An Urban Hike

Hog's Back Falls

This weeks hike was an urban hike at Hog's Back Park, which covers 20.8 hectares and includes Hog Back Falls. The rushing water was scary to Charlie and he didn't like to stand near it at the top of the falls.

Charlie stayed out of the water as it was very fast and  levels were very high. Until a big wave took him by surprise on the trail.

While walking along the trail and seeing all the views Charlie practiced his balancing skills by walking along beams, trees and curbs.

The falls are great to visit during the spring when the water is highest and not diverted to the canal. The park is filled with signs and plaques like the one above so you can learn lots about the geological history and heritage of the park.

South March Highlands

Another Hiking Adventure

This week Charlie went hiking at the South March Highlands Conservation Area not once but twice! Two days in a row because he loved it that much!

The trails wind through the woods and pass by small lakes, we found one still snow covered with a beaver lodge right in the middle of it!

Part way through we found another small lake this one just had a small layer of ice and Charlie was able to take a quick drink.

The last loop of the trail we decided to take a seat on a fallen down tree while we let some cyclist drive past. Mountain bikes and fat bikes are allowed throughout the conservation area, so you have to make sure you share the trails. 

The conservation area is also home to endangered species, the Blanding's Turtle and the Butternut Tree. So make sure you leave the species to themselves, look but do not disturb them!

If you want to visit the conservation area or learn more about the area and the species that live there you can check out the website South March Highlands.

Maple Syrup Time!

🍁Maple Syrup Adventure🍁

Today, Charlie spent some time at Fortune Farms learning about maple syrup and looking at all the maple trees.

He got to see how the used to collect all the sap! 

And how people used to boil the sap down to syrup a long time ago! 

It was tons of fun, you get to walk around the property. We visited the Kettle Boys, the Shanty Man and saw how they make syrup now. At every step of the way Charlie's parents got to try the syrup!! Yum!

If you want to go to a Sugar Bush this season I highly recommend going to Fortune Farms! Charlies parents have been going here for over 20 years and still love it!

For more information about the Fortune Farms Sugar Bush visit the below link. They even have a blog so you can keep up to date on all things maple!

 https://fortunefarms.ca/

Charlie's weekend adventure- MacKenzie King Estate

Dogs too get bored of the same food, the same walk and the same dog friends. We to get bored too. That's why every weekend we try a new walk or hike. We are lucking that we live in Ottawa since we have so many trails and walks that we can go to under half an hour. We have shared some in the past. See below links to MacKenzie King Estate and other hiking trails in the Gatineau.

Walking and Hiking in the Gatineau

Hiking and Walking at the Mackenzie King Estate

How to tell your dog is cold.

Some dogs have a great coat to keep them warm in the winter and other dogs don't. So how how long can they endure the cold?  You need to look for signs and recognizing when it's time to go home.

First Signs of a cold dog.

1. Ice between their toes or on their body
2. Dog is shaking or shivering due to wetness, cold or both.

If you don't take action early your dog will have blisters and/or swelling as well as some frostbite.

Second Degree 

Second degree frostbite will result in skin blisters. Skin turns a very pale/gray colour on their ears, feet,toes and tails.

Third Degree

Third degree may result in gangrene resulting in amputation of affection area and sometimes death.

Dogs like Charlie have a double-coated fur to protect him from the cold weather and wet weather but they too have their limits. If you have a hairless dog, a dog with little fur, or you live, walk and run in a very cold climate, I recommend a coat made for your dog. You can also buy boots for your dog as well.

Always monitor your pet. Keep them safe. They rely on your judgement.

Charlie at The Mackenzie King Estate

Charlie at the Ruins

Most don't know that MacKenzie King, former Canadian Prime Minister in 1921–1926, 1926–1930 and 1935–1948 served was a devoted dog owner.

He had Irish Terriers, first three he named Pat. He praised his terrier friends as "a God-sent little angel in the guise of a dog, my dear little saviour"

MacKenzie King was not a people person but he really loved his dogs! I think he would have enjoyed seeing all the dogs walking in his estate.

Charlie enjoyed the Estate, he liked the ruins, paths, water fall (even if it was frozen), the trails and the cross country ski trails. Snow shoeing is good here too!

Charlie heard that the gardens are nice in the summer and a great place to have high tea.

Link for more info
http://www.ncc-ccn.gc.ca/places-to-visit/mackenzie-king-estate/visitor-information

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.

A beautiful feathered tail, constantly moving back and forth.

Duck Tollers are known for their beautiful flashing tails. Some tollers have a white tip at the end of their tails. Charlie's tails is long and always up when walking or excited. Toller tails are full of action depending what the toller is thinking or doing,

Charlie enjoys chasing his tail as well.

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.

Tips for hiking with your dog.

Hiking with you dog can be fun for you and your dog. You should pack dog and trail treats when hiking in the city or on the trail. Bring water too, especially in the summer. Not all dogs are suitable for long hike so you need to be realistic about your dogs endurance and capabilities. Always make sure that the trails are suitable for your dog.
.

