I have met emotional support dogs and understand why you would feel calm having a dog close by at all times. Whenever I volunteer at Muttville Senior Dog Rescue, the dogs turn any frown upside down.

Our family dogs not only made me feel safe and protected, but on many occasion they also calmed my adolescence. I could turn to any one of them when I needed to redirect my anxiety over family squabbling.

How did the stress of growing up in a turbulent household diminish?

Dogs wanted to play with me. Playing together distracted me for hours from our family worries. And with dogs, there was always poop to be picked up or bedding to be cleaned. They enjoyed learning and eagerly gave me all their attention if I wanted to work with them. Anyone with a dog who loves to fetch knows how easy it is to pass hours tossing a ball. If I wanted to have a dog even just sit next to me and listen to my worries, one of them always would.

Dogs have always been excellent at distracting me. Is there a certain dog gene I carry that makes me susceptible? Is this why someone would visibly and physically respond to a dog they don't know?

This ability to distract and engage my attention so completely continues with dogs I meet at Muttville. Each week, whether I am surrounded by new dogs, or dogs I met previously, they still offer a unique calming effect on my demeanor.

I can understand the role emotional support dogs play. Just look at Oscar's face in this photo, he's showing you how to thoroughly enjoy a walk! 

When you look at a dog's face how does it make you feel? What about a dog's relaxed body language? When they smile do you return the look? 

When I think back to my childhood, I realize that after my stuffed Snoopy, my first real friend was our family dog. I think because of my young age and personality, I was willing and able to develop meaningful friendships with all of our family dogs over the years. Each of them had an important and positive influence over my development growing up in a remote area of a California county. They were my study buddies, cheerleaders, confidants, motivators, and moral compass. I know that is a lot but believe me, never underestimate the power of the human-dog bond.

The support, generosity, and kindness of strangers

This leads me to a wonder pair of books that I was given the chance to read before their official release August 29th, starting with Gobi: A Little Dog With a Big Heart. It's a picture book that offers a humane education for little ones, taking them on an adventure across the desert! They are introduced to a little stray dog whose positive influence has a remarkable impact on an ultra-marathon runner. Based on a true story, this picture book is a wonderful introduction to the idea of compassion for animals, courage and love for a little stray dog with a big heart.

Gobi: A Little Dog With a Big Heart [picture book, 4-8 years]

Both books are about teamwork and power of a dog's positive influence, but the young reader edition adds a lot more to the 'man meets dog' story...

In our hurry up, I'm always late world, spending time with an older dog can be the perfect counterbalance.

Time together may help you gain a thoughtful approach to the next hour of the day, or maybe the whole week ahead. After a few one-on-one minutes with an older dog, I have left motivated and empowered, focused more the softer side of life.

Certain dogs have these furry faces that are look like they have a world of information waiting to share with you. Then when they're oldsters, their sweet face looks like they got into the sugar bowl. Seymour a cute blend of Terrier is like this. It’s hard not to fall in love with Seymour, he’s such a mellow and easy going fella. 

We don’t know much about his past, but we can tell that all he wants is to love and be loved! Seymour is great with other dogs of all sizes and enjoys all the hustle and bustle of the Muttville loft. He’s easy to walk on leash too.

Seymour will make a great addition to any home! He's a love bug!

We think Seymour is about 16 years young, weighing about 14 lbs.

Due to Seymour’s advanced age, heart disease, and arthritis, he is available for hospice care adoption.

Here’s what Seymour’s Foster has to say about him:

Seymour is the biggest sweetheart! I would adopt him if I could – he brings so much joy with his perennial puppy smile, tolerance for wearing cute flower crowns and bow ties, and ever patient cuddles. Naps are the name of the game with Seymour. He loves following “his person” around. He perks up whenever he can go outside for a walk, and although his preferred pace is a bit slow, he really enjoys being carried in a dog carrier around. I take him in a dog backpack on a bike and on Bart for my commute (an hour each way) & I hardly hear a peep from him. Seymour is house-trained but does well when let out regularly during the day. He doesn’t have accidents overnight. Seymour is the most amazing dog for someone who wants an easy-going companion to accompany them around. He is low maintenance and full of cuddles – and it is just to cute to watch him take naps next to you on the couch or while working!

