Responsible

SLEEPYPOD DELIVERS PRECIOUS CARGO

December 2, 2015 | 36 Comments

SAFELY HOME, FOR THE HOLIDAYS

Disclaimer: Her and her dogs received a Sleepypod Sport harness and a Sleepypod Utility harness as a collaborative effort to generate awareness regarding travel safety. The feedback and opinions shared in this post are ours, in our words. It is our choice, and a pleasure to share this product/service information.

I don’t remember the accident. I remember cinnamon gum.

The gum burned my mouth as my tears burned my eyes. My bum was cold from sitting on the pop cooler at the front of the diner. My sister and I each had a waitress standing next to us. These poor girls tried their best to comfort us (and, quiet us by giving us gum). Our sobs echoed throughout the restaurant. Perhaps only slightly less disturbing than the screech of tires and melding of metal the patrons had heard only moments before.

zero fatalities

Following the collision with a drunk driver, our father was taken to the hospital for stitches and to be checked for other, less obvious injuries. My sister and I waited for our Grandparents to come for us; to collect their precious cargo,

When I was a child, car seats and seat belts were not mandatory. I recently learned from my father, that it was nearly impossible to keep my sister and I ‘belted in.’ My father – inventor of many things, designed and created car seats especially for my sister and me, the day before our trip to visit our Grandparents.

We were lucky to walk away with only a few scrapes and bruises. Had we not been wearing our seat belts, you might not be reading this post.

I can imagine the thoughts my father must have had after recovering from the traumatic event. Thankfully, he was not one of too many people, that replay an ordeal over, and think

If only I could go back in time, I would do things differently.

My companions are my precious cargo. Henry and Reese travel with my husband and me whenever possible. We love spending time with them; visiting our favourite places and experiencing new and exciting adventures. In our home or hotel room, cuddles are limitless. I will not, however, sacrifice the already limited time I will have with my dogs for a few extra hours of lap time in the car.

My Precious Cargo

We are grateful for the opportunity to share the importance of travel safety, and introduce to you to the stellar products available from Sleepypod®. The harnesses are not only fashion forward, their innovative designs, have been rigorously tested earning Sleepypod several awards and a five-star rating from the Center for Pet Safety. Clickit Sport includes the same dynamic crash tests used to test child safety restraints.

Clickit Sport is Sleepypod’s next generation dog safety harness. Our unique Infinity Loop design, in combination with an energy absorbing padded vest, is engineered to work together to distribute and reduce damaging forces in an accident without the need of additional hardware or attachment straps.

Sleepypod’s easy to use Infinity Loop system reduces additional attachment and detachment steps. Three points of contact reduce forward and lateral movement in the event of a collision or sudden stop. Two loops extend from the Infinity Loop system to provide attachment points for insertion through, then into the vehicle’s seatbelt.

These stunning harnesses can also be used for walking. GREAT when you’re on the road and need to stop for a stretch and a wee (or three). No need to switch from safety harness to walking harness.

CLICKIT UTILITY	CLICK TO VIEW CRASH TEST VIDEOS	CLICKIT SPORT
Available in 3 colours	Colour Options	Available in 4 colours
More Restrictive, dogs can lie or sit comfortably	Restrictive	Less Restrictive, dogs can lie or sit comfortably
Up to 75lbs	Dog Sizes	Up to 90lbs
Vehicles year 2002 or newer	Car Compatibility	All vehicles
2012	Product Release Year	Late 2013
Top performer Center for Pet Safety 2013	Awards/Certification	Only dog harness Certified by the Center For Pet Safety 2014
Pet Passenger Restraint System	Technology	Pet Passenger Restraint System, Infinity Loop

Clickit HERE to learn how to introduce your pets to their harnesses and carriers. Please take a few minutes to learn how to safely secure your precious cargo. Sleepypod recommends pets under 18lbs travel in a pet carrier.

By reviewing and sharing this product information, I hope to demonstrate the importance of securing your precious cargo, and spare you the potential regret of not doing so.

Safety First!

Read about Sleepypod pet customers who are car crash survivors.

Be safe and enjoy your holidays with your loved ones!

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ENVY & PRESUMPTION – The Awareness Project

July 1, 2015 | 9 Comments

Mixed Breed vs. Purebred, and Rescue vs. Purchase

Envy is thin because it bites but never eats. (Proverb)

Purebred vs Mixed breed, Purchase vs rescue – Photo courtesy of Gillian Woods of GillyFace Photos

pre·sump·tion noun

an act or instance of taking something to be true or adopting a particular attitude toward something, especially at the start of a chain of argument or action.

DON’T HATE ME BECAUSE I’M BEAUTIFUL!!!

