Previous month:
March 2017
Next month:
May 2017

More life lessons from dogs. This time forgiveness.

Volunteering at a senior dog rescue has exposed me to all sorts of dogs arriving for different reasons. Some dogs are strays, others have the misfortune of having their person pass away unexpectedly. Everyone agrees that all the dogs are loved no matter where they come from, or why they are with us at this advanced age.

Something that gets people to dance around is the subject of dogs who get surrendered by a family. I've heard people take absolute positions on this. They feel that if you decide to have a dog then you better keep that dog no matter what. These people have little empathy or compassion for anyone giving up a dog.

IMG_0794

I have a more nuanced response thanks to dogs like Otis.

Continue reading "More life lessons from dogs. This time forgiveness." »

Subscribe to the blog here and never miss a post!


Discover why senior dogs rule when you fall in love with Berry!

Meet Berry! This precious Shepherd mix comes to us all the way from Taiwan where she was picked up as a stray. Berry spent several months with a loving foster and was fully vetted before arriving at Muttville.

 

Berry came all the way from Taiwan to show us that #seniordogsrock around the world 🌎 see for yourself @muttvillesf

A post shared by grouchypuppy (@grouchypuppy) on

Here is what her foster mom says about Berry:

Berry is a friendly, sweet, and mellow senior girl. She is a happy go lucky dog and loves to be around people and loves to be pet. Berry enjoys her daily off leash walks, rides well in the car, and can wait patiently while her foster mom runs errands. She is now in a foster home with many rescued dogs. Berry gets along with dogs of all kinds of temperament and ages. Berry is very good with young children and is very gentle with them.

Poor Berry was abandoned in a busy street where she was starving. People were not nice to her. They either kick her away or chase her with sticks. A kind high school student felt so bad for her that she bought Berry some food then Berry followed her around. She immediately called several rescue groups but no one was willing to help Berry because she is a black senior dog.

She brought Berry to a nearby vet who helped her contact a rescue group that had a lot of experience. The rescue group was completely full but had a soft spot for black dogs and didn’t want to see Berry suffer on the streets. The rescue agreed to take in Berry. Berry has been doing very well since the first day she arrived at her foster home. She quickly made friends and won the hearts of everyone in the foster family.

Berry has been vaccinated, spayed, microchipped, de-wormed, and passed negative on her blood tests. She is one healthy girl.

Berry is 10 years young and weighs 35 pounds.

Come meet the international darling Berry today at Muttville on Rescue Row in San Francisco.

 

Subscribe to the blog here and never miss a post!


Patricia McConnell Gives Fearlessly in her New Book "The Education of Will"

Anyone familiar with my blog, or the Grouchy Puppy motto, will know that the central theme to the writing and social media posts is the broad positive influence of the human-dog bond. 

The Education of Will
When Dr. Patricia McConnell published her new book, The Education of Will, I was immediately interested because it spoke to what I hold dear, the positive influence of a dog. However, her stories of facing one fear after another pulled me through the book. Her self-effacing and humble style of sharing filled me with empathy. It isn't easy to face our fears even with the help of a special dog. 

"I knew Willie like I knew myself. I knew what it was like to be happy and friendly on the outside and yet spend much of your life in fear."

This mutual memoir is a story of injury and recovery, but in addition to the themes of trauma, fear and love, I felt forgiveness, empathy, and compassion were striking themes throughout the book. 

Continue reading "Patricia McConnell Gives Fearlessly in her New Book "The Education of Will"" »

Subscribe to the blog here and never miss a post!


Discover why senior dogs rule when you fall in love with Dixie Jane!

If you are looking for sweet companionship, forget those dating apps and come over to Muttville Senior Dog Rescue. You'll discover lovely ladies like Dixie Jane whose available because her family could no longer care for her.

image from www.muttville.org

Dixie Jane is a wonderful Border Collie/ Australian Shepherd mix.

This sweet girl is gentle, mellow, quiet, and sweet as can be. She does great with dogs of all sizes, enjoys going for walks, and likes making new friends.

Dixie Jane has a loving demeanor that will make her an amazing companion.

Dixie Jane is about 14 years old and weighs 50 pounds.

Fall in love with her at Muttville on Rescue Row in San Francisco!

Subscribe to the blog here and never miss a post!


April 21st San Francisco SPCA Celebrates 149 years of Saving Lives!

The San Francisco SPCA is celebrating its 149th birthday and inviting partygoers to join in the fun. On Friday, April 21, visit the SF SPCA’s Mission Campus Adoption Center from 6pm – 9pm for wine, nibbles from Et Volià, and treats from Smitten Ice Cream. Watch the shelter dogs celebrate with a special doggie birthday cake! Tickets are required and available with a donation.

