Image provided by Kate Parkes at Elevation Pictures

Bones of Crows: Forced into residential school, Aline Spears is plunged into a fight for survival that shapes her family for generations

On Friday, June 2nd, 2023, a feature film premiered in Canadian theatres called Bones of Crows, depicting the true history of the residential school system. This is an important film for Canadians, especially Indigenous, First Nations, Metis, and Inuit. 

Invest in our Planet: Embrace the 5 Rs of recycling on Earth Day

Happy International Women's Day: Defining what being a woman means to you is a unique and personal journey

Womanhood is such an unpredictable journey. I continue to learn from the women in the past who paved the path of privilege that I walk on today. When I say they paved it, I mean it! They saw a path of dirt that wasn't good enough. They didn't know where it would lead. So they dug it up and ripped it apart. Burned it to ash. They levelled it out, trying to make it as even as possible. They mixed the asphalt with their blood, sweat, and tears, and paved their way through women's suffrage. We have a smooth road now, a direction to walk. Sometimes we still don't think we deserve to walk it. 

Ask a vet: How do I improve my dog's dental health and prevent dental disease?

It's time to flip that lip, cause it's National Pet Dental Health Month! If I'm being honest, every month is Pet Dental Health Month, but it's nice to have an annual reminder during February that dental care is important. I'm interested in what the common signs of dental disease are in dogs and how I can prevent my dog from getting dental disease? So I did what I do best. I asked a vet! I interviewed Dr. Danielle Bernal, DVM, an on-staff veterinarian at Wellness Pet Company. Dr. Bernal has over a decade of experience in veterinary medicine, specializing in animal nutrition. I didn't want to get my dog’s dental health advice by word of mouth, so I asked a  trusted source.

What is dental disease in dogs?

Your veterinarian told you that your dog has dental disease. What does that mean? Your vet may also refer to dental disease as periodontal disease. Fun fact: Perio means around and dontal means tooth. Disease around the tooth! Essentially it is inflammation of the gums (gingivitis) or infection surrounding the tooth. An accumulation of tartar on your dog's teeth causes an infection that can lead to gum recession around the base of the tooth. If left untreated the infection can spread to the tooth socket. That's what leads to your dog's teeth falling out. The infection in the tooth socket causes your dog's tooth to loosen and fall out. Other dental problems your dog can have include broken or fractured teeth, tooth root abscesses, and oral tumours.

Dental disease is one of the most common diseases in companion animal pets. Over 80% of dogs over the age of three (source: VCA) have active dental disease. According to WHIMZEES® by Wellness® 96% of senior dogs have dental disease. I'm looking at you, Hazel! Dental disease can cause chronic pain and infections that can make your dog very sick. A common question pet owners have is... 

Can I stop my dog from developing dental disease?

Dogs are like people. We all develop plaque and tartar on our teeth just by existing. There's no way to avoid it. I know, it bites! But you can prevent dental disease from progressing quickly in your dog's mouth pretty much the same way you do in yours. Daily teeth brushing and professional veterinary dental cleanings. 

Realistic, right? Now before you roll your puppy dog eyes at me, I get it. Daily teeth brushing is easier said than done. In fact, I only know a few people who actually brush their pet's teeth every day- and they are dedicated, pet-owning SUPER STARS! However, I am not one of them. I can't even blame Hazel. She is a super-tolerant dog who loves doggy toothpaste. It's on me. But I'm not alone. New data from WHIMZEES by Wellness finds that very few Gen Z and Millennial pet parents are brushing their dog’s teeth daily, and dog owners often face toothbrush troubles, with some reporting dogs have given side-eye (58%) or run away (41%) at the sight of one.

As for veterinary dentistry, I know it's expensive. The main reason is that pets require anaesthetic to have a professional dental cleaning. Unlike you and me, a dog will not sit still for x-rays or open its mouth on command. This means that a dental cleaning on an awake canine patient would require a level of restraint and risk to the patient that is inhumane. It would also be incredibly dangerous for the medical team. 

