Seedy Sunday: Local event promotes seed saving and local products
March 6, 2016- There is always something seedy to do in
the Ottawa Valley! I had a wonderfully educational day at the Rankin Culture
and Recreation Centre for the 9th Annual Seedy Sunday, a seed swap
and heirloom seed sale that promotes local and organic agriculture. The event,
sponsored by Ottawa River Institute, invites the public to come out to “share
and prepare for the gardening season” but also sends a deeper message of environmental
health and a sustainable future. My fiancé and I prepared by planning our 8ft
vegetable garden while Hazel fell asleep on the Canadian Gardener’s Guide, dreaming of when she could once again
sneak into the garden and eat all of the green beans right off the plant.
Happy International Polar Bear Day!
Take the #ThermostatChallenge
It is
perfect polar bear weather here in snowy Ontario! February 27 is International Polar Bear Day
and this is such an important day because it’s about so much more than these
beautiful bears. Climate Change is destroying these animals’ habitats and
glaciers are melting at a faster pace than ever recorded in history. These polar bears need our help.
Polar Bears International is asking everyone to take a
stand for International Polar Bear Day by taking the Thermostat Challenge to save energy
for polar bears. How do you take the Thermostat Challenge? I’ll let Polar Bears
International tell you how below:
-
“Turn
down the heat a degree or two and enjoy hygge, or winter
coziness, for polar bears- put on your fuzzy slippers and a comfy sweater,
light candles, sip a hot drink, or bundle up for a walk in the snow.
- In summer, set your air-conditioning thermostat higher.
- Install a programmable thermostat for year-round savings- and take additional energy-saving steps like insulating your home and weather-stripping windows and doors.
- Show how you're taking part by posting photos on social media with #PolarBearDay, #ThermostatChallenge, and #Hygge. You can also share our special pre-made images!
- Make it a community-wide challenge! See our Thermostat Challenge Toolkit for tips and ideas.
- Also check out our Heating and Cooling Infographic, which shows how individual actions scale up to make a BIG difference."
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| Photo by tableatny via Foter.com CC |
Polar
Bears International also urges people to sign a petition for “A Fair Price for Carbon” explaining
that “we need to greatly reduce greenhouse gas emissions to solve the problem
of climate change- a problem that extends beyond polar bears and the Arctic to
affect all wildlife and people, too.” According to their experts, the surest way
to achieve this is to set a fair price for carbon pollution.
The petition states that “by including the
true cost of carbon in the price we pay for fossil fuels, we can speed up the
transition to a renewable energy future. Not only will this reduce the
greenhouse gas emissions that cause global warming, it will improve human
health, reduce pollution, and strengthen the economy at the same time.”
Fossil
fuels appear to be cheaper than they actually are and if the cost of fossil
fuels was truthfully reflected we would have no choice but to make a global
change to renewable energy. The renewable technology already exists but our
ability to use it on a global scale won’t happen if fossil fuels are so easily
attainable. I am signing the petition- will you? This International
Polar Bear Day reminds us how much we all rely on each other to survive on this
planet- and that we need to make a change for the future.
Pet Dental Health Month: Tips and tricks to combat doggy breath
The war on pet dental disease is waging! Oral care is so
important for pets and brushing their teeth is the best way to prevent future
dental disease. I brush my dogs Hazel and Keira’s teeth but let me tell you-
it’s tricky. Not just for me, but for many pet owners. Over the years I have
been able to get some tricks from savvy pet owners and veterinary professionals
and I feel it is only fitting to share them. According to the American Animal
Hospital Association (AAHA), approximately 85 per cent of cats and dogs over the age of three have some form
of periodontal or dental disease. I hope that by sharing these tips, teeth brushing
can become a happy, fight-free experience!
Hurricane Hazel blew into town: This puppy yells her own story with sass-mouth
Hurricane Hazel blew into our lives one year ago and
things have never been the same. I remember reading books and articles to
prepare. How to Raise the Perfect Dog:
Through Puppyhood and Beyond by Cesar Millan was a good one. Some things
you just can’t plan for. Regardless Hazel has been such a vibrant and curious
puppy. She is so different if you compare her to Keira. From day one Hazel has had
a real sassy attitude- Little Miss Sass-Mouth. She is big. She is bold. She isn’t
afraid of anything! She is pure comedy.
Photos: My mountain dogs enjoying first snow
It
finally snowed in Ontario!
It is very
exciting. Climate change couldn’t have been more obvious this Christmas here in
Ontario, Canada- a province that is usually draped in a thick blanket of cold, sparkling
snow by now. Instead we had a grassy-green holiday season- until today.
Hopefully this will be a big enough sign for everyone to change and make more
eco-friendly lifestyle and diet choices.
Both of the
girls were really excited for snow but Hazel was he most excited. She hasn’t
seen snow since she was a little, tiny puppy. Now she is a 97 lb almost one
year old. Saint Bernese dogs are in their element in the winter time and I was disappointed
that they weren’t getting to experience it. Finally today it snowed and we took
the girls on a hike through a winter wonderland. Check out our photo story in the
snowy forest.
