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

Double Dog Dare or You're Going Away For How Long?

I'm going to double dog dare her not to go! Grr it's that time of year again. Grrr.. no I'm not talking about back to school. This is the time when my pack is split up for several days. Do you know how long that is in dog years? A really long time!

Influence Positively Interview - Brett Chisholm

Professional photographer and lifetime animal lover, Brett Chisholm, is dedicated to combating the animal overpopulation crisis sweeping the country. To help educate and provide free and low-cost community resources, Brett gives his time and creativity to support Texas-based nonprofit SNAP (Spay-Neuter Assistance Program, Inc.). In 2006, Brett founded SNAPshots, an annual fashion fundraiser for SNAP that has successfully helped raise funds and awareness for the group, while becoming a must-attend event in Houston.

In 2010, Brett working with SNAP created Collars For A Cause, a new fundraising initiative involving one-of-a-kind dog and cat collars designed by artists, celebrities, fashion designers and more, all with the goal of increasing awareness and funds to end the cycle of animal overpopulation. At the same time, Brett followed his dreams and launched LIFE+DOG Magazine, a monthly publication celebrating "Modern Living with Man's Best Friend". As a dog lover and the Publisher of LIFE+DOG Magazine, Brett gives a fresh view of trends, products and individuals making a difference in their communities.

 

Influence Positively Interview - Heidi Ganahl

Heidi Ganahl is one of the country’s most extraordinary, respected and in demand women entrepreneurs. Heidi has triumphed over staggering adversity. Beginning with the loss of her husband at the age of 27, to losing a million-dollar insurance settlement, Heidi’s entrepreneurial spirit and extraordinary leadership skills have helped her pick herself up and emerge as a Top Dog of Camp Bow Wow, the $40 million leader in the pet and franchise industry.

Since starting Camp Bow Wow in 2000, Heidi has been able to realize her dream of creating a nonprofit organization, The Bow Wow Buddies Foundation, which promotes the health of pups, ending overpopulation and the inhumane treatment of animals worldwide. "The lessons I’ve learned over the years fill my presentations – keep in mind that the world is your field of tennis balls and pile of sticks to fetch if you just put your nose to the ground and go after them! Tragedy, loss and misfortune can all be used to learn the lessons you will need to get past your fear and become a great leader or entrepreneur. So let’s play ball!"

 Heidi enjoys hiking, traveling and working on various charitable causes including her board positions with the Denver Venture School (denverventure.org), the Metro State Center for Innovation (www.centerforinnovation.org) and the University of Colorado at Boulder Leed’s School of Business. "My devotion to the importance of education and animal welfare issues keeps me busy!"

If you are headed to BlogPaws 2011 - like we are - Heidi will be a Saturday keynote speaker. We're honored and thrilled that she took time to join our interview series ahead of the conference!

Influence Positively Interview - Louise Hobson

Louise Hobson is the wonderful mama to @Petiethecat a 16 year old orange tabby. Peter is married to the beautiful Pandafur. Petie and his mama live in Winnipeg, Canada where they work together to help other kitties have a great life, just like his. Visit his blog Petie the Cat to see how you can help too. 

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

My idea of perfect happiness is lying on a beautiful beach, with no people in site with a good book

If you could come back as a dog or a cat, which one would it be & why?

I would come back as a cat because they are so naturally graceful and loveable (well dogs are loveable too, but I am all cat lover)

What is your pets most treasured possession?

My pet's most treasured possession is a painting of him done by @Zaziart. It was given to him for his 15th birthday by some very good friends of his on Twitter.

Your proudest achievement so far? My proudest achievement so far? likely watching my children grow up into well rounded, intelligent, articulate human beings.

Who are your heroes in real life?

My hero in real life is my husbands mother. She raised 5 children all on her own- working when she could- and all of those children grew up to go to University and be successful in their own right. when you look at that scenario- it easily could have gone another way. I have the utmost respect for this woman, who is my mother in law. She is a very special woman.

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.

Yes, I am a dog

Wolf? Dog? Coyote? Mean? Nice? Boy? Girl? People ask questions about me all the time. I suppose I am an unusual dog. Sometimes it bothers me, but usually if it means I get some extra love or PL-approved treats I don't mind at all. Ask away! However, if you say I'm pretty, I will kiss you!

It has been awhile since I've done a question and answer session. I thought it might be fun to share with you the five most frequently asked questions, along with my answers to each.

If you have one that isn't covered, ask me in the comments or send an email by clicking on that little envelope icon on the lower right in the side bar! I promise to answer all your questions, and if there are enough of them, we can do a follow up post.

Here are five things people want to know about me:

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!

Pet Blog Hop & Attack of the Crab

Every Saturday I have to help clean the house and you can see why right here. My toys go on the attack sometimes and by the end of the week, they can make the house a little messy.

PL and my female like it when I get underfoot help, but I would much rather go visit friends at the Pet Blogger Blog Hop!

Rather than clean, I would rather go meet new and old Pet Blogging furriends so please - I implore you - come visit and I promise to sneak away and come visit you!

Besides, I'm sure you are WAY more fun than playing "move the puppy" away from the loud machine that takes away my nice fur...

Another kind of Meet and Greet: Pet Bloggers Bop Hop!

Considering how much I love love LOVE to meet new people and pups, I have to join in!  Now if I can figure out the follow and follower details properly (my paw-eye coordination is not the best), this will be a really fun Saturday.

Thanks to Life With Dogs, Two Little Cavaliers and Baby Patches for setting this party up!

Award Winning Grouchy Puppy

We are so honored to get this award from such a great guy who has one of the coolest names ever, D'Artagnan Rumblepurr!  I can't believe my daily life is of interest to anyone or that you really like me and believe that I am not so grouchy.  Thank you and I won't let you down!  We just wish you and your blog, Rumble-bum was in California rather than NZ.

So that I do justice to your swashbuckling honor, here are the rules of this award:

1. Copy and paste the Kreativ Blogger picture onto your blog. 
2. Thank the person who gave you the award and post a link to their blog.
3. Write 7 things about yourself we do not know.
4. Choose 7 other bloggers to award. 
5. Links to those 7 other bloggers.
6. Notify your 7 bloggers.

Grouchy Puppy Facts

• When my female boiled edamame for the first time at home - edamame are fancy soy beans served in Japanese restaurants - and one fell on the floor, I ate it! And I loved it! She laughed and laughed at me because I am not the most petite dog but I ate the tiny green bean with all the grace of the lady I am.