Even for someone like me who works at veterinary clinics and has had generous employee discounts, I have yet to be able to afford dentistry for any of my pets. Even when Keira really needed one. Life circumstances prevented me from saving up for it. The reality is that many pet owners are in a situation similar to mine. Dentistry and teeth brushing are plan A. It is the best dental disease prevention. But if that is not doable, then what is plan B?

How can I prevent dental disease in my dog? (Plan B)

Veterinary dentistry once a year as prevention and daily teeth brushing is the best prevention, your plan A. Dentistry and teeth brushing aside, the next best prevention is veterinary dental diets. These diets are formulated by veterinary nutritionists and are subject to clinical trials to ensure they are effective in reducing plaque and tartar, delaying the progression of dental disease. Diets like Royal Canin Veterinary Canine Dental, Hills Prescription t/d Dental Care, and Purina Pro Plan Veterinary DH Dental Health are fantastic dog food options to prevent dental disease. These diets have complete and balanced nutrition. They also have the most important thing a pet dental product should have: the VOHC seal. Dr. Bernal explained why the VOHC seal is important to see on a pet dental care product.

"It's basically a great way of knowing you've got a high-quality and scientifically proven product. The VOHC stands for the Veterinary Oral Health Council and to get their seal of acceptance for plaque and tartar you have to do rigorous and standards of high exceptions scientific testing," said Dr. Bernal. "Only if you meet certain levels of plaque and tartar reduction do you get awarded their seal of acceptance." 

Watch the video interview with Dr. Bernal to learn more about doggy dental prevention!

The best dental chews, treats, and supplements, like water additives, will also have the VOHC seal- like Whimzees Brushzees®. The most high-quality pet toothpaste will also have the VOHC seal. Always use toothpaste made for pets. Never use human toothpaste to brush your dog or cat's teeth. 

The most comprehensive plan to prevent canine dental disease includes all of the following:

-Yearly professional veterinary dentistry procedure for your dog

-Daily tooth brushing using VOHC toothpaste made specifically for pets

-Veterinary dental health dog food with the VOHC seal

-Dental chews with the VOHC seal

-Dental treats with the VOHC seal

-Dental supplements, like water additives, with the VOHC seal

-Toys that promote dental health

What are the signs of dental disease in dogs?

If all dogs develop some dental disease in their lifetime, you may be asking yourself what are the symptoms of dental disease in dogs? Does my dog have dental disease that is painful? There are things to look for if you want to find out if your dog has an infection in its mouth, but most importantly you have to look.

"I encourage pet parents to look at their dog's teeth. They may not ever really lift that lip," said Dr. Bernal. "Look at those teeth in the hard-to-reach places. That's where you'll often see some discolouration, maybe some yellow to brown build-up on their teeth. That's a good sign that there's plaque and tartar." 

When I interviewed Dr. Andrea Sanchez, DVM, of Banfield Pet Hospital, she showed me her 'flip-check-treat' 3-step technique for checking your dog's mouth. 

Watch the video of Dr. Andrea Sanchez demonstrating 'flip-check-treat.'

Flip-check-treat is Dr. Sanchez's "three-step process that we recommend for getting dogs used to having us in their mouths."

"I’m going to flip his lip, and I’m going to check real quick for signs of dental disease. I’m going to look for yellow or brown discolouration of the teeth, redness or inflammation of the gums, and I’m going to check for that bad breath too," Dr. Sanchez said. You can watch a video of Dr. Sanchez doing the 3-step 'flip-check-treat' process to learn how to do it yourself.  

When dental disease has progressed to a state that may cause your dog to have infected teeth, you will notice other signs. Plaque and tartar will darken and cover more of the tooth. 

"It might be quite abundant," Dr. Bernal explains. "Residue almost like concrete, and red and inflamed gums. That's a more serious case of dental disease."

Of course, when dental disease worsens you can see gum recession and tooth loss. Another sign of dental disease is something that pet parents have accepted as a normal part of dog ownership. 

"Check for that doggy breath. We may think about it as part of a dog but in actual fact, it's a key sign of dental disease," Dr. Bernal said.

