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SOI DOG, CANADA

June 14, 2019 | 16 Comments

MUTT MARCH – A HUGE SUCCESS IN TWO PROVINCES

In our previous post, we introduced you to SOI DOG FOUNDATION, an incredible organization dedicated to caring for the street dogs and cats of Thailand, and persistently advocating for much-needed change to animal welfare legislation.

Soi Dog, Indy

On June second, the Vancouver chapter of Soi Dog, Canada, held their very first Mutt March fundraiser, followed by the Ontario march, in Erindale Park, Mississauga.  I am happy to report both events were hugely successful. The funds raised from Ontario’s walk nearing ten-thousand dollars!  This money will help with the spay/neuter program at Soi Dog in Thailand, and a portion of the funds will assist the following initiatives:

  • Alberta Spay and Neuter Task Force – Helping People, Helping Animals
  • Northern Spay and Neuter Campaign in Ontario – Working with remote First Nation communities to assist with animal management and health issues
  • The Canadian Animal Assistance Team in British Columbia – Help Give Them Access To The Care They Need

Close to eighty participants pre-registered for Ontario’s first-ever Mutt March, with more people registering on the day. Over one hundred people turned up to support Soi Dog; including, many Soi Dog rescues, and two partner rescues!

Proud Participant

Even the weather cooperated; the sun shone the whole day. One of the event organizers, and Soi Dog volunteer, Sondra, agrees:

In all, we feel that for a first-time, it was a success. We hope people enjoyed themselves

Weather appropriate attire

Fun contests followed the walk, included:

  • Best dressed dog
  • Dog & owner look most alike
  • Waggiest Tail
  • Best Trick

Lookalikes

Best Trick

Waggiest Tail

Sponsors for the event included:

  • Green Shift
  • Canisource Gran Cru
  • Zyderma
  • Pet Love4Charity
  • Smith Werks
  • RC Pets
  • Island Veterinary Hospital
  • Bonnie & Clyde Premium Pet Food
  • Walks and Wags Pet First Aid
  • Earth Rated
  • Bosley’s, New Westminster
  • Tractive
  • The Kindergarten Class of Pineview Public School

these little kids raised almost five-hundred dollars, through their own initiative!

Sondra strongly agrees children will set the best example, and lead the rest of us to a more humane future for our animal companions. We need to educate young people first.

Vendors and exhibitors included:

  • Pet Love 4 Charity
  • The Bowtail
  • Ren’s Pets
  • Mobile Canine Care
  • Barker and Snouts (doggie ice cream)
  • Pets in Motion Chiropractic
  • Party Painterz (face painters)

I scream, you scream…

Pet Love 4 Charity

Adds Sondra,

We are grateful to the City of Mississauga, our vendors, and exhibitors, Cindy Cherry our MC, and, of course, we appreciate the support, and efforts of our volunteers. Much appreciation to everyone who came out and participated, helping to make the day a success. A special thanks to my team lead, Bev Cartright; an outstanding volunteer, in so many ways

I had the privilege of speaking with several attendees, all of whom agreed it was a day of fun for people and pups!

Pooped Pups

Once again, I am grateful to share the incredible work done by this organization.

Thank you, Soi Dog team,

 

 

 

 

Soi Dog Canada is a not for profit corporation run entirely by volunteers.

Categories: ADOPTABLES, RESCUE GROUPS & SHELTERS Tagged: For a Cause, Fun, International Rescue, Walk

SEAN O’DANIELS ART

February 21, 2018 | 31 Comments

FEATURED ARTIST INTERVIEW

Before he was recognized for his uplifting and colourful pet portraits, Sean O’Daniels was a professional concept artist and art director.  He visually developed the backstories for characters in games and film, creating the look and feel of characters and the environments in which they appear.

The inspiration behind the addition of pet portraits was Sean’s rescue dog, Rocky. Until Sean created his series of paintings with Rocky as his subject, he had never considered pursuing his own art.

Sean says,

If you own or used to own a dog, you understand how much they impact our lives. The silent bonds and stories we share with them inspire us to be better people

In between work projects, Sean would paint Rocky. He was determined to capture not only Rocky’s likeness but also, the personality of his beloved dog and everything he felt Rocky represented:  Loyalty (Rocky carried everything, including Sean’s wife’s purse.) Confidence (his short legs and stature never limited him). Most of all, Rocky taught his people to trust, to believe in themselves and never doubt or give up on their dreams.

A Girl’s Best Friend

The last lesson was the most difficult, painfully realized upon Rocky’s passing in 2016.

The night Rocky died I began to paint the stories and personalities of other pups, giving those silent bonds and stories a voice. Other than writers, I don’t know of many others who can articulate what dogs mean to their people.

What about me?

Although he occasionally does use traditional acrylic on canvas, Sean’s primary form of art is digital. That way, pet owners don’t have to commit to a fixed canvas size or high price. The digital artwork, in various sizes, is available to pet owners and other consumers, online. Sean paints and sketches directly onto his iPad or stylus and the process of layering is demonstrated through Instagram videos.

Also on Sean’s Instagram account are the cutest pics of rescue dog, Toby. Chiweenie Toby joined Sean’s family a little more than a year after they lost Rocky.

Digital format gives artists the freedom to experiment and explore but when you work with other mediums, you need a game plan, and it can take months to create a piece. Working digitally is less constrictive says Sean, he doesn’t have to stay within the confines of a reference photo.

When asked about his ‘favourite place to create’, Sean shares that he likes to move around and becomes creatively stagnant if he has to show up and the same place to create. Another advantage of working digitally.

