tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85212602322744302722024-03-14T06:11:33.883-06:00PetLynx HomeSafeGood news from people who help pets get HomeSafe!Executive Producerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07480732087702057297noreply@blogger.comBlogger271125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8521260232274430272.post-69358197968235125532014-07-28T08:22:00.003-06:002014-07-28T08:22:39.328-06:00Petsecure's Paws Across Canada<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>P</b>etsecure wants to see your pets! Share a picture of your dog or cat along with their name and hometown and Petsecure will add them to their interactive <a href="http://www.petsecure.com/blog/petsecure/2014/07/24/paws-across-canada">Paws Across Canada</a> map. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Photos can be posted to the Petsecure <a href="https://www.facebook.com/petsecure">Facebook timeline</a> or tweet a photo to <a href="https://twitter.com/Petsecure">@Petsecure</a> on Twitter. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrPB0C_2sMdNsjWMUPcC7e1subGe0O4ZPNpACS8f4_Uewy2smbgK8-izpAacsD5BeJ2pPGKBBdUXvclAkxM584tQlSfU2hSJSlRjPVAHSr1RQ-_B6MS9s3HPLFopxcr2UcN2pTZ-hEwfjW/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-07-28+at+8.21.24+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrPB0C_2sMdNsjWMUPcC7e1subGe0O4ZPNpACS8f4_Uewy2smbgK8-izpAacsD5BeJ2pPGKBBdUXvclAkxM584tQlSfU2hSJSlRjPVAHSr1RQ-_B6MS9s3HPLFopxcr2UcN2pTZ-hEwfjW/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-07-28+at+8.21.24+AM.png" height="174" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17063312366274404413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8521260232274430272.post-3905276058239721252014-07-08T03:30:00.000-06:002014-07-08T03:30:00.885-06:00Daisy's dog<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicrrBMYOVUd9bWnxMp0HvTFBYX27GsNHBT812RK9IReljG1WEJ1sdNIxOQwHO25FOvjA6-kredf6sT6tY6HLgUOA8dTpglggTtR79_Ig3OZnSMUqBXBRplBeqJ0r6ZHbDLoyD07xCGjeW7/s1600/IMG_4444.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicrrBMYOVUd9bWnxMp0HvTFBYX27GsNHBT812RK9IReljG1WEJ1sdNIxOQwHO25FOvjA6-kredf6sT6tY6HLgUOA8dTpglggTtR79_Ig3OZnSMUqBXBRplBeqJ0r6ZHbDLoyD07xCGjeW7/s1600/IMG_4444.JPG" height="200" width="133" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>W</b>e have a Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier, Kiwi, who was our baby for a few years before we actually had babies. She has a soft temperament and is friendly and easy going. But the pet experience I'm going to share today is the story of how we chose our second dog, a Golden Retriever named Sully. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc7jp1_0NBQue-ZioAqMDHzM8edYAf7T-bTBRb1myALzJGF_raZ-Z2dt2q9QPjgQkVScg7kD9XZVQrWG50mCYuFK4cOyVyu0ydGD49syzgyj-E0QLmLaWv5H0PIMJKxmNnCPeo8MxrAZVC/s1600/IMG_5167.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc7jp1_0NBQue-ZioAqMDHzM8edYAf7T-bTBRb1myALzJGF_raZ-Z2dt2q9QPjgQkVScg7kD9XZVQrWG50mCYuFK4cOyVyu0ydGD49syzgyj-E0QLmLaWv5H0PIMJKxmNnCPeo8MxrAZVC/s1600/IMG_5167.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When Sully was born we had two kids aged one and three. We were just about to move into a new house and weren't even considering another addition to the family. But a lady who had previously looked after my kids announced on Facebook that her Golden was having puppies. Both puppy parents were small Goldens (about 50lbs) so we figured the puppies would also be on the small side. Also, I knew they would be raised surrounded by young kids so ours wouldn't come as too much of a shock. It didn't take much convincing and we were heading over to meet the 3-week-old pups and choose the one we'd welcome into our home a few months later. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There were six puppies all stumbling around the room when we arrived. They were all adorable. The four of us (me, my husband and our two kids) all sat down in a circle around the dogs so we could pick our favourite. The puppies were wild, gnawing on toys, peeing on the floor, wrestling with each other. It was mayhem and hard to get them to sit still long enough to make a decision. Within minutes though, and amidst the chaos, Sully waddled over to our one-year-old daughter Daisy and plonked himself down in her lap. He remained there for the whole 30 minute visit as she gently stroked his ears. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc1asVL4w4JGCa-QNhRjv50Mfd_Gd2fOxmYKu3xs9dfRRF0fQpF2l4hpfWdOeBYbkh6CwyVpdqYBgsvwaejYfL5x2Ana0c-W16v8Ay6IXVdQJkjr4DsAJZvvYji67U1yv3BRQ-gMOxaEId/s1600/IMG_9128.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc1asVL4w4JGCa-QNhRjv50Mfd_Gd2fOxmYKu3xs9dfRRF0fQpF2l4hpfWdOeBYbkh6CwyVpdqYBgsvwaejYfL5x2Ana0c-W16v8Ay6IXVdQJkjr4DsAJZvvYji67U1yv3BRQ-gMOxaEId/s1600/IMG_9128.jpg" height="200" width="133" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Obviously, there was no question. He was the dog for us, or should I say, for Daisy. A couple of months later, we picked up our (much larger) puppy and brought him home. Sully and Daisy have been the best of friends ever since. There's a bond between these two that doesn't exist between any other dog and human in our home. She's taught him how play gently and be mindful and respectful of children. He's taught her how to treat an animal and be conscious of their emotions and signals. They play, they cuddle and he always keeps a watchful eye out for her. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Oh, also, he's now a strapping 85lb, 2-year-old puppy. So much for small! </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- Shannon Woodward, Mum to Kiwi & Sully (and a couple of human babies as well) </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Shannon Woodwardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06661811655197864971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8521260232274430272.post-20792918563807545232014-06-28T05:00:00.000-06:002014-06-28T05:00:01.188-06:00Hamilton/Burlington SPCA Announces the Wiggle Waggle Walk & Splash 25th Anniversary<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; min-height: 14px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiBmCK4oyHFK5w98ad_ItEEFWwFdjTrb8XdDS_2MJ5ZyWgzOkybW7EEUzEQhHQs78eTgZAgWeQrSW7sshRNLoz30CNFzt5cUWfEsV7qlLZyx9OjXLN4gcOPVUZaRYXw-2tloClfOcL_KfM/s1600/Media+Release+-+Hamilton-Burlington+SPCA+Announces+Wiggle+Waggle+Walk++Splash+25+Years.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiBmCK4oyHFK5w98ad_ItEEFWwFdjTrb8XdDS_2MJ5ZyWgzOkybW7EEUzEQhHQs78eTgZAgWeQrSW7sshRNLoz30CNFzt5cUWfEsV7qlLZyx9OjXLN4gcOPVUZaRYXw-2tloClfOcL_KfM/s1600/Media+Release+-+Hamilton-Burlington+SPCA+Announces+Wiggle+Waggle+Walk++Splash+25+Years.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>HAMILTON ON (June 25, 2014) </b>– The Hamilton/Burlington SPCA (HBSPCA) is pleased to announce the <b>25</b><b>th </b><b>anniversary </b>of the Wiggle Waggle Walk & Splash event, taking place September 7th, 2014 at Confederation Park and Wild Waterworks. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In partnership with the Hamilton Conservation Authority and Wild Waterworks, this year’s Wiggle Waggle Walk & Splash event will feature a 5-kilometer walk, a doggie pool party, vendor marketplace, dog agility show and live music. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Registration begins at 10:00am and the event concludes at 3:00pm. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Registration is open for the Wiggle Waggle Walk & Splash online at <span style="color: #0433ff;">www.hbspca.com</span>. Pledges raised will help support homeless and abused animals in the Hamilton/Burlington community. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To celebrate the milestone anniversary of this popular event, the HBSPCA Board of Directors is hosting the Bark n’ B-BQ fundraiser on Friday, September 5th from 6:00pm to 10:00pm at the Ancaster Fairgrounds. For more information visit: <span style="color: #0433ff;">http://hbspca.com/donate/join-our-events/bark-n-bar-bbq/ </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #0433ff;"><br /></span></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">###</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; min-height: 14px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.5px;">
The Hamilton/Burlington SPCA protects animals from people, cares for animals in its Companion Animal Hospital, kennels and foster homes and teaches responsible pet ownership. The HBSPCA is a donor-based, private non-profit charity. </div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.5px;">
Charitable Registration Number 11923 6750 RR0001. </div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.5px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.5px;">
<b>HBSPCA Contact </b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.5px;">
Melissa Bennett, Donor Development Officer. <span style="color: #0433ff;">mbennett@hbspca.com </span>905-574-7722 ext. 330 </div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.5px;">
<br /></div>
Shannon Woodwardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06661811655197864971noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8521260232274430272.post-30790469671552175722014-06-27T05:00:00.000-06:002014-06-27T05:00:01.057-06:00What's in a Name?<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZGYjpGAqp7ueTnYjSIqdmFgf9O940el3dFE4hDk9fuiI5F5o9URgAA05AQc0gSCVZ-p3ZlSWTMysihRRmRnir_K_1ET6jPPdRziBKLZ2pCSOzBzUTRur3i_XuAy0HbfRebPAfvMbOQm9L/s1600/Loki1.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZGYjpGAqp7ueTnYjSIqdmFgf9O940el3dFE4hDk9fuiI5F5o9URgAA05AQc0gSCVZ-p3ZlSWTMysihRRmRnir_K_1ET6jPPdRziBKLZ2pCSOzBzUTRur3i_XuAy0HbfRebPAfvMbOQm9L/s1600/Loki1.png" height="213" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Allow me to introduce you to my 8 month old Siberian Husky, his name is Loki. It occurred to me recently that naming a puppy is certainly a big deal and may require careful consideration. A new pet owner might strive to choose the right name that suits their puppies’ appearance, personality, sex, uniqueness, and breed.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA"><o:p><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The name Loki originates in Norse
mythology, he was described by scholars as that of the Trickster God or
God of Mischief. In my experience naming my new pup was a struggle, but Loki
chose his name, and what an appropriate choice it was… <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">About
a month ago I decided Loki was grown up enough to get a big boy bed. My neighbour
has this really great bed for her dog that I decided I would buy for Loki. It’s
large and plush and has a removable cover so it can be washed and is described
as ‘indestructible’. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOx4pS1cGCSFpy30r71dl5xxZLuWGJW1IITIxyl-djm6wiOpIgA-xdKpUhF3c8ARWEplBOSVXm9Lc-yR7qWyrx7JbOaRoDHDzEs0DY4I-JRCWTs6EVC7r8h4kmzZy-uOHGSfgIQTkWUnub/s1600/Loki2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOx4pS1cGCSFpy30r71dl5xxZLuWGJW1IITIxyl-djm6wiOpIgA-xdKpUhF3c8ARWEplBOSVXm9Lc-yR7qWyrx7JbOaRoDHDzEs0DY4I-JRCWTs6EVC7r8h4kmzZy-uOHGSfgIQTkWUnub/s1600/Loki2.png" height="320" width="255" /></a><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Excited, I headed out to the local pet
store and made this fairly substantial purchase thinking this bed will last him
YEARS and somehow he will appreciate that I purchased such a lovely
INDESTRUCTABLE bed for him. Turns out he instantly took to his new bed. I spent
about an hour with him, observing him with his newly claimed sleeping spot, and
then headed out for work. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now,
I can’t exactly tell you what happened in the next 30 minutes… only Loki knows
the truth, but I can speculate. At some point, and perhaps I attribute too many
human qualities to Loki, but I believe a switch in the God of Mischief’s mind
went off. I am certain as soon as he heard the front door close and my truck
pull away, the wheels started turning and the Trickster God had a plan in mind.
