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

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.
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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

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!

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.

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/

I'm ready to go to the park. Lets go!

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

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.

Swamp Walk

Charlie enjoys walking in the swamp. 

His family didn't enjoy it! We all got wet. Really wet! We didn't realize we were walking on a swamp until we broke through the ice. 

Charlie visits Hampton Park Ottawa

Charlie waiting for a walk

Charlie making new friends at Hampton Park Ottawa

Ottawa community News Article. Tails and tongues were wagging on the morning of Aug. 25,2014 as residents and their four-legged friends gathered to open Ottawa’s newest – and biggest – off leash dog run.

Located in Hampton Park, near Island Park Drive and the Queensway, the 9,000-square-metre, fenced-in dog run is located on National Capital Commission land that is leased and maintained by the city. Running alongside the dog run is a newly-opened multi-use pathway, constructed by the city to bridge the gap between Island Park and Kirkwood Avenue for pedestrians and cyclists.

The pathway adds an extra four kilometers of pavement to the city’s cycling network.

Charlie playing chase

Happy New Year from Charlie

Charlie's New Years Resolutions 

1.  Try some new activities this year. I will start with jogging-got to keep my pet parent in shape.

2.  No more rawhide bones. They are toxic and not good for me or the environment.

3.  Make sure I get a hug or two every day.

4,  I will tolerate homemade bandannas more even though I don't think they are very manly.

6.  Show everyone that I can learn a new trick.

7.  Get more massages.

8.  Try to convince my family to let me sniff longer when we are out for walks.

9,   Learn to swim. I'm a duck toller retriever, its about time I learn how to do this.

10. Be Happy!

What Kind of Dog is Charlie?

For any one wondering what kind of dog Charlie is. His scarf today is a BIG hint!

Charlie is a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, with a little bit of something else thrown in.  

Duck Tolling Retrievers were first bred in Yarmouth County, Nova Scotia in the 19th century, as a hunting dog and to toll waterfowl. Duck Tollers were admitted to the Canadian Kennel Club in 1945 and is Nova Scotia's Provincial Dog! 

Charlie has never been to Nova Scotia himself, but he hears that it is a fantastic place to visit and live. I am sure he would love running along beaches and playing in the ocean.

For more information about Nova Scotia Duck Tollers and to see if they are the right dog for you check out this site! NSDTR Club of Canada

Merry Christmas!!

Charlie is spending Christmas in Ottawa. He would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas!

There is tons to do in downtown Ottawa at Christmas!

You can check out the Christmas Across Canada light display, which is projected on the to the Parliament Building. After you can walk around Parliament Hill to look at all the Christmas lights and meet up with some statues. 

Charlie is Ready for Christmas!

Reindeer Charlie. 

Charlie thinks that he is up for the job as one of Santa's Reindeer but I have my doubts. He is very fast but I don't think he will be able to keep up with all the flying. He might just want in on the job because of all the cookie perks.

All of the presents are wrapped!

Charlie is excited for Christmas. He plans to give everyone lots of love and kisses all day! His wish list is not very long, he would like lots of long walks, pettings, and maybe a new bone or ball.