Paws on the Run

New Blog

2011-04-30T13:25:00.000-07:00

Our new blog is now here - www.paws-on-the-run.ca/blog. Hope to see you there!

New Website/Blog

2011-04-29T08:36:00.000-07:00

Some of you may have already discovered this for yourselves but we have a new website! It is still at the same address (www.paws-on-the-run.ca), it just has a totally new look.

Everything is finally in one place and we hope you'll find things easier to navigate and to find the information you are looking for. It still needs some finishing touches added on but for the most part, it is good to go. Go check it out and let us know what you think. Don't be shy, let us know how we can make it even better.

We are going to officially move our blog over there too so be sure to bookmark www.paws-on-the-run.ca/blog.

Walking on Air

2011-04-27T09:27:00.000-07:00

Grizzy has looks and talent!

Not So Serious

2011-04-26T06:37:00.000-07:00

I think it is safe to say that King is Koot's exact opposite when it comes to expressions while running.

Oh So Serious

2011-04-25T06:35:00.000-07:00

For such a fun loving, goofy guy, Kootenay sure looks serious when he is running. This is what he looked like in every single picture!

Gravel Pile

2011-04-21T06:32:00.000-07:00

We have a big pile of gravel in the big yard in the back (we are waiting for warmer, dryer weather to spread it out). For whatever reason all the dogs love it. Buster, is no exception.

Alfie's Wild Hair

2011-04-20T18:23:00.000-07:00

I don't think anything more needs to be said.... :)

Snow Crazies - Part 3

2011-04-15T06:51:00.000-07:00

We couldn't resist a few more. The dogs were seriously having a good time out there yesterday!

Spencer and Abby enjoy a game of tug.

Maggie Mae said she is so over the puppy shenanigans that the other dogs were doing - at least when the camera was pointed at her!

Best group shot ever! Except for Pele in the middle, who was beating up her brother Norman - as usual!

Happy Spencer

True coaxing Jackie into a game of wrestling.

Jake and Joule playing King and Queen of the Castle

Amy looking all serious, right before running off and acting like a puppy.

Kaycee and Jake comparing toys

Archie doing his best to keep the ball away from Chinook and Jake

Jasper and Chinook dancing.

Cooper going as fast as he can with the ball.

Kerry flirting with Lola. He is quite the ladies man.

Happy Friday everyone!

Snow Crazies - Part 2

2011-04-14T15:07:00.000-07:00

And here are some more from this morning. These were taken before all the dogs had arrived, hence why you are seeing lots of some dogs and none of others.

Abby and Archie

Abby and Kaycee

Kaycee and Piper

Riley - pretty proud of his stick

Lyla, Riley (wishing maybe he hadn't be such a show off, now everyone wants his stick) and Chinook

Norm and Pele - aren't sisters the best Norm?

Norm

Snow Crazies - Part 1

2011-04-14T08:07:00.000-07:00

We got some fresh snow over night and while the roads are a mess, the dogs are in heaven. We took them out for some fun first thing before the snow turned to slush and before the forecasted rain starts. The dogs had a blast - as you can see from some of the hilarious expressions on their faces. I took a tonne of photos so we are going to break this into two posts so be sure to check back this afternoon for more.

Archie

Chinook

Cooper

Jake

Chinook and Lyla

Ben (the tongue says it all!)

Chinook and Archie

Piper Archie and Lyla

Jake

Chinook and Kaycee (or maybe Piper? They are in the same colour collar today. LOL)

Friendly Neighbourhood Pet Store

2011-04-13T15:30:00.000-07:00

Pet Parade dropped off some yummy sample treat packs for all of you today! There are lots of different kinds so even if your dog has allergies you may be able to find a type that works for you.

And to top it off, there is a 10% off coupon attached. So don't forget to pick some up when you pick up your pup! Thanks Pet Parade!!!

No Escape

2011-04-11T15:29:00.000-07:00

Azi (a wheaten terrier pup) thinks she is safe from Izzy and Lemmy.

Too bad Izzy can get up the slide all by herself now!!

Friday Cute

2011-04-08T15:42:00.000-07:00

Today was Jacksons first day at daycare.

Isn't he the cutest???!!!

Tomorrow is Friday!

2011-04-07T17:12:00.000-07:00

Milo is pretty happy tomorrow is Friday.

So is Charlee.

Rosie is thrilled too.

And Archie... is sad. Because Friday means no daycare for 2 whole days.

Don't worry Archie, we'll be here again on Monday for you! Happy early Friday everyone!

Never Changes

2011-04-05T05:50:00.000-07:00

Well some things at least never change. Chewy is still as patient as ever (although not very subtle) that she wants her dinner. NOW please.

Rate Increase

2011-04-04T17:45:00.000-07:00

We hate to do it, but we must. Our daycare prices have not increased for over two years but our operating costs, principally rent, labour and heating, keep on going up. We have the best staff in town, as well as the best facilities, and we are determined to keep it that way. Therefore, while still offering competitive rates, we find it necessary to implement price increases this Spring.

   Starting May 1, 2011 the rates will be as follows:

   Half Day - $16
   10 Half Days - $145

   Full Day - $25
   10 Full Days - $230

   As always, a second (or third, or fourth, or...) dog will be 25% off the regular price.

Seeing their smiles and having a tired dog at night makes it all worth it. Right?

Jack

2011-04-01T07:09:00.000-07:00

Little Jack STILL needs a home.

