The Love on a Leash Blog

A Moving Afternoon with Guide Dogs of the Desert

2012-02-10T10:05:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I was really moved to take part in Dog Day Afternoon, a fundraising luncheon, hosted outdoors at the beautiful and historic Smoke Tree Ranch in Palm Springs. The luncheon celebrated the 40th Anniversary of Guide Dogs of the D esert. What an amazing organization!

“Every 7 minutes, someone in North America will become blind or visually impaired.” -- American Foundation for the Blind.

You think you know about guide dogs, but I sure as heck really didn’t know as much as I thought I did! I chatted with several people about their guide dogs and especially enjoyed meeting Nicole and Snickers, the young lady and her wonderful black lab with me in the photo at left. Snickers is Nicole’s third guide dog and she said he is her favorite. When I asked her why she said, “You know, some dogs are just extra special.” I told her I understood that completely. She also said that Snickers is so smart and never lets her down and opens the world for her that she would otherwise not have available if she just went out with a cane. He is responsible for her safety and he is her eyes to the world, plus he is a very sweet, loving boy. I then asked if I could pet him and she said I could. I crouched down and Snickers plopped his head in my lap and closed his eyes when I massaged his big head and ears. He is a delight!

Guide Dogs of the Desert has a waiting list of 120 people across North America in need of a guide dog. They can only produce/train about 30 a year at this point so the need is strong. They made a smart decision about a year or so ago to produce their own dogs and so are breeding labrador retrievers, both black and yellow, plus standard poodles, german shepherds and golden retrievers to help keep up with the demand. The organization is super cautious in order to ensure that no dogs are bred that may have negative genetic tendencies like hip dysplasia, heart disease, or even problems like hyper personality. They are like reputable breeders who want to ensure they have healthy stock both physically and mentally that can go on to assist those in need.

Even with all this care, the organization often introduce 10 dogs to a recipient in need and sometimes none match up. It is not an exact science but I think, more of an art to match up the guide dogs and the people they will partner with. They rely solely on donations to keep their programs going. Smoke Tree Ranch is a wonderful supporter and has sponsored many guide dogs.

The dog is about two years old when it meets its blind person. It takes many, many hours of socialization and then training to have a dog who can help lead a blind person from place to place. Once the person is matched with their dog they go through 28 days of training together so they can emerge as a safe and effective team in order to navigate as a unit in the outside world.

The North American average for dogs who graduate the program is about 50 per cent but Guide Dogs of the Desert has an average of 73 per cent, which is fabulous. They definitely have strong supporters, but they are also passionate about what they do and they send dogs all over North America. They also have amazing volunteers and foster families who raise the pups until they are 18 months old and go off to training.

In the Guide Dogs of the Desert literature, Alan Fitzsimmons said that “going from a cane to a guide dog is like going from a skateboard to a Ferrari.”

I plan to attend a graduation later this year. I understand there is not a dry eye in the house as the foster families say goodbye to the baby they nurtured and the person who has been waiting forever for their guide dog happily unites with their new partner. It’s an understandably emotional experience and I’m looking forward to sharing it with you.

Some facts:

• Guide Dogs of the Desert was founded in 1972 and has graduated more than 1000 students.
• GDD provides students with a family environment
• The organization has smaller class sizes so they can offer both dogs and the people they will guide with more individual attention
• Student to trainer ratio is 3:1
• GDD is a member of the International Guide Dog Federation
• The blind receive their trained dogs and personalized instruction, including the 28 days of on-campus training for first time users, free of charge.

The organization’s mission statement:

Guide Dogs of the Desert improves the lives of the blind by creating opportunities for life changing independence, and by conducting community outreach and education programs.

Taking part yesterday was a different experience than I expected. It was a lovely luncheon on a sunny afternoon in a gorgeous setting. However, more than that it was an emotional and heartwarming afternoon which simply reinforced how wonderful I think all dogs are.

You can visit Guide Dogs of the Desert here.

John Lund and the Art of the Pet

2012-02-09T16:20:00.000-08:00

John Lund has made photos of some astonishing animal antics. Dogs using a hula hoop. Doing the tango. Visiting a beauty parlour. Driving a car. Amazing, right? It turns out, though, that there’s more here than meets the eyes.

In an article in Animal Fair, Lund describes his technique:

So how does this animal artist work his magic? Through the wonders of digital imaging, Lund creates humorous scenarios of animals indulging in unusual behaviors. While Lund is the creator of these fanciful images, he is quick to confess that the original ideas are a group effort.

“Our inspiration comes from many areas, life experiences, other photo shoots and just plain hard thinking,” Lund said. “The images are very much a group effort. The ideas are generated by Portal Publications’ Senior Art Director Collette Carter, Peter Stein, and myself.”

Lund has four books that capture the hearts of pet-lovers and elicit more than just a few hearty chuckles. Animal Antics, Animal Wisdom, Animal Talk and Life According to Maude all feature an array of animals hamming it up at the hands of a masterful artist who has an eye for knowing what tickles our funny bones.

On his web site, Lund talks about how much he enjoys making these images:

As much delight as the Animal Antics pictures bring to others, I think I still get as much enjoyment as anyone from actually creating the images. We always work with the same crew including our animal trainers. The animals, though difficult to photograph, are always fun to interact with. I never cease to be amazed at the athleticism of cats, the eagerness of the dogs to please us, and the special qualities of almost every animal. In particular, I appreciate the sensual muscularity of lions, the seemly gentle yet massive power of elephants, and the almost eerie intelligence of primates.

Visit Lund’s web site to view and buy prints and cards of Lund’s fantastic work.

Food is NOT Love: Half of All Pets Are Obese

2012-02-09T09:10:00.000-08:00

Years ago, when my beloved bichon, Casey, was overweight, my vet said to me emphatically, “Food is NOT love. Her momma ain’t fat so why is she?”

It took a while for the meaning to sink all the way in, but when it did, there was no going back. I am not fat because it doesn’t work for me. I feel better when I am at what for me is a sensible weight. I think I look better and I know I feel better. Healthier. Like I can take things on. If I feel that way, why would I expect my dog to feel any different?

I cut back on the treats.

Now according to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, 55% of dogs and 54% of cats in North America are obese or overweight. From CNN:

"I didn't notice the weight creeping on -- it was like all of a sudden he was just this fat dog," Stevens said as she and Dodger visited Atlanta's Centennial Olympic Park.

"His weight is about 82 pounds right now, and he should be 62 pounds." That means he needs to lose about a quarter of his weight -- equivalent to a 200-pound person needing to lose 50 pounds.

The reason is pretty simple: "Too much food and not enough exercise," Stevens said.

The Association for Pet Obesity Prevention report shows not only that more pets are overweight, but also that those with the problem "are getting fatter," said Ernie Ward, the group's founder.

Being too fat isn’t good. It isn’t healthy for people and, as it turns out, it isn’t healthy for your pet, either:

A long list of health dangers comes with the excess weight. "It's not a matter of if, it's when" serious complications will strike, said Ward.

These can include high blood pressure, "crippling arthritis," diabetes and some cancers. "Their life is shortened by two or 2½ years," said Ward, a veterinarian in North Carolina.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration's Center for Veterinary Medicine, which cites the association's annual study, said the diseases seen among obese pets "are eerily similar to those reported for people."

Distressingly, one of the problems might by the commercial pet food you’re feeding:

Pet foods these days are "more calorically dense" than they used to be, yet owners are feeding their pets more, he said.

If you're concerned your pet may be obese, it's important to work with a veterinarian, and not try to tackle the problem on your own, said Ward. "Diet is not about starvation or deprivation. It's about gradual weight loss."

In many cases, carefully measuring food and committing to exercise can do the trick. But more severe cases need more extensive work.

I would take things further still. Begin with a clear idea of what the perfect outline for your breed should be. How much should he weigh and how much fat covering should he have? If you don’t have a clear idea, your vet will.

Next, consider you dog food carefully. Many commercial brands are not good sources of nutrition, no matter what the package says. Make sure you’re feeding a good quality premium brand or, as an increasing number of owners are doing, take things further still and think about options to commercial pet foods.

Finally, make sure your dog has adequate exercise and if you don’t have time to walk your dog or throw a ball for him, consider hiring a service who will.

I know that sounds like a plug -- after all, that’s one of the things Love on a Leash does! But if you’re working so hard that you don’t have time to give your dog the exercise he needs, hiring someone else to do it for you will be a terrific investment in your dog’s health. Even so, if you can make the time to do it yourself, both you and your dog will gain from your new commitment to physical fitness. Don’t forget: dogs make the very best work out partners. They never beg off because of bad weather or because they’re too tired or hungover! You might start out trying to get your dog in better shape and end up with both of you feeling more fit and healthy. What could be better?

Though a rash of articles that have come out since this pet obesity report was released earlier this month make this sound like an almost hopeless problem, on a case-by-case basis, it is not. Diet and exercise really are the first step. If you feel overwhelmed, bring in some help. Your vet will be happy to offer advice on the topic. And make no mistake: so will your caregiver at Love on a Leash.

Your Pet and the Stars

2012-02-07T09:00:00.000-08:00

Can dogs have their astrological charts read? Why not? After all, dogs have birthdays, too! On her web site, PetHoroscopesGo.Com, astrologer Lynn Lopez writes:

Thousands of dedicated pet owners see pet horoscopes as a new way to get to know their pets even better, and probably even decipher their day-to-day moods. Pet horoscopes may even be a lot easier to work with than horoscopes for humans, since you don’t really have details like romance and career to figure out.

Even without the complications of human life, however, it’s possible astrological forecasting can help us learn things about our pets we might not otherwise know. As AstrologySource.Com says:

Ever wonder how your dog got his funny habits? Or why your new kitten is so quirky? The answers could be determined by their date of birth and how astrology affects their character. Astrology can play an important part in your pet's life.

So is it real or old fashioned stargazing? To be honest, I’m still not sure. Though with large circulation newspapers like the New York Daily News getting on this bandwagon, you can be sure that pet astrology is something we’ll be hearing more about, and soon!

Editor’s note: the astrology pet dish shown above is from Pet Mountain. You can see it and other dishes here.

Do Any Dogs Really Need Sweaters or Coats?

2012-02-05T17:10:00.000-08:00

How can you tell if your dog needs canine clothing? It’s fairly safe to say that if you have a healthy, young dog of a substantial size like a malamute, husky, golden retriever or shepherd, to name a few, who is acclimated to cold and has a thick insulating coat, you likely don’t need to invest in dog clothing for walks in the rain or snow. That said, there are three kinds of dogs who do benefit from the extra insulation of a sweater or coat, as well as the protection needed by life as a pampered house pooch.

Small Dogs.

Dogs who are elderly or ill or both.

Dogs with very short, fine hair and not much body mass. (Like greyhounds, whippets, dachshunds and even some fine-coated terriers like Jack Russells.)

What these dogs all have in common is that they have a tougher time generating and maintaining enough body heat all on their own because they have so little fur and, as a result, they can certainly benefit from a little extra help keeping warm and dry.

Protection from the rain, snow, wind and cold temperatures are all reasons to put clothes on dogs headed outside, and it doesn’t hurt to leave a sweater on them inside as well if you like to keep the heat on the low side.

At our house my Bichons have always had cold/wet weather gear. Jackets to help keep them a little cleaner and dryer through our Vancouver rain as well as sweaters and puffy vests for the cold weather that can also nip at their toes during our winters. My dogs have always loved the snow but need protection that a sweater or coat offers from snow lumps getting clumped in their fur rendering them immobile.

If you have a dog with arthritis, warm snuggly clothing is just one thing you can do to make winters more comfortable (besides wintering in Palm Springs). There are also some amazing pet-safe heated orthopedic dog beds that are a great idea to help combat arthritis, as are neutraceuticals like glucosamine and Omega-3 oils that have been clinically proven to ease joint pain. If you suspect arthritis we recommend you work with your vet as this is an extremely painful and progressive disease for your dog.

Even if your dog doesn’t need a coat, having one certainly won’t hurt him. I have always used rain coats and sweaters when walking my dogs, especially in wet weather, which saves me the trouble of cleaning a wet dog at the door before we come back inside. And a dry dog is one who happily climbs back onto the sofa once we are inside! Boots are also a big help for keeping paws cleaner but also as protection from snow, salt & de-icing chemicals that are toxic should your pet wish to lick them off. They work to protect feet in all types of weather -- from cold to hot when the high temperatures could burn your dog’s paw pads.

Bottom line? Clothes don’t make the dog, but they do make them a whole lot cuter! There’s nothing wrong with having fun and dressing your dog. Nothing puts a bigger smile on my face than canine couture... a smart ensemble means a chic pooch walking down the street? Ooh la la!

Begley Cleans Green

2012-02-05T13:26:00.000-08:00

Those who loves pets and are concerned about the planet will be interested to hear that veteran actor and environmental do-gooder, Ed Begley, Jr., has launched a new line of plant-based, sustainable and cruelty-free cleaning products.

Begley had noticed that, while many people wanted to use green and organic cleaning products, most of the ones available just weren’t that effective.

“Most people would switch to greener products,” says Begley, “but have justified concerns about the overall effectiveness of these products. Many green cleaners simply can’t handle the grime and dirt of modern-day living.”

Begley adds that, with the introduction of his new line, there is no longer an excuse not to clean green, “because these plant-based products clean just as well or even better than their non-green counterparts.”

While many “green” products on the market claim to be natural, says Begley, most fail to disclose their ingredient list, which has left many skeptical about their alleged wholesomeness. With Begley’s Earth Responsible Products, consumers know that they have the safest and most effective ingredients available. Each product lists 100 percent of its ingredients on the label. The full list of ingredients is also available on the Begley’s Earth Responsible Products website.

“It is a fact that non-green products can be harmful, and indeed toxic to our minds and bodies and the planet at large,” said Begley. “My priority is to ensure that quality products do not come at the expense of compromising our safety, health, or the environment.”

Begley’s Earth Responsible Products are now available through the website, but look for them in a growing number of stores over the coming months. The full line includes dish soap, hand soap, a multi surface cleaner, glass cleaner, cooktop cleaner, stone cleaner and rejuvenator, pet stain and odor remover, household stain and odor remover and a produce wash.

Love on a Leash is always happy to read about and review products such as Begley’s that are animal friendly. “Cruelty free” means no testing was done on animals and the eco-friendly standards Begley maintains are so much healthier for us and for our four-legged friends who share our lives and live in our homes.

Clean, earth friendly products we’ll be sure to try.

Love on a Leash shares Valentine’s Day Recommendations for your Pooch!

2012-02-05T09:26:00.000-08:00

Valentine’s Day is coming up soon, a time to show your appreciation for everyone you love, including your dog! This is the perfect time to pamper your pooch with a little extra TLC. Dogs are so easy to pamper. Just offer them a little extra time and attention and they will be over the moon for you!

Here are 6 things you can do to show your dog how much you love them this Valentine’s Day:

1. Special Treats for the one you love. The ultimate way to pamper your dog is to give him some “special” treats. There are two dog bakeries we really love: Sweet Can ine Cookies truly are divine! And Three Dog Bakery in Vancouver and Port Moody continues to be a special favourite.

Sweet Canine Cookies shares some of the things that make them special:

“When we started baking for dogs we wanted to do something really special. Sweet Canine Cookies are not your average dog cookies. They are made with certified organic human grade ingredients to offer goodness for your dog’s body, mind and spirit. Each dog cookie is nutritionally balanced and is a good way to help supplement the body, but Sweet Canine Cookies also treat your dog spiritually! Our recipes are made with love and care for your dog. Not for profit, but for the sole intention of providing your dog enjoyment and health. One hundred percent of our net proceeds are donated to our favorite Bichon rescue organization. And it doesn’t stop there. When your dog eats one of our cookies, he literally consumes a blessing and a prayer made specifically for him or her. Each human grade dog cookie is individually blessed and prayed over to offer your dog nutrients, love and a spiritual touch. Sweet Canine Cookies are food for the body, mind and the spirit with a specific blessing and prayer offering a complete circle of health, wholeness and happiness. And of course they come with just a touch of sweetness to make your dog smile, because even dogs have a sweet tooth.”

Three Dog Bakery is also motivated to create healthy canine treats. In their own words:

“At Three Dog Bakery our mission is simple: to fresh-bake the world’s best dog biscuits and food, giving dog owners everywhere a healthy, all-natural bone-ified treat to give to their favorite four-legged friends. We add NO salt, sugar, chemicals, artificial preservatives or animal fat to any of our products. We also carry the world’s most delicious pre-packaged treats and other Goodies!

Three Dog Bakery presents Love Bites! Peanut Mutter Cups (shown above left) and Fresh Barked Dogversation Hearts (at right).

Your dogs will go “nuts” over our Peanut Mutter Cups. Their all-natural, carob yumminess make all dogs fall in love with the best dog cookies made with carob and peanuts!

Show your puppy some love with the Dog-versation hearts! These wheat free, heart shaped cookies are sure to make your dog fall in love with you all over again!”

2. Have a Canine Photo-shoot. Dogs love attention and are naturals in front of the camera. We recommend you go the professional route, at least once in your dogs’ life, with a photographer who will provide you with photos that will be forever dear to your heart, like Off-Leash Photography here in Vancouver. Angie helps make it fun for your dog while making wonderful images and memories. Don’t forget to pet and praise your dog for being a great model. A photo shoot can be a lot of fun for both you and your dog, and it will capture memories you can keep forever.

3. Give your dog the spa treatment. Dogs get stressed out just like people, and nothing eases stress better than a nice day at a spa. There are plenty of doggie spas with a range of prices where you can take your dog to be treated like a king for a day. Or you can do it yourself: spend some time grooming and brushing your dog. He’ll love the extra attention, and his fur and skin will look and feel better.

4. Take your dog out with you. Most dogs spend their days waiting for us to come home when we’re at work. Next time you head out, try and take your dog along. Ensure that wherever you are going, whether it be work, eating out somewhere, or visiting a friend, that you do a little research and ensure it is ok to bring your dog along. You won’t have to leave your dog home alone, and your dog will enjoy some new sights, smells, and sounds, and meet some new people.

5. Teach your dog a trick. You might not think of this as pampering, but it is! When you teach your dog tricks, you are spending time with him, praising him, working out his mind, and giving him treats for a job well done. And you can show off your dogs’ new skill. What could be better?

6. Surprise your dog with a new toy. Now most dogs love toys, and likely have more than they actually need, but since when is an occasion like Valentine’s Day about need anyway!? There are some adorable heart-shaped or red stuffy, squeaky play toys available to celebrate the day of love.

Follow these tips and you can pamper your pet without making him spoiled. Trust me, your dog will love the extra special attention.

Recipe Corner: Peanut Butter Dog Treats

2012-02-04T09:26:00.000-08:00

Peanut butter and dogs seem to go nut in paw. Something about the wholesome goodness of peanuts, plus they’re a good source of supplementary protein. As with everything you feed your canine companion, remember to choose your peanut butter with care. Many supermarket brands are loaded with sugar and other additives. For best results, choose a healthful, organic brand.

Peanut Butter Dog Treats

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons oil
1/2 cup peanut butter
1 cup water
1-1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1-1/2 cups white flour

Preheat the oven to 350 F.

Combine oil, peanut butter and water. Add flour, one cup at a time, forming a dough.

Knead dough into firm ball and roll to 1/4 inch thickness.

Cut into 3 to 4 inch pieces. You can use cookie cutters if you like.

Place on an un-greased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 F for 20 minutes.

Makes 2 1/2 dozen cookies.

Coyote Season: Watch Your Pets!

2012-02-02T09:26:00.000-08:00

Coyote season in Vancouver has been scary this time around. Twice in December we had coyotes gather at our intersection in Kitsilano shrieking and howling their greetings and we’ve occasionally seen the remains of what we sadly suspect are cats scattered around the neighborhood. Not long ago I even saw a coyote walking up the street a few blocks ahead of where Figgy and I were returning from our morning coffee run. Needless to say, I was freaked right out. I think it was the sight of this last one that really got me to thinking. He seemed utterly unafraid of anything and at first I took him to be a largish grey dog walking off-leash ahead of us.

As someone who loves all canines, I'm a little conflicted about how I feel about coyotes. On the one hand, there is something very lovely -- almost otherworldly -- about the coyotes as they pad about my neighborhood in the winter mist. On the other, I know they pose a very real potential threat to my own dogs and those of my friends and clients. Local police have said there are dens in Kitsilano (and likely other parts of the city, I would think) and that it’s best not to have your dog off-leash at any time or to have your cats at large. According to Shine Pets, coyote season is right now:
This time of year -- January through the end of February -- is peak mating season for the coyote, and the resulting hormonal increases "could lead to attacks on pets."

The good news is, you can protect your pet just by...existing; a healthy coyote isn't interested in people, and will back down from a human. (In the event that you see a coyote get hostile with a human or any other animal, call your local animal-control authority or wildlife division immediately.)

It's always a good idea to keep cats indoors. When you go out with your dog, keep her on a leash, or at least within sight.
In my opinion, even that is not enough. At this time of year, if you live in an area where you suspect there may be coyotes in the immediate area, keep your precious canine friends on leash at all times. No sense taking chances when it can lead to heartbreak.

Contest: Pets and Your Well-Being

2012-01-27T12:25:00.000-08:00

You have to love the motto of the Best Friends Animal Society: “Our mission is to bring about a time when there are no more homeless pets.” Now that’s an idea everyone can support! And while this largest animal sanctuary in the United States is certainly worthy of donations of money and time, the organization’s publication, Best Friends magazine, is currently asking for something that is actually pretty easy for a lot of us: they want us to share just exactly what our dogs mean to us.

The editors of Best Friends magazine want you to tell them, in 35 words or less, “In what ways do you believe pets improve your overall sense of well-being?”

Send your answer and a photo (no cell phone images) to: editor@bestfriends.org

While we’re thinking of the Best Friends Animal Society, it’s worth mentioning that they do an amazing amount of work. For instance, there are currently close to 2000 animals in their sanctuary in northern Utah. They are also involved in special events and outreach programs to help animals in need around the country. It’s an amazing organization and you can see more information about it here.

Frankie’s Joyful Paws

2012-01-19T09:05:00.000-08:00

I was so touched and inspired by the book trailer for Frankie, the Walk ’N Roll Dog that I had to learn more about the amazing canine that had so touched author Barbara Gail Techel’s life.

Techel has said that her passion is bringing a positive face and voice to animals with disabilities. After Frankie, Techel’s dachshund, suffered a spinal injury and was custom-fitted for a wheelchair, Barbara realized she had an opportunity to spread a positive message that animals with disabilities can and do live quality lives if given a chance. Techel’s award-winning Frankie, the Walk ‘N Roll Dog series of books are true, inspirational stories about her paralyzed dachshund. “Frankie teaches us that no matter our challenges, we can persevere with a positive attitude,” says Techel, “and despite our challenges we can each give back in our own, unique way.

You can read more about Techel and Frankie at Frankie’s blog.

The View from this New Year

2012-01-02T01:05:00.000-08:00

In some ways, 2011 was a fantastic year. In one especially important one, I’m not sure I’ll ever quite recover. There were high points, though. Some of them especially memorable. I was, for instance, very proud of Party With Your Pooch back in September. This event was more than dog friendly: it was dog essential! With canapes and other refreshments for both our human and canine guests, everyone seemed to have a really good time. Notably, we raised money for SAINTS and 1ataTime rescue, all while enjoying ourselves immensely with our canine friends in tow.

We’ve been posting images from Party With Your Pooch as they’ve crossed our desks and though the event was months ago, new photos keep appearing in print. The ones included here, for instance, are from the most recent issue of Vancouver View. They did a great job highlighting the event (look at that paw on the page!) and I’m including them here because it’s such a delight both to see the photos and share them.

Here’s wishing you a strong and healthy 2012. May your treat jar never be empty and may all your ribbons be blue.

In Memory of My Casey Jane

2011-12-22T20:36:00.000-08:00

September 30th, 1995 ~ December 19th, 2011

I had to say good-bye to my sweet angel, Casey Jane, late Monday morning. It was the hardest decision I’ve ever made and, right now, I feel like my heart will never heal, but she was ready, even if I wasn’t.

She went so peacefully, I don’t for a second doubt that my decision was the right one. Even so, I’m a mess right now and it feels like a part of me is gone. Casey was my “Baby Girl” for nearly 14 years, she came into my life on June 10th, 1998, and she even made it past her 16th birthday this year on September 30th, which I know is a very good age for a dog to achieve. And while I feel lucky to have shared my life with her for so long, I find I can’t help but wish that it was longer still. I miss her soft, fluffy little Bichon body and the loving expression in her eyes more than I ever thought possible.

Enter to Win a Photo Session with Angie at Off-Leash!

2011-12-17T11:05:00.000-08:00

Here’s a fun Christmas photo contest for metro Vancouver dog owners.

Angie at Off-Leash Photography writes: “Being submerged in Christmas spirit and bored with my own Xmas photos I invited people to send me their own photos of Xmas dogs… you can check it out on my FB page. You can send me your photo if you want the others to coo and ho ho over your dog. Whomever gets the most likes will win the session with me.”

Angie does specify that the contest is open to dogs in the Metro Vancouver area only.

