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. 

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.

The bark is the best: Happy National Dog Day!

Today we have something to bark about! It's National Dog Day! Dogs make everything better! I can't imagine living in a home without a light dusting of Hazel fur. Who am I kidding? It's more like a heavy coating of Hazel fur, sprinkled with goobers. 

Thank you for celebrating Wild About Wildlife Month: Wild Wednesday raised awareness about local wildlife conservation

I went a little wild this month. July is Wild About Wildlife Month, so there's no better time to go wild! As always, I'm sad Wild Wednesday is over. I enjoy reconnecting with local wildlife conservationists and learning about all the animals they rescued over the year. They are working night and day to re-wild animals, and I hope by sharing their stories, I can help re-wild some humans. We need to strengthen our connection with wildlife and the natural world if we are going to stand a chance against human-caused climate change and the extreme weather events, species loss, and destruction to biodiversity that comes along with it. Are you ready to get re-wild?

Wild Wednesday: The pandemic won't stop Rideau Valley Wildlife Sanctuary from rewilding animals 

When I was on the phone with Linda Laurus, Executive Director for Rideau Valley Wildlife Sanctuary, she asked me to hold for a moment. I could hear the concern in her voice when she told me she had to check on a squirrel. She could see the squirrel in his cage and was afraid he was injured. After a few moments she came back on the phone and told me everything is alright, he just had some nuts in his mouth. From where she was standing it looked like he was swollen. I couldn't help but laugh, certain I'd just experienced a glimmer of the ups and downs of working with wildlife. 

Flutter into a fantasy: Alchemy Wild Glass hangs whimsy in the window

Photos via Alchemy Wild Glass. This post contains affiliate links.

Sometimes we're fortunate to witness whimsical things while gazing out the window, but imagine if you could capture whimsies and trap them inside the glass so we can enjoy them forever? That's exactly what the latest Chasing Whimsies featured Etsy shop Alchemy Wild Glass does. These mystical glass creations are sure to transport you through the looking glass and into another world.

Wild Wednesday: Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary is keeping wildlife wild and bears beary happy

Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary is going big things with big wildlife! Since we featured the Sanctuary last year on Wild Wednesday, the team has built new enclosures for some of their furry permanent residents, including three adorable bears named Clyde, Paddington, and Honey Pot. I dusted my paws off and caught up with Linda Glimps, Executive Director at Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary to learn more about their appropriately named bears and other recent achievements since the last Wild About Wildlife Month.

Whimsy in bloom: Flower art by Oxeye Floral Co. blossoms with life and colour

Photos via Oxeye Floral Co. This post contains affiliate links.

Whimsy blooms brightly in the Oxeye Floral Co. pressed flower art. Inspired by nature and created using nature's gifts, these unique prints take an old-school art technique and update it with a modern twist. This Chasing Whimsies featured artist brings wildlife and scenery to life one bud, petal, and vine at a time. These prints ensure the flowers never wilt or die; they are perfectly preserved with their vibrant colours intact and showcased for the world to enjoy. Are you ready to see some irresistible Canadian art?

 Wild Wednesday: Ottawa Valley Wild Bird Care Centre is spreading its wings and flying to a new location

We wake to their song and watch their beauty paint the sky. Birds are a part of our everyday life. We may go months without seeing other wildlife, but not a day does by that we don't see several different species of birds. Injured and orphaned birds require very specific care, and when a bird is in need the Ottawa Valley Wild Bird Care Centre (OVWBCC) swoops in and takes it under its wing. 

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

Are you feeling wild? You should be! Wednesday is Wild About Wildlife Month! Paws For Reaction is showing some love for local wildlife rescue workers! Veterinary professionals, scientists, nature conservationists, and volunteers in the Ottawa region are working hard to save and support wildlife in need. They are launching stewardship programs, repopulating endangered species, fighting for protected lands, and rehabilitating wildlife at sanctuaries. Their hard work and dedication is vital to the survival of local wildlife. 

She was a once in a lifetime dog: Remembering Keira on Pet Memorial Day

They say grief doesn't shrink, we just grow to accommodate it. I still haven't grown enough to make space for the immense grief I feel after losing my sweet Keira. I never expected to own a pet who would leave paw prints on so many hearts. Keira had a spirit that lingered; it lingers still. All the feelings are still raw and close to the surface, not enough layers of life and time to bury the pain. But as we approach a year since I lost my best friend, I've noticed like most things in my life, I'm slowly learning how to manage the emptiness. The hollow. I've found a few ways to fill it, even if only temporarily. 

Guest blog: Regenerative medicine and 3D printing, the future of veterinary medicine

So, what is 3D printing and how is it the future of veterinary medicine? I get asked this question a lot. I'm a licensed veterinary technician (CVT) and research associate at the Louisiana School of Veterinary Medicine. I work for an orthopedic surgeon that created our laboratory of 3D printing and regenerative medicine. Our lab works with existing departments at the vet school and other main campus departments, specifically the engineering department, and we collaborate locally outside of the school. It's a lot of science, all in the name of saving animals! 

 Looking for February featured pets: Submit your pet to be featured in a custom Valentine

My furry Valentine! That's Hazel! The reason's I love Hazel are endless, but one thing I love the most about her is that Hazel 'feels the sad' as I call it. When I'm feeling sad or stressed, even if I'm not in the same room as her, Hazel can sense it and gives me love. She comes over and snuggles me and I instantly feel a weight lifting. Hazel, like all of our pets, gives me the most precious and rare gift: unconditional love.

Guest blog: Living with my one-eyed, three-legged cat

Guest blog by Kathy M. Finley. So excited to welcome her to the Paws For Reaction extended family!

While in the midst of a bitter divorce and a stressful job, I received an unusual birthday gift- a gray and white kitten. That gift, whom I named Clio, was a blessing, and besides having a slight heart murmur, she was a healthy cat. I had no idea that seven years later, I would be caring for a disabled pet. 

 The 12 ways of Christmas: 12 ways you can support animals, wildlife, and children in need

 On the first day of Christmas, my community gave to me a helping hand and a second chance. I've decided to kick the 12 days of Christmas to the curb and replace it with the 12 ways of Christmas. Don't worry, I still included some birds! This year has been a struggle and the community needs your support and generosity. During the Covid-19 pandemic, the Ontario Government has supported people's financial struggles. But what about support for those who rarely voice their needs: pets, wildlife, nature, and children? Paws For Reaction is a voice for the voiceless, and that's what the 12 ways of Christmas are all about.

Season's Tweetings! Birds fly into your life providing majestic beauty and songs to brighten your day. During the winter months, birds need extra help finding food, shelter, and help when they are hurt. The Ottawa Valley Wild Bird Care Centre (OVWBCC) works tirelessly through the winter- and the rest of the year- to take birds under their wing. The OVWBCC team knows that one small act of kindness can help save a bird's life. Patty McLaughlin, Education and Public Engagement Coordinator at OVWBCC, and her team are working hard to raise awareness about the help birds need throughout the winter and I was fortunate enough to get expert tips about how to support the wild bird community this holiday season. I had many questions for Patty. How can you help wild birds survive the harsh winter weather? What do birds need in the winter to help them find food, shelter, and medical care? What can I do at home?