Rappaport To The Rescue - Paw 63: My New National Campaign To Save Seniors Lives One Smile at a Time
August 20, 2025 • 28 mins
I am honored to be the face of the Grey Muzzle Organization’s national fundraiser, called Sunshine & Summer Smiles. Together and with your help we are aiming our efforts at dental care for our seniors and every dollar you give goes to saving their lives. Today we are one on one with the organization’s executive director, Denise Fleck to talk about how they are putting their money where senior dogs’ mouths are!
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:02):
Is Pet Life Radio. Let's talk Pets.
Speaker 2 (00:10):
Rapaport to the Rescue with award winning animal advocate, best
selling author, journalist, and pet products creator Jill Rappaport.
Speaker 1 (00:20):
Hi, I'm Joe Rapaport. Welcome to Rapaport to the Rescue.
This is a special edition today because I just kicked
off a campaign that I am so honored, thrilled, and
so proud.
Speaker 3 (00:33):
To be part of because it is all about helping
the seniors. And you know, folks, I'm all about the seniors,
the special needs, the bully breeds, all of the underdogs,
and I just as you know, also adopted a super.
Speaker 1 (00:49):
Senior named Nathan Detroit Rapaport. We think he's fourteen years young.
He could be older. He's completely deaf, mostly blind, and
the most precious little thing, a little doxy you've ever seen,
follows me everywhere, towel wagging. He's really getting younger. I
can't even believe this. I've had him for six weeks
maybe two months now, and he is aging backwards. He
(01:12):
was so tired and timid when I got him, and
now I can't even keep up with him. And I
really believe it's because he knows that he has found
his forever home and that love and compassion and somebody
to hug him and let him know that he will
always be taken care of. That's what keeps these animals going.
(01:36):
And I literally rescued him in a dire state. He
was dumped at a shelter. Can you imagine a fourteen
year old blind, deaf dog found wandering on the road.
Bloody pause somebody. I can't even say the words if
they were able to just dump him. I can't believe
people could be that cruel, But that seems to be
(01:57):
what happened to little Nathan Detroit. But he was meant
to be in my life and he will live every
beautiful day till his last days with love from me
and kisses, smothering and kisses. I just adore him. So
getting back to this campaign, which is the Gray Muzzle
Organization's national fundraiser called Sunshine and Summer Smiles, and it
(02:20):
runs from August nineteenth to the twenty ninth, and I'm
encouraging all of you, if you love your babies, especially
your seniors, this is aimed at helping them have the
most beautiful, healthy smiles. Every dollar that is raised goes
back into their mouths literally to make sure that they
have great dental care. And without good dental care, they
(02:43):
can't live the longest life. So I am so proud
to be the face of this campaign. We shot so
many incredible videos. You have to go online and see
what we have created with these super seniors. Please donate, Please,
even if you just give a dollar, every little bit helps,
and I can promise you that every bit goes right
(03:04):
back into the campaign to saving lives. And when we
come back, we're going to meet the executive director of
the Gray Muzzle organization. She is truly a powerhouse, Denise Fleck.
She has done just an incredible job making such a
difference for these animals with this organization. And wait to
(03:24):
hear about all the other things this woman has going
on in her career. I am really honored to have
her here and to talk about this initiative that is
going to change lives and extend lives forever. So please
stay tuned.
Speaker 2 (03:43):
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(04:06):
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Speaker 1 (04:20):
Let's talk past. Let's gone Petal Radio, Headline.
Speaker 4 (04:24):
Radio, Petlight Radio dot com.
Speaker 1 (04:33):
Welcome back to Rappaport to the Rescue. I'm Joe Rappaport.
I literally pulled over on the side of the road
because we were able to get this interview together at
the last minute with one of the most special women
that I have met. This is Denise Black, and she
is the executive director of the Gray Muzzle Organization. And
(04:54):
you heard me talk in the beginning about this incredible
campaign that I am truly so honored and thrilled to
be part of because all of you listeners know that
my life is all about the seniors and Gray Muzzle
is the one and only organization that stands for the
older animals, the older dogs. As we say, be bold,
(05:16):
go old, right.
Speaker 4 (05:17):
Denise, absolutely, fifty is the new thirty for us, so
why not for our senior pups.
Speaker 1 (05:23):
And let's talk a little bit about this campaign you
and I started touching base in the beginning of the
summer regarding ideas because you do this amazing summer campaign
to promote dental care, and obviously it is one of
the biggest problems facing our seniors today. Let's talk about
this campaign and why the plight of the dental disease,
(05:44):
why it was so important for Gray Muzzle to tackle
this issue.
Speaker 4 (05:49):
Well, just about every senior dog that comes into a
shelter has dental issues, and typically senior dogs living in
homes even do as well, because that isn't something always
on people's radar. And you know, the bacteria in the
mouth can travel to the heart and all the organs,
and so basically a healthy mouth can make a healthier dog,
(06:11):
and it's such a need in these shelters and rescues,
but it often prohibits adoptions when a potential adopter will
see a smelly mouth or shouldn't they see should smell
a smelly mouth or seabeds. So if we can break
that barrier and pay for the dentals and any extractions
needed before the adoption occurs, that dog is much more
(06:33):
adoptable and much more healthy.
Speaker 1 (06:35):
And you know, for all of our listeners out there,
please follow this campaign. It is only going to be
up for another eight days after this podcast, and literally
their goal, our goal is to raise thirty thousand dollars
to raise awareness to help these animals. And what Great
Muzzle has done is so unbelievable because they have raised
(06:56):
over a million and a half dollars and they've given
it out to one hundred and nights eineeen shelters nationwide,
making a difference for the older animals and all of
your people out there who've rescued. You know, it's the
seniors that are sitting there languishing in our shelters. They're
the last to go, and Gray Muzzle has made it
their mission, of their heart, their whole modus operendi, is
(07:19):
to help the seniors. And without their help, these dogs
would not only not get a home, they wouldn't be healthy,
they wouldn't get the awareness they need. And so this
is really truly a life saving campaign and I am
really begging you all to follow it, to read about it.
