We were lucky. Though we still had to say goodbye to our beloved dog, being able to let her go while in a quiet home setting gave us as much peace as it probably did her. We had a great veterinarian but driving in the car, and any amount of time at the vet stressed our dog out, from day one. When she was younger, driving in the car 20 minutes meant she'd get the chance to spend an hour or two at the beach, one of her favorite places. We felt that type of stress was a fair trade, and I think she did too. Everyone, including our dogs, deserve the chance to die with dignity and in peace. 

Sometimes tragedy strikes and a peaceful ending isn't an option, but if you had the chance to give your dog the opportunity to pass on, from their own home, would you take it?

Look at this sweet old face. Sunny is an adoptable dog at Lily's Legacy Senior Dog Sanctuary in Northern California. This is a rescue and sanctuary that we've been following for a couple years now. [Loving Old Dogs] Like San Francisco's Muttville Senior Dog Rescue, they help older dogs find new homes or have the chance to live out their days in a loving home environment rather than be discarded and forgotten in a shelter.

I believe both organizations are important to support because how we treat our aging population, this includes our companion animals, reflects back on us as a society.

I've been writing about the many valuable life lessons that my old dog has been teaching me over the years, and when I see that people continue to discard a dog just when they've matured into the best part, I'm grateful these two nonprofits exist. 

Imagine sitting with your favorite grandparent, enjoying their steady support and love when you needed them. Now look at Sunny and imagine the love and quiet joy an older dog can bring to a family. 

If our dog Cleo taught us anything, she showed us that old dogs are worth every moment of love and ounce of heartache...

Sweet soulful Newt has been waiting at Muttville Senior Dog Rescue for a really long time. Stop by to meet him and you'll fall in love. He is a perfect gentleman!

Stop by Rescue Row in San Francisco and spread some love today at Muttville: 255 Alabama St in San Francisco.

San Francisco friends - you can also help Newt find a home by printing and posting his flyer in your neighborhood. Thank you!

Don't miss out on anything, get the Grouchy Puppy blog delivered by email. Sign up here!

I have written for years across Grouchy Puppy about all the many ways my own dog Cleo has taught me valuable lessons about growing old, and living in the moment. I've also shared many other dogs out there who give fearlessly, like the therapy dog who helps distressed children. Dogs are amazing creatures and the human-animal bond is something to behold.

A new book out today is about the incredible journey of Lucca, a real life canine warrior whose military service saved many lives overseas. She is an inspiration.  TOP DOG is the second amazing read by New York Times Bestselling Author, Maria Goodavage.

This chihuahua dressed as Supreme Court Justice, Ruth Bader Ginsburg is priceless, down to her lace collar.

Thank you John Oliver for all of the dogs representing a canine SCOTUS.

If you admire Justice Ginsburg like I do, check out this amazing Tumblr.

Tricks and treats will be bountiful at the San Francisco SPCA’s Wizard of Oz-themed Halloween celebration, October 30th - November 2nd. The Adopt-A-Thon weekend kicks off with a cocktail party on Thursday night at the SF SPCA's Mission Campus. 

How do you handle the loss of a family member? Is the grief made easier because they are a four-legged canine family member well into their golden years? How long until you stop crying at inopportune moments, like in the middle of the post office? How do you move away from the pain and closer to the happy memories you made together? I honestly don’t know the answers to these questions except that I believe it’s a personal journey, and also something I feel everyone should be able to safely discuss here.

After letting our dog go recently, besides our weekly promotion of adoptable senior dogs, you may have noticed that I took a couple of weeks away from writing and posting about life and dogs. I needed the space and time to begin the process of absorbing Cleo's absence. As you may have noticed, she's a very big dog with an equally big personality.

Don't be left alone in the cold this fall, come fall in love with the cuddliest adoptable senior dog.

McDreamy is an amazing little guy made up of Papillon likely with a dash of tea cup Golden Retriever. When his guardian died, he had no one to turn to and found himself at the shelter.

If you touch him or talk with him, his tail just wags and wags, how could Muttville Senior Dog Rescue not help him find a new family to snuggle up with?

Warning! Do not stare at this sweet senior dog face for more than a second, because he will steal your heart.

My dog was always independent. She loved having the freedom to hang out with us on the couch or get up, and walk to another room. Sometimes she left to go take a nap in a quiet spot or watch the front of the house for the mailman. 

When she lost her eyesight from diabetes, we took extra care to guide her around the house hoping to keep her confident in her independence. We didn't move furniture. We kept to a routine hoping to effectively manage her expectations. 

But, because we actively changed our own behavior, it was clear that our sweet dog wasn't getting lost in a room because we left an ottoman in her path or moved her food bowl. Her behavior wasn't related to not being able to see, she was dealing with doggy dementia, also known as Canine Cognitive Dysfunction.

Are you looking for a friend? Meet Walker, a sweet senior fella made up of a perfect blend of labrador and retriever.

It's been National Walk Your Dog Week. We love capturing pics of people and their pups out on morning walks in our neighborhood. This sweet moment in the photo here made us smile because they were very in tune with each other compared to some folks we see.

A dog walk is not just about taking your dog out to poop. It's a wonderful time to bond with your little buddy. I would chat with my dog while we walked about the block, often stopping to visit with neighbors out on their stoop. We got to know many kids this way also. Cleo loved exploring and picking up the news and peemail from every corner or tree.