Vacation Time for Us!

Though we’re seldom out of contact for significant amounts of time, the Love on a Leash offices will be closed from August 20th until the 30th of the month. We won’t be returning e-mail or telephone messages or handling any bookings until August 31st.

Enjoy the rest of your summer and we look forward to seeing you again in the fall!

Eldad Hagar at Vancouver Meet and Greet to Benefit Paws for Hope

Eldad Hagar is doing inspiring rescue work which is often captured on video and shared with the world. These videos show the extent to which he will go to save a stray, abandoned, injured and often very fearful animal. The goal of sharing these videos is to show people that if you look past the filth and fear and give the discarded creatures a second chance, you will be amazed by the transformation that can happen.

While Eldad has been doing this life saving work for years, it was the rescue video of Fiona that captured the world.  Fiona, a blind, matted and flea infested Bichon was living next to a dumpster when Eldad rescued her and gave her a second chance at life and of sight.

The event will take place at the Waldorf Hotel, 1489 E. Hastings on September 2, 2012 from 5-8pm in the Leetag Room. Entry is by donation with a minimum donation of $10. For more information, call 604-657-4183 or visit the web site.

Never Say “Diet” Cheese Treats for Your Dog

Dogs love cheese. Always and without question. But the reality is, too much cheese is no better for your dog than it is for you! Dogs love these richly flavored cheese-based treats, but don’t seem to utter a single growl at their recede calorie contents. A guilt-free treat your pup will really enjoy!

Never Say “Diet” Cheese Treats for Your Dog

Ingredients:

1/2 cup shredded reduced fat cheddar cheese
1/2 cup green beans, cooked and mashed
3 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1 cup beef broth
1/4 cup skim milk
1 tablespoon melted butter

Preheat oven to 350 F.

Mix shredded cheddar cheese with flour. Add skim milk, butter and beef broth. Knead dough until firm and roll to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut into appropriate shapes and place on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

Makes 30 cookies.

Pet Friendly Vacation Accommodations

Thinking of crossing the border this summer and looking for a great vacation rental that is PET FRIENDLY?  Go to:  http://www.petswelcome.com/milkbone/classrent.html for a fabulous selection of pet friendly homes just waiting to make your vacation extra special for the entire family!

The Love Behind Love on a Leash: Gillian Dunn

Gillian loves dogs of all breeds and has recently come into starting up a doggie business of her own called “Dunn’s Doggies.” As an independent dog-walker, Gillian runs and operates Dunn’s Doggie with the help of her sidekick, her black Labrador, Lucie. LOAL clients will note that Gillian recently took over for Penny’s Pampered Pets. In addition, she is a Love on a Leash-recommended dog walker.

Gillian resides in Kitsilano, where a portion of her clients are located, but also has clients in various parts of the city. Gillian believes in beginning a relationship with a new client in advance of your dog’s first outing. When you contact her, she will set up a meet and greet with you and your pooch (at no charge, of course). At the meeting, she’ll get to know your dog while asking you all the necessary questions. The idea is to get to know your dog before the walks.

Dogs love Gillian, something new clients often are able to spot right away. But it’s good to know that she is also Canine and CPR certified (via DogSafe), making her someone good to have around -- and around your dog! -- in the case of an emergency.

Gillian has been a dog lover her whole life. She has had a wide variety of pets, but maintains that dogs will always be her favorite! Her fondest memories include playing with and taking care of dogs belonging to friends and family, while wanting one of her own.

You can contact Gillian by phone at 778-846-8830 or at dunnsdoggies@gmail.com via e-mail.

A Happy Canine Smile

The patient. What a cutie!

Though no one argues the value of a good, clear smile, we don’t always translate that to our pets. Fortunately, there are people out there who do, among them Corinne Henderson, president and owner of DentaPet.

Before. Those choppers
clearly need attention!

“Our mission,” Henderson says, “is to provide professional, safe, well-priced, non-anesthesia teeth cleaning treatment in maintaining pet’s overall oral health and happiness.”

DentaPet’s certified hygienists are registered with the B.C. Government Oral Health Association and Veterinarian approved and they provide non-invasive oral hygiene service for dogs and cats.

Henderson offers some thoughts:

After. Nothing like a clear,
bright smile!

A pet can bring a lifetime of joy, love, and treasured moments. With those happy moments also comes special responsibility to care for the needs of your animal friend. At Dentapet, we provide compassionate oral care at the very highest level in all of the Vancouver area. We strive for a warm and friendly relationship with you and your pet. Dentapet takes great pride in treating your pet like a member of our family.
Since animals can't tell you when they have dental or oral disease, regular oral examinations are recommended. At DentaPet we offer options on how to treat these issues safely and effortless.

• Book free 15 min consult

Truly looking good!

• DentaPet can be mobile, but there would be an additional fee for travel
• Teeth cleaning: dependant on the condition of animal’s mouth
• Book two or more pets / $10.00 off ( not applicable with other promotions or coupons)
• Nails $10.00

Our goal is to help improve the comfort and quality of our patients’ lives.

