Dogs making their own fun.

We can't always take Charlie for a walk or play with him so he has to make his own fun.

1.  Chewing on a good stick or bone from the butcher is something Charlie can do for hours.
2.  Kongs with frozen meat fillings are good too.
3.  A clean stuffy to chew on.
4.  Provide a place in the house that your dog can look out the window.
5.  Make a dog popsicle. Get a bowl, add some broth and freeze. Give to your dog outside.

All wet!

Most dogs hate bath time usually due to the confined space, the scrubbing and the water. Below is some tips for dog bathing.

Bathing tips for dogs.

1. Use Lukewarm water and a soft spray of water.
2. Use soap made for dogs, its less harsh on their fur.
3. Give direction to your dog in a soft mild voice.
4. If possible be silly, try to make it fun for your dog.
5. Get some help if needed. An extra hand can make the experience quicker.
6. Wash the face last.
7. Have some some treats on hand and praise your dog when finished. It's a good idea to have a playtime or a good snuggle after bath time.

Dogs that love to cuddle.

Want to cuddle with your dog? Cuddling with your dog is good for you in so many ways. Cuddling can lower your stress levels, lower your blood pressure, lower your risk of a stroke, can beat depression and help reduce pain and it's good for your dog too!

Studies have also shown that cuddling with your dog releases oxytocin in both you and in your pet. Oxytocin has a calming and soothing affect on pet and human. So enjoy cuddles on the couch and good long walks with your dog.

Here is a list of dogs that like to cuddle.

1. Duck Toller- Charlie loves to cuddle.
2. Labrador Retriever.
3. Golden Retriever.
4. Basset Hound
5. Maltese
6. Pug
5. Maltese
6. Collie

Downward dog..........why do dogs love this stretch?

Dogs do the downward dog bow for two reasons. First, it's a good stretch that feels good. It's also signal to other dogs and humans that I want to play!  Dogs will bounce and up and down in these positions when excited as well. So enjoy your dog. Have some fun.

Signs of Spring are in the air! Yes/Maybe?

Ice is off the river......first signs of spring.  Dogs love spring too. They get more outdoor time after being cooped up in the house. More dog park time as well as hikes, runs and more friends to see. Enjoy this time with your dog.

Would you like to take your dog to work with you every day?

Recently companies around the world have allowed employees to bring their dog to work. Not many in Canada. Below is a list of companies that allow you to bring your dog to work.

HootSuite, Softchoice, Modern Dog, Electronic Arts, EA Sports,Google, Kimpton, Kurgo, Tito, Mars Inc., Amazon, Etsy, Bissell Homecare, Ben & Jerry,

See SPCA tips regarding bringing your dog to work

Is your dog your child?

Many individuals are having a dog instead of having children. 

Some are calling their dog their child? Is your dog your child?

It has been found that the relationship between dogs and their owners is very similiar to those of a parent and child. Parent is the caregiver in both situations. Also the researchers found that the same hormone,oxytocin, spikes in both human and canine brains when a dog is gazing at its owner. So both dog owner and your dog benefit of living together.

But dog and child are treated different. My dog, Charlie is treated like a dog. Yes he does get our love and attention but he is still a dog. We put a leash on him when we go for a walk. He eats from a bowl on the floor, not on the table. Charlie is a important member of our family. He is involved in most of our daily activities but we all know he is not our child so he is treated as our pet.

As you can seen in the photo above Charlie is a happy, content dog :)

Charlie wishes he could Kite Surf. Maybe Charlie could try wind surfing instead this summer.

Winter Kite Surfing

Summer Wind Surfing

Photo Credit from http://islandlifebonaire.com/blog/take-your-dog-windsurfing/

Walking your dog is good for your health.

If you have a dog your likely walking more than non-dog owners. This is a good thing! 

You likely happier than non-dog owners too. Other benefits of having a dog is that you likely have an improved sense of well-being.Also walking your dog 30 minutes a day at least 3 times a week reduces your blood pressure, increases your energy and is likely to lower your weight by 5%.And on top of all that you get the love of your dog.