Attendees can bring home their very own SF SPCA birthday present – rabbits and adult cats will be free to adopt all day on April 21! This adoption special includes animals at both the Mission and Pacific Heights Campuses.

“For 149 years the SF SPCA has been committed to helping animals, people, and the San Francisco community,” explained Dr. Jennifer Scarlett, SF SPCA President. “We were the fourth humane organization to be established in America, and the first west of the Mississippi.”

SF SPCA 149 Years

The SF SPCA was founded on April 18, 1868, by James Sloan Hutchinson, who caught sight of two men dragging a terrified hog along the rough cobblestone street. Hutchinson was appalled and stepped in to stop the abuse. The rescue served as a catalyst for Hutchinson and 15 others to fight animal cruelty by establishing the SF SPCA.

Continue reading "April 21st San Francisco SPCA Celebrates 149 years of Saving Lives!" »

Subscribe to the blog here and never miss a post!


Discover why senior dogs rule when you meet Sansa the poodle!

Volunteering at a senior dog rescue has shown me, over and over again, why assumptions are bad. How many people assume older dogs are boring or sleep all day? I met Sansa last week and she took me for a RUN around the block, and showed off enough of her personality to make me laugh out loud.

image from www.muttville.org

Sansa is a happy little poodle girl who comes to Muttville all the way from LA.

She is well-adjusted and would love a family to call her own. Sansa is great with other dogs and friendly with all people.

Her loving, outgoing personality makes her easy to fall in love with. We know Sansa will make a great companion!

Sansa is 13 years old and weighs 11 pounds.

Fall in love with her at Muttville on Rescue Row in San Francisco!

Subscribe to the blog here and never miss a post!


National Dog Fighting Awareness Day with ASPCA and Sir Patrick Stewart

Dog fighting is cruel. Dog fighting is the ugly side of humans. I believe one way to counter animal cruelty is to raise compassionate children, to positively influence our communities about dogs. 

April 8 is National Dog Fighting Awareness Day, an annual day to raise awareness about the prevalence of dog fighting and encourage animal lovers to take action against it.

Throughout April, the ASPCA is teaming up with Sir Patrick Stewart and asking animal advocates to #GetTough on this cruel practice by posting a selfie with their pet to their social media channels, flexing their arm muscle in solidarity with the movement.

PatrickStewartGetToughShareable

Continue reading "National Dog Fighting Awareness Day with ASPCA and Sir Patrick Stewart" »

Subscribe to the blog here and never miss a post!


Discover why senior dogs rule when you meet Betty White!

Betty White may look like a “plain Jane” to some, but this perfect little blend of Terrier and Chihuahua has so much love to give!

image from www.muttville.org

Betty is a loving and soulful gal who would love to find a family to call her own very soon.

She enjoys going for walks, meeting people, and does well with dogs of all sizes. She is a very quiet girl and spends most of her time lounging in a cozy bed or exploring.

Overall she has a gentle demeanor that would make her a wonderful, calming companion!

Betty White is about 10 years young and weighs 12 pounds.

Here is what her awesome foster has to say:

She’s doing so much better than I expected! Betty White sleeps through the night, appears to be house-trained, all of those good things!

Find her at Muttville on Rescue Row in San Francisco!

Subscribe to the blog here and never miss a post!


Have you ever thought about what it means to have an old friend?

One of the benefits of volunteering every week at a senior dog rescue is that I am never without an old friend to visit with, and it feels pretty great. Each dog there offers me something. Look at Henry, this blend of Basset Hound and happiness. Imagine what conversations you'd have together!

image from www.muttville.org

You can't make old friends, but you can adopt one.

Whatever our age, there are times when we need someone to bounce ideas, or share deeply personal thoughts. Who says that 'someone' can't be a dog?

I have all kinds of conversations with the different dogs I meet. It's very satisfying. I love how each has their own way of responding. I might get a wag, a bark or an attempt to climb into my lap. It's a real treat when a dog offers me a little kiss!

What's wonderful about having a dog as a friend is that their positive influence is never-ending, and it never goes away even when they leave us.

My beloved dog passed on almost three years ago but thanks to our time together, and many conversations, I discovered Muttville Senior Dog Rescue.

I've been getting up at six once a week for a year now. Helping care for the furry oldsters first thing in the morning always makes the day, and my life, a little brighter. I've appreciated their friendship and ability to always make me feel good.

Look back up at Henry again. Have you thought about what it means to have an old friend?

Learn more about Henry, and Muttville.

Subscribe to the blog here and never miss a post!