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

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.

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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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

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!

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.

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/

Chase!

Charlie loves to have the ball and if he doesn't have the ball he chases the other dog till he gets it. Charlie also chases everything he sees especially squirrels and cats. The main reason Charlie chases the wildlife is because it's enjoyable. He loves it! 

It was recommended that we hide treats for Charlie to sniff and find them at home to curb his chasing. Charlie loves this game, but it has not stopped Charlie from a good chase.

Another recommendation was to keep my dog on the leash whenever he is in a situation where there may be animals he may give chase. In my neighbourhood there is many squirrels.

So how do you stop your dog from chasing? I would appreciate any tips!

 

Who's got who?

Hope Mom buys treats for me when she is in the grocery store.

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

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.

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