You can see the full details on Angie’s blog or visit the gallery of submissions you’ll be competing against on Facebook here. The rules are also on Facebook, and they’re here. To learn more about Angie and her work, here’s a quick peek we took back in October.

Looking Back at Party with your Pooch

2011-12-15T20:47:00.000-08:00

Party with your Pooch, held on Sept. 27th, 2011, was a fundraiser hosted by Love on a Leash Trusted Dog Care Services to help raise awareness and much needed funds for animal rescue organizations such as 1 at a Time Rescue.

Photos by Kiki, C&A Paws Photography, Off-Leash Photography and Charles Zuckerman who all generously donated their time for this great cause. Many, many thanks.

I’m including just a small sampling of photographic memories from the event. You can see the whole album (and it’s big!) on our Facebook page.

Christmas Cover Kids!

2011-12-14T09:10:00.000-08:00

My darling Casey and Finnigan were honored to pose for the cover of B.C.’s Pet Connection Magazine’s Holiday Edition. Don’t they look great?

Special thanks to editor, Leslie Kennedy, for her eye for rising stars and to Angie at Off-Leash Photography for making them look so mahvelous!!!

Christmas for Critters

2011-12-04T09:05:00.000-08:00

Christmas is the time for giving. It’s also a time when we see the greatest need. Something about holding our own abundance up to the light, I think. Something about thinking about all that we -- and our well-loved pets -- have and take for granted and wanting to spread that goodness around, if only a little bit.

If that is your spirit, there are no shortage of great causes to donate to come this time of year. North Delta-based Christmas for the Critters caught my eye because it seems very grassroots. I thought I’d give the organization’s Angela Chisholm the opportunity to tell you about their very special program:

Christmas for the Critters is a North Delta-based charity drive to raise much needed items and supplies for the homeless animals at the Delta Community Animal Shelter.

We will be accepting donations right up until December 24th. The holidays can be a very difficult time for animal shelters. Fewer available foster homes, fewer available volunteers, less donations, less adoptions. Many people buy puppies as Christmas gifts for their loved ones from pet stores or breeders, when they could just as easily adopt instead of shop!

By spreading the word about Christmas for the Critters, we are hoping to give some of these homeless animals homes this Christmas as well as raise supplies for the ones still waiting for their forever homes. We are hoping that, by bringing exposure to this charity drive, more people will realize the benefits of adopting vs. shopping. By doing so, we are hoping to reduce the rate of animal homelessness in not just our community, but the whole Lower Mainland.

One issue that we are also trying to convey to the public is that of spaying and neutering, and why it is the responsible and humane thing to do. Did you know that (theoretically) a female dog and her offspring can produce 67,000 puppies in a six year period, while a female cat and her offspring can produce 420,000 kittens in a seven year period? If everyone in BC spayed and neutered their dogs and cats, our country’s homeless animal and shelter euthanization statistics could be drastically lowered. Please help us spread the word about Christmas for the Critters, and help us help the animals!

ITEMS & SUPPLIES NEEDED FOR DONATION:
- Good quality wet foods for dogs and cats
- Good quality dry foods for dogs and cats (such as Innova or Natural Balance)
- Good quality wet & dry KITTEN FORMULA foods
- Bedding; old blankets, comforters, towels, and pet beds
- Dog chews; bullysticks, rawhides, cooked bones, and Nylabones (or similiar)
- Litterboxes and scoops
- Cat litter
- Cat toys
- Small animal bedding and litter; wood shavings, wood pellets, etc.
- Small animal food
- Small animal toys and 'hide-outs'
- Dog, cat, and small animal treats (such as dog biscuits, temptations, and timothy hay)
- Laundry soap
- Dish soap

ITEMS & SUPPLIES NOT ACCEPTED FOR DONATION:
- Clay cat litters
- Covered litterboxes
- Fitted sheets
- Towels with a large amount of rips and/or holes

DONATION BOX LOCATIONS:
- Hungry Hound Pet Food & Supply: #102 - 455 E. Columbia St, New Westminster
- Esquires Coffee House: 11146B 84 Ave, Delta
- Bosley's: 100-8047 120 Street, Delta
- Forcefed Performance: #202 - 30701 Simpson Rd, Abbotsford
- Annieville Elementary: 9240 - 112 St, Delta
- Pet Solutions Supermarket & Grooming: 6447 - 120 St, Delta

For more information, you can visit Christmas for the Critters on Facebook. And thank you for your support!

Top 10 Christmas Gift Picks from Jessica at Tisol

2011-11-25T09:05:00.000-08:00

When it comes to quality pet food and supplies on the Lower Mainland, Tisol has been the answer for many people for pretty much as long as I can remember. Not only do their stores offer a haven for pet lovers as well as help for pets in need, their distinctive orange and blue livery shows up at many events where pet welfare is high on the list. In fact, Tisol is so concerned about community that they’ve even set up a pet food bank where you can donate to help pets in need.

We asked Jessica Allison, assistant manager at Tisol’s Arbutus location, to share her top 10 picks for Christmas gifts for dogs this season. Jessica was happy to comply, with a list that made Casey and Finnigan’s tails wag in anticipation!

#1: Skinneez, stuffing free plush dog toy. For a safe long lasting playtime. Assorted varieties on sale. Dogs love ‘em!

#2: Buddy Biscuits, baked with love by Cloud Star. All natural, gingerbread men-shaped dog biscuits. Many different flavours, including peanut butter -- many a dog’s fave -- in both soft and crunchy textures.

#3: Hear Doggy. Plush dog toy. No more annoying squeaky dog toy. Your dog can hear it but you can’t. Different styles available in store. Is this one you want to get for your pet? You’ll know if you need it!

#4: Chuckit. The perennial favorite ball throwing tool. This one should be a staple in every active dog’s toy box.

#5: Dog puzzles: test your dog’s IQ. Interactive fun games. Eliminates boredom. Assorted variety and skill levels. Ask for help finding the right one when you’re in the store.

#6: Dexas collapsible pet feeders. For the dog on the go. Great for travelling during the holiday season.

#7: K + H self-warming dog beds. Radiates a dog body heat back to your dogs body, perfect for those cold winter nights especially great for older dogs with arthritis, or joint and muscle aches.

#8: Dog Christmas stockings. Okay, dogs don’t wear stockings, but the gift-filled ones we have for dogs are awesome! Takes the guess work out of gift giving. Many different sizes and varieties.

#9: R.C. Robson rainwear. The perfect coat to keep dogs warm, dry, and tres fashionable!

#10: Santa suit. Comes complete with red velvet jacket, with traditional white trim and Santa’s hat. Too cute for your holiday photos.

Check their website to find a Tisol location near you.

The Best List of Dog Parks in B.C.

2011-11-24T17:00:00.000-08:00

If you’re like me, you’re always keeping your ears tuned for words of the dogowner’s Holy Grail: the best dog park with the most fun stuff that your dog enjoys to the max.

Of course, what the best dog park looks like varies from owner -- and dog! -- to owner and it’s certainly fun to check out different ones and keep personal notes on them. For instance, I love West Vancouver’s Ambleside Dog Park. And why? Well, partly because it’s terrific, but also (if I’m honest) because it gives me a good excuse to visit Savary Island Pies for coffee and a non-doggy treat. I’m sure you have your own favorite, but it’s fun to add to the list and explore. (New parks and maybe new pies!) And when you’re traveling, a really terrific list of dog parks can save the trip. So when a reader sent me this list of Dog Parks in BC, I was floored. This is it, gang: if there’s a better list, I sure haven’t seen it.

The is from the Tsawwassen Animal Hospital and was apparently compiled from the database at Pets.Ca. Have fun!

Dog parks in Abbotsford
Bateman/Stoney Creek Park - Address: 34638 Bateman Rd. hours: Dawn 'til Dusk, benches: yes, phones: yes, handicapped access: yes, parking: yes, restrooms: yes. Comments: Off leash area is East of the sports fields. Please keep dogs out of the water.

Gladwin Park - Address: Gladwin Rd. at Old Riverside Road hours: Dawn 'til Dusk, parking: yes. Comments: Parking is located in the Abbotsford Exhibition Park parking area. Area is off leash, however, occassionally there is traffic through the area when a large event is taking place at Exhibition Park.

Sumas Canal Dyke/McKay Creek Trail - Address: North Parallel at Atkinson. Hours: Dawn 'til Dusk, benches: yes, handicapped access: yes, parking: yes. Comments: Trails are along the dykes on either side of the Sumas Canal. Dog off leash areas are on the trails only. Please keep dogs out of the water.

Dog parks in Aldergrove
Aldergrove Lake Park - Address: Lefeuvre Road and 8th Avenue. Hours: 8:00am to Dusk, poopbags: yes, parking: yes. Comments: This off leash area of Aldergrove Lake is little ways out of town (abt 5 miles), but a great area to let your dog run and play. Once they have had their run, you can leash them and go through the fantastic well groomed trails. http://www.gvrd.bc.ca/parks/Aldergrove.htm

Dog parks in Burnaby
Burnaby lake - Address - Piper Ave and Winston St. Fenced: yes, benches: yes, poopbags: yes, parking: yes, restrooms: yes Comments: new park, completely fenced, double gated, poo bags, water fountain, small area with bark mulch path. Burnaby Lake nature trails right beside for on leash walks.

Cedar by the Sea (south of Nanaimo) Cable Bay Trail - end of Holden-Corso road. Open 24 hours, benches and parking. Comments: This is a fairly strenuous walk down to a beach. Dogs are welcome off leash, and there are no busy roads nearby.

Dog parks in Chilliwack
Island 22 park - Address: Cartmell Road Fenced: yes, poopbags: yes, parking: yes Comments: This dog park used to be a campground. It's big and has lots of trees. The fishing is good nearby and there are tons of mosquitoes in summer.

Dog parks in Cobble Hill 
South Cowichan Community off-leash Dog Park fenced: yes, benches: yes, parking: yes

Dog parks in Coquitlam
Bramble Park - Between Panorama Dr. and David Ave. Fenced, benches, poop bag dispensers. Comments: under the Hydro Right of Way water for the dogs.

Dog parks in Cultus Lake
Cultus Lake Dog Park - Address: Columbia Valley Hwy. hours: 24 Hours, fenced: yes , poopbags: yes, parking: yes

Dog parks in Delta
Boundary Bay park - Address: 72nd and Ladner Trunk Road Hours: always open, fenced: yes, parking: yes Comments: Use Ladner Trunk Road to 72nd Ave. Travel south on 72 and park on side of road just before you reach rail road tracks. On east is a road leading into a huge deserted airforce base. Paved road for you to walk on and fields for dogs. Not official off leash area but NEVER bylaw enforcement. Beautiful find. Lots of friendly people and dogs.

Dog parks in Duncan
Somenos Creek Dog Park Address - Beverly St. & Lakes Road  Hours: 7.00 to Dusk, fenced: yes, benches: yes, poopbags: yes, Handicapped access: yes. Comments: A level fenced area of about 3/4 acre. Part gravel and part grass. Friendly people. Hoping for a shelter and lights in the near future

Dog parks in Houston
Park: Steelhead Park Dog Run - Address: Highway 16 , Hours: Any time fenced: yes, poopbags: yes, parking: yes. comments: Just a dog run, but great after the long drive. Located 3.5hrs west of Prince George.

Dog parks in Kamloops
Ord road dog park address: tranquille/ord rd. - hours: 24 hr (however unlit at night), fenced: yes, benches: yes poop bag dispensers: yes, parking: yes, comments: small field but great crowd! busiest just before sundown.park:

Pacific Way Dog Park - Address - Pacific Way Hours: Dawn to dusk, fenced: yes, benches: yes, poopbags: yes, parking: yes Comments: Not a lit dog park, but there is a seperate section(fenced off within the park) for small dogs to play if the owners want.

Pioneer Park - Address: Lorne St.east of Red Bridge city: Kamloops province: BC Hours: dawn 'til dusk , tables: yes , benches: yes Handicapped access: yes, parking: yes, restrooms: yes comments: popular teen and mutt hangout grassy area with tables,etc. sandy beach on the Thompson River

More info on Dog parks in Kamloops B.C.at http://www.city.kamloops.bc.ca/parks/parks/dogparks/dogparkdirectory.html

Dog parks in Kelowna
Glenmore Dog Park - Glenmore Rd, Kelowna Hours: sun up to sun down Fenced: yes Poop bag dispensers: yes Parking: yes Comments: not the best looking but the dogs still have fun!!

Kelowna off leash dog park - Address: Old Vernon Road By Airport in Kelowna, BC. Hours: all day every day, fenced: yes, tables: yes, poopbags: yes, handicapped access: yes, parking: yes,restrooms: yes. Comments: This dog park sits on about 50 acres or more. It is completely fenced. It has fresh tap water only in summer and in winter you must bring your own drinking water. It's a little dry in the summer as there is no swimming hole for the dogs. A great place to meet new dogs and people.

Mission dog park - Address: Mission sports feild ( lexington) Hours: sun rise to sun set, fenced: yes, tables: yes, poopbags: yes, parking: yes Comments: nice big field for a lot of dogs to play in, and a wonderful place for you and your dog to meet friends also there is a walk way just behind it with the mission creek running through it Beautiful walk dogs on leash on the walk way. Off of Gordon r.d. on the left turn on lexington r.d. and follow the road until you see the mission dog park sign on the left.

Dog parks in Anmore/Port Moody
Rocky Point Park - Buntzen Lake - Ioco Road. Open 8:00 am to 8:00 pm (hours vary with seasons), fenced, tables, poop bag dispenser, parking, restrooms. Comments: The fence extends into the lake so the dogs have great access to the beach and water. The beach is clean sand and the water is crystal clear. Comments2:Best dog park in Greater Vancouver, huge fenced off area with beach, fresh water lake, grass etc.

Dog parks in Langley
Brookswood Dog Park - 204 St. near 44th Ave. Hours are from dawn to dusk. It is fenced, has a poop dispenser, parking and some handicapped access. Comments: Brookswood Dog Park is under Hydro Lines. We have just got a parking lot. It is being improved slowly but surely. There is not what I would call a handicapped access but the ground at the gates are fairly level. There have been wheelchairs there. Comments2: Very large fully fenced park. Only problem is, when it rains it is a sea of really smelly mud.

Derby Reach Located at North Langley/Fraser River at 208th Hours: dawn to dusk Fenced, benches, tables, handicap access, poopbags, trees, parking, restrooms, trashcans; comments - swimming from the beach, blackberries when in season.

Langley Passive Park - On 36th Ave @ 208th Street - Hours: Dawn to Dusk, tables: yes, benches: yes, poopbags: yes, Handicapped access: yes, Parking: yes Comments: Off Leash park. Dogs can go swimming in the huge pond/lake or walk around it. hike trails. Frisbee golf. semi fenced, but not really needed.

Walnut Grove park - address: 213 St. & 96 Ave. - city: Township of Langley. hours: Dawn thru Dusk, fenced: yes, benches: yes poop bag dispensers: yes. Comments: This is a small fenced area, perfect for a short romp with 'friends' or for introducing your pet to off leash areas! (There is plenty of street parking.)

Willoughby open field - Address: 200th and 69th Hours: dawn to dusk Comments: this is an unofficial dog field, its a large open area that runs parallel to 200th street - owners of land allow access for dogs and owners. Bring poop bag, none are provided.

Dog parks in Metchosin
Matheson Lake - Address: Rocky Point and Matheson Lake Roads Hours: dawn to dark, poopbags: yes, parking: yes Comments: Matheson Lake Regional Park is located west of Metchosin BC which is a community on the southern tip of Vancouver Island. It is not actually a dog park but it is a great place for a hike with a dog on leash or if the dog is very well controlled, off leash. There is a public beach dogs are not allowed at but the rest of the lake is open to them to swim to their hearts content. There is about 3.5 kilometers of trails around the lake and can be accessed via the Galloping Goose Trail.

Dog parks in Mission
Hayward Lake Dog Park Address: Hayward Lake - Mission B.C. fenced: yes poop: yes handicapped access: yes parking: yes Comments: Beautiful spot on Hayward lake, lots of room to run. No one is ever there.

Dog parks in Port Moody
1 blk east of Rocky Point Park. This park is fenced, has benches, parking and poop bag dispensers. Comments: Great off leash area for dogs of all sizes

Dog parks in Nanaimo
Beban Park (Nanaimo Offleash Park)- Labieux Road - Hours: 8 am to dusk, fenced, tables, benches,poop bag dispenser, wheelchair access, parking. Comments: A two acre fenced, grassy and gravel dog park, complete with fire hydrants especially for the dogs.

Cable bay trail park - Address: Nanaimo river - Hours: 24hours poopbags: yes, parking: yes. Comments: great trail, a little hard to find but perfect for dogs. no interference from non-dog owners. too bad they're putting a huge development there :(

Westwood Lake Trail - Westwood Road - 24 hours, parking, restrooms. Comments: This is a 3 kilometer trail, the middle kilometer of which is designated 'off leash'. Be prepared to walk a kilometer with your dog on leash to get to it as the off leash area is on the far side of the lake.

Dog parks in New Westminster
Hume Park - address: End of Kelly Street off Braid Street hours: 24 hours, fenced: yes, benches: yes, poop bag dispensers: yes, parking: yes, restrooms: yes. Comments: Nice L-Shaped totally fenced dog park beside a soccer field, lacrosse box and ball fields. Picnic area and playground with water park adjacent.

Queens Park Dog Off Leash Enclosure - Address: Queen's Park @ 1st St & 3rd Ave in New Westminster, BC. Fenced: yes, benches: yes. Comments: Large, beautiful dog park nestled in the woods. Hilly, but enough flatspace to play ball. Double gated.

Westburnco Park - Address: 10th Avenue and Massey Street Hours: Dawn until Dusk, fenced: yes, poopbags: yes, parking: yes Comments: Small fenced area tucked in behind the tennis courts,but big enough to get a good run in

Dog parks in Parksville
Springwood Park (Royals Field) - Address: Despard Road in Parksville, BC.  Hours: 8am-Dusk, fenced: yes benches: yes, poopbags: yes, parking: yes.

Dog parks in Penticton
Doggy beach - Lakeshore dr. and Colourfulfront st. Open 24 hours and has parking.  comments: Very nice, nice view, you can swim with your dog, play with him/her, preferred to keep dog on leash.

Dog parks in Pitt Meadows
Hoffman Park - Address: 112nd Avenue and Harris Road Hours: All day, fenced: yes, poopbags: yes, handicapped access: yes, parking: yes. Comments: Fully fenced, there is a trail right beside it in a forested area as well.

Dog parks in Port Moody
Bert Flynn Park - Address: Heritage Mountain Poopbags: yes, Parking: yes Comments: Parking on Street

Dog parks in Prince George
Cranbrook Greenway address: End of Massey Drive, near the  hours: Daylight hours preferred, poop bag dispensers: yes, parking: yes comments: Large grassy area with some forest and trails leading up to top of Cranbrook Hill and university.

Moore's Meadow Park - address: Foothils Boulevard/1st street hours: 7am-11pm, poop bag dispensers: yes, handicapped access: yes parking: yes, comments: Not fenced but is an enormous space - park located in a dried up kettle lake so wandering dogs safe (within a couple km)

Dog parks in Richmond
Dyke Trail - Address:Southeast of 3 Roadcity: Richmond hours: dawn to dusk benches: yes poop: yes parking: yes Comments: http://www.city.richmond.bc.ca/parks/off_leash.htm
McDonald Beach - Address: Between the Airport and Iona Beach Richmond, BC. Heading towards airport, turn (R) on Templeton. Turn (R) on McDonald Road. Hours: Dawn till Dusk , tables: yes, benches: yes, phones: yes, Handicapped access: yes, parking: yes, restrooms: yes  Comments: Great beach area along the Fraser River for the dogs to run and swim, best when the tide is out. Also a big grassy area and a boat launch area and trails. It is out of the way of traffic no need for a fence. Can't rememeber if there is a bag dispenser, bring bags anyway. Comments2: Along the Fraser river so the dogs can swim and fetch toys in the water. Soft sand so the dogs do not hurt their pads Comments3: Excellent off leash area for beach and water access. Sometimes the tide is strong though.

No. 3 Road Dog Park - Address: Very southern most point of No. 3 Road Hours: Dawn to Dusk, poopbags: yes, handicapped access: yes, parking: yes, Comments: Hard for dogs to reach water, but great dog park.

Dog parks in Salmon Arm
Park: little mountain - Address: 30st and Okanagan ave hours: all hrs but too dark at night and would not reccomend it, you will get lost if you don't know the park, benches: yes, poopbags: yes, parking: yes Comments: It is a wonderful off leash park! Trails everywhere! My 3 dogs and there budds love it!

Dog parks in Summerland
Peach Orchard dog beach - Address: Lakeshore Dr hours: sun up till 11.00pm, fenced: yes , tables: yes, poop bag dispensers: yes, handicapped access: yes,parking: yes, restrooms: yes, comments: This beach is somewhat fenced but your dog can get out if they swim/walk around the fence, as the fence just meets the water. The rest of the beach is a public beach for children. I wouldn't suggest dogs that will run out of the enclosure and attack people. Otherwise this beach is excellent and there is lots of places to swim and frolic with your dog.

Dog parks in Surrey
Clayton Off-Leash Dog Park - Address: 7811-188th St Hours: dawn to dusk, fenced: yes, benches: yes, handicapped access: yes, parking: yes, restrooms: yes comments: Has both a Small Dog Area and an All Dog Area. Each area has a water station so you can provide dogs with fresh water. Paved walking paths in each area. Very Nice.

Dogwood Park - 20th Ave between 140 & 128 Streets, cross street approve 125th Street on 20th Avenue. Hours: 7 am to dusk. Fenced, benches, tables, handicap access, trees, parking, water, trashcans. Comments: Small, but very nice, good trails and a pond (more ponds in the rainy season). Much used by regular dog lovers.

Freedom park - 84th Ave at approx. 154th - fenced, benches, wheel chair access, restrooms, parking. Comments: The park is no quite fully fenced. The only opening is where the cars come in off the street into the parking lot. It has some open area, a fountain, some benches and a small trail. Comments2: No bag dispenser. Would be nice if there was a small playground to accomodate children outside fenced area at the same time dogs are in fenced area.

Park: Long Yards - Address: trees road. Hours: 24-7, fenced: yes, tables: yes, benches: yes, poopbags: yes, phones: yes, hapdicapped access: yes, parking: yes, restrooms: yes Comments: This is a peacful enviromental place with a pond and a forest you may walk in peacefully!

Royal Heights Park - Address: 11308 Royal Crescent Tables: yes, benches: yes, handicapped access: yes

Serpentine off leash park 76th Avenue west of 128th street (under the power lines) Hours: dawn to dusk, fenced: yes , benches: yes  poopbags: yes, handicapped access: yes , parking: yes , restrooms: yes  Comments: This park is a good size. Off leash area fully fenced with 3 gates. lots of parking including handicapped spot. Poop bags available (though some owners don't care to use them). Small Covered area with bench as well as others in the park.

Tannery Road Dog Park - Address: Foot of Tannery Road Hours: dawn to evening, fenced: yes, benches: yes, poopbags: yes Handicapped access: yes, parking: yes. Comments: Tannery Road Dog Park is located in Surrey BC at the foot of Tannery Road and can be accessed from Scott Road. Features of the park are two grass fields, one half fenced. A crushed gravel path goes from the top parking lot along the river dike and cuts around a forest and atop another dike structure ending beside large sandpiles that dogs love to play on. Swimming can be done but the water is tidal and there is only muddy beach access, which again dogs do love. It is a totally off leash park, therefore dog owners must have some control due to beavers in the area.

Tynehead Park At the 168th Street entrance there is a Dog Off-Leash Area - dogs must always be under the owners' control. Hours: From the start of Daylight Saving Time to Labour Day - 8 am to 9 pm. All other days - 8 am to dusk.

Dog parks in Terrace
Ferry Island - Address: Highway 16 - east of overpass in Terrace, BC. Hours: 24 hours, tables: yes, benches: yes, poopbags: yes, Handicapped access: yes, parking: yes, restrooms: ye. Comments: During summer season (May - October) dogs must be leashed in camping area (only), as this is a municipal park, but off season is dog heaven! Skeena River surrounds this park, making it an ideal place for dogs to swim and explore. When the river is high in spring it is best to keep dogs out of main river but there are sloughs that provide calmer waters. Trails and a pond in the middle of the park.

Dog parks in North Vancouver
Ambleside Dog Park Marine Drive & Taylor Way (behind Park Royal Shopping Centre) Open 24 hours, benches, poop bag accessories parking etc.

Bridgeman Park - Address: Main Street at Brooksbank tables: yes

Deep Cove Park - Address: RockCliff Rd & Raeburn St Tables: yes, benches: yes, parking: yes Comments: Nice place to have a gathering & games in the field while over looking the beach, and if the tide is out... Theres a beach you can Enjoy! :D

Kings Mill Park - Address: Base of fell ave at the water Hours: dawn til dusk, tables: yes, benches: yes, poopbags: yes, handicapped access: yes, parking: yes Comments: great place to bring your dog to socialize with others. Everyone is always well behaved and the humans too - everyone cleans up after their pets. Theres a beach for swimming and a a short trail in addition to the grassed area

Panorama Park - Address: Panorama Dr & Gallant Ave Benches: yes, parking: yes, restrooms: yes Comments: Nice place to walk your dog when the sun is out, You can see the beach, your kids can play on the beach. nice field for playing games although it is hilly. :-)

Princess Park - Address: Princess Avenue in North Vancouver, BC. Hours: 24hrs, tables: yes, parking: yes, restrooms: yes Comments: fantastic large area for dogs, river, trails.