Even if you gave a dollar, every one of you
(07:40):
listening all around the world gave a dollar, we would
change dental disease and seniors. We would make it aware
and make people aware of the plight of seniors. So Denise,
this is so important and you have been such an
amazing ambassador. I know you started out on the board
for six you were on the board of Gray Muzzle,
(08:01):
and then just last year you switched your role to
executive director.
Speaker 4 (08:06):
How come well, there was a need and I didn't
hesitate to fill it. Seniors have always had a soft
spot in my heart. And like you you know said,
we gave out a million and a half dollars just
last month. But what that means is we need to
no pun intended build up the kitty again so that
we can give out more money to help more seniors
(08:29):
because there are so many at risk dogs. And Jill,
not only do we want to get the dogs that
are in shelters healthy and adopted, but we want to
make sure that senior dogs that already have their homes
can keep those homes and stay with the family who
loves them. But sometimes older dogs require a little bit
more care, and sometimes these day and age people don't
(08:52):
always have the funds to give them the arthritis medicine
or get the mass removed, and they feel their only
option is to relinquish their best trend to a shelter,
So we want to prevent that from happening so that
that dog never enters the shelter system to begin with.
So by providing bauchers through the shelters and rescues around
the country, they can assist with owned pets in many
(09:15):
cases too.
Speaker 1 (09:16):
Well, it's just so incredible because you know, every organization
you want to believe that the dollars are going towards
helping the animals, but we hear a lot of stories, Denise,
I hear it every day from people reaching out to me,
where is my money really going when I write that check?
Is it actually going into the animal's care or is
it going to support the salaries? People are concern because
(09:39):
animal effocuts want to know that when they write those
checks it really is going to help those animals.
Speaker 4 (09:45):
I understand that, and we really try to be very
transparent with all of our expenditures. We limit our printing
even when we send thank you notes or printed cards.
We have board members that fund and back that, so
none of donor dollars are go going towards those things.
But it's just really important that we're able to give
out the most money we can to help the most
(10:07):
number of senior dogs every year. And you know, you
think you're helping four or five, six thousand in a
year and that you know those are done and okay,
but there are always more seniors because that poppy you
loved and adored, you know, six seven years ago, is
getting up there too, So there's always going to be
a need to help senior dogs like senior people, and
(10:29):
like I mentioned, you know, we are able to do
things to help them live longer. Fifty is the new
thirty because of the medical advances and the better nutrition
we're giving pets and providing those dentals. So hopefully, you know,
the seniors can enjoy many more years with you as
your best friend and thanks.
Speaker 1 (10:48):
To organizations like Gray Muzzle, and you can count them
on less than one hand. I mean literally, you're a
national organization. The whole sole focus is aimed at helping seniors.
That's all you do. This is my mission, this is
what I do. I'm all about the underdogs, but I
think it's so important for people to understand they're the
(11:09):
less to get adopted. So really, we have a hell
of a fight ahead of us every day of our
lives promoting this cause right we do.
Speaker 4 (11:16):
So go to gray Muzzle dot org and fund this
campaign g r e y m uzzl dot org. You'll
see these amazing videos that Jill has created. We have
just been overwhelmed by her kindness in helping and being
the face of the campaign for Sunshine and Summer Smiles
this year. And when you go on the website, on
(11:37):
the homepage, you'll see where you can upload a picture
of your senior dog and enter them into a contest
so that maybe they can be Mister December or Miss
January in twenty twenty six.
Speaker 1 (11:48):
That calendar proaches. Yep, I love it. Like I said
at the top of the show, I am so thrilled
an honor to be the face of the campaign. I
open with a video of my own super seniors. I
just rescued. As you know, Denise, a fourteen year old
blind deaf doxy who is the love of my life.
I couldn't love him more as if I got him
when he came out of his mother's womb. If I
(12:10):
tell you he's aging backwards, he's Dorian Gray Rapaport. He
really is amazing. And I tell people all the time,
these seniors they know when you saved them in the
twilight of their lives, and they thank you every day.
And I really believe you add life to them when
you've taken them in when they have been dumped or
discarded as so many have.
Speaker 4 (12:31):
That is so true, Jill, and I often get that
question or just the comment, you know, I can't adopt
the senior. They're not going to live very long. Well,
you have no guarantees with a puppy. Puppies are going
to get into trouble. They're gonna, you know, have accidents,
things happen, and genetics is also something that plays a
role too. But I'll tell you, in my experience with
(12:53):
adopting seniors, the bond never could have been closer. And
I've adopted large dogs mostly anywhere from age ten to twelve,
and most of them have made it to fifteen. And
even though that may only seem like a few years, Jill,
the bond we made just made me feel like I've
had them their whole life exactly.
Speaker 1 (13:13):
That's how I feel with Nathan Rapaport. I mean, he's
so cute. We call Nathan Detroit Nathan after Nathan's Hot Dogs.
Detroit my hometown and I loved guys and dolls, so
I named him Nathan Detroit Rapaport. But this little guy,
when he came into the house, he was moving really
slowly and very timid. I can't keep up with him now, Denise,
and he is at least fourteen fourteen plus. And you know,
(13:37):
like I said, blind and deaf and so much energy
and love and nuzzles up in my shoulder at night.
And you know, everyone says, oh, thank you, thank you
for adopting him. I thank him for choosing me. I
feel like he's added life to my life because the
joy they give us back. And that's why I love
your organization so much. I'm so thrilled. I've been on
(13:58):
the advisory board for years, but to be the face
of this campaign, this summer campaign, I truly believe that
we are making a life changing difference, and I just
want to encourage people to read about it. Go onto
your website, give people the information where they can go
and how we can donate with the giving grid.