Please visit our web site, dentapet.com and if you have any questions please do not hesitate to call me at 604-971-1388.

Karen Moe Photography: Fine Art Dog Portraits

In 2008, Karen Moe published the book, Dog, that features her photographic series, “Perros: Dogs of Central Havana.” While photographing every dog she saw in one week in Havana, Karen discovered both her emotional and aesthetic passion for dogs.

Her love of dogs as both individuals and members of families and her artistic and philosophical commitment to both animal and human relationships gives Karen the privilege of creating unique portraits that both exemplify and complement her clients’ extraordinary lives.

Karen’s skills and insights as an artist grace these photographic experiences as works of art. These philosophies and practices are at the center of Karen Moe’s Fine Art Dog Photography. Karen has been focusing on fine art dog photography since the fall. She captures canine images that are artful enough to hang on a dog lover’s walls, she says, and also stays busy offering headshots of dogs looking to break into careers in film.

Karen Moe is hosting Uncommon Vision this coming weekend (June 8-10) at the ARC showcasing multiple artists in our midst on Vancouver's Eastside. The ARC, one of the only live/work artists' buldings in vancouver, has been providing provocative “Uncommon” group art exhibitions since 2003.  It’s a great way to see some truly local art.

In celebration of “All Things Dog” Karen will host afternoon tea and offer 15 minute Dog Portrait Mini-Shoots on Saturday, June 9th from 1:00-5:00 p.m.

Karen's “doggy portrait sittings” will cost $30 and owners can choose a 5" x 7" print from one of five shots taken that day. $5 from the $30 fee will be donated to one of four animal protection agencies that Karen supports:  The SPCA, The Wilderness Committee, Liberation B.C. or the B.C. Health Coalition.  You get to choose which one you wish the $5 goes to!

Part of the ARC's Uncommon Vision
UNCOMMON VISION
ARC GROUP SHOW + OPEN STUDIO
June 8 - 9 - 10, 2012
Fri & Sat: Opening Reception + Night Gallery 7pm -12am
Sat & Sun: Day Gallery + Open Studios 12pm- 5pm
ARC Gallery: 1701 Powell Street @ Commercial

For more information, you can contact Karen via e-mail at karenmoephotography@gmail.com or call  604-787-1806.

Canine Communicator Breaks Dog Language Barrier

We’ve all heard about Dog Whisperers. In fact, our resident Fairy Dogmother, Shelly, at Love on a Leash in the Country is a Dog Whisperer. Shelley has the innate ability to understand canine psychology and the whys and hows of what your dog is acting and reacting to. Because of this, Shelly works with many of our special needs doggy clients to help them through their anxieties, phobias and bad behaviors when they come stay with her. She also works with owners to learn -- and sometimes unlearn -- their own behaviors so they can better understand and work with their dog so their dog becomes more balanced, relaxed and feels secure in the family.

As much as I love and respond to Shelly’s special gifts at understanding to and relating with our canine pals, there is another way. Dale McCarthy is an animal communicator. Her gift is, I think, more difficult to pin down than Shelly’s. But I’ve seen it in action and have been no less impressed.

To me, Dale is one part Dr. Doolittle and one part Dog Whisperer in that she can actually hear your dog’s thoughts. She doesn’t train your dog or work through any psychological issues but, if you are wondering if your dog is in pain, if you are asking yourself if it is time to let your geriatric pooch go to the other side or find yourself wondering what your dog may be thinking, Dale’s gift seems honestly able to help.

I’ve been so deeply impressed that I asked Dale to share some of what she does with our readers. Dale writes:

Want to know what your pet is thinking? 

Are you trying to make the tough decision of when to let them go? 

Quite often, we wish we could talk with our pets to find out what they are thinking, discuss health issues, deal with behaviour problems or to make the difficult decision of when it is time to let them leave this world. 

Animals are constantly communicating with us but we usually just notice the wagging tails, meowing and the usual cat or dog behaviours. There is way more they are telling us but just that we don’t recognize or understand.  Sometimes you probably do feel that your pet is talking to you -- and it is! So trust your instincts in that you really do know what is going on with your pet.  

But if you want to get more confirmation on what you think or want to know more, then having an Animal Communicator do a session for you and your pet is a great way to find out what you’d like to know! 

I am fortunate to have the intuitive gift of being able to communicate with animals through conversations of words and visuals which can be shared with their owners. The pet will provide me with information as to their personality traits, what any issues may be and even when they are ready to pass on. This ability to converse, interpret and relay information will answer any questions or concerns you might have about your pet.  

You can contact Dale through her web site, or by calling her at 778-330-6936.

K9 Kamp and the Desire to Deter the Muffin Top

Luckily my pooches and I don’t need K9 Kamp at this time as we are super active, but I know what it's like to have a dog who looks like a tank. For years, my darling Casey was affectionately called “The Chunk” as she was, shall we say (ahem) solid!