‘Don’t tell me something is indestructible’ I imagine him thinking. Half an
hour later, my roommate walked in to a destroyed indestructible bed, with Loki as
the blue eyed center piece in the middle of a stuffing netherworld! There was
no tail between the legs, no apologetic look on his face, no, he was grinning ear
to ear, wagging his tail and proud of his accomplishment. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd3LRe4-W8zx1dIp5LKCu-xetaasNcJsUeJSyDlKuNWyAJLu7pRVRqi9Uk0fhqzJ6-7w3K2cnYdS5Rh1JLs5E-A5Fv41rYlgP2Hf-GCPjuDQFWCxZsXctV3woNmF4OR-zpWxmXdD-PuDbN/s1600/Loki3.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd3LRe4-W8zx1dIp5LKCu-xetaasNcJsUeJSyDlKuNWyAJLu7pRVRqi9Uk0fhqzJ6-7w3K2cnYdS5Rh1JLs5E-A5Fv41rYlgP2Hf-GCPjuDQFWCxZsXctV3woNmF4OR-zpWxmXdD-PuDbN/s1600/Loki3.png" height="245" width="320" /></a><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Needless to say it took my roommate just
about as long to clean up the mess as it took Loki to methodically create it.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-CA">The next day I took the destroyed bed back
to the store from whence it came, the store clerk looked at it and laughed.
‘What </span><span lang="EN-CA">kind
of dog do you have?’ he asked. ‘A 7 month old Siberian husky’ was my response;
he immediately refunded me.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-no-proof: yes;"> </span><span lang="EN-CA"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Remarkably Loki has not destroyed the $15
bed he had since I brought him home 5 months ago, and is quite content with its
‘destructibility’.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDktf9iLj9cdSfXBBBjLN-kxCNhHWO-ysWX6pUXkIAbonaFYzqsSRl5cD6gVhKeNpPvnTFaHlJkQ35XQS-PdTw5pO51ZjGbtd8G2BSn9J3OWFmPtnMs_Ag6dPuukVIE7Los6M-i0pH7FMi/s1600/Sheena.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDktf9iLj9cdSfXBBBjLN-kxCNhHWO-ysWX6pUXkIAbonaFYzqsSRl5cD6gVhKeNpPvnTFaHlJkQ35XQS-PdTw5pO51ZjGbtd8G2BSn9J3OWFmPtnMs_Ag6dPuukVIE7Los6M-i0pH7FMi/s1600/Sheena.png" height="200" width="133" /></a><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So what’s in a name you ask? In my case,
amongst the 15 or so names I tried on him, Loki was the only one he responded
to when called by said name.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just goes
to show you never know if a name will suit your dog or if your dog will suit
his name. It seems that Loki has really grown into his, and this is just the
start of our adventures…<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoCaption" style="page-break-after: avoid;">
<br /></div>
<!--[if !mso]>
<style>
v\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
o\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
w\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
.shape {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-CA</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:Calibri;}
</style>
<![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapedefaults v:ext="edit" spidmax="1030"/>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapelayout v:ext="edit">
<o:idmap v:ext="edit" data="1"/>
</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikncv4euJ1hYZBomEFYmzTjg6FUaxyKGBVFGHQq-xstwNcNcJuYjOIhLkiXc2F_lOik6NkwzBhW78-E08aibfhUUzH3IWeTM-h5I_snM9052vqvBM5og6pVSRiTvv-oyzwjZ3wmFOQ-AhU/s1600/Loki4.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikncv4euJ1hYZBomEFYmzTjg6FUaxyKGBVFGHQq-xstwNcNcJuYjOIhLkiXc2F_lOik6NkwzBhW78-E08aibfhUUzH3IWeTM-h5I_snM9052vqvBM5og6pVSRiTvv-oyzwjZ3wmFOQ-AhU/s1600/Loki4.png" height="320" width="240" /></a><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sheena Neel, Loki’s Mom</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Shannon Woodwardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06661811655197864971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8521260232274430272.post-60866511674819350652014-06-26T05:00:00.000-06:002014-06-26T05:00:01.644-06:00Petland Canada's Amy shares her personal pet experience - GAP<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As far back as I can remember, there has been animals and pets in my life. I was born in Tilbury, Ontario, a small farming community where my family spent weekends at a friend's local farm. I loved visiting the farm and being around the animals, especially the piglets. I grew up surrounded by animals, I have many fond memories and really directed my passion to work with animals.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">January 1998, I moved back to Winnipeg, leaving my family behind in Calgary. I searched for an apartment that was pet friendly. I was so excited to be able to have a pet that was my own. I made my journey to the Winnipeg Humane Society to adopt my very own cat. As I journeyed through all the adoptable I visited so many animals that needed to find their forever homes. It was overwhelming to make a choice, I asked myself how could I ever choose and leave someone behind. Then something amazing happened, as I washed around, an orange tabby reached out and tapped me on the shoulder. I turned around and he was the one, then I realized that there were two. That day, Loki and Newton chose me and my life has never been the same. They also lived up to their names, Loki is the trickster and Newton my cat that figured everything out. Both so social and affectionate.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We have moved across the prairies together, they helped me through tough times, celebrated the good times and I have been caught having full conversations with them.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This past Christmas, Newton's wonderful life came to an end. This was the first time that I experienced this and I was not prepared. This has made me an even better pet person as I can now empathize and share my experience. I was also so worried about Loki, as he lost his brother, we worked through everything together and this has brought Loki and I even closer.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Since I adopted Loki, he has never left my side. Every day, he greets me at the door, follows me around the house, talks to me and sleeps above my head. They have been a huge influence and such a positive impact on my life. Pets really do make life better.<span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">J</span></span>Shannon Woodwardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06661811655197864971noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8521260232274430272.post-83938008072563801112014-06-25T10:06:00.001-06:002014-06-25T10:06:47.675-06:00Murphy is HomeSafe! <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Anyone hear this story coming out of the U.S. this week! What a great HomeSafe tale :) </span><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<center>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/qLpXnoI_hJ8" width="560"></iframe></center>
Shannon Woodwardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06661811655197864971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8521260232274430272.post-39859879468041035972014-06-18T15:40:00.001-06:002014-06-18T15:40:35.819-06:00The Human Walking Program <a href="http://dogshome.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Logo_Lockup_final.png" style="clear: right; color: #006db7; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; margin-top: 0px; padding: 0px;"><img alt="Logo_Lockup_final" class="alignright wp-image-12108" src="http://dogshome.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Logo_Lockup_final.png" height="318" style="border: none; color: #cc0000; float: right; font-style: italic; height: auto; margin: 0.4em 0px 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;" width="318" /></a><br />
<center style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>A</b>n innovative adoption program in Melbourne, Australia changed the way people look at shelter dogs and helped rescue thousands. </span></center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://dogshome.com/" target="_blank">The Lost Dogs' Home</a> launched its <a href="http://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&ved=0CCYQFjAB&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdogshome.com%2Fhwp-album%2F&ei=OM6hU77UKo-Pqgbg7IGYCg&usg=AFQjCNFeLCB4iUTEAcTVUpAuquZ6fw5I5w&sig2=EC6t5UcHkEiBwUn6LalwZA&bvm=bv.69137298,d.b2k" target="_blank">Human Walking Program</a> earlier this year to provide desk-bound Melbourians with a chance to get out of the office, get some exercise and get to know a shelter dog. Promoting healthy living and shelter adoption, the Human Walking Program turned the tables on shelter adoption by sending the message that the dogs are, in fact, rescuing the humans. </span></center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center>
<center style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://vimeo.com/92823193" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;" target="_blank"><b>Check out the video!</b></a></center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Studies have shown the average working hours of full-time employees in Australia are long and have been steadily getting longer which is contributing to extra stress, poor family relations and a lower quality of social relationships. </span></center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<center style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"We don't always realize as office workers how many hours we spend cooped up inside rarely getting out. So what better way to spend a lunch break than with a friend who will no doubt take the stress out of your day!" - Kate Hoelter, The Lost Dogs' Home General Manager, Fundraising and Communications. </span></center>
</blockquote>