Speaker 4 (14:18):
Absolutely you'll go right to the homepage at gray Muzzle
dot org. Gr e y, but I think if you
put in an a it'll bounce over to and all
down the home page. You'll see a picture of Jill
and it talks about the campaign, and then you'll see
an actual grid all these little boxes where you can
donate and upload a picture of your pup. If you
(14:39):
don't want to upload a picture of your pup, that's
fine too. We're happy to accept the donation. So mark
off that square with anonymous or your name and help
other senior dogs get the dental care they need, because,
like you said, Jill, not only do they need the
medical care, bringing them into your hearts and your homes
really heals their heart, and boy do they heal our
(15:00):
hearts as well.
Speaker 1 (15:01):
And people need to know that every dollar they give
goes right back into those animals' mouths. I can assure
you of.
Speaker 4 (15:07):
That absolutely, it really really does. There's just nothing like
adopting a senior They you know, they often are a
little bit slower. Although you said, Nathan's keeping, you know,
giving you a run for the money there. But you know,
seniors come in all packages too, but many of them
just want to lay by your side, looking at you adoringly.
(15:28):
And what an ego boost for a human that is.
I always say I love an older dog. I'm an
older person they'd rather sleep on the couch than eat
the couch. I would rather have an older animal any day.
They sleep when you sleep, they hang with you. It's
such a joy. I tell people all the time. Look,
who doesn't love a puppy. We all get that.
Speaker 1 (15:48):
But puppies are the first to get adopted, as we
all know. And I tell people, even if you go two, three,
four years old, just be bold, go a little older.
The joys that these older animals give you. They've been there,
done that, and most likely they're often housebroken, they're chilled,
(16:08):
they know the routine. It's a much easier life if
you're a little bit older. Even it doesn't matter how
old you are. It's an easier life for the dog
when they've been there, done that, and they're not running
around looking what mischief they can get into.
Speaker 4 (16:22):
And if you go to the website by the Giving Grit,
you'll see a gallery of photos along with Jill's video.
We've got her first video up and we'll keep uploading
them as the week goes by. But you'll see these
adorable older faces. There's Clyde and there's fizz Gig. You know,
they may have funny names and funny smiles, but they
just exude love and those soulful eyes look at you
(16:43):
and all you want to do is help and love them.
And not only does it the love they give you, Jill,
but I think you kind of create a warm fuzzy
for yourself. You feel good because you were able to
help an animal in need.
Speaker 1 (16:58):
And I want to give such a huge shout out
to Little Shelter and Huntington Long Island. I am also
on their advisory board. David Seely. They are truly from
heaven above. I went there. It took us about an
hour and a half to get there. David had the
most amazing senior dogs that we featured in this campaign,
and Little Shelter specializes in the seniors. They love the seniors.
(17:21):
They take in up to nineteen years old. I've seen
dogs there that are thriving and they get them adopted.
And they're just one of the organizations that you support
that is so incredible. It really walks the talk, don't
they denise.
Speaker 4 (17:36):
They do, And I'm so glad you brought that up
because Little Shelter has been a Gray Muzzle grantee for
a number of years because they just keep stepping up
to the task and getting it done to help these
older dogs, and it was so great to have them
as part of the campaign where you were able to
go there and film some videos that everybody will be
seeing in the upcoming days and weeks with Waffles and
(17:58):
with Piglet and Pandora and you know other dogs there.
And Pandora is a special special case and yet heartbreaking
ass the Rainbow Bridge. But you know it's we wanted
to make this her legacy that she's reaching out to
you from that rainbow bridge and asking you to help
(18:19):
other dogs that were like her in need get the
care they need and the love they so much deserve.
Speaker 1 (18:25):
And people will love the videos because some of these
dogs are really smiling. It's so adorable. You can see
their little mouths and their little teeth and they're like
almost saying to the camera, please help us. We need
our dental care to live longer lives. And it's really
a beautiful campaign that I am so touched and honored
to be part of. And I couldn't end the show
without talking a little bit about you, Denise, because for
(18:48):
our audience, you know, they know that you have this
wonderful job as executive director of Gray Muzzle and you
were on the board there for six years. But you've
had an amazing career. You're also in the movie in
this and you just got a huge honor fifty over
fifty for Forbes. Tell us about that, because you're quite
(19:08):
an accomplished lady.
Speaker 4 (19:09):
Well, Jill, thank you so much. That's very kind. You
know they say if you do what you love, it
isn't work, And yes, I was working in the movie
industry at Paramount Pictures for a number of years as
a publicist, making people and film directors famous. But I
really needed to do something to nourish my own heart,
so I went to the dogs and I haven't left
(19:33):
that path since I started teaching pet first aid and CPR,
and I now train instructors my proprietary program around the
country so that they can teach in their own communities.
People think you know first aid, but you know, dogs
are a little bit different, and there are certain things
you can and can't do for them. But we absolutely
(19:53):
can do rescue breathing and CPR, stop bleeding, prevent them
from getting heat stroke, prevent poison by doing what I
always say, get down on all fours and making sure
your house is safe there's nothing they can get into,
So there are so many things you can really do
to help these senior dogs. And Jill, while I was
still in California, the shelter I was volunteering at the
(20:17):
Bourbank Animal Shelter, asked me to develop a five month
program for high school juniors and seniors, and I did
in conjunction with the Bourbank Unified School District. They sent
me back to school to get my teaching circulic and
I taught a five month course that high school juniors
and seniors actually got five credits towards graduation. Many of
them have gone on to become veterinarians or pet store
(20:39):
managers or dog trainers, and it's just a beautiful thing.
But what I learned from that is that although kids
don't always listen to their parents, parents listen to their kids.
And I would find what I was teaching the kids
would trickle up to the parents at the dinner table
and they would call me and say, so, what is
the best food for Fido? What should I do with Fluffy?
(21:02):
So that led me on a path to writing children's
books about senior August Is.
Speaker 1 (21:06):
It fourteen books? Did I read that correctly? Yes? Yes?
My goodness, I've written four books and I'm thinking that's
a lot. Fourteen. You are really unbelievable.
Speaker 4 (21:18):
Killed one's ones are short.
Speaker 1 (21:21):
Heyst fourteen take ownership baby.
