Muppy Is My “Heart Dog”

By Don Hanson, PCBC-A, BFRAP

< A version of this article was published in the May 2026 issue of Downeast Dog News>

< Updated 2025-04-25 >

< The link to this page – https://www.forcefreepets.com/muppyismyheartdog/ >

There is less sunshine in our lives. Paula and I helped our dog Muppy cross the Rainbow Bridge on Tuesday, March 24th, after she courageously battled kidney disease and bladder cancer since June of 2025. She was born in Mississippi on August 6, 2011, and joined our family in Bangor, Maine, on May 1, 2013.

Our day would typically start with a gentle hop against the side of my left leg, Muppy’s golden face looking up at me like a burst of sunshine, saying, “Don, what a beautiful day!”

Muppy was filled with eternal optimism. I am blessed that the “gentle hop” was almost a daily occurrence and will forever be etched in my mind. Muppy was, and forever will be, my Heart Dog.

What is A “Heart Dog”? It was a term I was unaware of before becoming a pet care professional. I have consulted with many of my training colleagues, as well as three AI chatbots. As expected, there are many similarities in descriptions of a Heart Dog. Still, ultimately, everyone has their own unique definition of the extraordinary relationship they shared with their Heart Dog.

This is why Muppy will forever be my Heart Dog.

Muppy and I bonded almost instantaneously on our first day together. I gave her space but remained available, and by the end of the day, she chose to hop into my lap for a snooze.
From that point on, we were together 24/7 almost every day. I was fortunate that my work allowed me to do this, as not many people have that luxury. When we weren’t together, we truly missed one another. Paula told me how Muppy would wait by the door or look out my office window, awaiting my return. Since she passed, whenever I come home, I still instinctively expect her to greet me, and even though I cannot see or hear her, I can sense her presence, as if she continues to look out for me.
Muppy came to us at a time when we were still mourning the loss of our dog Tikken and cat Batman. I had no expectations for her other than being my friend. She wasn’t here to be a demonstration dog for training classes or a therapy dog. I wanted us to be the best buddies we could be and partners in fun, mischief, and life – and that’s what we were.
In the years after Muppy became part of the family, Paula had some serious health issues, and Muppy was there to support both of us. Being empathetic, something I have struggled with for much of my life, was innate to Muppy, and she taught me how to be a better person.
Joy came easily to Muppy as well as being silly. Early on, we had our friend Debra Bell take regular photos of Muppy and us as a family, and Deb became one of Muppy’s favorite people. At almost every photo session, Muppy showed her mischievous side, which made us all lose our composure and laugh our heads off. Her little pranks only made those sessions more memorable. As shown in the photo below, sometimes I was the prankster. Muppy and I fed off each other, as best friends are prone to do.
I love to write and, like most writers, sometimes need inspiration. If my mind was blocked, sometimes a sniffari or a snuggle with Muppy was all I needed to get back on track. I know she will continue to inspire me.
Last August, I wrote a blog post Why ‘Pet Parent’ is an Appropriate Description of Our Role in Our Dog’s Life, in which I described Muppy and me as being “Kahu’s” to one another. “The word Kahu has a deep meaning and is defined as the sacred role of a guardian, protector, steward, or honored attendant. Essentially, someone entrusted with the safe keeping of something precious – something cherished. What a Kahu protects is not their property. What they protect is a part of their soul.” – from Facebook. That describes our relationship perfectly.
My colleagues disagree as to whether one can have more than one heart dog. But many agree that the passing of a Heart Dog feels like losing a piece of yourself or even your soul. While I mourn Muppy’s physical loss, I feel as though our souls are forever intertwined, and that provides the solace that relieves my grief. The other night, she was even in one of my dreams, where it was simply us enjoying each other’s company. I took that as her way of letting me know “I’m still here for you.”

This caricature was created based on my favorite photo of Muppy and me, taken by Debra Bell. It exaggerates our emotions but perfectly expresses how we felt about one another; our relationship was filled with joy. It will be the official graphic for all future columns for Down East Dog News. I will also use it frequently on my blog.

I’ve had some real low points caring for Muppy through her illness. On the days when we both had a difficult time smiling, this image helped me get through them, and it has helped me get through the days since she passed. You will continue to see it in my future columns and on my blog, so you can join me in remembering my Heart Dog, Muppy.

What’s my theme song!

My Facebook friend, Telani Lasoleille, recently asked me, “What’s your dog’s theme song. I often thought Stevie Wonder’s “You Are The Sunshine of My Life” described our relationship, but Muppy whispered down from The Rainbow Bridge, “Don, you know it’s ‘Walking on Sunshine’ by Katrina & The Waves, it’s got a beat we can dance to!” ~ Muppy

Muppy, as usual, is right. If it was a cloudy day or if I was just in a cloudy mood, she instantly made the sun shine inside and out. Thank you, Muppy! ~ Don

Oh!

Ohhhh, yeeeh

I used to think maybe you loved me now baby I’m sure

And I just can’t wait till the day when you knock on my door

Now everytime I go for the mailbox, gotta hold myself down

‘Cause I just can’t wait till you write me you’re coming around

I’m walking on sunshine, wooah

I’m walking on sunshine, woooah

And don’t it feel good!

Hey, alright now

And dont it feel good!

Hey yeah

I used to think maybe you loved me, now I know that it’s true

And I don’t want to spend my whole life, just waiting for you

Now I don’t want u back for the weekend

Not back for a day, no no no

I said baby I just want you back and I want you to stay

Woah yeah!

I’m walking on sunshine, wooah

I’m walking on sunshine, woooah

And don’t it feel good!!

Hey, alright now

And don’t it feel good!!

Yeah, oh yeah

And don’t it feel good!!

Walking on sunshine

I feel alive, I feel the love, I feel the love that’s really real

I’m on sunshine baby oh, oh yeah

I’m on sunshine baby oh

I’m walking on sunshine, wooah

I’m walking on sunshine, woooah

And don’t it feel good

Hey, alright now

And don’t it feel good

I’ll say it, say it, say it again now

And don’t it feel good!!

Ohhhh, yeahhhh

And don’t it feel good

Now don’t it, don’t it, don’t it, don’t it, don’t it, don’t it feel good

I’ll say it, say it, say it again now

And don’t feel good

Now don’t it, don’t it, don’t it, don’t it, don’t it, don’t it feel good

Tell me, tell me, tell me again now

And don’t it feel good

Ohhhh, yeahhhh

And don’t it feel good

Oh don’t it feel good, don’t it feel good

Now don’t it feel good?

Oh yeah, oh yeah, oh yeah (Don’t it feel good)

Source: Musixmatch

Songwriters: Kimberley Rew

Walking on Sunshine video on YouTube

– https://youtu.be/iPUmE-tne5U?si=wNGx0pVlGqsV23bR

Don Hanson lives in Bangor, Maine, where he is the co-owner of the Green Acres Kennel Shop (greenacreskennel.com) and the founder and owner of ForceFreePets.com, an online educational resource for people with dogs and cats. He is a Professional Canine Behavior Consultant (PCBC-A) accredited by the Pet Professional Accreditation Board (PPAB) and a Bach Foundation Registered Animal Practitioner (BFRAP). Don is a member of the Pet Professional Guild (PPG), serving on the Board of Directors and the Steering Committee, and chairs the Advocacy Task Force and the Shock-Free Coalition. He writes and edits the blogs for both Green Acres Kennel Shop and ForceFreePets.

Muppy Is My “Heart Dog”