How do dogs act when their teeth hurt? 

If your dog's mouth hurt from dental disease you may notice your dog acting 'head shy' or reluctant to let you touch its mouth. Your dog may whimper, most often when chewing or eating, or cry while yawning. You may notice a loss of appetite, although some dogs are so food motivated they will eat through the pain. Some dogs may chew on one side of their mouth, or you may notice food falling out of your dog's mouth when it eats. Your dog may drool more. Some pets self-isolate when they are in pain- it's instinctive. They perceive themselves to be in a weakened state and want to avoid being preyed on. You may even notice your dog smacking its lips or its teeth may chatter. Watch for signs that your dog has dental pain and if you think your dog has painful dental disease make an appointment with your veterinarian to determine the next steps. 

How long do dogs live with dental disease?

Most dog owners want to know if dental disease will shorten their dog's life. Is dental disease in dogs fatal? Can dogs survive with rotten teeth? These are difficult questions to answer. There is no set timeline for a dog's survival. In some cases, if left untreated periodontal disease is known to take up to two years or more off of a pet’s life (source: Shallowford Animal Hospital). 

Every dog's dental disease progresses differently. A small dog develops dental disease faster than a large dog. According to a study in The Veterinary Journal (published in 2021) that reviewed over 3 million pet medical records, the majority of dogs diagnosed with periodontal disease weighed less than seven pounds (15 kg). Some dog breeds are more prone to dental problems. 

What dog breeds are more prone to have dental disease?

The same study found that extra-small breeds of dogs were up to five times more likely to be diagnosed with periodontal disease than giant breeds, like my Saint Bernese Hazel. 

According to the study, dog breeds that have the most dental problems (periodontal disease specifically) include Toy and Miniature poodles, dachshunds, Yorkshire terriers, Cocker spaniels and Jack Russell terriers. Dog breeds in the study that are least affected by periodontal disease include Border collies, German shepherd dogs, Labrador retrievers, and Staffordshire bull terriers.

Some dog breeds are prone to teeth overcrowding. Short-muzzled dog breeds are more likely to have teeth overcrowding. Dog breeds that commonly have tooth overcrowding include the Bullmastiff, Boxer, Boston Terrier, Chow Chow, Shar-Pei, Shih Tzu, English Toy Spaniel, Brussels Griffon, Dogue de Bordeaux, Neapolitan Mastiff, and the Affenpinscher (source: Whimzees). A crowded mouth can cause plaque to develop faster, and if that mouth is tiny on top of that, it becomes the perfect environment for dental disease to thrive.

Certain dog breeds are also more prone to a dental problem called gingival (gum) hyperplasia. What is gingival hyperplasia? It's an abnormal growth of excessive gum tissue that can cause inflammation. In some cases, it will look like a tumour growing on the gum. It is most commonly observed in Boxer dogs, Bulldogs and, less commonly, Cocker Spaniels (source: VCA).

My dog Hazel's favourite dental chews

Dental chews are an important part of my dog's daily diet. Hazel has two favourite dental chews: Virbac C.E.T.® VEGGIEDENT® Zen and WHIMZEES® STIX by Wellness. They were Keira's favourite dental chews too. The VEGGIEDENT chews have the VOHC seal. WHIMZEES STIX doesn't have the VOHC seal, but I use them because Hazel loves them, they are big enough for a Saint Bernese, and when it comes to neutralizing bad breath, STIX are the best product I've ever used. I know how much research and care that Wellness puts into their WHIMZEES dental products. 

The WHIMZEES® BRUSHZEES® dental chew has been awarded the VOHC seal. Dr. Bernal is an on-staff veterinarian at Wellness Pet Food, the company that makes WHIMZEES, so she knows why WHIMZEES are great dental chews for dogs. 

"WHIMZEEZ chews are a little bit firmer, so that means they last three times longer when it comes to chewing," Dr. Bernal said. "That's going to give a better clean. In fact, WHIMZEEZ is clinically proven to clean a dog's teeth two times better than those competitive products. And we've got the VOHC (seal)."