Sean does not just paint pet portraits. For him, it’s all about capturing the character and the story. The ‘narrative.’

To qualify a dog as one of Sean’s subjects, potential clients are asked to share a unique idea about their companion and provide photos that demonstrate a distinguishing characteristic or quality. Once he is ‘jazzed’ about a project, Sean requests a deposit and arranges a further discussion to share ideas and combine elements and explore and develop subtleties that might not have been fully expressed initially.  Anything that will make the piece as unique and personal as possible.

Upon completion of the project, clients choose whatever size of artwork they want, up to 30 x 30.  There are no ‘originals.’ Even when Sean creates an acrylic on canvas piece, he rarely sells an original, so to keep the cost down for his customers.

Some people see their pets as objects. They don’t see their pet’s true personalities, or recognize what they have to teach us or appreciate that they even have a story.  These people just want a picture, and there are a million artists who will just paint a picture for them.

If people aren’t able to convey the narrative, Sean will decline their commission as he does not believe it will turn out well. Some individuals find it difficult to communicate this information.

It’s funny, says Sean, some of the stories we share are maybe not ones we consider unique, but when I get my clients to open up, they tell me things they haven’t even shared with their closest friends. The bonds they have with these animals are unspoken, and during our consultation, it’s the first time they’re sharing with another person.

These are the things that get me fired up and that I want the artwork to express. Each time they show the piece to people, they have a story to share; there’s something in the composition that represents a unique trait (of their companion).

We think our stories aren’t unique. However, it’s amazing how many people visit the site, see a photo, and they get it! They totally get what that dog is about!

Sean was contacted about having one of his pieces licensed to be used in the backdrop of a scene in a movie! The piece was of an Irish Terrier with a pint of Guinness. The subject, a family dog, named……………………………yup, you guessed it, Guinness!

That’s the coolest thing; that people relate to my pieces.

 

Thanks, Sean

 

 

 

 

 

Categories: WORKS OF ART Tagged: Art, Canvas Prints, Featured Artist, Fun, Pet Portraits

SUMMERTIME WITH EZYDOG

June 21, 2017 | 44 Comments

SUMMER FUN GIVEAWAY!

#SPONSORED – Disclaimer: Her and her dogs are being compensated to review EzyDog™ products and share feedback with our followers. The opinions shared in this post are ours; expressed in our words. It is our choice, and our pleasure to share this information about this product with you.

As Canadians, we look forward to and appreciate the warm weather when it finally arrives.  I’m not a skier, I don’t own snowshoes, and my idea of fun is not sitting in a little tent, on the ice, waiting for the fish to take my line.

WHAT I LOVE ABOUT SUMMER:

Pool parties and BBQ’s (I take a hearty salad for myself and as a side for my meat-eating friends), spending time on Lake Simcoe, biking, hiking; green walks along the trails, concerts in the park, picnics, outdoor movies and so much more!

We adopted Jack at the end of last summer.  Up until then, he had lived a ‘sheltered’ life.  Worse than that; he was a mill dog and summer to him meant sweltering heat with not even a fan for relief. He was confined to his crate where the stench of urine and feces was intensified by the warm weather.   We only had him for a couple of months before the first snow arrived.  In that short time, although we worked with him every day, Jack was still too fearful to appreciate his environment (indoors or outdoors).

Slowly but surely, Jack transformed into a more confident and very happy dog.  He LOVED the snow and would fly around the garden. The transformation from black to white dog took only a few laps.

Jack has been to Florida twice now and seems to enjoy the sand and sea almost as much as the snow.

This summer will be Jack’s first time on a boat or a kayak!

Before we share these experiences with him, we need to put some safety measures in place.  First, and foremost we need a Dog Flotation Device.  Believe you, me, and Henry, these are not all created equally.*

Comfort AND safety!

Jack is very ‘Poodle-chested.’  One of the features that I appreciate about the EZYDOG DOG FLOTATION DEVICE is the unique ultra-buoyancy foam that is strategically positioned to keep dogs in a natural swimming position at all times.  They don’t have to work extra hard to keep themselves in this position.

Also, the DFD™ was designed and has been tested extensively, to provide an ergonomic and comfortable fit for your dog.  Cumbersome and restrictive jackets can be discouraging and make dogs less confident in the water.  As this will be Jack’s first trip out on the boat, we want him to be as happy as possible.

The EZYDOG DFD is available in two stunning colours; red, and yellow.

If you spend time in the water after dark, you will be pleased to learn the device is also reflective and includes an ergonomic grab handle and super strong D-Ring.  This means we can easily secure the dogs onboard when the boat is on the move and place them in the water for a swim when we stop.  The handle also makes it easier to lift them out of the water when they want back aboard.  Only Henry has figured out how to use the steps.

Stylish Water Gear

For weenie dogs, like Reese, check out the DFD MICRO.  This floatation device was designed specifically for dogs under 7kg/15lbs.

*Please be sure to select the appropriate device and size for your dog based on weight.  Size is determined by measuring the length and girth.  Also, be sure to monitor your dog’s girth at the beginning of each season.  Henry’s previous life jacket did not allow for winter weight gain, and it did not provide him with enough support the following summer.  He made a bit of a splash, last year!

We also love the NEO CLASSIC COLLAR for summer.  It is made from neoprene, the fabric used in wetsuits.  Neoprene is a very durable material that does not absorb oils and dries quickly, so it does not get stinky like a regular nylon collar.  Wet dog smell is one thing, but the smell of wet dog collar is gross.  Ya, you know what I’m talkin’ about!