Dog parks in Vancouver
37th Avenue and Oak Street Park 37th Ave. & Oak St. 6 - 10 am &5 - 10 PM
Balaclava Park 30th & Balaclava 6 - 10 am & 5 - 10 PM
Burrard View Park Wall Yale & N. Penticton to Slocan 6 - 10 am & 5 - 10 PM
Charleson Park 6th Ave & Laurel St 6 - 10 am & 5 - 10 PM
Coopers Park False Creek 6 - 10 am & 5 - 10 PM
Dusty Greenwell Park Wall Street & Kaslo Street 6 - 10 am &5 - 10 PM
Falaise Park Falaise, Worthington & Grandview Hwy. 6 - 10 am &5 - 10 PM
Fraser River Park 75th Ave & Angus Drive 6 - 10 am &5 - 10 PM
Fraserview Golf Course Perimeter 61st Ave & Wales Rd. 6 - 10 am & 5 - 10 PM
George Park 63rd Ave, west of St. George St. 6 - 10 am & 5 - 10 PM
Heather Park 18th Ave. & Heather St. 6 - 10 am &5 - 10 PM
Hillcrest Park Peveril & Dinmont 6 - 10 am &5 - 10 PM
Jones Park 37th Ave & Victoria Dr. 6 - 10 am &5 - 10 PM
Killarney Park 45th Ave, Kerr & Carleton St. 6 - 10 am &5 - 10 PM
Kingscrest Park 26th Ave & Knight St 6 - 10 am &5 - 10 PM
Locarno Park 1st & Belmont, Sasamat & NW Marine 6 - 10 am &5 - 10 PM
Musqueum Park Marine Drive & Crown St 6 - 10 am &5 - 10 PM
Nelson Park Bute & Nelson St. 6 - 8 am & 5 - 10 PM
Portside Park Main St. overpass 6 - 10 am & 5 - 10 PM
Quilchena Embankment 33rd & Cypress St. 6 - 10 am & 5 - 10 PM
Spanish Bank (West of Concession) Spanish Banks, west of Tolmie 6 - 10 am &5 - 10 PM
Sparwood Park Arlington St. south of 49th Ave 6 - 10 am & 5 - 10 PM
Strathcona Park Venables St. & Raymur Ave 6 - 10 am & 5 - 10 PM
Sun Rise Park Windermere, Rupert, 3rd & 5th Aves 6 - 10 am & 5 - 10 PM
Sunset Beach Bay Beach Ave from Burrard Bridge 6 - 10 am & 5 - 10 PM
Sunset Park Prince Edward, 51st & 53rd Ave 6 - 10 am & 5 - 10 PM
Tecumseh Park 43rd � 45th Ave, Commerical St 6 - 10 am & 5 - 10 PM
Trout Lake Park Address: Garden &12th (North End of Park, between Parking Lot andLake, bridge to grandstand) 13th & 19th Aves,Victoria & Templeton hours: 6AM-10PM, benches: yes, handicapped access: yes, parking: yes
UBC Endowment Lands trails near West 16th Ave and Blanca, shared with bikes, walkers and horses. 24 hours/day
Valdez Park 22nd, 23rd Ave, west of Balaclava St. 6 - 10 am & 5 - 10 PM
Vanier Park West of Maritime Museum Parking Lot 6 - 10 am & 5 - 10 PM

Dog parks in West Vancouver
Ambleside Park - Address: via the back of Park Royal Shopping Center or the foot of 13th Street - Hours: dawn to dark, benches: yes, poopbags: yes, handicapped access: yes, parking: yes, restrooms: yes Comments: Ambleside Park is a beautiful beach side park looking across to Stanley Park, the Lions Gate Bridge and the inner harbour and English Bay. The eastern section of the park, save for an exercise area for humans, is all off leash. Dogs can swim in the ocean or play on the beach. A sea-wall walk is a nice stroll and there are a couple of fields for chasing balls and what have you. There is some fencing restricting access to the Pitch and Putt golf course, otherwise is it a wide open area and most of the dogs are quite friendly. The forest from the Park Royal side of the area is riddled with many trails.

Cypress Falls Park & Lighthouse Park Address - West Vancouver, BC
 LIGHTHOUSE: http://www.westvancouver.net/article.asp?a=2011&c=649 CYPRESS FALLS: http://www.westvancouver.net/article.asp?a=2758&c=766
Seaview Trail - Address: Gleneagles Hours: never closed, benches: yes, poopbags: yes, parking: yes comments: This is a wide trail with a gorgeous veiw over looking Marine Drive. No cars to worry about.

Dog parks in Vancouver Island
Qualicum Beach Trails Park - Qualicum Beach, Vancouver Island - Open all hours, benches, poop bag dispensers, phones, restrooms and parking. Comments: Nice off-leash trails maintained by QB Dog Owners Group. Heavily wooded. Off of parking lot next to Civic Centre and Ravensong Aquatic Centre (pool). Popular with the locals. Not fenced, but no major roads really close by.

Dog parks in Vernon
BX Ranch - Address: BX Road just up from Pleasant Valley Rd hours: 24, fenced: yes, poopbags: yes, parking: yes. Comments: large field bordered by forest walk with creek running through;socially responsible owners,no mean dogs.

Coldstream Creek Park - Address: Kalamalka Rd, south side of the road, after McClounie Rd eastbound - Hours: 24 hrs, tables: yes, parking: yes Comments: open grassy area between road and creek, large trees along creek, picnic tables, parking off of McCounie Rd with footbridges across creek, no fence along road but sloped up to road

Gray Canal - Address: Silverstar Road-Just below Foothills  Hours: 24, fenced: yes, benches: yes, poopbags: yes, parking: yes Comments: Partly fenced park, with a very nice walking trail. Often people will walk here without dogs too, and don't like to be bothered by dogs that like to great. Otherwise great park, and a great hike with a nice view.

Heritage Natural Park - Address: 5025 Heritage Dr Hours: 24 hrs, fenced: yes, parking: yes Comments: open grassy area ,fenced.

Mutrie Rd Park - Address: Mutrie Rd between 43 Ave and 39 Ave Hours: 24 hrs, fenced: yes, benches: yes, parking: yes Comments: great fenced area aprox 5 acres open field walking path, friendly dog owners/dogs

Pioneer Park - Address: 3501 35 Ave Hours: 24 hrs, fenced: yes, parking: yes Comments: open field, fenced , walking paths, hilly

Dog parks in Victoria
Bayview - Hilltop Songhees Park - Address: Tyee/Sitcum(new street)name Bayview Properties 100 Saghalie Road Victoria BC V9A OA1 Hours: 6am to 10 pm, benches: yes, poopbags: yes, handicapped access: yes parking: yes Comments: Off Leash Dog Park built by Bayview Properties an adjacent landmark building as well as the historic Roundhouse Buildings of 1913
Beaver Lake Park Pat Bay Highway benches, tables, handicap, trees, parking, phones, restrooms, trashcans. Comments: beautiful tree setting, with a path around the lake; also a large field with some rail fencing; often used by agility clubs and fly ball groups.

Dallas Road Beach South end of Dallas Road Beach just past Beaconhill Park benches, tables, handicap, poopbags, trees, parking, phones, restrooms, trashcans. Comments: fabulous view looking out to the Pacific, dogs can be walked off-leash but must be under good voice control as there is no fence as a road nearby.

Mystic Vale - Cedar Hill X Rd, near Cadboro Bay Rd.This is a large, fenced, open field on university property. It has a picturesque old orchard in the center. It is a very popular off leash dog park. Trail leads down into Mystic Vale park creek. Parking along Cedar Hill X Rd. Comments: Mystic Vale is an Ecological Protection Zone, and dogs are required to be leashed in this area at all times. it is fragile habitat with numerous rare and important species.

Rudd Park - Address: Irma St, and Harriet St Fenced: yes, tables: yes, benches: yes, parking: yes Comments: Popular dog park. It is fenced on 3 sides, with a playground on the other side, and a few entries on the other sides. Open field, with trees along the outside.

Willows Beach - Beach & Estevan. Tables, benches, parking, restrooms. Fabulous sandy beach to walk along, lots of dogs off leash, low cement wall provides some barrier to nearby road, but big dogs can jump wall or find stairs. No dogs allowed on beach May - Oct.

Dog parks in White Rock
Blackie Spit - Address: McBrideAve and Wickson. Hours: dawn to dusk, fenced: yes, tables: yes, benches: yes, poopbags: yes, phones: yes, parking: yes, restrooms: yes. Comments: Fenced off-leash area, covered seating available for humans. Beautiful and popular scenic on-leash dog walking permitted along adjacent seawall between Oct- May only.

Crescent beach dog park - Address: crescent beach Marina fenced: yes, benches: yes, poopbags: yes, parking: yes. Comments: water, and lots of trees and area to run. Fully fenced. Out houses for the owners outside of fenced area. Just off from the Marina (beach area) wonderful place, found it by chance. Good sized area. Covered area with chairs, outhouses. Planning to build a concrete platform washroom area.

Dogwood Park - Address: 20th Ave & 134th Street Fenced: yes, tables: yes, benches: yes, handicapped access: yes, parking: yes restrooms: yes Comments: Access parking lot from 20th Ave. Entire park is off-leash. Large field w/fence beside 20th Ave, wide gravel walking trails thru mature forest behind. Ponds and water tap for fido. Smaller fully fenced area near the parking lot. Clean! Not sure if bags are provided... be sure to bring your own.

Bling for Your Pet

2011-11-24T15:00:00.000-08:00

Dog Gone Tags makes bling for the non-human in your life. You have it, they tag it for you, using a blend of colorful mixed metals and fun stamps for your furry best friends, wine glasses, luggage, books, even as key rings.

The metals Dog Gone Tags use are nickel silver, yellow brass and copper. No other coloring is used. They apply a patina to the metals to bring out the details in the work. As each piece is made by hand, they are all slightly different and the amount of patina also varies. They use templates to cut the pieces from sheet metal and these are also handmade, creating still more subtle variations with each tag.

Dog Gone Tags warranties their beautiful craftsmanship. They say that the split rings they use are top of the line and very sturdy. They will pull open if your pet’s tag gets caught on something (a great safety feature), but won’t break through normal wear.

For more information, you can visit them at their website or on Etsy.

Protect Your Pet from Old Man Winter: Winter Pet Care Tips

2011-11-22T09:10:00.000-08:00

Apparently we have embarked upon one of the coldest winters on record. If the early snow storms in Eastern Canada and the U.S. are any indication, the predictions are right on target. Cold weather can pose serious risks to your pet. As we inform our readers of the dangers of heat in summer, we’d also like to educate our readers on how to keep their pets safe and comfortable during the cold in winter.
Please take steps to ensure your animals are appropriately cared for by keeping them indoors. If that isn’t possible, make sure they have insulated housing and are protected from wind and cold.

Cold weather safety tips:
• Thoroughly clean the pads of your dog’s paws after they’ve walked on sidewalks or roads to remove any coarse salt that can cause irritation. For your own sidewalk choose a pet-friendly, non-corrosive de-icing compound readily available through retail outlets. Dog booties are also available and do a terrific job of protecting paw pads.

• Use pet-safe propylene-based antifreeze instead of ethylene glycol antifreeze, which is toxic to pets and wildlife. A mere tablespoon of ethylene glycol antifreeze can kill a cat or small dog.

• “Think and Thump” before starting your car. Cats and wildlife gravitate to warm engines during cold weather. Banging on the hood before getting into your car can avoid a tragic ending for an animal seeking refuge from the cold.

• We strongly urge keeping all animals indoors during cold weather, but if you must keep an animal outside, ensure their shelter is off the ground, provides protection from wind, cold and damp and is properly insulated. Ensure you pet is dry in its shelter. Check drinking water regularly to ensure it has not frozen over.

• Dogs and cats may find the Christmas tree an intriguing new toy. Make sure your tree is secured, place decorations above paw height and use string instead of hooks, which are easily dislodged. Make sure you don’t add chemicals or any other harmful substances to the water in your tree base.

• Avoid using holiday trimmings such as tinsel and candles, which can cause injury for your pets. Tinsel can cause horrific gastro-intestinal damage if ingested.

• Several holiday plants can be poisonous to animals. Keep mistletoe, holly, ornamental pepper and Christmas roses away from your pets.

• Do NOT feed turkey bones to your pets. Poultry bones easily splinter and the fragments can cause intestinal blockages or lacerations leading to death.

• Chocolate and other sweets should not be given to pets. Chocolate contains theobromine, a chemical that can be toxic to cats and dogs even in small amounts.

When the temperature drops, take extra care with your pets. Ideally, keep your pets indoors, even large dogs who would ordinarily prefer being outside, where they are warm and safe and we can enjoy their companionship.

Editor’s Note: the image above is from the 2002 film Snowdogs. While the film didn’t do very well, it’s sure tough to resist the idea of those huskies taking the winter off and sipping yummy drinks poolside!

We Introduce: Granville Island Veterinary Hospital

2011-11-21T17:18:00.000-08:00

Editor’s note: This is part of an ongoing series about veterinarians and vet clinics who have come highly recommended by our clients. This isn’t meant as an endorsement by Love on a Leash or PADs, but it strikes us that in order to make strong decisions regarding medical care for our pets, it’s good to have recommendations and it’s helpful to have lots of information at your fingertips.

Here, then, is the second in this series. In their own words, we’d like to introduce Granville Island Veterinary Hospital in this month’s PADS newsletter.

Choosing your veterinarian is one of the most important things you will do for your best friend. At the Granville Island Veterinary Hospital, we understand this completely. We have pets of our own and know how essential this is for your peace of mind. Our clients’ confidence depends on our knowledge and expertise, along with many other things. Our gentle bedside manner, dedicated support staff and friendly, caring environment are all vitally important. We recommend you talk to friends and family who know us and trust our reputation.

Since 1981, the doctors and staff of the Granville Island Veterinary Hospital have been dedicated as a team to the prevention of disease and preservation of the age old human-animal bond with empathy, compassion and respect.

The Granville Island Veterinary Hospital is deeply concerned about healing our patients and advancing the science of veterinary medicine. We are committed to staying on the cutting edge of new and innovative technology and to applying state-of-the-art procedures for the benefit of our patients. Through the principle of group practice, we are able to quickly focus our knowledge and expertise where the need is most urgent.

Granville Island Veterinary Hospital currently has five amazing veterinarians on staff. “The healthcare team at GIVH has allowed me to practice to the highest standards,” says Dr. John Clark. “It is of great value to our five doctors to be able to confer with each other on challenging cases during daily rounds, and our six well trained animal health technologists provide top notch support. It’s comforting to have 24 hour nursing staff so overnight cases can be monitored and treated as required. This is extremely rare in general practice but is crucial in striving to provide the best care possible.”

The GIVH team consists of vets capable of more than basic pet care. Their skilled surgeons are able to provide acute care and surgery when needed. The standard of patient and client care is unparalleled at GIVH. They are a team united on all fronts from the reception straight thru to the technicians, ward nurses and vets themselves, with a commitment to providing reliable and knowledgeable care for your pet in as compassionate and caring setting as possible.

Granville Island Veterinary Hospital is at 1635 West 4th Avenue Vancouver, B.C. V6J-1L8 604-734-7744. You can visit them on the Web here.

Barcode Your Dog?

2011-11-17T11:15:00.000-08:00

A Seattle company is offering an innovative new pet I.D. system.

Pet Hub has introduced a product they hope will help keep pets and their loving owners together. At present owners have two main resources to help them find their dog or cat if it is lost: an ID tag and/or a microchip.

ID tags are great, but they contain very little information. And a microchip can contain extensive details about a pet, but it needs to be implanted by a vet and can only be scanned by shelters and animal hospitals.

“The deal is you have to check for micro-chipping. Then you have to hope it’s one of the three percent of pets that actually have a microchip. What’s worse? A whopping 58 percent of animals with microchips have out-of-date information,” says Pet Hub founder Tom Arnold.

Arnold believes Pet Hub has the perfect combination of these two items. Using barcode-like QR tags, Arnold says they link “critical contact, medical, dietary and other information right on your pet’s collar.” Anyone with a smartphone can scan an animal’s tag and be taken to the owner’s PetHub.com profile.

Even better news? The Pet Hub sells the smart ID tags for about $13 plus they also offer free storage of your pet’s profile and medical information online with hundreds of searchable articles available on topics ranging from health care & training to breed information and so much more.

You can learn more on the Pet Hub website here.

Christmas at the Canine Spa

2011-11-17T09:00:00.000-08:00

This is going to be such a special event, if you’re at all in the vicinity, you won’t want to miss it. It’s an afternoon of holiday fun for you and your canine companion at WaterWorkz Paw Spa in Burnaby. There will be treats, prizes, draws and even pet photos with Santa. You can read more about the interesting work WaterWorkz is doing here.

Recap: Party With Your Pooch

2011-11-14T09:05:00.000-08:00

Love on a Leash Trusted Dog Care hosted their second annual fundraiser, Party with your Pooch: Where the Canines Steal the Catwalk, on Tuesday, September 27th at The Waterfall Building in Vancouver.

Two thousand dollars were donated 1 at a Time Rescue, an organization dedicated to saving the lives of dogs on death row in kill shelters across North America.

One of our own pups, Finnigan, shown wearing his dapper tuxedo, was lovingly adopted by us in 2009 at the tender age of 11, thanks to the work of 1 at a Time Rescue.

A huge thank you to our generous sponsors who help ensure the event was a success:

See Ya Later Ranch Winery, bow wow haus, Three Dog Bakery, Barking Babies, RC Pet Products, Woof! Dog Shoppe, Sequioa Restaurant Group, Girl on Wax ~ DJ Leanne, The Paperqueen, Modern Dog Magazine, Cougars Crag Extreme B&B, Aron Pet Chews, Off-Leash Photography & Waterfall Events.

We hope you enjoyed the evening, starting with our pink carpet Paw-parazzi entry featuring the work of Charles Zuckerman, Kiki Brynelson: Photos by Kiki, and Kana from Paws Y Photography to the doggy face cupcakes created just for us by Cupcakes to the bow wow haus spaw. Loads of photos are available for viewing on our Love on a Leash Trusted Dog care Facebook Fan Page.

An extra special thank you to our guests and their delightful pooches: we couldn’t host successful fundraisers without your support and look forward to seeing you all again next year.

Photos, from top left: Organizer Tammy Preast enjoys a successful evening with Finnigan. Bottom left: Vancouver agent and filmmaker, Carrie Wheeler, with her canine pal, Malakai. Top right: Finnigan, looking dapper in his tux. Bottom right: the specially designed doggy face cupcakes by Cupcakes were a hit with everyone.

The Love Behind Love on a Leash: Jennifer McMullan

2011-11-07T12:32:00.001-08:00

Jennifer McMullan maintains that she’s had an intense and abiding love of animals since almost before she can remember. A pet owner all her life, Jennifer began handling dogs in the show-ring at just four years of age. Competing in Junior Showmanship at dog shows, she won the BC zone champion finals at just 13 and was thrilled when, as a result, she and her Irish Setter, Courtney, were flown to Toronto to compete against the top juniors in the country. “I have traveled all over Canada and the United States,” says Jennifer, “showing, working and training my client’s dogs. Handling, dog nutrition, training and being with dogs is my passion.”

Though some might think that the distance between pampered show dogs and beloved pets was too big to breach, Jennifer doesn’t think so. In high school, Jennifer says, she volunteered at her local SPCA where she learned that her love of dogs transferred very easily to the canines in the deepest need.

“At the SPCA,” Jennifer says, “I would assist in walking, socializing, and feeding the dogs that were brought into the kennels. In many cases the dogs would come in as rescues, or owner surrendered and were in a sad state or badly abused.” Jennifer would help with grooming and bathing the dogs knowing that they would be more comfortable and feel better.

Her passion for pets extends to helping raise funds for dogs in need and she has worked with several doggy fundraisers on the Lower Mainland. “For me,” Jennifer says, “nothing is better than being able to spend time with my furry friends!”

Koly’s Merry Ho-Hos Gingerbread Cookies

2011-11-07T09:00:00.000-08:00

Jodi Chick from the always entertaining dog blog “Kol’s Notes” has graciously shared her dog-friendly gingerbread treats recipe with us in her usual rambling and hilarious style. The treats -- and Jodi -- are so addictive, all I had to do was read the recipe and then I was forced to find and devour no fewer than half a dozen gingersnaps. And since I can’t imagine a more inviting introduction than that, heeeeeeerrrreeee’s Jodi!

The holidays are one of my favourite times of year. I’m one of those half-crazed Christmas maniacs who will make the holiday merry and bright at all costs. Something snaps in my nutty little brain this time of year and all of a sudden I fancy myself the next Martha Stewart. (Well, Martha Stewart with less knit sweaters, more cursing and with a decided bent toward doggy fabulousness.)

Every freaking year it happens: All of a sudden I believe that the concept of time no longer applies to me and I decide to undertake a baking marathon, plan to make one of every Christmas Craft ever invented and plot to redecorate the house from top to bottom. (Would it be crazy to get “Holiday Furniture” in red that only comes out this time of year? Too much??) My poor dogs get in on the action, spending much of December being subjected to my holiday Mania.

All month they will be Kolchak the Unhappy Little Elf and Felix the Reluctant Reindog.

Pretty soon our house will be filled with the sound of sleighbells and carolers and the scent of gingerbread. I’m a huge gingerbread fan. (And by huge, I mean that my waistline reflects my love of desserts.) I make gingerbread cookies, houses, cakes, lattes -- the sky is the limit! I can give everything a gingerbread touch, if I just try hard enough.

Surprisingly, I discovered a few years ago that Kolchak is also a fan of this traditional Christmas cookie. I’m not a huge fan of giving the dogs treats with a ton of suger in them -- and Felix is allergic to wheat, so sharing my cookies with them was NOT an option, plus I hate sharing my cookies! I set out to make them their own tasty treat and Koly's Merry Ho-Hos were born!

Koly’s Merry Ho-Hos Gingerbread Cookies

The stuff:

1.5 cups coconut flour (if your dog is wheat tolerant, just use regular flour)
1/4 cup dark molasses
1/4 cup cold water
1/8 cup coconut oil (melted) or olive oil
2 eggs
1.5 teaspoon ground ginger
1.5 teaspoon ground cinnamon
.5 teaspoon ground cloves

*skip the traditional nutmeg, it’s not dog friendly!

Preheat oven to 350F.

In a large bowl, combine flour, ginger, cinnamon and cloves. Add molasses, eggs and oil and mix well, adding water slowly to create a heavy dough. The mix may be slightly crumbly, but don't worry! If you knead it altogether, the cookies will be just fine! Don’t be afraid to get in there and Take Chances! Get Messy! Make Mistakes!

Once dough has come together, turn it out onto a floured surface and gently roll out to about 1/4” thick. If desired, cut into festive shapes with a cookie cutter. If you aren't totally fancy like that, you can just cut these into squares using a pizza cutter or a knife. I personally like the shapes, but apparently Kolchak doesn’t give a woof what his cookies look like, as long as he gets to eat them. Some dogs have no taste for the finer things in life!

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and lay out cookies on the sheet. These don’t spread much, so you can place them fairly close. Place in oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown. For crunchy crispy treats, turn off the oven and leave the cookie inside until it is completely cool.

If desired, you can decorate the Gingerbread Men with low-fat cream cheese or yogurt melting chips and other dog treats.

Bone Appetit and Happy Howlidays from Kolchak Puggle!

Dog Grooming on the Move

2011-11-04T10:23:00.000-07:00

My darling senior Bichon, Casey, has become quite fragile: but she still wants to be pretty! That’s one of the reasons I’ve really gotten to love Aussie Mobile Pet Grooming service. Casey still needs her bath and blow-dry, but with her health somewhat delicate right now, I like keeping her nearby. The Aussie Pet Mobile just pulls up right outside our home, I can see both Casey and Finnigan being bathed and groomed right through the big windows of the van right outside my door. The service is fast and terrific and the kidlets look great and, to my way of thinking and especially right now, it’s an alternative that is far less stressful for them and, in some ways, for me.

For people who have older and special needs dogs, or for people who don’t -- or don’t want to -- drive, Aussie Mobile Pet Grooming is a terrific alternative.

For bookings on Vancouver’s west side including Kitsilano, Point Grey, Dunbar, Kerrisdale and Fairview Slopes, you can call Andrea Cassels at: 778-882-5583.

For bookings downtown, in East Vancouver or Burnaby you can call Becky Maxwell at 604-971-2970.

The Love Behind Love on a Leash: Andrea Dupuis

2011-11-03T21:05:00.000-07:00

Andrea Dupuis has been surrounded by dogs her whole life and she loves them. Growing up in Calgary she worked at her aunt’s dog grooming salon: bathing, brushing, blow drying, holding and handling the dogs when needed. “I was always a hands on kinda’ gal,” says Andrea. She even clipped their nails, was always out walking them and of course, snuggling them at every chance!