He is great with cats. Jack has almost completely won our grumpy cat over and we often see him running in for a quick tackle as she half heartedly (and somewhat playfully) tries to swat him away. (She used to hiss just at the sight of him so this is huge progress)

He is super snuggly when he is tired and super mischievous when he is feeling playful. We are constantly finding things in odd place - lip balm on the floor in the corner of the bedroom, toys that we'd put away in a bucket are suddenly back in action again, library card is somewhere, not sure where any more!

Jack is fascinated with running water and will come running to watch the toilet flush. He must play in the bathtub when we are gone because shampoo bottles are usually on the floor and not where we left them.

He still isn't 100% confident with our dogs but they are able to mix and mingle with no issues. He just doesn't really trust them yet despite Lacey's best efforts to entice him to play. It often looks like they are on the cusp of fun, but then it fizzles into hissing and a confused dog. He is perfectly content to do a family snuggle and has no problem being near them, he just isn't relaxed when they are playing, running or looking at him. :)

If you'd like to meet this little guy and possibly take him home with you, please send me an email (info@paws-on-the-run.ca). He will have you wrapped around his paws in no time.

Off Leash Fun

2011-03-30T06:36:00.000-07:00

I am a huge fan of dog parks. Not because of the interaction my dogs can have with other dogs, but because it gives them a chance to really stretch their legs and run at full speeds. We have a decent sized back yard, but it is too small for them to really get their motors going. I'm not sure what we would have done if we didn't run our oldest dog (a border collie, golden retriever cross) off leash. As a pup, she needed quite a bit of exercise (and still does) and leashed walks around the block just didn't cut it.

I know lots of people are afraid to let their dog off leash and usually their biggest concern is "What if they don't come back when called?" My dogs do not come back to me EVERY single time I call them. And they never will. There will always be something in the world that is more exciting than me (hard to believe I know). But they come back most of the time and when they do, I make sure I have something to reward them. Their reward can be a ball or treat or just a pat on the head. How I reward them depends on the dog and the circumstances. If there are other dogs and people around, I tend to reward with yummy treats, but if I just called them to get them to stop sniffing and catch up, I tend to reward with praise, pets and play.

Lethbridge has three dog parks - Scenic Drive (near Martha's Retreat on the southside), Peenaquim (near the shooting range and ball diamonds on the northside) and Popson (at the end of University Boulevard on the west side). This is my take on the three different parks....

Scenic Park - This tends to be the most popular park. It has great views and lots of wildflowers in the summer. There are lots of trails up and down the coulees. Your dog (and you!) will definitely get a good workout at this park due to all the hills you'll end up climbing. This park is quite close to the road so if you are unsure how well your dog is going to listen, I would highly recommend leashing your dog before you get to your vehicle just in case. Also there is no access to water at this park so be sure to bring some water for you and your dog in the summer.

Scenic did have some issues with coyotes there this past year. I'm not sure of all the details (hard to sort out rumour from fact), but be sure to keep your eyes out for wildlife.
Peenaquim Park - This is the second busiest park. You park at the bottom of the hill so the entire dog park is down in the river valley (no need to hike up and down hills, although you can if you want). There is access to the River if your dog likes to swim and there is a big wide open space for your dog to stretch their legs. If you stick to the main loop you'll be able to see your dog at all times as the area isn't as big as either Scenic or Popson. The shooting range is near the park so if you have a sound sensitive dog, this may not be the ideal park as they will be able to hear gunshots.
I would say Popson is the quietest of the dog parks. As with Peenaquim, you park in the river bottom so you'll be walking on the flat. There is access to the river, wide open spaces to run and hills to climb if that is what you'd like to do.

Popson is the only dog park in town that rattlesnakes are found in so be very cautious in the summer. I've seen a few over the years and every year I get more paranoid and tend to walk elsewhere during the heat of the day to avoid a potential conflict with a snake.

Generally, the dogs at the dog park are well socialized dogs, so if your dog ignores you yelling "Come!" to go visit with a dog, it isn't the end of the world. That being said, there is ALWAYS a risk of a dog fight. When I see a dog up ahead, I try and keep calling my girls back to me (and I reward them heavily for doing so) until we are close enough to the other dog that I know that I can get in the middle of things quickly if I need to. It would be a great idea to learn about dog body language too so you can know when you can relax and when you want to be on your toes. In the 6 years I've been going to the dog park, I have had very, very few issues.

Drawing by Lili Chin of www.doggiedrawings.net

So how do you work up the courage to take your dog off leash? There are a few things you can do to make your first off leash walk a little less stressful.

Go with other "experienced" people and their dogs. The dogs will generally stick together so when your friends' dogs come running back, your dog will follow.
Attach a long line to your dog. You don't need to be holding on to the end of it, but they can drag it along behind them so you just need to get within 10 feet of your dog to "catch" them. This works great for those dogs that tend to dart away from you at the last minute.
Pick a day and time when the park won't be very busy - during regular work hours, early in the morning or during horrible weather are usually the quietest times. Going out in bad weather isn't as fun for me, but the dogs don't mind and I don't need to worry about encountering a lot of people or dogs.

Lola is wearing a long line as a precaution. I just need to get within 30 feet of her in order to catch her.

If you haven't tried off leash walks but have a high energy dog, you will be amazed at the difference one can make and giving your dog lots of exercise can go a long way in helping behavior problems.