Speaker 4 (21:24):
Well that's it. And I just feel that whether you're
a kid zero to ninety nine, you can learn respect
for animals. And it's just my goal to teach the
next generation of animal caregivers to give the love and
care to animals that Jill, you and I have our wives.
Speaker 1 (21:40):
Well, you know you kind of glossed over this award,
this honor you just got fifty over fifty. I'm going
to let you talk about it for a minute, because
you are in some pretty special company. Fifty of the
most fabulous women over fifty and Forbes you're in the
top of the list here for your accomplishments. That's amazing, Denise,
(22:01):
thank you.
Speaker 4 (22:01):
Well. The reason Jill I glossed over it is I'm
still speechless over it. You know, I just really can't
believe it. I do feel I am in such amazing company,
and I feel so honored that my work over these
many years in the animal world has really taken note
because pets are part of the family, and the fact
(22:23):
that you know, they're on more mainstream TV shows. I
was able to be on the Doctors and teach CPR
things that are normally human type shows that they're bringing
them into people's living rooms in their homes. The Forbes
magazine was a great tribute, and I can't thank them
enough for sharing my story and sharing my love of
(22:44):
senior dogs. So it's truly a wonderful thing. And like
I said, I'm speechless over it to be amongst such
an honored list of women.
Speaker 1 (22:53):
And you've received a lot of other honors in the past.
This is the most recent one, along with your fourteen books,
and it's just incredible to me because we're very very
much alike. We've kind of guided our careers in our
lives along the same path, and this is what speaks
to us. And one of the things I read about
you that I cracked up. You said you believe you
were raised by a dog. I do.
Speaker 4 (23:16):
I always say I was raised by a great Dane.
My parents were there too, but Ulysses the Great Dane
was amazing, and of course I don't remember it all
from personal memory, but seeing the pictures in the it
wasn't even super eight. I think it was eight millimeter
films back, no video. But this dog would do two
(23:37):
things in particular. One he'd let me grab his skin,
and you know, a great dane's a taller dog, and
put myself up an inch a long as a toddler
so that I could learn to walk. And he never
moved out of the way or suddenly sat down. And
the other thing he did is when people came over
and I was in my playpen, he would get between
(23:58):
them and the playpen. And one time I've been told
a young man who is an old man right now,
who was a little bit older than me at the time,
came up and I guess was holding onto my playpen.
Yulie as we called him, grabbed the little boy by
the seat of the pants, did not grab any skin
at all, and pulled him back away from my playpen.
Speaker 1 (24:20):
Ah. So he really was the third parents.
Speaker 4 (24:24):
He really really was. And you know, he passed away
I think at age ten and a half or eleven,
and I was devastated, But I didn't know at the
time that for a great Dane, that's actually a very
good age range to say, lived very long. So I
hope somehow the love that he was given you know
extended his life well.
Speaker 1 (24:45):
And what he gave to you, you have been giving
back your whole life. And to end this amazing discussion,
I just want to reiterate this incredible campaign again and
tell people once again what they can do to me
make a difference, and how every single penny will make
a difference.
Speaker 4 (25:04):
Absolutely, it doesn't matter how much you give, it's the
fact that you give. And every dollar up to thirty
thousand dollars is being matched by the Cook family in
honor of their senior dog's story. So please go to
gray Muzzle dot org, scroll down just a little bit
and you'll see the giving rid where you can upload
a picture of your pop or not to enter them
(25:25):
into the calendar contest for twenty twenty six and make
a donation that will warm your heart by knowing that
you have helped Clyde or Fizz, Gig or Piglet or
one of the dogs we're featuring in the campaign to
live a longer, happier, healthier life and get the loving
family they so deserve.
Speaker 1 (25:43):
And bless the Cook family who's matching every dollar. How
incredible is that? And you know I've done a lot
of amazing things in my career over the years for
animal rescue. But I have to tell you, Denise, to
be associated with you, with Gray Muzzle and to be
the face of this campaign is truly one of my
greatest honors.
Speaker 4 (26:02):
Well, Chill, we couldn't have done it without you, so
to speak. Even though we're just getting started, we're not
done yet. And I've just had so much joy, not
just from looking at the senior dog pictures and videos,
but with working with you, because your heart is all
into this and I just appreciate immensely.
Speaker 1 (26:21):
Oh, thank you so much, and please everybody. We have
a goal to hit and we've got to raise the
money and I'd love to surpass it. And you know
when you write that check, whatever you give, it doesn't matter.
It will be going to save a senior life and
make them more beautiful and give them the beautiful, healthy
smile they all deserve. Denise Fleck, I cannot thank you enough.
(26:44):
You are a joy and a pleasure and what an
incredible woman you are. Oh my goodness, I'm right back
at you.
Speaker 4 (26:50):
And if I can just say quickly, I know some
people don't like the Internet and putting in their cards
send a check. We take paper checks you'll find the
address on on our website, or you can certainly contact
me Denise at gray Muzzle dot org and I'll set
you up. But don't let anything stop you and helping
older best friends.
Speaker 1 (27:09):
Especially when you know that it really is going right
into the animal's mouths literally.
Speaker 4 (27:14):
Literally give them something to grint about.
Speaker 1 (27:17):
Well, thank you, thank you so much. It was so
worth pulling off to the side of the road. And
you know, Denise was such a great sport. I said,
you know what, let's get a show on the air
right away about this, and she said, I'm available. Thank you.
We are really excited. You're fabulous guests and continued great work.
I'm so happy that you're out there to make a
(27:38):
difference for the seniors because boy do we need to
help them now. They need us now more than ever
Rite Denise, They sure do, and we're going to be
there for them. Gil Okay, thank you, and we listen.
We got to do a great campaign. You and I'll
be talking a million times in the next couple of days.
But thank you all so much for listening to this
(27:58):
very special edition of Appport to the Rescue. It's the
Super Senior Edition. Go Seniors, be bold, go old, and
go to gray Muzzle. It's an amazing campaign and you
just know that everything you do will be helping to
save a senior's life. Have a great day, everybody. Thanks
so much for tuning in to wrap Aport.