The handsome poodle in this photo is, in fact, purebred and yes, he is groomed to perfection. A show dog one might think. Kramer – the purebred poodle is a stunning, friendly dog albeit timid at times. He was going to be a breeding dog. The breeder decided that due to his disposition this was not to be his future, and she found a good home for him. Kramer’s mama is a groomer and his role as a model for her incredible talent suits him perfectly. Kramer greets Henry and Reese when they arrive at the salon for their appointments and the opportunity to socialize is great for both Kramer and Reese, who is also very timid.

My point is this; looking at Kramer, you might not, at first glance think he is a ‘rescue.’ In my experience and through much research and interaction with dog owners over the years, I have witnessed a great divide and often prejudice. Breeders and owners of purebred dogs versus rescue parents, parents of Heinz 57’s and even some rescue workers.

Let’s face it there is something that draws us to our companions whether they are a mix from a rescue organization or a purebred from a rescue organization or a breeder. Some of us have a ‘type.’ Although I care about the wellbeing of all animals, I go gaga for curly, or wavy coated dogs that are small to medium in size as well as the temperament of the dog. Others are drawn to the temperament alone – often a trait of the dog’s breed, or the combination of breeds.

To some, going through a reputable breeder means having a history of their dog’s health for, in some cases, several generations. It also means the opportunity to train a dog from puppyhood, hopefully ruling out behavior issues and establishing good manners. Some people rely on the support and guidance from the breeder regarding their new family member.

This doesn’t mean there won’t be issues; no one can predict a traumatic event that may alter behavior. Nor can they rule out the possibility of cancer or other first-time health concern regardless of lineage. I would say there is no guarantee, and for the dogs, that may be true. For the people who purchase from a breeder, it is often agreed that if there is an issue with the dog, the breeder will provide a ‘replacement’ or refund. The purchasers may return the dog to the breeder.

My opinion: when people make a commitment to become a pet owner, they should do so with the mindset they will care for their companion no matter what cards they are dealt. Henry and Reese both had health issues when we rescued them. Reese was older and required rehabilitation for the trauma of life after a puppy mill. With the exception of a few additional upsets along the way, we knew from the beginning what we were signing up for.

Purebred vs. Rescue, Purebred vs. mixed breeds. In the words of Rudyard Kipling, “never the twain shall meet.” That, however, is not the case. My husband has always admired the Portuguese Water Dog breed and would love to have one join our pack. I admit, years ago, I ‘assumed’ the only way to acquire one of these purebred dogs was from a breeder. I informed my husband that we would never have a PWD, our pack would consist of rescues only. I was ignorant to presume Portuguese Water Dogs or other purebred dogs may never find themselves in the situation of needing to be rehomed.

Some rescue organizations, although affiliated with a specific breed, will often provide care and work to find loving homes for mixes of the breeds they represent as well as purebred dogs. Boston Terrier Rescue Canada, Golden Rescue, and Standard Poodles In Need are wonderful examples of such organizations.

From Bernice McNutt, President of Standard Poodles In Need Rescue, and Rehome:

‘Purchasing from a great breeder isn’t a bad thing at all! Lack of research and impatience is definitely an issue. It allows the disreputable breeders to continue producing puppies purely for profit.

We’ve seen the bumper stickers ‘Golden’s Rule’ or ‘Don’t shop, adopt! Save a life.’

When you see a purebred dog, don’t be too quick to judge. The fact that their owner selected a purebred dog is not the reason a shelter dog is put to sleep. Also, when you see a mixed breed or special needs dog, don’t dismiss them as being of lesser quality. Each dog is unique, every one is special!

My opinion – again;

Overpopulation, the reason shelters and rescue organizations are inundated with pets, is mostly due to disreputable breeders and irresponsible pet owners. I say ‘mostly’ because unfortunately things do happen, and even some of the most loved and well cared for companions find themselves at the door of a shelter. PLEASE write your wills and plan for the unknown. Sorry, I digress.

Sierra, a purebred Duck Tolling Retriever is a show dog, competing in agility trials. Sierra also spends a great deal of her time in the hospital – for people, as a therapy dog. Also, Sierra is a member of the St. John Ambulance Paws 4 Stories program. This program enhances children’s reading skills. Like hundreds of owners of purebred dogs (from reputable breeders), Sierra’s mom contributes generously and supports various rescue organizations and therapy programs.

Instead of judging the quality of the dog or how it was acquired, we should rally together to abolish disreputable breeders. This includes backyard breeders and puppy mills. We should focus our efforts on cruelty and inhumane treatment of all animals, supporting diligence, protection and enforcing harsh penalties for neglect and abuse. My disapproval does not lie with the owner of a purebred dog for making that choice. My disapproval is with a breeder who does not provide care and adequate accommodation for his dogs, or the owner or carer who leaves dogs in vehicles on a hot day.

