Have you ever wondered what life would look like from your squeaky platypus's point of view? How about that mallard duck being tossed in the air or buried in the yard? Watch this great video shot at the beach, from the perspective of a dog toy.

Life as a dog toy isn't all fun and games, but it sure is a thrill ride.

We are a country that embraces the companionship of dogs more deeply every year. Today, the dogs we have are treated as loving members of the family. As education spreads about the benefits of having a dog in your life, fewer people see a dog as merely "equipment" but as therapist, protector and healer.

About 39% of US households have at least one dog. The amount of money we are willing to spend on our furry family member is climbing. It is estimated this year, we will spend more than $20 billion on just pet food in the US. [Source: APPA] Clearly, all signs point toward a love affair that isn't ending any time soon.

Awareness. I live in San Francisco, a city well known for its fondness for dogs. We have festivals and holidays celebrating all things dog, like Pet Pride Day. We have more dogs than children living here. The Bay Area has many well respected animal care organizations, yet last October the San Francisco SPCA uncovered a sad statistic: 30% of Bay Area residents are getting their dogs from puppy mills.

via www.chicoer.com

CHICO — Mary Gibson has always had dogs. When the last one died, she felt the loss. "I had always known about the (Butte) Humane Society, and had donated to it. I went there and looked around," said Gibson, 93.

"My son took me. I knew Boomer was the one. All the other dogs walked away from the fence, but my son noticed, this dog stayed by the fence, by me."

That was a year ago, and Gibson adopted Boomer. "He's about 8 or 9 years old. I couldn't manage a puppy now. Boomer was his name and I figured he'd been through enough; I just kept his name."

"I've had pedigreed dogs before, dogs with papers, but none of them compare to the behavior and loyalty of Boomer, the mixed breed I got from the shelter.

"He sticks by me, follows me everywhere. And he's very calm," she said. "Boomer is a nice companion."

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We love our dog very much, but even a senior dog can contribute her share of stains and odors to the house. She may not roll on stinky crab carcass as she did in her youth, but our dog still manages to carry the outdoors inside. She can track mud and sidewalk gunk after only a walk around the block! With Spring here and Earth Day this weekend (April 22), this year what better way to renew our commitment to a green lifestyle than by testing out natural cleaning products that help remove pet stain and odor around our house. 

As our way of contributing toward a healthier and more sustainable planet we tried out a trio of Clean+Green products around the house, basically everywhere our dog went. We liked that all their products are non-toxic, hypoallergenic and fragrance free. I don't want to cover up smells but remove them. The Furniture Refresher lifted out odors from the side of the couch where Cleo likes to rub against. We haven't had a problem with our senior dog having an accident in the house yet, but I really appreciate having the Wood & Tile in my tool box for the day we need it. 

This is National Pet ID week and my annual reminder to check and shine up my dog's tags, and make sure her microchip information is current and accessible. She may be a senior dog and not about to run away, but anyone can face the tragic and unexpected that separates you from your dog. With spring

Are you prepared if your dog goes missing? Do you have a plan if there is a fire, flood, or earthquake? Animal Care and Control in San Francisco offers recommendations and valuable lists to help you and your pet in a disaster, or if your pet goes missing.

via www.brobible.com

People Saving Pets™, a social media initiative empowered by PetSmart Charities®, announces a call to action to help animal welfare organizations and has designated Wednesday, April 18, 2012 as Volunteer Action Day.

This year the event happens during National Volunteer Week (April 15-21) in order to focus on helping homeless pets – by educating the public about the need for volunteers and mobilizing pet lovers to lend a hand to their local animal welfare organizations.

Of the 750 local animal welfare organizations that were polled by PetSmart Charities in 2011, nearly all (97 percent) said they rely on volunteers to help keep administrative costs down year-round. Volunteers free up funds to care for adoptable pets, such as providing low-cost, high-quality spay/neuter surgeries, vaccinations, food and shelter.

It's the 5th Annual Dogfest!

DogFest is a celebration of dogs and kids benefitting SFUSD McKinley Elementary School, a K-5 public school at Castro and 14th Streets. The festival offers something for dogs, kids, and parents of both breeds.

• Enter your dog in the Everyday Dog Show!
• Enjoy entertainment from emcee Daniel Handler, official representative of Lemony Snicket!
• Treat your human child to a day of jumpy houses, face painting, carnival games, delicious food, and more!
• Catch a show by the Busy Bee Dogs!
• Win a wine cellar or hot air balloon ride in the raffle!
• Make a bid on an auction prize!
• Peruse the doggie vendors or find true love in the Rescue Zone!

