Having experienced the love and companionship of an old dog, I appreciate the increased support senior dogs, and those who love them, are getting.

One nonprofit committed to these wonderful sugar faces is The Grey Muzzle Organization. They provide funding and resources throughout the United States expressly for programs designed to improve the lives of at-risk senior dogs.  

Since 2008, Grey Muzzle has provided over $500,000 in grants for senior dog programs to more than 54 nonprofit organizations in 27 states! Today, thanks to donors and other support, Grey Muzzle will be leaping into the new year with a fully redesigned website launching February 29, 2016!

Check out these GreyMuzzle.org new features:

• New graphic
• Easy to navigate
• Optimized for mobile use
• Inclusive viewing choices for people who have vision issues and/or dyslexia
• Lots of new Meet the Dog stories and photos - real life happy tales made possible by the generosity of our donors
• Great senior dog health resources

Visit the Grey Muzzle Facebook page for more information, and how you can win prizes during the launch party celebrations. 

About The Grey Muzzle Organization 

We support senior dog programs such as: medical care for adoptable dogs, in-home hospice, Seniors for Seniors adoption (senior citizens adopting senior dogs), Animeals (like Meals on Wheels), Bed Fund (we supply orthopedic bedding free to 501(c)(3) shelters and rescues for senior dogs), educational materials, and much more.

We envision a world where no old dog dies alone and afraid. We believe every senior dog deserves to live out their golden years, months, weeks or even days in places of love, security and peace. We believe old dogs contribute positively to our quality of life and have much to teach us about patience, respect, responsibility, loyalty and unconditional love.

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Like finding a missing piece to the puzzle of your life, that is how you'll feel when you meet this senior sweetheart dog!

Jimmy settled in right away at Muttville, immediately making friends with every dog and person he met.

He may be considered a senior, but Jimmy still has plenty of pep in his step.

He’ll make the perfect snuggle buddy and walking companion.

Jimmy gets along well with cats too!

We think Jimmy is 11-13 years young, weighing about 14 lbs.

Meet Jimmy at Muttville on Rescue Row in San Francisco!

Corgis may be lowriders on the city sidewalks, but I think that makes them even more observant of the world around. This dog clearly is not sure of the man he's crossing paths with on this rainy day. I'd vote dog every time, especially when they have their own nation, a #CorgiNation!

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The love of your life could be waiting for you at your local shelter or rescue. Consider the love a dog has to offer, their constant companionship, or just a sympathetic ear. And if you truly want to know what love feels like, find yourself an older senior dog. They are experts at love.

Be still our heart! A true blend of breeds, Toddy turned out just right. He could be the one to show you why senior dogs rule!

Looking for a quiet, mellow senior dog to add to your pack? Toddy may be the perfect boy for you!

Toddy loves to sun bathe next to his four-legged friends, and go for strolls around the neighborhood with his human pals.

He’s such a mellow fellow that we can’t believe he hasn’t found his forever home yet!

We think Toddy is 10 years young, weighing about 60 lbs.

Meet him at Muttville on Rescue Row in San Francisco!

What's the best thing about being a dog lover? You're genuinely happy to see two small Cavalier King Charles spaniels join you at the buffet line.

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Looking for love? Come out for an intimate wine and cheese fete to kick off the San Francisco SPCA Lonely Hearts Adoption Event on Friday, February 12th from 6p-9p* at the Mission Campus Adoption Center at 201 Alabama Street @ 16th.

The Lonely Hearts Valentine's party is Fri, 2/12! Wine, nibbles, & free adoptions! RSVP required for Friday's event.

There will be nibbles and wine, but best of all, lovely lonely hearts looking for you.

All cat and dog adoptions are free on February 12-14 at both San Francisco SPCA adoption centers but the party is only Friday night at the Mission Campus.

Space is limited, so RSVP now for this limited access Friday event.

Check out all of the available lonely hearts on SF/SPCA Adoptions

*Last adoption at 8pm

WHEN: Friday, February 12, 2016 from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM (PST)

WHERE: 250 Florida St - 250 Florida Street San Francisco, CA 94103

Yes Babette is real, and amazingly yes she’s looking for her forever home!

Doesn’t she look like a little stuffed animal? You’ll want to take her with you wherever you go!