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

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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. 

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. 

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.

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!

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.

When I was three years old my parents rehomed an older dog. At the time, we lived in the high desert of Southern California, in a tiny town of cinder block houses. Her family knew ours and my mom thought the dog would fit in. She did, so much so that I stopped playing with my dolls and only wanted to be with her. She was a big, fluffy Samoyed dog who I believed needed me to brush her, every chance I could.

I could sit for hours on the dirty concrete in our car port, surrounded by potential playthings, and only care about her well-being in that hot arid climate. I felt so calm next to her dusty fluffy bear-like body. I would smile into her panting face. Why care that my doll could walk with a push of a button, when I had an open mouth breathing lion to care for? I had a wild beast as my best friend, who smelled like a stuffed animal.

We were inseparable. I never played with dolls again. When I look back fifty years later, I can see this was no coincidence but fate. I had been destined to be a dog lover.

Enter Chispa. During a recent morning session volunteering at Muttville Senior Dog Rescue, I met this lovely lady that you see here. In less than a minute, she brought back memories of my Samoyed. Softly petting Chispa between the eyes, letting her creep closer as she accepted my love, I felt a familiar warmth pass between us.

Without hesitation I leaned in to feel her fluff with my face. Not only did she let me, she closed her eyes and settled in for whatever else I had in store. Is my response common to other older dog lovers? Do we all have this imprint that stays with us? You read the phrase, "dog print on my heart" but this sensation I feel is at a molecular level.

My time volunteering at Muttville is always satisfying, but moments with dogs like Chispa are restorative. I hope someone out there with extra love finds her. She will repay you with the sweetest breath, the kindest eyes, and a quietude to balance the noisy world of today.

Thank you Chispa for taking me back in time.

Have you noticed the similar smell between a stuffed animal and a dog? When did you know you were a dog lover?

You never know what kind of dog will adopt you, and vice versa. This is true whether you discover the love of an older dog, or a young one.

You could look down and recognize a fellow companion ready to share your adventures and life. I believe we meet the right dogs at the right time, that the match is made from equal parts timing and openness, with a dash of magic.

But that's just me.

What do you think?

What is so special about dogs, especially old dogs, is their ability to pull you out of a funk. You know, when you feel blue or maybe just out of sorts.

Dogs seem to do just the right thing, at the right time. It doesn't have to be a dramatic move, but it could be they simply need you to take them out to go to the bathroom or give them a few scratches in a place they can't reach.

Dogs have a way of getting you to focus less on whatever is bothering you and more on them. Their sweet but steady demeanor reflects a serenity that can quiet the noisiest mind. 

Introverts would do well to spend time with a senior dog. Someone prone to depression could benefit from time with a dog.

What is so wonderful about a dog is the simplicity of your time together, and interactions. They love you without reservation. Their needs are not complex.

A dog has no hidden agenda or ego. They offer a pure form of companionship that can change your life for the better.

The hardest thing is quieting your own internal dialogue so that you can hear and understand what a dog is saying to you. 

If you can be quiet then no doubt you'll learn about how dogs communicate, and as you spend time with them don't be surprised to feel their positive influence

A little known secret in the medical and canine community is that older dogs have super powers. Yep, senior dogs have the power to heal you, to make you feel tremendous!

If you've never experienced life around an older dog, you might be skeptical of these claims, but hear me out. I am speaking from recent experiences with senior dogs, not just remembering my life with my old dog. 

Look at this image above, and tell me you can't imagine how it must feel to get that many close snuggles at one time. Not frantic puppy love, but slow and steady warmth.

I'm so thrilled Sherri Franklin was named a CNN Hero of the year for her work with Muttville Senior Dog Rescue. Her mission to raise awareness about old dogs languishing in shelters, and being seen as undeserving of having a good home, seems to finally be resonating with a wide audience. 

