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.
My loving mutt Keira is wishing you a very happy National Mutt Day. Dec. 2 is National Mutt Day and Keira is a proud Saint Bernard mixed with a Saint Bernese. Mixed breeds can be just as beautiful, sweet and intelligent as pure breed dogs and often live healthier lives. Some studies have shown that mutts or mixed breed dogs are healthier on average because the health issues that are genetic in certain breeds are diluted or 'watered down' by mixing it with another breed.
This
holiday season celebrates animals of all kinds with these pet themed
holidays
Paws For Reaction: For pet parents
This holiday season is going to the dogs, monkeys and the horses! December ushers in the cold of the snow and the warmth of the holidays- but did you know that there are pet holidays and awareness weeks in December? Add to the celebration by spoiling your furry family members a little more this Christmas.
December 2nd is National Mutt Day and is a day worth celebrating. Mixed breeds are often healthier and are wonderful pets. This pet holiday was initiated by the Animal Miracle Foundation as an effort to help place 10, 000 shelter dogs.
READ MORE!
Photo by Doxieone Foter.com CC BY-NC-SA |
Paws For Reaction: For pet parents
This holiday season is going to the dogs, monkeys and the horses! December ushers in the cold of the snow and the warmth of the holidays- but did you know that there are pet holidays and awareness weeks in December? Add to the celebration by spoiling your furry family members a little more this Christmas.
December 2nd is National Mutt Day and is a day worth celebrating. Mixed breeds are often healthier and are wonderful pets. This pet holiday was initiated by the Animal Miracle Foundation as an effort to help place 10, 000 shelter dogs.
READ MORE!
Photo by cseeman Foter CC BY-NC-SA |
Give
thanks: 5 reasons why people with pets live happier, longer
lives
Canadian’s will gather round the dinner table Oct. 13 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.
Photo by heatherbuckley.co.uk Foter CC BY-NC-ND |
We would like to wish all of our fellow Canadian's the best Remembrance Day! Thank you to all of those who fight our country- on the ground, in the air and at sea- we appreciate all the work you do. We also want to reflect on the past and soldiers that we have lost- especially the ones who fought so long ago to shape this country. We salute you!
Do you want to learn more about the animals who fought for our freedom? Find out more!
Photo by Beverly & Pack Foter CC BY-NC-ND |
Paws For Reaction may be located in Canada but we are lucky to have so many amazing readers from the USA! Today is Veterans Day in the United States and we want to take a special moment to thank all the American soldiers who put their life on the line for freedom. Thank you to all of you- on the ground, in the air and at sea- we appreciate all the work you do. We also want to reflect on the past and soldiers that we have lost- especially the ones who fought so long ago. We salute you!
Check out photos of American soldiers and their army dogs!
Sully enjoying a birthday SUP session on the Ottawa River. Photo by Courtney Sinclair Copyright© |
Extraordinary pet: Sully's adventure is just beginning
Sully is just over two years old but this dog has seen more adventure than most dogs 10 times his age. That’s because this hound mix has met his match- outdoor adventure and nature enthusiast Courtney Sinclair. Courtney fell in love with Sully’s goofy spirit in a heartbeat and they have explored the Canadian wilderness together ever since.
Courtney fell for Sully’s kind eyes and big ears when a
teammate and OSPCA employee brought him to one of their rugby games in hopes of
getting him adopted. He as a clumsy puppy and absolutely adorable- Courtney was
in love.
They now live together in a house on the waterfront. Sully’s
journey with Courtney takes him all over the Ottawa Valley through scenic
forests and along glistening rivers. Sully lives right smack in the middle of
some of the most beautiful Provincial Parks in Ontario. He loves all of the
wildlife he gets to experience and he even gets to chase the occasional
squirrel or two.
Photo by Courtney Sinclair Copyright© |
Deep in the heart of the Ottawa Valley you can sometimes catch a glimpse of Courtney Sinclair gliding across the top of a calm, pristine river on her stand up paddle (SUP) board. Courtney began her SUP journey last summer on the waters surrounding Algonquin Park, ON and her home in Mansfield, QC. It was a new skill to master and a fresh way to get in touch with nature. Little did she know her new water sport was going to change her and her dog’s life.
Sully was just a puppy when Courtney rescued him from the
Renfrew County OSPCA. The hound mix quickly became Courtney’s outdoor companion
and joined her on her many explorations- most of which happened near the water.
Photo by Defence Images Foter CC-BY-NC-ND |
Veterans Week is here- time to pay tribute to those who served our country in the past and to celebrate those fighting for our rights and freedom right now. In the United States Nov. 11 is called Veterans Day and here in Canada it is Remembrance Day but regardless of the title North Americans are showing loving patriotism for their country.
When remembering the men and women who served in the military let’s not forget the four legged creatures that risked their lives for us as well. In Ottawa, Ontario there is a national memorial called The Animals in War Dedication that pays homage to those animals. It’s not just dogs- elephants, cats, pigeons and horses left their paw and hoof-prints on the front lines. Alongside the amazingly humble soldiers that fought for us these creatures stood proud for our country.