Both of Hazel's favourite dental chews have no meat in them, making them a great option for most dogs with food allergies. Dr. Bernal agrees that dogs with food allergies should try WHIMZEES dental chews.

"WHIIMZEES contains six key ingredients, the main one of which is potato, so there are no meat proteins no grains no GMOs either," said Dr. Bernal. "If you're looking for an all-natural treat, especially for dogs with (food) sensitivities, it makes for a great option. It's also low fat as well and that's key because we know our pets are getting larger."

I have to mention, while Wellness takes great care in where they source their ingredients, the term 'all-natural' on a pet product does not guarantee that high-quality ingredients were used. The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) is an independent organization that has been guiding state, federal and international feed regulators with ingredient definitions, label standards and laboratory standards. The AAFCO definition of ‘natural’ as it is used in pet food manufacturing is any plant, animal or mined source. The term 'all-natural' by definition has no association with the quality of the ingredients. Some pet food companies use the word 'natural' in their advertising in a misleading way, to sell their product as higher quality. Nutrients are far more important than ingredients. That being said, I have been giving Whimzees dental chews for over a decade! I would not share about a product I didn't stand by and I was not compensated by Wellness for this interview. Hazel just really LOVES WHIMZEES!

Watch the video interview with Dr. Bernal to learn more about doggy dental prevention!

Another great thing about WHMZEES dental chews for dogs is the variety of products available. Dr. Bernal points out something that is important for dental disease prevention- making it enjoyable for everyone involved. 

"Check out all the different shapes we have," said Dr. Bernal. She thinks dental disease prevention "is important to do daily, but we want it to be fun as well!"

Creating a dental prevention play for your dog is key to ensuring both of you have something to smile about. Your veterinarian should be part of the process when creating the plan. If your dog already has advanced dental disease your vet may recommend discontinuing certain prevention methods until medical treatment is provided. Dental disease is a big pain in the mouth! It's time to take a bite out of it- doggy style!

Watch the video interview with Dr. Bernal
to learn more about doggy dental prevention!

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Frito feet! I know it sounds corny, but if your dog's paws smell like corn chips, then your dog has Frito feet. Full disclosure, Hazel has Frito feet sometimes, and so did Keira. Although TikTok is popularizing the term, this is something that I've heard pet owners mention in veterinary practices. January 29th is the perfect day to talk about why your dog's paws may smell like Fritos. Why is that? To celebrate National Corn Chip Day! Yes, that's a thing, and yes, it's today. Let's bite into what causes Frito feet!

Wishing Hazel a happy 8th birthday!

Hazel is sweet as the biggest piece of birthday cake! I was in Orlando, Florida attending the VMX 2023 Veterinary Conference and spent a week away from Hazel. It really makes you appreciate your pets more when you are separated from them. I missed her so much. I returned to Canada just in time to celebrate the most asymmetrical Saint Bernese's 8th birthday! 

Hazel has defied all the odds and made it past age five. She is happy and healthy, and despite her injury and frequent health problems, she remains in fantastic shape. She is a genuine underdog. Hazel has taught me a valuable lesson: Folks may underestimate me, but as long as I never give up and keep a positive attitude, I'll beat the odds and surprise them all! It's one of the many lessons she has taught me in the past eight years that I've been blessed to call her MY dog. 

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.

Wishing you hopeful holidays: We may not all suffer the same this season, but we can heal together

This Christmas I feel something I haven't felt in the past few years; calm. The past few years have been transitional for me. Moving away and starting anew. Again. Sometimes my life feels like it's in a perpetual state of starting over. Losing Keira was devastating. Isolation from the pandemic was beginning to drag me down. The veterinary industry has been in a crisis and empathy is not always a renewable resource. Healing the fault lines on my surface was something I knew needed more attention. When you compare last Christmas, featuring another COVID catastrophe and a looming clown convoy, to this year, it's like going from a panic attack to finally taking a deep breath. Switching from heavy metal to folk music. Folk music is the sound I want to live with.