Speaker 3 (28:20):
To the Rescue. Let's Talk Pets every week on demand
only on petlight radio dot com.
Is Pet Life Radio. Let's talk Pets.
Speaker 2 (00:10):
Rapaport to the Rescue with award winning animal advocate, best
selling author, journalist, and pet products creator Jill Rappaport.
Speaker 1 (00:20):
Hi, I'm Joe Rapaport. Welcome to Rapaport to the Rescue.
This is a special edition today because I just kicked
off a campaign that I am so honored, thrilled, and
so proud.
Speaker 3 (00:33):
To be part of because it is all about helping
the seniors. And you know, folks, I'm all about the seniors,
the special needs, the bully breeds, all of the underdogs,
and I just as you know, also adopted a super.
Speaker 1 (00:49):
Senior named Nathan Detroit Rapaport. We think he's fourteen years young.
He could be older. He's completely deaf, mostly blind, and
the most precious little thing, a little doxy you've ever seen,
follows me everywhere, towel wagging. He's really getting younger. I
can't even believe this. I've had him for six weeks
maybe two months now, and he is aging backwards. He
(01:12):
was so tired and timid when I got him, and
now I can't even keep up with him. And I
really believe it's because he knows that he has found
his forever home and that love and compassion and somebody
to hug him and let him know that he will
always be taken care of. That's what keeps these animals going.
(01:36):
And I literally rescued him in a dire state. He
was dumped at a shelter. Can you imagine a fourteen
year old blind, deaf dog found wandering on the road.
Bloody pause somebody. I can't even say the words if
they were able to just dump him. I can't believe
people could be that cruel, But that seems to be
(01:57):
what happened to little Nathan Detroit. But he was meant
to be in my life and he will live every
beautiful day till his last days with love from me
and kisses, smothering and kisses. I just adore him. So
getting back to this campaign, which is the Gray Muzzle
Organization's national fundraiser called Sunshine and Summer Smiles, and it
(02:20):
runs from August nineteenth to the twenty ninth, and I'm
encouraging all of you, if you love your babies, especially
your seniors, this is aimed at helping them have the
most beautiful, healthy smiles. Every dollar that is raised goes
back into their mouths literally to make sure that they
have great dental care. And without good dental care, they
(02:43):
can't live the longest life. So I am so proud
to be the face of this campaign. We shot so
many incredible videos. You have to go online and see
what we have created with these super seniors. Please donate, Please,
even if you just give a dollar, every little bit helps,
and I can promise you that every bit goes right
(03:04):
back into the campaign to saving lives. And when we
come back, we're going to meet the executive director of
the Gray Muzzle organization. She is truly a powerhouse, Denise Fleck.
She has done just an incredible job making such a
difference for these animals with this organization. And wait to
(03:24):
hear about all the other things this woman has going
on in her career. I am really honored to have
her here and to talk about this initiative that is
going to change lives and extend lives forever. So please
stay tuned.
Speaker 2 (03:43):
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Speaker 1 (04:20):
Let's talk past. Let's gone Petal Radio, Headline.
Speaker 4 (04:24):
Radio, Petlight Radio dot com.
Speaker 1 (04:33):
Welcome back to Rappaport to the Rescue. I'm Joe Rappaport.
I literally pulled over on the side of the road
because we were able to get this interview together at
the last minute with one of the most special women
that I have met. This is Denise Black, and she
is the executive director of the Gray Muzzle Organization. And
(04:54):
you heard me talk in the beginning about this incredible
campaign that I am truly so honored and thrilled to
be part of because all of you listeners know that
my life is all about the seniors and Gray Muzzle
is the one and only organization that stands for the
older animals, the older dogs. As we say, be bold,
(05:16):
go old, right.
Speaker 4 (05:17):
Denise, absolutely, fifty is the new thirty for us, so
why not for our senior pups.
Speaker 1 (05:23):
And let's talk a little bit about this campaign you
and I started touching base in the beginning of the
summer regarding ideas because you do this amazing summer campaign
to promote dental care, and obviously it is one of
the biggest problems facing our seniors today. Let's talk about
this campaign and why the plight of the dental disease,
(05:44):
why it was so important for Gray Muzzle to tackle
this issue.
Speaker 4 (05:49):
Well, just about every senior dog that comes into a
shelter has dental issues, and typically senior dogs living in
homes even do as well, because that isn't something always
on people's radar. And you know, the bacteria in the
mouth can travel to the heart and all the organs,
and so basically a healthy mouth can make a healthier dog,
(06:11):
and it's such a need in these shelters and rescues,
but it often prohibits adoptions when a potential adopter will
see a smelly mouth or shouldn't they see should smell
a smelly mouth or seabeds. So if we can break
that barrier and pay for the dentals and any extractions
needed before the adoption occurs, that dog is much more
(06:33):
adoptable and much more healthy.
Speaker 1 (06:35):
And you know, for all of our listeners out there,
please follow this campaign. It is only going to be
up for another eight days after this podcast, and literally
their goal, our goal is to raise thirty thousand dollars
to raise awareness to help these animals. And what Great
Muzzle has done is so unbelievable because they have raised
(06:56):
over a million and a half dollars and they've given
it out to one hundred and nights eineeen shelters nationwide,
making a difference for the older animals and all of
your people out there who've rescued. You know, it's the
seniors that are sitting there languishing in our shelters. They're
the last to go, and Gray Muzzle has made it
their mission, of their heart, their whole modus operendi, is
(07:19):
to help the seniors. And without their help, these dogs
would not only not get a home, they wouldn't be healthy,
they wouldn't get the awareness they need. And so this
is really truly a life saving campaign and I am
really begging you all to follow it, to read about it.
Even if you gave a dollar, every one of you
(07:40):
listening all around the world gave a dollar, we would
change dental disease and seniors. We would make it aware
and make people aware of the plight of seniors. So Denise,
this is so important and you have been such an
amazing ambassador. I know you started out on the board
for six you were on the board of Gray Muzzle,
(08:01):
and then just last year you switched your role to
executive director.