Babette is such a silly and sweet girl, we have no doubt she’s going to find her perfect match in no time at all.

With her adorable face and great personality, how could anyone not fall in love with Babette?

We think Babette is between 9-11 years young, weighing about 11 lbs.

Find her at Muttville on Rescue Row in San Francisco!

Uggie the dog, famous for his part in the Academy Award-winning silent film The Artist, died in August at the age of 13. He may have been left out of the SAG Awards 'In Memoriam' this weekend, but this talented Jack Russell Terrier will never be forgotten!

Uggie joins a long list of Hollywood canine actors who've shown that W.C. Fields was wrong! Though I'm not sure about children, but actors working with animals makes a movie better! 

I can think of at least three movies that won Oscars with a major role played by an animal. How about you?

Source

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I can't seem to put my finger on the reason but I am profoundly touched by senior dogs, and the people who foster and adopt them. 

This is why I am sharing a series of guest posts from Karl and Jessica Schneider. They regularly share their stories and photos on the Grouchy Puppy Facebook wall. I had wanted to have one or two of their dogs be a featured reader of the monthly newsletter, but then Karl sent me the most wonderful story of their journey into the world of senior dog adoption.

Their story is perfect for anyone interested in fostering or adopting a senior dog. It joyfully demonstrates the positive influence of a dog many times over. Last week they introduced Bobo and Jameson to the family.

Today is the final part of the 3-part series, and I hope their story has resonated with you as it has with me. I look forward to your comments.

Our Senior Dog Journey is Destined to Continue

by Karl and Jessica Schneider

We learned a lot about how dog relationships develop having Jameson, Addie Maye and Schnapps.  Addie and Schnapps clearly deferred to Jameson, but he never abused his power. At that time, he was just happy to be with me whether I was in my office or working outside.  The three of them never really played together, and since they were all different shapes and sizes, we couldn’t take them all walking together, but they developed quite a special dynamic.  As you can see from this picture, Schnapps would curl up with Jameson, between his long legs.  We have several pictures like that.  Jameson was just such a kind and gentle soul.

Jameson left us that August.  His body just couldn’t contain his spirit any longer, and I think he knew his family was in good hands with Addie Maye and Schnapps.

For a long time after that, it was just the two of them.  They were building their relationship.  They were also becoming the core of the family.  Schnapps is the boss, and Addie does his bidding.  When he barks in a certain way, she comes running.  Also during that time, Schnapps had several health issues which caused him to be away from home for many days.  Addie clearly missed her little buddy when he wasn’t around. 

Schnapps made it through all of those challenges and made friends wherever he went.  No matter what hospital he was at, he was always the most popular guy there.  One of surgeries caused him to lose part of his lower right mandible.  This causes his tongue to hang out all the time.  He also has only two teeth left.  Of course they’re the two lower front canines.  None of these challenges stops him from doing whatever he wants.  He eats and drinks just fine, although very sloppily. 

Four years ago I attended a mini-ACES workshop where effective tried and true ways to find families for orphaned pets. The session was led by Mike Arms, a man directly responsible for saving millions of animals. As President of the Helen Woodward Animal Center he is an inspiration because he was the first person I ever met in animal welfare who applied business principles to pet adoption practices, and how to raise compassionate children. 

Today, the Helen Woodward Animal Center, in partnership with Blue Buffalo, is very honored to bring The Business of Saving Lives, free of charge, to Sydney, Australia.

The Center has been providing brand new ways to look at animal welfare, marketing, social media, fundraising, humane education, and more through The Business of Saving Lives workshops for over 14 years with life-saving results. In mid-February this year, The Business of Saving Lives will travel abroad for the first time and Helen Woodward Animal Center has selected Maggie’s Rescue in Sydney, Australia to host the first internationally-located training.

“I’m very excited about the upcoming workshop and its potential to decrease euthanasia rates in Australia and enhance the outcomes for our Aussie companion animals,” explained Lisa Wright, Founder and Director of Maggie’s Rescue. “The workshop is bringing unique international perspectives on companion animal welfare and management issues that we feel will create progressive and forward-thinking dialogues amongst all levels of government and key stakeholders.”

The Sydney, Australia-based The Business of Saving Lives Workshop will take place at the Charles Perkins Centre at the University of Sydney between February 15th and February 17th, 2016.