This holiday season celebrates animals of all kinds with these pet themed holidays 

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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 2^nd 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.

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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.

Winter is here! It is Keira's favorite time of year- the time when a mountain dog can really shine!

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Paws For Reaction salutes you!

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!

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We salute you!

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©

Photo by Courtney Sinclair Copyright©

Meet me on the water: Stand up paddle adventure tours offered next season

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Animals in war: Sharing the history of our fallen furry veterans

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! 

Check out our new look!

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!!

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The neighborhood is getting spookier as Halloween crawls closer and closer. Horrific decorations adorn festive homes while they search for the best costume continues. Little do pet parents know the candy and décor of Halloween could end up being dangerous for household pets.

Veterinary Pet Insurance Co. (VPI) released its Top Halloween PetDangers and Safety Tips on Oct. 15 to help educate pet parents about how this scary holiday could negatively affect their pet.  VPI reports that in the United States alone consumers spend $7 billion on Halloween candy, decorations, and costumes. Unfortunately having all of these seemingly benign holiday objects in the home means that consumers could be exposing their pets to toxic or hazardous things.