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.
Under your wing: How you can help wild birds survive the winter
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?
Book review: Ruth Ware's books keep climbing up the bestseller list, One By One
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This post contains affiliate links!
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Ruth Ware has done it again! She keeps crafting creative mysteries and plots that propel the reader forward, and One By One is no exception. This is the ultimate Fall Reading List book. Set on a snowy mountain in France, the story is as chilling as the white powder that swallows the characters whole.
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.
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.
Ontario Parks: Best parks to snowshoe in Petawawa, Ontario
Petawawa is nestled between Pembroke and Chalk River in the scenic Ottawa Valley region. The Ottawa Valley is known for its Provincial Parks, white water rafting, year-round fishing, and natural resource preservation.
Once the snow hits the ground the Ottawa Valley springs back to life- headed by a diverse cross country ski and snowshoe community. Several ski and snowshoe clubs exist in Petawawa and the surrounding area and they maintain the trails every winter. Outdoor adventure is in people’s blood in the Ottawa Valley and winter exploration is welcome and celebrated.
Ontario Parks: Best parks to snowshoe in Petawawa, Ontario
Petawawa is nestled between Pembroke and Chalk River in
the scenic Ottawa Valley region. The Ottawa Valley is known for its Provincial
Parks, white water rafting, year-round fishing, and natural resource
preservation.
Once the snow hits the ground the Ottawa Valley springs
back to life- headed by a diverse cross country ski and snowshoe community.
Several ski and snowshoe clubs exist in Petawawa and the surrounding area and
they maintain the trails every winter. Outdoor adventure is in people’s blood
in the Ottawa Valley and winter exploration is welcome and celebrated.
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| Photo by Liv & Phileas IWoman CC BY-NC-ND |
The 10 best cold weather dog breeds
for a family with children
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.
These 10 cold weather dogs are the best breeds to
introduce to a family with children. Although many are larger breeds it is
important to remember that when the dog has an even temperament it is easy to
train so the size tends to matter less. With the proper training a giant breed
dog can be just as easy to manage as a small dog. Many large and giant breed
owners swear by their family friendly dogs as being great companions for
children. Check out the 10 best cold weather dogs for a family.
Festive felines: Cats celebrating Christmas
These kitties are
anxiously awaiting Santa Claus and are sure to put you in the Christmas mood! Sometimes it is hard to tell if they
are enjoying Christmas or not. Either way, they are adorable! Do you have a photo of your cat celebrating Christmas? Tweet us @PawsForReaction! Share it with us on Facebook!
Small animal pets wishing you a Merry Christmas
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Photo by kitkatherine Foter.com CC BY-NC
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Santa Paws: Santa Claus goes to the dogs this Christmas
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| Photo by DaPuglet Foter CC BY-SA |
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| Photo by lorenkerns Foter CC BY |
Day of the Horse promotes ethical treatment of horses
In 2004 Congress decided that December 14 would be
National Day of the Horse. This special day dedicated to our regal animal
friends encourages people “to be mindful of the contribution of horses to the
economy, history, and character of the United States” as was stated in a resolution by Congress.
"Without horses, the economy, history, and character of the United States would be profoundly different. Whereas horses continue to permeate the society of the United States, as witnessed on movie screens, on open land, and in our own backyards," the resolution reads.
Happy Paws: Winter paw care a concern of
dedicated dog parents 
Winter paw care is important for our canine family
members. The hard snow and ice make outdoor travel a deadly obstacle course for
dogs. Cuts and soars can develop on the pads and their poor little
"feet" can be in pain- and you may not even know it.
There are some
products out there- along with some tips and tricks- to help you take extra
special care of your dog’s paws in this cold weather. Winter playtime may need
to be reduced but the fun doesn't have to be.
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