New Year, new you: Non-fiction books that inspired me to feel better and be better PLUS Level up with my 2023 resolution reading list!

The past few years have been 'work on me' years. I suffered from depression and chronic pain for a long time. My healing journey included moving cities, taking a years-long break from dating, adjusting my medications, and letting go of people and things in my life that weren't healthy- or allowing them to walk away on their own. Extreme measures, but it's what I needed to heal. I couldn't pour into anything or anyone if I wasn't filling my own cup. But 2022 was different. I began seeing the effects of my work. I made a new life in a new city. I started dating again and was able to set healthy boundaries and stop myself from falling into old patterns- all while maintaining compassion and empathy. I reduced my medications. I learned to invest in people with all my heart, and at the same time, walk away if needed. 2022 was a personal growth year. The next step in healing. Obviously, I struggled at times. I made it through the devastating experiences easier than in the past. For the most part, 2022 was exciting, educational, successful, passionate, and blissful. Accepting. And calming. I found my peace.

Wishing you hopeful holidays: We may not all suffer the same this season, but we can heal together

This Christmas I feel something I haven't felt in the past few years; calm. The past few years have been transitional for me. Moving away and starting anew. Again. Sometimes my life feels like it's in a perpetual state of starting over. Losing Keira was devastating. Isolation from the pandemic was beginning to drag me down. The veterinary industry has been in a crisis and empathy is not always a renewable resource. Healing the fault lines on my surface was something I knew needed more attention. When you compare last Christmas, featuring another COVID catastrophe and a looming clown convoy, to this year, it's like going from a panic attack to finally taking a deep breath. Switching from heavy metal to folk music. Folk music is the sound I want to live with.

This post contains affiliate links to pawsitively adorable dog products, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

Bum wiggle-worthy dog gifts: Canadian-made Christmas and holiday dog collars that are merry and bright

It's beginning to look a lot like spoil your dog season! What better way to make your dog merry than a new collar that will make it stand out from the rest of the pack? We don't have much time left for holiday shopping, but I wanted to squeak in another holiday dog gift guide to support local sellers. I searched Etsy for the most festive holiday and Christmas collars for dogs that are made in Canada to share with you. 

Etsy is an online shopping platform that supports small, independent sellers and creators where you can find unique, handmade, and one-of-a-kind products. It offsets 100% of its carbon emissions from shipping. This Christmas if you must shop online, support independent sellers by shopping Etsy. 

This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking one of my links

Hill's for the holidays: Making sure our pets are well groomed, well fed, and stay safe this season

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Our pets are as much a part of our holiday celebration as any other family member. I know my dog Hazel is! So, how do we get our fur-family holiday ready? It's all about priorities. My top priority is keeping Hazel safe this time of year because she is a trouble magnet. Hazel’s top priority is having a full tummy at all times!  

'Make More Merry' with Petco: Certified dog trainer Darris Cooper shares holiday safety tips and his top picks for dog gifts 

Let the festive season begin! Holiday festivities include gift shopping, and although we may have mixed feelings about this, our pets LOVE it! Not the shopping but the gift-receiving part. I'm not trying to throw shade at cats, but let's be honest; dogs are often much more enthusiastic when opening holiday gifts. Hazel is adorable. She's learned what gifts are and assumes all gifts under the tree are for her of course, and how to tear into them to get her prize. She shoves her big, fluffy head into gift bags, and holds wrapped gifts between her giant paws to rip the paper off with pup-precision.

Remembrance Day: Honouring military members and their loved ones on this day of reflection 

Today is Remembrance Day and Paws For Reaction extends sincere thanks to each and every person (and animal!) who fought, died, sacrificed, and continues to sacrifice for the freedom of this great nation. Freedom is a word that has been appropriated differently in the past few years. Rights and privileges have been confused and interchanged. Our freedom is a privilege given to us and protected by members of the Canadian military. Blood, sweat, tears, and lives secured this privilege. It is important that we don't allow politics and conspiracy theories to devalue this and detract from those who are true freedom fighters.

