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

Why big dogs are perfect for elderly crowd

Did you know that us big dogs are perfect companions for older folks? Yes, big dogs are great for senior people.

Dogs Positively Influence Campaign | Ric Paws it Forward

Here is a new (yet well known to many) dog to share with you. She is a surf dog who paws it forward every day in Southern California. Her name is Ricochet, or Ric. What makes her so special? To start with she has a guardian whose most proud moment was embracing Ric's natural talents..

"I made one good decision with my dog Ricochet, and that was to finally let her be who she truly is, rather than trying to make her fit my expectations. I wanted her to be a service dog for a person with a disability, but she has too much chase drive. Once I let go of the expectations, she showed me she has a mission to touch millions of lives, not just one. If I hadn't made that decision, she would have remained stifled, and both of us unhappy and disappointed. Instead, disappointment was replaced with a joyful new direction!" ~ Judy

Together they continue spreading Ric's positive influence today with videos like this: 

  

They plan to use the video above to get out to teachers, and do in school presentations, so kids can learn how to respect animals, and take responsibility for them. They want kids to learn how to be true to themselves.

Judy hopes Ric's story will have kids relate to her as a dog, rather than as a teacher or parent telling them what to do -- influencing them while they're young. 

Do you have a dog who positively influences too? Tell us.

To learn more about Ric visit her website:  www.surfdogricochet.com

 

 

 

Dogs Positively Influence Campaign | Cassie, best dog ever

Cassie, the Shetland Sheepdog, is our first dog to highlight during the Dogs Positively Influence Campaign. She demonstrated all the amazing qualities and natural skills that dogs have for positively influencing their people. Read Cassie's story [...]

Influence Positively Interview | Missy Johnson

Missy Johnson is a graphic designer and illustrator as well as the creative genius behind Dogs for the PAWS, a national pet rescue awareness site that is inspiring pet lovers to rescue, foster, adopt, volunteer and love pets in need. Dogs for the PAWS is an art and education project that started with 80 rescue dogs from all around the country. Missy paints the dogs' portraits and includes their touching stories of rescue and rehabilitation written by their companions and rescuers. She offers affordable design and illustration that rescues and other pet organizations can use for their events, fundraising and social media promotion of animals up for adoption.

Dogs for the PAWS and Missy's stunning artwork have been featured in numerous printed and online publications From FIDO Friendly, DogTipper, Lowcountry Dog Magazine, Indy Tails, Wadsworth News, and PeoplePets Online. She is a contributing writer for Life+Dog Magazine. Missy lives in Charleston, South Carolina with her husband, Jim and their 5 dogs, (4 of which are rescues) Lake, Gun, London, Schooner and Wyatt Earp. They volunteer with the Carolina Basset Hound Rescue.

What is your idea of perfect happiness?  My perfect happiness would be to see a solution to the flood of unwanted animals across our country and beyond . The ultimate happiness along with the perfect one, would be to have my art used as a resource for pet groups and organizations to promote their adoptable pets, promote  their dedicated work helping animals in need and raise funds using my designs on their event items, promotional materials and fundraising. Also having the opportunity to work with groups all across the country and travel to the different cities with a fun and unique exhibition to show the pet groups how to use my work as a resource would be a dream come true!

Why would a senior dog makes your life great?

Reason # 357 We think you put the awesome, in awesome sauce. *

12 Days of Cleo and Smize with Eyes

Thanksgiving 2011 or How Senior Dogs Play Poker

By now, you probably have heard or read, that I am officially old. With this maturity, comes a quiet dignity. I may not be a senator like some of my buddies, but I am regal. I'm also slowly losing my vision. However, don't feel sorry for me, because as you will see, I'm holding my own.

In case I forgot to mention it, this is how I spent Thanksgiving this year. Yep, I am head-butting the stove, while the cranberry sauce and gravy is being made. And to prove that this isn't a fake photo, check out this evidence [...]

Dogs like me are a gift

When you don't buy your dog in a store or online -- but adopt locally, you could get a dog like me. And when you click through my archives over your morning coffee or afternoon tea, you will see what I mean.

Loving our family: Two-Legged and Four-Legged

Last week was my annual mature exam at the vet. I had a nervous stomach and relied on my pack for support. They brought my favorite treats to surprise me with, and even let me get onto the couch next to them while we waited for our turn.

I trust my pack to not let anything bad happen to me, and they don't disappoint. They wrapped me in love throughout the entire appointment. This time I even settled down long enough to weigh in at 88lbs! That's an auspicious number even for a dog!

Afterwards, they confirmed with the doc that I am a rockstar..

Thankful photos: Senior Dog Outings