So I know what it is when a donut or three -- or too many great canine cookies! -- add more jiggle to your wiggle than is desired for optimum health or peace of mind and I can appreciate how a support group of dogs and owners can really help spur one another on to get up and move.

I wholeheartedly support Jodi and Kolchak’s initiative to work off their muffin tops and encourage anyone who feels the need to get on board for health and prizes. I know Jodi is getting a lot of support for this program and it makes me so happy to know that what she’s creating will be potentially powerful for so many people and dogs.

You can get full details here.

10 Things Casey Taught Me

I’ve been lucky to have shared my life with many pets over the years. Looking back, I know they were all very generous with their gifts and they taught me many things. Like a lot of people, though, I felt especially blessed and connected by one dog in particular. For me, that was my beloved Bichon Frise Casey Jane who I had to say good-bye to in December of 2011. The thought of that still gives me pain. 

Over the years, though, there was much, much more joy in my life from Casey than any other thing. That is, she brought joy and love to me in abundance but, looking back, she brought more, as well. Can I quantify those things? No, of course not. But if I think about her gifts I can boil it down, at least a little bit.

Here, then, are the 10 Things Casey Taught Me: the things I have to hold on to every single day. The gifts she shared that, ultimately, changed my life. And now I’ll share those gifts with you.

The Ten Things Casey Taught Me

1. Forget About Multitasking

Look at your dog when she’s got a job to do. She’s doing it whole-heartedly, isn’t she? She’s in the moment and on the ball. There are studies that show that when you multitask your productivity goes down. I don’t think Casey actually knew that, but something in her bones did, just the same.

2. Walk Every Single Day

Even when you don’t feel like it. Walking continues to be the safest and easiest ways to burn calories and help you lose weight, fight depression, keep your bones strong, your heart going and your mind sharp.

3. Live in the Moment

Though I think, in a way, that this goes with multitasking, it’s a strong enough point to draw a line under. In a Harvard university study called “A Wandering Mind Is an Unhappy Mind,” psychologists concluded that people are happiest when doing things that keep the mind focused, such as sex or exercise. So live in the now!

4. Wag Your Tail

It’s true: I do not have a tail. Nor, probably, do you. But Casey taught me to try and be happy for the small things and to approach life gratefully. Back to the studies: it’s been shown that people who keep gratitude journals have better attitudes, exercise more and have fewer physical complaints.

5. Get More Than Your Eight Glasses

When dogs are thirsty and need replenishing, they go straight for the good stuff: water from the tap! When you’re playing -- and even just plain living -- it’s important to your health and your heart to stay hydrated. It helps keep you looking good, too.

6. Show Your Love

Dogs don’t ever play coy. When they love you, you know it. It turns out that showing your love is important for people, too and couples that let each other see their love are more connected and secure.

7. Don’t Forget to Groom

When we take care of ourselves and take the time to look good, we feel better. And Casey didn’t just make that up: there’s a strong link between personal hygiene and self-esteem. And everyone knows a shiny coat is a good indication of health.

8. Don’t Sit in the Sun

You wouldn’t think that dogs would know about UV rays and such but next time you’re out and stop for a break, watch your dog: they’re most likely going to head for the shade. And though sunscreen in the summer is a must, adding the protection of a big ’ol tree won’t hurt, either.

9. Give in to the Routine

Dogs are creatures of habit. Most of us? Not so much. Yet people tend to thrive more when they get really in tune with their body clock. Everything you do in this regard can help you achieve more -- and more restful -- sleep.

10. Learn to Read Body Language

Dogs are experts at non-verbal communication. A stretch, a sniff or a snuggle all reveal deeply different things. It’s not that we humans don’t have body language -- we’re stretching and scratching and making eye contact all the time. It’s just that most of us aren’t terribly good at reading it and volumes of potentially valuable communication goes to waste.

Letting the Cat out of the Bag

At Love on a Leash, we’re obviously most deeply concerned about dog care. Dogs are both our business and our passion. But it’s not because we don’t appreciate cats. Also, a lot of our friends and clients have cats and sometimes have no place to turn. So when I connected with Lori of Feline Friends Cat Care it struck me that this was a person whose passion for pets was equal to mine… just focused on the feline end of things!

So without further ado I’d like to introduce you to Lori and her fantastic catcentric services, in her own words:

Hi. My name is Lori and I have been asked by Tammy from Love On A Leash to tell you about my kitty sitting service. Tammy has indicated to me that many of her clients also have kitties who require excellent care while you are away. I can be that kitty care person. I specialize in kitty care in the Kitsilano and surrounding Vancouver areas.

With over 20 years experience working with kitties at the Meow-Aid Cat Shelter, taking courses in Cat Care at the BCSPCA, and caring for nine of my own kitties (both healthy and special needs), I am a responsible, reliable cat lover who will provide...

• A safe, loving environment for your kitty or multi-cat household
• Lots of affection, petting and play
• Daily visits as per your kitty's needs (feeding; a pristine litter box)
• Care for your special needs kitty (i.e., subcutaneous fluids; pilling; diabetic shots)
• Other tasks such as collecting mail and watering plants...