One of the most important things we must do during Veterans Week is making sure the memories and history is passed down to the younger generation. These are the events and stories that shape our national community and to attract the interest of the younger generation can sometimes be difficult but it is so important. We must share to remember or lest we forget.
Veterans Affairs Canada has made passing down the stories of animals that served in combat to the youth easier with Tales of Animals in War- a free PDF document on their website. It teaches the history of war from Korea to the Second World War to Afghanistan as well as highlights real-life stories of pets in combat. It is not just an interesting read but also a great teaching aid and a fun story for parents to share during Veterans Week.
Support the military by handing down their history in a fun way. It is one of the best gifts that you can give. Happy Remembrance Day and Veterans Day! A special thank you to all of the soldiers- human and otherwise- who put our country before their own lives.
Click here to read Tales of Animals in War. Click here to see photos of soldier dogs. Find out more about the Service Dogs Canada, Canadian Armed Forces and the U.S. Army. Comment below and let us at Paws For Reaction know what you are doing to honor the military this Veterans Week!
In denial: The unfortunate truth about fleas that you may
be ignoring
Alright pet parents- are you ready to hate me? Because I’m
about to tell you something that I have told many pet parents in the past and
to my surprise it almost always elicits a furious or begrudging reaction. I’m
about to talk about fleas right now so grab your pitch forks and torches.
It has happened to me so many times- good hearted, loving
pet parents with only the best intentions for their pets making statements like
“my cat has never had fleas in its life and my neighbor's cat has been around
the yard and NOW she has fleas!” or “my dog has NEVER had fleas and since I
went to the dog park with that new dog he has them!”
After months of hard work and a 48 hour re-design Paws For Reaction is so excited to unveil our new look that showcases our mascot Keira front and center! Check out our homepage www.pawsforreaction.com Hope you like it!!
Announcing The Magic Zoo Halloween photo contest winner!
Paws For Reaction mascot and my baby girl Keira is one
lucky girl- she just won a Halloween Photo Contest held by The Magic Zoo! The
Magic Zoo sells beautiful “handcrafted jewelry for animal lovers.” Miss Keira
was wearing her adorable witch hat to match my witch costume and she got to
visit with every family that came trick-or-treating. She was pretty proud of
her costume and how great she was as at welcoming the kids so when I told her
she won the contest she was pretty excited!
A VOICE FOR THE VOICELESS
PAWS FOR REACTION is celebrating 12 years! Ottawa-based pet care and nutrition, environmental, and lifestyle blog- always searching for the best in pet care, eco-friendly products and fun local events! Come explore with Hazel, the Saint Bernese, as she lives her best, food-driven, outdoor-loving, asymmetrical, #DogLife
ABOUT ME: I have nine years of experience working in veterinary medicine. I'm a Climate Reality Project Leader and have spent years volunteering with organizations including OSPCA, Farley Foundation, Ontario Nature, Future Ground Network, and Girl Guides of Canada.
ASK A VET: Safe holiday tips & dog grooming trends
POPULAR POSTS
Search This Blog
Blog Archive
CHECK OUT MY WORK!
- AAHA Trends Magazine Interview- Practice of the Year 2016
- PAH Blog- Interview with Dr. Alison Seely, veterinary chiropractor and author
- The Pembroke Observer- OSPCA Paws to Support Local
- Scout Knows- Heart failure and pet insurance coverage
- Court Outdoors- Meet me on the water- Ottawa Valley SUP
- PAH Blog- Eight reasons to choose an AAHA veterinary practice
- Traversing- Snowshoe at Petawawa Terrace Ontario Park
- Scout Knows- Best dog harness for every dog
- DeliveryRank Interview: The blog, the dog, and so much more!
- PAH Blog- Why is my dog itchy?
Contact Form
Powered by Blogger.
Translate
DOG OWNER RESOURCES
- Canadian Association Of Veterinary Cannabinoid Medicine (CAVCM)
- American Heartworm Society
- Veterinary Oral Health Council Accepted Dental Products for Dogs (VOHC)
- Royal Canin Canine Nutrition
- Essex Animal Hospital Canine Rehab and Fitness
- Dog Health by Purina
- Dog Health
- Zoetis Dog Blog
- Canadian Kennel Club (CKC)
- Canine Behaviour Dr. Colleen Wilson
- Canine Illustrated Articles Northwestern Veterinary Hospital
- Everything you need to know about Canine Parvovirus- Pembroke Animal Hospital
- American Kennel Club (AKC)
- Puppy Hub- Banfield Pet Hospital
- OVMA Dog Owner Handbook
Categories
PET OWNER RESOURCES
- Veterinary Partner (VIN)
- Ontario Veterinary Medical Association (OVMA)
- American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA)
- Find a Veterinarian in Ontario (CVO)
- Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA)
- Pet Health Network (IDEXX)
- Indoor Pet Initiative
- World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA)
- Pet Nutrition Alliance
- American Veterinary Dental College
- Germs and Worms Dr. Scott Weese
- Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC)
- Pet Poison Helpline
- ASPCA Poison Control
- Pet Microchip Look-up
- Pet Card Veterinary Care Financial Assistance