Speaker 4 (08:06):
How come well, there was a need and I didn't
hesitate to fill it. Seniors have always had a soft
spot in my heart. And like you you know said,
we gave out a million and a half dollars just
last month. But what that means is we need to
no pun intended build up the kitty again so that
we can give out more money to help more seniors
(08:29):
because there are so many at risk dogs. And Jill,
not only do we want to get the dogs that
are in shelters healthy and adopted, but we want to
make sure that senior dogs that already have their homes
can keep those homes and stay with the family who
loves them. But sometimes older dogs require a little bit
more care, and sometimes these day and age people don't
(08:52):
always have the funds to give them the arthritis medicine
or get the mass removed, and they feel their only
option is to relinquish their best trend to a shelter,
So we want to prevent that from happening so that
that dog never enters the shelter system to begin with.
So by providing bauchers through the shelters and rescues around
the country, they can assist with owned pets in many
(09:15):
cases too.
Speaker 1 (09:16):
Well, it's just so incredible because you know, every organization
you want to believe that the dollars are going towards
helping the animals, but we hear a lot of stories, Denise,
I hear it every day from people reaching out to me,
where is my money really going when I write that check?
Is it actually going into the animal's care or is
it going to support the salaries? People are concern because
(09:39):
animal effocuts want to know that when they write those
checks it really is going to help those animals.
Speaker 4 (09:45):
I understand that, and we really try to be very
transparent with all of our expenditures. We limit our printing
even when we send thank you notes or printed cards.
We have board members that fund and back that, so
none of donor dollars are go going towards those things.
But it's just really important that we're able to give
out the most money we can to help the most
(10:07):
number of senior dogs every year. And you know, you
think you're helping four or five, six thousand in a
year and that you know those are done and okay,
but there are always more seniors because that poppy you
loved and adored, you know, six seven years ago, is
getting up there too, So there's always going to be
a need to help senior dogs like senior people, and
(10:29):
like I mentioned, you know, we are able to do
things to help them live longer. Fifty is the new
thirty because of the medical advances and the better nutrition
we're giving pets and providing those dentals. So hopefully, you know,
the seniors can enjoy many more years with you as
your best friend and thanks.
Speaker 1 (10:48):
To organizations like Gray Muzzle, and you can count them
on less than one hand. I mean literally, you're a
national organization. The whole sole focus is aimed at helping seniors.
That's all you do. This is my mission, this is
what I do. I'm all about the underdogs, but I
think it's so important for people to understand they're the
(11:09):
less to get adopted. So really, we have a hell
of a fight ahead of us every day of our
lives promoting this cause right we do.
Speaker 4 (11:16):
So go to gray Muzzle dot org and fund this
campaign g r e y m uzzl dot org. You'll
see these amazing videos that Jill has created. We have
just been overwhelmed by her kindness in helping and being
the face of the campaign for Sunshine and Summer Smiles
this year. And when you go on the website, on
(11:37):
the homepage, you'll see where you can upload a picture
of your senior dog and enter them into a contest
so that maybe they can be Mister December or Miss
January in twenty twenty six.
Speaker 1 (11:48):
That calendar proaches. Yep, I love it. Like I said
at the top of the show, I am so thrilled
an honor to be the face of the campaign. I
open with a video of my own super seniors. I
just rescued. As you know, Denise, a fourteen year old
blind deaf doxy who is the love of my life.
I couldn't love him more as if I got him
when he came out of his mother's womb. If I
(12:10):
tell you he's aging backwards, he's Dorian Gray Rapaport. He
really is amazing. And I tell people all the time,
these seniors they know when you saved them in the
twilight of their lives, and they thank you every day.
And I really believe you add life to them when
you've taken them in when they have been dumped or
discarded as so many have.
Speaker 4 (12:31):
That is so true, Jill, and I often get that
question or just the comment, you know, I can't adopt
the senior. They're not going to live very long. Well,
you have no guarantees with a puppy. Puppies are going
to get into trouble. They're gonna, you know, have accidents,
things happen, and genetics is also something that plays a
role too. But I'll tell you, in my experience with
(12:53):
adopting seniors, the bond never could have been closer. And
I've adopted large dogs mostly anywhere from age ten to twelve,
and most of them have made it to fifteen. And
even though that may only seem like a few years, Jill,
the bond we made just made me feel like I've
had them their whole life exactly.
Speaker 1 (13:13):
That's how I feel with Nathan Rapaport. I mean, he's
so cute. We call Nathan Detroit Nathan after Nathan's Hot Dogs.
Detroit my hometown and I loved guys and dolls, so
I named him Nathan Detroit Rapaport. But this little guy,
when he came into the house, he was moving really
slowly and very timid. I can't keep up with him now, Denise,
and he is at least fourteen fourteen plus. And you know,
(13:37):
like I said, blind and deaf and so much energy
and love and nuzzles up in my shoulder at night.
And you know, everyone says, oh, thank you, thank you
for adopting him. I thank him for choosing me. I
feel like he's added life to my life because the
joy they give us back. And that's why I love
your organization so much. I'm so thrilled. I've been on
(13:58):
the advisory board for years, but to be the face
of this campaign, this summer campaign, I truly believe that
we are making a life changing difference, and I just
want to encourage people to read about it. Go onto
your website, give people the information where they can go
and how we can donate with the giving grid.
Speaker 4 (14:18):
Absolutely you'll go right to the homepage at gray Muzzle
dot org. Gr e y, but I think if you
put in an a it'll bounce over to and all
down the home page. You'll see a picture of Jill
and it talks about the campaign, and then you'll see
an actual grid all these little boxes where you can
donate and upload a picture of your pup. If you
(14:39):
don't want to upload a picture of your pup, that's
fine too. We're happy to accept the donation. So mark
off that square with anonymous or your name and help
other senior dogs get the dental care they need, because,
like you said, Jill, not only do they need the
medical care, bringing them into your hearts and your homes
really heals their heart, and boy do they heal our
(15:00):
hearts as well.