Because the fabric is soft, it is more comfortable for your companion than a plastic, waterproof collar.  The extra wide version of this collar, NEO WIDE, is also available for larger dogs. Both options are available in a variety of colours and fun patterns.

It’s hardly surprising that EzyDog provides award winning active dog products. Founder and CEO Luke Hatcher’s experience includes working in the water sports industry as well as a passion for surf, adventure, and his Border Collie ‘Roger.’ Luke invented and made a few bungee cord dog leashes which were a hit with his friends, who told their friends and so on, and so forth.  Before long, Luke was selling more than he could produce and EzyDog was born.

We strive to be at the forefront of innovation for the active dog enthusiast

EzyDog has evolved into a full line of dog products that focus on function, durability and unique designs. The products are still handmade to the highest quality only now they are made in factories and sold worldwide.

EzyDog has created products to enhance the outdoor experience with our dogs.  Comment below telling us your dog’s favourite water activity for your chance to win a Dog Flotation Device and Neo Collar! Contest is open to Canadian and U.S. residents only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

If you don’t win, don’t worry.  Use discount code SADIEANDCO for 10% off your EzyDog order!

Thank you, EzyDog,

 
 
 
 

Categories: PRODUCT & SERVICE REVIEWS Tagged: Boating, Family, Fun, Kayaking, Summer, Swimming

CANDID K NINES TREATS

August 10, 2016 | 48 Comments

REVIEW AND GIVEAWAY

Disclaimer: Her and her dogs received treats from Candid K Nines in exchange for an honest review of the product. The feedback and opinions shared in this post are ours, expressed in our words. We did not receive monetary compensation for this review. It is our choice, and a pleasure to share information about these treats with our followers. We know your pups will enjoy them!

Giveaway

Sadie & Co. are excited to share these delightful treats with you (and your dogs). Candid K Nines is generously giving away one bag of each flavour of their delicious ‘snap’ treats. PLUS, each winner will receive these fun, summer-themed treats.

THERE WILL BE THREE LUCKY WINNERS!!! 

EACH WILL RECEIVE A BAG OF SNAPS AND THEMED TREATS!!!

We love sharing stories about company’s that start up as a result of inspiration from their animal companion(s). Candid K Nines was inspired by Harley. Nicole St-Onge, the person behind the brand, tells the story:

“It all started in 2012 when we made our first batch of homemade dog treats for our dog Harley. Before we knew it, we were baking for our friends and families. In 2014 our hobby turned into a business, and Candid K Nines Treats for Dogs became available in several retail stores across Southwestern Ontario.”

Part of the appeal to me, as a customer, is the ingredient list.

Nicole agrees:

Our treats are better because of what we don’t put in them!

These handcrafted treats are wheat and gluten free and naturally preserved. They do not include additional salt, sugar, or anything artificial. The cheese and honey have natural components of salt and sugar – that’s it, that’s all. Au natural.

Henry, Reese, and Jack love the entire range of goodies offered by Candid K Nines. This includes:

Cheesy Cheddar Snaps

CCS

 

 

 

 

 

 

Peanut Butter & Honey Snaps

PB_H

 

 

 

 

 

 

Simply Pumpkin Snaps

pumpkin

 

 

 

 

 

 

And a collection of Decorated Treats. Candid K Nines design the cutest seasonal and event themed treats and offer custom creations also. These decorated delights are perfect for a Host or Hostess gift, or a personalized Doggie Birthday Bag.

I am attending a wedding in October for a dog-loving couple. Each had a dog when they met.  Their wedding is their official joining as one big, happy pack. I am ordering a ‘Bride’ bone & ‘Groom’ bone to attach to the wedding gift bag

Are you a business sponsoring an event? Dog people LOVE having furry family members included.  Order a box of cookies and have YOUR business name iced on them.

s_and_co

Bone and Paw Print Shaped Birthday Cakes for Fido (or Henry, or Reese, or Jack), are also available from Candid K Nines.

You might see Candid K Nines at an event near you. If not, don’t despair, these delicious treats are available to order online or may be purchased at exclusive retail outlets. Click here to locate a store near you.

As a pet parent, I am happy knowing these fun, and fabulous treats are free from ingredients that would cause discomfort to my dogs.

Henry, Reese, and Jack LOVE these treats!

H
About the giveaway:

No purchase necessary. Giveaway is open to Canadian and US residents age 18 and older, except where prohibited by law. Giveaway will run from August 10th through August 16th, 2016, at 11:59 pm EST. THREE lucky winners will be randomly selected and notified via email. Winners will have 48 hours to claim their prizes; failure to do so will result in forfeiture of the prize. Twitter and Pinterest do not sponsor, administer, or endorse this promotion. Participants must read and agree to Rafflecopter’s Privacy Policy before entering and participating in this promotion. This giveaway prize was generously donated by Nicole St-Onge, of Candid K Nines.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Confession: 

There was one other adorable bone cookie ‘I LOVE TREATS.’  He, who shall remain unnamed stole and devoured it before I was able to take a photo.

Thank you Nicole,
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Categories: PRODUCT & SERVICE REVIEWS Tagged: Fun, Giveaway, Summer, Treats

HAPPY CANADA DAY!

