Giving a Rescued Pet a New Lease on Life

By Amanda

I never thought it would happen to me. With just one look into those baby brown eyes I could no longer resist the urge. It all began when one day when my friend convinced me to go along with her to the local pet rescue. I had never owned a pet before and quite frankly was not interested in ever owning one. But the possibility of pet ownership was appealing to her and thought that adoption was the best way to go about it. So I decided to accompany her on her journey. That’s when it happened – I spotted one of the cutest beings that I have ever seen. She was small, fragile and delicate. She gazed back up at me with a look that only a mother could understand. That’s when I knew – I had to have her. She was the sweetest dog – but she was very different from other dogs. She only had two hind legs – she was born this way and her previous owners did not want her. But for some reason, I had not noticed right away that she was missing her two front legs – It didn’t matter. I fell in love instantly and proceeded to leave with her. I knew immediately that I wanted to name her Angel. She needed special care and I was the one to give it to her. As I led a pretty active lifestyle, I wanted Angel to be a part of it too. So, the next day I went to the vet and had her assessed and they offered to make her custom legs on wheels so that we could go for long walks together. She took very well to them and gets very excited when it’s time for our walks. Angel has really changed my life for the positive and I know I have done the same for her. Taking extra good care of her is my priority. That's why I only feed her holistic pet food from Brandy's Holistic Center and Canine Café. 

Why is Living an Active Lifestyle Important to You?

By George

As a frequent author on this blog, and after reading and commenting on all your posts, I am extremely happy to see that all of you enjoy and see benefit of living an active lifestyle too! I think it’s great that we can share our ideas with each other to help promote the sense of importance and unified community around the subject of living actively with our paws. 

I mentioned earlier in one of my blog posts titled, Can You Run Faster Than Us?, that living an active lifestyle with my labrador retriever, Max, is important for me because, as his guardian, I feel that it’s important to involve him in the process of living an active and healthy lifestyle, since he couldn’t do it on is own. Everyone, human or animal, deserves the joy and benefits that comes from having a healthy body and mind. Not to mention, we are always supporting each other on our runs and diets.

Now, what would really be fun and exciting is hearing why living an active lifestyle is important to you and your paws! Not need to be shy :) Let it be a great way to share our stories. Thank you for participating :)

One-Stop Shopping

by Suzanne

On Saturday afternoon, my boyfriend and I brought our dogs to Brandy’s Holistic Centre and Canine Café, so we could get a coffee (Christina makes a great cappuccino) and buy some nutritious doggy treats.

Gotta love one-stop shopping!!

It was such a beautiful day, and it felt great to finally soak up some sun and enjoy being outside – especially for my dogs, who have a really hard time with the winter weather. They are small, so their bellies are close to the ground (and the snow), and Bella, my min-pin has such short fur that even with her winter coat on she can’t spend more than 15 minutes at a time outside when it’s cold.

We purchased the much-loved Buddy Biscuits and sampled some Laika's Bark dog treats. The dogs really enjoyed munching on them.

I had never heard of Laika’s Bark brand, but they are locally made and I noticed on the package, they use “fresh, whole, unprocessed human-grade ingredients”.

Now that’s a plus! I can feel good because I know it’s all healthy, nutritious stuff.

The week-end bonus - Special talents

By Luisa

Please peak at 2 adorable videos.

Which one do you prefer? Cast your votes on the right side of the blog.

Secret Running Spots in Montreal

By George

Spring is almost here! And for you runners out there, that means revisiting park central areas again to openly run with your furry friends. Forget the snow, the cold, and the slush, from running during the winter season. Bring on the heat, the shorts, and the wildlife, form the joy of running in the spring and summer seasons!

In anticipating the weather changes, I would like to share with you some of my favourite secrets on where the best places to run with your dogs are (but you got to keep it a secret, OK?... I’m only kidding. Share them with other running enthusiasts who like to run with their dogs too).