Speaker 1 (15:01):
And people need to know that every dollar they give
goes right back into those animals' mouths. I can assure
you of.
Speaker 4 (15:07):
That absolutely, it really really does. There's just nothing like
adopting a senior They you know, they often are a
little bit slower. Although you said, Nathan's keeping, you know,
giving you a run for the money there. But you know,
seniors come in all packages too, but many of them
just want to lay by your side, looking at you adoringly.
(15:28):
And what an ego boost for a human that is.
I always say I love an older dog. I'm an
older person they'd rather sleep on the couch than eat
the couch. I would rather have an older animal any day.
They sleep when you sleep, they hang with you. It's
such a joy. I tell people all the time. Look,
who doesn't love a puppy. We all get that.
Speaker 1 (15:48):
But puppies are the first to get adopted, as we
all know. And I tell people, even if you go two, three,
four years old, just be bold, go a little older.
The joys that these older animals give you. They've been there,
done that, and most likely they're often housebroken, they're chilled,
(16:08):
they know the routine. It's a much easier life if
you're a little bit older. Even it doesn't matter how
old you are. It's an easier life for the dog
when they've been there, done that, and they're not running
around looking what mischief they can get into.
Speaker 4 (16:22):
And if you go to the website by the Giving Grit,
you'll see a gallery of photos along with Jill's video.
We've got her first video up and we'll keep uploading
them as the week goes by. But you'll see these
adorable older faces. There's Clyde and there's fizz Gig. You know,
they may have funny names and funny smiles, but they
just exude love and those soulful eyes look at you
(16:43):
and all you want to do is help and love them.
And not only does it the love they give you, Jill,
but I think you kind of create a warm fuzzy
for yourself. You feel good because you were able to
help an animal in need.
Speaker 1 (16:58):
And I want to give such a huge shout out
to Little Shelter and Huntington Long Island. I am also
on their advisory board. David Seely. They are truly from
heaven above. I went there. It took us about an
hour and a half to get there. David had the
most amazing senior dogs that we featured in this campaign,
and Little Shelter specializes in the seniors. They love the seniors.
(17:21):
They take in up to nineteen years old. I've seen
dogs there that are thriving and they get them adopted.
And they're just one of the organizations that you support
that is so incredible. It really walks the talk, don't
they denise.
Speaker 4 (17:36):
They do, And I'm so glad you brought that up
because Little Shelter has been a Gray Muzzle grantee for
a number of years because they just keep stepping up
to the task and getting it done to help these
older dogs, and it was so great to have them
as part of the campaign where you were able to
go there and film some videos that everybody will be
seeing in the upcoming days and weeks with Waffles and
(17:58):
with Piglet and Pandora and you know other dogs there.
And Pandora is a special special case and yet heartbreaking
ass the Rainbow Bridge. But you know it's we wanted
to make this her legacy that she's reaching out to
you from that rainbow bridge and asking you to help
(18:19):
other dogs that were like her in need get the
care they need and the love they so much deserve.
Speaker 1 (18:25):
And people will love the videos because some of these
dogs are really smiling. It's so adorable. You can see
their little mouths and their little teeth and they're like
almost saying to the camera, please help us. We need
our dental care to live longer lives. And it's really
a beautiful campaign that I am so touched and honored
to be part of. And I couldn't end the show
without talking a little bit about you, Denise, because for
(18:48):
our audience, you know, they know that you have this
wonderful job as executive director of Gray Muzzle and you
were on the board there for six years. But you've
had an amazing career. You're also in the movie in
this and you just got a huge honor fifty over
fifty for Forbes. Tell us about that, because you're quite
(19:08):
an accomplished lady.
Speaker 4 (19:09):
Well, Jill, thank you so much. That's very kind. You
know they say if you do what you love, it
isn't work, And yes, I was working in the movie
industry at Paramount Pictures for a number of years as
a publicist, making people and film directors famous. But I
really needed to do something to nourish my own heart,
so I went to the dogs and I haven't left
(19:33):
that path since I started teaching pet first aid and CPR,
and I now train instructors my proprietary program around the
country so that they can teach in their own communities.
People think you know first aid, but you know, dogs
are a little bit different, and there are certain things
you can and can't do for them. But we absolutely
(19:53):
can do rescue breathing and CPR, stop bleeding, prevent them
from getting heat stroke, prevent poison by doing what I
always say, get down on all fours and making sure
your house is safe there's nothing they can get into,
So there are so many things you can really do
to help these senior dogs. And Jill, while I was
still in California, the shelter I was volunteering at the
(20:17):
Bourbank Animal Shelter, asked me to develop a five month
program for high school juniors and seniors, and I did
in conjunction with the Bourbank Unified School District. They sent
me back to school to get my teaching circulic and
I taught a five month course that high school juniors
and seniors actually got five credits towards graduation. Many of
them have gone on to become veterinarians or pet store
(20:39):
managers or dog trainers, and it's just a beautiful thing.
But what I learned from that is that although kids
don't always listen to their parents, parents listen to their kids.
And I would find what I was teaching the kids
would trickle up to the parents at the dinner table
and they would call me and say, so, what is
the best food for Fido? What should I do with Fluffy?
(21:02):
So that led me on a path to writing children's
books about senior August Is.
Speaker 1 (21:06):
It fourteen books? Did I read that correctly? Yes? Yes?
My goodness, I've written four books and I'm thinking that's
a lot. Fourteen. You are really unbelievable.
Speaker 4 (21:18):
Killed one's ones are short.
Speaker 1 (21:21):
Heyst fourteen take ownership baby.
Speaker 4 (21:24):
Well that's it. And I just feel that whether you're
a kid zero to ninety nine, you can learn respect
for animals. And it's just my goal to teach the
next generation of animal caregivers to give the love and
care to animals that Jill, you and I have our wives.