Hypnotized

2011-03-29T06:52:00.000-07:00

Look deep into Gus' eyes and he'll have you under his spell in no time!

Summer Employment

2011-03-28T11:10:00.000-07:00

We are looking to hire someone part time for the summer!

We can guarantee whoever gets the job will have fun, get dirty, get bruised, laugh a lot, have to pick up endless piles of poop and mop up vomit, get lots of doggy kisses, and have Chewy riding around on their shoulders to just name a few things.

Even picking up poop can be fun apparently

If you know of someone with experience with dogs, who also wants a part time summer job, please send them to our website and get them to apply!

Camouflage

2011-03-28T07:19:00.000-07:00

Sully was pretty hard to spot out in the snow last week. Good thing he was wearing the red and blue collar!

Slowing Us Down

2011-03-25T06:41:00.000-07:00

The end of day is a busy time for us. One of us is busy cleaning while the other one is taking dogs out to their owners. By the time we start cleaning the dogs have had a good play and are starting to settle down for the most part. Most of them find a quiet spot to curl up in and wait for their parents, others follow Jo around while she cleans and some give us "Pick me up and cuddle please" looks. They are tired and want to sleep, but they want to sleep on our laps or in our arms.

Lemmy is a master of the look.

Krank and Lemmy have mastered the look.

Krank knows how to turn on the charm.

We weren't getting much done between snuggles and kisses with these two around! We were butter in their paws.

Frisbee?

2011-03-24T06:46:00.000-07:00

Juno is always up for a game of Frisbee!

Snow Faces

2011-03-23T15:45:00.000-07:00

Molly

Sadie

Grizzy

Journey

Oozing Cuteness

2011-03-22T06:35:00.000-07:00

Well the weather may not be acting like it is Spring but all the puppies at work are reminding us that spring is here.

Darby is an adorable little beagle baby. If you've been a long time follower of the blog, you'll know that I'm a sucker for beagles.

But really, can you blame me?

Just look at her! She just oozes cuteness.

PS - These were taken last week back when we had wind, and not snow.

Play Seminar

2011-03-21T17:00:00.000-07:00

We thought some of you might be interested in an upcoming seminar on using play to help train your dog. It hosted by the Lethbridge and District Kennel Club but is open to mixed breeds as well as purebreds. You can find more information on the poster below!

Hidden Treasures

2011-03-18T07:45:00.000-07:00

Jo discovered this Zisc when the snow began to melt. The dogs have been thrilled with her discovery.

Chinga and Keely start a game of tug.

Krank gets in on the game

Krank and Keely are not willing to give in.

Charlie comes in to try and break the tie.

Charlie broke the tie but the game didn't end and it was Chinga who hopped in to test her strength against Krank.

Now we are back to the three of them with Jemma in the background trying to figure out how to get involved.

Krank is actually standing under Keely (or it might be Jemma) and is still unwilling to let go.

Charlie once again steps in to make it two against one.

But Krank was determined and eventually made off with the prize!

Happy St.Patricks Day. :)

2011-03-17T09:22:00.000-07:00

"Some Irish fun at Daycare"

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We had some fun this morning!
Not everyone wanted to wear the silly hat- even with the promise of Fame and Fortune (or a cookie..)

Windy Enough?

2011-03-17T05:30:00.000-07:00

Rocky and Sawyer don't seem to mind the wind.

Taking Better Photos

2011-03-16T06:26:00.000-07:00

Now that the price of Digital SLR cameras are becoming quite reasonable, I know a lot of you out there have one. And is there anything better out there to photograph than your pet? Alright, maybe your kids, but your pet has to be a close second at the very least.

I created a slideshow last week for the Lethbridge Photography Club's Photofusion event. I don't think I really realized just how different my photography style is from people who do more traditional photography (landscapes, travel photography, etc.) until that night. I was surprised by the questions that I received from some pretty seasoned photographers.

So while I'm hardly an expert, I thought some of you might benefit from hearing what I do. As far as I am concerned there is no right or wrong way, just different ways.

While my advice isn't necessarily catered to those with a digital SLR camera, I find "point and shoot" cameras don't capture action very well (and that is what I am usually trying to capture) due to their lag time and slower focusing speeds.

Tip 1: Get down on the ground. While I take the occasional photo from a standing position, most of the time I am sitting or laying on the ground. If you are taking the photo from the dog's level you will be more likely to capture them looking directly at the camera while still keeping their head at a natural angle. This winter I went out and bought snow pants so that I could still comfortably sit on the ground. They were the best purchase I made all year!

Tip 2: Get nice and close. If what you are trying to capture is the dog's expression then make sure you zoom in or get nice and close to the dog. If you aren't interested in the surroundings, don't include them in the photo. The more the dog fills the frame, the more details you'll be able to make out.

Tip 3: Try different angles. Try putting the camera under the dog, behind the dog, over the dog, to the side of the dog. Don't be afraid to try something new or different. Some times you'll be surprised at what you'll get. If it doesn't work, oh well, it didn't cost you anything other than a little time.

If getting the camera under the dog sounds uncomfortable and a little impossible, just remember you don't actually have to be looking through the view finder to take the photo. Digital photos are free. You can take as many as you want. I often point the camera in the general direction of what I want and hope for the best. Some times I get nothing useful, other times I get something magical. Some of my favourite photos were taken without looking through the viewfinder.

