By Carol Bryant

From The Dog Daily

Does a tail wag always mean a happy dog? Are a dog's sloppy kisses a surefire sign of its affection? Since dogs are unable to verbalize what they are really thinking, there are nonverbal cues that we can learn from and respond to accordingly. We separate the facts from the fiction.

1. A wagging tail indicates a happy dog.

False.

A service dog in Vina went missing last Thursday.

Lesa Upton said her 5-year-old son’s English Pointer service dog is missing. She said the dog assists with the boy’s severe ADHD.

The dog, named Abby, is brown and white with a black collar.

Anyone with information on the dog’s whereabouts is asked to contact Upton at lesaupton23@gmail.com.

The Fourth of July is meant to be a celebration, but with all the festivities, it's important to be prepared and take safety precautions for yourself, but also for your four-legged friends.

Here are some safety tips from the doctors and staff at BluePearl Veterinary Partners.

BluePearl vets say prevention is always the best form of first aid. But if something does happen and your pet is burned or injured, here are some first aid tips you need to know:

• First, never put any types of cream, ointment, butter or margarine on your pet’s burn. These can introduce bacteria and other harmful substances into the burned area.

• If the burn is mild, cool the area as soon as possible with cool water and contact your veterinarian. Never use ice as ice increases the chance of hypothermia.