Speaker 1 (21:40):
Well, you know you kind of glossed over this award,
this honor you just got fifty over fifty. I'm going
to let you talk about it for a minute, because
you are in some pretty special company. Fifty of the
most fabulous women over fifty and Forbes you're in the
top of the list here for your accomplishments. That's amazing, Denise,
(22:01):
thank you.
Speaker 4 (22:01):
Well. The reason Jill I glossed over it is I'm
still speechless over it. You know, I just really can't
believe it. I do feel I am in such amazing company,
and I feel so honored that my work over these
many years in the animal world has really taken note
because pets are part of the family, and the fact
(22:23):
that you know, they're on more mainstream TV shows. I
was able to be on the Doctors and teach CPR
things that are normally human type shows that they're bringing
them into people's living rooms in their homes. The Forbes
magazine was a great tribute, and I can't thank them
enough for sharing my story and sharing my love of
(22:44):
senior dogs. So it's truly a wonderful thing. And like
I said, I'm speechless over it to be amongst such
an honored list of women.
Speaker 1 (22:53):
And you've received a lot of other honors in the past.
This is the most recent one, along with your fourteen books,
and it's just incredible to me because we're very very
much alike. We've kind of guided our careers in our
lives along the same path, and this is what speaks
to us. And one of the things I read about
you that I cracked up. You said you believe you
were raised by a dog. I do.
Speaker 4 (23:16):
I always say I was raised by a great Dane.
My parents were there too, but Ulysses the Great Dane
was amazing, and of course I don't remember it all
from personal memory, but seeing the pictures in the it
wasn't even super eight. I think it was eight millimeter
films back, no video. But this dog would do two
(23:37):
things in particular. One he'd let me grab his skin,
and you know, a great dane's a taller dog, and
put myself up an inch a long as a toddler
so that I could learn to walk. And he never
moved out of the way or suddenly sat down. And
the other thing he did is when people came over
and I was in my playpen, he would get between
(23:58):
them and the playpen. And one time I've been told
a young man who is an old man right now,
who was a little bit older than me at the time,
came up and I guess was holding onto my playpen.
Yulie as we called him, grabbed the little boy by
the seat of the pants, did not grab any skin
at all, and pulled him back away from my playpen.
Speaker 1 (24:20):
Ah. So he really was the third parents.
Speaker 4 (24:24):
He really really was. And you know, he passed away
I think at age ten and a half or eleven,
and I was devastated, But I didn't know at the
time that for a great Dane, that's actually a very
good age range to say, lived very long. So I
hope somehow the love that he was given you know
extended his life well.
Speaker 1 (24:45):
And what he gave to you, you have been giving
back your whole life. And to end this amazing discussion,
I just want to reiterate this incredible campaign again and
tell people once again what they can do to me
make a difference, and how every single penny will make
a difference.
Speaker 4 (25:04):
Absolutely, it doesn't matter how much you give, it's the
fact that you give. And every dollar up to thirty
thousand dollars is being matched by the Cook family in
honor of their senior dog's story. So please go to
gray Muzzle dot org, scroll down just a little bit
and you'll see the giving rid where you can upload
a picture of your pop or not to enter them
(25:25):
into the calendar contest for twenty twenty six and make
a donation that will warm your heart by knowing that
you have helped Clyde or Fizz, Gig or Piglet or
one of the dogs we're featuring in the campaign to
live a longer, happier, healthier life and get the loving
family they so deserve.
Speaker 1 (25:43):
And bless the Cook family who's matching every dollar. How
incredible is that? And you know I've done a lot
of amazing things in my career over the years for
animal rescue. But I have to tell you, Denise, to
be associated with you, with Gray Muzzle and to be
the face of this campaign is truly one of my
greatest honors.
Speaker 4 (26:02):
Well, Chill, we couldn't have done it without you, so
to speak. Even though we're just getting started, we're not
done yet. And I've just had so much joy, not
just from looking at the senior dog pictures and videos,
but with working with you, because your heart is all
into this and I just appreciate immensely.
Speaker 1 (26:21):
Oh, thank you so much, and please everybody. We have
a goal to hit and we've got to raise the
money and I'd love to surpass it. And you know
when you write that check, whatever you give, it doesn't matter.
It will be going to save a senior life and
make them more beautiful and give them the beautiful, healthy
smile they all deserve. Denise Fleck, I cannot thank you enough.
(26:44):
You are a joy and a pleasure and what an
incredible woman you are. Oh my goodness, I'm right back
at you.
Speaker 4 (26:50):
And if I can just say quickly, I know some
people don't like the Internet and putting in their cards
send a check. We take paper checks you'll find the
address on on our website, or you can certainly contact
me Denise at gray Muzzle dot org and I'll set
you up. But don't let anything stop you and helping
older best friends.
Speaker 1 (27:09):
Especially when you know that it really is going right
into the animal's mouths literally.
Speaker 4 (27:14):
Literally give them something to grint about.
Speaker 1 (27:17):
Well, thank you, thank you so much. It was so
worth pulling off to the side of the road. And
you know, Denise was such a great sport. I said,
you know what, let's get a show on the air
right away about this, and she said, I'm available. Thank you.
We are really excited. You're fabulous guests and continued great work.
I'm so happy that you're out there to make a
(27:38):
difference for the seniors because boy do we need to
help them now. They need us now more than ever
Rite Denise, They sure do, and we're going to be
there for them. Gil Okay, thank you, and we listen.
We got to do a great campaign. You and I'll
be talking a million times in the next couple of days.
But thank you all so much for listening to this
(27:58):
very special edition of Appport to the Rescue. It's the
Super Senior Edition. Go Seniors, be bold, go old, and
go to gray Muzzle. It's an amazing campaign and you
just know that everything you do will be helping to
save a senior's life. Have a great day, everybody. Thanks
so much for tuning in to wrap Aport.
Speaker 3 (28:20):
To the Rescue. Let's Talk Pets every week on demand
only on petlight radio dot com.
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I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
The Joe Rogan Experience
The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.