Tip 4: Take LOTS of photos. As I mentioned above, take lots of photos. I keep my camera on burst mode all the time. When you are trying to take a picture of your dog running, there are lots of variables that can make it attractive or unattractive - what part of their stride are they in, are their eyes open or closed, are their ears going in wild and crazy directions (sometimes a good thing, sometimes not!). And most importantly is the photo in focus. Sometimes you camera or lens can't always focus fast enough to keep up with your speedy dog so you are really taking a chance if you only take one photo that all the variables will be perfect.

If you are trying to get a picture of your dog catching a toy mid air, you might need to try more than once or twice. Here it helps to have a fetch obsessed dog that doesn't mind repeating their performance 5, 10, or even a 100 times so that you can get it just right.

Tip 5: Be aware of your surroundings. I hate taking photographs in my backyard. The clutter of the rain barrel, the deck and the ugly fence drive me crazy. It doesn't help that I don't have beautiful landscaping, if I did, it would be a different story. So if you don't have beautiful surroundings in your backyard, go somewhere else. The wonderful thing about the prairies is that there is no clutter in your backgrounds - you can just focus on your subjects.

Tip 6: Don't be afraid to crop off part of your dog. Your photos don't need to include every inch of your dog to be "right". Don't worry about zooming in so tight you cut off part of their feet, or their tail. Sometimes it is more interesting to just focus on part of them.

Tip 7: Focus on their eyes. If nothing else is in focus other than their eyes, you can still have a beautiful image, but if their eyes are out of focus, the photo looks weird. Don't ask why, I don't know.

Tip 8: Practice, practice, practice. The more you practice and try things the more often you get "aha" moments. Once you get something that you like, try and figure out what you did to get it again. That is when the learning really happens.

I can't take a decent landscape photo to save my life and that is because I never practice doing it! So to start, I'd suggest you pick a subject you are passionate about (whether that be your pets, your kids, beautiful landscapes, wildlife or the local architecture) and focus your efforts on that. Once you've mastered that subject and want to branch out, go for it. It will be a lot easier to learn just one skill set at a time. Trust me, they are all very different. And besides, all different types of photography require different types of equipment and if you are on any kind of budget you aren't going to want to be buying everything you need at once.

Tip 9: Take a course. I took a few courses from a local photographer - Henriette Plas and it literally changed my photography overnight. When you understand how your camera works, you can better figure out how to get what you want. I'm sure there are other photographers that offer good courses, but I know for sure Henriette does!

Tip 10: Know your subject. The more you know your subject, the more you'll be able to capture them acting naturally.

Tip 11: Have Fun!

The Perfect Model

2011-03-15T06:40:00.000-07:00

I just asked Alyera to jump up in the chair and she instantly laid down and struck a pose!

All the Angles

2011-03-14T13:40:00.000-07:00

A few weeks back I took these pictures of Cooper. I think it was near the end of the week and it was definitely near the end of the day. No matter how close I got or what I did, he just laid there with his head nicely supported in the castle - too tired to move. And that is Bailey the beagle catching a few Z's beside him too.

Tugging

2011-03-09T15:43:00.000-08:00

Charlie quite enjoys playing tug.

Don't let his small size fool you. He is pretty tough!

He was not going to let go if he could help it.

The Bumi from West Paw Design is many of the dogs' favourite toy, hence the chewed off ends. But it is still doing strong!

The Fat Talk

2011-03-08T10:33:00.000-08:00

If you've ever taken a training class from Amanda and your dog escaped the "fat talk", you are one of the very few. Most dogs could lose a few pounds (as could most of us!) Keeping our dogs a healthy weight is important on so many levels. Overall if they are slender, they will feel better, be healthier and age more gracefully.

April is NOT a healthy weight.

How do you know what a healthy weight is for your dog? Dogs are all different so you can't just use a number on a scale although you can use their weight to make sure you are remaining in the right ball park once you get to that healthy weight.

The easiest rule of thumb to follow is: Can you feel their ribs? When you gently run your hand down their side, you should be able to just slightly feel all their ribs. Dogs should also have a waist that you can see from the side (you want to see a tuck after their ribs end) and the top.

Jetta has a great tuck and narrow waist.

Here is a great chart you can use to see if your dog is too thin, too heavy or just right. How does your dog rank? (I'd guess my dogs are both 5's... but Lacey is just squeaking into that category. My cat on the other hand is probably a 7 or 8 but we are working on that.)

Can you see how Lacey's waist tucks in on the sides? That is a good thing.

How do you get and maintain a healthy weight for your dog? The same way we would do it for us. Portion control!

If you are feeding your dog kibble, don't just take the suggested amount on the side of the bag as gospel. It is just a suggestion. Every dog is different based on their metabolism and how much exercise they get. If the dog food company recommends feeding your dog 2 cups a day yet your dog is still on the heavy side, don't be afraid to feed less. The information on the bag is just a guideline. It may take some fine tuning to figure out exactly what is right for your dog, but with a little time you'll figure it out.

For example, my dog food suggests feeding my small dog anywhere from 1.25 - 2.5 cups (she gets 1.25 cups a day) and they suggest I feed my large dog 2.5 - 4.75 cups (she gets 3 cups a day). Notice that they both eat close to the lower suggestion even though they get a fair amount of exercise each day (45-60 minutes of off leash running) and aren't the minimum weight in their category. AND, I don't give out many treats and when I do, they are usually quite small.

Even under his fur, you can tell Boone is nice and slender.