July 1, 2016 | 38 Comments

Celebrating the day that Canada became a self-governing country

Victoria Day VDay2 VDay3

Categories: HAPPY TALES & TRIBUTES Tagged: Family, Fun, Holidays

LEASH AND THANK YOU

June 14, 2016 | 28 Comments

THE ETIQUETTE OF DOG WALKING

Have you ever had someone cross over to the other side of the road with their dog(s) when they see you walking toward them with your dog(s)?  That is a clear indication they don’t want the dogs to interact.  Or, maybe they don’t like other people.  Either way, we should respect the overt gesture.

Photo taken by Oak & Myrrh Photography

Photo taken by Oak & Myrrh Photography

As a pet parent to a fearful, special needs mill dog, I deeply sympathized when I learned of a friend’s dog walking experiences.

Following the loss of their beloved Yorkshire Terrier, Skeeter, just before Christmas, Tammy and her husband decided to fill the overwhelming void by providing a loving home to a rescue dog. They fell in love with a bonded pair. Brothers Manny and Nico.

As is the case with some rescue dogs due to difficult and uncertain pasts, a vast amount of patience is required, and there is an adjustment period for dogs and their new owners.

Tammy admits Skeeter did NOT walk perfectly but was easy to scoop up and remove from a threat.

People would tell me don’t worry about my dog he is very friendly and I would say well mine isn’t always friendly so let’s not take a chance

Tammy adds: ‘I had someone who came all the way up my driveway with their dog all the while I am telling them hey my dog isn’t that friendly, and he’s behind me snarling and barking and guess what ended up happening? Yes, my dog bit her dog. GO FIGURE! She never brought her dog up my driveway again. And the thing is I had never even met this woman before!’

Unfortunately, that is one of many incidents where a dog is put in a dangerous situation by an irresponsible owner. These situations can be easily avoided.

Tammy now has both hands full (two leashes) and is dedicated to socializing and training her new pack members.

If my dog is acting like a goof and barking like crazy and pulling at his leash because he sees your dog, could you please walk quietly on and not try to talk to me as I am trying to get my dog or dogs under control.

If I tell you I have a rescue dog; I’m not sure how my dog will act with yours, and I would like to keep them separate, please respect my wishes and not try to argue with me and tell me how friendly your dog is. Your dog is agitated, barking and lunging at my dogs. Do not force your dog on mine because (you think) your dog really wants to meet my dogs. It’s only making the situation worse.

I believe that I am a responsible pet owner and am trying to educate myself on proper dog etiquette. I also try to educate myself on dog behaviour. When I see something that is causing my dogs to act out, I will try to remove them from the problem. It is hard enough trying to keep my dogs under control and watch for cars, etc. without having to worry about you approaching me with your dogs.

I know you mean well but please LET US BE! Once my dogs are more socialized and settled and better behaved, we can try to have our dogs meet!

There is often more to people’s situation than can be assumed when you see someone out walking their dog. Even if the dog is not a new, puppy, the dog might be new to those people. If it IS a puppy, the people might be working on training and similar to a rescue situation, still figuring out the dog’s personality! It might not even be THEIR dog.

Tricia Soulier of Pawsitive Approach Pet Services and her team provides dog walking services for pets while their people are working.

Some of the frustrations Trish has encountered are:

Children walking dogs and dogs that are off leash.

Children are not emotionally mature enough to respond to potential dangers

My team and I have ended up in the middle of such situations, and we have been injured! None of us want to hurt a dog, but it is our responsibility to ensure the safety of the dogs we walk.

Often, dogs that are off leash on someone’s property run towards dogs being walked along the road. The situation could quickly escalate into a fight. I would not want to see a child in the middle of that.

Flexi leashes are another concern as they do not allow adequate control, and they break. Too much can happen before the handler can reel them in – especially when you add traffic to a scenario.

Oblivious parents is another issue. Trish had in her care a Bernese, lab cross puppy. As she walked by a picnic area, the parents sat at a nearby table and watched their toddler run, arms outstretched towards the dog.

PUPPY, PUPPY, PUPPY!

I started to lose my voice warning the child not to approach before the child’s mother finally put her phone down and came to collect the youngster.

One paw from this large, energetic young puppy would have hurt the child!

Leanne started volunteering in 2002 in the Youth & Animal Program at the OSPCA walking and clicker training dogs.

More from Leanne:

I volunteered at the OSPCA for eight years. The last couple of years I joined a group of volunteers who developed a program to orient and train new dog walkers. It was called BuddyUp. Collectively we oriented over 300 new dog walkers in approx. Three years.

In January 2011 I started volunteering at GAC. There was no orientation program for dog walkers at the time, so I offered to start orienting new dog walkers. Fellow volunteer Ruth and I started offering the Canine Communication Workshop for the shelter’s dog walkers AND the public. We run the workshop every four months or so.

I have an interest in training dogs using positive reinforcement, and I have attended many seminars over the past 14 years with some of the world’s most respected positive-reinforcement trainers like Kathy Sdao, Dr. Sophia Yin, Yvette Van Veen, Nicole Wilde, etc. I’d guess 15-20 seminars. I also completed a 6-month dog trainer program through the Karen Pryor Academy.

My focus with the shelter dogs is to mark and reward all the behaviors they offer that I find desirable so that they will repeat those behaviors.

I strive to avoid positive punishment and negative reinforcement in my dog training and the use of aversives or corrections. My goal is to keep the dogs feeling safe and treat them with respect.