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

Bum wiggle-worthy dog gifts: Canadian-made Christmas and holiday dog collars that are merry and bright

It's beginning to look a lot like spoil your dog season! What better way to make your dog merry than a new collar that will make it stand out from the rest of the pack? We don't have much time left for holiday shopping, but I wanted to squeak in another holiday dog gift guide to support local sellers. I searched Etsy for the most festive holiday and Christmas collars for dogs that are made in Canada to share with you. 

Etsy is an online shopping platform that supports small, independent sellers and creators where you can find unique, handmade, and one-of-a-kind products. It offsets 100% of its carbon emissions from shipping. This Christmas if you must shop online, support independent sellers by shopping Etsy. 

This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking one of my links

Hill's for the holidays: Making sure our pets are well groomed, well fed, and stay safe this season

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Our pets are as much a part of our holiday celebration as any other family member. I know my dog Hazel is! So, how do we get our fur-family holiday ready? It's all about priorities. My top priority is keeping Hazel safe this time of year because she is a trouble magnet. Hazel’s top priority is having a full tummy at all times!  

'Make More Merry' with Petco: Certified dog trainer Darris Cooper shares holiday safety tips and his top picks for dog gifts 

Let the festive season begin! Holiday festivities include gift shopping, and although we may have mixed feelings about this, our pets LOVE it! Not the shopping but the gift-receiving part. I'm not trying to throw shade at cats, but let's be honest; dogs are often much more enthusiastic when opening holiday gifts. Hazel is adorable. She's learned what gifts are and assumes all gifts under the tree are for her of course, and how to tear into them to get her prize. She shoves her big, fluffy head into gift bags, and holds wrapped gifts between her giant paws to rip the paper off with pup-precision.

Remembrance Day: Honouring military members and their loved ones on this day of reflection 

Today is Remembrance Day and Paws For Reaction extends sincere thanks to each and every person (and animal!) who fought, died, sacrificed, and continues to sacrifice for the freedom of this great nation. Freedom is a word that has been appropriated differently in the past few years. Rights and privileges have been confused and interchanged. Our freedom is a privilege given to us and protected by members of the Canadian military. Blood, sweat, tears, and lives secured this privilege. It is important that we don't allow politics and conspiracy theories to devalue this and detract from those who are true freedom fighters.

Guest blog by Adeline Ee. Paws For Reaction is so lucky to have such an amazing writer & animal lover join extended our family!

Guest blog: Three native Ontario bee species in decline and how you can help

Today, August 20th, we celebrate the little, unsung heroes of our ecosystems. It's the 13th annual World Honey Bee Day! The first World Honey Bee Day was held in 2009, and since then, we have been giving a quiet nod of thanks on the third Saturday of August to honey bees and their caretakers, the beekeepers. 

This blog was originally published by Ontario Nature. Guest blog by Anne Bell, Director of Conservation and Education at Ontario Nature.

Ontario Nature reveals government failure: Ontario’s record on protecting species at risk is devastating for wildlife

The Auditor General of Ontario’s report, Protecting and Recovering Species at Risk, is not reading for the faint of heart. Released on November 22, 2021, the audit sets out in excruciating detail the Government of Ontario’s abject failure to exercise its duty to protect the province’s most vulnerable plants and animals.

Wild Wednesday: Ottawa Valley Wild Bird Care Centre shares what you need to know about bird flu and how they are coping

This year my conversation about conservation with the Ottawa Valley Wild Bird Care Centre (OVWBCC) team flew me in a different direction. Wildlife rescue is serious business. It's even more so when navigating a contagious viral infection like H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), more commonly referred to as avian flu or 'bird flu.'

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. 

Conflicted on Canada Day: Being patriotic means owning ALL of our nation's history

Yesterday I visited parks & landmarks in Ottawa with significance to Indigenous communities; Pindigen Park, Chaudière Falls and Pangishimo Park, to collect trash and pay my respects. I planned to do this on Canada Day, however due to probable rain I decided to do it a day early. As I've learned more about the unsettling colonial history of Canada and the truth about the genocide and forced assimilation of Indigenous people these past few years I find Canada Day to be a conflicting holiday.