Once you figure out the ideal amount of food, still keep an eye on your dog. How much food they need will probably change over time. As dogs age or become less active, you'll need to decrease their caloric intake.

Once Sadie slows down, she'll have to eat less to maintain her little waist.

No matter if your dog eats scheduled meals a few times a day, or just grazes whenever they are hungry, you should be measuring out how much they eat each day. This will help make sure they aren't eating too much and it will also make you aware if your dog suddenly starts eating less. This can be an early warning sign that they aren't feeling well. I use a measuring cup that I just leave in the dog food bin that is exactly what they need each meal so we can't screw it up.

Even if Coulee's activity level isn't the same every day, she still gets the same amount of food. The days where she get's more exercise than usual just make up for those occasional lazy days.

Don't forget to factor in the treats! If you are feeding your dog lots of treats during the day, you are going to have to reduce how much they eat at meal times. For example, if you are going to a training class in the evening and you use treats as a reward for good behaviour, decrease the dinner meal by 1/2 cup to make up for it. Even though I have a large dog, I buy small treats (the bag will often say "training treats" on it) or I buy larger ones that I can break into smaller pieces. This way they get a cookie without adding lots of calories.

Just a few treats for a little dog can have a pretty big impact on their weight. Be sure to give them only a few small treats each day.

So what happens when you've put your dog on a diet and they are constantly scrounging or begging for food? Try increasing their fibre. Just like with us, fibre will make them feel full without eating a whole lot more. Try a scoop of canned pumpkin (just the straight pumpkin, not the pumpkin pie mix) with their food to help increase their fibre and decrease their hunger pangs.

Try not to give in to those pleading looks!

Having healthy dogs will save on vet bills, save on food bills and most importantly keep your pet happier and healthier for a long time to come.

If you have a very overweight dog and are debating putting him/her on a diet, please consult your vet to determine the safest way to do it!

Digging

2011-03-07T05:15:00.000-08:00

Calli was very cute out in the snow. She would plant the turnip...

... dig it up...

... bring it to me...

... and we'd do it all over again.

Odd Couples

2011-03-04T14:21:00.000-08:00

As most of you know we separate the dogs into two different play areas. We have the larger, rowdier dogs in one area and usually the small, quieter, and shier dogs in another. We always have some bigger dogs in smaller dog group, but we never put smaller dogs in with the big ones. Some dogs go back and forth between the groups depending on who is here or sometimes, depending on what they ask for.

Having big and small dogs grouped together gives us some fun, yet interesting playmates. The first video shows Alyera (jack russell) and Rudy (cattle dog cross). Alyera just LOVES Rudy. She paws at his face, gives him kisses and always tries to be near him. As you can tell, the feeling is mutual.

This video is of Tia (lab) and Chloe (pug cross). They are equally fun and wild and therefore make the perfect friends.

Sorry for the less than optimal quality - these were just taken with an iPhone. Happy Friday everyone!!!

A Ladies Man

2011-03-04T05:11:00.000-08:00

Carter is quite the ladies man.

He loves the girls.

And they all love him right back.

He had to come out by himself for photos so he wouldn't be distracted. ;)

Three Way Tug

2011-03-03T10:28:00.000-08:00

Jake (golden), Spencer (lab cross) and Russell (black lab), had a pretty good time with the Bumi today!

Dog of the Month!

2011-03-02T13:47:00.000-08:00

Rosie the Pointer won the draw this month!

Rosie is always ready for the party, and I am sure will enjoy her goodies!!!

Suckered Again

2011-03-01T13:43:00.000-08:00

It is hard to have a similar name to a cat rescue in town (PAW Society). You wouldn't believe the number of phone calls we get (so many in fact we have put their phone number on our voicemail for people who call outside of our regular hours). But for the most part, having a similar name isn't a big deal, unless someone walks in the door holding this....

Especially when they tell us the Humane Society is closed, they don't want to bring him to the shelter and their landlord was freaking out that they had him for even just a night. The PAW society doesn't have a building, they rely on foster homes, so there is no guarantee they have space at the moment. (We've since found out they don't). The rescuer was desperate and didn't know what to do with little Jack (We've named him Jack, after Jack Frost as it was so darn cold last night when he was found!).

Jack was found in the Uplands neighbourhood near Sobey's last night around 7 p.m. We are hoping his owners will come claim him. But if that doesn't happen, we are hoping someone will adopt him. We think he is around 5 months. He is a little worried about everything at the moment but we know he'll settle down quick once he realizes he is somewhere safe and warm.

So please help spread the word about this little guy. We don't want his family to be scared and worried about him.

Note: I think this is the 4th cat we've been suckered into "fostering" since we opened over 3 years ago. Not a bad track record I don't think. Chewy was the only one who became permanent!

A Little Spitfire

2011-02-28T13:53:00.000-08:00

Who would have known the first day when we met shy, quiet Molly...

...that she would turn into a little spitfire!

Nothing holds her back now!

Weekend Cuteness

2011-02-25T18:52:00.000-08:00

We didn't want to leave you hanging for the weekend without a look at our newest little cutie - Lemmy. If you are a fan on Facebook (and if you aren't, you are missing out on lots of cute pics taken with our trusty iPhones, not to mention updates so you'll know when to check out the blog) you will have already met him.

And if that isn't cute enough, you should hear him sleeping. He has the cutest (and quietest!) little snore. The little guy was pretty tuckered by the end of the day. I tried to get a picture of his "tired" look but he kept perking up his ears. You'll just have to trust me that it is heart melting.