“Pijo, the dog star of Doggie Boogie, proves that no matter your age you can achieve the impossible." This wonderful message mixed with colorful sets and costumes, plus great music is bound to make Doggie Boogie a hit with families and dog lovers everywhere! April 12 is the World Premiere at the Sonoma International Film Festival, and tickets are still available for both shows!! 

I had a chance to meet Pijo in person, at the Bay Woof Awards in March. Yes, I'm officially starstruck. Pijo came with no entourage, only the movie's creator, Romanus. [Scroll down to see Pijo's cute photo]

Doggie Boogie - Get Your Grrr On! has been called “The Wizard of Oz for Dogs” because of its fantastical sets and colorful costumes. The San Francisco Bay Area cast and crew put their hearts into making a wonderfully entertaining movie, and it shows! 

Doggie Boogie has Muttville Senior Dog Rescue supporter, Jane Wiedlin, from one of my favorite bands, The Go-Gos, Jesse Draper from Nickelodeon's The Naked Brothers Band, Bettina Devin from the movie version of the Broadway hit Rent; and Pijo, the adorable Bichon. 

The movie's writer, director, producer and creator, Romanus Wolter, took time from his busy schedule to give you an insider peek on how they came up with their fantastic set design, plus he spills on how you can follow Pijo on Twitter.

I love that you've partnered with a rescue, how did you decide?  I expressed an interest in using the World Premiere of Doggie Boogie to benefit the community. Steve Martindale’s, a festival coordinator, two dogs are both rescues from “Herd It Through The Grapevine” in Sonoma. He put me in contact with Marina Harrison who runs the rescue organization and they will have adoptable dogs at both screenings.

Where did you get your ideas for the costumes & set design? John Waters has greatly influenced my filmmaking style – he pulls audiences into unique worlds. And, we believe in these worlds because he never leaves them. My goal was to do the same with Doggie Boogie.

In fact, “Doggie Boogie” became a verb on set. Any object whether it was a simple cupcake, set piece, or a shoe had to reflect the colorful and fantastical aspect of the world we created. If it didn’t, it was thrown off set. Check out the shelves, walls and backgrounds of our locations, everything is Doggie Boogied.

With the visionary help of Cheryl Parrott, set design, and Patricia Seldner-Brown, costumes, our sets and costumes to became part of the story. We made sure audiences were comforted with the color orange surrounding Cassie as she progressed forward. And, the color green follows our villainess Gertrude invoking the felling of greed and mistrust.

The most amazing thing that has happened this week is that my friends and family have been telling me how “The Hunger Games” costumes and sets pulled a lot of their design elements from Doggie Boogie. When I saw the movie, it was amazing how our two films reflect a similar world. Doggie Boogie is the story of what happens when the city people in The Hunger Games go dog dancing.

Pijo is on Facebook, but after the movie will Pijo have a Twitter account? Pijo already has his own Twitter Account @PijoPup and would love to hear from people and dogs. Our website is www.DoggieBoogieMovie.com

4 - What's next? Everyone should look for Doggie Boogie to be released at the end of the year. I am also evaluating international distribution possibilities for the film. I would love to partner with other dog rescue organizations to create benefit screenings in their communities. People can send referrals directly to me. And, “Doggie Boogie 2 – Gertrude Gets Rude” has a completed script and I’d love to make that a reality.

Pinterest is so much fun!

via laughingsquid.com

The folks at Noisey went to New York City’s East Village, put headphones on cute dogs and had them listen to the sad song, County Line by Cass McCombs.

Click here to see the video...and give your dog a treat today -- for all the times they let you put a hat on them, antlers, a silly bow or headphones.

Petting Dogs The Wrong Way: Exhibit A...this is really my dog's awkward laugh. But she is such a good sport with family, you can see her willingness to stick it out longer than I would.

Since our dog has moved into her senior years, we have been slowly modifying our home, as well as our habits. Her walks are no longer four mile hikes. Cleo gets nutritional yeast, salmon oil, and glucosamine chondroitin supplements. We are also making sure every square foot of our wood flooring is covered, and rugs are secure. No one wants a leggy Shepherd-Husky to slip when she is doing her hourly "running man" stretch. 

Last year the San Francisco-based pet bed company P.L.A.Y. generously gave us a stylish bed for our dog to try out in the front room. The bed is still Cleo's throne for watching the house. You can check out our review here.

FLOR Worth Every Square Inch. FLOR Inc., makers of cool modular floor coverings opened their eighth store in San Francisco last month. They invited pet bloggers to attend and offered me tile squares to try out. What they didn't know was that I was already a big fan! My husband and I discovered FLOR a year or so ago, when we were looking for a solution in our kitchen.

via weknowmemes.com