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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!

Many would agree that a house is not a home without a pet shadowing your every move, so it stands to reason that home design doesn’t really make sense without a few innovations here and there to accommodate the fur-babies. For example, tired of always tripping over the dog crate? Why not build one as a convenient and stylish wall pocket space instead? From mudrooms to kitchens, we’re showcasing a roundup of clever and cute home sense solutions for your pets’ needs!

It’s important to have a designated space in your home for family members to wipe their feet and lay muddy boots to rest. The same is true when it comes to excitable muddy paws, so why not keep everything in one tidy place by creating a spacious built-in dog bed for your pooch to dry off in after a romp outside in the elements.

No kitchen space for large unsightly bags of kibble? No problem! Simply convert a drawer into a kibble area that can be easily accessed and easily tucked away from view!

Litterboxes have always been a somewhat problematic presence in the home, more often than not circling back to the inevitable question, “Where should we put it?” Our advice? The bathroom of course! But don’t just lay out the tray and leave it at that. By constructing a beautiful square covering with paneled detailing, useful shelf and handy towel rack on the side, kitty’s place of business is not only presentable but multi-functional too!

Dishes can be another hassle at times. You’re whisking around the kitchen preparing what will surely be the dinner party of the century when “Clamour! Clamour!” you trip over your dog’s dishes and send your main course flying from your hands! Well, never again if you install a custom built drawer to hold the dishes in place! Neat, yes?

No matter what kind of pet you have there is always a way to meet their needs in a stylish and expertly designed manner. What are some of your home sense innovations for pets? Share your answers on this post or over here! We’re dying to know! Happy Monday everyone!

(sources 1, 2 (unknown), 3, 4, 5)

All photography by Andrew Pinkham

People have been creating likenesses of their pets for hundreds of years, a loving practice that is now being celebrated in the new work of Philadelphia-based photographer, Andrew Pinkham.

As a child Pinkham visited many old houses that had opulent paintings, which later had a profound influence upon his work. Wishing to create a body of work that drew from his childhood as well as his passion for animals and portraiture, Pinkham began to blur the lines of time in his images as a means to engage the viewer and question our personal interpretations of history. The result? A stunning series of canine images that mimics the aesthetic of a 19th Century painting.