Spy Dog......What does he see?

Charlie the spy dog?

More Snow!

Interesting note. Cats and dogs were suspected of spying on WWI trenches by British intelligence officer. 

See article below from The Independent Newspaper

British intelligence officers in the First World War suspected two cats and a dog of spying for the Germans, in official army documents published by the National Archives today.

The three animals were observed repeatedly crossing British trenches, leading suspicious officers to believe the animals may have been planted by the Germans in order to relay messages across enemy lines.

The incident was recorded in an intelligence briefing from July 1915.

The report, prepared by officers from the 36th brigade of the 12th Division who were stationed in trenches on the Western Front states: “Two (2) cats and a dog are under suspicion, as they have been in the habit of crossing our trenches at night; steps are being taken to trap them if possible.”

Sadly, the document does not state whether the animals were ever detained on suspicion of spying.

David Langrish, records specialist for the National Archives said: “The case of the dog and two cats, shows the level of suspicion amongst military units at this time.

“Every detail was of potential importance for the planning of further operations, and so every possible suspicion would have been reported.”

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/cats-and-dog-suspected-of-spying-on-wwi-trenches-by-british-intelligence-officers-9189474.html

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/

Dog Park Rules you should follow.

There is some rules every dog owner should follow when bringing your dog to the dog park.

1. Make sure your dog is vaccination is up to date.

2. Don't try to get dog excited before he gets to the dog park. No one wants to deal with a hyper dog. So enter dog park in a calm approach.

3. Bring one of your dog's toys. Can't expect your dog to play with other dog's toys. Its good to share too.

4. Monitor your dog. If he is being a bully take appropriate action

5. Poop and scoop.

6. Have some fun with your dog!

Happy Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day from Charlie. He thought the thing he loved the most in the world was bacon. Until he realized without his Mom he would  have no way to get the bacon!

Charlie likes Valentine's Day, but he doesn't really like the silly heart hat that was made for him.

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.

Dogs go into the snow with their snowsuits already on!

Most dogs like the snow. Check out Charlie, you can see he is loving it!

Even though your dog loves the snow make sure his ears don't freeze, especially if they are small or pointed. Also all that salt on the sidewalk and roads can irritate your dogs paws. If your dog licks his salty paws he could get sick. Try washing your dogs paws with some warm water when he comes in the house.

(Keeps your house cleaner too)

Dogs regulate their body temperature in part through their paws, so make sure your dog isn't exposed to the ice and snow more than a few hours at a time. Always keep an eye on your dog. Not all dogs are the same.

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. 

Charlie Tests Out Hammock Camping

A Hammock Adventure!

Testing out the new camping hammock and Charlie did not want to be left out of the fun. 

Charlie was so happy when he got up and got to be apart of the hammock fun!

Charlie contemplating camping, hammocks, and all the sticks surrounding him.

Dogs hears things that you don't.

A dog hears a frequency range of 40 to 60,000 Hz while a human range is between 20 and 20,000 Hz. Most dogs can hear sounds approximately four times further away than humans.  

Due to this your dog may have a difficult time with many different and loud noises that you find acceptable. 

Dog Parks City of Ottawa

Below are some guidelines from the City of Ottawa-Dogs in Parks website.

Parks can provide a pleasant and safe environment in which to exercise dogs. Safety for other park users is also a consideration however. The Animal Care and Control By-law provides for a variety of park usages or "designations" for dogs (below) and there is a Dogs-in-Parks Designation Policy (DIPDP) that applies.

Click link above to get a map of dog parks In Ottawa

• Dogs Allowed: Dogs may be off leash

• Dogs on Leash: Dogs are allowed but must be on leash at all times

• No Dogs: Dogs are not permitted

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.

Tips to teaching your dog to wait.

Teaching your dog to wait is very beneficial for dog owners. We tell Charlie to wait while we put on our shoes, when we are putting his leash on, when we are opening the door to go outside or when we stop for a second to pick up something off the ground. Wait is a very useful command.

To teach a dog to wait, give the command consistently through out your day. Eventually your dog will understand.

Bad Charlie :(

We started to let Charlie on the couch to look out our new window when we were out. It did not turn out well. He still allowed on couch but we insure we leave some special toy or bone when we go out.

Doing what Tollers do best.

The ducks before Charlie saw them.

Charlie, the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, doing what comes naturally.

Nova Scotia Duck Tollers are named for their ability to entice or lure waterfowl within gunshot range, called "tolling". 

The hunter stays hidden in a blind and sends the dog out to romp and play near the water, usually by tossing a ball or stick to be retrieved. The dog's appearance is similar to that of a fox. Its unusual activity and white markings pique the curiosity of ducks and geese, who swim over to investigate.When the birds are close, the hunter calls the dog back to the blind, then rises, putting the birds to flight, allowing him a shot. 

The Toller then retrieves any downed birds. They are particularly suited for retrieving in cold water climates because of their water-repellent double coat. 

References https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nova_Scotia_Duck_Tolling_Retriever