When working with reactive dogs, my favourite protocol is CARE (Counter Conditioning and positive Reinforcement are Essential for Reactive Dogs). Identify the dog’s triggers for reactivity, work at a distance at which they are not reacting to the trigger, pair the trigger with something they REALLY like and create a conditioned positive emotional response to the trigger, decrease the distance from the trigger, repeat, repeat, repeat. Also, mark and reward all the behaviors you’d prefer the dog to be doing rather than reacting like checking in with you, holding eye contact, sitting, etc. That’s over simplified so folks should check out the protocol for a detailed description.

When introducing new dogs to each other, I prefer to take it slow and go for a nice walk with the dogs. Alternating walking ahead and behind each other, then parallel to each other, then around each other all the while watching their body language to assess whether they seem comfortable and interested in meeting each other. If they seem uncomfortable or are avoiding each other, I’ll stop the intro there. If they seem comfortable, we’ll do a brief face to face intro and encourage them to circle around to the bums. Greetings tend to go best if 3-5 seconds and then the dogs are encouraged to separate. The humans can help create a smooth greeting by keeping their leashes loose and moving around with their dog to ensure leashes don’t get tangled, and the dogs can go through their natural greeting routines.

Photo taken by Oak & Myrrh Photography

Photo taken by Oak & Myrrh Photography

Thank you, Leanne, for this great information and thank you, Tammy and Tricia, for sharing your experiences.

Also, a huge thank you to the ROVER team of dog walkers, for suggesting the need for this information.

Dogs react to people’s energy. If I become nervous or stressed in a situation, I notice my dogs act accordingly. By looking ahead for potential situations (dogs loose on property), I am better able to avoid stressful situations. If we behave as responsible dog owners and respect others everyone will be safe, and no one will be hurt – person or dog.

Check back soon for our post addressing ‘leash aggression.’

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Categories: TRICKS, TREATS & TRAINING Tagged: Bonding, Fun, Safety, Training, Walk

WHISKY – W – WINNER

April 27, 2016 | 20 Comments

PET BLOGGERS SPRING GIVEAWAY 

– W –

plus BLOGGING A TO Z

A whisky to celebrate perhaps?

Whisky, wine, or a happy dance, three lucky people will be thrilled to win

the 2016 ‘Spring Fling’ Pet Blogger’s Giveaway!

It has been a long wait for spring to arrive in Ontario and now that it’s here, we’re celebrating!!! Sadie & Co. have once again teamed up with some of our pet blogging friends to bring you this fabulous spring giveaway.

Prizes include:

Grand Prize: a $300 Amazon Gift Card;

2nd Prize: Winner’s choice of ONE PetSafe Automatic Ball Launcher ($199.99 value) or ScoopFree Ultra Self-Cleaning Litter Box ($179.99 value);

3rd Prize: Winner’s choice of ONE Sleepypod Harness or Carrier ($69.99 – $189.99 value).

The prizes are perfect for cats AND dogs – we’re a dual species household and won’t leave anyone out.

The Rooster's Perch

The Rooster’s Perch

To enter, follow the steps outlined in the Rafflecopter widget below. There’re one mandatory entry and four bonus entries.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Visit each of the participating blogs listed below for the opportunity to submit additional entries and increase your chances of winning one of these fabulous prizes.

Beagles and Bargains

Chronicles of Cardigan

Daily Dog Tag

Dog Mom Days

Dolly the Doxie

Fidose of Reality

Kol’s Notes

My Dog Likes

The Lazy Pit Bull

Be sure to submit your entry on each of the participating blogs no later than Tuesday, May 3rd, by 11:59 pm EST.

One “finalist” will be randomly selected from each of the ten participating blogs. Finalists’ will then be entered into a final draw where, once again, by random selection, our three prize winners will be determined.

HOW EXCITING!

My Precious Cargo

My Precious Cargo

The prize winners will be announced on The Lazy Pit Bull Facebook page next Friday, Wednesday, May 4th. Be sure to follow, so you don’t miss out.

About the giveaway:

No purchase necessary. Giveaway is open to Canadian and US residents age 18 and older, except where prohibited by law. Giveaway will run from April 27 through May 3, 2016, at 11:59 pm EST. Three winners will be randomly selected and notified via email. Winners will have 48 hours to claim their prizes; failure to do so will result in forfeiture of the prize. Twitter and Pinterest do not sponsor, administer, or endorse this promotion. Participants must read and agree to Rafflecopter’s Privacy Policy before entering and participating in this promotion. Each participating blogger paid an entry fee which will be used to fund the grand prize. The items in the 2nd and 3rd place prize packages were generously donated by the participating brands. Please be sure to visit their websites to see all the amazing pet products they have to offer.

Happy Spring!
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Categories: WORKS OF ART Tagged: Fun, Gifts, Giveaway

THE CRAZY PLATE LADY – PLATING & PRESENTATION

April 1, 2015 | Leave a Comment

INTRODUCING A COLLECTION OF GARNISHED DISHES BY JACQUELINE POIRIER

Ricky - a BEAUTIFUL work of art by Jacqueline Poirier

Ricky – a BEAUTIFUL work of art by Jacqueline Poirier

For me, Easter has been a time to gather with family, or at least connect with family via Facetime, Skype, or a good old-fashioned phone call.  I love everything about the time of year in which this holiday is celebrated.  Springtime means the colour of daffodils, tulips and hyacinths as well as grass (finally, after months of cold and snow)!  Easter egg hunts and too much chocolate, hot cross buns and other baked delights are enjoyed over the weekend.  And how we present these delights to our guests during holidays can be just as fun!