Andrea is very comfortable with all types of dogs and loves working with them. Dogs are a huge part of Andrea’s life. Her long term goal is to open and operate a rescue shelter caring for abandoned senior dogs.

Andrea currently has a Retriever/Shepard cross, Lou Lou who turned 12 this year. She is also an auntie to two Lab/Terrier crosses who were rescued earlier this year.

Whatever your dog’s breed, or age, Andrea loves them all and lovingly welcomes them into her Kitsilano home.

Halloween and a Happy Pooch

2011-10-21T09:10:00.000-07:00

We’ve been lovin’ the Three Dog Bakery Halloween event for the last few years. As with everything, Three Dog does such a terrific job on their Pooch Spooks event and, as most everyone who knows us knows, any opportunity to spend bonding time with your canine friend is A-ok with us!

This particular bonding time will be especially fun: those who are so inclined can come in costume -- human or canine -- and there will be tricks and treats and fun!

Registration begins at high noon on Saturday, October 22nd in Port Moody and in Vancouver on October 29th. See all the details in the poster at left, or get the scoop online.

Angie Wojciechowska & Off Leash Photography

2011-10-20T22:00:00.000-07:00

I’ve been seriously impressed by Angie Wojciechowska of Off Leash Photography’s sharp eye and deep talent. As you can see in the photos included here, what Angie does is quite beyond presenting photos of people’s pets. The expression, the composition, the presentation: it’s just a very complete package and one can’t help but appreciate her eye for detail.

Angie says she created Off Leash Photography to provide people with true images of their four legged companions. She says that her goal is to catch your dog or cat’s personality in their own environment, doing what they love and being who they are.

For most people photography is about keeping records of events, but Angie says she believes it should be about expression and communication. She says that the photos should evoke emotion and excitement. When Angie works with dogs and their owners anything can happen. She loves the unpredictable nature of animals and the lack of control that goes with it.

Angie says she loves being there “in the moment to catch it, compose it, interpret it.” Photographing dogs unleashes Angie’s creativity. “I am amazed that every time and every session is so different from the next,” she says. adding that she tries to learn as much as she can about a dog before and during the session. She works to understand as much as possible of their nature, so she can provide the owner with a true representation of their dog.

Off Leash Photography works on location, in your home, your back yard, the beach, park or urban scenery. Rates start at $225 for a signature session or $300 for in-home sessions.

You can visit Angie on the Web for details or e-mail her directly for personal service and quote “Love on a Leash” for access to special promotions.

Angie Wojciechowska
angie@off-leash.ca
http://www.off-leash.ca
http://www.facebook.com/Off.Leash.Photography.Vancouver
http://www.off-leash.ca/blog
phone: 604-618-2236

Recipe Corner: Pumpkin Brownies -- Doggy Halloween Treats!

2011-10-08T15:32:00.000-07:00

Pumpkin makes a sweet, nutritious treat for your dog and is plentiful and inexpensive in all its forms, including the canned variety on grocery store shelves. Perfect as Halloween treats these pumpkin brownies are a delicious, nutritious treat for your dog all year long!

Pumpkin (and all squash) is high in vitamin A (beta-carotene), vitamin C, some B vitamins, potassium, manganese, folate and fibre. Because pumpkin is so moist, these treats are superb for dogs of all ages, especially seniors who may have trouble with hard, crunchy treats.

You can use fresh pumpkin, cube the flesh, toss with canola oil, spread on a baking sheet and roast at 400 degrees F. for half an hour or until tender. Mash with a fork or puree in a food processor. Canned, pureed plain pumpkin also works perfectly.

Pumpkin Brownies

Ingredients:

2 large eggs
1 cup canned pure pumpkin puree
1/3 cup canola oil
2 tbsp honey
1 & ¼ cups whole wheat or oat flour, or some of each
2 tbsp ground flax seed or oat bran
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp baking soda
pinch of salt

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, pumpkin, canola oil & honey. Add the flour, flax seed, cinnamon, baking soda & salt and stir just until combined.

Scrape the batter into an 8 x 8 inch pan that has been sprayed with non-stick spray, and bake for approximately 30 minutes, until golden and springy to the touch. Cool completely before cutting into squares based on the size of your dog.

Store leftovers in an airtight container or wrap well and freeze.

An Event for Healing & Health

2011-09-29T00:05:00.000-07:00

“So many people say that the Universe gives us what we ask for,” holistic vet Dr. Peter Dobias said recently on his Facebook group. “Ok then, what I am asking for is a deeper understanding of why cancer happens in areas that are related to congested or inflamed spinal segments.”

To that end, the Dr. Dobias Healing Foundation will be hosting a special evening to help raise funds for holistic animal health and cancer research to be held October 15th.

Full details are included in the poster at left (clicking it will enlarge the view) or can be obtained at Dr. Dobias’ web site. You can book tickets by calling Leslie Kennedy at 604-220-5346.

Count Down to “Rock Star Party”

2011-09-23T09:10:00.000-07:00

As I write this, our big fundraiser, Party With Your Pooch, is one week away! This will be, as one of our favourite puggles said recently, an event worthy of a “rock star.” And while I wouldn’t have put it that way myself, I get the connection: it’s going to be a glamorous and fun night with elegant nibbles, beautiful wines and a world class venue at a party you’re welcome and invited to bring your dog to. A night to remember!

While ticket sales have been brisk, at press time, there are still some available. To avoid disappointment, please reserve yours now. And if you need one last reason to make the commitment for a very good cause, here it is: we’ve put together a fantastic set of prizes as well as a gorgeous gift bag the value of which will easily (easily!) offset the cost of the ticket.

The first 100 tickets sold (and there are still some of these available as I write) will receive a gift bag that includes loads of doggy goodies as well as a $25 gift card redeemable at either The Teahouse Restaurant in Stanley Park or Seasons at Queen Elizabeth Park.

Paws for Style!

Date: September 27th, 2011
Time: 6-9 PM
RSVP: info@loveonaleash.ca
or 778-552-1301
Note: Tickets are by advance purchase only.

Where: The Waterfall Building
1540 West 2nd Avenue
Vancouver, B.C. (at the entrance to Granville Island)

A special note: We’re delighted to let you know that the stunning Cougar’s Crag Dog Friendly B&B on Vancouver Island has donated a two night stay -- a $400 value -- as our grand prize of the evening. It really is going to be a night to remember!

Another special note: Don’t have a dog? That’s okay! We’ll welcome humans without dogs, too!

And yet another special note: Want to see the event page on Facebook? It’s here.

The Love Behind Love on a Leash: Penny Adam Leggo & Christy Adam

2011-09-20T18:20:00.000-07:00

This month’s love showcases the dynamic duo sister team of Penny and Christy Adam who operate the entire dog walking division of Love on a Leash... rain and shine!

Penny Adam Leggo – Dog Walker Extraordinaire
Penny has worked closely with animals since 1996, including eight years at the S.P.C.A. Animal Hospital and seven years as a professional dog walker. This has helped Penny fine tune her knowledge of animal behaviors, health, and well being.

Penny has worked extensively throughout the animal world – from specialty pet stores to grooming and everything else in between. These positions have improved her knowledge of pet products, animal nutrition, grooming and care of dogs as well as other pets.

Penny is a certified dog trainer and recently updated her first aid skills to include Levels I and II of Dogsafe Canine First Aid. Penny also completed extensive training to help further improve her skills and knowledge in dealing with a variety of different situations regarding dog handling & behaviors that may require some special work to ensure that owners and their dogs are happy, healthy, well-adjusted and well-behaved!

Over the years Penny has owned and loved a variety of different pets including dogs and cats plus other small animals. She gets tremendous enjoyment working with dogs. “These loveable pooches help keep a smile on my face and deliver new challenges each day,” Penny says. “I believe that dogs truly enrich people’s lives so much with their unconditional love.”

We have to agree – there is no substitute for your dog’s love and the amount of love Penny gets from her doggy clients each day along her route shows she is indeed dog’s best friend!

This Spring, Penny adopted Rupert, a senior Bichon Frise, who had been left in a kill shelter in L.A., and was in need of a loving and caring home. Having lost her own senior boy, Ziggy, in February 2011, Rupert is helping fill the void Ziggy left in Penny’s heart. And Penny’s heart is indeed very big as she also adopted a newborn kitten this winter, too!

Christy Adam
“Love of pets is in the family,” said Christy when she joined her sister, Penny, dog walking at Love on a Leash! Christy’s love for dogs goes way back to when she was just a little girl. She has been active in the pet industry throughout her life -- working with pet shops and volunteering at the SPCA Hospital from 1996. Along with her sister, she has a passion for animals and has continued to learn about dog behaviors. Christy has come to love and adore the furry buddies she sees every day very, very much! In her non-dog time, Christy is a Certified Massage Practitioner.

Recipe Corner: Gobble Gobble Turkey Bars for Your Canine Pal

2011-09-20T13:00:00.000-07:00

Thanksgiving is a time for many things, but richness and indulgence tend to be among them. And why should we have all the fun? Your best friend deserves a bit of indulgence, too! They’re lucky, though, those best friends of ours. While humans can get to indulging a bit indiscriminately, our canine pals have us looking out for them. We can ensure that even the most luxurious goodies are rich in healthful goodness as well as flavor.

Turkey Bars

Ingredients:
1 lb. ground Turkey
2 eggs
1 ½ cups Parmesan cheese grated
1 TBSP. crushed garlic
3 cups Oatmeal

Preheat oven to 350 F.

In a large bowl combine turkey, eggs, cheese and garlic. Hand mix, then add the oatmeal. Mix well, using your hands, to ensure oatmeal is well blended into the meat mixture. Press down by hand into an 11” x 17” deep-sided baking pan. (Not a cookie sheet type pan.)

Bake at 350F for 30 minutes. Cut into bars.

Your dog will love you for these!

Note: The Pilgrim Boy costume pictured above is from The Pet Boutique who have, among other things, a whole line of Thanksgiving dog clothes. While Casey and Finnegan have not yet had the pleasure, there are certainly some sweet options!

Robyn C. Hill and Best Pals Portraits

2011-09-19T17:10:00.000-07:00

It’s true: there is no shortage of pet portrait artists out there and many of them do work that is quite good. In fact, throughout the history of art, this has always been the case. Some of the finest works of art in the world resonate against both the artist’s and the viewer’s love of animals.

Now all of that said, as with anything art-related, an element of subjectivity is required when looking at the work in question and as soon as I looked at Robyn C. Hill’s, my heart responded. Hill’s portraits seem to me to include a richness and a depth that you don’t see every day.

Hill tells me that she’s “professionally trained and certified in the Visual Arts. I’ve been producing beloved portraits for friends and family outside of my gallery career for many years and due to their reception and my own love of animals, I am now offering my talents to others.”

Hill says clients can anticipate one-on-one collaboration with the artist. She communicates with the client throughout the creation process, sending photos and updates so that they can watch the handmade artwork evolve into a timeless and unique treasure.

You can visit Hill on the Web here.

Travel: A Beautiful Vancouver Island Dog Friendly B&B

2011-09-19T12:35:00.000-07:00

We really love Cougar’s Crag Dog Friendly Extreme B&B. The property and house are gorgeous. Fifteen acres of West Coast splendour and the house is the perfect blend of luxury and edge of nature. (Can you say “split level level with a turbo tub”? I knew you could!) And get this: not only is your pet welcome, if you want, the lovely and friendly owners will watch your best friend while you take in the local sights or indulge in some of the local extreme sport opportunities.

“We can watch Fido while you take in the sights,” says owner Steve Schweighofer. “After all, he's our guest, too. And, when your best four-legged friend accompanies you to the sandy beaches or muddy trails, we have the mudroom facilities where he can be washed down -- before he jumps into bed with you.”

It’s an awesome place to spend a weekend with your pooch and they are great people and dog lovers.

Schweighofer says that they have been operating “a dog-welcoming bed and breakfast for the past seven years and have had literally hundreds of dogs of all breeds stay here with their owners.” Not only that, but dog lovers make up the largest portion of their clientele. “Eighty-five per cent of our customers are dog owners and we don’t restrict by breed or size, don’t charge extra or ask for a deposit, and offer free dog-sitting if the guests want to participate in non-dog friendly activities such as ziplining, whale watching or visiting a museum.”

Not only is the property gorgeous, it’s well-located and they offer close access to the hundreds of parks and trails of southern Vancouver Island. “ Ideal for dogs and active owners,” says Schweighofer. “As well, we’re only 30 minutes from downtown Victoria and 15 minutes from Sooke which makes weekend getaways easy. We operate 365 days a year on a reservation basis, and can book up four to six weeks in advance.”

And they truly seem to love their canine clients and their owners. “Our experience has been extremely positive,” Schweighofer says. “We’ve never had a bad dog here either from damage or aggression -- and we can’t say that about children. Dog owners, themselves, simply make the best guests as there is a certain mindset attained from owning and caring for an animal that positively affects people’s behaviour towards others. We even have guests who live in pet-restricted conditions and come specifically because we are dog-friendly, just so that they can have that interaction the rest of us take for granted.”

Between the owner’s generous and loving attitude and the gorgeous house and surroundings, it’s difficult to think of a better place for pets and their owners to get away for a few restful and restorative days.

You can visit Cougar’s Crag on the Web here.

Warming Up Your Life: Adopting a Senior Dog

2011-09-17T10:23:00.000-07:00

Autumn is a big time for dog adoptions. As such I felt compelled to share information on the benefits of adopting an adult dog. The benefits of adopting an older pet far outweigh the possible reasons not to.

Shelters and rescue groups are full to the brink with older dogs waiting their forever home. From personal experience I can tell you that adopting an older dog -- even a senior dog -- is well worth it and it’s a terrific feeling to know that, in many cases, you will be saving the animal’s life.

While puppies are cute and adorable they are also lots of work. They look at the world with new eyes and act silly as they explore and play. But time, training, and working with any personality or behavior issues can be difficult if you already have a busy life.

When looking to bring a new pet into the house, consider adopting an adult dog. Many adult dogs are surrendered to shelters and rescue groups due to reasons of financial instability, moving, or allergies. Most of these dogs are great, loving pets and just need a new forever home.

Here are 10 reasons to adopt an adult dog:
1. What you see is what you get. They are full grown, their personality is developed, and the type of grooming they need is apparent. If you’re looking for a dog that has certain physical requirements and personality, it’s easier to see that in an adult dog.

2. Easy to train. You can teach an old dog new tricks...if you want to! Older dogs focus better than puppies and are much calmer. Many of them may even know basic commands such as sit, stay, and come.

3. Fewer messes. Many adult dogs are housebroken or very good at holding it till you take them out. If they aren’t completely housebroken many pick it up fast. Also, since adult dogs are past the teething stage, they tend to not chew on unacceptable objects or have been trained to not eat shoes or destroy furniture.

4. Super loving. Adult dogs that have been in homes want nothing more than to be in another one. They may be uncertain and shy at first but many people who have adopted adult dogs talk about how amazingly loving and affectionate their adopted dog is and how bonded they became almost instantly. Dogs are pack animals and are looking for YOU to lead and love them.

5. Settle in fast. Dogs that have lived with a family or grown up in a house have learned the ins and outs of reading humans, knowing what sounds are typical in a house. They won’t be as jumpy as a puppy learning all these things.

6. Not a 24/7 dog. Puppies require constant monitoring and puppy-proofing of your house. And may not be acceptable to take along to other people’s homes. Adult dogs have generally already learned to not chew on the electric cords, will usually nap if you’re busy making food or reading a book, etc. Some adult dogs that have been crate-trained will even put themselves to bed when they are tired.

7. Saving a life. Older dogs are usually overlooked in shelters. Adopting an older dog saves them from growing old in the shelter or being euthanized depending on the shelter policies. Shelters can be tough on dogs who are used to living in a home.

8. Won’t be as overwhelmed. Adult dogs aren’t as bouncy and loopy as puppies. If you’re an older adult looking for a furry friend, an older dog can be the right match in terms of energy level, play level, and will be happy just to be around you.

9. Easy Living. Adult dogs won’t be as hyper. They will still enjoy exercise and exploring the world but won’t drag you down the block like a young dog might. They won’t need to run miles a day.

10. They’re adorable too! Older dogs can be silly and cute. Their muzzle with some white fur coming in, big stretches when they wake up from naps, and other personality quirks can make you smile and laugh.

Trust me when I tell you, based on my own experience of adopting senior dogs, you will not regret adopting an older dog. Within hours of coming into your life you will love them like they had always been yours from the very start.

Love on a Leash loves... Kol’s Notes!

2011-09-16T20:47:00.000-07:00

Editor’s note: Kol’s Notes is one dog’s blog sharing information on canine nutrition, delicious dog treat recipes, product reviews, giveaways, pet friendly events and how to give back to the canine community at large. I’ve been finding the blog to be such an inspiration that I wanted to share it with you. Here then is a note from Jodi Chick, owner of the irrepressible and outspoken Kolchak Puggle, the spokesdog of Kol’s Notes. Jodi tells us about the journey that led to this super blog. -- Tammy

I still remember that spring. A rescue from a less than ideal situation, Felix was the first dog I had in many years, since I was nothing more than a toddler. He arrived with no luggage, looking and smelling like a hobo and yet, when he jumped out of that crate and licked my face, I was instantly in love. Snuggling up with him in bed that night was like cuddling a bag of hot garbage juice, only furrier, but there was nowhere in the world I would rather have been than cuddling with MY dog.

I bought a ton of treats, the food the store clerk recommended and more toys than most kids on our block have and settled into life with Felix. Watching the news and learning that pets were dying and that more than 5300 products were being recalled, I felt like the bottom had dropped out of my world. Felix had lived with us for less than three weeks.

Confession: I am a rehabilitated “junk food feeder”.
That day in March, I looked on in terror as every single dog product in my home hit the recall list. Sure, our bags were from different code dates, but the fear was there: What if I had killed him before I even really had him? I vowed then and there that I could and would do better for my dog.

We brought Kolchak, our puggle, home that summer and let me tell you, we felt smug and happy, when we started him off right away on the “good stuff.” BOL! Oh, I had oh so much to learn! We quickly discovered that even on the vet-recommended, so called “high quality” prescription food that both dogs were eating, Felix has a hot mess. Frequent ear infections, backed up anal glands, big time bathroom issues and the itchies. Oh. My. Dog. That boy itchy. All hours, day and night, no matter what we tried. Felix had an itch to scratch and he wasn’t afraid to scratch himself raw. None of our vet’s solutions seemed to work and with my promise to Felix in mind, I waded into the world of holistic, natural health and cooking for my dogs.

Relearning All I Never Knew
The things I didn’t know about my dogs were overwhelming. What should they be eating? Were grains good, like some companies suggest or should they be eating grain-free? Could they digest dairy? And just why was bacon not considered to be the ultimate in fabulous dog treats?

Last year, I sent myself back to school and began studying canine nutrition via correspondence and reading everything I could find on canine nutrition and natural ways to improve my dog’s health. In my studies and cooking for my dogs, I discovered my passion and my purpose: Kolchak’s Kitchen. My dream and my goal: to develop my own dog food and treats, home-made and crafted to my standards, and to share what I have learned, helping to improve the lives of other junk food dogs. Right now, it’s only an idea and a vision for the future, but I have a dream and a plan to someday build Kolchak’s Kitchen up from a small home bakery catering to friends into a place where dogs and their people can confidently go for some good food from some good friends, because all dogs deserve the good life.

Kol’s Notes was an experiment that took on a life of its own.
At the urging of friends, this spring, Kolchak, Felix and I embarked on a new adventure together and we waded into the Blogosphere. In just over six months, we are amazed by all the things we have learned from my fellow bloggers and all the things I can still discover with Kol and Fe to guide me. Written from the perspective of the irrepressible and outspoken Kolchak Puggle, Kol's Notes is one dog’s blog sharing information on canine nutrition, delicious dog treat recipes, product reviews, pet friendly events and how to give back to the canine community at large. We hope you’ll join Kol for a few stories, a few snacks and a lot of laughs as he celebrates good food, good friends and the good life.

Jodi Chick
Kol’s Notes
www.kolchakpuggle.com

We Introduce: Arbutus West Animal Clinic

2011-09-13T16:25:00.000-07:00

Editor’s note: In the coming months, we’re going to be introducing veterinarians and vet clinics who have come highly recommended by our clients. This isn’t meant as an endorsement by Love on a Leash or PADs, but it strikes us that in order to make strong decisions regarding medical care for our pets, it’s good to have recommendations and it’s helpful to have lots of information at your fingertips.

Here, then, is the first in what we expect will be an ongoing series. In their own words, we’d like to introduce Arbutus West Animal Clinic in this month’s PADS newsletter.

Arbutus West Animal Clinic has been serving the Vancouver pet community for over 20 years and we pride ourselves on being a “friendly neighbourhood clinic, with a difference”. Traditionally the difference has been the warm family atmosphere and the extent of our practice cover “unusual” pets like ferrets, chinchillas, rabbits, rats and other small mammals. Since taking over leadership of the clinic in 2010, Dr. Uri Burstyn has built on this tradition of innovation, compassion and patient-first care by focusing on client service, education and cutting edge, evidence-based medicine.
We are still the clinic where people come by just to say hello and put their pooch on the scale, but thanks to considerable investment in new equipment, staff training and Dr. Burstyn’s uncompromising approach to quality of care, we can now provide medical care and surgical procedures that are rarely found in general practice. We pride ourselves with being able to deliver care and patient outcomes on par with teaching and specialty hospitals.

The latest addition to our clinic is something that you will not find anywhere else in the lower mainland: a full minimally invasive surgery (MIS) suite. MIS, done through 0.5-1 cm incisions, is used for 95% of surgeries in human hospitals, and we are excited to be able to routinely offer it to our clients. MIS procedures are safer, have fewer complications, and cause far less pain than conventional open surgery. Most patients can go home the same day with almost no post-operative care required, and the difference in comfort is amazing!

We are currently doing spays and retained testicle neuters using this approach, which means that female dogs no longer have to undergo a full laparotomy and 2 week recovery after their de-sexing. We can also perform gastropexy (tack the stomach) on large breed dogs such as Great Danes, Dobermans, Golden Retrievers, Labradors, and other dogs prone to getting GDV or twisted stomach. Previously it was hard to justify doing surgery on a healthy male dog as a preventative measure (it is considered standard of care to perform a gastropexy while spaying the females), but now there’s no reason not to gastropexy the stomach in males and prevent this deadly surgical emergency from happening.

Almost any procedure can be done with a MIS approach. What many doctors are excited about, is the ability to do a biopsy of any internal organ without causing undue pain or distress. Liver, pancreas, bladder, tumour and intestinal biopsies are often the best way to diagnose a condition for optimal management, but traditionally open surgery was required to collect them, and many owners were reluctant to put their pet through the stress and recovery of diagnostic surgery even if there was real benefit to the biopsy.

It is impossible to differentiate between IBD and low grade lymphoma without biopsy, and clinicians are frequently forced to guess which to treat. This no longer the case! Whether curing a chronic pancreatitis by finding and removing the pancreatic abscess causing it, or finding a foreign body lodged in the wall of the intestine too small to be picked-up on ultrasound, MIS offers solutions to previously incurable problems. Now, we can get the diagnosis, and the dog or cat can go home with a 1 cm incision; less trauma than a scratch from a nail!

There are many more applications to MIS techniques that we are only starting to discover. We are already removing bladder stones from dogs with recurrent oxalate stones, scoping ears for chronic middle ear disease, and doing nasal scopes to diagnose cancer, remove foreign bodies, and resect polyps.

For a complete list of services offered and a bio of our doctors and staff, please visit Arbutus West Animal Clinic on the Web. You can also find us on Facebook.

The Time for Heroes

2011-09-13T12:35:00.000-07:00

It’s no surprise that, every year around this time, we spend a lot of time thinking about heroes in general and the selfless individuals who risked life and limb immediately following the terror attacks of September 11, 2001 in particular.

What many of us don’t know is that a number of those individuals were highly trained canines, like Harley shown here with his handler, Rob Cima, at Ground Zero. As Dogtime tells us:

Thirteen of those heroes came from the Search Dog Foundation (SDF) in Ojai, California. Search dogs are invaluable in such missions, as their powerful sense of smell can lead rescue workers directly to trapped or immobilized victims. The World Trade Center site was still smoldering when SDF Retriever Harley and his handler, Rob Cima, arrived. The two worked as part of a team covering “100 square blocks from Ground Zero, with debris piled eleven stories high.”

In some cases, they were unwanted pets, recruited from pounds and shelters.

These “throw-away” animals -- once abandoned and unwanted -- are now part of life-saving search and rescue teams. They’ve proven their indispensability not only in 9/11 efforts, but in Haiti and Japan and with Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. And true to its aim, Melville’s foundation has been saving lives without breeding or adding to the current population of animals. According to Janet Reineck, director of development for SDF, "Many of [the recruited dogs] are 24 hours away from euthanasia.”