Secret Spot #1

Mont-Royal Park

Secret Spot #2

Lachine Canal near Atwater Avenue

Secret Spot #3

Bois-Franc Park in Ville Saint-Laurent

Secret Sport #4

Canine Café, Brandy’s Holistic Pet Shop

469 rue Marie-Anne, Montreal, H2J 2A2

514-680-5582

www.brandys.ca

Now that I shared my secrets with all of you, can you think of other great places to run with our dogs? There’s no need to feel shy or embarrassed about your “secret spot” suggestion(s). The beauty of these places and your recommendation(s) are that they may not be for everyone; that’s why they are our “secrets” because they work for us. But maybe they will be a great discovery for someone else too. Remember the feeling you got when you first discovered your favourite place to run with your dog? Maybe you can bring that same excitement to someone else. So why not share them with us? And by getting involved, you too could discover new running spots from other runners. So go ahead, tell us, what’s your secret! 

And thank you for sharing in advance :)

Canine Community Events

By Suzanne

I took part in the 2011 SPCA Dog Walk on September 11, which was great because we raised money for a good cause. 


My dogs and I had such a great time, and it got me thinking: it would be so great to find other outdoor activities in Montreal that we could participate in.

I mean, other than taking them to the dog park, we don’t really have other places to go together. We also attended the SPCA Dog Walk that took place yesterday, March 4.


Does anyone know of any other dog walks or other events coming up in the spring and summer? With the nice weather coming up, it would be fun to organize other activities we can do with our dogs.


And I’m sure many Montrealers would agree!

Another option is to organize our own activities once we generate some interest. We can use Meetup.com as a platform to set this up with a calendar and sign-up sheet.

 

Please comment to let me know if you’re interested so we can get things started!

There's No Better Therapy Than Pet Therapy!

Study Highlights Health Benefits of Owning Dogs and Other Pets

By Amanda

                                                                       

“Pheeew, what a long day! I’m exhausted.” “I got home from one of the worst days at work today and am not in a good mood!” I unlock my front door, groceries spilling out of the bags as I am greeted by the warmest of touches. I look down by my side and find the cutest stare glancing back up at me. “That’s all it took.” My mood was instantly elevated – I felt relieved, energized and happy! I leaned down and scooped up my adorable furball and gave her a great big hug and kiss! “Coconutttttttt, I love you!”

And that’s the plain truth – pets make people happy. It has now even been scientifically proven that pets boost owners’ emotional and physical health. Our pets are a good source of social and emotional support for everyone; not only people facing health challenges.

           

Recent studies show that pets relieve the stress and anxiety of their pet owners. Specifically, pet owners displayed greater self-esteem, were more physically fit, tended to be less lonely, were more conscientious, were more extroverted, tended to be less fearful and tended to be less preoccupied than non-owners. Our pets are truly our best friend – they love us unconditionally, listen to us and comfort us when needed. We cherish our pets for all that they mean to us and we want them always at their best – healthy, fit and happy! To find out more on the study, click here.  

Like humans, pets need the right nutrition and exercise to maintain optimum health. Pet owners and pets that play together stay healthy together! You’re eating and exercising right – so should your pet – a good start is natural organic pet food. Coconut really enjoys and benefits from EVO Dogs – Turkey and Chicken Formula Large Bites DryFormula available at Brandy’s Holistic Center and Canine Café. I love having my dog around because I never feel alone. Somehow she makes me feel more comfortable. There is also something uplifting about an animal that loves you unconditionally. Dogs are a lot of fun. I think I have more laughs because of my dog than anything else.

Am I the only one who reaps these pleasant rewards from their pet? Please feel free to share your story.

Quality Pet Food?

By Suzanne

Since adopting Bear and nursing him back to health from kennel cough, he has come a long way! I'm not sure what his past was like, but his fur was so dirty and matted that the SPCA had to cut it all off... not a good sign.

The other thing I noticed is that he didn't know how to "be a dog". He loved going for a walk, but he was strictly on a mission to walk, not stopping anywhere to smell anything on the way, almost as if he was just so excited to be outside that he just wanted to go, go, go.


After we got our second dog, Bella, a few months later, I also noticed that he didn't know how to play with other dogs. He didn't seem to understand it. 

Today, I am happy to say that all his fur has grown in. And I'm really proud of how far he's come because he now sniffs around when we go for walks and he's learned how to play with Bella. 


How rewarding it is to have adopted such a sweet little dog and to have given him a great home! 


