Chasing Tails

Normally dogs tend to chase their own tails. Not so with Boynapsi! He's got a pretty good grip on D.O.G. Good thing he doesn't seem to mind!

Perfect Match

Charlee (lab/retriever pup) and Bowser (husky pup) are the perfect playmates. They are almost prefectly matched in size, age, temperment and of course play style!

Click on the collage of them playing in the snow to see full size.

Snow Day!

Amanda let the dogs out in the back for a quick romp in the fresh snow. They had a lot of fun!

They couldn't get out the door fast enough.

Everyone was just racing around in circles.

Notice there aren't many feet touching the ground! (This was taken before Perkins figured out it was cold out - although this may be why all four feet are in the air)

Check out the Flikr site for more snow day photos!

Oh yeah, I almost forgot to mention that I nominated ourselves for a Blogger award. :} <- that is supposed to be a sheepish grin. You can click on the logo on the right hand side of the blog to vote for us. I also nominated the Prairie Dog Rescue blog so be sure to vote for them too!

The Camera has Returned!

What a happy day. The camera is back. Of course, I had to test it so I went outside with the pups and took a few pictures. I had to take them very quickly before my fingers froze off.

This is Jenna, one of the Prairie Dog Canine Rescue foster dogs.

This is Koda...

Kinsey...

Barley...

and Jack.

Ahhh. It is so nice to have the camera back. Now we just need some warmer weather so we can stand outside for longer!

Speaking of Christmas...

We have partnered up with Go! Dog Go! to host the best furry Christmas Party in town and I'd like to invite you all to come. It is on December 8th from 1-3 p.m. and is being held at the Daycare (242 12 St N). Admission is free with a food bank or a pet rescue related donation. From 1:00 - 2:00 we'll be playing some doggie games but be sure to bring all your pets down from 2:00-3:00 for some pictures with Santa! We will also be havin a toy exchange. Have you ever gone out and bought a toy, brought it home and your dog/cat/ferret has shown no interest? Why not trade it in for a new one? We will have a toy exchange box so you can bring in your gently used toys and exchange them for a different one.

I hope to see you all there!

Click on the poster to see it full size.

Christmas

I'm sure I'm not the first to mention it. Christmas is coming. Soon. The entire Paws on the Run team will be working over the Christmas holidays which means - we'll be pet sitting, dog walking and running the daycare - even on Christmas Day!

We've already gotten lots of bookings and we want to do our best not to turn anyone away. Because of the high volumes over Christmas, if we are pet sitting your dogs we would like to have the option to bring them to the daycare during the really busy days - this will allow us to look after more dogs and still ensure they get the care they deserve. For one dog, the daycare/shuttle package is the same price as pet sitting ($30 per day), for two dogs the daycare/shuttle package is traditionally more expensive than pet sitting ($50 vs. $35) but for the Christmas season, we will only be charging $35 for the daycare/shuttle package for two dogs.

For cats and other pets, it will be business as usual.

The picture of Coulee was taken last year at the Lethbridge and District Humane Society during their "Paws and Claws" fundraiser. Phone the Humane Society (320-8991) if you are interested in getting your pet's picture taken with Santa this year!

Tala

Tala is one of the dogs rescued from the Reserve by the Prairie Dog Canine Rescue. She stayed with Marlin and I initially for about a month, then went off to a new foster home who was considering adopting her but in the end decided it wasn't a good match. So she came back to us and we've had her now for about 3 weeks. She needs to leave. Soon. We are falling in love. Actually I think we've fallen in love. Unfortunately we don't have the time or resources right now to give her everything she needs or we'd probably adopt her. She loves to cuddle. She isn't allowed on the furniture, with one exception.

I usually head up to bed around 9 p.m. and Marlin follows about 20 minutes later (after watching sport highlights). Tala and Coulee wait patiently (okay, not so patiently) for me to get into bed and at the "OK" they hop up with me. Tala runs straight for me, pushes her head into my neck and throws her little body up against me. She's allowed to stay there until Marlin comes up and then she sleeps peacefully in her crate.

She is great at the daycare, she loves to play with lots of other dogs, she isn't a big barker (I know she is barking in the video but that is only because everyone else is!) and she is great on off-leash walks...unless a jogger goes by. Then she gets really excited and jumps up and down while running along beside them. It is pretty funny to watch - not so funny to the jogger who is just trying to get some exercise.

So if you know of anyone who would love an active, sweet, medium sized dog, please get them to contact the Prairie Dog Canine Rescue!

Showcase of Women in Business

What are you doing tomorrow night between 5 and 9 p.m.? If you have no plans, you should check out the Showcase of Women in Business that is being held at the Lethbridge Lodge. I was on the waiting list to participate and just found out Thursday night, that someone else cancelled so I had a spot! If you've never been before, it is essentially a tradeshow of women owned business - you can shop, browse and have fun. There will be lots of free goodies and draws. We'll be drawing for a doggie gift basket including a collar and leash, gift certificate, and treats from Diggers Delights. I hope to see you there!