<center style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">During the event, over 5,000 office workers were rescued and every dog was adopted. </span></center>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Shannon Woodwardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06661811655197864971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8521260232274430272.post-51237982974004753592014-06-17T09:28:00.001-06:002014-06-17T09:28:37.809-06:00An Interview with Cheryl Herperger, City of Calgary's Off-Leash Ambassador Program <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Terri Perrin</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>InfoStream Staff Writer</i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV2F4evPdy2GPyWNfy0BI0I4rKpn3WXbW0BMZv0ly1h4W090IF-1OQCnQXZlKyUpmJiKZ0X3For31fEKez-ghn9D3SwI8RxoefCoUYb4weBNZ4A3lKWvFKwbsRvkS-YB2SIBVVA54JXDQ/s1600/Cheryl_H.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV2F4evPdy2GPyWNfy0BI0I4rKpn3WXbW0BMZv0ly1h4W090IF-1OQCnQXZlKyUpmJiKZ0X3For31fEKez-ghn9D3SwI8RxoefCoUYb4weBNZ4A3lKWvFKwbsRvkS-YB2SIBVVA54JXDQ/s1600/Cheryl_H.jpg" /></a></i></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Infostream staff writer</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://petlynxinfostream.blogspot.ca/search?q=terri+perrin" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Terri Perrin</a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">speaks with <a href="http://www.urbananimal.com/#!is/cyh8" target="_blank">Innovation showcase</a> presenter Cheryl Herperger, Business Strategist on the Community and Strategic Service Team at The City of Calgary Animal & Bylaw Services. Cheryl is also the lead for The City’s innovative new Off-Leash Ambassadors volunteer program.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.calgary.ca/CSPS/ABS/Pages/Volunteering/Off-leash.aspx?redirect=/offleashvolunteer" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;" target="_blank">City of Calgary Off-Leash Ambassador Program</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #222222;">INFOSTREAM (IS): </span></b><b>Before we get start talking about your Urban Animal Conference experience, please tell us about your past and present Pet Experiences and how it relates to your current position with the City of Calgary Animal & Bylaw Services.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Cheryl Herperger (CH): </b>I have lived with dogs since I was three years old and I currently share my home with two Golden Retrievers and two Labrador crosses. They are the loves of my life! When I was six years old I wanted to be a vet, but I had an issue with blood. Still do! So that was a bit of a problem. [Laughs.] Instead, in order to still ‘work’ with animals, over the years I have been on the boards of directors of several humane societies and now work for Animal & Bylaw Services.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I love watching my four dogs and they give me pure joy. I believe that walking your dog is the foundation of the relationship with your pet; so working on the Off-Leash Ambassadors project is perfect for me. I have worked with The City for over five years, as a community recreation coordinator, and had often worked in collaboration with Animal & Bylaw. When the job came up at Animal Services in the fall of 2013, I though “This is perfect! Furry friends <i>and </i>men in uniform. Works for me!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">IS: Tell us why the Off-Leash Ambassador program was created.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>CH: </b>We were getting feedback from both dog owners and non-dog owners alike on issues in most of our parks, but especially from two particular parks in the NW. Our investigation clearly indicated that there was a lot of confusion and concerns relating to off-leash etiquette. Some people we completely out of control. We knew that an education and public awareness piece would benefit all citizens. We have 24 dedicated Animal & Bylaw officers and, with a population of 1.4 million people, 122,000 licensed dogs and 151 dedicated off-leash areas, that’s a lot of ground to cover! The Off-Leash Ambassador program was developed to provide role models in the parks who could help people to voluntarily comply with bylaws and provide an avenue for citizens to express concerns and pass along comments to City staff. This is a volunteer-based, citizen-led ambassador program designed to assist bylaw officers. The bottom line is that the program is about education, not enforcement.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">IS: What is the main focus of the program?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>CH: </b>One of the most important issues that the Off-Leash Ambassador program addresses is that even in an off-leash area it is imperative that dogs be under control at all times. It is not about showing up and just letting them run. We require people to have audible or visual command or control of their dogs. Dog recall is really important. Many people come to the park and they are busy talking or texting on cell phones or visiting with friends, rather than watching their dogs. You really must be aware of where your dog is and what he or she is doing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">IS: Tell us about the program launch.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>CH: </b>We had intended to start Off-Leash Ambassadors on July 1, 2013, but the city was under siege by flooding, so we did an official re-launch on September 5. The pilot program was introduced in Egerts and Bowmont Parks; the two parks where we had a high number of concerns and issues. We started with four volunteers. We provided them with logo-wear, so they could be easily identified, and a backpack filled with supplies including printed materials and ‘Bags on Board’ poop bag canisters to hand out to people for free. We have given out about 5,000 canisters to date.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">IS: What kind of training and support do volunteers receive?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>CH: </b>Volunteers complete a comprehensive training and orientation program that includes a thorough review of our bylaws. Our Responsible Pet Ownership Bylaws that are 33 pages long are now summarized in a pamphlet. They are also instructed on basic animal behaviour – calming signals, posturing and more. They are trained to approach people positively, with a ‘did you know?’ attitude. We now have 35 volunteers for the two parks and it is interesting to note that not all of them are dog owners. The program has gone citywide and we hope to have ambassadors at all 151 of our off-leash areas by 2015.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">IS: How do you recruit volunteers and what is their time commitment?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>CH: </b>Calgary is a dog city and a volunteer city so it hasn’t been difficult to get people to signup for the program. We have recruited using The <a href="http://www.calgary.ca/CSPS/ABS/Pages/Volunteering/Off-leash.aspx?redirect=/offleashvolunteer" target="_blank">City’s website</a>, blog and social media, as well as emails to community associations, 122 dog walking groups, vets, groomers, retail, and the dog organizations. Quite a wide range of people have signed up, including several veterinarians and dog trainers. It is quite the diverse group. I am positively overwhelmed with their passion and commitment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">IS: How is the program funded? Are there any corporate sponsors?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>CH: </b>The City Council's Innovation Fund supports the program. Animal and Bylaw Service’s submitted an application and two councilors sponsored it. This funding pays for volunteer training and support, as well as supplies, such as jackets, leashes, backpacks, pet first aid kits, notebooks, etc.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">IS: What is the general feedback about the program from your community?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>CH: </b>People notice a difference already and are asking how they can help. It has all been very encouraging. The program has created a social network of volunteers connecting with dog owners. It is an ‘in’ for positive communication and education.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">IS: This was your first Urban Animal Conference experience. What did you think about it?<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>CH: </b>It definitely added to my passion about community development. There is so much we can do. I was so impressed with the wide range of keynotes and presentations. I took tons of notes and am busy following up to create potential partnerships. I can’t wait until the International Summit for Urban Animal Strategies in October.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #222222;">IS: Speaking of the Summit, what do you hope to take away from – or contribute to – the event?</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>CH: </b>By October we will have had a full spring and summer of the program and am pleased to have extra time for my presentation to talk about what we learned. I’ll be able to share what changes and enhancements we have made. I look forward to hearing from other presenters. In my experience, conferences promote creative conversations and ideas. How wonderful to be able to be there, with like-minded, passionate and dedicated people. I can’t wait.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For more information on off-leash etiquette and dog recall training, <a href="http://petlynxinfostream.blogspot.ca/2014/05/off-leash-dog-park-skills.html" target="_blank">check out Barbara Walmer's Guest Author post</a>! </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The 2014 Urban Animal Regional Conferences presented the second annual Innovation Showcases. Across the continent, 20 local Innovators were given the opportunity to share their stories and successes with Urban Animal subscribers. From those, eight were selected to present at the <a href="http://goo.gl/kO7gpq">2014 Summit for Urban Animal Strategies</a>, October 22–25 in beautiful Lake Louise, Alberta.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08947812710941841086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8521260232274430272.post-66301541963295406252014-06-13T17:10:00.000-06:002014-06-13T17:10:13.653-06:00I have a cat too!<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Pew3nmsYNQT8HX-vsKMSl9df-3t_nQFZaxNWXLNGg0ofqP4m2j7Okcr-evzFRLDEUoIgIJqX024JvHOFBwrDzseQvNSJwoC-ZGHubTj4_eMGLf3gRqqKCJfTJ8BuaGq8Jo87QKw78uSd/s1600/IMG_3646.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Pew3nmsYNQT8HX-vsKMSl9df-3t_nQFZaxNWXLNGg0ofqP4m2j7Okcr-evzFRLDEUoIgIJqX024JvHOFBwrDzseQvNSJwoC-ZGHubTj4_eMGLf3gRqqKCJfTJ8BuaGq8Jo87QKw78uSd/s1600/IMG_3646.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sun beams are a cat's best friend.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's true, I have a cat. Two and a half years ago when my sister moved to Australia I was given her cat, Eden. I kept calling her 'My Sister's Cat' until about a year ago when my vet pointed out that if I had been caring for, feeding and living with said cat for more than a year, it was now officially my cat. Admittedly he had a point.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