Bella is a lot more active than Bear is. It’s been a constant battle to keep him fit. By nature, he is sort of a couch potato. He only moves when he has to. When it's time to go for a walk, Bella is at the door as soon as she hears me touch her leash. Bear, on the other hand, is still in bed, and he doesn't want to move.

Since he’s so small and kind of lazy, it’s easy for him to gain weight. But since he has some residual breathing difficulties from when he was sick, it’s really important to keep him at the right weight.

After my dad pointed out the ingredients in the Royal Canine food I was feeding them, I realized that it is full of filler such as corn gluten meal. This whole time I thought it was a high quality food!

Now, I know I sound like one of those cheesy pet food commercials, but when you care about your pets that much, you just want the very best for them. Thankfully, the owners of Brandy’s provided me with some information on various kinds of healthy pet foods. 

I mean, don’t we all want to eat better and live healthier?

What's She Thinking?

By Luisa

I took Fluffy to Brandy's store last week.
She was soo happy to come!

We walked together in the pet store, then I had a coffee at the Canine Cafe while Fluffy ate a treat.

Later, I took her to the park for a long walk.  
Honestly, we were both having such a great time!

As we were walking, I thought: if Fluffy could talk what would she tell me?

Then, these thoughts came to mind:

 

 

"I am so happy!"

"Again, again!! Let's do another round of the park".

"Can I get another treat? That was so good!".

And obviously..... "I love you!".

Now your turn, if your dog could talk, what would he say to you?

Thanks for sharing!

Check out what Lippo has to say:  ???
             

Moving Day

By Elle

I've lived in a total of five neighborhoods on the island of Montreal, but there's nothing like moving day in Saint-Henri.  It’s incredible how many cats get left behind.  I wonder if it’s partly intentional or if most just get lost during the move.  I mean before Poodle I never understood what the big deal was.  A cat? What’s the point.  But then it happened.  Moving day in my neighborhood.  This is the story of how I a little feline made her way into my heart. 


Here I was, coming home from the market, when I notice this skinny, filthy, black and white ball of knotty fur.  It was just lounging next to my door with this look on her face: “And where have you been?”  The attitude on that cat!  I tried to ignore her, after all she was not mine.  The thing is she was just there. She wouldn’t leave.  I would come out to BBQ, she would be sprawled on the picnic table.  I would be on my laptop, enjoying my coffee on a longhair, she would be grooming herself close by in the shade.  I would come back from work, she would be massaging herself against my Teracotta cactus pots, purring.  Incredible, I hadn’t even feed her yet.


Poodle's timing might have had something to do with how we ended up bonding (that's right, I named her Poodle).  I had just recently broken up with my ex, and it was a messy situation. I found myself lonely and sad.  Kind of like a cat on moving day who returns to her owner’s apartment only to realize that nobody is home.  I was tired of talking my friend’s and family’s ears off about my broken heart, especially because there really was nothing I could do about it.  I guess I just needed to have something to look forward to, some sort of affection or attention.  And that’s exactly what Poodle gave me.  She didn’t judge me or even care about my problems, she just wanted to be around me, hang out.  And that’s how I began reciprocating that affection.  She became my friend, my confident, and just like that we made an agreement: we were gonna live together.  So moving day became “moving on day”.  

When I first started feeding Poodle, she was pretty skinny, after all she had clearly been homeless for a couple weeks.  I wanted to give her something delicious, treat her to quality holistic food.   So I did some research and discovered Nature's Variety, makes a product called Instinct Freeze Dried Raw.  It was recommended to transition cats to raw holistic food and it can be stored at room temperature.  Didn't take long for Poodle reach a healthy wait, plus she loves it!  

Now I get it.  I understand why people get so attached to their pets, because at the end of the day, feels great to have a bond with someone who couldn’t care less about anything else but your presence and cuddles (and maybe her feedings).

5 Signs Your Pet's in Better Shape

By Amanda

1. When’s the last time you caught your cat dipping chips in ranch dressing?! 
There’s nothing better than spending an evening in, eating my favourite chips dipped in ranch dressing watching a romantic comedy, like the Notebook. Or even polishing off a tub of ice cream to myself! Those are my guilty pleasures! I don’t know why I enjoy indulging myself so much and I feed my cat and dog holistic pet foods. Go figure! 