I met Jacqueline Poirier at The One Of A Kind Show, in Toronto, Ontario and marveled at the uniqueness of her creations.  CHARGER PLATES are Jacqueline’s canvas of choice on which she displays her beautiful, works of art.   A heaped serving of personality on each plate!

Ontario born and raised Jacqueline is the Resident Artist for The Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Toronto and infuses flare to the dining room of restaurant TOCA with her colourful designs.

 


















Thank you so much, Jacqueline for creating this beautiful plate of Ricky, The Rooster, as one of your BEAUTIFUL works of art.  Thank you also for sharing the following information with us:

What inspires you?
I am inspired by anything and everything! Each day brings new excitement and challenges, so I try my best to “go with the flow” and paint what I am feeling in that moment. I am also very inspired by many of my clients stories and celebrations. Each custom order that I complete has a unique story or circumstance in which the plate is being created for. This is extremely motivating and inspiring for me as an artist. I am so happy to be a part of creating something special for my clients.

Do you have a favourite subject(s)? If so, what is it about that subject that speaks to you?
I really love to paint people’s pets! I am a big-time animal lover, so I love to learn the names and ages of my furry painting subjects. I also really love to challenge myself and paint “food related” items on plates. It is fun, and whimsical, and often a conversation starter, as my intention is always to achieve photo realism when painting those items.

What is your preferred medium, why?
I absolutely love painting on plates! Until about 3 years ago, I had never experimented with painting on ceramics. I still enjoy painting on canvas and wood, although I have received the most amount of recognition around my plate art (Plart) and really enjoy the endless possibilities that await me!

Where is your favourite place to paint?
I love to paint in my studio downtown Toronto. There is beautiful high ceilings and lots of room to spread out and be creative! The natural light and surround sound speakers make for lots of fun and energizing music to keep me painting throughout the day. Sometimes I enjoy painting late night in my apartment, but this is only because my dog Jerry is asleep and not running around distracting me

Artists connect with the pieces they create.  Please share with us the work(s) that are most meaningful to you (evokes positive or negative emotions) and why.
I really love to paint plates that are gifts to others – memorial portraits, pet portraits, landscapes of places traveled to, homes, cottages, favourite foods, or company logos. I am always amazed at the thoughtfulness that people go to when helping to create a memorable gift such as a custom plate. Each plate I create is extremely memorable to me, and I am sure to spend the most amount of time and effort to achieve my clients request. I treat every occasion as a special opportunity to gain trust and a lasting relationship with my clients. I feel very humbled to be in a position where I am part of creating a lasting memory for many people.

Is there anything (else) you would like people to know about Jacqueline Poirier?
I am the crazyplatelady!!!

Artist’s favourite colour?
Green. Although I sign all of my art work in red 🙂

To learn more about Jacqueline and to order you own custom plate, visit:

http://www.jacquelinepoirier.com/

TOCA
http://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/Toronto/Dining/TOCA


#SPONSORED

Disclaimer: Her and her dogs received the beautiful plate of Ricky, from Jacqueline for posting about her beautiful and unique works of art. The feedback and opinions shared in this post are ours, in our words. We did not receive monetary compensation for this review, and it is our choice to share this product/service information.

Thank you for visiting our blog. We would love to hear from you; please send us a message or leave a comment beneath a blog post. If you know someone that might enjoy or benefit from the information, please ‘pin it,’ ‘post it,’ ‘tweet’ about it or simply share the link via email. Be sure you don’t miss future posts – sign up for email notifications.

Categories: WORKS OF ART Tagged: Art, Beautiful, Cats, Feline Friends, Fun, Gifts, Holidays, Ricky

IT’S A SIGN!

March 6, 2015 | 2 Comments

MAKE PIE NOT WAR – introducing handcrafted jewelry by Alana Little

love & protect

love & protect

I love visiting the different shops on Etsy.  I’ll brew a pot of coffee or pour myself a cup of tea or a mug of hot chocolate or a glass of wine -depending on the day, time and my mood.  I can experience a day at the market in the comfort of my living room or patio.  In fact, I’m able to cover more ground this way and discover more treasures than I would on foot.

Shortly after introducing ‘The Awareness Project’ (see tab above), I came across Alana’s site.  Specifically, the ampersand sign bracelet.  My love and protect tattoo is featured on the inside of my forearm.  This beautiful piece of jewelry, also a conversation starter, will compliment the affirmation and adorn the reverse side of my arm.

The shop name ‘MAKE PIE NOT WAR’ is divine, as are the messages stamped into so many of Alana’s pieces

Make Pie Not War started in 2007 when Alana Little just couldn’t handle the corporate circus any longer! Desiring to be free, she jumped out into a scary world and started MPNW! She knew that with her degrees in Accountancy and Fashion Design, she could do it, and do it great! She daily puts on her apron to make gorgeous jewels for the radical lady (and men too! ). She knows that her company is one of many, but she fights through the immersed industry with her classic yet funky jewelry that is all handmade by her personally. She pours her love into each piece and each customer that comes her way! She loves to hunt the world for her treasures she uses to complete the perfect piece. Vintage trinkets, precious metals and gems, random natural elements.

It’s all fair game!


Alana is very generously offering a 15% discount to our followers! 

Use code: sadieandcostudiolove

https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/makepienotwar

 

on my wishlist!



also on my wishlist!


Thank you Alana for this lovely gift and for telling us a bit more aout yourself:

What inspires you?
I’m a bit of a contradiction; classical art, Motown, geometric shapes, my daughter, vintage finds, the raw materials I use!