PaperQueen Goes to the Dogs

2011-09-09T09:05:00.000-07:00

We are seriously crazy about PaperQueen, the “stylish online stationary boutique” brewed up by talented West Vancouverite, Annabel Mackay St. John.

“Lives can leave us,” Annabel writes on the PaperQueen website, “and we really do need to tell those we love that we love them and those that we miss that they are missed. I always knew that my business needed a tag line but could never come up with one until recently. I was trying to make it sound so important or hip when really it was staring at me right in the face all along. Write, receive, respond, remember. It’s that simple.”

It’s also that gorgeous. Gorgeous enough, in fact, that this Canadian company has been making ripples with Neiman Marcus, People Magazine, LouLou, Elle and many, many others.

Most recently, I was thrilled when Annabel created my likeness for the upcoming Party With Your Pooch fundraiser poster. It’s possible, though, to visit the PaperQueen website and get instant gratification for your meaningful note. Just a few clicks and you’ll be using PaperQueen’s creations to bring your own visions to life. There’s a reason that PaperQueen Fine Stationary and Design was named the 2011 winner of the Business of the Year by the West Vancouver Chamber of Commerce.

You go, Annabel! And we go, also… even more stylishly than we might have done.

Come Party With Your Pooch!

2011-08-30T22:30:00.000-07:00

While you can expect more (and more and more!) details over the coming weeks while we gear up for this exciting event, take this as the first whisper: Love on a Leash is proud to present a doggy fundraiser.

Mark your calendars for “Party with your Pooch” on Tuesday, September 27th from 6-9 p.m. at The Waterfall Building on West 2nd in Vancouver.

We’re going to be raising funds for S.A.I.N.T.S. and 1 at a Time Rescue. Dogs are welcome to attend with their human companion. It’s going to be a fun and worthwhile event!

To order tickets or for further details e-mail info@loveonaleash.ca

Is Your Pet Killing You? No!

2011-08-23T23:15:00.000-07:00

A rash of articles in various newspapers and journals points the finger at dogs and other bed-sharing pets and begs the question: is it dangerous to let your dog sleep with you?

When you think about it, both the answer and the question are pretty personal. Nor is it a new question. Dogs have been sleeping with their human companions for thousands of years. Maybe longer. In certain cultures, one could argue it would even be unhealthy not to have a dog sleep with you. After all, the phrase “three dog night” has a very strong grounding in history. As the Simmons Mattress company points out on their website:

There is historical evidence that sleeping with pets is not necessarily aberrant behavior. According to The International Encyclopedia of Dogs, the xoloitzquintli, or Mexican hairless, was used in pre-Aztec Mexico as both pet and bed warmer. An account from a 19th - century explorer in Australia, as quoted in The Domestic Dog , describes how Aborigines were so devoted to their dingoes that the dogs were treated as members of the family and allowed to sleep in the hut.

I can’t imagine not sharing my bed with my canine pals, and that’s the right answer for me. Your own answer might look different, but I’ve got a pretty strong idea that, barring extraordinary circumstances, the possibility of disease should not play a part in that decision.

The most recent onslaught of anti-pet sentiment was started by a CDC report earlier this year. Celebrity vet, Dr. Ernie Ward, took a tongue-in-cheek poke at the report on his blog:

In case you missed it, a recent CDC report warned people about getting too close to their pets, specifically warning about the dangers of sharing a snooze with dogs and cats. The report, cleverly titled “Zoonoses in the Bedroom,” revealed that about half of all dogs are allowed to sleep on the bed. While the report didn’t give an exact percentage for cats, my guess is it’s near 100%. If you don’t believe it, videotape your bedroom one night. Dogs can be sneaky.

The report begins by scaring the fur off us that you can get the plague from your pet. The Black Plague. As in Monty Python “Bring out your dead” Plague. Seriously? Seriously. Turns out there have been at least two cases in the past forty years that may have been related to flea bites from dogs sharing a bed. The CDC sure knows how to kick off a report. I can hear it now, “Bring out your dead if you have pets in your bed!”

Ward goes on to make short work of other parts of the report, stressing the fact that many of the things the CDC was alerting people about (like hookworms and roundworms) are things that conscientious owners should be treating for anyway. (In any case, if you have a dog full of worms, sleep is the last thing you should be worrying about: you’ve got other problems on the way. Just sayin’.)

Ward lists some not so tongue-in-cheek rules to help people live with more healthily with their pets. And, actually, all of these points are valid whether or not your pets share your bed. Ward writes:

To prevent the vast majority from happening, follow these simple rules:

1) Have all your pets vaccinated against rabies. It’s the law and a good one.
2) Give every dog and cat a monthly heartworm and flea preventive. Make sure it protects against common intestinal parasites.
3) Bathe your pet often, especially if you (intentionally) share your bed. What the heck, bathe them all; they’re sneaking in there, anyway.
4) No open mouth kissing your pets. I know I shouldn’t have to say it, but according to the CDC report, apparently I do. Now I’m grossed out.
5) If you or your pet is sick or you’re on immunosuppressive meds, skip the bedroom and stick to couch time.

Even after carefully reviewing this report from the CDC, I’m still sharing my bed with my pets. And my kids. I think my wife is in there somewhere.

Another well-known animal doctor, Doug Glover, the self-styled irreverent vet, spoke out about the media storm that followed the CDC’s report.

Was This Article Irresponsible?

I think it was reckless and yes, a bit irresponsible, because this is not really true.

Saying "letting pets sleep next to you can make you ill" is like saying "you should not drive because you could be in an accident"... or "you should not walk down the street because you could be struck by lightening"... or "you should not interact with any other humans because you could catch a cold from them". That kind of advice is both stupid and impractical.

But these "sensationalized" headlines sell newspapers – and unfortunately, they can also make stupid people do stupid things. For example – I heard about a family that wanted to get rid of their dog because of this article.

For goodness sake – don't do that!

Glover’s piece goes on to make several very good points, but the conclusions he draws is something everyone needs to read:

The chance of diseases spreading from pets to people is possible – but it is VERY rare. In fact, I don't know anyone that has ever gotten a disease from a pet – especially while sleeping. And as a veterinarian, I've never contracted a disease from a pet. Millions of pet owners sleep with their pets in bed with them and live to be a ripe old age.

I’m not trying to criticize the press (well yes, I actually am) but sometimes the way they say things can cause unnecessary panic and ridiculous concern for no reason. I understand that the media wants to get different views and that scary headlines sell newspapers, but stating some loose facts that are not based on large studies is unnecessary. Blowing something like this out of proportion is one of them.

Bottom line: is it dangerous for pets to sleep in bed with you? For me – the answer will always be no. I allow my two dogs to sleep with me and have for years – and I'm just fine. Casey sleeps on my pillow and Finnigan sleeps under the covers! In fact, I'm even better than fine. And there's an added bonus: no one will ever sneak up on me!

In the end, remember, the old adage is completely accurate: not everything you read in the newspaper is true. If you read or hear something you find alarming, always request further information so that you can make rational, rather than rash and emotional decisions.

Winners of our Dog Day of Summer Baseball Tickets

2011-07-28T10:00:00.000-07:00

When the Vancouver Canadians baseball team sprang some promotional tickets on us a couple of weeks ago, we weren’t quite sure what to do with them… for about a minute! Then we quickly cooked up a contest and let people know here on our blog and on Twitter that all people had to do to enter was comment about why they’d like to take their dog out to the ballgame on our Facebook page. And it all worked out perfectly swell: we had lots of entries and we had lots of fun. Thank you to everyone who entered. The comments were so heartfelt and full of love for their dogs. I only wish we had tickets for everyone! But we actually had a fair number of tickets to give away, and here’s who got them:

Grace Simon Daffy
Naomi Thomas
Kim Spencer-Nairn
Teresa McCarthy
Tiffany Akins

Each person listed above has won two tickets to Dog day of Summer, Wednesday August 3rd at Nat Bailey Stadium. The gates open at 6:00 p.m. and the game starts at 7:05 p.m. The winners need to contact me, Tammy Preast, Alpha Dog at Love on a Leash Dog care Services @ 778-552-1301 or via e-mail at: tammy@loveonaleash.ca to make arrangements to pick up your tickets before game day.

Each winner receives two tickets and may bring one dog per person. Entry is thru the 3rd base gates.

If you haven’t won but would like to go, you can still purchase tickets and join us on August 3rd at The Nat. Tickets are available at the gate and online.

See you game day!

Summer’s Danger: Heatstroke and Your Dog

2011-07-26T07:47:00.000-07:00

It’s summer time and it’s finally getting hot! Over the July long weekend, a news story reported the very sad tale of a pup being left in a car on a hot day, for several hours. She died from heat stroke. It was terrible and would have easily prevented.

Pet owners often underestimate how the heat affects their dogs. Please don’t be foolish -- this is a topic that is constantly in the public eye so there is NO excuse for leaving your dog in the car for even a few minutes or over-exercising them on warm days.

Also keep in mind older dogs, dogs who have been quite sedentary during the winter, dogs prone to respiratory conditions like pugs and shih tzus and dogs who are overweight have a very difficult time cooling off and should not be over-exercised this time of year.

I personally walked my own senior dog, Casey, a little too far a few weeks ago, on a warm day. We both paid the price. She was quite ill for 24 hours after. It suddenly, and nearly tragically, reminded me that she is 16 years old -- in human years that is in the upper 90’s!!! Had I lost my gal that day I would have been furious with myself forever and all because we walked a few blocks too much for her 16 year old body... a walk we have done hundreds of times over the years.

Heatstroke can occur in minutes and can be fatal. Following are the signs of a dog with heat stroke.

1. Excessive panting. This is common. A dog that just won’t stop panting: they keep going and going. Sometimes they seem like a little engine that can’t stop.
2. Noisy breathing. Some dogs with airway problems will begin to have trouble and their panting/breathing will become very noisy. Almost like a whistling noise in their windpipe.
3. Weakness. Many dogs that are out exercising or walking just stop. They don’t want to move. They want to lay down and don’t want to keep going.
4. Collapse. This goes along with weakness. Some dogs will eventually collapse or fall over and not want to (or are unable) to get up.
5. Altered mental state. As the heat really gets to dogs, they will seem out of it and disoriented. They often are slow to respond or don’t respond. Their focus is on trying to cool their bodies down.

What should you do if you suspect your dog has heatstroke?
Act fast because heat stroke is a life-threatening emergency! If you are able, check your dog’s temperature rectally if you suspect heatstroke. Normal body temperature in dogs is higher than in humans (99.5 to 102.5 F as compared to 98.6 F). If your dog’s temperature is over 105 F, call your veterinarian and remove your dog from the heat source immediately.

Place a cool, wet towel over your dog or place him in a cool water bath. Do not use ice because it may cause skin injury.

If unable to check your dog’s temperature get to a vet immediately for treatment.

There are several things you can do to prevent heat-related problems for your dog:

• Monitor outdoor temperature and minimize your dog’s activity on hot, humid days.
• Limit sun exposure during the hours of 11 AM to 3 PM on hot days.
• Walk or exercise your dog in the morning or evening.
• Keep your dog in a comfortable environment (air-conditioned room or partially open windows with a breeze) during extremely hot weather.
• NEVER leave your dog in a car (even with the windows partially rolled down) for any reason, at any time. Leaving dogs in a car during warm weather is the most common cause of heat stroke.
• Provide your dog with plenty of fresh water and plenty of shade. Take extra care with puppies and pets with medical problems, obese pets and senior pets.
• Always work to allow your dog to gradually become accustom to high temperatures. Heat illness is common when the dogs have not had sufficient time to acclimate to warmer temperatures.
• After traveling to a warmer climate, allow your dog several days to become acclimated before allowing any vigorous exercise.

Finally, even if you are able to offer heat stroke treatment at home, still take your dog to your vet for a thorough check up & professional analysis. A little bit of common sense can make all the difference in heat stroke and save your pets’ life.

Canine-Friendly Camping

2011-07-25T21:30:00.000-07:00

Written by Craig Romano

There is no lack of wild and beautiful places to set up your tent and enjoy the great outdoors in the West. Delightful places abound for you and your hound for sharing time under the stars in our special part of the world. Here wilderness travel expert, Craig Romano, looks at the best ways -- and Northwest places -- to go camping with your best friend.

Here are ten gorgeous places to go camping -- all near trails, lakes, rivers and beaches -- and all of them surrounded by acres upon acres of public land. Some of them are close by, ideal for a quick getaway; while others are a little distance away and perfect for a week long outdoor holiday. But most importantly, all of them welcome your canine companion.

Washington
1. Kaloloch, Olympic National Park, Pacific Coast
Set up camp on a coastal bluff high above the crashing surf of the wild Olympic coast. A sprawling campground with a handful of sites with breathtaking ocean views, Kalaloch is one of the few public campgrounds in Washington right on the Pacific. Watch stunning sunsets right from your picnic table. Listen to gulls, oystercatchers, and eagles and let the incessant pounding of the breakers lull you and your lab deep into la la land. While dogs are not allowed on the trails of Olympic National Park, they are allowed on leash on this stretch of park beach—over 10 wild miles worth! While there are 170 sites, in summer they go fast, so be sure to make reservations (www.recreation.gov).

2. Sullivan Lake, Colville National Forest, Selkirk Mountains
One of the largest and prettiest undeveloped lakes in northeastern Washington, Sullivan is surrounded by steep emerald peaks including 7,308-foot Abercrombie Mountain and 7,309-foot Gypsy Peak, the two highest summits in eastern Washington. Two gorgeous national forest campgrounds, East Sullivan and West Sullivan grace the lake’s northern shore while remote and peaceful despite its name, Noisy Creek Campground graces its southern shore. The sites are well-shaded and there are plenty of dog-friendly hiking trails nearby, including the four mile Sullivan Lake trail connecting the campgrounds. The lake warms up nicely by mid-summer and there’s a beach for your dog to splash in!

3. Colonial Creek, Ross Lake, North Cascades
One of the most stunning settings for any campground within the entire country, Colonial Creek sits in a deep valley in the heart of the North Cascades. Set in primeval timber along the turquoise waters of Diablo Lake and surrounded by towering glacial-clad cloud-piercing peaks, you may not want to budge too far once you set up camp. But if your buddy’s tail is indicating it’s time for a walk, take to several miles of delightful trail radiating right from the campground. The 1.9 mile Thunder Knob Trail is perfect for an after dinner leg-stretcher. Claim one of the sites right on placid Thunder Arm and spend an afternoon in the canoe paddling with your pooch.

4. Silver Springs, Snoqualmie National Forest, Mount Rainier
While Mount Rainier National Park allows your furry friend to accompany you at one of its developed campgrounds, you can’t take her on the park’s trails. So if “the Mountain’s” allure is too much for the two of you to resist, consider setting up camp right outside of the park at the Silver Springs Campground in the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Nestled in old growth forest right on the glacial-fed White River, this CCC-built campground offers spacious and private sites. And when it’s ready to hit the trail, head to nearby Crystal Mountain taking to a large network of trails surrounding the resort. Lots of dog-friendly options complete with howling views of Washington’s most famous landmark.

Oregon
5. Cape Perpetua, Oregon Coast, Siuslaw National Forest
While there is no shortage of great camping spots along Oregon’s spectacular coastline, most of them can get pretty busy during the summer months. Cape Perpetua, a rugged area of salt-blasted headlands, moisture dripping old growth giants and fog-catching coastal peaks offers one of the most secluded and quietest campgrounds on the entire coast. Nestled in a deep valley set back from busy US 101, choose from 38 campsites perched along Cape Creek. Once the pegs have been staked, hit the trail! There are 26 miles of interconnecting trail radiating from the Cape Perpetua Scenic Area including paths to shore-hugging Neptune State Park. And while this campground is a tranquil gem, it’s well known. Be sure to secure a reservation (www.recreation.gov).

6. Silver Falls State Park, Willamette Valley
Looking for a quick getaway in the Willamette Valley? Does your pooch enjoy waterfalls? Do you? Silver Falls State Park located just 25 miles east of Salem is a waterfall lover’s, hiker’s, and camper’s haven! One of the crown jewels of the Oregon State Park system you and your outward bound hound can choose from among 100 sites (electrical hookups available) and then take to 25 miles of dog-friendly trail to 10 dog-gazing cascades, four in which you can wag your tails from behind. Be sure to reserve your site online before packing the Subaru.

California
7. Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, North Coast
Set up camp along a quiet creek shadowed by towering redwoods hundreds of years old. While this gorgeous state park on the Redwood Coast does not permit dogs on its trails, you can walk your buddy on some of its quiet roads. Be sure to watch for elk feeding in misty prairies. Gold Bluffs Beach located within Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park consists of 10 miles of wide sandy gorgeous northern California beach—and it’s open to your four-legged camping companion. And just south of the park you can roam two more beautiful dog-friendly beaches, Humboldt County Parks’ Big Lagoon and Clam Beach.

8. Doran Beach, San Francisco Bay Area
While your four-legged friend is allowed to set up tent with you in the scores of beautiful California state parks lining the Pacific, she’s not allowed to accompany you on almost all of those parks’ wonderful trails and beaches. That’s when places like Sonoma County Park’s Doran Beach come to the rescue. Located about 40 miles north of San Francisco in quaint and scenic Bodega Bay, Doran Beach provides camping on a beautiful two-mile long dog-friendly beach. And there are one dozen other dog-friendly beaches nearby including a couple of stunning ones at Point Reyes National Seashore.

British Columbia
9. Cultus Lake Provincial Park, Fraser Valley
While Cultus means “worthless” in the Chinook Jargon, this big beautiful lake located just south of Chilliwack where the North Cascades meet the Fraser Valley is anything but worthless to outdoor-loving humans and dogs. Choose from nearly 300 sites within four distinct campgrounds within 5,000-plus acre Cultus Lake Provincial Park spread out along the eastern shore of the lake. The sites are large and well-shaded and all are within a short walk from the lake. The park’s Shale Beach is leash-free. Excellent hiking trails radiate from the park from easy strolls to old-growth giants to an all out grunt up mile high International Ridge. Be sure to make a reservation because Vancouver campers love this park too.

Idaho
10. Heyburn State Park, Lake Coeur d’Alene
Established in 1908, Heyburn is the oldest state park in the Northwest and one of the finest. Developed by the CCC, this 8,000-acre plus park located on the southern quieter end of massive Lake Coeur d’Alene contains three lakes, the St Joe River Delta, old-growth pine forests and ridges of open meadows. Choose from 130 sites in three separate campgrounds. Take a swim and then hit one of the park’s fine trails including the three-mile, bursting with views and flowers, Indian Cliffs Loop. Go for a bike ride or run afterwards on the paved Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes.

Packing List
Aside from packing your own camping necessities and comforts, don’t forget to take along the following for your intrepid little buddy:

1. First-aid kit (including but not limited to; insect/tick repellant, gauze, adhesive tapes, tweezers)
2. Drinking water or purification tablets (if campground doesn’t have potable water).
3. Food and water bowls.
4. Chamois cloths and/or towels (you want a mud-free tent, no?).
5. Doggie bedding and blankets.
6. Treats and chew toys.
7. Doggie pack for hitting the nearby trails.

Canine Camping Etiquette
To paraphrase Robert Frost, “Good dogs make for good camping neighbors.” While no one wants to be camped next to a party of loud and obnoxious humans, a dog yipping and whimpering all through the night can be equally annoying. Be sure you and your pooch set the standard for good camping courtesy. Practice the following good neighbor behavior:

1. Your buddy should always be on leash at the campground.
2. Never leave your furry friend unattended at the site.
3. Don’t let your pooch dig holes at the site. Hey, he’s telling you it’s time to take a walk!
4. Clean up any presents your pal leaves behind. Carry extra plastic bags and deposit waste in proper place.
5. Don’t leave your buddy’s food out overnight and/or unattended lest you’ll attract uninvited critters to your site.
6. And never let your dog chase or harass wildlife.

Craig Romano is the author of numerous guidebooks including Best Hikes with Dogs Inland Northwest (Mountaineers Books) where you can find out more about Sullivan Lake and Heyburn State Park.

Ask Casey...

2011-07-25T09:05:00.000-07:00

Dear Casey,

Q: Why does my dog stick his nose out the car window?

A: Ottawa veterinarian, Miki Shibata explains, “Dogs are intelligent animals that rely heavily on their nose & eyes to help them navigate and understand the world.”

In plain English, your dog has more than 220 million olfactory receptors in his nose while humans have only about five million of these receptors. That means they have almost 50 times the sense of smell we do! And basically, dogs poke their snouts out the window because they enjoy the sights and smells passing by.

Again we quote Dr. Shibata, “The fast-moving air brings a constant stream of scent that is very interesting for your dog and provides him with key information about his surroundings. This fast-moving air also has a cooling effect by speeding the evaporation of saliva from the tongue and mouth of a hot and panting dog.”

Most vets agree that you should take precautions if you allow your dog to poke his head out the window of a moving vehicle. There are serious risks involved mainly from flying particles like debris, dirt, sand or stone which can cause severe injury to your dog’s eyes. Also, keep in mind that there has been more than one dog who inadvertently fell or jumped out the open window of a moving vehicle even if they had never done so in the past.

A number of years ago a product called “Doggles” doggy goggles were invented to protect the eyes of dog’s who just had to have their heads out of their owner’s vehicles. You may want to invest in a pair to protect your dog’s eyes if you travel a lot.

While your dog may love to hang out the window and sniff out the great smells while you are hitting the road, be cautious and consider your speed and the amount of traffic all around you before allowing him to do so.

The Love Behind Love on a Leash: David Binsfeld

2011-07-24T16:47:00.000-07:00

David was raised on a farm in Saskatchewan, along with 12 dogs, 32 cats, 2 goats, 53 rabbits, 4 budgies, and tropical fish. Pets have been a huge part of David's life, so rest assured that your loved one, will be well taken care of.

David is ecstatic to report that he is near the end of his long teaching career and looks forward to entertaining and “doting upon” various breeds of the canine family. The seawall is steps away from David’s townhouse, which is located on the lagoons at Granville Island, and is truly perfect for a dog walk anytime of the day.

David is able to care for pooches during the summer months and on weekends only at this time. At Love on a Leash we believe that the special little friends with fur coats that come to stay with us are deserving of companionship throughout the entire day.

David looks forward to meeting you and yours…

Recipe Corner: Ice Cream Heaven

2011-07-24T14:30:00.000-07:00

Is your pet feeling the heat? Homemade dog ice cream will keep him cool and happy. Peanut butter is a great ingredient to use in ice creams because most dogs love it. Here is a great starter recipe that is simple & easy to make. Check out: http://www.crazycr um b-do g -trea ts.com/frozen-dog-treats.html for more great “beat the heat” delicious doggy recipes and tips.

Ice Cream Heaven

Ingredients

1 ripe banana
1 cup peanut butter
2 cups natural plain yogurt
2 tablespoons honey

Mash the banana and stir into the yogurt then warm the peanut butter either on your stove or in the microwave until it is easy to stir. Add the banana/yogurt mixture and the honey. Mix everything until it is well combined. Pour into non-stick trays or containers and freeze. We like to use ice cube trays, or freeze in small dog sized containers!

Freeze overnight or until frozen

This recipe make a lovely creamy ice cream. It is nicer if you take it out of the freezer to let it soften before giving it to your dog. It depends how big your frozen portions are, but this could take somewhere between ten minutes and half an hour.

Note: If you’re in the UK or planning a visit, you won’t have to make the ice cream yourself. The image above is from Wagg Pet Food, a popular UK company, who recently started making ice cream for dogs. (Don’t you think the addition of the biscuit is an elegant touch?)

Doggy Biz of the Month: Petzooba E-Cards

2011-07-24T10:31:00.000-07:00

I just logged onto the new Petzooba e-card site and had a blast viewing the different e-cards that you can personalize with a message (and even a photo) before sending them off to your friends/family.

Petzooba is a diverse e-card site for pet lovers! There’s a plethora of cards for just about any occasion or season you can think of: Birthdays, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Friendship and even Moving Notices. Some of my personal e-card favorites on the site are The Great Turkey Escape for Thanksgiving, International Dogs in the Friendship section and Seasons for Pet Loss. The Holiday selection has quite a few fun and humorous e-cards, too. One called “A Rippin Holiday,” is pretty hilarious and many have me laughing my head off!

One of the great things about this site is that you can easily add photos of yourself and your pets to make the cards more personal or you have the option of sending the cards as-is with just a personal message. If you do decide to use personal photos, the images are stored for future use. I uploaded my address book to the site and created a card that was sent to a bunch of my friends with just once click!

Petzooba offers a free personal subscription which gives access to 14 e-cards that can only be sent to one person at a time. For a small subscription fee, Petzooba offers a full year subscription with a growing selection of e-cards approaching 200. Only $9.95 a year! Once subscribed for the year, you can send to as many recipients as you’d like. Also, with every paid subscription Petzooba will give you a second year subscription free, which you can send to a friend as a holiday gift! Petzooba co-founder, Mitch Wilder, is a compassionate pet educator and 14 year broadcast journalist in the pet industry and his site reflects his great with and wicked sense of humor.. His philosophy is that “No pet should be left behind.”

Best of all, Petzooba have chosen Adopt-a-Pet to receive 10 per cent of every paid e-card subscription! All-in-all I was deeply impressed by Petzooba. I plan on using it a lot.