2. I assume your dog doesn’t require two pots of coffee to answer e-mails in the morning!
“Gosh, I’m so tired!” I mumbled to myself as I crawled out of bed. I made my way to the kitchen to put on my regular two pots of morning coffee before opening my emails. Suddenly, I felt a tug on my pyjama pant leg and it was my dog, looking up at me with all the energy in the world. “Are we going to play now?” are what her big eyes were saying to me. I couldn’t for the life in me fathom at the idea of playing right now. “Sorry, but Mommy has business to take care of sweetie – Maybe later!” 



3. How is it that you have your vet’s number on speed dial but not your physicians?!
“I can’t believe that it’s been two years already since I last had a physical exam!” “Now, where did I put my doc’s number?” I can’t believe that I have my dog’s stuff in order but not my own! Why is it that we pet owners take better medical care of our pets than ourselves. My pet gets his vaccinations and vet check ups regularly and actually takes her meds which are hidden in her natural treats! 



4. Why does my dog await anxiously, wagging her tail, at the front door first thing in the  morning, while I’m calculating how many more seconds I can sneak in to sleep?
“Just five more minutes” I grumbled to myself as I hit the snooze button. “What’s all that noise?!” I wondered. “Oh, yeah – it’s Coconut barking and waiting anxiously for her morning walk” I thought. “How is it that she gets that excited to go out and walk this early in the morning??” “I’m not even ready to get out of my pjs!”



5. How come my dog doesn’t have two months worth of roots stemming out from her fur?!
“Wow! Look at these roots” I exclaimed as I looked at myself in the mirror. It has been at least two months since I last had my roots done. I glanced over at my dog and whispered, “You’re so lucky that you don’t have three inch roots growing out of you fur!” “Your fur is nice and groomed all the time; I take such good care of you!”

The Next Level

By Elle

The idea came to me while I was in my boss’s office. He was screaming about some report that was filed under the wrong title or something. I barely bothered listening because this had become his habitual tone of communication. Suddenly, while staring at the wall behind him, I noticed one of those tacky motivational posters. It was a picture of Mount Everest and the caption read “Sometimes risk is what is needed to take us to the next level.” And it just clicked. Alvin and I needed to take a risk, tackle something big, reach the next level.

I had been looking for a while for an activity to do with Alvin. It seemed our weekend walk on the mountain was not giving both him and me the thrill we craved.  Alvin is a Rottie mix. I’m always looking for a way to better my boy’s quality of life. Spending the week at the office, crouched in front of my computer, sedentary. I know Alvin can relate to my hours of inactivity. Poor little guy is confined to my ground level condo during the day.  Meanwhile I’m confined to my boxy cubicle. Needless to say, when Saturday morning rolls around, we wanna get outdoors and play. I needed to find an activity that challenged both of us, something we could share, maybe even with other people and dogs. And that’s exactly what we did. We started hiking together. It took a couple hikes to get the feel of things. By the fourth hike, it was like a natural high.

The hikes have really improved my mood. I started trimming down a little and firming up.  Alvin’s appetite has been full force, not that it's not usually, but it's morphed into beastly.  I needed to adjust his diet to sustain our new hobby.

It started out being just the two of us. But I've started inviting a couple friends and now we have a serious group going. The dynamic and energy is pretty incredible. We started sharing tips on nutrition, equipment and finding new trails to explore. I’ve already got Alvin on  holistic food, Wellness Super5Mix, which I buy at Brandy's Holistic Center and Canine Café.  Since hikes, I find myself avoiding lots of the junk foods I used to crave.  I'm not sure if it's because the summer is rolling around or because the hikes are serious sweat dripping workouts, but I'm really eating better. I want Alvin to feel as healthy and energized as I do, especially now that we're shaking up pretty much hiking every weekend. A couple months ago, if someone would of told me I'd get hooked on this activity, I would of been highly skeptical. It’s hard to believe I can look forward to my weekend hikes as much as my Friday 5 à 7 with my girlfriends. Now at the office, I catch myself thinking about Alvin's little excited face when I'm prepping our gear before we head out.

Any suggestions for trails or amazing scenery in the Greater Montreal area?

Breakups: Who Gets the Dog?