Do you have a favourite subject(s)? If so, what is it about that subject that speaks to you?
I find myself constantly designing pieces that I can wear that have Something on it that reminds me of my daughter or husband. I am obsessed with cool mom pieces….

Where is your favourite place to create?
my newly remodeled woman cave with my lucite chandelier, barn wood, gold polka dots, and gold dipped tables.

Artists connect with the pieces they create. Please share with us the work(s) that are most meaningful to you (evokes positive or negative emotions) and why.
my braille pieces for sure evoke the strongest feelings in me. It started with a woman who had a friend whose husband passed away. She also told me that she was blind. The problem I had is that jewelry is mainly to be seen, so I figured out how to create Braille jewelry. My customer wrote me back a week later and she told me that her friend rubbed her fingers over the bumps and started to cry when she realized it was her husband’s name. Even now that brings tears to my eyes thinking about that woman.

Is there anything (ou would like people to know about Alana Little?
I tell people to dream with a parachute. I was an accountant but now I create jewelry. Anything is possible if you create a great plan, work hard and stay positive.

#SPONSORED
Disclaimer: Her and her dogs received a product discount from MPNW for featuring available items. The feedback and opinions shared in this post are ours, in our words. We did not receive monetary compensation for this review, and it is our choice to share this product/service information.

Thank you for visiting our blog. We would love to hear from you; please send us a message or leave a comment beneath a blog post. If you know someone that might enjoy or benefit from the information, please ‘pin it,’ ‘post it,’ ‘tweet’ about it or simply share the link via email. Be sure you don’t miss future posts – sign up for email notifications.

 

 

Categories: WORKS OF ART Tagged: Art, Beautiful, Enjoy Life, Fun, Gifts, Treasure

“if you can’t fly then run,

January 8, 2015 | 14 Comments

if you can’t run then walk, if you can’t walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward.”

– MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.

Role models - Claire and Monty show us how it's done!

Role models – Claire and Monty show us how it’s done!

Who says running can’t be fun?
Especially, when your best friend is your running partner.

I always enjoyed walking; a form of physical exercise that can also have a mentally calming, and a mind-clearing effect.  I would walk forty minutes to work and back home at the end of the day.  I would walk with my husband in the evenings and with friends and friends with dogs on the weekends.  Now, I enjoy daily walks with my dogs.

Even though he’s small, Henry has an abundance of energy, and he loves to run, full throttle along some of the beautiful trails we have in our area.  Unfortunately, he is not so good at recall (that’s me being kind; HE CAN NOT BE TRUSTED).  So, for Henry to be able to fly like the wind, one of his people has to be at the end of his leash!

Anyone, who has attempted to become a ‘runner’, knows this title is not assumed overnight.  It takes time to build speed, and stamina, and proper technique so as not to injure yourself.

I started out by joining a running group and met new friends in the process.  Such groups are becoming quite popular; if there’s not one in your area, why not start your own?  Guides and other tools are readily available online.

One such group is The Running Room.  Although dogs are not invited to participate, there are several groups you and your companion can join later.  When you’re able to keep up with your dog!

For information about upcoming workshops, visit http://www.runningroom.com/

Our friends Claire and Monty, are great examples of teamwork and as you can see from the video, both truly enjoy the experience.   Claire shared with us the following sentiment;

We have been running canicross for about 14 months now. We run as part of Ashridge Canicross Club and we run on a Wednesday night (in the dark) and Sat mornings when my shifts allow. We have competed quite a few races in 2014. 

All our runs are on the trails and many normal running races are now allowing Canicrossers to take part as it is becoming so popular.

The photo and Video is from Ashridge Club race weekend. As a club it was our first race that we had organised and it went really well. We love it because it keeps us both fit, great socialisation for Monty and the bond between us since we started running together is something I can’t really describe.

I thought we had a great partnership before but since being involved in this our friendship has gone up another level. He gives me his all when he is running and when he sees the harness coming out, he goes bonkers! And if he is happy I am happy.

https://herandherdogs.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/ClaireandMonty2015-01-04-10.38.32.mp4

Well done Claire and Monty; you have set a great example for the rest of us!

Photograph courtesy of Houndscape Photography – thank you Vicky Stipetic
http://houndscape.co.uk/

Ashridge Canicross Club
http://ashridgecanicrossers.org.uk/

 

 

Categories: HEALTH & WELLNESS Tagged: Best Friend, Dogs, Enjoy Life, Fun, Play, Run, Walk

circuit training, crossfit & bootcamp

January 4, 2015 | 29 Comments

FAST-PACED, HARD CORE AGILITY FOR PEOPLE – WITHOUT THE TREATS!

NO DEALI could not agree more.  One reason most people fail at resolution #2 is because the reward is not tangible.  Don’t get me wrong, I love how I feel after a good workout – a form of exercise where I feel I’ve pushed myself to my limits, not towards a ‘near death’ experience.  It’s good to feel the reminder of my efforts over the next couple of days, but not to the point where I have to crawl because my legs and back are waving a white flag!

Henry’s agility trainer says

Your dog has to consider you more exciting than dirt!

You may think this odd and yet; it makes perfect sense.  Dogs are easily distracted by scent.  If someone in the agility class prior to us had dropped a treat, and even if that treat had been picked up, the scent would still be there.  Dogs in the following class may find the search and rescue (hope of consuming said treat) far more interesting than you trying to give them a command to do something.  Produce a high-value treat however (incentive), and I can get Henry to do anything I ask.  By simply showing, and letting him sniff that tiny piece of burger, Henry will ‘jump’, ‘dig’, ‘back’, ‘over’, ‘tunnel’ and ‘target (for a count of 5)’ all for that tiny little reward.

