Momma Told Me: Small Dog, Big Heart- What I've Learned From My Dog #PedigreeGives

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Small Dog, Big Heart- What I've Learned From My Dog #PedigreeGives

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #PedigreeGives #CollectiveBias
Small dogs can be fierce too- do you know a small dog with a big heart? Buy any PEDIGREE® product at Sam's Club in the month of October (2015) and PEDIGREE® will donate a bowl of food to a dog in need! #PedigreeGives (ad)
Momma Told Me: Size means nothing.


It's no secret my childhood was filled with wayward animals. Momma would take in the sick animals from the street and the shelter and give them the only thing left for a human to give; a comfortable home and love. Pets never stayed long. Some might say that's harmful in the grander scheme of a childhood- it certainly did stand out to me. But the takeaway, for me, was that all animals deserved love and a home; not just the kittens and the specialty breeds.
Buy any PEDIGREE® product at Sam's Club in the month of October (2015) and PEDIGREE® will donate a bowl of food to a dog in need! #PedigreeGives (ad)
At the same time, I've always been a sensible woman.

That's good because, without my senses and a strong amount of personal restraint, I could have easily become a Crazy Cat Lady. Instead, I was driven to find ways to love and help; even when I was renting a room in a stranger's home with no home to give a pet. That's how I learned about the volunteer opportunities at the county shelter. I highly encourage anyone who cannot open their home to an animal in need, yet feels compelled to connect and benefit from a bond with animals, to seek out a similar opportunity. Our local shelter requires a commitment of just 6 hours a month; scheduled on your own time, working with the types of animals you feel most comfortable.Buy any PEDIGREE® product at Sam's Club in the month of October (2015) and PEDIGREE® will donate a bowl of food to a dog in need! #PedigreeGives (ad)
Few people know that you can walk into a shelter and volunteer your time with no previous experience, and such little obligation. Yes, you will have to go through a mandatory orientation of basic procedures and safety- but it absolutely work it for the return you will feel from helping like-minded people and animals in need!

Worried you wouldn't be able to handle the environment?

