How to share toast with 5 dogs

And now for something completely different - a little video I've called "How to share toast with 5 dogs!"

I am incensed

I have been to a few pet stores lately since I've accumulated a couple new dogs lately - the ones I went to this week were the Pet's Unlimited in Bayer's Lake and the Pet Valu in Clayton park and when I got up to the cash area at each store - what I saw there was this large display from a local dog trainer.

A dog trainer who I know uses shock collar to train dogs.

I asked each of the girl's at the cash at these stores if this company PAYS the store to have this display at their cash and each store clerk replied - "No" - they were not paid to put that advertisement in such a prime spot in their store - I then asked the clerk's if they knew this dog trainer used shock collars to train the dogs in his care - and they all replied - "YES" - they knew that, and some of the replies I got back were -

- he doesn't use it on all the dogs he trains;
- there are different kinds of training for different dogs;
- shock collars don't actually shock - they just buzz

I told the store clerk's that I was putting down the items that I had planned on buying and was walking out - and wouldn't be shopping there - BECAUSE they had that advertisement in their store. I said that that type of dog training was abusive and they shouldn't have that in their store. One of the store clerks said they would pass it on to the owner - and I hope they do.

It disgusts me. If they are going to give such a prime space to such abusive methods - they should give the same amount of space to positive trainers at the very least - but I don't think they should be giving that much prime space for free anyway.

If there is any positive trainer out there who wants to put the same type of advertisement in a local pet store - please contact me - I will buy the exact same display case that this trainer has - and if you give me material to put in it - I will print it out in quantities sufficient to go into the display case - and take it to the stores that I see this "trainers" materials in - and make sure that it is put right next to his displays - and if they won't let me do it - then I will demand they remove his too.

It is awful that the public is only seeing HIS type of very misleading advertising - how many dogs are being forever damaged because he's advertising in pet stores that present themselves as being positive healthy places to buy things for your dog.

What a bunch of dirty liars they are. They should be ashamed to have that matieral on their counter space.

Buttercup is 18 today

I can't believe it was 9 years ago today that I brought Buttercup home from the Dartmouth SPCA - I described it in a post back in 2004 when I was celebrating her 10th birthday - and even back then I thought she was so old that I didn't want to waste one minute with her because I knew she could be taken from me at any moment. In 2006 I also talked about her story as well - if you look at the photos - she hasn't aged one day!.

Who could have known that I would have 9 blissful years with her - and the time is still counting - she's still healthy, and not looking like she's going anywhere anytime soon.

Today it was all about Buttercup all day long - I had a couple of errands to run, and she came with me and we went and hung out at Horseshoe Island Park for awhile - it's one of my favourite places to go with her because you don't really walk anywhere - you just hang out and it's really picturesque - right on the harbour and lots of boats going by and stuff, it's very beautiful.

We had a great day. And hopefully we'll have a lot more.

Some bits up, some bits down but all in all - perfect

Taken at Dogkisser international headquarters

I am Sassy, hear me roar

Taken at Dogkisser international headquarters

Zues the bulldog finally gets to rest

I had an email from Zues's Dad - this is his photo here with Zues - now that Zues is gone he's allowing his own anonymity to stop because with Zues gone, really the last vesitges of the Celtic Pets scandal is disappearing now - so Blaine can show how much love there was between him and his dog Zues.

Blaine emailed me to say that Zues is now with all the other victims of the abusers MacIsaac and is no longer in any pain.

Thanks to Blaine - Zues was able spend 4 years in earthly heaven - after spending many years in the torturous cage inside the Celtic Pets hell that was the "shelter" that he had come from.

365 x 4 is a lot of days he got to enjoy because of Blaine - and that is fabulous, and from the updates Blaine sent us over those 4 years - Zues enjoyed every one of those days.

I hope there is a heaven, and if there is - Zues is for sure there now, and he's waiting for Blaine - because he's earned his passage there fair and square.

Don't wait too long to get another dog, Blaine - there's another Zues out there who needs you.

Hip hop happy

Taken at Dogkisser international headquarters

Clouds at Costco

The whole fan-damily

Taken at Dogkisser international headquarters

New Doggy Day Care + Fun Stuff

A new doggy day care has opened up in Halifax - owned by Tristan Flynn who used to own Golden Rule Training. He's a purely positive dog trainer who believes fervently in the power of positive training and volunteers at the Dartmouth SPCA shelter saving lives all over the place - he walks the walk and talks the talk - and he now has a facility to bring his philosophy to all of us!

Here is the blurb that they have on their Facebook page - "Jollytails Doggy Daycare is located in the heart of Halifax, 5 minutes from the Windsor Exchange at 3484 Intercolonial St (off Kempt Rd). We have over 6500 square feet of OUTSIDE play area for our dogs! We run both Group and Private training classes dealing with a wide range of issues from teaching basic manners to addressing aggression issues. We also feature quality retail toys and food products that you can't get anywhere else designed with your pet's mental health in mind!"

They are the only institutional doggy day care on the Halifax peninsula with an outdoor play area - and I am so happy for Tristan, and for the dogs of Halifax that this service has been made available - I'm sure they're going to have great success!

You can find out more about the facility on their Facebook page!

I was so sorry to hear yesterday that Bark & Fitz on Doyle Street here in Halifax had closed down - Christine Greening had loved that store into such a success story for 5 years, taking it from a kiosk in the Historic Properties to the store on Doyle Street - I am always very sad when a dog service disappears.

One of the groomers from the store - Addison White had previously emailed me that he had found a grooming salon that he'd gotten a job at if you had gotten your dogs groomed by him and wanted to follow him to his new salon. He is now located at Kibble N Clips on 485 Sackville Dr in Lower Sackville, the phone number there is(902) 865-5244 - it's located in the lower level of the Sackville Animal Hospital

This coming Saturday is the next "Meow Mover" super adoption event being sponsored by my favourite group (because I'm involved with them!) Second Chance Charity for Animals out in Lower Sackville at the Sackville Community Centre, on 45 COnnelly Road (just up from Kent's).

There will be 25 plus cats/kittens on site ready for adoption, plus sales of new and quality used items including artwork, dishes, antiques, toys, cutlery, etc. 10 am - it all starts at 10am, and admission $1.00

This is Ollie! He's my newest foster dog - you've seen him here a couple of times - and he's looking for a home - he's a long haired chihuaua - and he's available through Atlantic Small dog Rescue - he's a beautiful little guy with just a couple little quirks - so if you're pretty easy going and willing to love love love - Ollie is the dog for you! Here is a link to Ollie's Petfinder Page - http://www.petfinder.com/petdetail/22870383