I am, like most people, motivated to do something if I can see even a tiny glimmer of hope soon after putting in the effort.  Yes, I realize chocolate and wine are counterproductive incentives.  For anyone who has tried circuit training, crossfit, and bootcamp, you know how much effort is required and yes, the results are amazing.  In the long run.

If you’re also looking for less ‘hard-core’ methods that you can enjoy from the start, why not try agility training?  A form of exercise you can enjoy with your dogs, all year ’round.  We work outdoors for as long as we can and when our Ontario winters kick in we move inside to a dome  Physical activity for both of you.  I know I’m more likely to stick with something that I find enjoyable.

Agility Training 

Henry and I have been attending agility classes for more than a year, and we both love it!

Henry squeals with excitement when we turn into the parking lot.  Veronica Evers-Doyle, ABCDT from Zephyr Canines Inc., is Henry’s trainer.  Veronica has this to say:

“A tired dog is a good dog” may be generalizing, but it often proves to be true. When you share your life with high-energy dogs as I do, you will quickly learn that they are easier to live with when they have a good exercise regime. Every dog has different requirements but most dogs need at least 2 good exercise sessions per day. Some dogs will be content with a 20 minute walk twice a day, while others will require at least 2 hours of vigorous daily exercise. Exercise can be a variety of things. A brisk walk, playing fetch, frisbee, hiking, or a dog sport.

Exercise should also include some daily mental stimulation. Many people work their dog physically, but fail to work their brain. A dog who is tired mentally and physically should be able to truly relax at home. For mental exercise you can do some refresher work on their obedience, trick training, or treat puzzles.

Dog sports can be a great way of exercising your dog physically and have the benefit of involving you in the process. Many dog sports also require some physical commitment from you as their handler, but don’t let that worry you. Most dog sports don’t require you to be a triathlete, just that you be able to direct them as needed.

Activities that are a great physical outlet for your dog while not requiring you to be as active yourself include lure coursing, field (ideal for “sporting” dogs including retrievers, spaniels and setters ) and dock diving. If your dog needs something that is more mentally challenging consider obedience or scent detection.

If you are looking for an activity that will really challenge both you and your dog you might want to consider agility. Agility is a great way to find a balance between working your dog physically and mentally, but it also helps you connect with your dog as you direct them around the designated course. You’ll need to commit to a regular schedule of classes (usually once per week) but the time and effort is well worth it.

A typical agility run will involve directing your dog around a course of obstacles including jumps, tunnels, teeter totter, as well as “contact” obstacles that they must climb. Some agility teams go on to compete in agility trials, but that is certainly not a requirement. Many people do agility just for the love of the game and for the connection they can build between themselves and their dog.

In warmer days

In warmer days

Unfortunately, we’ve been benched lately due to Henry’s ‘condition.’  We’re looking forward to starting back next week!

http://www.zephyrcanines.ca/

ABCDT – Animal Behaviour College Certified Dog Trainer (Private College)

 

Categories: HEALTH & WELLNESS, PRODUCT & SERVICE REVIEWS Tagged: Agility, Dogs, Enjoy Life, Fun, Happy, Henry

puppy steps

December 31, 2014 | Leave a Comment

OUR TOP 3 RESOLUTIONS FOR 2015!

RESOLUTIONS FOR THE NEW YEAR

1. Diet

2. Exercise

3. Reduce Stress

Stress reduction is among the top resolutions in researched polls. However, I may or may not have manipulated it into  the #3 position (blogger’s right).

FAILURE IS AN OPTION –  so is success!

Based upon (many) years of personal experience, I site the following two reasons for failed resolutions:

1. Lack of preparation

2. Setting unrealistic goals

3. The third reason and my favorite, from Kristi Hedges, leadership coach, speaker and author

We fail because we always expected to. We live up (or in this case down) to our own expectations. Then we can pull out all of our familiar excuses of being too busy, overwhelmed, or inadequate to face the challenge. It also plays into the cynical zeitgeist which supports the gravitational pull of the status quo.

TIPS FOR SUCCESS

1. Visualize and stay focused on your goals

2. Eliminate the pressure by giving yourself a realistic timeline to achieve your goals.  It doesn’t have to be all or nothing – remember the tortoise and the hare?!

3. Celebrate the small victories.  How many of you have been told ‘you are your own worst critic?’  Give yourself a pat on the back for the small successes.  Recognizing and overcoming a negative thought pattern may not seem like a big deal when in fact, it’s HUGE!

Join us throughout the month of January as we put our best paw forward and share tips on health and wellness for pets and their people.

Practice makes perfect.  Puppy Steps!

http://www.forbes.com/sites/work-in-progress/2012/01/03/why-your-new-years-resolution-will-fail-by-february-1/

I love resolutions #15 and #20, and some made me chuckle (#18) – thank you to the UK survey group for your honesty!http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/best-new-year-resolutions-top-2955595

This is a great list!
http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20452233_11,00.html

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/wired-success/201012/why-new-years-resolutions-fail

http://www.statisticbrain.com/new-years-resolution-statistics/

 

Categories: HEALTH & WELLNESS, OUR PACK Tagged: 2015, Beautiful, Best Friend, Celebrate, Dogs, Enjoy Life, Family, Friends, Fun, Happy, Heart, Holidays, Hope, Inspiration, Life, Love, New Year, Puppy

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