Guest blog by Adeline Ee. Paws For Reaction is so lucky to have such an amazing writer & animal lover join extended our family!

Guest blog: Three native Ontario bee species in decline and how you can help

Today, August 20th, we celebrate the little, unsung heroes of our ecosystems. It's the 13th annual World Honey Bee Day! The first World Honey Bee Day was held in 2009, and since then, we have been giving a quiet nod of thanks on the third Saturday of August to honey bees and their caretakers, the beekeepers. 

This blog was originally published by Ontario Nature. Guest blog by Anne Bell, Director of Conservation and Education at Ontario Nature.

Ontario Nature reveals government failure: Ontario’s record on protecting species at risk is devastating for wildlife

The Auditor General of Ontario’s report, Protecting and Recovering Species at Risk, is not reading for the faint of heart. Released on November 22, 2021, the audit sets out in excruciating detail the Government of Ontario’s abject failure to exercise its duty to protect the province’s most vulnerable plants and animals.

Wild Wednesday: Ottawa Valley Wild Bird Care Centre shares what you need to know about bird flu and how they are coping

This year my conversation about conservation with the Ottawa Valley Wild Bird Care Centre (OVWBCC) team flew me in a different direction. Wildlife rescue is serious business. It's even more so when navigating a contagious viral infection like H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), more commonly referred to as avian flu or 'bird flu.'

Guest blog: What do I do if my dog and I encounter wildlife on a hike?

Summer is at our doorstep and it's officially Wild About Wildlife Month- we all know what that means! It’s time to get outdoors, so put on your swimmers and jump in a lake, or grab those boots and hit the trail! Of course, you want to include your pooch in your summer shenanigans. Hiking with your dog is a great way to exercise and bond with your best friend.

Wild Wednesday: Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary is rehabilitating five adorable moose calves

When I reached out to my fur-iends at Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary and asked “Do you have any interesting animals in your care that I can feature for Wild About Wildlife Month?” their response was most amoosing! 

July is Wild About Wildlife Month: Wild Wednesday celebrates local wildlife conservation

We are living in truly wild times. I'm excited to get wild for all the right reasons because July is Wild About Wildlife Month! This month Paws For Reaction will show appreciation for local wildlife rescue workers and conservation centres. Veterinary professionals, scientists, nature conservationists, and countless invaluable volunteers in the Ottawa region are working hard to protect biodiversity and save and support wildlife in need. They are launching stewardship programs, repopulating endangered species, educating the public, fighting for protected lands, and rehabilitating wildlife at sanctuaries. They are working long hours, throughout the pandemic, and making sacrifices because they care deeply for animals. They are committed to rewilding as many animals as possible. Their dedication to nature and the survival of local wildlife should be seen as a dedication to our community and the future of the planet- because it is. I sometimes wonder if these incredible folks know how far their kindness reaches and the impact they make? The difference they make in their conservation centres makes a positive impact on our nation and the planet. Thank you. You are changing the world. 

Conflicted on Canada Day: Being patriotic means owning ALL of our nation's history

Yesterday I visited parks & landmarks in Ottawa with significance to Indigenous communities; Pindigen Park, Chaudière Falls and Pangishimo Park, to collect trash and pay my respects. I planned to do this on Canada Day, however due to probable rain I decided to do it a day early. As I've learned more about the unsettling colonial history of Canada and the truth about the genocide and forced assimilation of Indigenous people these past few years I find Canada Day to be a conflicting holiday.

Storm safety prep for you and your pets: What do I do during a tornado?

Ottawa is facing another severe thunderstorm today, Thursday, June 16, 2022, and meteorologists report that the storm will have all the ingredients for a "likely tornado." I want to share some quick storm prep tips for folks in the area- and their pets. It's important to prepare for the thunderstorm and a possible power outage or worst-case scenario- a tornado 

This post contains affiliate links for the books featured and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking one of my links

Reading with Pride: I'm unapologetically proud of this LGBTQ+ inclusive children's book list

Let's talk equality! Having LGBTQ+ conversations as adults can be fairly easy. But how do you approach conversations about gender equality with your children? Firstly, if you are asking that question, you're doing something right! Good parenting means teaching about equity, tolerance and love- and leading by example, even if you grew up influenced by biases or have a lack of understanding of the current gender spectrum. It's important that you remember that discussing sexuality is not discussing sex. Additionally, discussing gender identity and same-sex attraction will not change your child's identity. We are born this way! Guess what else won't change your child's identity? READING about gender identity and same-sex attraction! 