Noise Phobia in Dogs

2011-07-23T09:07:00.000-07:00

Noise phobia is an excessive fear of a sound that results in severe anxiety and panicky behavior It’s an irrational, intense and persistent fear response that can develop at any age and in any dog breed.

My dog Casey was always mellow when it came to sounds until she’d been around fireworks multiple times. I was never sure what triggered her fear exactly as she was fine the first few times. Even if the fireworks were popping off in the distance she would become inconsolable when outdoors. Her body would go stiff, she’d tremble and pull on the leash in a panic and scrabble to get home scratching and clawing her nails on the sidewalk. I could not pick her up to comfort her as she’d squirm and wriggle and scratch me to get down and head home as fast as possible. After experiencing this kind of fear twice, I ensured we were not out during Vancouver’s fireworks nights and did my best to keep her inside around Halloween.

Dog psychologists have explained to me that, “Trying to escape from the noise that is agitating them, a dog's normal instinct is to seek shelter to avoid danger.” But things can go awry when dogs overreact to sounds that don’t actually represent danger.

Characteristic behavior can include, but may not be limited to, hiding, urinating, defecating, chewing, drooling, panting, pacing, trembling, shaking, and barking. A fearful dog might seek out his human family; try to escape the noise by jumping through windows or chewing through walls, and running away. We’ve all heard the sad tales of dogs and cats disappearing from their yard on fireworks nights because of their sheer panic.

The most common causes of noise phobia are definitely fireworks and thunderstorms, but dogs may develop a fear of any sound no matter how inconsequential. Even a squeaky door being opened, use of a fly swatter, pots and pans banging, or a fan being turned on, can provoke a reaction from a noise-phobic dog. And, the more exposure a dog has to a frightening noise, the more intense his phobic response is likely to become.

Veterinarians recommend a health check-up for dogs experiencing a noticeable change in behavior over noise that is truly minimal. There are several medical conditions that could aggravate a dog’s anxious and panicky behavior that need to be ruled out first. If your vet determines that your dog has a behavior problem, ask your veterinarian if he/she has a PhD in animal behavior. If not, contact a board certified veterinary behaviorist or dog psychologist in your area.

Effective treatment for dogs prone to flee from fearful sounds can be as simple as offering them a comforting space like a pet crate covered with a heavy blanket as a partial sound barrier, or making a bed in the bottom of your closet. The most effective cure for my dog’s anxiety was just that: being in her crate, tucked away safe and sound out of what she perceived as harm’s way. Now that she is almost 16 years old and completely deaf, we no longer experience any of this anxiety over noise. If your dog is afraid of thunderstorms, keep your dog inside and turn on an appliance or television, or play music to override the noise.

Dogs are pack animals and look to you, the pack leader, for guidance and reassurance. Adopt an easy-going manner and remain calm in the face of your dog’s fear and anxiety and you will be surprised at how much more relaxed they will become. Lead your pack and that alone will be the start to much needed comfort.

Enter to Win Free Baseball Tickets for You and Your Dog

2011-07-19T18:30:00.000-07:00

While we were excited enough just to hold our tickets for this year’s Dog Day of Summer event at Nat Bailey stadium, (Casey and especially Finnegan just love watching the Vancouver Canadians rip a strip off the ball!) imagine how pleased we were that the nice people at the Canadians offered us some tickets to give away to our friends and clients. The challenge then becomes how to do it. While it turns out there is no shortage of baseball-loving dog owners in our lives, we figured the most fair and awesome way to hand out free tickets would be with a contest. Who doesn’t love a contest, after all?

So here we are. We have the supreme delight of being in the position of giving away six totally free and fun tickets for Dog Day of Summer at Nat Bailey Stadium, August 3. That means, if you win, you and your dog can have a great evening of fun and baseball.

To enter, all you have to do is Like the Love on a Leash Facebook page (which is easy. After all, what’s not to like?) and leave us a comment about why you’d like/appreciate or even dream about being one of our lucky winners.

The draw is July 27th: just a week away so, clearly, the odds of winning are certainly better than the lottery. (And nearly as cool!)

You can Like our Facebook page here.

Pets Will Rock BC’s Biggest Party

2011-07-19T17:10:00.000-07:00

Pet Connection, BC’s only local pets magazine, will be front and center for 17 days and nights at the province’s biggest party August 20 until September 5th. Look for Pet Connection near the ever-popular Super Dogs.

Pet Connection is “published six times a year and available at select locations. The Pet Connection is BC's only printed source of local information for the many pet lovers in the province.”

When you see them at this year’s PNE, pick up your copy of them magazine while telling the nice folks in the book that Love on a Leash says “hi.”

Pet Connection can be seen online here. See what PNE 2011 has in store here.

They Go Together Like… Dogs and Baseball?

2011-07-18T07:48:00.000-07:00

On Wednesday, August 3 at 7 pm you and your canine pal are invited to attend Dog Day of Summer hosted by the Vancouver Candians at Nat Bailey Stadium.

Bring your dog out to the ballgame for “a great night when all dogs are allowed in with their owners.” Organizers let us know that, last year 400 canine pals showed up with their owners: many of them wearing jerseys, t-shirts and bandanas supporting their favorite teams.

The stadium will provide special watering stations and treats. (For beer and hot dogs, you’re on your own!) It sounds like a super fun night!

The gates open at 6pm, first pitch is at 7:05.

You can see more about Canadians baseball at Nat Bailey here.

Understanding Your Dog and Heat Stroke

2011-07-11T10:00:00.000-07:00

Summer heat can be extremely dangerous. Many dogs die needlessly each year because of heat stroke and that’s something none of us wants to see. Allowing a dog to remain in a car with closed windows on a hot summer day is probably the most common cause of heat stroke. And leaving your windows down an inch or two will not prevent heat stroke from happening: your vehicle cannot remain cool in these temperatures.

What is heat stroke? It is a serious condition caused by an extremely high body temperature (rectal 105-110 F), which leads to nervous system abnormalities such as lethargy, weakness, collapse and coma. Further signs of heat stroke may include: intense rapid panting, wide eyes, excessive salivation and staggering.

High body temperature develops after increased activity with the ability to give off body heat seriously impaired. This is caused by high heat and humidity. In plain English, your dog cannot cool his own body down fast enough.

Normally dogs dissipate some body heat from their skin, but they do not sweat, like us humans and cannot cool off through their skin as effectively as we do. Panting allows evaporation of water from the respiratory tract and is an effective method of heat dissipation, but when these cooling mechanisms are overwhelmed due to high temperatures, hyperthermia and heat stroke usually set in... and they set in fast. Dogs have defective cooling systems that rely on their bodies releasing heat through panting and through their paws. Walking on the hot earth prevents any heat from being released from the paw pads.

All mammals can suffer from heat-related illnesses, all of which can be prevented by taking precautions. Canine hyperthermia is a significant threat during the summer. Help your dog stay cool and comfortable by learning how to protect him.

Here are some important tips to keep your dog safe and prevent heat stroke:

1) Keep pets in well ventilated areas
2) Provide exercise early in the morning or late in the evening (coolest times of day)
3) Exercise your dog gradually. Don’t overdo it. Don’t go for a long run on hot days with your dog. This is especially true if your dog is older, obese or has a heart or lung condition.
4) If it is hot and your dog is panting hard stop what you are doing immediately. Allow him to cool down and stop panting before continuing.
5) NEVER ever leave your pet in a car for any reason at any time -- ever! Not for two minutes and not for 20 minutes. There is no excuse. When hot outside, do not take your dog with you if you cannot remain in the car with him with the air conditioning running.
6) Make sure your pet has plenty of fresh, cold water and keep it in the shade if they are outdoors.
7) Try to keep pets indoors in a comfortable, cooler environment during extreme weather conditions.
8) Limit sun exposure, especially during mid-day.
9) Remember, if you are uncomfortable, your pet probably is, too.
10) For sudden high temperature changes, allow your pet to acclimate before stepping out for activity of any length.
11) Ensure puppies and kittens drink adequate amounts of liquids.

This potential elevation in body temperature known as heat stroke stimulates your dog’s body to release substances that activate inflammation. When body temperature becomes greater than 105 degrees Fahrenheit, failure of vital organs and consequently death may occur.

The mortality rate for hyperthermic dogs treated immediately by a qualified veterinarian is only 50%, due to irreversible changes in blood chemistry.

In short, summer is hot, dogs are already hot, and there isn’t a whole lot of room (4-5 degrees) between your dog “doing fine” and “likely to die.” Protecting dogs from hyperthermia is mostly about prevention and common sense. Take the right precautions, and you and your companion can relax and enjoy the summer in comfort.

Turn on the Waterworkz for Canine Wellness

2011-07-08T08:48:00.000-07:00

Everyone is invited to a pet nutrition and supplement discussion with Dr. Sue Pollen this coming Saturday. The event is being held at WaterWorkz Paw Spa in Burnaby from 12 to 1 PM. The nice folks at Waterworkz are keen to let people know that there will be a discussion of incredibly useful pet information every Saturday in July and August. “These discussions are as free as the sunshine,” Waterworkz tells us, “and just as likely to make you grow.”

The first discussion will be around nutrition, “because that’s the single most important thing we do for our pets,” says Waterworkz. “Bring your pet’s food and we’ll look at the ingredients. Bring your pet’s supplements and we’ll discuss what makes one better than another. We will also discuss what to take on a trip to make it safe for your pet.”

Over the coming weeks, Waterworkz will tackle such issues as cruising and traveling with your pet; swimming dogs, including the benefits of warm salt water; the Tellington Touch with Catherine Stewart; how to tell if your pet is really sick and other timely topics.

For more details, visit WaterWorkzPawSpa.com or just join them on the day at 3831 Still Creek Ave, Burnaby BC.

A Fitness Partner You Can Count On: Your Dog!

2011-06-07T09:11:00.000-07:00

Mark Twain said that the outside of a dog was good for the inside of a man and those of us who love our canine pals know that this is absolutely true. A study from the University of Michigan, however, shows that it may well be true in a factual way, as well and that dogs can have a real impact on not only our well-being, but our fitness, as well. Writing for Dogs in Canada, Alison Preiss says:

Owners who walk their dogs (which accounts for roughly two-thirds of American dog owners) walk about an hour more per week than their non-dog-owning counterparts. More encouraging is that dog walkers were found to achieve an overall higher level of physical activity.

With this idea in mind, Toronto’s Sal Sloan has developed Fetching,“for fit dogs and bods,” a fitness program that partners humans and their canine companions for everyone’s health and happiness.

The idea for Fetching came from Sloan’s experience as a busy marketing professional. “I’d get home at 8 p.m. and walk my dog, and then there was no way I was going to the gym, I just didn’t have time. So, either I would go to the gym and ‘Chewy’ would get a 15-minute crappy walk, or I would take Chewy for a walk and I would have to sacrifice my exercise. So I thought, there’s got to be a way to pull everything together.”

So that’s what she did. A typical fetching class involves a workout that emphasizes cardio endurance, full body strength and flexibility. On top of that, the dogs learn a new command from an experienced trainer, which is worked into the routine. There is also a stretching session and some agility added just for fun.

When the hour-long class is over, you have the satisfaction of a good workout, a tired dog and the benefit of the time you’ve spent together.

Hopefully Vancouver follows this trend and starts classes soon so we can reap the fitness benefits along with our dogs!

Ask Casey...

2011-06-06T09:07:00.000-07:00

Dear Casey,

Q. I lick my paws way too much and it is driving my mom crazy! She has tried oregano oil but it is really expensive and is stinking up the house and my feet are smelly from licking them so much. Do you have any suggestions??? Thanks, Robbie Burns, West Highland White Terrier, Extraordinaire.

A. Excessive paw licking, biting, and/or constant scratching is often a sign of food allergies. Sometimes pets develop allergies toward their diet. Paw biting, excessive licking, ear scratching and belly licking can all be signs that their diets are starting to aggravate them.

Various meat proteins, food preservatives, and additives or fillers when ingested may cause itchy skin disease or intestinal disease in domestic animals. This is an acquired allergic reaction and often a dog may have been eating the same food for months or years before any problems arise.
There is currently no accurate blood or skin test to tell if your dog has food allergies. The only method is by avoidance and challenge -- a process of elimination.

To determine if your dog may have a food allergy, you can try putting them on a carefully selected hypoallergenic diet. Studies have shown that, in most cases, the allergen can be diagnosed after your pooch has been placed on a selected diet for 8-10 weeks.

Have a chat with your vet about food allergies and change your pooches’ diet. Find a different protein source (beef & chicken are often the main culprits) that your pet has not be exposed to before. It may be the key to ridding him of itchy toes and feet!

Good luck.

Dear Casey,

Q. We recently noticed that our dog, a neutered male, isn’t just sniffing in the grass, but that he licks other dogs’ pee. He doesn’t see where the dog went to the bathroom, but he can smell it and goes straight to it. He will lick the grass and then foam at the mouth a little bit, or his tongue will poke out and his lips will quiver. Once he’s on the trail there’s no stopping him. Is this really gross? Why does he do this and how can we get him to stop?

A. When a dog licks another dog’s urine, they are using an organ in the roof of their mouth that allows them to not only smell the scent, but to also taste it.

It helps them to analyze the scent in a more in-depth way. They are then able to tell whether the urine is male or female and even if the dog is in season or not. Your dog can determine if it is a young or old dog and even tell if the urine is coming from one of his friends. Your precious pooch drools or foams, and chatters his mouth to help him “waffle” the scent around in order to better identify the depositor of this pee!

While most humans view this as disgusting behavior, and thankfully don’t posses this unique trait, urine itself is sterile and therefore not really harmful to a dog, so don’t panic! Your kidlet is only doing something that comes totally naturally to him: checking out his environment the best way he knows. While it may seem totally gross to humans, a dog’s sense of smell is thousands of times more sensitive than humans, and all your dog wants to do is sniff out his world and locate where his friends are hanging out! Stop panicking and go with the flow.

Reading Is For the Dogs: Tammy’s June Picks

2011-06-01T14:15:00.000-07:00

Just in time for Father’s Day -- two great books featuring a dog as the main character, naturally!

I did a review a while back on The Art of Racing in the Rain, but thought I would pass it along again as it is the perfect gift, along with A Dog’s Purpose, for the dog-loving guy in your life…

The Art of Racing in the Rain, by Garth Stein (Harper)
Jodi Picoult said it much better than I ever could, “The Art of Racing in the Rain is the perfect book for anyone who knows that some of our best friends walk beside us on four legs, that compassion isn’t only for humans, and that the relationship between two souls who are meant for each other never really comes to an end. Every now and then, I’m lucky enough to read a novel I can’t stop thinking about; this is one of them.”

Attention all dog lovers: If there is one book you should read this year, The Art of Racing in the Rain, by Seattle author, Garth Stein, is it. This tale is told from the dog’s point of view on the last day of his life and is simply captivating... I could not put it down and although there were many poignant moments throughout the story, I only cried at the very end and even then, only because their final parting was sweet and touching and the loving bond between Enzo and Denny will never really end.

A Dog’s Purpose: A Novel for Humans, by W. Bruce Cameron (Forge)
All dogs go to heaven, unless they have unfinished business here on Earth. Thus begins the story of Bailey, an endearing mutt, who comes back to earth repeatedly searching for his purpose in life... Bailey’s life really begins when he finds himself in the arms of an eight year old boy, named Ethan.

This story is an emotional, yet hilarious and often heartwarming tale of one special dog…and truly, that one dog, is the dog each and every one of us own.

I loved this book for its touching and funny story and for the way it explores the bond that all dog lovers share with man’s best friend.

Doggy Biz of the Month: Studio 2 Photography

2011-06-01T09:05:00.000-07:00

Tamara Roberts graduated from The Western Academy of Photography in 1991 and has been building her business ever since. In 2003, after working out of her home for many years, Tamara opened Studio2 Photography in North Vancouver.

Tamara loves people and has a natural way with them and tries to capture emotion in every shot. She discovered that when people brought their pets to a photography session, it seems to relax them. Tamara says, “My clients completely forgot their inhibitions and just had fun!” Thus, a whole new segment of her business was born.

Tamara began looking for ways to expand on this animal theme and get involved more in her community. Being an animal lover, it seemed natural to join up with the BCSPCA’s Paws For A Cause as a community sponsor.

With two very successful fundraising years behind her, Tamara hopes animal lovers will help her make 2011 the best ever fundraising event by signing up now for this year’s Paws for a Cause Studio 2 Photo Event! For a $25.00 fee, and a donation of a bag of dog food, you and your beloved pooch will have a mini session in the studio.

The next event will take place Septemper 24 and 25. Give Tamara a call and commemorate your pet with fabulous keepsake photos while supporting the S.P.C.A. Limited space is available. Book by calling Studio2 Photography at 604-990-4301.

The Love Behind Love on a Leash: Penny Adam Leggo

2011-05-31T18:45:00.000-07:00

We often feature profiles of the wonderful, loving, qualified women behind Love on a Leash, putting a face behind the person who is caring for your dog while you are away. This month we feature Penny Adam Leggo, Dog Sitter and Dog Walker Extraordinaire…

Penny has worked closely with animals since 1996, including eight years at the S.P.C.A. Animal Hospital and seven years as a professional dog walker. This has helped Penny fine tune her knowledge of animal behaviors, health, and well being.
Penny has worked extensively throughout the animal world – from specialty pet stores to grooming businesses. These positions have honed her knowledge of pet products, animal nutrition, grooming and care of dogs as well as other pets.

Penny is a certified dog trainer and recently updated her first aid skills to include Levels I and II of Dogsafe Canine First Aid. Penny also went thru training to help further improve her skills and knowledge in dealing with a variety of different situations regarding dog handling and certain behaviors that may require some special work to ensure that owners and their dogs are happy, healthy, well adjusted and well behaved!

Over the years Penny has owned and loved a variety of different pets including dogs and cats plus other small animals. She gets tremendous enjoyment working with dogs. Penny feels these loveable pooches help keep a smile on her face and deliver new challenges each day and that dogs enrich people’s lives so much with their unconditional love.

We have to agree -- there is no substitute for your dog’s love and the amount of love Penny gets from her doggy clients each day along her route shows she is indeed dog’s best friend!

Note: Recently Penny adopted Rupert, a senior Bichon Frise, who had been left in a kill shelter in L.A., and who was in need of a loving and caring home. Having lost her own senior boy, Ziggy, this past winter, we hope that Rupert can help fill the void Ziggy’s passing left in Penny’s heart. And Penny’s heart is indeed very big as she adopted a newborn kitten a few months back, too!

Dogs’ Super Sniffing Ability May Be Powerful Tool Against Cancer

2011-05-30T11:30:00.000-07:00

Colonoscopies may become yesterday’s news as new training techniques are helping dogs be ever-more accurate in sniffing out various cancers. Scientists in Japan are hoping that the super sniffing ability that dogs possess will increasingly help them not only determine the presence of cancer in a totally non-invasive way, but what type of cancer a patient may have. Nor is this some futuristic dreaming. It’s already beginning to happen today. From the science-focused Cosmos Magazine:

Japanese scientists have found that dogs can distinguish people with colorectal cancer, reporting that a retriever can scent bowel cancer in breath and stool samples as accurately as hi-tech diagnostic tools.

The findings published in the British Medical Journal support hopes for an ‘electronic nose’ that will one day be able to sniff out the specific chemicals that are produced by cancer cells and circulate in the blood stream before being expelled by the lungs.

The researchers have been relying especially on Marnie, a specially trained black labrador retriever with a lot of talent for the job. Over a period of several months, Marnie was given 74 sniff tests to carry out. The tests were each comprised of stool and breath samples, one of which was cancerous. Every time she correctly identified a cancerous sample, she was rewarded with some time with her tennis ball:

The samples came from 48 people with confirmed bowel cancer at various stages of the disease and 258 volunteers with no bowel cancer or who had had cancer in the past. They complicated the task for the eight-year-old canine detective by adding a few challenges to the samples.

Around half of the non-cancer samples came from people with bowel polyps, which are benign but are also a possible precursor of bowel cancer. Six percent of the breath samples, and 10% of the stool samples, came from people with other gut problems, such as inflammatory bowel disease, ulcers, diverticulitis, and appendicitis.

The retriever performed as well as a colonoscopy, a technique in which a fibre-optic tube with a camera on the end is inserted into the rectum to look for suspect areas of the intestine. It correctly spotted which samples were cancerous and which were not in 33 out of 36 breath tests, equal to 95% accuracy, and in 37 out of 38 stool tests (98% accuracy).

According to Cosmos, for eight-year-old Marnie, cancer sniffing is a second career. She was first trained for water rescue. (Who says you can’t teach an old dog new tricks?)

Upcoming Events: BCSPCA Charity Pub Night

2011-05-29T16:30:00.000-07:00

Mark your calendar for the BCSPCA Charity Pub Night, coming up fast on Thursday, June 9th at Ceilis Irish Pub located at 790 Smithe at Granville, Downtown Vancouver.

You can see more information on the Facebook event page here, but -- in the meantime -- here’s the 4-1-1:

Come join us for live entertainment, drinking, dancing plus fun and games! You'll also have the chance to win great prizes throughout the night and bid on some fabulous silent auction items.

All of this, appies and a drink for just $10!!

To purchase tickets call 604 681 7271 or by e-mail here.

…And don’t forget to tell your friends!
* Door sales will be available *

All proceeds go directly to our charity challenge fundraising on behalf of the BCSPCA. The BCSPCA is a not-for-profit reliant on support from the community. Proceeds from this event will support the BCSPCA’s care and protection of animals.

While we’re on the topic of BCSPCA fundraisers, don’t forget the annual Paws for a Cause. This year’s goal is $1 million! More information here.

Recipe Corner: Blueberry Maple Pupsicles

2011-05-19T15:25:00.000-07:00

Now that the weather is getting warmer, it’s time to start thinking about cool canine treats. I made these for my dog and she is crazy for them! Maple syrup is associated with all that is Canadian and dogs love the stuff even more than we do. In warmer weather, these frozen treats will help cool your pet down -- plus you can even eat one yourself! They are yummy.

The yogurt adds protein and calcium to help keep bones and teeth healthy and strong, plus probiotics are good for your dog’s tummy and the blueberries are loaded with anti-oxidants, vitamins and minerals plus fibre: the maple syrup is just added for taste. Don’t use too much: like all sugars, large doses of syrup are not good for your dog’s teeth, and flavorwise, a little goes a long, long way.

Blueberry Maple Pupsicles

Ingredients:

2 cups plain non-fat probiotic yogurt
1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries, raspberries, strawberries or chopped fruit such as peaches or plums
2 tbsp. maple syrup (honey may be substituted if you are out of maple syrup)

Stir together the yogurt, blueberries and syrup and freeze in containers appropriate for your dog’s size. (ie: muffin tins, ice cube trays, mini-muffin tins, etc.) Do not fill all the way to the top as the mixture swells as it freezes.

To release them from the container, dip the bottoms in warm water.

These treats store well frozen in freezer bags.

WHEW!!! DeSkunk your dog…

2011-05-02T10:51:00.000-07:00

Spring is hopefully just around the corner and that means there are a number of things we need to be aware of when letting our pets out in the yard, run through the dog park, or head out for a hike.

Aside from parasites -- like ticks, thorns from plants or other hazards -- we need to make sure our dogs and cats are safe from skunks, especially their defensive spray.

Skunk spray can cause irritation to your pet’s face, mouth, and lungs. If your dog is hit in the eyes, he can be blinded for up to two days. The skunk’s defensive spray is not only horrible to smell but also tough to get out of pet fur, clothing or anything it comes into contact with. If you don’t act quickly, the smell can stick around for months to years!

The old tomato juice bath does not work. It can help lessen the smell but it doesn’t break down the chemical compounds of the skunk spray and completely eradicate it. Skunk spray needs to be oxidized. A peroxide mixture is the most effective smell removal agent, as proven on an episode of Mythbusters.

Before you fill up the bathtub and roll up your sleeves, make sure you take a few steps:

1. Put on some old clothes. Skunk spray is actually an oil and is very difficult to remove from clothing. Be prepared to throw away whatever you are wearing.

2. If possible, leave the dog outside to prevent the odor ridden oils from getting into your house till you are ready to bathe him.
 
3. Pinpoint where the spray hit the dog. Depending on your dog’s hair type, you may be able to trim away or comb out some of the affected hair.

4. You can use paper towels to soak up the oils from the coat before you begin washing. If you use a real towel you will have to toss it as the oils may not come out 100%. Be careful not to spread the oils from one part of the dog to another.

5. Be prepared to give the dog more than one bath because some of the skunk oil may spread no matter how much you try to keep it contained to one area.

The best mixture to use contains the following ingredients:

1 quart hydrogen peroxide
1/4 cup baking soda
2 teaspoons dishwashing soap (liquid)

Baking soda neutralizes the smell, dishwashing liquid breaks up the skunk oil and the hydrogen peroxide bubbles the oils off the hair. The mixture will fizz. Wet your dog and thoroughly massage the solution into the coat. Be sure to keep the mixture out of the dogs eyes, nose and mouth. If it is necessary to apply it to the dogs face, use a washcloth or a sponge and be extremely careful. Never store unused portion, always be sure to discard.