I also disapprove of organizations (or, brokers and millers posing as a rescue), regardless of a breed; that will take your cash and very few details by way of an application. To me, that is highly suspicious not to mention irresponsible. Most reputable rescue organizations want a full application, including references, ensuring the dogs entrusted to them will be well cared for and safe.

Rescue sites, shelters and rescue organizations are flooded with purebred companions in need of loving homes. If you admire a certain breed and are open to providing a loving, forever home to an animal in need, please consider adoption. If you want to purchase a purebred dog from a breeder, please ensure they are reputable. If you have suspicions about a breeder, please report these to the authorities. And regardless of where an animal companion comes from, please be vigilant and consider their welfare when out in the community. I have animal control and my local police on speed dial!

‘ENVY’ was to be June’s subject, however, it seems appropriate to share this post today. Across the Country, we are celebrating Canada Day. Canada is a diverse country; it’s people made up of many nationalities and beliefs. Our choice, of breed or background of companion equally varied. ‘Happy Canada Day!’

Thank you, Candice of Groomingdales, Pet Valu – Sutton, Ontario, and the very handsome Kramer for participating in this photo shoot.

Thank you again to Gillian Woods for collaborating with me on The Awareness Project.

GillyFace Photos

The Awareness Project

Resources:

Boston Terrier Rescue Canada

Golden Rescue

Standard Poodles In Need

Paws 4 Stories

Petfinder – Rescue Site

Canada

summer – hot dogs are for bbq’s

July 1, 2014 | Leave a Comment

‘Have you ever been to Woofstock?’ I was asked. The event, full of vendors sharing information and products for dogs and their people is described as ‘a large outdoor festival designed for dogs and the people who love them. The event has entertainment, contests and a consumer showcase. Vendors offer up the latest in canine fashions, furnishings, products and food, and contests unleash the best mutts in every size, breed and pedigree. Sadly, for me, the event conjures up the memory of a tragedy which followed the event in 2012. On the way home from Woofstock, a young woman stopped at Vaughan Mills shopping centre and left her dog in the hot car. Her dog died.

“A couple leaving their dog in the car on a day that hot is inconceivable and extremely irresponsible,” founder (of Woofstock) Marlene Cook said in a statement emailed to media following the tragedy.

Another reason I have never attended the event; in addition, to being held in mid-June, Woofstock had also taken place in Toronto’s downtown area. This may be fine for humans with soles to their shoes, however not pleasant for dogs walking in the summer heat, along the scorching hot pavement. One way dogs attempt to cool down is through the pads of their feet.

This year however, I am very pleased to learn the event has moved and occurred at the end of May in Woodbine Park, near the beach.” Now it will be as much fun for the dogs as it is their people.

Sadly, some dog owners are still unaware, or choose to ignore the effects of heat on their companions. Too many dogs succumb to heat stroke when it could have been avoided. Dogs pant to exchange warm air for cool air. When air temperature is close to body temperature, cooling by panting is not an efficient process. The inside of a car on a hot day far surpasses the body temperature.
Heat stroke is a very serious condition that requires immediate medical attention. Once the signs of heat stroke are detected, there is precious little time before serious damage – or even death – can occur. If a dog cannot effectively expel heat, the internal body temperature begins to rise. Once the dog’s temperature reaches 106°, damage to the body’s cellular system and organs may become irreversible.

I do not understand why people are willing to the chance and put their companions at risk. Nothing can be worth causing such discomfort or torture, and the possibility of death. It is up to us to keep them safe.

Hot dogs are for BBQ’s. Please leave your dogs at home or stay in the air conditioned car with them – someone can run into the store for you. If you’re on your own, don’t stop!

Be vigilant – look for the following signs of distress and act quickly to prevent heatstroke:
•Unusual breathing – rapid and loud
•High rectal temperature (see how to take this below)
•Extreme thirst
•Weakness and/or fatigue
•Frequent vomiting
•Disorientation
•A bright red tongue and pale gums
•Skin around muzzle or neck doesn’t snap back when pinched
•Difficulty breathing
•Collapse or coma
•Thick saliva
•Increased heart rate

Signs of burned pads:
•limping or refusing to walk
•licking or chewing at the feet
•pads darker in color
•missing part of pad
•blisters or redness

http://www.woofstock.ca/

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/overheated-dog-died-on-way-home-from-woofstock-1.1146056

http://www.akcchf.org/canine-health/your-dogs-health/caring-for-your-dog/dehydration-and-overheating.html

http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2013/06/24/overheating.aspx

http://www.wikihow.com/Treat-Heat-Stroke-in-Dogs

http://vetmedicine.about.com/od/diseasesconditionsfaqs/qt/hotfeet.htm

TAKE THAT TO THE BANK!

June 15, 2014 | 10 Comments

Use of this beautiful photo is kindly granted by Andreas Holm. Thank you.

