226042357im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/h/1/i/5/v/d/image.related.landscape.380x253.h1i5v7.png/1568890695510.jpg)
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![Picking the right dog for your family takes some thought.](http://web.archive.org./web/20200226042357im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/2/y/r/x/7/image.related.wideLandscape.460x259.2yrs6.gjzqwg.png/1444099060142.jpg)
How to choose the right dog for your family
If you are about to give in to all the begging and pleading and buy a family dog, make sure you research which dog will best suit your family.
![Partners in crime ...](http://web.archive.org./web/20200226042357im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/2/q/y/p/4/image.related.wideLandscape.460x259.2qymt.gjzqwg.png/1578875809648.jpg)
Keeping a pet-friendly home clean
Like our human kids the furry ones are awesome at making a mess but Victoria Birch has mastered the mess with these sanity saving tips.
![pet](http://web.archive.org./web/20200226042357im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/2/1/c/t/t/image.related.landscape.120x80.21ctb.gjzqwg.png/1444099060142.jpg)
![EB blogger Ghania Dib](http://web.archive.org./web/20200226042357im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/a/6/r/g/image.related.landscape.120x80.bg5q.gjzqwg.png/1444099060142.jpg)
![Take your time when choosing a family pet and you'll have a friend for life.](http://web.archive.org./web/20200226042357im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/3/h/o/h/o/image.related.landscape.120x80.1140fw.gjzqwg.png/1444343240970.jpg)
![What bugs can you catch from your pets?](http://web.archive.org./web/20200226042357im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/3/y/2/o/7/image.related.landscape.120x80.ghpbwd.gjzqwg.png/1444099060142.jpg)
Latest
![Photo: SHUTTERSTOCK](http://web.archive.org./web/20200226042357im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/h/1/f/g/0/5/image.related.landscape.300x200.h1ffy8.png/1560842240073.jpg)
Yes, your dog can get depressed - here are the signs to watch out for
How do you know if it's just a bad mood or something more serious?
![Photo: SHUTTERSTOCK](http://web.archive.org./web/20200226042357im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/h/1/f/g/u/r/image.related.landscape.300x200.h1fgum.png/1561088905058.jpg)
Dogs may have evolved ‘puppy-dog eyes’ to tug at our hearts
A new study has found that dogs have a muscle that allows them to make their eyes look bigger and sadder - a move that may have elicited human care during domestication.
![The surprising ways having a dog benefits your kids.](http://web.archive.org./web/20200226042357im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/h/1/e/8/r/q/image.related.landscape.300x200.h1e8r0.png/1557822571209.jpg)
The surprising ways having a dog benefits your kids
Our dedicated pet-free home could be in puppy-shaped trouble.
![Dogs get all the love.](http://web.archive.org./web/20200226042357im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/h/1/d/a/1/x/image.related.landscape.300x200.h1da1s.png/1554766861251.jpg)
The simple reason pet owners value dogs more than cats
Pet owners spend a lot more on dogs than cats, and new research suggests it has a lot to do with how differently canines and felines behave.
![Images: Supplied / ABC Kids TV](http://web.archive.org./web/20200226042357im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/h/1/c/n/z/v/image.related.landscape.300x200.h1cn2x.png/1553241732079.jpg)
Celebrate International Puppy Day with these exclusive Bluey masks
It's time for a Bluey party with your friends and family.
![Photo: Le Creuset](http://web.archive.org./web/20200226042357im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/h/1/c/m/t/d/image.related.landscape.300x200.h1cmrt.png/1553155746964.jpg)
Le Creuset has released a pet range for posh pooches and kitties
The collection has finally hit Australia!
![Photo: Shutterstock](http://web.archive.org./web/20200226042357im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/h/1/c/8/y/b/image.related.landscape.300x200.h1c8yc.png/1552339188499.jpg)
Australians love their pets, so why don’t more public places welcome them?
As we increasingly choose high-density living, city planning and legislation should address creating opportunities for more human-animal interaction.
![Photo: Aldi](http://web.archive.org./web/20200226042357im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/h/1/b/z/o/v/image.related.landscape.300x200.h1bzo3.png/1551770753476.jpg)
Attention dog lovers: Aldi's designer pet range is back
Spoil your dog with this gorgeous range of grooming, feeding and sleep accessories.
![Image: Shutterstock](http://web.archive.org./web/20200226042357im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/h/1/b/8/r/6/image.related.landscape.300x200.h1b8o9.png/1550150549573.jpg)
'He is our sunshine': the precious gift of a family dog
Three years ago we got our first dog. He has taught us all about unconditional love and we couldn't imagine life without him.
![Photo: Cuddle Clones](http://web.archive.org./web/20200226042357im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/h/1/a/f/4/5/image.related.landscape.300x200.h1af3j.png/1548315210973.jpg)
You can now have your pet cloned as plush slippers
The world has reached peak pet obsession and we are here for it.
![Image: Shutterstock](http://web.archive.org./web/20200226042357im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/h/1/8/s/y/3/image.related.landscape.300x200.h18ssf.png/1544084164625.jpg)
Nevermind baby names, these are the most popular dog names for 2018
Is your pooch on trend?
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