This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone.
#BrightMind #CollectiveBias
Today I want to introduce you to our family’s first dog, Dusty. He’s heading into his senior years and we’re making some changes to his diet – like switching to Purina® Pro Plan® BRIGHT MIND dog food to help keep his mind sharp and bright. But before I get into the nitty-gritty about our decision to change Dusty’s dog food, I want to share Dusty’s start with our family.
Dusty is our family’s first dog and he holds a special place in our hearts. We brought Dusty home in 2007 as an early Christmas gift for the kids. I’ll never forget the excitement of the kids as we drove through Southern California wine country to pick up our new puppy. With legs just barely long enough to clear the country road, we were greeted by a dusty little furball. So of course, the kids HAD to name our new puppy Dusty.
For almost eight years, Dusty has given us his unconditional love. He has been hyper, full of energy, and ready to play fetch at any moment. But lately we’ve started to notice small changes*, especially his shorter attention span.
According to the experts at Purina® Pro Plan®, the glucose metabolism in a dog’s brain begins to change at age seven. This change can affect memory, learning, and awareness. So when we heard about other senior dog owners seeing improvement in interaction, play, and the ability of their dog to cope with change within 30 days of switching to Purina® Pro Plan® BRIGHT MIND, we decided to give it a try.
Since Dusty enjoys taking field trips, we took him along to PetSmart to pick up his new food. As you can see, he was more than happy to help us find it and even let me take a picture of him.
After looking at the three choices of Purina® Pro Plan® BRIGHT MIND, we decided on the small breed formula for Dusty. So far, Dusty has been on a full Purina® Pro Plan® BRIGHT MIND for almost 30 days and we’ve noticed some great changes. Check back in 10 days when I share some of the changes we’ve noticed in Dusty’s behavior.
Do you have a senior dog? What changes did you see in your senior dog? Share your story in the comments below.
*Always consult your vet if you see major changes in your dog’s behavior.

Donna says
Nice article and cute pup! I have two older dogs so will have to check into the Bright Minds food. Thanks for sharing at #OMHGWW!
Donna recently posted…Wordless Wednesday #47
Beth says
Great post! Thanks for sharing and give Dusty a pay for me!
Sarah says
*Hearts in eyes* Dusty is so cute! Love all the Dusty photos!
Sarah recently posted…Dairy Free Pumpkin Spice Latte + Pumpkin Spiked Latte
Sam // DIY Just Cuz says
Aw, Dusty is adorable! I’ve never had a senior dog before but I love that you are giving Dusty so much extra attention and taking the time to cater to his specific needs as he gets older. Thanks for linking this up at Welcome Home Wednesday this week, you absolutely have to come back again!
Sam // DIY Just Cuz recently posted…Not Your Mama’s Maxi: A Guide to Sewing an Hourglass Maxi Skirt
David @ Spiced says
Dusty seems like a real ball of energy! I love that photo of him helping to pick out the food at PetSmart. We have two older pups here in our house, so I’ll have to check out this food. Thanks! #client
David @ Spiced recently posted…Apple Streusel Coffee Cake
Alli says
Dusty is so adorable! And I love how your kids picked his name. Our dog is not a Sr. yet, but I’ll keep this in mind for when he does grow older. I could stay in PetSmart for a really long time, going up and down every aisle.
Alli recently posted…CloudPets⢠– The Perfect Gift
Zan says
No dogs here but the kids have been wanting one. I told them when they are old enough to take care of it themselves. Glad there is something out there to help with their brains. Dusty looks like he is smiling in the first photo!
Zan recently posted…Coffee Filter Pumpkin Craft
Erlene at My Pinterventures says
Well, my kids are much older than yours and I still have to tell everyday to take care of Dusty…sigh. They love playing with him, but when it comes down to the dirty stuff they avoid it at all cost..lol.
Shirley Wood says
I smiled the entire time I was reading this. Dusty is adorable. I can just see the little pup on that Southern California dirt road. We have two senior doggies so I will have to look into the Purina Pro Bright Mind. We love Pet Smart!
Shirley Wood recently posted…Faux Prime Rib Dinner
Erlene at My Pinterventures says
Thanks Shirley. He was so funny when he was little. He used to hop through the grass because his legs were so short….like a dog bunny.
Winnie says
So nice to meet you Dusty 🙂
Taking care of our pets, especially when they grow older is soooooooo important!
We have a cat (which I inherited from my Mom), and he’s also not getting younger….
Winnie recently posted…עוגת הקסם (עוגת מג’יק) עם דבש
Tatanisha W says
Hi, Dusty! Great to meet you! He looks like a fun, family dog. And yes, making sure they have the right formula is definitely important!
Tatanisha W recently posted…Lunchbox Idea: Grilled Cheese with Tomato, Zucchini & Bacon Sandwich
Rosey says
Changing up the diet as they get older is a good thing. And wow too, what a beauty. He looks very happy!
Censie says
Love shopping at Petsmart. And he is so cute! That picture looks like he is smiling. Happy pup!
Erlene at My Pinterventures says
Thanks. I love PetSmart too. He does look like he’s smiling doesn’t it…lol.
valerie says
Awe your senior pup is so cute….I am a cat woman, but love dogs too! I have never owned one, but enjoy interacting with them. Healthy food through out the life of your pet is so important, my kitty is just entering senior years too, she is 7. Hope your pup lives a very long life!
Valerie
Erlene at My Pinterventures says
I love cats too, but I fell in love with my neighbor’s dog when I was little and I’ve always wanted a dog.
Liz Mays says
This Bright Mind formula sounds great. I’m glad Purina is looking out for older dogs!
Erlene at My Pinterventures says
Yes, it’s nice that Purina makes a variety of foods for all stages of a dog’s life.
Lorane says
Dusty is an amazing little guy .. 2007 is a really long time. I’m glad he was able to grow u with the family. I hope with the Purina Pro Plan Bright Mind he will be here for a while
Erlene at My Pinterventures says
Thank you. He was definitely like another like child…lol. He went everywhere the kids went and got into just as much trouble too.
maria @closetohome says
We started our pup on Pro Plan then had to change foods. She did really well as a Puppy.
Erlene at My Pinterventures says
We’ve tried different foods too. You just have to find the right one for your dog.
rebecca says
What a lovely pup you have. We are cat owner’s ourselves.
Erlene at My Pinterventures says
Thanks Rebecca. We used to have a neighbor with the sweetest cat and she would always run up to use for some love when we came home.
Amanda || Growing Up Madison says
I don’t have a senior dog but I do have a young puppy just 3 months old. I don’t feed him Purina but I’m sure its good for dogs and I’m sure Dusty loves it.
Amanda || Growing Up Madison recently posted…Getting My Face Painted at Universal Studios Orlando
Mama to 5 BLessings says
Dusty is adorable! Looks like he enjoys his trips to PetSmart and super excited about his new food!
Erlene at My Pinterventures says
He was so happy at PetSmart. But than again, what pet doesn’t like PetSmart…it’s like their toy store.
Robin Rue (@massholemommy) says
Our dog is only 4, but he has eaten Purina since we adopted him 🙂
Erlene at My Pinterventures says
What kind of dog do you have?
Heather Lawrence says
Awesome!! Dusty was such a cute puppy!
Love seeing the “before” and “now” photos of fur babies 🙂
Erlene at My Pinterventures says
Thanks. When his fur grows out, he looks like a larger version of his puppy self.