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Hello hello! I hope you have enjoyed (or are lucky enough to still be enjoying) a wonderful holiday! We’re back, as promised, in fine fettle getting ready for New Year’s — a glorious time of year that never fails to inspire optimism and hope while stirring the souls of dreamers everywhere! That’s the PAWSH perspective on the end of year at least, which has us jumping for joy!

Before we share with you a little reflection about the amazing year 2011, however, we have a favour to ask — nothing too huge (I hope), but something that would definitely be appreciated! You see, while preparations for 2012 are already in full swing, the PAWSH team and I would love some feedback from you about what you would like to see in the upcoming 365 days. So a little survey has been prepared, again nothing huge, just a simple 10 multiple-choice questions and it would mean a lot if you could take a moment to fill it out. We want to make 2012 the best year ever while making sure we’re providing the features, contests and information you want!

Thank you so very much in advance for your time everyone! I hope the New Year’s fever is tickling your soul with elation and excitement too! xo

Good morning everyone! We’re about to take a few days off to spend time with family and friends, steal mad cuddles with Rory and her furry pals, sip eggnog and of course feast as though it were going out of style!

We would like to wish each and every one of you incredible joy, warmth and beauty this holiday season and hope that you have some time to frolic outside with Jack Frost nipping at your nose, sink into comfortable living rooms with delicious cups of steaming cocoa and share your homes with loved ones without whom life would not be worth living.

Before Rory and I finish packing our suitcases and wrapping gifts however we’d like to draw your attention to Rory’s snazzy winter jacket. Isn’t it festively darling? It is called The Wilderness Jacket and was sent to us by a new company, Canada Pooch. Weeks ago, from the moment I unwrapped this garment from its crinkly paper and saw the vibrant burst of red peak through the packaging, I knew it had to be part of our 2011 holiday card!

 

This jacket is beautifully stitched, lined with fleece and a faux-down filling and offers an easy-to-use velcro fastener to keep pups snug! It also offers a cute little pocket on the back, ideal for carrying bags or treats and is waterproof! I especially love how this jacket sweetly mimics the winter jackets that so many Canadians bundle up in every winter. It even has a maple leaf stitched on the sleeve!

With -40 degree weather quickly approaching (brrrr! brrrr! brrrr!) the Wilderness Jacket is a welcome addition to Rory’s practical winter attire, especially as she will be adventuring out on lots of winter trails this year and require something a little heavier to keep warm! Thank you Canada Pooch for thinking of us and keep up the great designing!

Alright, that’s all from us until a little later next week. We’ll be back with a little something to celebrate New Year’s! Until then be safe, have fun and make this Christmas the best one ever!

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My favourite part of the holidays, the part that I look forward to even more than the big day itself, is Christmas Eve. No matter where I am when December 24th finally rolls around childhood nostalgia finds me.

Remember being little and waiting for Santa to arrive? Keeping careful watch on the skies above your house, listening intently for the soft pitter-patter of reindeer hooves on the roof or the tell-tale jingle of bells, preparing milk, cookies and carrots for your soon-to-be-guests, and dashing madly to bed, trying desperately to push excitement from your mind so you could fall asleep and meet morning a little earlier. These are but a few of the fond memories that come rushing back to me every year.

I also remember my childhood dog, Trilby, eagerly supporting my carefree elation! Whether wrapping or shaking presents under the tree, baking goodies with my grandmother, building intricate snowmen in the front yard for Santa to see, singing carols with the other neighbourhood children or curling up for a festive bedtime story, Trilby was always there with a waggy tail supporting the season’s magic.  She always fell asleep after me on the foot of my bed, but on Christmas Eve I would fervently try to coax her to sleep before me so that she wouldn’t be awake when Santa came — because everyone knows Santa flies over houses where somebody tries to stay up to see him, right?

I think pets in general help children discover their imaginations, because they tell their pets secrets, play games with them and firmly believe that they are more than just a dog, cat or rabbit — they are a friend, a being, a faithful sidekick who also believes in magic and wonder. On Christmas Eve especially, when magic is almost tangible and swirling amidst a flurry of snowflakes and cheer, I think pets help us rekindle that sense of awe from childhood. How do your pets make the Christmas season magical?

Would you like to know a secret? Rory is getting a new collar this year for Christmas — that is, if her people can ever decide on a style! It’s awful that we are days away from the big celebration and we still haven’t picked one (but please, no judgement!) Why a collar, you may ask? Well mostly because her present collar is looking a little shabby and this product can be both practical and pretty!

There is a vast rainbow of possibilities in the colourful world of collars, something to suit every pooch and every pooch’s whim! It is wonderful to have choice, but at the same time it can be a tricky business finding exactly the right look for your furry friend.

Above are a few of the top contenders. I’m loving the bold graphic prints and sophisticated fabrics that merge to bring forth some lovely neck attire. Which one do you think would best suit Rory? Any input would be greatly appreciated!

1. Tangerine Leather  2. Mod Dog Collection  3. Plaid Collar  4. A Pop of Pink  5. Floral Cream Collar Cover  6. Elephant’s On Parade Goldenrod  7. Preppy Plaid