Guest blog: How to design the perfect pet nook for your furry friend

Guest blog by Rocio Espinoza. So excited to welcome her to the Paws For Reaction extended family! This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

It’s no secret that pets are some of our most important family members. From a cat or dog to a beautiful bird, all pet parents want to give their best friends a comfortable space and lots of love. One way you can make your pet’s life better is by providing them with a cozy, convenient pet nook. This designated space will give your animal companion their own little part of the home where they can sleep, eat, and feel comfortable. Read on to discover how to design your very own special pet room to make your pet’s life at home the best it can be.

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. 

 World Veterinary Day: I never believed I had what it takes to work in veterinary medicine

When I was studying print journalism and photography my life consisted of photographing and interviewing indie bands, hanging backstage at Bluesfest, and designing TV guides. If you told me then that I would go from interviewing Ron Jeremy, photographing the Never Ending White Lights, and drinking beers with Slightly Stoopid and Matty Mays, to working in media for the veterinary industry, I would have barked at you. I've loved animals my whole life, but working in a compassion-based industry was something I never wanted. I don't have what it takes. 

Love is a four-legged word: Four ways you can show your pets the love they deserve 

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

Love is a four-legged word! When I discovered February 20th is National Love Your Pet Day my first thought was "I don't need a day to remind me to love Hazel!" I show Hazel love every day! But it made me think about how I show Hazel love. The first thing that came to mind is the unlimited snuggles I give her. Affection is the obvious way we show love, however, there is a better way we show unconditional love for our fur-family. 

The pet food industry's dirty secret: Ingredient splitting, "real" meat, all-natural, and a ban on by-products

Do you think the concept of fake news is a recent thing? The retail pet food industry has been serving up its own brand of fake news for more than a decade. Today's pet owners are savvy and have a hunger for knowledge; much of the knowledge they seek is available at their fingertips. The tip of their paws, if you will. But like an all-caps tweet typed by Donald Trump on the toilet at 2:00 AM, most information dished by retail pet food companies will be found false once it's fact-checked. Much of the information is based on human diet trends that are influencing the industry. While conceptual and anecdotal information is pleasing to hear and easy to digest- and science is confusing and questioning- it's important to remember the fundamental rule of retail: you are being marketed to. 

Feeding Ottawa's fur-families: Ottawa Paw Pantry is dedicated to supporting community pets in need

Food banks have been a lifeline for people struggling to make ends meet. I'm not immune to struggle- I have used the services of the Food Bank. That's why donating to and supporting local food banks has been a passion of mine. But what about our pets? They're family and we are responsible for feeding them, but sometimes we need help. In Ottawa there is a non-profit that has been dedicated to supporting fur-families in need. 

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. 

I enjoy holiday food and festivities! As much as I know Hazel loves her advent calendar and opening her stocking on Christmas morning, I'm well aware that including her in some holiday traditions has me barking up the wrong Christmas tree. The holidays can be loud and scary for a pet. It can be sensory overload, and at times they can feel threatened. Your pet is a valued member of the family, and ensuring they are safe and comfortable during this festive season is important. The holidays pose many risks for your pet- health risks as well as a risk of heightened anxiety. Christmas dangers are everywhere, so it's important to keep your pet safe. I've put together a comprehensive list of holiday hazards and tips about how to keep your pet safe during the Christmas season. 

Christmas mourning: How to cope with your first holiday season after losing a pet

I'm forcing myself to be festive this year. I've had times in my life when I skipped Christmas altogether. "I'm not Christmasing this year," I'd say when people asked me standard holiday questions like "Do you have your tree up yet?" This year I'm forcing myself to be festive for the sake of my mental health. One small reason is the COVID-19 pandemic has sucked so much happiness out of 2020 that I'm trying to infuse some of the obligatory Christmas joy into what's left of the year. The biggest reason for my forced festivities is Keira. More specifically the loss of Keira I suffered earlier this year.