Paws For Reaction: The blog, the dog, and so much more!

Graphic by DeliveryRank

It's always nice to be appreciated! It has been such an exciting year for Hazel and me. We are celebrating the 10th anniversary of Paws For Reaction. To make us feel extra special, the folks at DeliveryRank interviewed me about Paws For Reaction: the past, present and future of my Ottawa dog blog. 

Guest blog by Adeline Ee. So excited to welcome her to the Paws For Reaction extended family!

Are you preparing for the arrival of your new puppy? If so, congratulations! We are excited for you and hope you have many happy years with your new family member. If you’ve owned dogs before, you know they love getting into trouble. Every dog parent knows the feeling of returning home to discover a mess.

Paws for a cause: We stand with the people and pets of Ukraine- and so can you!

Watching the tragedy in Ukraine unfold has been gutwrenching, and it is impossible to ignore. The people of Ukraine are suffering from an unjust attack. Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia, has launched an illegal assault on the people of Ukraine, and his war has gone on far too long. It's day 70 of the war in Ukraine. People- and their pets- are suffering daily and many Canadians desperately want to help. I'm feeling hopeful today because I can share an inspiring initiative with all of my animal-loving readers that will help Ukraine's pets in need and support the veterinarians who are working hard to keep those pets safe and healthy. 

Keira's legacy: Remembering Keira on her home day

The day I brought Keira home was one of the happiest days of my life. This year marks the 10 year anniversary of Paws For Reaction. It breaks my heart that I made it to this milestone without her head resting on my knee and her droopy eyes looking up at me as I type this.

How to keep pets safe during the Ottawa Occupation: Pets are suffering from anxiety due to excessive noise pollution

This post contains affiliate links to products I've recommended to help keep your pet calm, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

No rational person can call it anything else- the city of Ottawa is being held hostage by an illegal occupation. Since January 29th, non-stop noise pollution from honking horns, yelling, harassment, and fireworks has created an unbearable environment for residents. For dogs and cats in downtown Ottawa, this environment is terrifying. 

Adorable dog and cat online dating profiles seeking the perfect 'mate' for a Valentine's date

This post contains affiliate links to pawsitively adorable dog products, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

Love is in the air and I'm on the hunt for the most romantic pet gifts all the dogs are barking about! We love our dogs more than we love most people, so why not spoil our dogs for Valentine's Day? I spent days searching and uncovering the most unique, quirky, fun-loving, and of course, romantic Valentine's Day gifts for dogs that Etsy has to offer. When you shop Etsy, you support small businesses, artists, and makers, a pretty lovable thing to do. I featured Etsy shops located in North America with 5-star ratings (at the time of post). No need to sniff anywhere else to find a Valentine for your pup because this is the ultimate Valentine's Day gift guide for your dog.

Seven years a senior: Happy 7th birthday to Hazel the Saint Bernese

There's nothing I love more than seeing joy spark across Hazel's overly expressive face. Today, Hazel's birthday is one of her most joyful days of the year, and therefore, one of her most expressive. This year I'm isolating, so we couldn't go on one of our birthday adventures. I still spoiled her with many gifts, which is her favourite part anyway. This year she has earned the title of being my 'old lady dog' like Keira did before her.

Merry Christmas: Ottawa veterinary practices are suffering during the holidays

Hazel and I wish everyone a very Furry Christmas! It's been a busy December for us and it will only get busier if we head into what looks like another inevitable lockdown. We hope we do go into lockdown because we want everyone to be safe. All we want for Christmas is for everyone to get fully vaccinated.