Camera Loan

It sounds like you guys are almost as upset about the lack of camera as we are. We've had 3 offers to use your guys' cameras - you guys are the best! Sandy dropped hers off this morning with the dogs - an offer I couldn't refuse.

So now I can show you guys some of the new pups that have started coming to daycare.

Scamp - a seriously cute border collie cross pup.

Boynapsi - the adorable terrier cross pup.

And last but not least, Maggie the cute-as-a-button jack russell - trust me she is much cuter than she looks in this picture.

Caricatures

A site where I've ordered business cards from in the past - Vista Print, now has a caricature option. It is so much fun! You can do people, dogs, cats and other pets. I did one up of us to share with all of you. You can add these to t-shirts, Christmas cards, return address labels and more. Go have fun!

Doggie Massage

I just found out that someone in town is offering doggie massage! Massage is a great way to help dogs recover after an injury.

Massage can:

1. Increase circulation,
2. Decrease pain, soreness and stiffness,
3. Restore supple muscle tone,
4. Improve muscle function,
5. Increase flexibility and range of motion,
6. Expediate removal of wastes and toxins, and
7. Stimulate the immune system.

Massage is beneficial for:

1. Structural imbalance or poor conformation
2. Orthopedic diseases
3. Sports injuries
4. Arthritis
5. Hind quarter weakness
6. Aging and inactivity
7. Post-operative healing

Veronica Kloiber is a registered massage therapist who also puts her talents to work on dogs. For more information give her a call at 634-8078 or stop by the daycare to pick up a brochure.

Next week I'll post some information on t-touch, which is another healing technique that is being used on dogs more and more.

New Doggies

What a time for the camera to die. We had 4 new dogs yesterday and 1 today (so far anyway!). And I can't share their pictures with you. It makes me sad. I bundled up my camera and mailed it off to Canon today for it to be fixed - hopefully! It should arrive tomorrow. I hope they can fix it quick! I'm already in withdrawal and it has been less than 24 hours. I'll have to dig through old pictures so you guys don't get bored!

Slobber Factory

This is Atlas. Isn't he a beauty? That is, if you can ignore all the slobber. Poor Kinsey, she was his favorite and she is wet....soaked actually. Unfortunately, we didn't get any photos of her condition before the camera died but I have posted one of Coulee to give you an idea - she is nowhere close to as wet as Kinsey.

And speaking of the camera, all may not be lost. I talked to Canon directly and the place the camera was originally purchased was a legitimate dealer. So I am going to send it in to Canon to see if they can fix it. I'm very happy. The Canon guy thinks the serial number may just have been worn off. :)

Sad, Sad Day

My camera has died. Dead beyond recovery. Not because it is broken beyond repair but because no one will fix it. Apparently it is from the "black" or "grey" market. i.e. Despite it's good looks, and good pictures, my Canon Digital Rebel, isn't really a Canon. It is a no-name knock-off. So Canon can't fix it because it isn't theirs. :( I'm really sad. We literally take more than 100 pictures a day. I bought the camera off a friend who I am sure had no idea they had been scammed. I need to go home and see if I can find the original receipt but even if I do, it is buyer beware. So even if it was bought at a legitimate store, I'm out of luck. So if you are buying electronics this Christmas, be sure to look for a serial number - they should all have one.

It's the Ears

You gotta love Jasper. Hi is bubbly, he is friendly, and he has the cutest ears! Not to mention the little wrinkles on is forhead. :)

Only a Slight Obsession

Tinbie was only a little obsessed with Nypsy the other day. Well maybe that is a little bit of an understatement as she was soaked with slobber from all the kisses he gave her!

Click on the image to see full size

Jack in the Box

Jack is almost never still. It is a very rare moment when he is. He has the most energy of any dog I've ever seen. He is constantly in motion and usually in vertical motion. I think he was very aptly named!

Toy Trial

Yesterday, we did a toy trial. Under very closely supervised conditions, we brought out some low value toys (things without squeakers or fluff) and they had lots of fun! There were a few dogs that started to show some needs to guard and they just got a time out. When they came back, they had learned their lesson. It is amazing what a time out can do!

Perkins had a frustrating time trying to pick up the frisbee. He finally decided that it wasn't meant to be carried, it was meant to be stood on!

Young Pups

We seem to be meeting lots of new young pups lately. Much to our delight!

First there was Neena. Who is looking for a home by the way... Visit the Prairie Dog Canine Rescue site to find out more.

Then came Roxy, a young flat coat retriever...

And now Miikka, one of our dog walking clients, just had her first litter of pups! She had 7 cute and adorable puppies just yesterday. I can't wait to meet them all.

Centre of Attention

D.O.G. is the perfect dog at the daycare:

1. He is wild and crazy so he never stands still.
2. He will play with anybody, yet if they don't want to play with him, he doesn't push them.
3. He doesn't bark very much (I can't actually remember if I've heard him bark at all).
4. He will race around so everyone will chase him and this doesn't scare him. Some dogs get the "zoomies" and will start racing around and to their horror, all the other dogs think this is great fun so they get in on the chase. Not so with D.O.G. When he starts to run and everyone follows, he is in his glory!