Little Boy Finds Fame by Taking a Photo with Every Dog He Pets
If you’re anything like me, after opening up Facebook or watching the news, I’m left searching for a breath of fresh air in a sea of heartbreaking stories.
And what’s more heartwarming than puppies and kids?
That’s where 9-year-old Gideon comes in.
Gideon has a mission: to bring happiness to people and to pet as many dogs as he can. It’s a simple goal, but one plenty of people can get behind.
I pet Etta. She is a 6 year old pit bull, terrier mix who needs a new home with her brother, Otis. She is @CedarBendHS . Etta and Otis don’t like other dogs, but they love each other. They are energetic and love to be pet. pic.twitter.com/O3jZesysyy
— I’ve Pet That Dog (@IvePetThatDog) May 17, 2018
He started a blog where he cataloged each of the dogs he bumped into. Every time he met a new canine, he’d get his photo taken and ask a few questions about the dog.
His blog now has over 300 entries, each one featuring the beaming boy, a happy pup and an informational snippet.
When Gideon entered the world of Twitter in April, people started to notice. Now he has over 50,000 followers.
I pet Jasper. He is a 12 year old Yorkie-Poo. His caregiver says he is now old and lazy. He likes to stay close to his family. Jasper also likes to dig in the couch. pic.twitter.com/azyfzJVQa0
— I’ve Pet That Dog (@IvePetThatDog) May 19, 2018
The blog can even be searched by breed, so if there’s a particular kind of pup you’d like to have brighten your day, it’s probably available!
When Vice asked him why he started the blog, his explanation was straightforward.
I pet Squirt. She is a 13 year old Jack Russell terrier. When she was young, she would never stop running. Somehow, she could fit 2 tennis balls in her mouth at the same time! 🎾🎾But now, her caregiver says her mood is “old age.” She still likes attention and love though. pic.twitter.com/BsMf6f51xS
— I’ve Pet That Dog (@IvePetThatDog) May 18, 2018
“Well, there’s a couple of reasons,” he said. “One, I LOVEEE dogs. Two, I wanted to see how many dogs I could get. And three, I wanted to show the public about all of the dogs.”
“I wanted to show everybody all of the dogs in the world. I don’t think I will ever do that, though.”
I pet Lady. She is a 6 year old rough-coated collie. She is famous and has her own Instagram account: @lady_notlassie. She was born on a farm in Wisconsin. Lady is very sweet and smart. She is a good listener. She will tilt her head and look at you when you talk. pic.twitter.com/tPPE7vHFQW
— I’ve Pet That Dog (@IvePetThatDog) May 17, 2018
Gideon’s had his share of skeptics, though. Even though a kid asking to pet a dog seems so innocent, some people are still concerned about having their pups information online.
“A few times it did happen—only twice actually,” Gideon said, talking to Vice about owners who didn’t want their dog’s photo posted.
I pet Lucy. She is a 4 year old golden retriever who was born on Valentine’s Day. Lucy was a wedding gift from her caregiver’s parents. She is loyal and friendly. pic.twitter.com/KsLO1V21kT
— I’ve Pet That Dog (@IvePetThatDog) May 16, 2018
“I’m not really surprised. They said, well, they felt weird that a kid was asking. I have to admit, it’s kind of weird for a kid to just come up and say, ‘Can I get your dog on my website?'”
“I think one of the women said no to the website cause maybe she thinks we’re giving away where she lives or something like that.”
I pet Sable. She was a rescue from Oklahoma who was brought to @CedarBendHS and adopted. At first, she was afraid of all people and other animals. But she seemed happy to be pet today! Her caregiver says she is an imp, who takes things and hides them. pic.twitter.com/eWbBd5ygSu
— I’ve Pet That Dog (@IvePetThatDog) May 15, 2018
Despite those few cases, though, the majority of the dogs and owners he bumps into are more than happy to share a bit of joy with the world.
And his followers are certainly appreciative of the happy vibes he’s sharing. This 9-year-old is going places!
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