Prices: $20.00 per day per household (1 hour visit per day)
References available from a veterinarian, cat households, and, of course Love On A Leash'
Please e-mail me to talk further about your kitty's needs.

May Special from Off-Leash Photography

One of the things that make me feel very lucky is the fact that my darling dogs have been photographed by what I consider to be some of the top photographers in the land. As a result, I have many wonderful photographs of my dogs from over the years. Looking at them all, I know that I’ve had more great photos than is probably my share!

Now all of that said, some of my very favourite photos were taken by Angie Wojciechowska of Off-Leash Photography in Vancouver. In fact, the photos she did for me of Casey and Finnigan last fall right after Casey was really sick are some of the most cherished photos of them that I have. So, naturally, when Angie told me she was running a special for the balance of May, I wanted to rush to tell you about it while there was still some of the month left and you might have a chance to book Angie’s services.

The offer is exclusive to Love on a Leash’s readers and clients, so make sure you tell Angie where you saw it when you book! She’s offering 1/2 off a photo session. A full session is usually $300, but for the balance of May, it is only $150. which includes your pet’s sitting and three high resolution files. Angie says that other options are available, including her fantastic coffeetable-style photo books, that look terrific in this link but are even more beautiful and moving in person.

To see more of Angie’s work, you can see an article we did about her last year, here. You can visit Angie’s web site here, or call 604-618-2236 to book a sitting for your pet.

National Pet Week: Give Your Dog A Bone?

Okay, so if I’m very honest, in my heart and in my house, it’s National Pet Week all the time. And, truly, if you’re reading this, you probably think so, too. But I also like the idea of seven whole days set aside to give special thoughts to our dear household companions. The animals who share our lives and, perhaps most especially, those pets who have not been able to gain the sort of security that our own beloved companions enjoy.

According to the National Pet Week web site, “The goals of National Pet Week are to promote responsible pet ownership, celebrate the human-animal bond, and promote public awareness of veterinary medicine.” Which I guess is open enough to interpretation that you can do what you like with the occasion, provided you do something positive! Here are some ideas:

• Take your best friend for a walk!
• Learn more about your pet and what he requires to be both healthy and happy.
• Have a peek at local pet-related charities and give to one whose message resonates with you.
• Think about what you can do for less fortunate pets in your area: even if it’s something very small. (Every bit helps!)
• Give your canine pal a scratch or a tickle and think about all the things she does for you!

And, most importantly, enjoy your pets every single day of the year!

The Love Behind Love on a Leash: Carol Whitehead

For much of the last fifteen years, Carol Whitehead has spent her days and nights in the presence of dogs. She derives joy from their expression of love and affection every time they greet their human companions and is in admiration of their ability to welcome each new day with enthusiasm and wonder. Carol values how their living in the now reminds her to approach each day with some excitement about what may unfold. Carol has a lifetime of experience with dogs having worked in the industry either dog sitting or managing doggy businesses both on the retail scene and in the canine food industry and believes a day without a dog is like a day without sunshine. Dogs bring so much joy and laughter to Carol’s life that she tries to interact with every dog whose path she crosses. In fact, Carol would consider herself lucky to be a “loved” dog in another life!

Meet Carol and the rest of the Love on a Leash team here.

Best Trips with Your Best Friend: Crystal Lodge, Whistler, B.C.

Whistler’s Crystal Lodge is pleased to be one of the few dog friendly hotels in beautiful Whistler, British Columbia. Known world wide as a ski resort, at non-skiing times of the year Whistler is the perfect place for a vacation with your dog with ample opportunities to get out and hike enjoy the mountain. When you book your room, for an extra $20 (per dog, per night) your dog will enjoy his own dog bed, a welcome biscuit, dog blanket, drying towel & doggie bag. Whistler does have the best places to hang out during the day and be seen: the Village is full of doggy friends, and there is always the Valley Trail and many fabulous extended hiking trails nearby.

Shops are dog friendly and numerous patios make it easy to enjoy the town square environment while sipping your cappuccino or enjoying a delectable meal on the patio. Our picks for a great meal? Try Araxi or Player’s Chophouse Whistler. Player’s offers the more casual dining of the two but features delicious ribs and steaks: hearty fare that sticks to your ribs after a day out in the fresh air!

From Vancouver you can be in Whistler in about an hour and a half. A perfect weekend getaway for you and your dog.

When Letting Go is the Only Decision You Can Make

The most difficult decision I ever made was to let Casey go last December.  Quite simply, it broke my heart, but it was the best and most humane decision for her, even if it was horrific for me.

With the help of my amazing family and kind and compassionate vet, we said goodbye to my beautiful, fluffy baby girl on Dec. 19th, 2011. I had vowed never to let her suffer, never to let her become infirm or pathetic or listless or just simply alive just to keep her in my life. It was tough and I cry ever day because I still miss her something fierce. But even that is better than watching her become more vacant and uninterested in everything around her, like eating or playing or going out for a simple walk down the street.

