My dog's facial expressions can make me do things I know I shouldn't. Her eyes turn into tractor beams and in a moment, I'm leaning over the counter giving her a treat for "being so cute." Cleo is a senior dog, and she has diabetes. I know I need to be conscious of her diet, but sometimes it's hard to listen to my brain and not those sweet doggie eyes asking for a taste of what we're eating or cooking.

“Like people, dogs require a properly balanced diet to ensure they are receiving all of the nutrients necessary for proper health,” said Preston Buff, Ph.D., PAS, Dipl., Chief Natural Nutrition Officer at The Nutro Company.

Did you know that dogs are fed scraps under the table in 70% of households? According to a new survey by the makers of NUTRO® ULTRA™ Food for Dogs, I'm not alone in trying to do the right thing for Cleo's health and diet:

• Only about half (54 percent) of owners say they feed their dog the exact serving size listed on the dog food packaging
• 40 percent of dog owners rarely or never check the ingredients in their dog’s food
• 36 percent of dogs eat dinner when their owners do
• Only 29 percent of dogs follow an all-natural, holistic diet

Read the press release for more details.

Do you struggle with your dog's diet or does your dog eat healthier than you? How do you take to make your dog(s) nutritional health a priority? Share in the comments!

This post is written by a member of the Nutro Knowledge Network.

I am an old dog who sleeps a lot, deals with aches and pains, snuggles every chance I get, while keeping one ear (my eyesight sucks) on the front door. ~ Cleo

 

Celebrating Senior Dogs: Week 1

 via cleosday.grouchypuppy.com

The San Francisco SPCA is hosting the second annual Be Mine Adopt-a-thon weekend, February 8th - 10th. Adoption fees will be waived all weekend for animals from the SF SPCA and select rescue partners, including SF Animal Care & Control, Muttville Senior Dog Rescue, and Family Dog Rescue.

The festivities will kick off Friday evening with a FREE Be Mine Tattoo Cocktail Party, 4:30pm - 9:00pm, at the SF SPCA's Adoption Center (250 Florida Street).

Beer, wine, cocktails, and snacks will be complimentary. Flexx Bronco's Voodoo Van and Manna Japanese Comfort Food will also be on site serving up tasty treats from their food trucks.

Maud the cat lets Alistair the dachshund firmly know that playing around wasn’t going to happen...

 

Via Laughing Squid

 

Via WKYT.com

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) - "Lucky" the dog lived up to his name Tuesday, after surviving a fire in his owner's Lexington home. But firefighters say usually, pets need more than luck to make it through an emergency.

First-responders say they don't always know to search a home for a beloved dog, cat, or any other pet for that matter. Pet owners don't normally post signs to alert emergency responders that their animals may need help too. But Dr. Kate Algiere, with Banfield Pet Hospital in Hamburg, says a simple sticker could save your pets life.

Read the full story

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My sweet old dog joins volunteers across the country. She gave to our neighborhood elders a little furry love and companionship today, a project perfect for a dog like Cleo who rarely says no to a kiss or a snuggle..

 

 

 

Via Buzzfeed

Be warned, if you click on this link you will feel compelled to scroll through over a hundred cookie jars....but then again, grab your tea or coffee and scroll away. I loved them especially the Snoopy, and the jars that came with matching tiny jars, like puppies.

 

 

2012 was a good year. I have had the chance to spend a lot of time with my wonderful dog Cleo all year. Each day she shows me how to give fearlessly while influencing positively the world around us. Watching her in action is impressive. This year she has shown me that though she is aging rapidly, she can still demonstrate the joy of a puppy.

She has shown me patience as I learned the art of insulin injections. Her blindness has only made her cuter as she walks gingerly through our home. Her loving behavior belies the aches and pains I know she has. Cleo's ability to handle ailments with quiet grace is astonishing.