Last night, my husband was watching television as I sat at my computer uploading photos to cat profiles. I glanced over at the television momentarily – one of those moments that I can only imagine I will refer to later as ‘defining.’
What I saw was an advertisement, in which a father and son go into a pet store and buy pet supplies, along with…………………………………………………………………A PUPPY!!!

Animal welfare organizations fight every day to bring awareness to the concerns surrounding the sale of pets in pet stores. There are numerous campaigns running to have such sales banned. I could not believe what I was watching, and as a viewer, I felt compelled to contact the organization responsible for the offensive advertisement and make a stand for the cause.

Frantically I typed my message; disbelief, outrage, frustration, and ultimately sadness formed words that rallied together into sentences, and formed an army of paragraphs on the screen before me. Then I stepped back, took a deep breath, repeated the idiom ‘you catch more flies with honey than you do with vinegar’ over and over in my head before erasing the entire message and starting over. I don’t know why I think of that saying – I’m not a fan of flies!

http://youtu.be/ns6p3zvGkUI

This was the version I sent;

To whom it concerns,

I just watched your television commercial where a man and his children go into a pet store and buy a puppy. I’m sure you will find, after doing some research that the majority of puppies purchased from pet stores come from puppy mills. Your commercial that was meant to make people smile makes me extremely sad. Animal welfare advocates like myself, have been working very hard to educate people and fight tirelessly to ban the sale of pets in pet stores, and have all puppy mills shut down. Your commercial is a step backward.

If you want to win thousands of customers, my humble opinion, is that you should acknowledge this huge faux-paw, and admit your ignorance. Here is an opportunity to educate even more people and do some good for the cause. Northwest Savings Bank would be thought highly of, if you were to donate money, by way of apology, to rescue efforts – the organizations that provide medical care and rehabilitation to the parents of the cute little puppies, shipped, like livestock, to the pet stores that still, in fact, sell dogs.

I have been thinking of how it may be possible to introduce the cause into mainstream media – perhaps you have opened the door. I truly hope you will consider this request and help me make a difference. I’ve also included some educational resources for your review – they are not easy to watch, but this is the reason my peers and I fight.

Thank you for reading this message. I welcome the opportunity to discuss this further.

Sincerely,
Sadie

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ki2jeHquJa4&feature=g-vrec

http://www.aspca.org/fight-cruelty/puppy-mills

The response received from Northwest Savings Bank;

Dear Sadie,

Thank you for reaching out to us.
We produced five different television commercials to help support our new MyNorthwest checking campaign. In each spot, we depict a mix of family members, in real-life scenarios, using various Northwest convenience channels, such as online banking and bill pay, mobile banking, depository ATMs and/or our VISA check card, to convey how Northwest can provide customers with better access to their accounts and how our financial products and services can potentially streamline or simplify a customer’s life. For example, in the specific commercial you referenced, we highlight mobile banking and the ability to transfer funds in real-time between various Northwest accounts.
Our company takes great pride in our employees, customers, shareholders and communities we serve. The content of our advertising is never intended to offend any person or group. We recognize that everyone is entitled to their opinions and views and appreciate your feedback.

Sincerely,
(Name withheld)

The last word (to date), from me;

Good morning (Name withheld),

While I’m disappointed, you don’t see the negativity your advertisement is likely to cause, I would like to thank you for your prompt reply.

To be honest, I would not have known what the advertisement was promoting – I was too shocked by the content. I did remember the name of your organization, though not in a positive way.

As a member of various animal-welfare groups, I feel obliged to share with others your stance on this matter.

Sadie

There is such irony in the Northwest Savings Bank slogan ‘Where people make the difference,’ don’t you agree? The term Corporate Social Responsibility refers to a company’s sense of responsibility towards the community and environment (both ecological and social) in which it operates. The reason companies spend billions of dollars on advertising each year, is because it works! We, the consumers are influenced by media. In my opinion, Northwest Savings Bank should have used some of that money and further researched the impact of this message.

One day, in the not too distant future, people will commit time and careful consideration into making the decision to adopt a pet. The convenience of banking methods in a pet store won’t be their priority. You can take that to the bank!

Check back with this site later for details about why this fight is so important as well as information on what it means for puppy-mill and shelter animals.

http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2014/06/05/oshawa_poised_to_ban_puppy_and_kitten_sales_in_pet_stores.html

https://www.change.org/en-CA/petitions/help-ban-pet-store-retail-outlet-sales-of-puppy-mill-animals-across-Ontario

http://www.chicagonow.com/raining-cats-dogs/2014/03/chicago-bans-puppy-mill-sales-in-pet-stores/

http://andreasholm.com/shelter-dogs/

Toby Project

http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/corporate-social-responsibility.html