{"id":44315,"date":"2025-12-01T22:58:47","date_gmt":"2025-12-01T22:58:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/?p=44315"},"modified":"2025-12-10T17:22:45","modified_gmt":"2025-12-10T17:22:45","slug":"best-of-digest-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/best-of-digest-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"Best of Digest 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"<?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><p><strong>In this article:<\/strong><\/p><ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"#valerie\">How a Miniature Dachshund Named Valerie Survived 529 Days on Kangaroo Island<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#tv\">What Do Dogs Like to Watch on TV? This Scientist Tried to Find Out.<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#ball-under-couch\">Why Does My Dog Push the Ball Under the Couch?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#metabolomics\">New Study From The Farmer&rsquo;s Dog Shows That Fresh Food Can Support Healthier Aging in Dogs<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#boredom\">Is Your Dog Bored Right Now? Here&rsquo;s How to Help Them<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#friends\">How Do Dogs Choose Their Friends?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#too-much\">Meet Mia, the Best Supporting Canine in Lena Dunham&rsquo;s Netflix Series &ldquo;Too Much&rdquo;<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#adhd\">Can Dogs Have ADHD?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#phone\">How Does Your Dog Feel When You&rsquo;re Looking at Your Phone?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#object-pass\">How Long Does It Take for an Object to Pass Through a Dog&rsquo;s Digestive System?<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul><div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div><hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"><div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div><p>It&rsquo;s been another fun year covering all things dog here at <em>Digest<\/em>. In the past 12 months, we&rsquo;ve <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/can-dogs-have-ocd\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">tackled big questions about dogs&rsquo; mental health<\/a>, shared the touching tale of a firefighter who <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/this-firefighter-rescued-a-puppy-from-a-burning-home-and-then-adopted-him\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">rescued a puppy from a burning house and then adopted him <\/a>, weighed in about <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/do-dogs-ever-belong-in-strollers\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">when our best friends should be in strollers<\/a>, asked experts <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/essential-training-skills-for-dogs-sit-place-recall-wait\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">the best way to teach dogs the basic skills they need<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/adopt-a-senior-dog-from-one-of-these-organizations-and-start-them-on-fresh-food-for-free\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">helped dogs find happy forever homes<\/a>, and much more.<\/p><p>But we know that you&rsquo;re busy and might not have had a chance to read every article on our homepage, Instagram feed, or newsletter (feel free to bookmark and sign up for any of those, by the way!). So, in case you missed anything, here are some of our most popular and talked-about articles from 2025. They cover some mysteries of dog behavior, research on dog health, the lives of famous pooches, and, in one case, the adventures of a tiny dachshund who survived on her own in a real place called Kangaroo Island for 529 days.<\/p><p>Thanks for your support, Long Live Dogs, and see you in 2026!<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/IMG_4832-768x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"How a Miniature Dachshund Named Valerie Survived 529 Days on Kangaroo Island (and How She Got Back Home)\" class=\"wp-image-42022\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/IMG_4832-768x1024.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/IMG_4832-225x300.jpeg 225w, https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/IMG_4832-1152x1536.jpeg 1152w, https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/IMG_4832.jpeg 1500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/figure><p id=\"valerie\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/how-a-miniature-dachshund-named-valerie-survived-529-days-on-kangaroo-island-and-how-she-got-back-home\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>How a Miniature Dachshund Named Valerie Survived 529 Days on Kangaroo Island<\/strong><\/a><br>Valerie spent almost a year and a half on the Australian island without human help. Here&rsquo;s how she lived to tell the tale, and even managed to gain weight during her adventure.<\/p><p id=\"tv\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/what-do-dogs-like-to-watch-on-tv-this-scientist-tried-to-find-out\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>What Do Dogs Like to Watch on TV? This Scientist Tried to Find Out.<\/strong><br><\/a>According to recent research, dogs&rsquo; viewing habits depend on their personalities.<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"685\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/why-does-my-dog-put-ball-under-couch-1024x685.jpg\" alt=\"A dog lying down and looking underneath a couch.\" class=\"wp-image-42771\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/why-does-my-dog-put-ball-under-couch-1024x685.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/why-does-my-dog-put-ball-under-couch-300x201.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/why-does-my-dog-put-ball-under-couch-768x514.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/why-does-my-dog-put-ball-under-couch-1536x1028.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/why-does-my-dog-put-ball-under-couch-2048x1371.