Have a good weekend!

Born for the Snow

2011-02-24T07:51:00.000-08:00

I've been trying harder to take pictures of new dogs for pictures for the board. I still need to work on getting them printed faster though. :)

Yesterday was Charlie's second visit so I took him out by himself for some photos.

My fingers felt frostbitten in about 2 minutes but he was all smiles and delight.

When we were done, I came back in and snuggled up with a warm dog. He stayed outside and wrestled with a friend.

I Heart Mutts

2011-02-23T15:51:00.000-08:00

I don't think it is much of a secret how much I like mutts.

Purebreds are nice too (don't get me wrong!), but I love the way with mutts you never know what you are going to get. Are they going to be big or small? Which breed's personality will they most resemble? What weird and wonderful way will their coat look?

What is in Chinga's heritage is anyone's guess.

I'm sure her unique looks is a conversation starter wherever she goes. We had fun today trying to guess what she was based on the sound of her bark (she sounds like a schnauzer!), her looks and her personality. We didn't have much consensus. :)

Did you know you can get your dog's DNA tested to find out what what breeds they are made up of? I doubt it is very accurate, but it might be fun just for a laugh if you have a mystery mutt. There are a few different ones that you can try. Here are a few I found through google:

If anyone has done had the test done, or gets one done in the future, we'd sure like to hear the results!

Turnip Time

2011-02-18T16:18:00.000-08:00

Warning: The Turnip from Ruffwear can cause:

Funny expressions...

...big smiles...

...and crazy ears.

Staying Warm

2011-02-17T08:46:00.000-08:00

I'm not sure if Dior is keeping Amanda warm, or Amanda is keeping Dior warm. Either way, Dior sure looks cozy!

Shelby

2011-02-15T06:46:00.000-08:00

We received some sad news the other day. Shelby was only going to be coming to daycare one more time.

Some dogs just stop coming without a word and we have no idea why - maybe they move, maybe the family's situation has changed, maybe they decided to go to the competition, maybe...

We really grow to love all the dogs that come to daycare and we really appreciate the chance to say goodbye. We get pretty attached to all of them!

Shelby has been coming every Friday for a few years. We are going to miss her! Thanks for giving us a chance for one last snuggle with her!

Valentines Pals

2011-02-13T13:30:00.000-08:00

Dexter and Chip not only look alike but are best buds aswell. :)
Happy Valentines Day!
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Don't forget to come on down and buy a Chocolate Heart for your loved ones today-
all proceeds to Windy City Canine Rescue!

Ninja

2011-02-11T07:02:00.000-08:00

Milo shows off his Ninja moves to Oscar.

Bubble Gum Bubble

2011-02-10T07:00:00.000-08:00

Dozer really enjoys the big pink ball from Planet Dog. He walks around all day like this.

2 vs. 1

2011-02-09T13:31:00.000-08:00

Archie vs. Milo and Savannah....
You'd be surprised to know that Archie won!

Difference of Opinion...

2011-02-08T13:37:00.000-08:00

Most of the dogs love the snow and will play outside as much as we allow them.

This is the face I got when I asked Taylor if she wanted to come in yet....

Shelby was also quite content to be out in the snow...

Legend will actually sleep out in the snow- often he is completely covered in snow!

and little Shepherd baby Journey had a great time plowing through the snowbanks
(and was very helpful while I was shoveling...)

Archie, not so much... :)
He wants to move somewhere warm.

SNOW DAY!

2011-02-07T13:46:00.000-08:00

We may not be enjoying yet another bunch of snow- but the dogs sure are!!!! They had a GREAT time playing in the yard today.

Cody, Milo, and Gus bringing up the front, and Ben and Archie in the back

Norman took the opportunity to eat some snow. :)

and Jackie waits for me to throw another snowball...

More pictures to come tomorrow!

A Day of Cute

2011-02-04T07:30:00.000-08:00

Everyday we have cute dogs, but on Wednesday this week it seemed as though they were extra cute. :)

Soleil who spent the day making friends and cuddling on our laps.

Karma, who thinks she's the princess. :)

Charlie- who was cute, and feisty. He had a great first day!

Sadie- who is adorable and very sweet.

Big brother Spud who is a wild man and plays non stop.

and Nox, who may not fit in the "small and cute" category but he is still very cute!!!

Dog of the Month- February

2011-02-03T12:56:00.000-08:00

PERKINS!

Perkins was very excited to hear that he was dog of the month.

Only because he knows that there was a new squeaky toy in the package. :)

Don't forget to enter your dog each time they come to daycare- the drawbox is on the counter!

Advice for those cold winter days....

2011-01-31T08:01:00.000-08:00

Rudy says to cuddle up with a warm blanket, and stay in bed. :)

A good place for a nap..

2011-01-28T13:52:00.000-08:00

Most days by late afternoon the dogs start to tire out and settle in for naps. They sleep on the playsets, or curl up on the floor, or some times in our lap. Normally just the little dogs are allowed on our laps..but Milo (who is a GOLDEN RETRIEVER!) managed to worm his way up and promptly fell asleep.

and from a different angle...

looks comfy no? lol!

He must have been, as he slept like this for almost half an hour when I had to get up..

The Office Cat

2011-01-27T17:40:00.000-08:00

Chewy is such a nut. The printer is probably her second favourite sleeping spot, after her "inbox".