Snowdogs: 10 best cold-weather dog breeds for a family
Active families in cold-weather regions who are
interested in adopting a dog will be looking for a breed that can tolerate the
frigid climate and play in the snow with the children. The list of Nordic dogs
is a long one but not all of those dog breeds will fit into a family with
children. Small children and even older kids need a pet that can tolerate
playing and activity just as much as it can tolerate four seasons. Kids need a
dog breed that is patient and loving to ensure that all play is safe play.
Green
Christmas: Eco friendly wrapping paper for holiday gifts
Here in Ontario, Canada we have yet to see a real snow
fall which is very unusual for this area. It is so clear that climate change is
impacting our planet in a big way. I am always looking for a way to be more
eco-friendly and try to make green choices in my home. The holiday season
creates a lot of waste so I decided since Ontario is having a green Christmas I
may as well have a green Christmas in my home!
This Christmas I decided not to buy any Christmas wrapping
paper at all. Instead, I used old magazines and comic books that I don’t read
anymore and wrapped gifts with the pages. I taped them together like a mosaic around
all of my holiday gifts. Any gifts that went in bags went in re-used gift bags
I have saved from previous years.
Warm winter walks: #NorthFetch dog apparel is Canadian and cozy
This post is sponsored by North Fetch, PetSmart Canada and the BlogPaws Professional Pet Blogger Network. I am being compensated for helping spread the word about North Fetch at PetSmart Canada, but Paws For Reaction only shares information we feel is relevant to our readers. North Fetch and PetSmart Canada are not responsible for the content of this article.
There is nothing quite like a Canadian winter. Here in the Ottawa Valley winters are cold but full of adventure. There are so many great places to ski, snowshoe and hike in this region. I love to bundle up and hit the trails with my big mountain dogs to do some winter exploring! Hazel and Keira do very well in cold weather. They are both big, fluffy Saint Bernese dogs that are built for the cold weather. Avalanches? Bring it on! My girls are great in the winter, but it is not very often they get to go hiking with a friend.
Doggy Christmas gift idea: Tasty treat and the gift of giving #DOGforDOGPetSmart
This post is sponsored by DOG for DOG and the BlogPaws Professional Pet Blogger Network. I am being compensated for helping spread the word about DOG for DOG being available at PetSmart Canadian stores but Paws For Reaction only shares information we feel is relevant to our readers. DOG for DOG and PetSmart are not responsible for the content of this article.
The magic of the holidays is in the air and I am looking for gifts to go in Hazel and Keira’s stocking. This is Hazel’s first Christmas and I want it to be special. I was really excited when I heard about DOG for DOG pet treats because for every item they sell they donate all-natural DOGSFOOD to help feed dogs in need! This is the season of giving so I had to get involved and try some of their products.
DOG for DOG is all about providing dogs with tasty and nutritious food, because every dog deserves that! DOG for DOG includes three different types of treats that I am sampling with my girls. They are all available at Canadian PetSmart locations:
DOGSBUTTER: Peanut butter for dogs! This product was inspired by all natural peanut butter at the Los Angeles Farmers Market. It is gluten free with no added salt, sugar or hydrogenated oils. A lot of human-grade peanut butter on the market today contains the sugar substitute xylitol that if ingested is toxic to dogs. This peanut butter is safe for my dog and it is nutritious too. It is perfect because Hazel loves peanut butter in her Kong!
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| life is good -pete Foter CC BY-NC-ND |
Holiday hazards: How to keep cats and dogs safe around the Christmas
tree
Christmas is just around the corner and for many that means a tree and decorations. Twinkling lights and glistening tinsel may
be appealing to the eye but for pets the Christmas tree holds a special fascination that can
lead to danger. Something seemingly harmless like a Christmas tree can turn
deadly to a dog or cat. Pet parents can to take certain precautions to
make inviting a Christmas tree- real or fake- into their home safer for their furry family members. This is how to pet proof your tree and have a safe and merry Christmas!
Pet food with No Bad Anything: Discover the #SubZeroDifference
This post is sponsored by Nutrience, PetSmart, and the BlogPaws Professional Pet Blogger Network. I am being compensated for helping spread the word about the launch of Nutrience Subzero in PetSmart Canada but Paws For Reaction only shares information we feel is relevant to our readers. Nutrience and PetSmart are not responsible for the content of this article.
Keira had an exciting trip to PetSmart® when we went to pick up our bag of Nutrience® Subzero™ and discover the #SubZeroDifference for ourselves. She’s not a very excitable dog but she sure loves PetSmart®- she wouldn’t even hold still for one good photo!
I often use pet food as treats for my dogs and I highly recommend it. Pet food is more balanced than pet treats so I use food to make sure my girls don’t gain weight while we are training- especially Hazel. Weight gain is bad for their hips. And we do a lot of training- especially Hazel!