By Luisa

84 year-old, Hugh Hefner and 24 year-old Playboy Bunny Crystal Harris broke off their engagement, and they are now fighting over who will keep Charlie, their Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.


Hugh Hefner told the famous bunny that she can keep the +$90K ring and the Bentley, but that he’s definitely keeping Charlie!  What?! Actually, that makes sense, right?


So, apparently, more and more Canadians are faced with this. Ok, let’s face it, probably most of us did not get a $90k ring and a Bentley when we parted ways....


But, what happens when couples break up?
And the big question, who should keep little Charlie? Him or her? ---- Why?!


Can't wait to see your comments!

   

Who will take me to Brandy's ?

Can You Run Faster Than Us?

By George
 

My buddy Max and I both beat our 50-meter dash records today, and we both feel great! The hard work and dedication surely paid off!

Max used to run 50 meters in 6.82 seconds and I used to do complete it in 7.15 seconds. Now, Max does it in 6.12 and I finish at 6.73 seconds.

Max's Profile

Breed: Yellow Labrador Retriever

Age: 6 1/2 years

Weight: 72 lbs

Height: 23 inches

My Profile

Age: 27 years

Weight: 175 lbs

Height: 5’11”

What started off as jogging together to get in better shape, we’re now continuously living a healthier lifestyle. As his guardian, I feel that it’s important to involve him in the process of living an active and healthy lifestyle, because he couldn’t do it on is own. And part of this process is done so by eating a healthy diet. I buy most of my groceries in the organic section of the grocery store. For my buddy Max, I pick up holistic dog food at a pet shop called  Brandy's. They specialize in only the best holistic pet food, and are located in Montreal with free delivery around the greater Montreal area.

Having Max around for support and motivation really helps me focus. And I’m sure that he loves to see me running with him too.

If you and your paws are up for some friendly competition, then share your own sprinting times and stories about running together. Just post your own message and/or reply to this one. 

See you later alligator :P

Challenge: Focus on my Dog's Priorities

By Luisa

Many of us lead very busy and stressful  lives. In fact, as adults, we often have different roles and responsibilities such as being a spouse, a parent, an employee, and so on... 

The pressure to do it all, affects our environment more than we can imagine. 
On the other hand, our pets also experience stress, which is very similar to the type of stress children experience.  For instance, they wonder about things such as:

“Shoot, I need to pee!”

“Where did mommie go? Did she abandon me?"
" I want to play!"
"I am bored!"
                                  
                                          What is Luppo doing: view

Have you noticed how happy your dog/cat is when you get home?

Of course you have! And doesn't it make you feel special?   Can you imagine your boss being this happy to see you tomorrow morning? Joking aside, I came to realize that I need to implement zen practices at home. It is important that I take some time to appreciate my dog and show him how much I love him.

I challenge myself to start the following:
1. Date night. Take a walk with my dog and tell him how my day went.
2. Improve his nutrition. Buy better quality food.
3. Buy him toys so he can play during the day.

4. Buy special treats for him.

5. Get him a professional massage (I heard Brandy's offers massotherapy for dogs).

Can you give me tips on how you make your dog/cat feel special? 

Thanks for your comments!

Cheat Day Saturday!

By George

After 6 days of counting carbs and calories, it feels so comforting to just indulge in some sweets. But if most of you are like me, I always feel guilty afterwards. So I did some exploring and found healthier alternatives to cheat day snacks, and I would like to share them with all of you. And just so that your furry friends don’t feel left out, I also put together a short list of healthy treats for them.

          SNACKS FOR YOU

Dr. Oetker Organic Cake Mix
Available in Vanilla, Chocolate, Marble, and Lemon

One serving of marble cake mix alone 39g = 0g of Fat, 33g of Carbs, 19g of Sugar, and 1g of Protein for a total 140 Calories

GoGo Quinoa Vegan and Gluten-Free Cookies

Comes in Chocolate Chip and Orange Essence

2 Chocolate Chip Cookies 36g = 1g of Fat, 23g of Carbs, 2g of Sugar and 5g of Protein for a total 110 Calories

Nocciolata Organic & Gluten-Free Hazelnut Cocoa Spread

1 serving 28g = 10g of Fat, 18g of Carbs, 17g of Sugar, and 2.5g of Protein for a total 170 Calories

