His neighbors in the San Francisco Bay area are accustomed to seeing Michael Wertz walking by with his dog Olive. With as much energy as she has, the pair goes on as many as five walks a day!

That’s fine by Michael. “Since we got Olive, I’ve become a lot more healthy. I’ve ventured out and explored my neighborhood and the city a lot more.” And that’s just one plus of adopting a shelter dog as a companion. As Michael can attest, the love of a dog can add a lot to your life.

A successful illustrator who’s always had an affinity for canines, Michael once drew 100 dogs in 100 days (including some of the adorable illustrations seen on this site) for his popular online Dog Blog. And that was before the lovable pit bull-blue heeler mix, Olive, came into his life.

Since Olive took over his home – and his heart – Michael has had his hands full. But it’s all been worth it. “It’s been a time of discovery,” says Michael. “Every day she does something totally funny that makes me laugh. She’s such a wonderful dog!”

Michael attributes Olive with helping to enrich his art as well. He’s known for his bright, colorful, energetic illustrations. Now nearly half of his work features dogs and you’ll often find him doing pet caricatures at a local pet store. For $5, he’ll draw a pet, present the owner with the keepsake, and donate the money to the local ASPCA.

You won’t be surprised to learn that Michael recommends adopting from your local shelter. “Go to your shelter,” he urges. “Find a dog who needs a home. Dogs in these circumstances will really appreciate your kindness. You’ll do the world a lot of good.”

He also advises researching various breeds before your visit to get an idea of which characteristics you and your family are comfortable with. And, above all, be sure to enroll your new companion in obedience classes. It will help you both settle into a routine.

Visit Michael’s website
Visit Olive’s photo gallery

Article by Lori Harrison-Smith