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Month: February 2011

An Award-Winning Weekend!

White Wool Tux from Bitch New York


Not so subtle whiffs of designer gowns, Hollywood stars and outrageous glamour linger in the air this time of year. That’s right ladies and gentlemen, the Oscars are almost here! But there is another prestigious award also up for grabs – the FIDOS.

Created by well respected journalist, Toby Rose, the FIDOS (For Incredible Dogs on Screen) are meant to recognize outstanding canine contributions to cinema. Rose also organizes the Palm Dog Award at the Cannes Film Festival, but while the Palm Dog is restricted to dogs who perform only in festival films, the FIDOS are open to anyone with a tail involved in the movies.

Pooches compete in five categories; RomCom Rover, Blockbuster Bowser, Mutt Moment, Comedy Canine and Historical Hound. Then there is the coveted Best in World award, given to the talented pup who shines in all five categories. Past nominees for these categories include, Will Smith’s German Shepherd Samantha in I Am Legend, the pair of Corgis in The Queen, Kim Catrell’s spunky Yorkshire Terrier in Sex and the City, and Dug the talking dog in Up!  Just like the actual Oscars, the FIDOS are a glamourous event complete with a star-studded cast of celebrity presenters and heart-felt acceptance speeches….well….acceptance licks.


But even if your pup isn’t a Hollywood celebrity just yet, there’s no reason why they cannot have a pampered weekend of luxury and leisure just like the real movie mutts! All they have to do is follow these easy steps!


STEP 1:

Hair is everything when it comes to primping for a VIP event and what better way to get one’s fur just right than with the Deluxe FURminator Brush. Durable stainless steel, bright eye-catching colours and a clever brush blade that never gets full, this is definitely a brush to count on for big hair on your big night out.


STEP 2:
Next, wardrobe darling. Something drop dead gorgeous for the girls, like this lovely Starry Night Dress or Pewter Satin Marilyn Monroe Gown from Bitch New York.

Watch the boys strut their stuff in either a Gold Satin Tuxedo or White Wool Tux, designed by Deni Alexander and available through Bitch New York.

STEP 3:
What would any Oscar or FIDO outfit be, however without a bit of excess sparkle? So go ahead an splurge a little on a glittering Premium Rhinestone Gold Collar from My Pups Closet. Plus adorn the gold with sequined letters to spell your pup’s name!



STEP 4:

Now reserving a limousine to tote your pooch around for the evening might be a bit over the top, so instead why not treat them to something a little more functional. We’re thinking about the Dog Carrier 40 by Louis Vuitton; classic, stylish and tough – just the qualities one needs when immersed in the limelight.


So there you have it! A fancy canine inspired award-winning weekend out. Of course, if dressing up to the nines isn’t really your style, we also encourage getting your ‘scruff on’ and staying in. Curling up on the couch with an enormous bowl of popcorn for some quality snuggle time is an equally great way to enjoy an Oscar flavoured weekend.

Pet Oxygen Masks Save Lives

Courtesy of NYDaily.com
This week, on Tuesday Februrary 22nd in Ottawa, Ontario a cat was saved from a fire on Russell Road thanks to the heroic efforts of firefighters and a specially designed pet oxygen mask. Until recently capital region firefighters were without this vital piece of pet-safety equipment due to budget constraints, but one woman’s determination spearheaded a change in first response vehicles.

Last year Andrea Cormack-Akeson, the owner of Dirty Dog Gourmet Bakery, began fund-raising with the goal of equipping fire trucks in the capital region with a complete pet oxygen mask kit. Although these masks were being used for some time in other Canadian cities like Toronto, the Ottawa fire department did not have the necessary funding to invest in the specifically tailored masks.
Just like people, dogs and cats also suffer from smoke inhalation and although human masks were often used in attempts to revive injured pets, the effect was unfortunately limited and often ineffectual.
A pet oxygen mask kit offers a better result, because it is created to fit the unique shape of an animal snout. A standard kit contains three mask sizes; small dog, large dog and cat. Each kit costs approximately $55 and Akeson purchased the first two kits herself to give to Ottawa firefighters on behalf of the pets who cannot speak for themselves.
To make a donation to this on-going campaign, please click here.

DOG TRAINING TIPS: HOW TO FACE A LICKY LOVE

how to train dog licking

Every month we ask you to send us your dog related quandaries and in turn we send them to our resident dog behaviour expert, Lisa Day — a certified IPG Master Groomer and obedience expert — for some advice. Here is this month’s question and answer all about the age-old quandry of how to stop a dog from licking so much?

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Hooray for Family Day!

Unknown Source
Happy Family Day! If you live in Canada you’ll know what we’re talking about. If not, let us explain! Today is an official holiday set aside specifically for families to enjoy some uninterrupted time together. And since our beloved pets are an important part of the family pack, we thought we’d share some of the activities that we, the PAWSH team, will be busying ourselves with on this wonderful day off.

1.  PawsWay Pet Discovery Centre

We’re a big fan of this delightful centre that welcomes human and canine friends alike and on Monday the PawsWay will be hosting a jam-packed day of fun and games. Take in some lively dogshows, skating, bouncy tents, live music and more! And be sure to bring your pet friend along for the ride! Free admission and lots of treats! Woof! (To learn more about the PawsWay Pet Discovery Centre, click here).

2. Sgt. Woof and the Woof Troop

Come down to Toronto’s waterfront to visit with the K9 Safety program, including Sgt. Woof himself! Entertaining demonstrations in canine sports, obedience, dancing and agility will be running all afternoon, providing a great way to educate little ones about proper pet care and safety. A wonderful outing for the whole pack!

3. Take a Bath

Washing the dog may sound like more of a chore than a fun family activity, but many dog behaviourists believe that grooming rituals are a terrific bonding activity. Give every member of the family a job during the process. For example, a different person could be in charge of shampooing, lathering, rinsing, toweling and brushing. Your dog will revel in hands on attention and their quirky nature around water is sure to elicit laughter from the whole family!

Oh, and we’d recommend using an eco-friendly shampoo such as Earthbath. Gentle on canine skin, nourishing to the coat and good for the environment!

4.  Hide and Seek

Games are always a good idea in our books; hide and seek especially so! Not only does this game encourage a dog’s natural ‘hunting’ and obedience instincts, but it also reaffirms the bond between a dog and its pack. To play simply have your pooch sit and stay while slowly backing away. Once you are hidden, call your dog’s name and wait into they find you! Of course, not all dog’s are great at the ‘stay’ command, so it might be helpful to have one family member distract your doggie detective while the other family members hide. They release the hound and wait for the giggles!

5. Bake Cookies!

Spending time in the kitchen is an amazing family activity and baking treats for your pup automatically includes them in the hustle and bustle. There are numerous recipes suitable for your dog, a lot of which are organic and healthy! Check out The Poop Pantry (trust us, the name is very misleading, but the recipes divine!) to find a flavourful that is especially delicious. Oh, and don’t forget to pick up a cute cookie cutter or two for the special occasion!

From Dog Like Nature
Happy Family Day! May it be filled with good times and great memories! What is your pack getting up to today?