Happy Halloween: My favourite past Halloween DIY projects

Happy Halloween everyone! This is my favorite holiday and usually go all out decorating and celebrating. This year will be a little different due to Covid-19, and due to the fact that I don't live in a house anymore, so I can't do my haunted walkway. I'll admit I'm a little sad about that. BUT I will still be watching Hocus Pocus and Trick R' Treat! Since the celebration this year won't be as spooky, here are some ghostly DIY Halloween projects, decor, and crafts I've done in the past. I hope I inspire you! Have a safe and happy Halloween!

  October featured pets: We want to feature your pet's Halloween costume

It's the most wonderful time of the year! I'm not talking about Christmas- it's spooky season! Halloween is my ABSOLUTE favourite holiday! I love scaring people- and being scared. I love everything about it- the candy, the horror movies, the scary decor, the witches spells, the city draped in my favourite colour- orange! 

Ask a Vet: Top 5 Halloween dangers to your pets PLUS 3 vet-approved tips to keep your pets safe

 October featured pets: Does your pet have a Halloween costume? Send us a photo!

It's the most wonderful time of the year! I'm not talking about Christmas- it's spooky season! Halloween is my ABSOLUTE favourite holiday! I love scaring people- and being scared. I love everything about it- the candy, the horror movies, the scary decor, the witches spells, the city draped in my favourite colour- orange! 

   October featured pets: Send in a photo of your pet wearing a Halloween costume to be featured 

Ask an RVT: 10 things I love the most about being a registered veterinary technician  

My years of experience working in the veterinary medicine industry taught me many things. One thing I learned on my first day is that the job of a veterinary technician is difficult. Veterinary technicians assist in surgery, dentistry, treat emergencies, learn how to care for multiple species, assist the doctor, be a nurse, provide emotional support for the client, and be an advocate for the patient. They work hard without breaks- often for less pay than you'd expect. It's stressful. It's fast-paced. It's emotionally draining. It's blood, sweat, and tears. REAL tears. And it is incredibly rewarding. 

Canadian's give thanks: Wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving, especially those who are isolated this year

I hope you all had a safe and Happy Thanksgiving! The pandemic has made it difficult for families to get together this weekend. I know how isolating it can be living alone and not being able to visit family. Virtual visits and phone calls just aren't the same. I missed the hugs, the homecooked meal, and the playtime with my nephew. To all of you who are alone this holiday season, I want to send you my love. It's tough but we will get through this. Hold your pets and cherish the moments that you have with the people you love. Find ways to visit from afar. But most of all, stay safe. 

 October featured pets: Send in a photo of your pet wearing a Halloween costume to be featured on Paws For Reaction

It's the most wonderful time of the year! I'm not talking about Christmas- it's spooky season! Halloween is my ABSOLUTE favourite holiday! I love scaring people- and being scared. I love everything about it- the candy, the horror movies, the scary decor, the witches spells, the city draped in my favourite colour- orange! 

Guest blog: My Reiki journey; a discovery of healing energies and the power within 

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

Many are unaware of Reiki healing and its vast healing possibilities. The Usui Holy Fire Reiki system incorporates Reiki symbols, attunement placements, distance healing methods, and hand positions for working with oneself and others. As a practitioner, I connect with and direct universal life-force energy that surrounds every living thing, to balance the life-force energy within. This involves channeling source energy, setting intentions, connecting with Reiki symbols, Mother Earth, and myself to balance and ground mind, body, spirit. 

Rabies risks: Thinking about not vaccinating your pet against rabies? Here's what you need to know

I'm one of the many folks across the world anxiously waiting for a COVID-19 vaccine. Vaccines are one of the most impactful inventions for humanity, and working in veterinary medicine has allowed me to experience first hand the power of vaccines. Watching a puppy die from canine parvovirus is a devastating experience, but it has given me a deeper respect for vaccines. Especially the rabies vaccine. Rabies is a fatal disease that affects mammals. Rabies is a zoonotic disease, meaning it can be transmitted from animals to humans. Non-mammals, including fish, poultry, birds, reptiles, and amphibians can’t get rabies. Rabies is spread through the saliva of an infected animal. The animal bites a human or animal, breaking the skin, and the infected saliva gets into the wound, passing the disease on to the victim. You can also become infected by getting saliva, brain or spinal tissue from an infected animal (dead or alive) in an open cut, sore, wound, eyes, mouth, or nose.