Eden is not really a normal cat in my estimation. First of all she is LARGE, to say the least. She has tried many diets and we've done blood work to make sure there wasn't a medical reason for it but she's just a fat cat, 18.6 lbs to be exact. 18.6 lbs of cat that knows exactly when you have a full bladder and exactly how to sit on said bladder to make it just that little bit more uncomfortable. Of course, you are now trapped under a fat, purring cat so getting up to relieve your poor bladder is not actually possible. I can say honestly that I believe she sits across the room and watches how many glasses of water I've consumed before calculating that my bladder must be full and as such, it's time to cuddle with the fat cat.</span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGFrppuYW8boliH8bjVfjj9TFOZd6oeaXyJ4HlE-PYj420xeM1k25tJfvYl6wSRV68brvhcS7dlI5JJuBDlkA61yms4Pj8-wHBd5LxpaeL0niP4mPA_PhL-0NP2gVrH4swmlpcJMy3Z3St/s1600/IMG_3708.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGFrppuYW8boliH8bjVfjj9TFOZd6oeaXyJ4HlE-PYj420xeM1k25tJfvYl6wSRV68brvhcS7dlI5JJuBDlkA61yms4Pj8-wHBd5LxpaeL0niP4mPA_PhL-0NP2gVrH4swmlpcJMy3Z3St/s1600/IMG_3708.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Waiting for Squish to run by.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
Eden is not a fan of Squish. Squish hasn't figured out that she's bigger than Eden but she has figured out that Eden doesn't like her. Eden knows this and intentionally waits until Squish starts to play fetch in the house and then proceeds to hide until the dog runs by, at which point she runs out and screams at Squish. I'm certain Eden takes great pride in this 'game' of hers.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I do keep faith that they may some day tolerate each other. Every couple of days they can manage to cuddle me on the bed at the same time. It works, as long as no one moves or touches each other.</span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAr4J2GhJUPbxPBXZW8XyspCvItequvUjqPM8wpiaVc6wRTRwFrRn0OFmjWxwFqi_SePzMT6G80uc5Kgtt963iaGafQ_q1apcBBtt2thrJVrGWvhay_YA68KCUu7MrezohSOZzaRBmlt0d/s1600/IMG_4592.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAr4J2GhJUPbxPBXZW8XyspCvItequvUjqPM8wpiaVc6wRTRwFrRn0OFmjWxwFqi_SePzMT6G80uc5Kgtt963iaGafQ_q1apcBBtt2thrJVrGWvhay_YA68KCUu7MrezohSOZzaRBmlt0d/s1600/IMG_4592.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"You wanted to sit here?"</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I can't say I'm a cat person by any sense of the term but I feel certain Eden and I generally have a mutual love/hate relationship, as long as there's food in her dish.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQYV-jx7UiLVQtyCwk8Ovb_uqK0XbI7GCb-vCx7-g4g3t8Xor4dDCLoR_ZLf-9nOmT_B9SYAp35ID1cv_JS7MvfQ57rZLWfYyZYO2oh7Mytj8Y22tLLmzOVG3UnRiv3QIcBwJBBAQQOj4W/s1600/lisa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQYV-jx7UiLVQtyCwk8Ovb_uqK0XbI7GCb-vCx7-g4g3t8Xor4dDCLoR_ZLf-9nOmT_B9SYAp35ID1cv_JS7MvfQ57rZLWfYyZYO2oh7Mytj8Y22tLLmzOVG3UnRiv3QIcBwJBBAQQOj4W/s1600/lisa.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small; text-align: start;"><a href="mailto:lisa.milton@petlynxmail.com" target="_blank">Lisa Milton</a>, Squish's Mom,<br /><a href="https://twitter.com/SummitLisa" target="_blank">@summitLisa</a>, </span><span style="font-size: x-small; text-align: start;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/lisa.miltonwork" target="_blank">lisa.miltonwork</a></span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08947812710941841086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8521260232274430272.post-10126229854509903172014-06-11T10:30:00.000-06:002014-06-11T10:30:01.434-06:00When good pets go bad<span style="clear: right; cursor: move; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><a href="http://petlynxinfostream.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihYRvUTKgF35Jdxq-gi0czA00ppg2HViYuNIHe3_EugDEA0tlSFxZLi1kKzFWUQJ-Q9r_dNSLa51SdL3CUvKQVEPdhqk6_8ES-lfdniqjWuqymF4cNp0rbGQFLWAlD7yaUTO33JSQAiCM/s1600/IS.GAP.icon-01.png" height="200" style="cursor: move;" title="" width="190" /></a></span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><span style="line-height: 18px;">Your once calm and quiet Golden Retriever has started barking and chewing the kids toys. Is it a change that has developed with age? Been learned from other dogs? Or is this new behaviour something you may have </span></i><span style="line-height: 18px;"><i>unknowingly introduced... </i></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><i><br /></i></span></span><i style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">InfoStream Guest Author <a href="http://petlynxinfostream.blogspot.ca/2013/12/chss-barbara-walmer-kicks-off.html" style="color: #33aaff; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Barbara Walmer</a> provides strategies for </i><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><span style="line-height: 18px;">behaviour reinforcement in pets. </span></i></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Y</b>our dog is a part of your family. This is definitely the way most people feel about their pets. Do you expect that a member of your family could display inappropriate or aggressive behaviour? Many families handle both human and animal members of their families differently when they exhibit behaviour that we label as inappropriate or aggressive. Ignoring, re-directing, punishing, and disassociating are all methods different people utilize. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Behaviour is constantly changing, in both humans and animals. We do what works for us, on both an emotional and practical level. To keep behaviour strong it needs to be reinforced. If an animal is not reinforced for a certain set of behaviours, they are likely to change strategies. For example, a dog who lies quietly on its dog bed is ignored will change its behaviour to getting up and barking, in order to get attention. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Remember dogs are social animals who want to be a part of the action, which includes verbal and physical interaction. We often are passive when behaviour that is exhibited is “appropriate”, but react to behaviour that is “inappropriate”. Often behaviour problems start with small behaviour changes that go unrecognized or ignored for a period of time until they become problematic. At this point, an animal has practiced the behaviour sequence many times and been reinforced (by the environment or people). This is typically when people come to seek guidance. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The good news, is behaviour is constantly changing. The bad news is the animal is finding the current behaviour pattern reinforcing and effective. We have to change this dynamic in many situations to allow the animal to find other behaviours (typically ones they did before) more reinforcing.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As humans, we can contribute to undesirable behaviour by not acknowledging it. The sooner we recognize behaviour changes and seek help with an accredited trainer the better it is for all. Behaviour continues to change. Be aware!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">- Barbara Walmer CPDT-KSA, CBCC-KA, KPA CTP, ACDBC</span></span></div>
Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08947812710941841086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8521260232274430272.post-37016283494859006092014-06-09T08:35:00.000-06:002014-06-09T08:35:14.241-06:00How many have to die?<span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><a href="http://www.costco.ca/" target="_blank"><b>Costco</b></a> and many other retailers don't seem to be getting the message despite the fact pet owners, veterinarians and pet nutritionists are shouting it from the roof tops. Pet jerky treats from China are bad. Just this morning <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/costco-keeps-selling-treats-from-china-despite-dog-death-1.2667856" target="_blank">CBC released yet another story</a> about a dog death in Calgary that the attending veterinarian, </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">Julie Schell from </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">Bow Bottom Veterinary Hospital </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">attributed to </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">Vitalife Duck Tenders purchased at Costco. Both PetCo and PetSmart have made the smart decision (pun intended) to pull some China sourced treats from their shelves in recent weeks after a renewed interest in the topic.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><b>2014 Jerky Stats <a href="https://www.facebook.com/planetpaws.ca" target="_blank">(Source: Rodney Habib, Pet Nutrition Blogger)</a></b></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">• 1,000 deaths in dogs and more than 4,800 complaints about animal illness;</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">• Since last October the FDA has received about 1,800 new reports of illnesses and deaths; </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">• Total : 5,600 dogs and 24 cats;</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">• Two toddlers and an adult who ingested became ill;</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">• One of the children was diagnosed with a salmonella infection. The other child developed G.I. illness and fever that mirrored the symptoms of dogs in the house that also ate the treats. The adult reported nausea and headache.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">Effects of Jerky Consumption on Pets:</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">• About 60 percent of the cases involve symptoms of gastrointestinal trouble and liver disease;</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">• 30 percent involve kidney disease;</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">• 10 percent other problems, including neurological and skin conditions.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><b>What should you do as a pet owner?</b> </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">Start by reading the labels of anything you buy your pet. If there is still a question, contact the manufacturer for Certificate of Origin to verify where their ingredients come from. </span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08947812710941841086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8521260232274430272.post-84723134738528770592014-06-05T10:00:00.000-06:002014-06-05T10:00:00.634-06:00My Personal Pet Experience - GAP with Eric from Pets Plus Us<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We often talk about being ‘pet lovers’ and like to talk
about our personal ‘pet experience’ whenever we can. Well, I always thought my
pet experience led me to be a dog lover not a pet lover.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Growing up our family always had cats, sometimes 4-5 at a
time plus new litters. We had no less than 30 cats while I was growing up. I can
recall the cardboard box my mother used to keep track of the kittens and how we
tried to hide them from my dad by keeping them in my brother and I’s bedroom. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was never successful as after a few days
one of those adorable four legged furry curious kitty’s found their way out of
the bedroom in into my dad’s lap. He never really took a shining to cats, he
