Don't feel bad if you realize it's not a good idea to have a dog. Over the past few years, I have discovered is that it's not so bad enjoying the company of dogs that don't belong to me. I love dogs very much and will always want to have them around, but I am realistic about the difference between enjoying them and being responsible for one. Continue reading

In San Francisco, people interested in adopting and fostering the older dogs at Muttville Senior Dog Rescue stayed steady throughout 2020. According to the group Shelter Animals Count, which tracks hundreds of rescue organizations nationwide, there was an increase in... Continue reading

Recently I read about the successful fostering and adoption of a Muttville mutt, Quigley. The story shared by MW Moses is told below, in his own words. It’s a wonderful example of the Grouchy Puppy motto, Give Fearlessly * Influence Positively... Continue reading

A saving grace for me has been the many dogs in my San Francisco neighborhood. Since the need to work from home, and the quarantine, I see so many more dogs playing outside or just walking down the street. The occasional encounters with these pups of all ages and sizes have been a tonic. Continue reading

One of the best pieces of advice the SF SPCA gave us was the notion that to help our new family member and dog flourish, we should try to set her up for success. This perspective struck me as both simple and brilliant, easy to remember, and you can apply it to everything. Continue reading

One of the places nearby is a dog park that is big enough for folks to safely social distance while letting their dogs play off leash. Since the pandemic and number of coronavirus cases still prevent me from getting my... Continue reading

Dogs can be so delightfully consistent! I mean, since this pandemic has us social distancing whenever we’re out and wherever we are, I find myself sitting alone on a bench, either at a park or neighborhood street. It doesn’t happen every time but often, a person out walking their dog will slow near me, either because the dog is interested in the tree nearby or the dog wants to say hi to me! It is usually the typical labradorable type dog, a puppy who would also say hi to the tree, the bench and the mailbox, or the sweet little old dog who can pick out a dog lover in a minute. Continue reading

Pilots N Paws is a wonderful nonprofit. Their volunteer pilots and plane owners assist specific rescues and shelters, sometimes flying animals directly to adopters waiting to be united with their new pup. They take to the skies to give adorable... Continue reading

A Virginia Tech staffer (And senior dog!) who has spent a career serving and supporting the university community was recently recognized in a special commencement ceremony during Mental Health Awareness Week. Moose, an 8-year-old therapy dog at Virginia Tech’s Cook... Continue reading

What happens if you think you’re ready to adopt a dog, and you do, but days later you return them to the rescue? How do you feel? How do you process what happened? How do you understand that you got... Continue reading

The dangerous foxtail weeds can get into your dog’s ear canals, inhaled into their nose or wedge between toes easily. Now is the time to keep a close eye on your dog while you are out together, and giving them a once over after you get home. Protect your dog from this springtime danger. Continue reading

Making sure your dog has an ID tag with current, readable, contact information is the first step to reuniting them with you if you ever get separated. Next step making sure your dog has a microchip registered with your information is key. It’s National Pet ID Week. Continue reading

Whether you’re getting older and you want a companion who’s your (slower) speed or you want to experience the joys and wisdom an older dog has to offer, I encourage you to adopt, foster or volunteer at your local animal shelter, humane society or animal rescue. Continue reading

We love our furry family members and thanks to the wonderful people at the Helen Woodward Animal Center, you can learn how to avoid the pitfalls of separation anxiety with your dog from this FREE online course! Start now preparing as lockdowns are lifted and people return to work. Continue reading

It will truly be a day to celebrate when I can return to the Muttville doggy loft, where social distancing is dictated by the senior mutts and not the CDC or the mayor. Continue reading

In the wake of the COVID-19 crisis and the necessitated quarantines, the Helen Woodward Animal Center’s Humane Education department is spreading some light via on-line programming. Dogs and Social Distancing Helen Woodward Animal Center’s Humane Education Provides Adorable At-Home Programming... Continue reading

In the dog world, we humans are often the beneficiaries of a dog’s pure love and undiluted support in all that we do. A wagging tail is one of the nicest compliments! Experiencing how the human dog bond is demonstrated... Continue reading

Grouchy Puppy is all about celebrating how the power of the human dog bond is demonstrated by dogs and those who love them. This demonstration is unique and special to each of us which is why it’s our passion to... Continue reading

There is something extra about a dog you just meet, who looks you in the eye, and immediately sees you’re on their side. With my morning volunteer shifts at Muttville Senior Dog Rescue, I love discovering an old dog who... Continue reading

Ever since my own dog became elderly and went through her final journey along the aging process, I’ve written about senior dogs and their similarities to elderly people. (Why do older dogs sleep so much?) During her final years, she... Continue reading

There is something extra special about min pins! These dogs pack full size love, silliness, snuggles, fierce protection and the sweetest sleepy faces in the tiniest body. Meet the perfect wee man to give your life sparkle and fizz, with... Continue reading

Make it your new year resolution to discover the many joys dogs bring to your life. We all face stress from our daily lives, scary headlines, and even just the winter blues. How do we handle it and not get... Continue reading

When year end and holiday gatherings start to add stress more than joy, consider this message from (wo)man’s best friend. A Timeless Gift from Dogs Timeless Gifts From Dogs: Peace, Love, Snuggles Slow down, and embrace your inner stillness. Let... Continue reading

Celebrating our Grouchy Puppy ten year anniversary has gotten us to stop and take a look at how dogs have positively influenced us over the past decade. When I look around at the dog books I have read, and the... Continue reading