Cleo's Day Blog | Dog Advice, Cute Pics, and Life Lessons from a Rescue Dog in San Francisco

Influence Positively Interview - Shreve Stockton

Shreve Stockton is a writer and photographer living in Wyoming. She is the author of two books: Eating Gluten Free and The Daily Coyote and the creator of three blogs: Vespa Vagabond, The Daily Coyote, and Honey Rock Dawn.

What is your idea of perfect happiness? Knowing, each moment, that I have such freedom, that I have love around me, that there is so much still to explore.

If you could come back as a dog or a cat, which one would it be & why? I would say a cat. I'm independent, though I can be demanding at times - those are rather cat-like traits, no? And I'd love to be able to move like a cat. I love the way they move.

Influence Positively Interview - Paris Permenter

Paris Permenter publishes DogTipper.com along with her husband and writing partner, John Bigley. Since the late '80s, Paris and John have been professional writers, specializing in travel writing and authoring numerous magazine articles and 26 guidebooks. Concentrating primarily in Caribbean and romantic travel, the couple launched their first website In 2000. However, it wasn't until 2008, with the adoption of two shelter dogs, Irie and Tiki, that Paris and John switched their focus to dogs. Their newest book, Barkonomics: Tips for Frugal Fidos, combines their love of dogs with a lifetime of frugal living and Paris' academic background in Economics.

Paris and John live out in the country in the Texas Hill Country with their two dogs and four cats. When not at the keyboard, Paris enjoys long hikes around their property with the dogs, wading in the creek, and photography.

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

I think my idea of perfect happiness is to wake up every day and feel excited about the day ahead, whether that day is going to be spent working or playing. Being self-employed, sometimes it's difficult to find a dividing line between "at work" and "off work" time but recently I came to realize that it doesn't matter. I'm really lucky that the line between work and play is blurred so an afternoon photographing our dogs is fun...and "work" at the same time!

Rumble Dolls - The Untold Story

I've discovered a deeply hidden, truly heartbreaking fact about myself.

I'm adopted.

It was a shock, big brother Inigo told me... it explained so much about my life, and it opened up some of my kitten memories. It was incredible, how it came rushing back to me!! I had a BOOTIFUL sister that was sent to a far away land!!

Now I can hear you saying, 'Rumbles, you have a sister!? She must be STUNNING!' ...and it's true! She is! In fact... she owns this blog!

That's right, the lovely Miss Cleo is my long lost sister. We were separated when I was but a tiny kitten and she was a young puppy.

Why were we separated? Simple. Together we would be able to rule the whole world. Our good-looking-ness would transcend space and time! Alien lifeforms would flock to earth just to bask in our light... but so much power is TOO much power.

And so, my bootiful sister was sent to a strange and unusual place called San Francisco, and I was sent to live on this tiny island of New Zealand.

I'm so glad I have a way to communicate with her through social networking... but we have to be cautious not to get TOO close, or there could be a supernova.

*RUMBLEPURR*

RIF and RUFF

Reading is Fundamental [RIF] was a big influence on my PL growing up.  He tells sweet stories of summer book clubs and the city bookmobile.  From my perspective books are important, except when they get in the way of my getting my tummy rubbed when I want it.

Sometimes my PL reads too much, so it is my job to remind him of other very important tasks like feeding me or taking me for a walk.

Question of the Week: Five Favorite I Can Read Books

Storytime and listening to my pack read aloud to me is fun! We sit together in the living room or sometimes even in the kitchen at the counter, reading familiar stories out loud.  Grrr ever since they got the new couch though, they won't let me get up on it to snuggle closer.  Instead I always sit on the floor now, sometimes leaning (and leaving behind) my furriness against the upholstery.

Our stories are lessons about unconditional love, about not making a big problem out of a little problem and learning vacation rules!  Personally I need reminding when it comes to rules, they just seem to slip my mind in the moment.  When the door bell rings, in the moment I forget that I am suppose to "wait" before PL opens the front door.  I always seem to rush his legs and push myself to the front in order to sniff who's there.

Do you have lessons you need to learn over and over like me?  If you're a pup then I'd give you lots of encouraging licks on the face and nibbles on the neck to help you feel protected. 

Have you read these books already? They are five of our favorite beginner books to read aloud:

1. The Bears' Vacation by Stan & Jan Berenstain
2. Big Dog...Little Dog by P.D. Eastman
3. Go Away, Dog by Joan L Nodset
4. Go, Dog, Go! by P.D. Eastman
5. Llama llama red pajama by Anna Dewdney

Do you have a favorite book that you read out loud? Share your favorite place to read and your beginner book in the comments...

Citizen Canine - Grouchy Puppy Gets out the Vote!

This petition I'm behind - literally - is all about our national parks and you know I love going to the park! These volunteers were happy to see my support and help getting their measure on the ballot.

Make it a Grouchy Puppy New Year!

Here's wishing every reader, fan club member and general lover of ME the best 2010. I've been sharing my day with you for a year now - can you believe it?! It warms my grouchy heart to know many of you like me as I am.

Best wishes for the new year and like me, I hope you embrace your inner grouchy puppy!

Apocalypse Now - Smell of Grouchy Puppy

I love the smell of wet dog in the morning...

More Q&A with Cleo, the muse behind Grouchy Puppy

We continue with more Questions and Answers for Cleo, the muse behind Grouchy Puppy ™.

Reporter: Cleo, I have to ask you, what exactly ARE you? Where do you come from?

Cleo: Let me respond first by saying that I will assume you are asking about my background, and not in a derogatory way.  If you are being rude, then be prepared to get poked and nibbled at by the few teeth I have.

Reporter: I don't mean to be rude, but as a handsome looking dog, people want to know more about you.

Cleo: Thank you, compliment taken.  You have to understand that I am so often misunderstood that I can be sensitive to these types of questions. These questions can come from people who have a preset frame of mind about who they think I am. These comments can also come from people who place pure-bred AKC (American Kennel Club) registered dogs above me.

Reporter: Okay, thanks for explaining and I apologize for any misunderstanding.  Let's start with where are you from, originally?

Cleo:  Sure. I was surrendered to a shelter in Northern California. I don't know anything more than that honestly.  They called the SF/SPCA and suggested that I get evaluated as a possible new member for a pack in San Francisco.

Reporter: Wow, how was it to be surrendered?  Did you have a hard time dealing with that emotionally?

Cleo: It seems like a long time ago now and I don't remember much. I live in the now. When my pack and I were first together, it was hard for me to believe they would keep me.  My self-esteem was pretty low then. Now four years later, I imagine that my gratitude that I display everyday comes in part from my early life.

Reporter: It is refreshing to hear how you don't take for granted what you have been given by your pack. That you still appreciate the opportunity you were given for a new life in the big city, four years later.

Cleo: I've done hard before, my life now with this pack is anything but that.

Reporter: You are amazing.

Artists Open Studios Today - One of a kind Paw Prints!

I'm here all day! Soon I will be sharing with you my first photo book. I take you on a tour of the Presidio in San Francisco!  All the best spots for first time visitors to the city and for those new to exploring the Presidio.  It is one of my favorite places and a must for anyone with a pup or a camera.

Interested in a copy? Let me know! Leave me a comment.