Breathe in. Ice out.

One's frozen. One's furry.

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Culture

Ice, Ice, Maybe: How Freezing Your Butt Off Became a Mental Health Strategy

You’ve probably scrolled past a sweaty guy in Patagonia shorts sitting in a trash can full of ice and thought: “That can’t possibly be relaxing.” And you’d be right. It’s not. But it is the latest health obsession that’s got everyone from your CrossFit cousin to your kombucha-sipping coworker jumping into the freeze.

Cold plunging, also known as the act of willingly bathing in water that could turn your toes into Chiclets, is trending. But not because it's cozy (emphasis added!). It’s because this ridiculous little ritual works.

According to people who’ve done it more than once without crying, cold plunging helps with:

  • Mental Clarity: Your brain goes, “WE’RE DYING!” and then realizes it’s not. Boom - instant perspective on those 47 unread emails.

  • Mood Boosting: Dopamine levels spike. You feel high on life. Or maybe just high on surviving.

  • Inflammation Reduction: Athletes use it for muscle recovery. Desk jockeys use it to cancel out sitting like a goblin for eight hours.

Millennials are doing it because it’s cheaper than therapy. Gen Xers are doing it because they did weirder things in the ’90s anyway. Either way, it’s become a ritual of resilience.

How to Join the Ice Cult Without Losing a Toe

You don’t need a $10K plunge tub. Just a bathtub, a few bags of ice, and a really questionable life choice. Start with 30 seconds. Breathe like you’re giving birth to a glacier. Work your way up to three minutes if your ego permits.

If you want a chuckle - or need pain relief while camping - you can pack an inflatable cold plunge tub that is only $55. We would love to see a photo of someone in the ice bath when a bear casually strolls past.

Pro tip: Don’t cold plunge immediately after watching “Titanic.” Too soon.

He takes the pup on walks, lets them hog the bed, and pretends not to notice the chewed-up slippers. This Father's Day, celebrate the man who’s a great pet parent and friend. Our limited-edition cookie box includes treats for both him and his pup - plus a personalized card that’ll make his heart (and his tail) wag.

Only a small batch available - once they’re gone, they’re gone. Orders are closed on June 9 or when they sell out. All cookie boxes ship on June 11 for arrival prior to Father’s Day.

2 Truths and a Fib
A. Dogs can't detect diseases through scent but can detect tooth cavities.
B. Dogs sniff in stereo—they can smell directionally, like we hear in surround sound.
C. Dogs smell in layers—like dissecting a stew down to every ingredient.
The answer is at the end of this newsletter.

Daily Superfood Support for Aging, Medium-to-Large Dogs

You invest in your own wellness—why not your dog’s?

Designed for medium-to-large dogs, POP-Topper is a science-backed, premium daily supplement developed by animal health researchers in New Zealand.

Each single-serve sachet delivers clean, targeted support with human-grade superfoods like green-lipped mussels (for omega-3s), bilberry (for antioxidants), beef bone broth (for collagen), and kiwi (for vitamin C). No fillers. No additives. Just results.

Especially if your dog’s on kibble and curious about fresh food, POP-Topper fits seamlessly into your routine—and helps support long-term joint, immune, and brain health.

Heartfelt, Funny, and Potential Compensation

Smile Central: Live-in cleaner, masseuse, and best friend
Play day: Modern day Grinch?
Ruff Law: Attorney at Paw

What’s Wrong With Your Dog

The Nose Job Your Dog Actually Wants

Truth be told, my sister has a nose that can smell any scent within miles, especially if it’s mint (but it could really be ANY scent). Even so, you know your dog’s nose is more along the lines of a superpower (maybe beyond my sister’s). No, not the ability to hear a cheese wrapper from three rooms away although yeah, that too. And yet most dogs go through life sniffing the same 10 things every day no doubt including a tree, a butt, and a mystery stain (even if they did it).

Enter scent games: brain workouts for dogs that are way more stimulating than another game of fetch. Think of them as canine sudoku (but more entertaining) powered by kibble and curiosity.

Scent games tap into your dog’s natural instincts, giving them something meaningful to do besides redecorating your couch with fluff. Start simple: hide treats in boxes, under cups, or inside rolled-up towels. Then let your dog sniff them out like a four-legged Sherlock Holmes. Tails will be a waggin’.

The benefits? Off the charts. These games reduce anxiety, burn mental energy, and even build confidence in shy dogs. Plus, they’re a great way to bond especially if you enjoy watching your dog dramatically snort at a pillow like it owes him money.

You don’t need fancy gear. Use some items from around the house. You need treats, a few containers, and a dog who’s ready to sniff like it’s their job (because biologically, it kind of is). If you play outside, you can soak a Q-tip in scented oils, place it into a (clean!) used pill bottle with holes in it, and then hide the container outside. “Find it!” becomes the game. Be sure to have a favorite toy on hand to swap for the container when it’s found.

My sister would hate this game.

Chuckle

The fib is A. Dogs can detect diseases like cancer and diabetes through scent.

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