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

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.

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.

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!

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!

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.

October Is National Adopt A Dog Month- See How We Plan On Helping!

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #CollectiveBias

Momma Told Me: I love all my children, even the ones with tails.

My pets are my children. I don't expect everyone to get it, really, but I try my best to explain and share my love of animals with anyone who will listen. It's not that I prefer to have fur-children over human children, my style of family planning just happens to have tails before rattles and diapers. If you think about it, really, pets are really like toddlers that never grow up. Sure, you get just as excited when the puppy 'makes it to the potty on time,' but the relief and joy over that never really ends, nor does the cleaning up after! Yes, being a pet parent is a labor of love. And if the government would allow me I'd probably have an entire litter of four-legged friends and adopt-a-dog every time I saw one roaming the streets.

Unfortunately my space, and animal zoning regulations aren't as big as my heart. In fact, some critics would argue the 5lb ball of fluff I call a dog (Norah) doesn't even qualify as a dog- but she's about all we have room for in our condo with the cat. None-the-less, I grew up with a mother who was constantly taking animals in from shelter 'kill lists.' The animals that needed advanced care or end of life comfort most overcrowded shelters could not provide. As a result, I grew up with the desire to help homeless, and needy, animals as much as I could.

I'm excited to share that you and I both can help a dog, and shelter, in need this October when we buy Pedigree dog food and treats at Sam's Club. In honor of National Adopt A Shelter Dog Month, Pedigree has teamed up with Sam's Club to donate a bowl of food to a shelter in need for every Pedigree product purchased at Sam's Club this month! The 20lb Small Breed bg we picked up at Sam's Club will feed Nora for several months, and was so affordable we even picked up a second bag, and some Pedigree Stackerz tear treats to donate directly to our local shelter. That's 3 bowls of food donated by Pedigree, and a whole lot of yum directly from our household to the county animal shelter!

In fact, visiting the local shelter is something we do at least once a month, and usually more often. Volunteering time at our shelter requires a once a week, 4 hour commitment; peanuts when you consider it! We also have found ways to help out be dropping off excess toys and treats from special couponing scores items that are simply too big for Nora (we get a lot for reviews), and even great buys on toys we find from the dollar store. We never visit the shelter empty handed and no donation is too small. But one of the most important ways you can help out is by spreading the word that there are great animals right at your local shelter, waiting for a home.

For years I have been supporting a local non-profit organization known as No Kill LA; which aims to make Los Angeles, CA a kill free shelter zone. In 2012 over 13k healthy animals were put to sleep in Los Angeles shelters due to overcrowding, and in 2013 9k. While the numbers are getting smaller these facts are still staggering, and this is just in a metropolitan area near me; what are your statistics near you? Unfortunately, as much as Sabrina (12) would like to think so, adopting a dog is not a decision that can be made on a whim. It can be hard not to give into the puppy eyes of your children, or the literal puppies, but adopting a dog is a big decision.

I encourage all animal lovers considering a new pet to visit a local shelter; it's free and many are open 7 days a week with extended hours. While you may want a puppy; consider your family's makeup- do you have older pets that might have trouble adjusting to a rambunctious new pet? Do you have younger children that might not be able to understand the needs and energy of a puppy? A dog is not considered a puppy if it is older than a year in age; and the adoption rates drop significantly for every year after. But adopting an older dog can be beneficial in many circumstances. Most adult dogs are house-trained, and even socialized with humans and other pets. Talk to your shelter representatives to learn about each dog and their individual temperaments.

On our most recent shelter visit we had a chance to get in a little play and cuddle time with a nameless chihuahua who had been taken in off the street just 6 days before. Chihuahuas and pit bulls are common overpopulated breeds found on the streets near us. This particular sweet girl had had a few litters of her own and was very timid at first. Holding her close to her body and offering some gentle scratches beneath her chin Sabrina was at last able to get the dog to  open her eyes and stop trembling. Because I could not take her home, I promised we would share her story, and ID number with friends and family who might have an inviting home.

If you are able to accommodate a pet, or more pets, in your home, you may wish to ask your local animal services and shelter about becoming a foster parent. Foster homes are crucial to easing the overcrowding in shelters, extending an animals potential adoptions time, and identifying any special needs an animal may have (IE: not good with kids, needs an active lifestyle, prefers natural litter) that may give them better odds of being adopted by the right home. Most animal shelters seek foster homes for small animals, cats, and dogs- and you can join a foster program while still maintaining control over which animals you do or do not welcome into your home; it is always voluntary.

Last, but not least, in honor of National Adopt A Shelter Dog month I wanted to re-share an idea I featured here on the blog last year. Our family always has a few gallon sized bags full of water, antiseptic/hand sanitizer, granola bars, and tuna, for any homeless we may pass in the car on the street. We have recently begun adding single serve dog  food pouches for the numerous homeless we see with pets by their side. I guess you can say seeing how #PedigreeGives has really inspired us! If you'd like to learn more about Pedigree's initiatives and great products be sure to follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube and remember, for every Pedigree product you buy at Sam's Club this month they will donate a bowl of food to a dog in need!

Do you have an adopted shelter pet? How can you give back to the shelters and homeless animals?

What Daughter Says: There are many ways you can share your heart with an animal in need this October!

As a special note, the #PedigreeGives Twitter Party will take place on 10/14 at 1PM EST (10 PST)- So, if you love animals an want to talk pets, head on over and RSVP, there will be $550 in prizes!