was a ‘dog guy’ but those pesky cats and kittens were always attracted to dad. He
would rest on the couch and every-time he woke up there was a cat snuggled
somewhere on the couch with him. They found their own way there or one of my 3
siblings or me gently placed it to see my dad’s reaction. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The cats always slept on the clothes (believe it or not, I
didn’t always put my clothes away when I was younger) on my bed, and
I felt I was always trying to fend for myself against those annoying cats in my
room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This led me to become attached to
our first dog Toby (a rescue) and this is when I think I started to become
a dog lover, not a cat lover, therefore not a pet lover. I think the cats got
jealous and one evening while I was sleeping one of the pregnant cats decided
that giving birth to four kittens on my pillow while I slept was the ideal
location. This was the final ‘cat…astrophe’ for me, I was definitely a dog
lover. 28-years and two dogs later, Toby and Kelly (also a rescue) I was
definitely an exclusive dog lover. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0pt 5.4pt 0pt 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0pt;
mso-para-margin-right:0pt;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0pt;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX42dGq8La1_l4X_OD3CpysHV18BncWWxMHzKdjn5vT5kdxWsZWV5qPPszOpQDt9MwlwoZjHAQzD5VqYjk3_R6EmAPv3agkHRHU3_JNOpLXYbdvyqpKLrYBwD-Vj8kTEFVD2sBmteyEcpo/s1600/Bruin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX42dGq8La1_l4X_OD3CpysHV18BncWWxMHzKdjn5vT5kdxWsZWV5qPPszOpQDt9MwlwoZjHAQzD5VqYjk3_R6EmAPv3agkHRHU3_JNOpLXYbdvyqpKLrYBwD-Vj8kTEFVD2sBmteyEcpo/s1600/Bruin.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Bruin</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Fast forward a few years and our <a href="http://www.petsplusus.com/" target="_blank">Pets Plus Office</a> provided a permanent
home to a stray FIV cat named Bruin, adopted from the <a href="http://burlingtonhumane.ca/" target="_blank">Burlington Humane Society</a>. Bruin has war wounds from defending himself after 18-months of surviving
on the streets. He now has a loving home, gets 2-square meals a day, probably
gets too many treats and is treated like a princess. He has taken over one of
our meeting rooms, now known as ‘Bruins Office’. Bruin has a unique character
which makes you fall in love with him. If I am out of the office for a few days
he gives me the silent treatment when I return.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I now miss Bruin when I don’t see him for a few days and I need to know
how Bruin is doing so I keep updated by visiting his <a href="http://www.facebook.com/BruinTheCat" target="_blank">personal Facebook page</a> (<a href="http://www.facebook.com/BruinTheCat" target="_blank">www.facebook.com/BruinTheCat</a>). Bruin
has re-ignited my appreciation of cats and because of Bruin I now call myself a
‘Pet Lover’ not just a ‘Dog Lover’. It took Bruin to show me I really
always liked cats but kept telling myself I didn’t. Now if we could only change
Bruin’s name to Leaf (as in <a href="http://mapleleafs.nhl.com/" target="_blank">Toronto Maple Leafs</a>) everything would be good in
the world! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thank –you Bruin for opening my eyes and for being you! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">Eric from <a href="https://www.petsplusus.com/" target="_blank">Pets Plus Us</a> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08947812710941841086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8521260232274430272.post-72789905847631725462014-06-04T15:24:00.001-06:002014-06-04T15:28:06.879-06:00Flying with your pet.<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOTmOkDY1FU7NtqSrfnnvy1GgWP9uBtMfDACyFZBknYQcdYYNnJ_K2qCdtinNVxZocSF0eD9-PYEZFMrO6-SkLDw1ZBVu06sTtdMAOXQidBhXYYsNuvpTj1_Wan12AeV9gzy8Cfhwlpx38/s1600/IMG_4978.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOTmOkDY1FU7NtqSrfnnvy1GgWP9uBtMfDACyFZBknYQcdYYNnJ_K2qCdtinNVxZocSF0eD9-PYEZFMrO6-SkLDw1ZBVu06sTtdMAOXQidBhXYYsNuvpTj1_Wan12AeV9gzy8Cfhwlpx38/s1600/IMG_4978.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So much luggage! And a kennel!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Reading through the news this morning I came upon the sad story of a cat who <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/chester-the-cat-lost-by-air-canada-at-montreal-airport-1.2664326" target="_blank">escaped from it's kennel at an airport</a>. It left me thinking about my own travel experience with Squish and how positive it was.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Squish generally travels with me every where I go in the car and when it came time for our cross Canada tour in April for the Urban Animal Regional Conferences I decided it was time to add air travel to our options. A great deal of planning and training started more than a month before the trip when I contacted <a href="http://www.petland.ca/" target="_blank">Petland</a> for recommendations on a proper kennel and spoke to the airline about their requirements. After finding the perfect kennel it was time to teach Squish that it was actually a good place to be with at first short and then longer naps in the kennel.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiygNIwMzsw3XM1I2hyphenhyphenWIDsIOqmrcC9ZOauw9XM9yCnymp6BdLRIGQym40wEkno48duQQUMw801m0WUPxtKv_yWjyxd0pmax0BOm1DS2OFUBlhnxc7Am-TDwuN_OnwTz2kdamEu9jT4UJcJ/s1600/IMG_4982.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiygNIwMzsw3XM1I2hyphenhyphenWIDsIOqmrcC9ZOauw9XM9yCnymp6BdLRIGQym40wEkno48duQQUMw801m0WUPxtKv_yWjyxd0pmax0BOm1DS2OFUBlhnxc7Am-TDwuN_OnwTz2kdamEu9jT4UJcJ/s1600/IMG_4982.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Chilling out in the kennel.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On the actual day of travel I was MUCH more nervous than Squish. To be sure she would be calm during the process we went for a long walk in the morning and arrived at the airport an extra hour early just so we could walk around outside to get used to the sights and sounds. As my vet had predicted, Squish breezed through check-in and the security process and suddenly I was leaving her with the staff and off to my gate. Again, I was more stressed than she ever was.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When you travel with your pet the airline typically comes to give you a 'boarding pass' for them after they have been loaded on the plane so I knew that she was safe up to that point. The flight I chose was a short hour-ish jump from Calgary to Vancouver specifically because it was a great introduction for both of us. When we landed in Vancouver I went down and gathered my luggage and just as I grabbed the last bag, out came Squish's kennel. She was calm and unconcerned with anything, my anxiety was certainly misplaced.</span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-mIn33FNtcsalLNtxhmkYa8ZdFPgAdW8wjcZkV468WqoO5EjlpeR7Rdgyoy1eMTb2BZl6Si6a-1L0bjAmg9YtERcRKSxLwa1nmEQgcH2E9MV1Z_J4HEwOczTGtSX3LiLcyLuSXqx3sfjD/s1600/IMG_5054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-mIn33FNtcsalLNtxhmkYa8ZdFPgAdW8wjcZkV468WqoO5EjlpeR7Rdgyoy1eMTb2BZl6Si6a-1L0bjAmg9YtERcRKSxLwa1nmEQgcH2E9MV1Z_J4HEwOczTGtSX3LiLcyLuSXqx3sfjD/s1600/IMG_5054.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">YVR has a great park system <br />running through the airport.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our flight back to Calgary was a little more eventful given that her kennel ended up breaking but the airline was great about it and gave me full replacement cost for it with apologies and again, despite this, Squish couldn't have cared less. Obviously bad things can happen to anyone or anything when you travel but certainly in my experience if you are prepared and manage to calm yourself I would suggest you'll have a great experience and get to take your animal to some fun places along the way.<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkdL9XPaMYWje4eGYhSbtjQogRsX6z2Vqio5gfetWgEodoRl_GsiXHXGP_t3pu39gUtX3TW5OoTBey90hx2jEEIvyvNBMLwBx53Osl4eBtzyxwK8MYZPwDwx79URO8YZtHGvMaqus0hDgn/s1600/IMG_5056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkdL9XPaMYWje4eGYhSbtjQogRsX6z2Vqio5gfetWgEodoRl_GsiXHXGP_t3pu39gUtX3TW5OoTBey90hx2jEEIvyvNBMLwBx53Osl4eBtzyxwK8MYZPwDwx79URO8YZtHGvMaqus0hDgn/s1600/IMG_5056.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Checking in to the hotel.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQYV-jx7UiLVQtyCwk8Ovb_uqK0XbI7GCb-vCx7-g4g3t8Xor4dDCLoR_ZLf-9nOmT_B9SYAp35ID1cv_JS7MvfQ57rZLWfYyZYO2oh7Mytj8Y22tLLmzOVG3UnRiv3QIcBwJBBAQQOj4W/s1600/lisa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQYV-jx7UiLVQtyCwk8Ovb_uqK0XbI7GCb-vCx7-g4g3t8Xor4dDCLoR_ZLf-9nOmT_B9SYAp35ID1cv_JS7MvfQ57rZLWfYyZYO2oh7Mytj8Y22tLLmzOVG3UnRiv3QIcBwJBBAQQOj4W/s1600/lisa.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small; text-align: start;"><a href="mailto:lisa.milton@petlynxmail.com" target="_blank">Lisa Milton</a>, Squish's Mom,<br /><a href="https://twitter.com/SummitLisa" target="_blank">@summitLisa</a>, </span><span style="font-size: x-small; text-align: start;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/lisa.miltonwork" target="_blank">lisa.miltonwork</a></span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08947812710941841086noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8521260232274430272.post-70153782453951233702014-06-02T11:19:00.002-06:002014-06-02T11:19:51.797-06:00Collaboration brings Pet Wellness day to Six Nations Reserve<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Kate MacDonald</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>InfoStream Guest Author </i></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdmMeXOnE5YGdHJBAKZyB2_2-WiclRb4KyqtvrsksfbRKxRpug8zudBkGPX1SkFXYpkiop-HWqJBYpW3O_MhObBjrgPq9EwlxdYNU18AY4ky58LQImiQvX0EclPGX6JoQVoQJKb2wIqp0/s1600/List-of-Services.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdmMeXOnE5YGdHJBAKZyB2_2-WiclRb4KyqtvrsksfbRKxRpug8zudBkGPX1SkFXYpkiop-HWqJBYpW3O_MhObBjrgPq9EwlxdYNU18AY4ky58LQImiQvX0EclPGX6JoQVoQJKb2wIqp0/s1600/List-of-Services.jpg" height="320" width="211" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Last weekend, the Ontario SPCA and their affiliated society, the Welland & District Humane Society threw its support behind the annual Pet Wellness Day on the Six Nations Reserve. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Led by Dr. Tammy Hornack DVM, Dr. Shane Bateman DVM and Chair of the Guelph Humane Society, and Programs Supervisor of Six Nations Animal Control, Penny Hill, Animal Wellness day focused on providing health checks and vaccinations for the pets of the Six Nations community. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>A team of volunteers, including over 20 vets and approximately 15 vet techs were on hand to provide services for a small fee. Pet owners lined up early to participate. