Maia and Anouk

It’s that time again! Time to vote for your favourite nominee in the November’s Pet of the Month contest. Up for grabs? The oh-so ‘pawsh’ title and of course the lucky winner will receive a nifty Ruff Bowl, which we wrote about over here! Thank you to everyone who sent in photographs! We never tire of seeing your darling fur-babies.

First up a dynamic duo — Maia the Golden Retriever and Anouk the Bernese Mountain Dog. Both of these girls love the snow and winter is their favourite season! Keep reading to learn more about the other nominees!

Flynt

Next up we have Flynt, a seven-year-old bundle of energy who was rescued from the Humane Society as a pup. As you can see her in her photograph she is always up for a game!

Dee Dee and Butter

Another pair of cutie-pies — Dee Dee and Butter! Snuggling on the couch under a warm cozy blanket is their idea of the perfect winter afternoon.

Patches

The last fluff-ball up for this month’s coveted title is Patches. A sweet girl who doesn’t mind being scruffy and enjoys frolicking in the woods!

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These quirky illustrations by David Soames from Dallas, Texas beautifully capture the thought that every dog owner will have at some point when it’s time to face the elements for some much needed exercise — “If only Fido could walk himself?” Don’t you just adore the cheeky look on each of these faces? Framed individually, this series would be a cheerful addition to any wall!

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It has arrived at last. The first proper snow of the season and as always its sudden overnight arrival has shocked many an Ottawa resident. Every year, especially when we’ve been enjoying such a beautiful, warm fall, part of us begins to believe that snow just isn’t coming this time round, that we’ve somehow managed to slip by Mother Nature’s careful watch. Then we wake up one day and bam! Snow for as far as the eye can see!

Even Rory was a little taken aback this year, picking up her paws in a frenzy and sniffing wildly at the soft glistening whiteness. She quickly warmed up to the idea though (as we all inevitably do) and scampered off to explore her freshly blanketed winter wonderland. While playing in the snow is fabulous fun for you and your pet, there are a few things that one should keep in mind…

1.  Snow does not hydrate, so be sure to keep a brimming water bottle on you for your pooch to drink should they get thirsty.

2.  Snow clumps in a pet’s coat and often times can accumulate between a pet’s foot pads, which can become painful. So keep an eye on their movement and if any limping or gnawing at paws begins take them inside for a bit of a break.

3.  Snow decreases visibility.  You may think that your chocolate brown lab will stick out with no problem against a glistening white background, but snow is very reflective and can impair a driver’s vision if they are not paying close attention.  Consider getting your pet a light for their collar if out and about in the dark and a brightly coloured bandana or coat/sweater for daytime. The extra splash of colour will help make your pet ‘pop’ amidst the white.

Get outside and play in the snow today! And if you’re feeling creative, why not share some photos of your pet reacting to snow? Post them here and we’ll be sure to comment!