Seeing the many celebrities openly share their affection for old dogs on camera helps bring attention to these sugar faces. Empathy is learned. It's important to show how special senior dogs are, and why they deserve our care.

Every week while taking care of little guys like Shiro here, I have added to my studies about life and dogs. It has been an eye-opening learning experience.

Here are a few things I've learned caring about old dogs this year:

• When you take care of an old dog, you might get repaid in kisses, warm cuddles, or just happy eyes
• Taking an old dog for a walk can translate into you both trotting or actually running an entire city block
• Old dogs enjoy quiet time and alone time, just like us, but it doesn't mean they don't want you around
• Little old dogs can be very good at asking for attention, sometimes more effectively than their larger cohorts
• Just because a dog is considered old doesn't mean they can't be as playful and silly as a puppy

Old dogs have been able to make me laugh first thing in the morning, something not many people have accomplished. If you get a chance to study with older dogs, and by that I mean spend some quality one-on-one time together, do it! You won't regret it.

It's been months since I've been getting up early to take the morning shift with Muttville mutts, and even when it was raining, I haven't regretted volunteering for a minute. I never know what my lesson will be each day from these furry old professors, and I love it!!

~ Sharon Castellanos

Dogs are amazing adaptable creatures. They enrich our lives in many ways, including easing our stress and lifting our moods. When you're a dog person, even if you haven't been around a dog since childhood, engaging and handling one can transport you to a place of familiarity and comfort.

Enter Muttville Senior Dog Rescue and a stray Papillon from the streets of Hayward, California scooped up in September...

When a dog at Muttville gets adopted their new life often starts with a different name, in addition to a new home, as part of the matchmaking process. In the case of Babs, the Papillon, her name changed after she was adopted by Dr. Garrett's mother, and then again after Dr. Garrett moved her mom into an assisted living home and Babs took on the role of dental comfort dog.

Here's a special interview with Bay Area dentists, Dr Cameron T Garrett DDS and Debra Garrett RDH who realized a little old dog could play a very big role in their dental practice. 

They tell us repeatedly that having Karma there makes the whole dental experience that much better.

Something older dogs seem to have in spades is the ability to shrug off their troubles. Have you seen a dog shake off water? For me, that is the perfect visual of what it looks like. When my dog was uncomfortable, and then wasn't, she would shake her body like she'd just had a bath or had run out of the ocean.

This physical twisting and spinning of her big fluffy body looked like she was throwing off the stress of the moment. She shook off the stress in a vigorous shrug.

Spending time with Muttville mutts every week reminds me of this lesson from my dog. I'll see a dog get into the personal space of another dog trying to sleep. The resting dog will respond by getting up and moving away, or giving a short 'get away, you're bothering me' bark at the disturbance.

 

Whatcha doin? #sillydog #poodlesofinstagram #sundayfunday

A photo posted by grouchypuppy (@grouchypuppy) on Nov 20, 2016 at 9:20am PST

The rebuffed dog will get the hint, and move over to the side while he shakes off the stress from the moment. Depending on the dog, and my body language, he may decide that I will give him the attention he is seeking. 

Notice Arnold here? He was a master at not letting the stress get to him! He slid into any open space where affection and attention was being offered. I laughed out loud watching his eyes light up when he saw an opportunity across the doggy loft!

This is what I love about dogs, and volunteering at Muttville Senior Dog Rescue. I get these little reminders of how simple it can be to move away from stress, and toward happiness. Dogs make great demonstrators of stress management, a skill we can use during the holidays and beyond.

What simple lesson has a dog taught you, or reminded you of that you'd forgotten?

You know what's so great about dogs? They don't care about the holidays. Dogs don't know about Cyber Monday sales. They only see the new toy or smell the freshly opened bag of treats.

Dogs have a way of getting us emotional humans to focus more on their funny antics, and less on those door-buster commercials running on television. Sure, they'll sit next to us on the couch to watch You've Got Mail for the tenth time, but only to get the belly rubs.

 

A video posted by grouchypuppy (@grouchypuppy) on Nov 26, 2016 at 9:04am PST