Coyote Sighting in Britannia park!

Although coyotes live in many types of habitat, they typically prefer open areas. This might be one of the reasons we are seeing coyotes along the Ottawa River in the City of Ottawa. 

How to protect your dog from coyotes. 

1. Monitor your dogs when there are outside, even inside fenced yards.

2. Keep your dog on a leash when walking in park areas where there has been coyote sightings.

3. If you do see a coyote approach while walking your dog try yelling at the coyote, act      aggressively and walk back slowly from coyote.

4. Keep a lid on your compost containers and secure your garbage containers.

5. All individuals have to be careful in areas where coyotes have been sighted. Coyotes have not only killed dogs,cats but humans too. 

Don't try to rescue your dog if falls in the cold water.

Dogs are clever but many times a dog has run on a frozen river and fallen through. And I know that some people will instinctively try to rescue their dog in trouble. Before you do anything, think first. Are you prepared to die trying (many have).

So keep your dog on a leash when walking near a river or other bodies of water in the winter for you and your dogs sake.

Instant Meditation

What's happening Man!  Charlie taking a Instant Meditation break.

According to www.nowhealing.com/instant-meditation, you too can do Instant Meditation like Charlie.                                                                                                                                                      
"Now, for two seconds, get in touch with your mental/emotional center – a place of peace. (Don’t feel into it, or try to experience it – just find it and connect to it, at the speed of light. That’s sufficient!)

"Find your spiritual center – your soul  – and connect with it, for two seconds.
And finally, sense your energetic center with its meridians, chakras and auric field.

Now bring them all together: sense your vertical Center, and say the command: “Center.” Stay in your Center, while bringing your focus up, up, up… above your head. Now move your focus up and outward, towards infinity, for a few seconds – at light-speed.

You’ve just made instant, multi-dimensional connection to wholeness. Compare that to how you feel after meditation. Different – yet instantly whole. Check out the full article at https://www.nowhealing.com/instant-meditation/

Who's got who?

Dogs need friends too!

Wow look at me!

Dogs do need to hangout with other dog friends now and then. Dogs learn from each other, learn what is acceptable and not acceptable behavior in the dog world. Play also allows dogs to form strong friendship bonds with other dogs they play with on a regular basis.

Second Heaven-on couch snuggling with Mom

I don't want to go home!

In the dog world this is called a "Sit down Strike" or "The stop and drop phenomenon" But before you scold your dog check to see how your dog is feeling. Make sure your dog has no sprains or pulled muscles. Also check your dogs paws. Look for ice, cracked pads of feet or foreign object wedged between paws.

The laying down behavior could also be that your dog is overwhelmed, scared and shutting down.

Or your dog is just being silly and having fun! Like Charlie is :)

A great winter day!

The snow, the sun and a good stick. It doesn't get any better.

Charlie wants to join the skiers.

Not messing with this guy!

Charlie at Wag's....A Posh shop for spoiled Pets

Great place to take your dog after a long walk in Windsor Park.

Charlie enjoyed his visit to Wag's while his pet parents had a coffee. Coffee was good! 

You can also buy dog treats and dog supplies at Wags. There is seating in the front of store for you and your dog or you can join others and their dogs in the corral in the back of the store.  As you can see Charlie enjoyed his time here.  If you want to visit Wag's it is located at 1071 Bank St, Ottawa. Open every day except Sunday 8am to 8 pm, open Sundays 8 am to 6 pm. 

Charlie has beautiful brown eyes

Yep, most dogs do have brown eyes due to dominant gene. Most typical dog breeds with blue eyes are the Siberian Husky and Australian Shepard. In these breeds the blue eye gene is independent of coat colour. The blue eye gene is sometimes associated with coat colour being partly or entirely white.

Charlie's not happy,too many of his favorite trees have been damaged bythe ice.

Charlie sees his friend Maxine in the distance. Charlie has more friends than his pet parent.