I was antsy about being around animals that were primarily kept caged, it's not ideal for any animal to be housed at a shelter. However, I quickly realized that my job, as a volunteer, was primarily to interact with and engage the wayward animals. That's right, I spent most of my time taking the dog's out to the dog run for walks, offering a warm lap to a nervous cat, and holding kennel-mates while the kennel's were cleaned. Even better, my interactions with these animals provided direct insight into their unique personalities that later went on 'sell sheets' to help prospective families find the right pet!
Buy any PEDIGREE® product at Sam's Club in the month of October (2015) and PEDIGREE® will donate a bowl of food to a dog in need! #PedigreeGives (ad)
Have a full home and cant quite dedicate the time to help out on site at a shelter? Most shelter's also survive solely on the material donations made by everyday citizens and generous pet companies. Some of the most needed supplies include, blankets, unwanted newspaper, old kennels, and leashes. I bet you didn't know you could take your unused newspapers and drop them off at the local shelter, did you? But even more importantly you can help a dog in need right now just by shopping for your own pet's favorite PEDIGREE® treats and food at Sam's Club in the month of October. Buy any PEDIGREE® product such as PEDIGREE® Adult Dry Dog Food (55lb bag,) PEDIGREE® DENTASTIX® dog treats, or PEDIGREE® Choice Cuts Dog Food at Sam's Club this October and PEDIGREE® will donate a bowl of food to a dog in need!
Buy any PEDIGREE® product at Sam's Club in the month of October (2015) and PEDIGREE® will donate a bowl of food to a dog in need! #PedigreeGives (ad)
Since October is National Adopt A Shelter Dog Month, we always do something a little extra special (on top of our regular shelter visits) to help out. This year we continued our tradition of donating PEDIGREE® dog food by dropping off a 55lb PEDIGREE® Adult Dry Dog Food bag and PEDIGREE® Choice Cuts Wet Food multi-pack we'd picked up while re-stocking Nora's PEDIGREE® Small Breed Dry Dog Food. I'm especially excited to point out that our local county shelter is proudly displaying their 'No Kill' banner for a successful year without having to put a single animal down, due to over-crowding, in 2014. This is an immense goal realized for our county and the shelter and I couldn't be prouder.
Of course this wouldn't be a fair discussion without talking about the tiny dog that helps my heart to continue on growing, Nora. It may be hard to believe, but I was never a 'small dog' kind of girl. In fact, in college my boyfriend had the most lovable 62lb red pit bull and there was a time I couldn't imagine not falling asleep with him nestle between my legs. But this dog, people- let me tell you. I have yet to meet a person that was not shortly won over by the enthusiasm this dog carries for life itself.
When I was sitting down to write this post I contemplated how I would stage the photos, and what imagery I would use. It's no secret I take hundreds of photos of my fur-kids daily- and Nora is quite photogenic. But, with this month being all about adoption, and pets in need of homes, I was driven to look deeper into the individual that is my dog. Sure we've made dog furniture and shared D.I.Y. costumes and training tips, and we'll continue to- but these candid snapshots, they're Nora. Yes, these photos, they sum up my 4 and a half pound ball of fluff. Not only does she greet each and every day as a new, magical, opportunity, she NEVER stops smiling. It is physically impossible to look at this dog and maintain a bad mood- she is my leveler, folks.
And every morning and evening when I pick up her food dish her floppy ears perk up, her nubby tail wags, and she spins in circles until I finish scooping her PEDIGREE® and put the bowl down. Can you imagine how much richer our life would be if we could look at the world through her eyes for just one day? If we could take a single meal and turn it into an occasion worthy of flips and dancing? Yes, it's just that sentiment, and that tiny dog, which remind me just how grateful I am to have her n my life- and just how much every pet, and pet-to-be, truly has to give.
I could write a thousand more words reminding you how special Nora (and let's not forget Truffles) really is, but the truth is, if you've ever had a pet, you already know. Help give back to 'pets to be' this month when you purchase any PEDIGREE® product at Sam's Club, and keep the good vibes going when you upload a photo of the dog you love to Twitter with the hashtag #LaterShelter- PEDIGREE® will donate yet another bowl of food to a dog in need! I often joke that Nora is one of my 'co-workers,' since she appears so often here on the blog, and is constantly at my side. The truth is, I'm the one working for her. If I can learn to be just 1/10th as grateful, accepting, and brave in my life as she lives hers, then I will always remain in her debt. Does your dog, or a dog you've previously parented, have unique traits that make them stand out? If so, we'd love to hear all about what makes your canine friend special!

What Daughter Says: When it comes to pets, all shapes, sizes and breeds can move mountains in the world of a pet parent. Every pet deserves a home, and a fully belly.







 
Because everybody could use an extra smile...

14 comments:

  1. I love this! I have been feeding my dog Pedigree for a long time. He really loves it :)

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  2. First of all the dogs are all so cute! I've heard great things about Pedigree, it's a brand I need to have my husband look into. I think it would be great for our pups. - Sarah, Must Have Mom

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  3. It is so true little dogs are so big on heart and personality! We have a min pin and he is so much more affectionate and opinionated than dogs 5 times his size.

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  4. Awww. That is so great. I love to see Pedigree donating to shelters and you letting people know how easy it is volunteer. I adopted two dogs from the shelter and they were great dogs!

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  5. We used to feed our dog pedigree until we had to change due to health issues requiring a very special diet. Loved Pedigree.

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  6. We've always preferred smaller dogs. Less poop to clean up!

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  7. What a cutie! That's great that Pedigree is donating food to the dogs! We have a 21 month old Lab puppy named Dobby.

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  8. What a great program from Pedigree! Giving dog food is a great way to give back to shelters. It's amazing how many are able to help the dogs find homes.

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  9. What an awesome story and amazing images! I love how you tied in the product with a heartwarming message. Your dog is lucky to have you guys!

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  10. She does have quite a personality and zest for life. You captured her perfectly! Also, I hope tons of shelter dogs are adopted this month.

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  11. What a sweet baby! I love how you incorporated shelters into your post. All of our pets are adopted!

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  12. Thank you for sharing your story about Nora, she's so cute! I too used to volunteer at my local shelter. Truly heartwarming #client

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  13. This means that you should take steps to ensure that you give it something that it will be proud of. Royal Canin dog food reviews

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