Takin' a Break

2011-01-26T13:23:00.000-08:00

Jake takes a break for a nap among the chaos.

Think Pink!

2011-01-26T06:49:00.000-08:00

We just received a new shipment from West Paw Design and inside were some fun pink toys!

I'll admit, while I'm not much of a "girly girl", I like pink.

And with any new toys, they need rigorous testing.

So I took my girls out to test out the new colour. :)

I think they agree it is just as much fun as the other bright colours.

It may even be more fun!

Stop in to see what other Zogoflex toys we have in pink!

Small Dog Cuties

2011-01-25T13:23:00.000-08:00

Just a few random dogs from the "small dog" area this week! We are still loving the new camera lens- makes indoor photos fun!

Buddy- super cute, and one of the funniest dogs at daycare. The noises he makes are unreal.

Perkins- looking strangely innocent...

Denny- looking spiffy with his new haircut

Rosie, cute as ever!

and Jackie, who isn't really a small dog but we don't tell her that. :)

Just Because...

2011-01-24T16:09:00.000-08:00

Just because she is so cute!

Shelby

Belly Rubs!

2011-01-24T05:49:00.000-08:00

Kalo and Cooper both wanted belly rubs on Friday....

Sorry for the crappy iPhone pictures... you work with what you got!

Chocolate Cuteness

2011-01-21T07:29:00.000-08:00

Amy is a new Chocolate Lab that has just started coming to daycare. She is fun and playful and fits right in with all the other wild and crazy pups.

Archie is a gorgeous german shorthaired pointer. He too had no trouble making friends on his first day.

All Smiles

2011-01-20T15:36:00.000-08:00

Neiko

Midas - don't you love his wrinkles?

Fetch

Chinook

Snow Crazies

2011-01-19T06:57:00.000-08:00

Snow brings out the crazies in all the dogs apparently!

Jake

Piper

Russell

Echo

Maynard

Molly

Bosco

Lola

Throw the BALL!

2011-01-18T06:49:00.000-08:00

If Tucker has toys in his play area this is what he does all day....

Will you throw the ball please?

See? It is right there.

Throw the ball!!!!!

And so on until we give in. And then it starts all over again.

Indoor Pics

2011-01-17T06:17:00.000-08:00

Here are those indoor pictures I promised. I have a feeling this week, we'll be able to spend more time outside. Keep your fingers crossed it warms up!

Bentley looking sad that he was stuck indoors

Jackie doesn't mind being inside as long as she can be near you.

Bailey wondering if I have any food to reward her "sit".

Cooper looking innocent. We know better. ;)

Spencer sitting still for a very rare, and very brief moment.

Jack, pleading for a head scratch.

Brother Kerry just hanging out.

Kaycee hoping I'll throw the ball.

Echo wondering what the heck I'm doing!

Savannah learning gate manners on her first day at daycare.

Abby smiling for the camera.

Rosie watching and waiting to find out if it is her turn to go through the gate.

Jett waiting very patiently for her turn.

Jake is very patient at the gate and has learned if you stand near the back and aren't pushy, you'll probably get asked out first.

Toffee doing her best to win me over with her pleading expression.

More Indoor Pictures

2011-01-13T17:16:00.000-08:00

I just discovered we had to buy more space for the photos on the blog. It will take 24 hours to process so this one picture of Tucker is all I was able to upload for now!

Have a great weekend! We hope to see you at Indoor Dog Park on Sunday from 10-1!

Beautiful Bruizer

2011-01-13T13:29:00.001-08:00

All Smiles

2011-01-12T16:16:00.000-08:00

Buddy saw Lucky's picture on the blog yesterday so he wanted his chance to smile for the camera today.

He was even brave enough to go outside. Oh wait... that was me that needed the convincing!

I just love his little tongue!

Happy Go Lucky

2011-01-11T17:12:00.000-08:00

It was Lucky's first day today.

Isn't she gorgeous?

Sorry no outdoor pictures today. No one (the dogs included) wanted to hang around outside for long!

Very Helpful

2011-01-07T17:54:00.000-08:00

Alyera

We just got a new lens that is perfect for taking pictures inside the building.

Amber

You'll notice most of our photos on the blog are of the dogs outside playing. This is because the lighting inside isn't very bright (at least not where photos are concerned!). But this new lens will help with that.

Kahlua

The dogs were all very cooperative at helping us test it out. I'm sure there will be more like these in the future!

Apparently Khalua's original close-up wasn't close enough for her tastes!

Dog of the Month- January

2011-01-05T08:07:00.000-08:00

Congratulations to Jax for being this months Dog of the Month!

Excited to be Back...

2011-01-04T12:06:00.000-08:00

I think Maggie Mae is just a little excited to be back!

CLOSED for the Holidays

2010-12-24T06:21:00.000-08:00

Just a reminder that the daycare is closed from December 24 until January 3.

We hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday season!

The Look

2010-12-23T08:29:00.001-08:00

I think Boomer's meaning is very clear...

Please...

2010-12-21T13:15:00.000-08:00

Sherlock LOVES the big yard more than any other dog at daycare. This is him begging to be let out to play...

and of course we can't deny him...

when you're this cute it's hard to say no...

Snow on a Black Dog

2010-12-21T07:46:00.000-08:00

If you look closely you can actually see the snowflakes on Monty.