I cherish all the beautiful fun memories I have in my head and in my heart of our 13 and a half years we had together. R.I.P. Casey Jane.

As difficult as all of this was for me, I know I’m not alone in the things I’m feeling. That’s the difficult part of loving a dog: their spans are simply not long enough and, sadly, there’s a good chance that one day, you’ll have similar decisions to make. The upside is that there really is help out there. For instance, I found this article to be both soothing and practical and it may be able to offer help to those of you faced with this awful decision. When the time comes, think about it: are you keeping your pet alive for your own benefit or do they have real quality of life as these precious babies deserve?

Flea & Tick Alert: this Season May Be A Bad One!

Spring is springing. And while we don’t yet have the warmth we’d like for this time of year, it’s heading this way! And then what happens? Flea and tick season.

This is an engraving of a flea

 from Robert Hooke’s 1665 

Micrographia. Goes to show you: 

some things never change!

You may have already heard that veterinarians are predicting that we will have an extremely bad flea and tick season this year. Why these predictions? Because across the country we experienced warmer than usual weather this winter. Not here in Vancouver of course, but over a lot of North America the typical winter freeze never happened. This means that fleas and ticks will emerge from their dormant life cycles much, much sooner.

This is not good news of course, especially when you consider that even just one flea can lead to a full flea infestation in no time at all. Did you know that an adult flea can lay 15 to 20 eggs per day and over 500 in her lifetime. At this rate one flea in your home can become a full-fledged flea infestation -- imagine fleas on your pet, in your carpets, sofas, clothing and even your bed... totally unacceptable and totally gross!

The only way to protect your pet is to treat them with a flea and tick preventative medication. I also know that many people are against flea prevention or medications because of the chemicals involved and while I appreciate that sentiment, I don’t take the chance that my dogs won’t get fleas and I do treat them. Both my Bichons are highly allergic to flea bites and the resulting biting and scratching themselves raw is not an alternative I can accept.

There are natural remedies out there and I would love to hear back from our readers about any of these that really work. I do bathe both my dogs with organic shampoos that are full of essential oils like lavender and citronella that are supposed to help repel fleas and they smell wonderful.

Is your pet on any type of flea medication yet? If not, please do not let your precious pet go another day without protection! A single flea can bite your pet more than 400 times: whether you go the medication or naturopathic route, act today and give your dog the protection they deserve from this nasty predator.

Gardeners Beware: Don’t Let Beauty Hurt the Beloved Beast!

Who doesn’t love a beautiful garden? All those wonderful sights and smells and for those who love to get their hands dirty, hours spent gardening can be almost as fun as those spent walking their dog. But, all that beauty and outdoorsy activity aside, beware! Though gardens may be healthful and beautiful to us, they can present a very real health hazard to your pet.

As with all things regarding your pet, safety must begin with you. When choosing your plantings, take a little extra time to be certain you’re not selecting plants that can be harmful -- even poisonous! -- to your pet. Not sure what those plants are? The list is startlingly extensive and includes some that are very common in these region including the bulbs of Amaryllis, Autumn Crocus, Daffodil, Day Lily, Gladiolas, Hyacinth, Iris, Lily of the Valley, Narcissus and Tulips.

Growing in the garden itself, beware Cyclamen, Hydrangea, Poinsettia, Charming Diffenbachia, Christmas Rose, Flamingo Plant, Foxglove, Morning Glory, Nightshade, Onion, Tomato Plant, Tropic Snow Dumbcane and though you probably don’t have it growing in your garden, Marijuana is poisonous to dogs, as well.

For a very good working list of plants toxic and non-toxic to dogs and other animals, check this one at the ASPCA web site.

While it’s important to choose pet-safe plants for the areas your animals will spend time, don’t stop there. While many lawn chemicals are actually not harmful to pets, remember to stay aware while choosing them: better to be certain now than sorry later. And don't forget other things like fertilizer, snail bait and other items you might use in your garden.

With a little care you will make sure that the little oasis you’re creating in your yard will be safe and enjoyable for your canine friends as well as your human ones!

Walking the Walk: LOAL Pooch Walking Brigade Will Face Changing of the Guard

After several wonderful years referring our Love on a Leash clients to Penny’s Pampered Pets for dog walking, we’re sad to share with you that both Penny and her sister Christy will be leaving the industry to pursue various other interests as of April 27th.

Not only are we sad, we know that the many canine pals that Penny has made at the end of a leash will be, as well. For her part, Penny will miss them, too. “This has not been an easy decision to make,” Penny says. “I will greatly miss caring for all of the four-legged furry little ones I have grown to love over my past 12 years as a dog walker.” She adds that she is hoping to continue with overnight dog care thru Love on a Leash in order to continue seeing some familiar faces. Penny says that she and Christy anticipate missing all of her clients, as well as “the sweet little faces we have grown to love over the past few years.”

