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

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..

Wordless Wednesday: When part of the pack is missing

Influence Positively Interview - Lizzie Mead

Lizzie Mead was born in 1973 and raised in Tucson, AZ. She has quirky parents (Lloyd and Alicia Mead) who own a motel on the wrong side of the tracks where there are many at-risk animals..and they pretty much run a cat rescue on the property. Her mom raised her with a love for all critters and instilled in her a desire to help animals in need. Her dad is the voice of reason and taught her to not have 20 foster animals at a time.

Silver Sea Jewelry has been open since 1993 in Tucson, AZ Lizzie takes great joy in being self-employed, even if she'll never be rich. She volunteers with assorted animal rescue groups, and is a "Beading Diva" a group which raises money for animal rescue groups with beautiful handcrafted bracelets. Lizzie is an animal welfare advocate for dogs, and her life goal is to see the end of racing in the state of Arizona and one day, across the country. She also works with homeless and at risk youth in her area, helps them with their dogs, and mentors kids transitioning off the streets into homelife. For Lizzie, life got much sweeter once that life went to the dogs.

What is your idea of perfect happiness? My perfect idea of happiness is a balanced life in which I get to spend much time with my furry children, have awesome relationships with family and friends, help others and the animal kingdom, and successfully run my little jewelry business that I love. A bonus is a little quality time lounging on my porch in front of my orange house. Most of this I already get to do! That's fun!

If you could come back as a dog or a cat, which one would it be & why? If it would be possible to come back in my next life as a dog that belonged to someone awesome, I would totally want to do that. Dogs rely on us so much, and we are their best friend. We are their protector, nurturer, food and water bringer, and primary love giver. Not everyone is up for this challenge and so many are abandoned or ignored and thrown in a backyard to spend much time alone. I feel like people who get a dog to have in the yard are really missing the point. They are also cheating themselves out of the full experience, not to mention cheating the dog as well! So, though I am a big-time dog person..I'm going to have to go with CAT. They are more independent and better equipped to survive when their people fail them. I'm not saying cats *should* have to fend for themselves, they are simply better at it. Independent, prone to bouts of tearing through the house at top speeds, distracted by shiny objects That sounds like me!

And they call it puppy love

It's all about me. I'm the master at making my pack circle me, like a flock of birds. They orbit me as if I am their sun. 

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 - Laura Welch

Laura Welch joined the Spay-Neuter Assistance Program (SNAP) in January 2006. Previously she was a co-founder and executive director of PAWS Houston, a non-profit organization. She created the mission and developed the infrastructure of PAWS Houston which was formed to help keep terminally ill patients together with their animals as long as possible. Prior to that position, Laura worked for the Greater Houston Partnership coordinating the annual major campaign, golf tournament and other major events. She is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals and volunteers for many organizations including The Rose Foundation, American Brain Tumor Association and various animal organizations. Laura has served on the Pet Patrol Board of Directors and Women’s Home Auxiliary Board. She was a presenter at the Human-Animal Bond World Conference 2005 and at the National Spay-Neuter Conference in 2006.

What is your idea of perfect happiness? Perfect happiness is when a dog I have pulled from the shelter, treated for sickness, socialized, etc., finds a wonderful new home. I love seeing the sick, scared dog blossom after receiving love, good nutrition and veterinary care. When I get a note from the animal’s new family saying how much they love the dog, I know that both the people and the dog are making each other’s lives better. Knowing that I helped save that one dog truly helps when I hear of all the other dogs and cats that are euthanized because they could not find a home.

Also, perfect happiness is knowing that I get to come to work every day and do something to help the animals and that I get to work with amazing people that are passionate about making a difference. I am truly happy to go to work everyday.

Influence Positively Interview - Annie Brody

Annie Brody founded Camp Unleashed in 2004 after successful careers in book publishing and environmental education. She has a B.S. from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Cornell University where she studied initially with the goal of becoming a veterinarian.

Dogs have been her greatest passion since 1993 when she adopted her first dog from the NYC ASPCA--a lost golden retriever, whom she named Hero--and embarked on her ongoing journey to understand the extraordinary nature of the human-dog relationship.

In 1999 she moved from Manhattan to upstate New York so that Hero could live a more natural life including being able to run free off leash and so that Annie could invite more dogs to live with them. The delight she and Hero experienced inspired her to start Camp Unleashed so that other dogs and people would have a safe natural place to go to be together, without leashes!

What is your idea of perfect happiness? I love an early morning walk through the woods with my dogs, ending up in a pond for them to swim in. Perfection would be having someone else to wash them off afterwards.

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.

Pet Appreciation Week Adds Glow

Pretty in pink, my glowing dog affection makes the best filter for your camera! BOL

See how this new lovely lady I met was attracted to my obvious joy and love of pets. She just met me and couldn't stop cuddling with me. It was a slice of heaven. And Pet Appreciation Week hadn't even started yet!

Here's to your Monday being cast in a warm glow of canine affection. I suggest you appreciate all pets, especially your own, the shared affection will take years off and make all your photos glow!

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: