In 2011,Mark Zuckerberg, the founder of Facebook, set up a fan page for his dog, Beast.
The Puli has over 2 million “likes” from Facebook users. Beast hasn’t posted anything since April 2016 but many other dogs have.
Darby Jo the Golden Retriever’s fan page has over 15,000 “likes” and her followers are growing.
The Golden posts pics of her daily activities. These range from check-ups with the vet to her obsession for looking for bugs.
The pooch lives with another female Golden Retriever, Copper.
Most of Darby Jo’s posts are happy accounts. Some photos include uplifting, thoughtful quotes from the likes of John Lennon and Laura Ingalls Wilder.
The pooch does post about older Golden Retrievers who, often with health issues, are dropped off at shelters and are available for adoption. Many are euthanized because most people are looking for younger, healthier dogs.
Little Lentil Bean has over 144,000 “likes” on his Facebook fan page.
The French Bulldog was born with a cleft palate. Through the dedication of his owner, vets and others, ,he had corrective surgery and now is an ambassador for animals as well as humans born with a cleft palate.
Lentil’s fans call themselves “Bean Stalkers.” They help to spread his “choose to be kind to one another,” message.
The postings of Teddy on my Facebook page started the day Teddy joined our family. His first, a pic with his new human dad, Ed, and new human big sis, Jordan got lots of “likes.” There were even more well wishes from my Facebook friends.
But Teddy wasn’t all that interested in Facebook or the “good wishes” he was receiving.
“Look at all the people who like your pic, Teddy.” Jordan lowered the I-pad so he could see.
Teddy’s response? He tried to lick, then bite the I-pad. Unsuccessful, he plopped down and started gnawing on a chew toy.
During the last three years, multiple photos of Teddy have graced my Facebook page. Photos with his family and friends. Photos with Santa. Photos on vacation. The typical photos most people post of their children and grandchildren, human and fur alike.
There’s also been postings of Teddy wearing bandanas and holiday hats such as bunny ears and shamrock headbands. And the pooch has sat besides signs wishing “Happy Birthday” and “Happy Anniversary.”
What Facebook friends don’t see are the hundreds of unuseable photos.
As soon as the camera appears, Teddy goes into his “you need me more than I need you” stance.
Teddy starts this “haughty model attitude” by lying down when we want him to stand. He’ll move as soon as we have the shot set up. Teddy plasters his ears flat to his head, making him look like Darth Vader.
Teddy’s final stunt starts when he hears the camera’s clicks. The lab turns his head to one side. It’s locked in that position until treats and belly rubs are given.
The Facebook fan page requires six images — five for the photo bar and one for the big profile photo.
Then there are the additional photos needed to keep the fan page current.
Teddy the Lab now has a Facebook page. To find it on Facebook, search "Teddy the Lab."
The trick will be balancing the need for current photos and Teddy’s camera aversion. If only Facebook had a tab friends could click to send virtual belly rubs instead of “likes.”
Popular dogs on Facebook
1. My name is Lentil
2. Darby Jo the Golden Retriever
3. Surfdog Turbo
4. Eddie the Jack Russell Terrier
SOURCE: Facebook.com