Raise a paw to the playful pups of Longboat Key

They’re loyal. They’re cute. And no one is happier to see you when you walk through the door. When it comes to companionship, canines are tough to beat.

So, in celebration of National Dog Day Aug. 26, we raise a paw to 12 Longboat dogs who bring their own spunk to the Key.

Cydnie

Occupation: Certified therapy dog. English cocker spaniel Cydnie, 9, volunteers at Pines of Sarasota, where she is known as a comforting figure for residents.

Fun fact: One of Cydnie’s patients had a brain injury and was non-communicative, but when Cydnie visited, his blood pressure would drop. Another one of her patients was blind but still taught Cydnie to shake.

QUOTE: “A lot of the patients have had pets, and they’ve had to give them up. They really miss having pets, so it gives them a little bit of a chance to stroke an animal and get that feeling of having a pet again. And they get to reminisce about the pets they’ve had.” — Janice Cook, Cydnie’s owner

B.B., Shadow and Cinder

Occupation: Taste testers. B.B., 11, Shadow, 7, and Cinder, 2, have the tough jobs of sampling the latest treats from Shannon Gault’s Etsy shop, Pupcake Pooch Parties, which sells cakes that dogs can enjoy with their owners, along with dog clothing and other accessories.

Fun fact: Shannon Gault adopted Cinder at Celebration of Pets after making a deal with her husband, Bob: If she could get a new puppy, he could get a new boat.

QUOTE: “He was so in love with her. He literally swooned when he saw her. He swayed like, ‘Oh my god, she’s beautiful.’” — Shannon Gault on the day she brought Shadow, an Italian greyhound, home to meet B.B., a miniature pinscher who’s the “old aunt” of the gang

Ziggy

Occupation: Public relations specialist. Before a customer at Secur-All Insurance even makes it to an agent’s desk, he or she is greeted by official PR specialist Ziggy, an 18-month-old Chihuahua. Owners George and Sandra Ceshkers’ previous PR dog, Chloe, died in 2014.

Fun fact: Ziggy’s ears perk up whenever he hears the name of Luca, a Chihuahua owned by one of the Ceshkers’ clients who visits Ziggy weekly.

QUOTE: “He took over her little posts because she had different locations all over the office, and he fits right in.” — Sandra Ceshker on how Ziggy has taken over the role of public relations specialist previously held by Chloe

Muffin

Occupation: Constant companion. Muffin, 7 1/2, goes everywhere with former Commissioner Lynn Larson and her husband, Jim. She travels with them, flies with them and goes on the boat with them. Sometimes, she travels quietly in Lynn Larson’s red bag.

Fun Fact: The Larsons’ former cockatiel, Tweety Bird, would often pull a prank on Muffin by squawking when he got bored to trick Muffin into thinking someone was about to ring the doorbell.

QUOTE: “She’s quite a companion. She’ll go shopping with you. She’s been to Dillard’s.” — Lynn Larson on Muffin

Gnarly

Occupation: Official welcoming committee. Gnarly, 5, is the 90-pound fluffball English goldendoodle who greets customers at Cannons Marina with a wagging tail.

Fun fact: Gnarly starts his day with an egg and loves his daily golf cart rides around the Village.

QUOTE: “I couldn’t stand to leave him alone. He hates it. He wants to be with me all the time.” — Cannons Marina owner David Miller on Gnarly

Pookie

Occupation: Athlete. Pookie, a 31/2-year-old miniature poodle, is skilled at fetching tennis balls and is also an avid runner — hobbies he’s had ever since Al “Mifflin” Lowe and his wife, Patti, rescued him a year and a half ago from Orlando Pooch and Poodle Rescue Organization. The Lowes’ previous dog, Phoebe, was the inspiration for Al Lowe’s children’s book “Little Dog, Big Bark. Big Dog, Little Bark.” If it does well, Pookie could be Lowe’s next inspiration.

Fun fact: Before he can sleep for the night, Pookie takes his favorite toy, Chocolate Moose, and walks the perimeter of the Lowes’ basement. No one knows why, but he does it every day without fail.

QUOTE: “It’s kind of magic, and he has to do this little route of activity to ensure that the sun will come up tomorrow.” — Al Lowe on Pookie’s evening ritual

Gus

Occupation: Goose chaser. Every evening, 15-month-old Gus runs freely on the links of the Longboat Key Club — partly for fun, but mostly because the English cream golden retriever is the official wild goose chaser for the golf courses. Fortunately, Gus knows not to chase ospreys or eagles and sits in the golf cart until he’s told he can run.

Fun Fact: Gus loves his toys and knows which one to grab when told “get bear” or “where’s rhino?” He’s also training to become a service dog who will visit nursing homes and children’s wings of hospitals.

QUOTE: “He’s really a people magnet. He’s mellow beyond words and playful when you want him to be.” — Owner Steve Mavda

Cadillac

Occupation: Wannabe grandchild. Whenever Janet and Jerry Whitehead’s grandchildren visit, the couple’s 2-year-old yellow lab, Cadillac, follows them around as if he’s hop

ing to be one of them. The Whiteheads began raising Cadillac when he was 9 weeks old and training to be a guide dog at Southeastern Guide Dogs. When he went back for training, he lost 25 pounds, a sign that he might have missed the Whiteheads. His personality was better-suited for life as a pet, so last summer, the Whiteheads officially adopted him.

Fun fact: Cadillac can’t resist jumping in the front-yard pond in the Whiteheads’ summer home in Highlands, N.C., and chasing the goldfish.

QUOTE: “Basically, he was very excitable and wanted to meet every dog and every person he saw, and that doesn’t work for a guide dog.” — Co-Owner Janet Whitehead on why Cadillac is a better grand-dog than guide dog

Taffy and Lido

Occupation: Students. At just 9 months old, Taffy is still learning her manners. Anxious to greet anyone at the door with her over-excited nature, the golden retriever/possible collie mix just wants to be petted. Her partner in crime, Lido, a Jack Russell terrier/beagle mix who is seven years her elder, jumps right in with her. The duo, part of Jack and Antoinette Brill’s family, is currently in training and recently learned to “stay” in exchange for a piece of a hot dog, although occasionally Taffy steals Lido’s piece.

Fun fact: Taffy won’t do anything until Lido does it first. She recently learned to jump onto the boat by following Lido’s lead.

QUOTE: “Your life isn’t complete unless you have a dog.” — Taffy and Lido’s co-owner Antoinette Brill