Editor’s Note: The image above is of the “Little Stinker” skunk dog costume from Swankpets. Their whole line is a great deal of fun!

Recipe Corner: David & Tom’s TLC Turkey Treats

2011-04-28T09:00:00.000-07:00

My friend, David created and then perfected, these treats for their adorable rescue dog, Gizmo. David assures me that all dogs are CRAZY for these treats!

David & Tom’s TLC Turkey Treats

Ingredients:

1 lb. ground turkey
1 cup quick oats
1/2 cup Italian seasoned bread crumbs
1 egg

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

Combine all ingredients and mix well with your hands. Mixture will have the consistency of a meatloaf. Shape into patties suitably sized for your dog. We recommend rolling them and then slightly flattening till you have a patty approx. two-inches long, one-and-a-half-inches wide and one-inch thick.

Bake in 375 degree oven for 12 minutes. Flip patties over and bake for another 12 minutes. Remove from oven and cool.

Patties can be frozen for later feeding. Defrost before serving. Break off small pieces for treats and watch how your dog falls in love with you all over again!

Concerned About Your Dog’s Carbon Pawprint?

2011-04-23T10:49:00.000-07:00

All of us are concerned about the environment these days and the fact that a lot of little things can add up to big change has never been more apparent. Just in time for Earth day, Dogtime points out that, even our dogs can help make a difference for the environment when they suggest the “Top 10 Ways to Reduce Your Dog's Carbon Paw Print.”

Humans aren’t the only species to leave their mark on the environment, but we alone have the power to do something about our impact. And, we can do the green thing on behalf of our animals.

In recent years, eco-friendly versions of just about any pet product you can imagine have hit the market, from paraben-free shampoos to all-natural treats and biscuits to dog beds made of 100% recycled materials. That's the easy stuff. If you're really serious about reducing your dog's carbon paw print, consider preparing her food yourself with locally made ingredients. And for the uber-conscious -- or maybe just extra ambitious -- teach your dog to turn off lights and put the newspaper in the recycle bin.

Here are the top ten things Dogtime suggests:

Top 10 ways DogTimers are reducing carbon pawprints

10. Use eco-friendly dog accessories

9. I use natural/organic flea medicine

8. Make homemade dog food/treats for my dog

7. Feed dog raw, organic, or holistic diet

6. Use biodegradable or flush-able poop bags

5. Use natural/organic shampoos to keep my dog clean

4. Use eco-friendly cleaning supplies for dog messes around the house

3. Reuse leashes, collars, and other dog accessories

2. Keep my dog leashed at all times except in designated off leash areas

1. Spay/neuter my dog(s)

You can read the full piece here.

Meanwhile, if you have your own list -- or even just some clever ideas -- we’d love to hear them.

My Dog Has D.M. (Degenerative Myelopathy)

2011-04-21T09:30:00.000-07:00

Editor’s Note: One of our clients, Josh, owns Wrangler, the sweetest boxer on the planet who is slowly becoming paralyzed. Josh’s blog is heartwarming and heartbreaking but full of useful information. I wanted him to tell you all about it in his own words. -- Tammy

By Josh Davies, Vancouver, B.C.

http://www.mydoghasdm.com

I am the owner of a 10-year-old boxer named Wrangler who has Degenerative Myelopathy. Finding information on Degenerative Myelopathy can be difficult. It’s surprising how little information there is and even how little some vets seem to know.

In Wrangler’s case I actually figured out he had DM by talking to other people and searching online. I found lots of touching websites where pet owners have built tributes to their pets who have struggled with DM, however, I have yet to find a one stop place for all things DM. Things like pet stories, product reviews, vet stories, approved kennels, and advice and tips among other things.

I hope to be able to tell Wrangler’s story while talking about all the little day to day things you may encounter while caring for a pet with DM.

Some of the goals for the site are:

1) Provide first hand experience with caring for a pet with DM.
2) Review products that can help with caring for your pet.
3) Reviews of overnight care facilities in different cities. (kennels)
4) Guest bloggers by people with pets that have DM.
5) Vet Stories
6) Non Profit -- A long term goal is to raise enough money to buy an Eddie’s Wheels cart and donate it to someone who can’t afford to buy a cart on their own.
7) Organize a dog cart walk to raise awareness about DM.

Visit MyDogHasDM or contact Josh via e-mail.

A Warm Easter Egg and a Cold Nose

2011-04-10T22:51:00.008-07:00

We’re loving the idea of Easter fun to share with your canine pal and this year the nice folks at Three Dog Bakery are making it happen on Saturday, April 23rd. Though the nuances of the season may truly be lost on your canine pal, the fun of the day and the great quality of Three Dogs treats will not.

So Bark down the biscuit trail for Three Dogs’ first ever Easter “Begg” Hunt. The fun starts at noon on the 23rd at Suter Brook Village Courtyard, Port Moody where over 1000 “Easter Beggs” will be hidden. There is a $5. registration fee per dog. You can RSVP via the Three Dog Bakery Facebook page here.

A Dog Owner’s Biggest Concerns

2011-03-31T09:05:00.000-07:00

We all know that dogs bring joy, love, companionship and many other wonderful, positive attributes into our lives. We love them and treasure them. Our lives are richer because they are in it. But actually owning a dog also brings some concerns.

I recently read the response to a poll that showed some surprising results from dog lovers: “What Are Your Concerns About Owning a Dog?” The response to this poll was very interesting, with more than 3,000 dog lovers responding with their comments.

Here are the top seven things on people's minds when it comes to owning a dog:

1. Having to board and/or finding a pet sitter when traveling
2. Pet hair/shedding
3. Cost of veterinary care
4. Inappropriate urination in the house
5. Barking or whining
6. Aggression
7. Destructive behavior while home alone

Love on a Leash can’t stop your pet’s hair from shedding, but we sure have a handle on ways to help you with several of the above mentioned behaviors and concerns.

First and foremost I am here to tell you that you can own a dog and travel. It takes a bit more planning beforehand, but if you take the time to have a great dog sitter on speed dial it will help make things easier for you! You have your favorite dry cleaner, gym, manicurist, restaurant, etc. on file, why not your dog sitter? Check around with other dog owners and businesses in your area and don’t be afraid to ask for references. Further, a reputable company should have a web presence, be licensed, insured and bonded, be certified in canine first aid and belong to a national organization such as Pet Sitter’s International. These are some basic guidelines and accreditation that will help give you peace of mind ensuring that the business is serious about caring for your pet.

At Love on a Leash our reputation for reliable, responsible and loving in-home dog care is stellar and we work hard to keep it that way! Your wonderful pooch moves into our home with us where we treat them like one of the family. From puppy care to geriatric care, from purebreds to rescue dogs, from tiny toys to bully breeds, we love them all! Our service is one-of-a-kind and we even send updates and photos via email while you are away to help ease your mind and put a smile on your face. We tell our clients that your dog's stay at Love on a Leash is like Summer Camp for Dogs 365 days a year!

Destructive behavior in dogs such as urinating in the house, barking and chewing are often linked to boredom and lack of exercise. Aggression issues can often be attributed to boredom and lack of socialization. Dogs are pack animals. We fill in as their pack, but truly, they blossom with interaction with other dogs and the outside world no matter what their age. If you are at work all day, keep irregular hours, are on call and often have late nights at the office, you should consider the services of a dog walker. Again, Love on a Leash can help you in this area.

Penny Adam heads up our dog walking division and, along with her sister, Christy, you will find them walking dogs daily throughout Vancouver. Penny, like all our dog sitters and walkers, is certified in canine first aid and has completed advanced levels of training in dog behaviors and obedience. She takes dogs daily on walks: some in small groups, some on field trips to the beach or park and some just one-on-one ensuring they get out for an hour or more each day. Penny has been walking my dog, Casey, for four years now and Casey is still going strong: a healthy 14-year-old Bichon Frise.

This kind of interaction means more to your dog and will do more for them than you can imagine. They are happier, healthier, much more social, better behaved and in much better shape because of their daily walks and you don’t have to feel guilty about only having time to take them out for that quick around the block bathroom break. All of our dog walking clients adore Penny and look forward to the time she spends with them each day.

The bonus of a great dog walker and dog sitter is that your pet will get loads of TLC and exercise which will pay off in reduced vet bills and a dog that lives a longer, healthier, happier life. If you are anything like me you would like your dog to live forever. Doing what we can to ensure our dogs get the time and attention we are not always able to give them certainly helps them live longer. Though life is not forever, I will take as much time as I can possibly get with my dogs.

Puppy Mills Bite!

2011-03-17T09:05:00.000-07:00

Want to support a great cause and give the dog lover in your life the perfect gift? Local canine lover and fashionista, Mary-Jo Dionne, is a Vancouver-based writer and T-shirt designer with a very big heart. Mary-Jo’s company, The Fleas Knees, designs and produces stylish T-shirts with witty messages worn by dog lovers all over North America.

Mary-Jo’s “Puppy Mills Bite” shirt was designed to help raise much needed funds in the fight against the mistreatment of man’s best friend by puppy mills. This is where Mary-Jo’s big heart comes into play: she donates $5 from every T-shirt sold to the non-profit rescue group, Best Friends Animal Society, and their “Puppies Aren’t Products” campaign. Twilight’s Rachel Lefevre is the campaign spokeswoman and a big supporter of the tees.

For people who don’t know what a puppy mill is: it’s a warehouse of dogs, row after row, and shelf after shelf, crammed with inventory. “That inventory is puppies,” says Dionne. “It simply has to stop.” These poor dogs are forced to produce litter after litter of puppies with no proper care or medical services, no affection, no interaction, no exercise... when they are deemed too old or sickly to continue producing, they are euthanized.

At Love on a Leash we beg you NOT to buy a puppy from a retail store-front or backyard breeder. These are the most common places for puppy mill breeders to sell their product to the unsuspecting public. Ensure you buy your dog from a reputable breeder with proper references, and is willing to show you their entire facility.

Better yet, adopt a dog who desperately needs a home. Petfinders.com lists thousands of dogs all over North America who desperately need homes. Help spread the word and purchase a “Puppy Mills Bite” T-shirt. Never thought a tee could help save a life? These ones can. Mary-Jo says it’s her way of sticking her tongue out at an industry that’s just got to go.

Available in fitted Bitch-Pink and loose-cut Stud-Grey. Animal-loving media mavens who own this tee include: Oprah, Charlize Theron, Katherine Heigl, Martha Stewart, Rachel Ray, Drew Barrymore, Miley Cyrus, Fergie, Tori Spelling, Alicia Silverstone, Glen Close, Kathy Griffin, Mickey Rourke, and others. The cost is $42 and they are available at the following merchants: Three Dog Bakery in Point Grey and Port Moody, The Dog and Hydrant in Yaletown, Woof! In Kitsilano or online at www.FleasPlease.com.

Recipe Corner: Apple Cinnamon Fetch ’Ems

2011-03-14T09:05:00.000-07:00

This recipe for delicious Apple Cinnamon Fetch ‘Ems is from Cooking the Three Dog Bakery Way Cookbook by Mark Beckloff and Dan Dye.

An apple a day keeps the vet away... and dogs love em all...apples that is!

Apple Cinnamon Fetch ’Ems

Ingredients:

1 and 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 and 1/2 cups whole-wheat flour
1 tbsp. baking powder
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
3/4-cup honey
2 cups unsweetened applesauce
½ cup canola oil
2 large eggs
½ cup skim milk

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 12-cup muffin pan with non-stick vegetable spray.
Stir together the flours, baking powder and cinnamon in a large bowl. In a separate bowl, whisk together the honey, applesauce and oil. Then whisk in the eggs one at a time.

Add the milk and continue whisking. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients stirring only until combined.

Fill the muffin cups ¾ full. Bake for 30 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center of muffin comes out clean.

Cool to room temperature before serving. If you have a small dog cut the muffins into halves or even quarters to serve them as a treat.

Store in an airtight container for up to four days or wrap well and freeze for up to two months.

Thaw before serving.

Size Does Matter!

2011-03-13T11:30:00.000-07:00

If you have a small dog, you should know that more than a 50 per cent size difference in dogs can lead to serious issues with “predatory drift.” This is an instinctive situation in which a small dog suddenly seems like prey to a larger dog.

An excellent, reputable daycare, pet sitter or dog walker will always avoid such problems by setting up separate play spaces and grouping similar-sized dogs so that all sizes and play styles are safe.

This are things that, at Love on a Leash and Love on a Leash in the Country, we are well aware of. We always make sure that our client dogs are placed in a safe and size-appropriate environment!

The Love Behind Love on a Leash

2011-03-08T16:14:00.000-08:00

Every month we feature one of the wonderful, loving, qualified women behind Love on a Leash, putting a face behind the person who is caring for your dog while you are away. This month features “us,” Tammy and Shelly, owners of Love on a Leash!

Tammy Preast (left) and Shelly Dueck: Alpha Dog and FairyDogmother.

As “Alpha Dog” for Love on a Leash Trusted Dog Care Services, I manage the company that babies your dog while you are away. This company was born out of my frustrations when looking for pet care for my senior dog, Casey. It was a difficult exercise to find someone trustworthy, loving and reliable to care for Casey when I wanted to take a vacation.

In December of 2008, Love on a Leash was launched and has become very successful with the tagline, “Peace of Mind and a Happy Pooch.” With eight caregivers under our wing and two full-time dog walkers, this boutique dog business caters to those dog parents who can’t bear to place their dog in a sterile environment, but rather, want their pet to feel the love and affection they would experience at home. We give your dog loads of personal one-on-one time, walks, treats and special outings. I tell all owners that our dog care is truly like summer camp for kids… even better!

My wonderful sister, Shelly Preast-Dueck, aka “Fairy Dogmother” came on board in May of 2009 as my business partner in Love on a Leash. With more than 23 years experience with dogs -- from breeding and showing Boxers to canine nutrition, dog psychology and first aid -- Shelly’s knowledge of dogs is incredible. Her passion for animals is evident and displayed on a daily basis with the patience and love she bestows on each and every dog in her care. She is truly a “Fairy Dogmother.”

Dog owner’s trust us with their “babies” while they are away and we consider ourselves fortunate to work in an industry with clients we truly adore. We tell our clients -- past, present and future, “we love the doggies that come to us and they love us right back! A stay with Love on a Leash is like Summer Camp for dogs, 365 days a year!”

Ask Casey...

2011-03-08T10:00:00.000-08:00

Dear Casey,

Q: What is a “Geriatric Blood Panel” and when should a dog have one? What are the benefits?

A: This is a very simplified answer so please speak with your vet further about this topic, but in a nutshell:

A geriatric blood panel is a blood test that will show your vet and owner what’s going on inside your dog body. As we dogs mature, our vital organs like liver, pancreas, kidneys, spleen and bladder don’t run quite as efficiently as they used to. This blood panel will show where our enzyme levels, blood count, etc. are and your vet will be able to compare them to “normal” levels which will give him a heads up to the potential for diseases like diabetes, kidney failure, pancreatitis, etc. before we may show physical signs.

Because dogs don’t show pain the way humans do (we are very stoic), by the time our parents realize there is a problem and rush us to the vet it is often too late to do anything to save us.
Basically a geriatric blood panel is a preventative tool and will help you catch illness in a dog, hopefully before it becomes a disease too advanced to treat. Think of it as preventative medicine and money very well spent.

Your vet can explain this blood panel in more detail and will recommend when your owner should start running a yearly blood panel on you. It depends on size and breed of dog, as we all age differently, but my mom has run a yearly geriatric blood panel on me, from the time I turned seven years old. I am now a pretty healthy 15 ½ year old gal, and I have to tell you that, over the years, this blood panel has helped my mom find problems with my liver and pancreas that might have manifested themselves and cut short my pampered life. An ounce of prevention and all that love sure doesn’t hurt!

Our Community: Laura Gibson’s Whimsical, Wonderful Art

2011-03-07T09:05:00.000-08:00

Vancouver-based artist, Laura Gibson, has been hard at it creating a whole new collection of paintings just in time for spring. Richly colored, lively, fun images of girls and the clothes they love (as well as their precious dogs) are ready to find a home on your wall.

Laura keeps busy with commission work, and is actively seeking new divas and delicious pets that need to be captured and preserved on canvas and admired by the artarazzi. Laura’s pieces are high fashion, but her prices are down to earth and will put a smile on your face!

For the month of March, Laura is donating 100 percent of all sales to Habitat for Humanity, a charity near and dear to her heart. Laura will be leading a team to Honduras and Nicaragua in May to build a house and school there.

Maybe cement gray will become the hot new color for summer sandals...

Check out more of Laura’s work on her website.

Travel Destination: California!

2011-03-06T11:30:00.000-08:00

by Leslie Kennedy, Pet Connection News, Vancouver, B.C.

Freeway, Jazz and I have found a pet’s paradise at the Desert Princess Golf and Country Club in Palm Springs!

If you and your furry friends are ready to retire, are in need of a vacation, or wish to get away from the winter rain, there is no better place than Palm Springs. The Desert Princess is a pet friendly, gated property on over 550 acres. The resort itself includes a 27 hole championship golf course with rolling green fairways, a few lakes, abundant flower gardens, breathtaking mountain views, and many walking trails around the complex. There is also the country club which has great food plus many social events including a daily happy hour, wednesday night bingo, and friday night karaoke. Add in the 12 tennis courts, 32 pools, and hot-tubs, the gym and the on-site spa and everyone gets spoiled. My fur kids love it mostly because of the fresh new smells, daily sunshine and dry desert air.

There are many different accommodations to choose from with over 1000 privately owned condos, and villas as well as the Doral Hotel within the property. The D.P.C.C. also has their own onsite rental management company. Due to the snowbirds coming in from all over you have to book well in advance if you wish to stay during the high season of February and March.

You will find the best rental rates dealing directly from the individual owners, and by booking ahead. Check online at http://www.vrbo.com/ or http://www.vacationrentals411.com/, to name two of the websites that advertise properties for rent by owner. As all the units are privately owned, the interior decor differs from one unit to another. Some have been renovated to the 9’s and others still have the original decor. Units range in price as below:

One-bedroom condo’s between $1500- $2000 per month.
Two-bedroom condo’s from $1800- $2500 per month.
Villas range between $2500- $4000 per month. Villas have attached garages and some have their own private pools and hot-tubs.

Once you’ve arrived and settled in there is so much to ENJOY!

Your four-legged friends are very welcome, and you will meet many other four-legged friends from all over the US and Canada. We have met well over 30 dogs since we’ve been here. The complex is safe and clean and 40 percent occupied by fellow Canadians. Many of the guests return yearly.

Some nights some of the guests and residents tour the grounds in their golf carts, visiting the neighbors, going door to door with wine and appetizers, turning strangers into friends. It’s been a lot of fun and we hope to be back again next year. Check out the website and start planning to come down, too.

Leslie, Jazz and Freeway Kennedy
BC’s PET CONNECTION

In Loving Memory of Ziggy

2011-03-05T09:00:00.000-08:00

In Loving Memory of Penny Adam’s Beloved
ZIGGY
February 11, 2000 – February 23, 2011

If it should be that I grow frail and weak
And pain should keep me from my sleep,
Then will you do what must be done?
For this -- the last battle-can’t be won.

You will be sad -- I understand
But don’t let grief then stay in your hand
For this day, more than rest,
Your love and friendship must stand the test.

We have had a few happy years,
You would not want me to suffer so --
When the time comes, please let me go
Take me where my needs they’ll tend,
Only, stay with me until the end

And hold me firm, and speak to me
Until my eyes no longer see.
I know in time you will agree
That this is a kindness you do for me.

Although my tail it’s last has waved,
From pain and suffering I’ve been saved.
Please don’t grieve that it must be you
Who must decide this thing to do
We’ve been so close -- throughout the years,
Don’t let your heart hold any tears.
Grieve not, nor speak of me with tears,
But laugh when you talk of me,
As if I were beside you...
I loved you so --
It was heaven here with you.

Editor’s note: our hearts are heavy for Penny Adam, at the loss of her beloved companion, Ziggy. Penny heads up the entire dog walking division at LOAL and dogs adore her smiling face. Penny, our thoughts are with you at this time.

Reading is for the Dogs: Tammy’s March Picks

2011-03-04T09:05:00.000-08:00

The Art of Racing in the Rain, by Garth Stein (Harper) is described much better by internationally bestselling author Jodi Picoult than I ever could, “The Art of Racing in the Rain is the perfect book for anyone who knows that some of our best friends walk beside us on four legs, that compassion isn’t only for humans, and that the relationship between two souls who are meant for each other never really comes to an end. Every now and then, I’m lucky enough to read a novel I can’t stop thinking about; this is one of them.”

Attention all dog lovers: If there is one book you should read this year, The Art of Racing in the Rain, by Seattle author, Garth Stein, is it. The tale is told from the dog’s point of view on the last day of his life. It’s simply captivating. I could not put it down and although there were many poignant moments throughout the story, I only cried at the very end and even then, only because their final parting was sweet and touching and the loving bond between Enzo and Denny will never really end.

The Good Behavior Book for Dogs: The Most Annoying Dog Behaviors... Solved! by Collen Paige (Rockport/Quarry) is absolutely filled with terrific information. Aside from dog behavior advice, there are full color photos, recipes, trivia and much more!

From the founder of National Dog Day (it’s in August, by the way) comes the book every dog owner should have!

The Good Behavior Book for Dogs provides illustrated, down-to-earth, practical advice for dog owners with not-so-perfect pups. With an accessible, fun and easy approach, the author helps owners and their dogs learn how to affect proper manners and behavior management in a respectful and loving environment. Dogs will happily engage in the training activities advocated, creating a bridge to happiness, freedom, and friendship between dogs and their people.
No other book addresses the truly weird and sometimes disgusting things your dog does -- inappropriate sniffing, tail chasing, excessive licking, shadow/light chasing, and other unmentionables. Many dog owners who deal with these issues feel ashamed of their dogs' behavior and find it demoralizing to even speak with their vet about them, allowing the behavior to continue and intensify until it is intolerable.

This book will provide dog owners with the instruction and information that will allow them to solve behavior problems that in many cases have resulted in giving up the dog. Training your dog to break undesirable habits doesn’t need to be stressful, or use harsh treatment. Training is an easy way to strengthen the bond between the dog caregiver and dog and, let’s face it; sometimes “bad” dog behavior is funny. The reader will be taken on a sensitive and sometimes comical journey to understand their beloved pooch and get back that “Puppy Love.”

Purchase at: http://www.nationaldogday.com/shop.htm

Swedish Movie Theater Goes to the Dogs

2011-03-03T09:05:00.000-08:00

Will the term “dog-days” come to include a day at the movies? You’re dog-gone right... in Sweden, at least, where one of the world’s first movie theaters for dogs debuted during the country’s annual pet exhibition in Stockholm last month.

The theater, a joint venture between Fox Home Entertainment and Pedigree, opened to a screening of the canine infused film Marmaduke. According to PeoplePets, there were eight total screenings of the film with at least 20 dogs in attendance at each showing.

During the screenings, the animals in attendance were served “goodie-bowls” (PeoplePets) filled with Pedigree pet snacks. Although the snacks may have become the main attraction, there’s some solace to be found in not having to leave your pet at home in order to spend an afternoon out.

While the concept of watching a film with your pet pal might not be new, Sweden seems to be the first country to actually realize the idea in a public forum. Is this a sign that pet cinemas are going to become a staple of the future? The idea might not be as far-fetched as you think. The response to the doggy movie theater in Sweden was so profound that the festival’s organizers have vowed to continue the tradition into next year’s exhibition and beyond.

Would you take your dog to the movies?

by Ryan Karpusiewicz for PetSide.Com

Does Your Pet Have A Sixth Sense?

2011-03-02T16:15:00.000-08:00

Publicist Jeanette Zinno believes her miniature pinscher, Rocki, has a nose for predicting trouble. Recently Zinno and her boyfriend put a pot of water on the stove for tea, then left the room.

“After a while,” Zinno says, “Rocki came in and barked at us until we followed her to the kitchen, where all the water had boiled down and the pot was burning.”

A new AP-Petside.com poll reveals that Zinno is one of 43 percent of North Americans who think their pet has a sixth sense about bad things happening to their person. Of these, 47 percent attribute the quality to dogs.

Sense or Sensibility?

College professor, cat owner and Manhattanite, Talia Argondezzi recalls her cat’s actions during a recent fire on the roof of her apartment building.

“When I saw fire trucks lining the street I started preparing my cat’s carrier in case we’d have to make a run for it,” she says. Her cat seemed to feed off that anxiety -- following her all over the apartment and eventually hiding under the bed, something he never does.

Argondezzi thinks her cat’s behavior was more a result of the change in her own than anything else. “He is so attuned to our household and to my actions that I imagine he sensed things weren't normal.”

It wasn’t until fire officials assured Argondezzi that everything was under control and her apartment was out of danger that she, and her cat, calmed down.

As for how pets behave in the face of impending danger, Argondezzi’s cat is not alone.
Sixty-four percent of believers say their pet hides in a safe place, 56 percent say they cry, 52 percent say they become hyperactive, and 36 percent say they bark or meow persistently. Some pets, however, have a warning behavior all their own.