Boat Trick

2010-12-20T07:58:00.000-08:00

I know that we already blogged today but we finally managed to get some video of Milo's "boat trick"

Amanda taught Milo this in just a few daycare visits. Milo loves his little trick and does it frequently throughout the day- just because. :)

All Seasons

2010-12-20T07:35:00.000-08:00

Taylor says that the Frisbee is good for all seasons- not just Summer.

Look into my eyes...

2010-12-17T13:35:00.000-08:00

and give me cookies! (or whatever else I want..)
How could you say no to eyes like that! Chinook must get what she wants a lot!

Shadow

2010-12-14T12:55:00.000-08:00

Ben (the shepherd) is Tucker's (the cattle dog) shadow.
Wherever Tucker goes, or whatever he does Ben is sure to be right behind him. Sometimes literally!

New Faces

2010-12-13T06:22:00.001-08:00

We've had a lot of new dogs lately- and just no time to get their photos up!

So here are a few of the more recent ones...

Tia- is very sweet, and very playful!

Maya- she's very confident and is a party all the time kind of girl

Bruizer is a handsome brute, who is quite the ball of energy.

Spencer is a fun loving girl who likes to be the center of attention.

Midas is a very typical boxer- all goofy and playful

Molly loves to wrestle and play tug.

Enough of the Cold...

2010-12-10T13:07:00.000-08:00

Izzy has had enough of the cold already.....
We didn't want to break it to her that we are in for a few more months of the cold stuff..

Bosco Baby

2010-12-06T06:55:00.000-08:00

Bosco has just recently started coming to daycare.

Isn't he the cutest thing?

Rex! Come!

2010-12-03T06:48:00.000-08:00

Rex would really rather stay outside and play. When you call him, he is very good at pretending you are talking to someone else.

Calendars - Last Day!

2010-12-03T04:48:00.000-08:00

Today is the last day to let us know if you want a calendar!!! They are just $20 and the proceeds go to the Windy City Canine Rescue.

Flying through the Snow...

2010-12-02T12:23:00.000-08:00

Jax looks like he is ready for take off!!! The dogs are loving the mild weather, and soft snow!

Dog Of The Month- November

2010-12-01T12:23:00.000-08:00

Our winner this month is Molly Foster! She will get to take home a great little gift basket, and will get her photo on the wall (to take home at the end of the month!) Congratulations Molly!

Too Cute for Words

2010-11-30T10:22:00.000-08:00

Gracie is Charlie's new little sister. She is seriously adorable.

Sunshine on a Snowy Day

2010-11-29T10:21:00.000-08:00

Pekoe is such a playful girl- she loves the snow!

2011 Calendars!

2010-11-27T08:52:00.000-08:00

Every year we do a calendar featuring as many of our gorgeous clients we can fit on to 12 pages. Unfortunately not every dog can be included and trust me, we've tried. This year's calendar features 71 different dogs.

I've uploaded all the pages to our facebook page. I don't think you need to be registered with facebook to see it, but if you can't see them, please just let us know and we'll post them elsewhere as well.

The cost of the calendars is $20 each and 100% of the proceeds will be going to support the Windy City Canine Rescue. They are a local rescue that started up this past year and they have already helped out some incredible dogs in just a few short months.

You MUST pre-order your calendar so if you'd like one (or more) please call (403-394-7780) or email (info@paws-on-the-run.ca) by December 3 and we'll order one for you.

Still Enjoying the Snow

2010-11-26T16:42:00.000-08:00

Holly

The dogs are still enjoying the snow. Even more so now that it has warmed up a bit more. These pictures are all from the other day though, before it got really, really cold. Have a great weekend! Hope to see you at Indoor Dog Park on Sunday from 10-1!

Cooper

Buster

Ears and Lips

2010-11-23T16:44:00.000-08:00

When Tucker runs, he does it with enthusiasm and puts his whole body into it!

Tease...

2010-11-22T13:45:00.000-08:00

Jasper used everything in the book to get Fundy's attention....

When he finally had it he didn't know what to do except run...

Running for Fun

2010-11-19T06:22:00.000-08:00

Wendy took the "small dogs" into the big yard to play in the snow drifts- they had a great time!

Get ready for lots of snow pictures next week!

Neiko, the Shiba Inu, loves the snow and was running just to run.

Milo, the Golden Retriever, always goes 100mph but the snow did slow him down a bit!

Riley the Wheaten was a soaking wet mess by the end of the day. We could not keep him out of the snow.

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On another note the Lethbridge and District Kennel Club is holding their Annual CKC Dog Show this weekend. It runs Friday to Sunday from 8am to 5pm. It is being held at the Exhibition grounds. There is a $5.00 admission fee but it would be well worth it to see all the dogs! There is Conformation, Obedience and Rally Obedience. Entertainment for all the dog lovers in your family!

Amanda, and Jolene both have dogs entered so you could go on down and cheer them on. :)

Smiling for Snow!

2010-11-18T07:50:00.000-08:00

Belle was thrilled with all the snow- her expression doesn't lie!

Rory was happy about the snow too- mostly because the toys are easier to find in the white stuff!

and Ben liked the snow because it makes the girls all run around. :)

this stuff doesn't shake off!

2010-11-17T07:46:00.000-08:00

Keesha found out that snow doesn't shake off so easily!

Still Snowy....

First Snow

2010-11-16T11:46:00.000-08:00

Angus approves of the wintery weather.
More snow pictures to come in the next few days!!!!