As summer approaches and we all look forward to more jaunts in the park, time outside and days in the sun, our dogs do too! Yet there are issues that arise in the warm weather that we all should keep in mind to make sure our dogs stay safe and healthy. With lots of barbecues, hikes and outdoor fun in your pups future, here are six really easy ways to keep her healthy and happy, courtesy of Wicked Local Concord.

We came across this article on Buzzfeed, entitled "Huge Dogs You Can't Fit In Your Apartment," and we just had to share it. As New Yorkers, we hold a special appreciation for what it's like to live in a small apartment with our dogs and deal with landlords who may or may not appreciated our canine companion, but imagine if your dog was the size of a pony? Though some apartment buildings have size rules -- and these massive pups certainly do not meet the under 35-pound regulation -- we've seen our share of Great Danes and Saint Bernards roaming the streets. Yet, the pooches in these pictures are particular ginormous either by genetic predisposition or by freak accident. Without further ado, just enjoy these photos and appreciate your dog, who may not be as portable as a dog in a purse, but is certainly easier to get around than these guys and gals.

So, we're all for actually playing with your dog. You know, running around with him, throwing the ball, playing frisbee, going on a jog, etc. We are big proponents of staying fit right along with our pets but that's not to say there aren't occasional instances where it would be nice to get our dogs exercised and do nothing of the sort ourselves.

The words "therapy dog" usually mean well-trained, friendly pups that visit hospitals and people in need of some health and happiness. However, these dogs are branching out! Now, in colleges across the country, therapy dogs are on a mission to help students de-stress during finals week.

When asked by NYmag why he started Barkbox.com, Henrik Werdelin noted that there is a big difference between dog owners and dog parents. The latter love their dogs so much that they look for ways to delight and surprise their pooch on a regular basis. Dog parents love giving their pup treats, buying them things and treating them like members of the family. We're totally on board with this! Werdelin also noted that BarkBox is a service for these types of dog people. What is this BarkBox.com we speak of?