SNACKS FOR YOUR FURRY FRIEND

  

Buddy Biscuits All Natural Dog Biscuits

Comes in Bacon And Cheese and Peanut Butter

Bag Weight 454g

Retail price $6.99 CAN

Muttos All Natural Corn-Free Dog Treats

Comes in Blueberry, Cranberry and Turkey

Bag Weight 454g

Retail Price $7.99 CAN

Natural Balance L.I.T. Limited Ingredient Dog Treats

Grain-free and easily digestible without corn, soy or wheat

Available in Sweet Potato & Fish, and Potato & Duck

Bag Weight 0.88 lbs

Retail Price $6.99 CAN

My Labrador Retriever, Max, really likes the Buddy Biscuits and the Natural Balance treats. I picked them up at a holistic pet shop called Brandy’s right here in Montreal (they also deliver to the greater Montreal area).

I would really like to hear what you guys think, so please share your own list of healthy snacks and treats for cheat days by posting your own message and/or replying to this one. This way, we can all discover new snacks and treats together :)

Enjoy!

Walking, Jogging & Rollerblading… with Your Furry Friend!

By Amanda

Do you love getting out and being active with your pet? I know I sure do! There are so many great (free) activities that you can do with your dog that keep both yourself and your furry friend physically and mentally fit. Some of these activities include: ball fetching, biking, Frisbee, jogging, rollerblading, soccer & walking.

           

And as you can guess, exercise offers the same benefits to your pet as it does for humans: tones muscles, helps prevent obesity, strengthens the cardiovascular system, strengthens bones, improves sleep and mood, enhances mental alertness and promotes health. Outdoor exercise also provides socialization opportunities!

           

While some dogs need much more exercise than others, all dogs of any age benefit from daily activity. One way to ensure you both get enough exercise is to exercise together! You are both a source of motivation for each other!

Ball Fetching: Fetching a ball or favourite toy is great exercise for your dog,  but it may not bring much of a workout to you as you stand there and toss. So while playing fetch, try doing some lunges or squats while you wait for your pet to bring the ball back. Try to avoid using tree branches or sticks, as they can hurt your companion’s mouth. You’ll also want to teach them the “release” command as well as how to bring the ball back to you. 


Biking: In order to start biking with your dog, it may require some special training in advance. You’ll need to teach your dog to run beside the bicycle without pulling or yanking. You may want to attach the leash to your bike with a special force absorber called a Springer. That way, if your dog tugs some of the shock gets absorbed and the impact on you is diminished. Also, you will want to keep a close eye on your dog, to ensure she doesn’t get exhausted while your on wheels.

Frisbee: offers a classic canine workout. You can play a relaxed game in your own yard or join a formal team. Participating in competitions may give you and your dog greater motivation to practice regularly. It is a fun sport for the both of you. Goal-oriented sports are great because they allow for continued behaviour training while simultaneously contributing to the pet-owner bond.

Jogging: is a fantastic way to keep you and your pal in shape. Build up to a regular routine by commencing with a five minute warm-up, a twenty minute light jog and then finish off with a five minute cool down. These are important steps to follow as you do not want to fatigue your friend. Great places to jog are around the block, a hiking trail and the park.

Rollerblading: Like biking, rollerblading poses a risk of being yanked off the road by your companion every time she spots a squirrel. To safeguard against this, proper training is required beforehand. That way you both know what to expect and enjoy this activity safely. A good way to help train her is to give her treats when she runs right beside and does not tug the leash. After several times, this behaviour should become routine to her.

Soccer: What a fun activity for you and your pet to engage in! I recommend that you get a soccer ball made for dogs as it softer made of hard plastic and come in different sizes to suit your particular breed. You kick the ball and your dog tries to pass it back to you either with her nose or paws. A great place to play is in the backyard or at the park.

Walking: a classic activity for you and your pet. Brisk walking is an ideal exercise for both you and your pet alike. Great for bonding with your four-legged friend as you sightsee. Walking is easy and relaxing and more fun when shared with your furry friend! Learning how to train dogs is also a fun, challenging and a very rewarding activity.

Do you and your pet engage in any other great pet exercises or activities?