Unique Movements
South Florida-based executive and president of American Dog Rescue, Arthur Benjamin, says his poodle, Buddy, throws a tantrum in order to predict seizures in others.

About a year after adopting Buddy from a shelter, Benjamin’s wife, Gail, was diagnosed with breast cancer. The disease brought on seizures in Gail. “Before Gail had a seizure, Buddy would make these jerking movements -- like he was having a fit -- and we realized he could sense the seizures coming on.”

Although Gail has since passed away, Arthur Benjamin and Buddy continue to honor her legacy. Through rescue work they’ve done together, they adopted a second poodle, Holly, who happens to be epileptic.

“Now Buddy warns me of Holly’s seizures and takes me to her in time for me to give her a shot of Valium, which either lessens or prevents the attack,” Benjamin says.

Impending Storm
Although not quite as heroic as Buddy’s predictions, when it comes to a more common threat -- storms -- 67 percent of American pet owners think their pets can predict its approach.
It might seem odd, but some experts agree that storms cause a static electric charge in the air that pets can probably sense, along with their owner’s anxiety.

by Wendy Toth for AP-Petside

original photo illustration by David Middleton

Four Seasons Chef Robert Gerstenecker’s Dog Biscuits

2011-03-02T14:15:00.000-08:00

Robert Gerstenecker is the Executive Chef at the Four Seasons in Atlanta, Georgia, and is the loving owner of two Pugs, Zoe and Pearl, whom he cooks for from scratch!

Four Seasons Chef Robert Gerstenecker’s Dog Biscuits

Ingredients:

3 cups whole-wheat flour
½ cup rolled oats
2 tsp. baking powder
1 ½ cups whole milk
1 ½ cups peanut butter
1 tbsp. molasses

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Blend together whole wheat flour, rolled oats, and baking powder. Stir together whole milk, peanut butter and molasses. Stir dry ingredients into liquid ingredients. Roll out to 3/8 to ½ inch think and cut into bone shapes. Place on lightly greased cookie sheet and bake for 20 minutes until lightly browned.

Makes 15 biscuits.

Pet Lovers Hosting Lavish Dog Parties

2011-03-02T09:05:00.000-08:00

“Bark Mitzvah”? “Yappy Birthday”? “Paw-parazzi Red Carpet Celebration”?

Children are no longer the only ones being lavished with expensive birthday parties. Dog owners are also marking their dog’s special day with celebrations. Women in particular seem to want to do something truly special to celebrate the occasion.

Dogs in cities like New York, Vancouver and L.A. are celebrating their birthdays with everything from multi-colored balloons, dog-friendly cakes made of peanut butter, yogurt and carob, specialty drinks like Prosecco and even miniature cocktail hot dogs for their canine guests!

Specialty dog bakeries like Three Dog Bakery in Vancouver and Port Moody cater to pooches’ special day with custom decorated cakes, hors d’oeuvres and goodies that are absolutely chic, but pet edible only! They have a fabulous selection of merchandise to make your dogs’ day truly over-the-top special from “Pawty Hats” with Maribou trim to bone shaped candles for the cake.

Not all dog owners are ready to meet the challenges of holding a party for their pooch at home though and this is mainly because the “guests” can be unpredictable! A New York-based woman, has held two birthday parties for her three-year-old Bichon Frise, Ernie, including last year’s “Bark Mitzvah.”

“In dog years,” she explained, “Ernie turned 13.”

She recently celebrated her pet’s third birthday at a dog-friendly watering hole, “Drop Off Service,” in Manhattan’s East Village. The birthday dog, along with eight doggy guests, spent a Sunday afternoon lapping up homemade “pup cakes” made of oats, carrots and cream cheese, while beer and hors d'oeuvres were served to their owners. As Ernie and his dog pals donned birthday hats and received gift bags and doggie Snuggies, or blankets, their human companions sang “Happy Birthday.”

Many dog owners search for a venue that will not only cater to their human friends, but more importantly, allow dogs on the premises to create an extravaganza that will honor their pet and be enjoyable for all guests: both the two and four-legged variety!

Betty Wong, owner of Buttercup’s Pawtisserie, a dog bakery in Brooklyn specializing in natural dog treats, has seen a sharp increase in the number of people throwing birthday parties for their dogs.

“Originally, we opened the bakery because I wanted to give my finicky eating dog, Buttercup, some healthy menu choices,” Wong explained. “We’ve seen a rise in the number of birthday cake orders during the past few years, and the numbers are steadily growing.”

If organizing a pet birthday bash seems daunting, Dorothy Moore can help. In 2005, Moore opened The Dining Dog Cafe in Edmonds, Washington, featuring a pet-friendly restaurant for dogs and their owners. Complete with white tablecloths, soft music and chandeliers, doggie birthday parties are popular at the restaurant.

Moore is also a party planner for canines. She organized about 100 dog parties last year, ranging in price from $100 to $500, including high-end soirees in which owners rent limos for their dogs and guests. A princess theme is the most popular, with the dogs donning tiaras at an event featuring all-pink decorations.

A groomer by trade, Moore believes the socialization that naturally occurs during dog parties is good for the pets and their owners. “Not only do the dogs love the attention, but their owners also seem to get a lot out of the parties,” Moore said. “Some people and dogs may appear shy at first, but something about the sheer joy of the event brings them out of their shell.”

“The opportunity for dogs to interact with each other, for whatever excuse, enables fulfillment of a basic biological need,” says Dr. Nicholas Dodman, director of the Animal Behavior Clinic at The Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine in Boston.

For dog party enthusiasts, it’s never too early to begin planning the next party. I understand how many dog owners feel. Our Love on a Leash ~ Party with Your Pooch Doggy Evening and Fundraiser in 2009 saw 130 dog lovers and their pooches fill The Smoking Dog Restaurant in Kitsilano during a fun-filled “Red Carpet Night” that raised more than $2,500 for S.A.I.N.T.S Rescue Organization.

I am currently pondering plans for another such evening this coming September. On September 30th my Bichon Frise gal, Casey Jane, turns 16. That’s almost 80 in human years. I think that’s reason enough to celebrate!

Pet Friendly Accommodation on the Road

2011-03-01T16:20:00.000-08:00

There’s good news for people traveling with their pets: the chains are starting to sit up and pay attention!

Two more hotel chains have realized that catering to the traveler with pets makes good business sense. While driving down to Palm Springs this past year, I personally stayed at various properties in the Red Lion and Best Western Hotel chains in Washington, Oregon and California and found them to be incredibly friendly and enthusiastic upon our arrival.

Our faves? Casey, Finnigan and I give two paws up to The Best Western New Oregon in Eugene, Oregon. Rooms are clean, comfortable and spacious and Eugene is a great little college town with loads of parks and trails for walking your pooch. It’s a great place to stop on your first day drive if you are heading south from Vancouver. The town also has a charming downtown core with excellent coffee shops and restaurants and even though you can’t dine with your dog, mine were happy to chew a rawhide in the room while I had a lovely dinner with my human companions.

Another favorite is The Red Lion Inn. For me, two locations have proven to be extremely dog friendly: Olympia, Washington and Portland, Oregon, right on the Columbia River. Again, both places are dog friendly cities with loads of parks and walking trails, friendly patios and cafes and most of the boutiques and stores in The Pearl District in Portland and the downtown heritage area in Olympia were more than happy to have my dogs meander around with me.

On our trip south last fall, we came through South Lake Tahoe for a more scenic drive down. The Best Western Timber Cove was gorgeous! Each of my dogs was greeted with treats and goodies upon arrival, our room had a cozy fireplace, the bed was super comfy and had soft, luxurious sheets and linens and the location is right on Lake Tahoe so the views were spectacular!

Road trips with your pet are possible these days with chains such as Best Western and Red Lion making it easier all the time, but remember to plan ahead. Make your reservations in advance as many hotels designate a limited number of rooms as “pet friendly” and most do require extra fees ranging from $15-$100 per night to accommodate pets.

Be sure to follow the hotel rules – if you know your dog is going to bark and cause destruction if you don’t stay in the room with him, don’t leave him alone. Ensure you pick up after your pooch and be courteous: not everyone staying in the hotel will be an animal lover. Keep your dog on leash.

A superb website for the those traveling with pets is dogfriendly.com. It’s chock full of hotels, parks, restaurants, attractions and all things dog-related. While your final destination is the end goal, with a little planning the drive to get there can be a wonderful journey for you and your dogs.

See you on the road!

Pumpkin Apple Muffins for Your Dog

2011-02-28T08:30:00.000-08:00

You’ll be surprised at how much your dog will enjoy this delicious vegan treat.

Pumpkin Apple Muffins

Ingredients:

3 3/4 cups whole wheat flour
1/2 cup cornmeal
1 Tbsp. ground flax
1 Tbsp. hulled hemp seeds (optional)
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 cup applesauce (no sugar added)
1/2 cup pumpkin
2 Tbsp. canola oil
1 tsp. cinnamon
11/2 cups water

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray mini muffin pans with non-stick spray.

In a large bowl, combine flour, cornmeal, flax, hemp seeds, cinnamon and baking soda. Add applesauce, pumpkin, oil and water, mixing well. The batter will be thick. Scoop batter into the muffin pans and bake for 20 to 30 minutes. Remove and let cool completely before serving. Store in the fridge.

Makes approximately three dozen mini muffins.

Petition for an Off-Leash Park in Kitsilano

2011-02-25T10:10:00.000-08:00

Did you know there are 15,000 dogs in the city of Vancouver? 2,144 dogs are registered in Kitsilano alone! That’s not including 1,505 in Dunbar, 825 in West Point Grey, and 557 in Arbutus Ridge; all adjacent communities.

Did you know that Hadden Park, the designated off-leash dog area, is at the very north end of Kitsilano and there’s no other park available in Kits?

Did you know as dog-loving owners, we get fined for having a dog off leash in the park, although the dog or the owner has done nothing to harm or cause a disturbance to the park, the other park users, or other dog owners?

OUR STATEMENT: To provide a common area, where dogs can play and learn to socialize with others dogs and people. To develop a beautiful, well-maintained space open to all dog lovers and friends who are willing to uphold the park’s rules and restrictions. To view this park as a community project, in partnership with Kitsilano Community, designed to satisfy the needs of dog-owners and non-dog owners alike.

OUR REQUEST: We, the petitioners, request a specific time for off-leash dogs in the order of preference of Connaught Park and/or the Arbutus walk area. We request times between 5-9AM and 5-9PM daily.

OUR RECOMMENDED OFF LEASH DOG PARK AREA: Connaught Park

Please sign the Petition at kitsdogpark.webs.com

Letters of Loss and Love: Helping Animal Lovers Through Their Grief

2011-02-24T10:00:00.000-08:00

When Sharon Discorfano lost her beloved beagle, Pushkin, she found one of the best ways to help herself cope with his loss and her overwhelming grief was to write letters to him.

Sharon took her idea and expanded upon it, launching her new website, Letters to Pushkin, that offers people an opportunity to use letter writing as a constructive tool in dealing with the loss of a loved one, whether an animal or human.

Sharon’s site includes tips on how to get creative and a place to write and post your own letters to lost loved ones. I went into the site, my head and heart were overwhelmed by the love that each letter writer had for their pets that had passed away. This is a beautiful and heartwarming way to share your grief and to help yourself through a very difficult time.

You can visit Letters to Pushkin on the web here.

Love on a Leash Employee Profile: Ellen Pratt

2011-02-22T12:45:00.000-08:00

We love introducing you to the wonderful, loving, qualified staff behind Love on a Leash: putting a face behind the person who is caring for your dog while you are away.

Meet Ellen Pratt.

Ellen has loved dogs from childhood and fondly remembers the dogs her family had while she was growing up.

Ellen started dog sitting for Love on a Leash in the spring of 2009 and has opened the door to her home and her heart to the dogs that come into her care.

Ellen’s specialty? Cozy snuggles at home and long walks at Jericho Beach. Ellen has many repeat “dog” clients who adore her and the time they spend with her while their parents are away on vacation.

In November 2010, Ellen completed and graduated from DogSafe Canine First Aid’s Level I and II Program. This is now a baseline for Love on a Leash’s skilled caregivers because we are always looking to upgrade our skills and learn new tips and techniques when it comes to caring for dogs.

Our Community: Hand Crocheted Doggy Sweaters!

2011-02-20T15:30:00.000-08:00

Marianne Greaves has years of experience with design and along with the passion to start her own business, she has been creating incredibly adorable hand-dyed and hand made crocheted, doggy sweaters.

Marianne’s wonderful chihuahua/miniature pinscher cross has been her “fit model” for these special sweaters as her little dog needed something that didn’t go over her head, but rather buttoned in front. Marianne designed her sweaters with buttons around the neck and body to make it easier to put them on and take them off.

The sweaters are made with natural fibers including cotton and bamboo. Many are hand dyed and then crocheted into a one-of-a-kind creation. Prices start at $25 for small sizes with extra charges for special orders and larger sizes.

You can visit Marianne at her website.

Healthy Resolutions for Your Dog!

2011-02-16T10:30:00.000-08:00

Though we’re well into 2011 now, it’s not too late for you to make good on the resolutions you and your dog might have made coming into the new year.

Having a dog is a big responsibility. As a dog owner you are responsible for giving your dog the best possible life. Basically, it is up to you to do everything you can to keep your pet happy & healthy.

What can you do to ensure your dog has the best possible life? Here are a few tips:

1) Monitor your dog every day. Be aware of his daily routine. Is he eating? Drinking? Acting normal? Is he playful? If the answer is no to any of these questions, you need to figure out why. If he appears sick, have him checked by your veterinarian.

2) Make sure he is getting plenty of exercise. Take your dog for a walk and give him time to run around and get some exercise each and every day. If you don’t have the time, this is when a dog walker comes in handy. If your life is busy with work and other commitments, a daily dog walker will ensure your dog gets out and spends a good hour every day running, playing and socializing with other dogs. It alleviates boredom and helps keep your pet fit and trim.

3) Make sure your dog has plenty of opportunities to play. Play with your dog every day, but also ensure your dog gets to play and socialize with other dogs. This makes for a well behaved and well-adjusted dog you can take out anywhere. As above, a daily dog walker can help you with this.

4) Feed quality food. Don’t skimp on the quality of your dog’s food. Feed quality food, whether raw, kibble, organic, etc., and base the type of food on your dog’s age and activity levels.

5) Monitor your dog's weight. As little as 20% extra weight can put your dog at a much higher risk of developing life threatening diseases such as diabetes, arthritis and heart disease -- same as humans! My dogs struggle with their weight -- they always have, but with quality food and loads of exercise I try to keep their weight under control.

6) Vaccinations. Yearly vaccinations, or yearly Titer Testing, which is a blood test to determine if your dog’s antibodies from previous vaccinations remain high, help prevent common diseases such as parvovirus. I Titer Test my dogs yearly, as I do not believe in yearly vaccinations, but keep my dogs Rabies vaccinations up to date as we travel back and forth to the U.S. Also, Vancouver has a huge skunk and raccoon population that can be carriers of rabies.

7) Treat for parasites. Your vet can provide you with preventative medicine, prescribed monthly, to help prevent fleas, parasites and heartworm disease. As recommended by my vet, I use Interceptor from April to November and Sentinel from December to March to prevent any of the above parasites from annoying my dogs.

These are simple and very basic tips that we often don’t practice for our own health and well-being. We don’t exercise enough, we don’t eat healthy enough and we wonder why the pounds pack on and we feel lethargic. Same goes for your dog! A regular walking program can add years to your dog’s life and in the cold, wet rainy months when it feels like you just can’t squeeze a decent walk for your dog into your already busy day, a reliable and responsible dog walker, such as you can find here at Love on a Leash, will be worth their weight in gold!

Best Trips With Your Best Friend: Cougar’s Crag

2011-02-14T10:30:00.000-08:00

“The coolest place your dog can take you!” is the motto at Cougar’s Crag, a self-styled “extreme B&B” located on southern Vancouver Island.

Cougar’s Crag B&B is one of Vancouver Island’s premier dog-friendly accommodations. It offers the casual ambience of a lodge, the quiet intimacy of a bed and breakfast, and the pristine beauty of some of Vancouver island’s most magnificent coastal wilderness, all only 30 minutes west of Victoria.

You and your dog will have access to parks with hundreds of hiking trails, surf-swept beaches and coastal rainforest and the Crag Guest accomodation features fully-equipped split-level loft units, private decks and sensational breakfasts. And you can enjoy your delicious breakfast (plus an evening snack) in the dining room of the main house or in the seclusion of your own space.

Reading is for the Dogs: Tammy’s February Picks

2011-02-12T10:30:00.000-08:00

A Rare Breed of Love: The True Story of Baby and the Mission She Inspired to help Dogs Everywhere, by Jana Kohl (Fireside/Simon and Schuster) is a beautiful book about a dog named Baby who is a puppy mill survivor. The book has great photos of Baby with celebrities, politicians and animal lovers. When you see the love Baby shows throughout the photos you see that she has not lost her hope in humanity. Baby shows how much love dogs have to give and how much they enrich our lives. I bought this book because of the adorable less than perfect-looking dog on the cover which compelled me to flip through it in Chapters and I couldn’t put it down once I got home.

This is a heartwarming book, full of hope, certain to make you laugh and cry all at the same time and written by Janna as a way to educate people to the suffering inflicted by our fellow humans.

Andy Rooney's quote, “the average dog is a nicer person than the average person” is rather sad but true! Buy this book to share with family and friends who are animal lovers as a wonderful gift... but most of all don't forget to spay and neuter your pets.

Peter’s Poofect Pet by Tina Powell (BigFatPen) is an adorable story that Tina Powell wrote for kids but that will appeal to the dog lover in all of us.

In the story, Peter wants a pet more than anything in the world. But Peter’s parents have a list of reasons why they don't want a pet in the house. Their prime reason? Pets poo!

In this hilarious book about pets, parents and poo, Peter knows just what to do!

Recipe Corner: Mongrel Munchers

2011-02-11T10:30:00.000-08:00

From Cooking the Three Dog Bakery Way cookbook.

Not only are these cookies delicious, the recipe is so darn simple, it almost makes itself... you barely have to lift a paw! For years Three Dog Bakery’s Mark Beckloff and Dan Dye have used variations of this recipe: whether for a TV baking spot or a Humane Society fundraiser. Whip up a batch today and let the munching begin!

Mongrel Munchers

Ingredients:

1 cup all-purpose flour
2 cups quick rolled oats
½ cup chopped unsalted peanuts
1 large ripe banana, mashed
1/c cup unsweetened applesauce
½ tsp. pure vanilla extract

Preheat the oven to 350 F. degrees.

Stir together the flour, oats, and peanuts in a bowl and set aside. In a large bowl, stir together the banana, applesauce and vanilla. Add the dry ingredients to the banana mixture and stir to form a stiff dough.

Roll the dough into walnut-size balls and flatten on an ungreased baking sheet with the back of a spoon or your hand. Bake for 15 minutes, or until golden.

Cool on a rack completely before serving.

Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week, or wrap well and freeze for up to 2 months. (Thaw before serving.)

Hats for Dogs. Hats for People.

2011-02-09T13:00:00.000-08:00

Bad Dog Hats is a pet accessories company in Seattle, Washington, that has a huge secret under its Tiny Top Hats: they are created specially for dogs! Tiny Top Hats are one of the hottest new fashion accessories: and not just for dogs, but for people, too.

I came across the Bad Dog Hats website while preparing for a Love on a Leash special event and I instantly ordered a gorgeous little number for my own dog, Casey (shown at left).

Casey, my Bichon Frise, looked particularly chic when she sported her Bad Dog Hat. Casey’s hat was a size medium, red crushed velvet top hat decorated with a simple, elegant black bow. As you can see from the photo, it was truly unique and adorable!

You can choose from a wide variety of hat colors and add-ons, such as bows, flowers, veils or Ace of Spades tucked in the brim. Owner Rischa says her hats are made in sizes that fit all dogs well, from teeny tiny to extra large berets or top hats in small, medium and large and I know from experience that when your dog wears one of these magnificent hats people smile!

Antifreeze Warning

2011-02-09T10:00:00.000-08:00

This is the time of year when antifreeze appears in abundance and dogs are attracted to its sweet, syrupy aroma and the taste of ethylene glycol, the highly toxic chemical component of antifreeze. Although antifreeze is not a “food” that your dog can ingest, I thought it prudent to mention how fast and furious small amounts of ingested antifreeze can kill your beloved dog.

Each year more than 10,000 dogs and cats in North America are killed by licking up antifreeze. Death occurs in 88 percent of antifreeze cases, according to the BC SPCA. Early symptoms include staggering and disorientation: trouble keeping their balance, like a bit of a drunken sailor. Besides staggering and lack of coordination, disorientation and vomiting are common. Chances of survival increase with immediate veterinary treatment. Emergency vet clinics can provide the antidote. Keep antifreeze up and out of harm’s way -- for your dog’s sake!

Foods that are Toxic to Dogs!

2011-02-08T09:05:00.000-08:00

We all know that chocolate is highly toxic to dogs and can, in fact, lead to death.

It’s not just the high fat content found in chocolate (which is horrifically bad for dogs) but rather caffeine and theobromine. These two compounds are nervous system stimulants and can be toxic to your dog in high amounts. Levels of caffeine and theobromine vary in different types of chocolate with baking and dark chocolate having the highest levels of these toxic stimulants.

Symptoms can start with vomiting and diarrhea but in higher doses of poisoning can quickly elevate to restlessness, hyperactivity, muscle twitching, increased urination and excessive panting.

Heart rate and blood pressure levels can also increase and severe cases may lead to seizure. Avoid feeding all chocolate at all times to your pet. If you happen to have an abundance of this delectable human treat around, err on the side of caution and don’t leave any around where your dog can get into it.

But chocolate isn’t the only thing that can be very bad for your canine companion. I am guilty of feeding many of the following foods to my dog over the years without realizing how toxic they can be to her kidneys, liver and central nervous system. Toxicity usually shows up immediately, but does not always show up right away and can accumulate and cause internal organ failure down the road contributing to earlier death than necessary.

Do not take chances! Do not feed your dog the following foods:

• Alcoholic Beverages: this seems like a no brainer, but many animals die each year of “ethanol” toxicity, the component found in alcohol
• Apples, Apricots, Cherries, Peaches and Plums: not the fruit but the stems, seeds and leaves contain a cyanide type compound.
• Avocados: avocados contain a toxic compound for dogs called “persin” which is a fatty acid derivative.
• Baking Powder and Baking Soda: both of these leavening agents can cause electrolyte abnormalities, congestive heart failure or muscle spasms.
• Chocolate: as above.
• Coffee (grounds and beans): Dogs that eat coffee grounds or beans can get caffeine toxicity.
• Fatty Foods: Fatty foods are the biggest cause of pancreatitis.
• High Fat Dairy Products: Another cause of pancreatitis and obesity.
• Grapes and Raisins: Both of these foods, in large amounts, will result in kidney failure.
• Macadamia Nuts: Again, the toxicity is a mystery, however it has been noted that as few as six to forty nuts have caused severe toxic signs.
• Moldy or Spoiled Food: Moldy or old food is no better for your dog than it is for you!
• Nutmeg: can be fatal. The toxic compound or component is unknown, simply avoid at all times.
• Onions: Dogs and cats lack the enzyme needed to properly digest onions. Feeding them is likely to result in gas, vomiting, diarrhea or severe gastrointestinal distress.
• Xylitol (sugar sweetener): Dogs that ingest this product may have symptoms including sudden drop in blood sugar, weakness, lethargy, loss of coordination, collapse and seizures.
• Yeast Dough: Bloat, the deadliest and one of the most hideously painful of all conditions for your dog, is highly possible.

Paws and Pray for Canine Parishioners

2011-02-06T09:05:00.000-08:00

A Beaconsfield, Quebec church has truly gone to the dogs.

In 2009 Christ Church Beaurepaire, outside Montreal, began a monthly church service that includes dogs. Called Paws & Pray, the communion service features bread and wine, as well as doggie treats and bowls of water for the four-legged parishioners.

The church’s minister, Michael Johnson, said he always enjoys doing a yearly pet blessing, and was quite open to a suggestion made by an animal rights’ activist that dogs be included in a church service. Johnson claims this sermon is to “Help recognize the value of dogs.”

Feedback from members has been positive. The minister feels that bringing dogs to church may help reach a group of people who would not attend otherwise. Johnson says he hopes dogs feel welcome and honored. Johanne Tasse suggested the idea and believes this can have a profound impact. “Animals deserve our care and respect,” said Tasse, who is president of the Companion Animal Adoption Centres in Quebec. “If we can bring dogs to church, how can we turn around and abuse them?” This incredible woman believes the deplorable state of animal welfare in Quebec requires people to take a closer look at how animals impact our lives. I honestly believe that we should all look at how our companion animals, dogs in particular, enrich our lives each and every day. “Dogs help us so much and we need to recognize them as being an important part of our lives,” says Tasse.

Amen to that. I could not agree more and would love to see a Paws & Prayer offered in our own fair city of Vancouver.

How to Pick a Dog at the SPCA

2011-02-03T15:06:00.000-08:00

Every home really does need a Harvey!

And as much as we love this video, even canine marketers less talented than Harvey will bring you so much love and joy!