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Ontario SPCA Executive Director Kate MacDonald, shared her thoughts on the day's events as an InfoStream Guest Author. </i></span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: whitesmoke; color: #2b2b2b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>W</b>e're here today as guests of the Six Nations Reserve in Southern Ontario to partner in hosting an Animal Wellness Day.<br /><br />The Ontario SPCA is well represented as both the Welland Humane Society and the Guelph Humane Society have been long time partners in this animal wellness initiative. We thank both for including us in the mix!<br /><br />The group is fortunate to have the leadership and support of Penny Hill, Programs Supervisor of Six Nations Animal Control and Dr. Tammy Hornak, who runs both a private clinic and an Animal Welfare charity - Canon's Cause.<br /><br />Supporting Tammy in this effort are Dr. Shane Bateman, Chair, Guelph Humane Society and Agent John Greer, Executive Director, Welland & District Humane Society.<br /><br />The centre of the action for the Animal Wellness Day is the local sports arena where the 'clients' are domestic dogs.<br /><br />In addition, there is space out front to accommodate aggressive dogs and space to accommodate cats.<br /><br />It is an inspirational experience to see so many partners, people and organizations collaborate to improve animal care and wellness!<br /><br />We look forward to showcasing the event at the Ontario SPCA's Animal Welfare Educational Conference.<br /><br />More information is available at <a href="http://ospcablog.ca/" target="_blank">ospcablog.ca</a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>This collaborative effort between the Humane & Rescue and Health & Wellness sectors shares many ties with the Alliance for Urban Animals. <a href="http://petlynxinfostream.blogspot.ca/2012/10/shane-bateman-receives-future-thought.html" target="_blank">Dr. Bateman was awarded a 2012 Emerging Leader Scholarship</a> by industry peers and <a href="http://petlynxinfostream.blogspot.ca/search?q=tammy+hornak" target="_blank">Dr. Hornak was nominated for a Distinguished Service Provider Summit</a> in 2012 and 2013. </b></span></span></div>
<br />
<div>
</div>
<br />
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08947812710941841086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8521260232274430272.post-25387509837286254042014-05-29T07:00:00.000-06:002014-05-29T07:00:03.062-06:00Found after four and a half years<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It certainly came as a surprise to one South Carolina family when they recieved a phone call from the <span style="color: #2c2c2c;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">Richland County dog warden that their beloved dog had been found some four and a half years after it escaped their house and yard. As it turns out the microchip implanted at the time of their adoption was the key to getting Angel home again. One more example that permanent identification is a benefit if your animal ever goes missing.</span></span></span><span style="color: #2c2c2c; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;"><br /></span></span><span style="color: #2c2c2c; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;"><br /></span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #2c2c2c; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;"><a href="http://www.mansfieldnewsjournal.com/article/20140522/NEWS01/305220029/Lost-five-years-dog-found-returned-home" target="_blank">READ THE ORIGINAL STORY</a></span></span></div>
Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08947812710941841086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8521260232274430272.post-59845748127272130242014-05-28T10:00:00.000-06:002014-05-28T10:00:06.407-06:00Dog parks are a blessing<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I grew up in Calgary and still consider it my home as I spend as much time there as possible. From my very first dog (20 some odd years ago) I can remember living beside an off-leash park and being able to take him there. I had NO idea what a privilege that is until this year's Regional Conferences tour. I was talking to a gentleman from Ontario and he was telling me how proud his city was to have just created their second off-leash dog park. "Second?!?!?!!!" I thought, this municipality he was taking about was huge, how did they only have two!? Even the actual small town of 12,000 people I live in has two!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So I went home and did a little research on how privileged I really am to consider Calgary my home. Calgary.ca has a webpage devoted to it, <a href="http://www.calgary.ca/CSPS/Parks/Pages/Locations/Dog-off-leash-areas-in-parks.aspx" target="_blank">Dog off-leash areas in parks</a>, and there are 28 parks with off-leash areas in the North West alone, most with more than one area per park! Talk about privileged!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In light of this I decided the best thing I could do is get out there and enjoy one of them while doing a little photo essay on the parts Squish and I loved. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Please enjoy.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaZmlaLVo4uqp4lJRQbH3kqw2TOksi6ANOZBZisKLeT9TgZ90GLeaTbeKAO13W-PCuQmsE0VfY9DW27UGj9P863Ncd0uYvGlITsns2FNwfjQpTay_8IxwmKNQXab-DQydb6GvGWOrRIS3L/s1600/IMG_5421.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaZmlaLVo4uqp4lJRQbH3kqw2TOksi6ANOZBZisKLeT9TgZ90GLeaTbeKAO13W-PCuQmsE0VfY9DW27UGj9P863Ncd0uYvGlITsns2FNwfjQpTay_8IxwmKNQXab-DQydb6GvGWOrRIS3L/s1600/IMG_5421.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The road up the big hill, it stop there.<br />Nose Hill, Calgary, AB</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxC42mS-HfKwJ8FMKlp0YxIda98c4hLmjT8gs5pj1qZ9M4we1DhSRhX6zKGxA7B6yOojC-Z7awEBD_aSly6diQL5N5gZWHkd7iYysPSJFTimL-te0H-wW2Av1WqpgzotTQ8TxxYKjJ8gIz/s1600/IMG_5424.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxC42mS-HfKwJ8FMKlp0YxIda98c4hLmjT8gs5pj1qZ9M4we1DhSRhX6zKGxA7B6yOojC-Z7awEBD_aSly6diQL5N5gZWHkd7iYysPSJFTimL-te0H-wW2Av1WqpgzotTQ8TxxYKjJ8gIz/s1600/IMG_5424.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Nose Hill, Calgary, AB</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH5r3Z5jfM0acP5FHTeTU-fnIhBWhx4iiMvbMP6gvHmKsriQ_BHvn_whxoD7e_ucaM2nVNmNHfmcfkpVNRBeApQWl9cP21YDU8UbTI43tIAHjYBy6Lq29LqmWmH9gKvmM_Nmel-5gt2_8i/s1600/IMG_5423.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH5r3Z5jfM0acP5FHTeTU-fnIhBWhx4iiMvbMP6gvHmKsriQ_BHvn_whxoD7e_ucaM2nVNmNHfmcfkpVNRBeApQWl9cP21YDU8UbTI43tIAHjYBy6Lq29LqmWmH9gKvmM_Nmel-5gt2_8i/s1600/IMG_5423.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">From the middle you can't even tell <br />you're in the city.<br />Nose Hill, Calgary, AB</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi222Zg9FXx6UuRpXXW_bJXqIwce8QmpBUcsmfJIXKLnCObqYbbUFMmk8pZDjswl6Gs9CfWXYH4edtacGRusGrk15jnhnukyM2oPaFTFXbfJwLEdo6yqjXIHVOeBoits5jz4vvWBoXntebP/s1600/IMG_5438.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi222Zg9FXx6UuRpXXW_bJXqIwce8QmpBUcsmfJIXKLnCObqYbbUFMmk8pZDjswl6Gs9CfWXYH4edtacGRusGrk15jnhnukyM2oPaFTFXbfJwLEdo6yqjXIHVOeBoits5jz4vvWBoXntebP/s1600/IMG_5438.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Squish!<br />Nose Hill, Calgary, AB</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhibDqlkkxUwx1jED-T_WX_YmrAO2THUzmX6Q4MP_18dwbXr9anVTMiXwPIN4Z24CV25xnR4knYi8YVUiPFiDcdIJs3Dsq0TwHLsFNhYDXf7k3tKfjxlsf2pB8Fd03vvrDNZ6EMLY1Ks9vD/s1600/IMG_5428.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhibDqlkkxUwx1jED-T_WX_YmrAO2THUzmX6Q4MP_18dwbXr9anVTMiXwPIN4Z24CV25xnR4knYi8YVUiPFiDcdIJs3Dsq0TwHLsFNhYDXf7k3tKfjxlsf2pB8Fd03vvrDNZ6EMLY1Ks9vD/s1600/IMG_5428.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yes, the crocuses are JUST coming out here.<br />Nose Hill, Calgary, AB</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Yc-6s0qc8ORQK9BqtnK0zc70FG7VVZhtOBQt87Zsm8XFPValxMLBtGgf2bJ_bqh-mCoGj3HQiGxZL1L2yycH-sGihT4Tm2feapJmXrE-4c2H0scMJLV15g8G0c_ZJYTB9DINFw5L1F0X/s1600/IMG_5446.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Yc-6s0qc8ORQK9BqtnK0zc70FG7VVZhtOBQt87Zsm8XFPValxMLBtGgf2bJ_bqh-mCoGj3HQiGxZL1L2yycH-sGihT4Tm2feapJmXrE-4c2H0scMJLV15g8G0c_ZJYTB9DINFw5L1F0X/s1600/IMG_5446.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Nose Hill, Calgary, AB</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7n96J8pY2XemOPSMfiaaPmXGHn2FuX_RphDCeh08IDZ0GqbIwNQDBM_eGeHcic90tuVAMaWu-EZZnT86Oy6V9dcDpShsUi06vcFVtg7-3zXbShR4aj27YZ0bTmqDm6cTBJGeb5zifjDwQ/s1600/IMG_5454.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7n96J8pY2XemOPSMfiaaPmXGHn2FuX_RphDCeh08IDZ0GqbIwNQDBM_eGeHcic90tuVAMaWu-EZZnT86Oy6V9dcDpShsUi06vcFVtg7-3zXbShR4aj27YZ0bTmqDm6cTBJGeb5zifjDwQ/s1600/IMG_5454.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This pond is seasonal but after a long walk<br />it's a great break. Squish's first time playing<br />fetch in the water.<br />Nose Hill, Calgary, AB</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYumubYEVLvGSa2VBeMFI8VhewfWysRd9hPFNYIgOOoK9cfvsHNGNod50Iv-3X6t9Wpk9fBZcSpPA8fas4lfbxOL98h-1FTxJx7w4Z5CUs-mbKnYD3zXJ34yXLk8iKVm3MTAFdbyO_JEKs/s1600/IMG_5455.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYumubYEVLvGSa2VBeMFI8VhewfWysRd9hPFNYIgOOoK9cfvsHNGNod50Iv-3X6t9Wpk9fBZcSpPA8fas4lfbxOL98h-1FTxJx7w4Z5CUs-mbKnYD3zXJ34yXLk8iKVm3MTAFdbyO_JEKs/s1600/IMG_5455.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Back at the start and you can tell there are<br />porcupines here.<br />Nose Hill, Calgary, AB</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQYV-jx7UiLVQtyCwk8Ovb_uqK0XbI7GCb-vCx7-g4g3t8Xor4dDCLoR_ZLf-9nOmT_B9SYAp35ID1cv_JS7MvfQ57rZLWfYyZYO2oh7Mytj8Y22tLLmzOVG3UnRiv3QIcBwJBBAQQOj4W/s1600/lisa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQYV-jx7UiLVQtyCwk8Ovb_uqK0XbI7GCb-vCx7-g4g3t8Xor4dDCLoR_ZLf-9nOmT_B9SYAp35ID1cv_JS7MvfQ57rZLWfYyZYO2oh7Mytj8Y22tLLmzOVG3UnRiv3QIcBwJBBAQQOj4W/s1600/lisa.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small; text-align: start;"><a href="mailto:lisa.milton@petlynxmail.com" target="_blank">Lisa Milton</a>, Squish's Mom,<br /><a href="https://twitter.com/SummitLisa" target="_blank">@summitLisa</a>, </span><span style="font-size: x-small; text-align: start;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/lisa.miltonwork" target="_blank">lisa.miltonwork</a></span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08947812710941841086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8521260232274430272.post-40063037094636249522014-05-28T04:30:00.000-06:002014-05-28T04:30:00.074-06:00Start your morning with a laugh.<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Because every morning should start with a laugh.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/05/16/wet-dogs-photo-series_n_5333182.html?ncid=fcbklnkushpmg00000063" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dogs at bath time.</span></a></div>
Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08947812710941841086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8521260232274430272.post-6483803595374616692014-05-27T13:50:00.000-06:002014-05-27T19:31:39.292-06:00Big news regarding Service Dogs for Veterans with PTSD<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh25LqiCNoWKi4S_K8yVEMVus_QYkOaVcd8v67oDGBYgU_VHd9xLIlCMj7hlMwEVy39pebi9RpPLpIrxWfSl3kcFzfXQFs7BTKb3oYzaPRXa8cjzzJ_D31BVWQ0fyWeXLlA7SukQtdTaCQj/s1600/10372014_786511868028515_4632080022046047693_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh25LqiCNoWKi4S_K8yVEMVus_QYkOaVcd8v67oDGBYgU_VHd9xLIlCMj7hlMwEVy39pebi9RpPLpIrxWfSl3kcFzfXQFs7BTKb3oYzaPRXa8cjzzJ_D31BVWQ0fyWeXLlA7SukQtdTaCQj/s1600/10372014_786511868028515_4632080022046047693_n.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">From the news conference, <br />Medric on the right in the blue shirt <br />and Thai in the blue.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">During our trip to Halifax for the <a href="http://www.urbananimal.com/#!uarc/c21l" target="_blank">Urban Animal Regional Conferences</a> we were able to see a number of presentations regarding innovations in the region. One of them was by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/MagicSeadawg" target="_blank">Medric Cousineau</a> (<a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Paws-Fur-Thought/165464803600780?fref=ts" target="_blank">Paws Fur Thought</a>) who shared with us his story of how his service dog, Thai has changed his journey with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and saved his life.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Today in Ottawa, ON it was announced that the government is funding a pilot program to provide service dogs to veterans with PTSD, hoping to help up to 50 veterans. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Having personally met Medric, and watched Thai in action I can't wait to see what this means for so many who are deeply in need of help.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.newswire.ca/en/story/1361963/minister-fantino-announces-service-dogs-pilot-project-to-support-veterans-with-ptsd" target="_blank">READ THE NEWS RELEASE</a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQYV-jx7UiLVQtyCwk8Ovb_uqK0XbI7GCb-vCx7-g4g3t8Xor4dDCLoR_ZLf-9nOmT_B9SYAp35ID1cv_JS7MvfQ57rZLWfYyZYO2oh7Mytj8Y22tLLmzOVG3UnRiv3QIcBwJBBAQQOj4W/s1600/lisa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQYV-jx7UiLVQtyCwk8Ovb_uqK0XbI7GCb-vCx7-g4g3t8Xor4dDCLoR_ZLf-9nOmT_B9SYAp35ID1cv_JS7MvfQ57rZLWfYyZYO2oh7Mytj8Y22tLLmzOVG3UnRiv3QIcBwJBBAQQOj4W/s1600/lisa.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: start;"><a href="mailto:lisa.milton@petlynxmail.com" target="_blank">Lisa Milton</a>, Squish's Mom,<br /><a href="https://twitter.com/SummitLisa" target="_blank">@summitLisa</a>, </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: start;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/lisa.miltonwork" target="_blank">lisa.miltonwork</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08947812710941841086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8521260232274430272.post-40076049125375950872014-05-27T10:03:00.000-06:002014-05-27T10:03:28.723-06:00Bylaw Amendment: Household pet limits *UPDATE*<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>R</b>esults to a survey requesting feedback on a proposed household pet limit bylaw amendment for the City of Calgary were made available by councillor Diane Colley-Urquart last week. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Earlier this month, <span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://petlynxinfostream.blogspot.ca/2014/05/bylaw-amendments-household-pet-limits.html" target="_blank">Colley-Urquart posted a short survey</a> to her professional blog asking whether or not limits on the number of household pets should be implemented and what that limit should be. She received over 1,300 responses and noted that, "while this poll was by no means scientific, the level of engagement on my blog and survey was impressive and shows how much Calgarians care about their pets." </span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">To summarize, survey 67% of participants responded that there should be no limit to the maximum number of dogs allowed in a single family home</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">. Sixty-five percent of participants responded there should be no limit to the number of cats allowed. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Colley-Urquart presented her notice of motion to Calgary city councillors during the regular meeting of council Monday, May 26, 2014.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Detailed responses and participant comments available <a href="http://councillordiane.ca/household-pet-limits-survey-results/" target="_blank">HERE</a>. </span></span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div>
Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08947812710941841086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8521260232274430272.post-56401003266712440482014-05-26T18:54:00.000-06:002014-05-26T18:54:52.628-06:00Remedial Training<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieZnUQkDJdm1x0sF_M9TnU2qBnvWmOLNA0djROPPBlDlnJx2a7iIz_-4hmv5ZoCOTtR1q7xA8Il8_NAufMqtTooDhCazul3XPrtPt5G4PylWtLT2TNh9beBaAr47IBOcO_CFUeZIg2vdZx/s1600/IMG_5611.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieZnUQkDJdm1x0sF_M9TnU2qBnvWmOLNA0djROPPBlDlnJx2a7iIz_-4hmv5ZoCOTtR1q7xA8Il8_NAufMqtTooDhCazul3XPrtPt5G4PylWtLT2TNh9beBaAr47IBOcO_CFUeZIg2vdZx/s1600/IMG_5611.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Squish in her leashed timeout.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Squish has always been a very chill dog which I trust is as much because of the environment she was born into as it is about her temperament and parents. From before I even brought her home she could sit on command and when I did get her home I invested time in training like you do with all new pets. She's not perfect at all. For the life of me 'lay down' appears to be beyond her comprehension and sometimes her recall lacks any kind of recall at all, although I blame the last one on her ability to ignore me more than a lack of knowledge, a squeaky toy will always bring her back. All that being said, put her on a leash and you have a generally perfect mannered dog which is something I take great pride in.</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Today the repairman came to fix my internet. For a dog who is generally more excited to meet new people than any other I've met, she was TERRIFIED. I'm sure it was the large clanky tool belt around his waist that was unusual to her and therefore scary. Her desire to run away almost sent her over the front gate, something I sincerely never ever thought she would try.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I managed to catch her and put on her leash and then, after a few attempts, to get her to sit and stay (the stay part was impressive as it sometimes goes the way of recall). For the rest of the visit, she sat very attentively at first watching his moves and then eventually relaxed into it, laid down and went to sleep. Turns out the repair man was a dog guy and after he was all done I asked him if he'd mind taking off the tool belt and saying 'hi' to her which he happily obliged. Squish appreciated the lack of tool belt apparently because they made fast friends.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I know she's only (almost) nine months old but I expected better from Squish. She rarely has a reaction like this and as a pet owner your first instinct is to kind of freak out like your dog. But if you can calm yourself and then find a calm safe state for your dog (for her it's the leash) then, in my experience at least, you can get them through almost anything and you're building a trust relationship with them. Never stop going back to your training. No matter how old your dog is they can actually learn new tricks, except maybe 'lay down' if they're a Boxer.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQYV-jx7UiLVQtyCwk8Ovb_uqK0XbI7GCb-vCx7-g4g3t8Xor4dDCLoR_ZLf-9nOmT_B9SYAp35ID1cv_JS7MvfQ57rZLWfYyZYO2oh7Mytj8Y22tLLmzOVG3UnRiv3QIcBwJBBAQQOj4W/s1600/lisa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQYV-jx7UiLVQtyCwk8Ovb_uqK0XbI7GCb-vCx7-g4g3t8Xor4dDCLoR_ZLf-9nOmT_B9SYAp35ID1cv_JS7MvfQ57rZLWfYyZYO2oh7Mytj8Y22tLLmzOVG3UnRiv3QIcBwJBBAQQOj4W/s1600/lisa.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><a href="mailto:lisa.milton@petlynxmail.com" target="_blank">Lisa Milton</a>, Squish's Mom, <a href="https://twitter.com/SummitLisa" target="_blank">@summitLisa</a>, </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/lisa.miltonwork" target="_blank">lisa.miltonwork</a></span></div>
Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08947812710941841086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8521260232274430272.post-3710789546198328772014-05-26T12:01:00.002-06:002014-05-26T12:01:29.744-06:00PetSmart opens Pop-Up Dog Park in Downtown Detroit<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI27Tw33jajI1XwKwdqa7x2LGgsVKLmoQ9nSd6gJildOPS8b8ZiN7ZD6-JwD4CuPazlkJoNx2sXMYTWsGPhEWTd-WdNZ5EUaeFfx0GJZnYPSySz71n13_Y9zN_mi6E-Q63bSRQvaUvZH8/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-05-25+at+5.21.46+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI27Tw33jajI1XwKwdqa7x2LGgsVKLmoQ9nSd6gJildOPS8b8ZiN7ZD6-JwD4CuPazlkJoNx2sXMYTWsGPhEWTd-WdNZ5EUaeFfx0GJZnYPSySz71n13_Y9zN_mi6E-Q63bSRQvaUvZH8/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-05-25+at+5.21.46+PM.png" height="318" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://instagram.com/p/oHgYaBQKfx/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Photo Credit</span></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>E</b>arlier this month, PetSmart Inc. partnered with the City of Detroit and the non-profit community organization Detroit Dog Park to bring a portable, pop-up dog park to a vacant lot in Detroit. This is the first official dog park in Detroit, providing more than 10,000 square feet of space. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">PetSmart's P.U.P. (Pop-Up Park) is a shipping container that contains everything needed to create an interim dog park, including 340 feet of fencing, three Oops clean-up stations, three moveable, backless benches, lighting on and inside the container (powered by solar panels on the roof) and a storage closet. The shipping container serves as the park's point of entry and exit. Through the partnership, PetSmart supplied the P.U.P. and the City of Detroit will maintain the park. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">PetSmart has currently supplied P.U.P.'s to two other Phoenix, Ariz. communities and hopes to bring parks to four more communities throughout the country by the end of 2014. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=196265&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1931412&highlight=" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">READ THE NEWS RELEASE</span></a></div>