While it’s difficult to express how very much we’ll miss both Penny and Christy, we wish them well with all of their future endeavors. We’ve been sworn to secrecy, so we won’t divulge what’s at the bottom of this move, but we can’t help but share that Penny’s decision comes from a very happy place and we send her love and good wishes, as we know you will, as well.

The silver lining for us is that the very passionate and loving Gillian Dunn has stepped up to try to fill what we know are hard to follow shoes. You can read more about Gillian on the Meet the Team page on the Love on a Leash web site, but let me just say that Gillian has all of the passion, smarts and knowledge you’d expect from the person you trust to walk your best friend. Gillian's direct contact information for dog walking is available on our website.

You and Your Dog at Easter

If you’re looking for a super fun Easter activity that you can share with your dog, here’s a great possibility for those in the Vancouver area: Three Dog Bakery is sponsoring an Easter Begg Hunt at Suter Brook Village in Port Moody. The hunt begins right at noon on Saturday, April 7th so those who wish to participate are being asked to come no later than 11:45 that morning. A modest $5. registration fee will give you and your pooch the chance to sniff out over 2000 dog-appropriate Easter treats. For more information, you can call 604-469-3647.

Letter from Palm Springs: Welcome to Our Family, Pixie! & A Dog-Friendly Oasis in the Desert

As many of you know, my 16-year-old Bichon gal, Casey Jane, passed away on December 19th, 2011. It was a very painful decision for me and one that I was not ready for, even though my gal was. It was very peaceful for her and although my heart shattered into a million pieces that day, nearly four months later it is very slowly starting to heal.

This leads me to my next topic: the introduction of Pixie to our little family. After Casey was gone, our home felt very empty with just Finnigan all by his lonesome, but I wasn’t ready to get another dog right away. At that time I felt like I was replacing Casey and couldn’t bear the thought of forgetting her.

As the weeks went by I realized that nothing would ever make me forget her and although I was broken-hearted, we had room in our home and our hearts to love another little Bichon Frise in need. Thus began my search for another “mature” Bichon gal to join our family. We put in an application with Small Paws Bichon Rescue and waited...

On February 7th, 9-year-old, Pixie flew all the way from Chicago, by herself, direct to Palm Springs where we were waiting to bring her home to her new life. It was very emotional for me to meet this Bichon girl for the first time. She was sweet and friendly and even after hour upon hour in a crate all by herself, her tail was wagging. We opened the door and out she popped, happy as could be!

Pixie became part of the family from the moment she arrived and has also started to steal a piece of my heart. I still cry over the loss of my Casey, sometimes every day, but Pixie is helping me heal and has become a wonderful companion to our boy, Finnigan who was lonely and anxious without Casey.

We are fortunate to spend our winters in Palm Springs which is extremely dog-friendly. Dogs are allowed in many restaurants which is wonderful. There are many events that are dog-friendly with the purpose of raising funds for causes from animal adoptions to guide dog services.

This past few weeks saw Pixie and Finnigan attend two such wonderful events with me:

The first was “Yappy Hour,” on the patio of the delightful Aqua Pazza Restaurant in Rancho Mirage. Leslie Kennedy, editor of B.C’s Pet Connection Magazine and her little dog, Baby Jazz, were our companions for the afternoon. Yappy Hour’s theme for March was The Mad Hatter’s Tea Party raising funds for the organization “Loving all Animals.”

Loving all Animal’s president, Lindi Biggi, works tirelessly encouraging people to adopt animals in order to decrease the number of homeless animal companions languishing in shelters. Sadly, thousands of adoptable animals are euthanized in local shelters here in the Palm Springs area alone. The mission of Loving all Animals is simple: To bring the beautiful shelter dogs and cats out of the shelters and into loving homes!

The afternoon was a delight for the people and dogs attending. An afternoon of socializing on a gorgeous patio, sipping wine and nibbling on great eats with your best pal at your feet, plus wonderful raffle prizes and fun gifts for the winners of the best “hat” contest.

Loving all Animals hosts “Yappy Hour” on the third Thursday of every month. We will be sure to attend and support April’s Yappy Hour at Augusta Restaurant on El Paseo Drive before heading home to Vancouver. Go to www.LovingAllAnimals.org for further information as well as upcoming events on this amazing organization.

The second event we attended was the Grand Opening of Cold Nose Warm Heart, a fabulous gift store for pet lovers, which opened their second location on El Paseo. A portion of all purchases from their March 17th opening were generously donated to several animal rescue organizations. Naturally I had to buy these adorable his’n’hers sailor tees for the kidlets!

March 17th also marks the start of Fashion Week on El Paseo and Cold Nose Warm Heart got into the spirit of it all by sponsoring “Le Chien ~ A Celebration of Dogs and Fashion” under the big white tent. Pooch pampering, kibbles and champagne, runway fashion and special performances by stunt dog trainer and author Kyra Sundance were the big draws here.

