One of the best things about spending time with dogs is the engagement. You get to figure out what they like to do, how they like to play, what makes them happy and want to hang out with you. At least that is how I approach every dog I encounter when I volunteer at Muttville Senior Dog Rescue.

My goal with every dog is to learn what makes them, them. To focus on them and what they are communicating with their noises, and body language. Playing with Franknfurter recently I learned what his kryptonite is — ear rubs!

I work at Muttville during the morning shift so I am there before most of the staff arrives. Today I was having a fun session in the lower office where Franknfurter was hanging out. We played and tossed his ball a little before breakfast then before he settled into his bowl of chow, I gave him a little ear rub “see you later” and he suddenly plopped down hard against my hand! It was so funny and suprising because HE LOVES BREAKFAST. I thought he’d already mentally moved on from me to his bowl, but guess what? He gave me extra minutes!! I felt like the biggest winner as I left his room and went to work on laundry.

Meet Samba. We ran into her on the streets of San Francisco where she was showing two young boys how to sit and wait for a treat. I love seeing dogs out on walks. Often I exchange a smile and a knowing “dog lover club” look with the person, or sometimes just with the dog. I wave at the dogs if they look at me, otherwise I gauge my reaction based on them. When a dog is on a mission to poop or pee in a particular place, or get to the dog park, it would be criminal to get in the way.

Some dogs just make the cutest noises without even realizing it. This little poodle spaniel girl is one of them!! She’ll steal your heart and every other body part if you give her a chance.

Puffin is a sweet poodle who is so ready for a new beginning! She wanders around Muttville all day long looking for her forever-people. If you are looking for a mellow friend who loves you no matter what then there really is no need to look any further. Puffin loves to cuddle in a big pile of blankets and return the favor if you tuck her in at night. This fluffy sweetheart is so looking forward to spotting you at the next adoption event!

Puffin is estimated to be 13 years young and weighs about 25 pounds.

Here’s what her foster has to say:

Puffin muffin is a real sweet girl! She likes people and dogs of all sizes. Puffin will meander up to people and kindly wait for them to pet her. She has a head tilt that could break your heart, and a coat that’s as soft as velvet!

Puff is quiet. She has only let out a few barks in the time I’ve known her, once when she couldn’t understand why I wouldn’t share my pizza. Puffin loves to snuggle up on the couch in a pile of blankets, and generally sleeps through the night. She loves a good dental chew and is very food motivated.

Puffin can keep a good pace on a walk and loves to take in all the neighborhood scents. When she’s sleepy, she’ll quickly do her business and trot back to the house to resume her cozy spot. Puff would do best in a home with easy access to an outside space so she can continue to perfect her house training.

Fall in love with her at Muttville in San Francisco today!!! Visit 🐾 this link: https://muttville.org/mutt/puffin-6160

“Hear about Puffin and watch her being cute!” —> https://youtu.be/Y7jZurR1POE

Happy New Year dog lovers and Grouchy Puppy peeps! It’s storming here in San Francisco and it seemed like the perfect time to sit indoors with a cup of tea and return to writing blog posts. 

Have you seen or heard about the #10YearChallenge on Facebook or Instagram? Quite a few adorable side-by-side photos of dogs growing from puppy to adult have filled our news feed. Ten years is a long time and for most people and pups, it’s hard not to see significant changes, though I swear some of the dogs at Muttville Senior Dog Rescue do not seem aged at all.

So this challenge had me looking back at old blog posts and I realized that Grouchy Puppy is ten years old. Can you believe it?! The oldest post I have saved is over on Cleo’s blog because this is where it began, with my overwhelming love and new life with this enormous, fluffy, adopted dog from the San Francisco SPCA — a dog who people thought was a wolf and a boy! 

Today, January 17th, ten years ago, inspired by my dog and our new life together in the big city, I launched a blog and website. The posts and site have ranged from simple, funny, and deep, but always devoted to the human dog bond. Take a look in the archives and you will see what I mean...

I didn’t even use any photos of her yet, just this sentence that I imagined she would say based on the look she gave me after she did the dramatic drive-by around the foot of our bed. Hahaha, dogs are such expressive creatures! Every week at Muttville, there is at least one dog whose face or body language is speaking volumes about how they feel or what they want to do, or don’t do. I love deciphering or at least trying. 

MAGIC

When I look back, is it any surprise the first blog post is titled Magic? For me, all dogs are magic. I’m as passionate today as I was ten years ago about dogs, and our unique connection with them. I am fascinated by the evolution of our relationship. With that in mind, I am thinking about how to celebrate this wonderful decade Grouchy Puppy has officially been in existence. 

#GrouchyPuppy10

How does a giveaway of some fun dog books sound? To celebrate ten years of all things Grouchy Puppy, I have some ideas but would love to hear from you instead. We have 11 months for festivities!!

Share any and all suggestions in the comments below, go to the Contact tab above, or send your email to info@grouchypuppy.com — or use hashtag #grouchypuppy10 and Tweet or Instagram us your ideas! 

Thank you for sharing our dog-filled journey!