<br />Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08947812710941841086noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8521260232274430272.post-19094503310599551452014-05-23T12:12:00.000-06:002014-05-23T12:12:21.766-06:00It's the end of Dog Bite Prevention Week<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>H</b>ow did you do? At the beginning of the week I challenged you to teach one person how to approach a dog. I was failing at this until yesterday during my dog walk. A small boy saw us walking by and was desperate to pet Squish and after my reading this week I was able to teach him the best way to do that. Luckily Squish loves children so even the 'elbow bump' this kid wanted to give her was ok, "but only with her" I told him.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Because they are smaller and less knowledgable children are often the ones experiencing dog bites and as such I wanted to see what resources were out there. After some quick Googling I came across <a href="http://dogsandkids.ca/">dogsandkids.ca</a> and it has some great resources for parents, kids and dog owners. I really encourage you to take a read through and use some of it's content for any kids you might know. Not every dog is willing to accept an 'elbow bump'!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQYV-jx7UiLVQtyCwk8Ovb_uqK0XbI7GCb-vCx7-g4g3t8Xor4dDCLoR_ZLf-9nOmT_B9SYAp35ID1cv_JS7MvfQ57rZLWfYyZYO2oh7Mytj8Y22tLLmzOVG3UnRiv3QIcBwJBBAQQOj4W/s1600/lisa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQYV-jx7UiLVQtyCwk8Ovb_uqK0XbI7GCb-vCx7-g4g3t8Xor4dDCLoR_ZLf-9nOmT_B9SYAp35ID1cv_JS7MvfQ57rZLWfYyZYO2oh7Mytj8Y22tLLmzOVG3UnRiv3QIcBwJBBAQQOj4W/s1600/lisa.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><a href="mailto:lisa.milton@petlynxmail.com" target="_blank">Lisa Milton</a>, Squish's Mom, <a href="https://twitter.com/SummitLisa" target="_blank">@summitLisa</a>, </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/lisa.miltonwork" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;" target="_blank">lisa.miltonwork</a></span><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08947812710941841086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8521260232274430272.post-4777310605626659052014-05-23T07:55:00.004-06:002014-05-23T07:55:48.645-06:00Banfield's State of Pet Health Report 2014<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;">L</span></b><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;">ast month, Banfield Pet
Hospital released its 2014 State of Pet Health™ Report which captured and
analyzed medical data from nearly 2.3 million dogs and 470,000 cats. </span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;"> The State of Pet Health™ 2014 Report focuses
on common infectious diseases affecting dogs and cats in the United States, as
well as the prevalence and geographic trends of such diseases, including Lyme
disease, parvovirus, Giardia and kennel cough for dogs; and feline
immunodeficiency virus (FIV) infection, feline leukemia virus (FeLV), upper
respiratory infection and ear mites for cats. In Particular, the report
revealed a 48% increase in the prevalence of feline immunodeficiency virus
(FIV) infection in cats and a 21% increase in the prevalence of infection with
the bacterium that causes Lyme disease in dogs. </span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;">“The 2014 report highlights the increase in
infectious disease observed at Banfield hospitals nationwide,” said Jeffrey
Klausner, DVM, MS, DACVIM, senior vice president and chief medical officer for
Banfield Pet Hospital. “It is our responsibility—as a practice and as a
dedicated group of professionals who love pets—to provide the best possible
preventive care, which leads to early disease diagnosis and management. This
care creates a partnership between pet owners and their veterinarian to
continuously identify changes in a pet’s overall health
and behaviour."</span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #484848; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;">Banfield operates more than 850 hospitals in 43
states as well as Puerto Rico, and more than 14,000 associates - including 2,900
licensed veterinarians - work at Banfield. The organization demonstrates
commitment to quality and innovation and operates with an understanding of the
health of urban animals. </span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;"><a href="http://www.stateofpethealth.com/Content/pdf/Banfield-State-of-Pet-Health-Report_2014.pdf"><span style="color: #0000e9; font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;">READ
BANFIELD'S 2014 STATE OF PET HEALTH REPORT</span></a></span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;"> </span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0pt 5.4pt 0pt 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0pt;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;"><a href="http://www.banfield.com/about-us/news-room/news-archives/state-of-pet-health-2014-report"><span style="color: #0000e9; font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;">READ THE
NEWS RELEASE</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08947812710941841086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8521260232274430272.post-374044255072635422014-05-22T13:30:00.000-06:002014-05-26T19:23:14.223-06:00Susan from PIJAC Canada and Catch - GAP<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuBzvTiiUIa9oZCukblLM76UX99rqw-apwhubFwv1KcV8aXcSoaCQ6APYMKu335YAKy2sE53okbe5lKJSoz80b-fU7esbdP46DwjTcqI2CACvs0QBSuY9jFTgEkYB_thzYsC_4IDbzbQs7/s1600/catch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuBzvTiiUIa9oZCukblLM76UX99rqw-apwhubFwv1KcV8aXcSoaCQ6APYMKu335YAKy2sE53okbe5lKJSoz80b-fU7esbdP46DwjTcqI2CACvs0QBSuY9jFTgEkYB_thzYsC_4IDbzbQs7/s1600/catch.jpg" height="320" width="220" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Twelve years ago I had a call from a colleague I used to work with at the </span><a href="http://ottawahumane.ca/" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;" target="_blank">Ottawa Humane Society</a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">. She was the behaviourist at the time and had a dog come in who needed a quiet foster home. This particular dog was terribly scared, but had a gentle nature and seemed to want to be with people. My husband and I had previously discussed fostering as he had not grown up with dogs like I had and I had been hoping to bring one into our family eventually. It seemed like the perfect opportunity for us to lend a hand and also see if having a dog would work for our family in the long term. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A couple of days later we went to the shelter to pick her up. Let me tell you she was skinny, had a terrible looking coat and was about the most unattractive dog I had ever seen. We sat quietly beside her and with a wag of her tail and lick on the hand we began our journey. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As far as could be told, she was about one year old, had most likely never been indoors and there were signs she had been mistreated. When we brought her home she stayed close to us and eventually explored her surroundings learning about soft beds and tasty treats. Despite not knowing what to do with a ball, she was quite proficient at catching mosquitos and after a day or so, Catch became her name. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Over the weeks, we spoke gently, moved slowly and were amazed to watch her as she came around. She learned to play, master the stairs and discovered the joy of going for a car ride. One cool thing for me was to watch the development of the relationship between my husband and her, they learned together and bonded very quickly. We of course adopted her. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">All these years later Catch has been our constant companion. She comes to the office regularly, loves the mail carrier, attends family dinners, watches over our daughter and has had her fair share of road trips. Thinking back it is hard to imagine how that skinny, scared pup would become the healthy, (much better looking) people lover she is today. It all started with a phone call and we’ve never looked back.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Side note: True to her name she did eventually become quite good at catching balls too!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Susan from <a href="http://www.pijaccanada.com/" target="_blank">PIJAC Canada</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://petlynxhomesafe.blgospot.com/" target="_blank">HomeSafe </a>Guest Author Program</span></div>
Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08947812710941841086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8521260232274430272.post-42438633502054802402014-05-22T10:00:00.000-06:002014-05-22T10:00:03.001-06:00Guest Author Program<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Much like our other blog <a href="http://petlynxinfostream.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">InfoStream</a>, we've always had a plan to use Guest Authors on HomeSafe. A week or so ago I put out the call to some of the Urban Animal Industry folks and asked for some stories about their pets. My theory is, the more we know about each other and our love for animals the easier it will be when we have to discuss topics we might not agree on.</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Watch for any posts with the -GAP after them and get to know the people who work in this industry and the stories that surround them.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you'd like to be a Guest Author please contact me.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQYV-jx7UiLVQtyCwk8Ovb_uqK0XbI7GCb-vCx7-g4g3t8Xor4dDCLoR_ZLf-9nOmT_B9SYAp35ID1cv_JS7MvfQ57rZLWfYyZYO2oh7Mytj8Y22tLLmzOVG3UnRiv3QIcBwJBBAQQOj4W/s1600/lisa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQYV-jx7UiLVQtyCwk8Ovb_uqK0XbI7GCb-vCx7-g4g3t8Xor4dDCLoR_ZLf-9nOmT_B9SYAp35ID1cv_JS7MvfQ57rZLWfYyZYO2oh7Mytj8Y22tLLmzOVG3UnRiv3QIcBwJBBAQQOj4W/s1600/lisa.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><a href="mailto:lisa.milton@petlynxmail.com" target="_blank">Lisa Milton,</a> Squish's Mom, <a href="https://twitter.com/SummitLisa" target="_blank">@summitLisa</a>, </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/lisa.miltonwork" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-small;">lisa.miltonwork</span></a></div>
Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08947812710941841086noreply@blogger.com0