The Grand Opening, within their lovely dog-friendly new store, saw Pixie, Finnigan and I entertained by glass artist, Janice Osborne, creating beautiful fused glass pet sculptures, animal communicator Terri Steuben, and chatting in great depth with author Maggie Espinosa about her book The Privileged Pooch: Luxury Travel with your Pet in Southern California. Maggie and her Bichon dog Marcel, personally signed a copy of their book for us. The Privileged Pooch is chock-full of tips on where to stay with your dog, as well as great dog-friendly places to eat and shop and fun things to do throughout Southern California. This little book will be part of all our future travel plans. You can follow Maggie and her dog Marcel at www.travelwithmaggie.com.

Pixie, Finnigan and I do appreciate how truly dog-friendly it is here in warm, sunny Palm Springs and hope that some of our archaic rules and bylaws back home in Vancouver can be updated to allow our pets to accompany us on the many restaurant patios throughout our fair city.

The Three Biggest Puppy Training Mistakes

Getting a puppy is a big responsibility. It’s up to you to bring him up right, all the way from a tiny little ball of fur into a loving and well-behaved adult dog. This means taking care of them, raising them right, and making sure they are healthy and happy. That’s why the biggest worry we hear when someone is planning on getting a puppy is “What if I make a mistake?”

If you ask yourself this question, let all of us at Love on a Leash congratulate you: you are already taking a huge step towards being a good dog owner! If you care enough to worry about making mistakes, then you are on the road to doing the right thing. It shows that you really care about raising your new family member in the right way. The more you know about your puppy, the better you will be able to deal with any situation that comes your way. And the better behaved pooch you will have down the road.

To help you have a well-adjusted, social and well-behaved dog, following are three common mistakes that we see puppy owners make:

Beginning the potty training in the home.
Many dog owners start potty training their puppies in the home using pads and newspapers. This is sometimes necessary while the pup is still too young to go outside, but if at all possible, all bathroom training should be done outdoors rather than anywhere inside your home. Why? Because your puppy will not carry the training information outdoors into a new environment. Many pet owners assume that once their puppy grows up he will begin to go outside on his own. This is NOT the case! If you teach your dog to go inside the house, he will go inside the house -- and more than likely, all over your house -- forever! Train your puppy to go outdoors where you will expect him to go when he’s older, and he will learn faster and easier.

You might have heard about crate training. This is a very humane, safe, and effective way to train your dog and reduce potty accidents. Dogs do not like to potty inside their personal space which is what a crate represents to them: a safe haven, that is all their own. Remember that a dog who has been taught to use the indoors as his bathroom will be socially unacceptable in other people’s homes and probably won’t be much fun to live with, either.

Letting your puppy do things you won’t want him to do as an adult.
This one can be hard to do because puppies are so adorable. Anything they do is cute, from biting your hand or pant leg to pouncing on people. But think it through: an adult dog biting and pouncing on people is not fun, especially if it’s a large breed. This is often the result when dogs are allowed to display unwanted behaviors when they are puppies. No matter how cute their gnawing on your finger may be, you need to step back and tell your pup “no.” If you don’t want your dog to sleep on your bed, sit on the furniture or bark at passing cars, don’t let him do it when he’s little. Your puppy will carry into adulthood everything you teach him now, so make sure you set clear boundaries.

Changing your puppy's food the day you get him home.
Many new puppy owners experience dismay when their puppy displays signs of sickness on their first days home. More often than not, the puppy is feeling sick because it was fed a new food. If you want to avoid this mistake, ask the previous owner of your puppy what kind of food he is feeding the puppy, and make sure to have the same kind of food on hand at least for the first while. If you want to switch your puppy’s food to something else, you will need to do so gradually or your puppy may feel sick, will likely throw up or end up with a nasty case of diarrhea which is no fun for anyone.

To change the brand of dog food your puppy (or adult dog) eats, first feed him only the old food. Then begin mixing more and more of the new food in with the old food until only the new food is left. If your dog does get diarrhea that does not clear up after a few days, change the food again as no dog, either puppy or adult, should have runny stool ever. It is a clear indication that what you are feeding is not agreeing with their digestive system.

In the end, just remember: you can’t be prepared for everything, however knowing the biggest blunders pet owners make is the best way to avoid them. Keep asking questions, and keep being a great dog owner.

We at Love on a Leash Trusted Dog Care have years of experience as dog owners and have taken many classes in canine psychology, dog behavior and training, as well as canine nutrition and canine first aid. We strive to help our clients ensure their dogs are happy and healthy not only in our care, but when they return home to you, too!

Dogs and People: What is the Age Comparison?

If your dog is five years old, that means he is the same physiologic age as a 35-year-old person, right? Well, actually not. The theory that every year in a dog’s life is the same as seven years in ours is commonly known but unfortunately not very accurate.

For example, a one-year-old beagle has passed puberty. A seven-year-old child likely has not. A seven-year-old Mastiff is considered geriatric, but a 49-year-old person is not.

