Dealing With the Loss of A Pet: You Don’t Have to Deal With It Alone!

Sadly, just about about anyone who has ever shared their life with a dog knows what it is to lose one. I think the worst thing about our pet friends is that our span is so much longer than theirs. And though we treasure them and love them, eventually we are left alone. It’s a sad reality, but it can be very, very difficult to deal with.

One of the things that can make dealing with the loss of a pet even more difficult is the fact that a lot of people just don’t get the depth of loss and despair that losing an animal friend can cause. Though they may be trying to be kind, people sometimes make it worse. Someone telling you to get over it or -- perhaps worse -- get a new pet to help you cope with the loss of the old one can just make a grieving pet owner feel all the more alone and isolated.

It was this kind of emotion that holistic counsellor Melanie Yearow, a pet owner herself, responded to when started doing counseling to help people deal with the loss of their pets.

“The loss of a companion animal may be one of the most devastating experiences in one’s life,” Yearow says. “It is not uncommon for this loss to surpass the pain involved in losing a human being.”

It became important to her to let pet owners know they didn’t have to go through this alone. On her web site, Yearow outlines the services she offers grieving pet owners:

• Creating a safe nonjudgmental place where you can express your deepest feelings and thoughts.
• Helping you cope with and work through the difficult and, at times, intense feelings of shock, anger, guilt, sadness, and depression that often arise when a beloved pet becomes ill, dies, or is lost.
• Helping you understand and come to terms with the pain and guilt you may be feeling around anticipating having or having had your pet euthanized. Although euthanasia is an utmost act of love and kindness that ends your pet’s suffering, it may be the most heart wrenching decision you will ever make.
• Working with you around any issues of unresolved grief from your past that may surface when your pet dies.
• Helping guide you through to the other side of your loss, where you will once again be able to think of your companion and the special relationship you shared with peace and happiness.
• Discussing with you the timing of and what to expect when getting another pet.

Yearow’s office is on Vancouver’s west side. Call her at 604-730-5002 or visit her web site for more details.

Christmas for Critters

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

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.

Dog Grooming on the Move

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.

Angie Wojciechowska & Off Leash Photography

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

Robyn C. Hill and Best Pals Portraits

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.

Love on a Leash loves... Kol’s Notes!

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

Doggy Biz of the Month: Studio 2 Photography

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.

Our Community: Laura Gibson’s Whimsical, Wonderful Art

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.

Petition for an Off-Leash Park in Kitsilano

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

Our Community: Hand Crocheted Doggy Sweaters!

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.

Paws and Pray for Canine Parishioners

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.

Feeling Lucky, Punk?

In the five or so years that Vancouver dog boutique bow wow haus has been catering to their canine clients, they’ve proven time and time again how committed they are to being a leader in their community. With locations on W. 4th in Kitsilano and on Davie Street in the West End, I would guess that they probably have a larger than average share of tiny canine clients, too. Not to mention people who love dogs of that dimension. So it’s no surprise, really, that bow wow haus not only understands the really little guys, but also thrive on putting little ones in need together with big-hearted new owners.

All of this is leading up to both kudos for bow wow haus and an invitation for you to attend a fundraising event they’ll be hosting on February 10th at their West End location. They’re out to raise money for a special chihuahua named Lucky who they are supporting from a high-kill shelter in California. “Lucky has some special health care needs (including the need for a custom-made front wheel cart!) and we are throwing a ’do to help raise some $ as well as awareness about adoptable dogs.” From a recent release:

We are sometimes asked why we support dogs being rescued from California rather than focusing on dogs in need in BC -- but the reality is, few small breed dogs come into rescue in Canada and the interest in adopting small dogs is high. Not so in many parts of the US -- in L.A. alone over 3,000 animals are euthanized every month. When small dogs are brought to Vancouver, many of the little ones find loving homes fairly quickly. The availability of small dogs for adoption also decreases the demand for puppy mill pups -- so we think it's a win-win situation!

The February 10th event is one of several small fundraising initiatives bow wow haus is supporting to help contribute to Lucky’s care and transport. “We are asking some of our friends in the doggie biz to help us spread the word about our event amongst your circles.”

You can read more about Lucky and his special needs on the bow wow haus blog here.

Our Community: The Dog & Hyrdrant

For Tanya King, a dream became a reality when she opened The Dog & Hydrant boutique in Yaletown in 2006. “I love dogs and always wanted to open a dog boutique with a photo studio,” says Tanya.

The Dog & Hydrant Pet Photography Studio & Boutique was featured in Modern Dog magazine along with owner and fabulous pet photographer Tanya King.

Tanya has studied photography for the last 20 years, utilizing both film and digital. Before opening her own studio, she worked with an acclaimed commercial photographer for eight years.

Tanya has two wonderful dogs that bring a smile to her face every day. Of course she has many photos of them! She loves dogs and loves taking pictures of them. Tanya found herself taking pictures of dogs in her own studio and decided to include a doggy boutique into the mix. The result is a really special store at 1146 Pacific Boulevard in Vancouver.

www.thedogandhydrant.com