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| Photo by TempusVolat Foter CC BY-NC-SA |
Nightmare before Christmas: Crazy cats and bad dogs ruin Christmas
The Christmas tree can be a source of curiosity and
wonder for a pet. Who can blame them- we put a giant tree in the house, hang
twinkling shiny things around and wrap objects in crinkly paper. Not to mention
we hang balls from it! It is sensory overload for our pets and it usually ends
up in disaster.
“You brought in a tree and hung balls from it- I honestly thought it was
for me!” –Every cat
ever
Most pet parents are all too familiar with the
mischievous behavior that a Christmas tree can bring out of our pets. These
photos are of dogs and cats that have ruined Christmas by trashing their
Christmas trees and decorations- or the gifts under it! These aren't
necessarily bad dogs and cats- they just don’t have much Christmas spirit.
Check out these pets saying BA HUMBUG to Christmas!
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| Photo by Flat6 Foter CC BY-SA |
Give thanks: 5 reasons why people with pets live happier, longer lives
Canadian’s will gather round the dinner table this weekend to celebrate Thanksgiving with family- and in many homes in North America the family members include pets. According to a 2013 survey by Ipsos- a leading market research company in Canada- 57% of Canadian's own a pet. In the United States 67% of households have a pet to call their own. Pet parents giving thanks to their pets may not know the amazing gifts that their pets are giving them every day.
Countless studies have been conducted to determine a pets influence on its owner's overall health. Research has shown that pets can do all sorts of things to improve their owner’s health and even help people live longer. Some pets assist people with disabilities while others soothes people suffering from depression. Either way there is plenty to give thanks to when it comes to pet.
Check out these 5 reasons to give thanks for the family pets. Find out how just owning a pet can benefit the entire family and keep them happy and healthy for the holidays and all their other days.
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| Photo by bombnomnom Foter CC BY-NC-SA |
Pet
food recall: July 2015
Boulder
Dog Food Company, L.L.C. voluntarily recalls Turkey Sprinkles due
to possible Salmonella
FDA PRESS RELEASE-July 2, 2015- Boulder, Colorado – Boulder Dog Food
Company, L.L.C. is voluntarily recalling the Turkey Sprinkles (3 oz.) with a
"Best By" date of "05/18/16, 05/28/2016 and 05/30/2016", a
Lot Number of "743", and a UPC Code of 899883001224 because the
product has the potential of being contaminated with Salmonella. Salmonella can
affect animals eating the product, and there is a risk to humans who handle the
product, especially if the handler does not thoroughly wash his or her hands
after having contact with the Product or any surfaces exposed to the product.
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| Photo by Takashi(aes256) Foter CC BY-SA |
Pet
food recall: June 2015
Boulder
Dog Food Company, L.L.C. voluntarily recalls ten bags of Chicken Sprinkles due
to possible Salmonella health risk
FDA PRESS RELEASE- June 19, 2015- Boulder, CO- Boulder Dog Food
Company, L.L.C. is voluntarily recalling the Chicken Sprinkles (3 oz.) with a
“Best By” date of “05/04/16”, a Lot Number of “998”, and a UPC Code of
899883001231 (the “Product”), because the Product has the potential of being contaminated
with Salmonella. Salmonella can affect
animals eating the Product, and there is risk to humans who handle the Product,
especially if the handler does not thoroughly wash his or her hands after
having contact with the Product or any surfaces exposed to the Product.
Dealing with a doggy disability: X-rays show the progression of Hazel's broken femur
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Hazel at 9 weeks and 13 weeks
|
Hazel, my Saint
Bernese puppy, is
four months old now and much has changed for this fluffy little spit-fire of a
mountain dog. When my partner Robert and I brought Hazel home on March 22 we
noticed that she walked with a limp. I brought her to the animal hospital where
I work the next day and received some bad news- Hazel had fractured her femur
bone in her left hind leg at some point early on in her life. It went un-diagnosed and untreated. The first radiograph showed that bone had completely callused over- making the left leg
shorter than the right.
As
I discussed in my letter from the editor Hazel will walk with a limp, is
guaranteed to have arthritis and hip dysplasia early on in life and may need major surgery. At that time I was still waiting for the surgeon’s assessment.
Later that week I received the news- the surgeon said I should leave the leg for
now but take x-rays monthly to monitor the growth and watch for signs of pain.
If we saw signs of soreness we were to put Hazel on a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) to help with pain management.
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| Photo by derfian Foter CC BY-NC-SA |
Pet food recall: May 2015
OC Raw Dog Recalls Turkey & Produce Raw Frozen
Canine Formulation Because of Possible Salmonella Health Risk
Contact:
Consumer:
1-844-215-DOGS (3647)
Media:
949-215-1111
E-mail:
Olivia@ocrawdog.com
FDA PRESS RELEASE — May 15, 2015 — Ranch Santa Margarita, CA — OC
Raw Dog of Rancho Santa Margarita, CA is voluntarily recalling 2055 lbs. of
Turkey & Produce Raw Frozen Canine Formulation because it has the
potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. An organism which
can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or
elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Salmonella can
affect animals eating the products and there is risk to humans from handling
contaminated pet products, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their
hands after having contact with the products or any surfaces exposed to these
products.
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