For a more accurate comparison between physiologic age of dogs, follow this formula:

A one-year-old small or medium-sized dog is about 15 human years old. When the dog reaches two, he is the equivalent of a 24-year-old person. After that, each year is about four human years. This means that a nine-year-old dog is about the same as a 52-year-old person.

Large and giant breed dogs initially age slower but then age quickly. At one year of age, he is about the same physiologically as a 12-year-old child. After that, each year follows the standard seven human years.

Life expectancy in dogs depends on many things. Just as in humans, no one can predict how long an individual person or pet may live. Smaller dogs typically live longer than large breed dogs. Dogs under 20 pounds live to be around 15-18 years of age. Giant breed dogs have the shortest life span, ranging from 6-9 years.

The average canine life span is around 12 years but differs from breed to breed. By the time most dogs reach seven years of age, they are entering their senior years. For giant breed dogs, five years old is considered the beginning of old age. The record for the longest canine life span is 29 years.

How to Help your Dog Adjust to a Divorce

Sometimes relationships don’t work. The family dog is often affected by tension, sadness, and chaos that may exist in their home and all of these emotions can be present when a divorce is inevitable. Remember that your dog is used to everyone in the house and may still be extremely bonded to both adults. Both adults may also be tightly bonded to the dog. When ties are disrupted it can stress your dog and while there is no perfect solution to help your dog adjust, there are steps that can be taken to ease the transition.

Here are a few tips to help your dog adjust:

• When leaving the house, don’t make a big deal out of it. Simply say goodbye and close the front door calmly. This will help your dog remember that separation is not something to be anxious about.
• Keep your dog on a good schedule that is fairly consistent. Routines ease anxiety in pets and also help you manage your own time better.
• If you share custody of the dog, keep a schedule that works for both of you, and try to stick with it as best as possible. Once again, when meeting and departing, keep calm so your dog need not become anxious over one of you going the other way.
• If your pet seems bored, is becoming destructive or could use more exercise than you’re able to accommodate, consider enrolling them in doggie daycare. It will change the routine if your dog has never done this before, but will likely change it for the better. Your dog can spend the day playing and socializing rather than being home alone. If the divorce was tense, this may also help ease that tension because you could drop the dog off in the morning and your ex can pick the dog up in the evening or vice versa. Alternatively, a daily dog walker can come into your home and get your dog out walking each day to help alleviate any boredom they may be experiencing while you are at work. The exercise is great for your dog and you don’t have to panic about getting home if you get caught up a little later at work.

Remember to try and keep your dog’s well-being first and foremost. Break ups are tough and so is sharing a dog. If your relationship with your ex remains amicable then it can work, but if that is not possible, seriously consider who is best able to care for your dog full-time, even if that person is not you, and let the best caregiver retain permanent custody.

Figgy’s Custom Chicken, Rice and Cheese Dog Treats

My darling senior bichon, Figgy, has a problem with bladder stones and is on a severely restricted diet. I wrote to the always fantastically helpful Jodi of Kol’s Notes and asked her for help coming up with treats that Figgy can both handle and enjoy.

Here’s a link to our exchange, as well as the recipe Jodi cooked up, on the Kolchak Puggle blog though with Jodi’s kind permission, we’re running the recipe and her photos here, as well.

Thanks, Jodi! Figgy is ever so happy with his healthful and delicious treats!

Chicken, Rice and Cheese Dog Treats

Ingredients:

1 cup cooked, chopped chicken chunks or other lean meat, like pork loin or fish
1 cup cooked white rice or cooked peas
1 cup shredded cheese or other flavour booster, like asparagus
3 tablespoons white rice flour or pea flour
1/3 - 1/2 cup low-fat, low sodium chicken stock
1 tablespoon dry cilantro or basil (optional)

Preheat oven to 350F.

Place chicken and rice into a blender, food processor or Magic Bullet. Add chicken stock a little a time until it forms a very thick paste. (You might not need all the stock.)

Stir in cheese and rice flour.

Spread mixture into a 9x9 silicone cake pan or a wax paper lined regular pan.

Score the treats into one-inch squares using a pizza cutter or a knife. (This will make it much easier to break them into bites later.)

Bake the treats for 45 minutes. If you like a soft treat, remove from oven and allow to cool. If you prefer a crunchy treat, flip them and bake them for another 30 - 45 minutes.

Oh, Figgy, I hope this helps. We’re going to keep you in mind when we make new treats and we'll make sure we mention if they’re Figgy-Friendly!

Move over, Winter… Spring Has Sprung at Bow Wow Haus!

This just in from our good pals at Bow Wow Haus:

Spring might not officially arrive until later this month, but at Bow Wow Haus, it’s already here!

Made of organic cotton and in gorgeous pastel-y prints, these beautiful handmade collars and leashes from the USA scream “Bye Bye Winter!”

Attention four-legged fashionistas -- these cute graphic tanks and bold, blingy tees will chase away the winter blues!

Come and visit any of our three locations and check out what else we’ve got in store for Spring!

A Moving Afternoon with Guide Dogs of the Desert

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 Desert. 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

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

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

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.