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><p id=\"ball-under-couch\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/why-does-my-dog-push-the-ball-under-the-couch\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Why Does My Dog Push the Ball Under the Couch?<\/strong><\/a><br>Having a dog is fun, but &ldquo;couch ball&rdquo; sometimes isn&rsquo;t. Here&rsquo;s why your dog might have taught you to fetch, and what to do about it.<\/p><p id=\"metabolomics\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/new-study-from-the-farmers-dog-shows-that-fresh-food-can-support-healthier-aging-in-senior-dogs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>New Study From The Farmer&rsquo;s Dog Shows That Fresh Food Can Support Healthier Aging in Dogs<\/strong><\/a><br>Dogs fed fresh food showed a rapid, sustained metabolic shift after just one month.<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/shutterstock_2270542335-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"A bored-looking dog looks out a window; it's gloomy outdoors.\" class=\"wp-image-40775\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/shutterstock_2270542335-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/shutterstock_2270542335-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/shutterstock_2270542335-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/shutterstock_2270542335-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/shutterstock_2270542335.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><p id=\"boredom\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/is-your-dog-bored-right-now-heres-how-to-help-them\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Is Your Dog Bored Right Now? Here&rsquo;s How to Help Them.<\/a><br><\/strong>There are many simple steps you can take to make your dog&rsquo;s life more interesting.<\/p><p id=\"friends\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/how-do-dogs-choose-their-friends\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>How Do Dogs Choose Their Friends?<\/strong><\/a><br>We did a deep dive on our best friends&rsquo; best friends.<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/meg-stalter-and-mia-1024x576.jpeg\" alt=\"meg-stalter-and-mia\" class=\"wp-image-42525\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/meg-stalter-and-mia-1024x576.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/meg-stalter-and-mia-300x169.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/meg-stalter-and-mia-768x432.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/meg-stalter-and-mia.jpeg 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><p id=\"too-much\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/astrid-netflix-too-much-lena-dunham-meg-stalter-chinese-crested-dog\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Meet Mia, the Best Supporting Canine in Lena Dunham&rsquo;s Netflix Series &ldquo;Too Much&rdquo;<\/strong><br><\/a>In a show about learning to love yourself, oddities and all, a 13-year-old Chinese crested dog couldn&rsquo;t have been more well cast.<\/p><p id=\"adhd\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/can-dogs-have-adhd\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Can Dogs Have ADHD?<\/strong><br><\/a>Here&rsquo;s how to recognize disordered hyperactivity in dogs, and what to do about it.<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"684\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Small-dog-licking-person-looking-at-phone-1024x684.jpg\" alt=\"A small dog licking a person looking at a phone.\" class=\"wp-image-43035\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Small-dog-licking-person-looking-at-phone-1024x684.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Small-dog-licking-person-looking-at-phone-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Small-dog-licking-person-looking-at-phone-768x513.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Small-dog-licking-person-looking-at-phone-1536x1026.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Small-dog-licking-person-looking-at-phone.jpg 1731w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><p id=\"phone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/how-does-your-dog-feel-when-youre-looking-at-your-phone\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>How Does Your Dog Feel When You&rsquo;re Looking at Your Phone?<\/strong><br><\/a>It may seem like your phone is always calling, but your dog needs face time with you.<\/p><p id=\"object-pass\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/how-long-does-it-take-for-objects-to-pass-through-a-dogs-digestive-system\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>How Long Does It Take for an Object to Pass Through a Dog&rsquo;s Digestive System?<\/strong><\/a><br>Here&rsquo;s what to expect if your dog eats something they shouldn&rsquo;t&mdash;and what to do. Step one: Call a vet!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Here are some of our (and your) favorite articles from the past year.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":42624,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[202],"tags":[370,365,395,433,239],"class_list":["post-44315","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-dog-people","tag-celebrity-pets","tag-cognition","tag-dachshunds","tag-in-the-news","tag-research"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/44315","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/11"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=44315"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/44315\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":44476,"href":"https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/44315\/revisions\/44476"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/42624"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=44315"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=44315"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=44315"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}