Ruffs on the red carpet: Beverly Hills Dog Show has all of the pawsitive vibes you need
The most glamourous night of the dog year is just around the corner. The 4th Annual Beverly Hills Dog Show will air on Sunday, May 17th and I got the inside scoop from Maria Menounos about the pitter-patter on the red carpet, how she is handling the Covid-19 crisis and how we can get Hazel a job as a canine correspondent.
50th Anniversary of Earth Day: How to celebrate Earth Day from home
Celebrating Earth Day is going to be a little different this year. Unlike previous years, when environmentally conscious folks would take to the streets and march for climate action, COVID-19 has restricted large group events. It's unfortunate because April 22, 2020 is a historical Earth Day- it's the 50th anniversary of the first Earth Day, and the first march for environmental justice. On April 22, 1970, 20 million Americans took to the streets to protest environmental ignorance and to demand an environmentally conscious future. At that time, 20 million Americans equaled to be about 10% of the U.S. population. It's now recognized to be the planet's largest civic event, and it launched the modern environmental movement- foreshadowing the climate marches we have seen in the past five years.
Hippity-hoppity handmade fun: Easter crafts for kids
Is your family excited to hop down the bunny trail this Easter? COVID-19 is really restricting everyone's holiday plans, and most of us will be spending Easter inside the house. During this difficult time, a great way to relieve stress and forget about worldly troubles is crafting with your family. Check out these easy and affordable Easter craft ideas for children!
Ticks don't follow rules: How to prepare your dog for tick season
With everything going on in the world today, it's easy to get distracted from things we would normally be focused on in Springtime: like your pet's preventative care. We may be in the middle of a global COVID-19 pandemic, but the tick population isn't aware. Ticks are not self-isolating or keeping a 6-foot distance from you or your dog. Ticks will become active when temperatures hit 4°C whether there's a pandemic or not. Your pet's flea and tick prevention is still important- even if they're spending less time outside. On average, about 1 in 5 black-legged ticks (also referred to as deer ticks) in Ontario carry the bacterium that causes Lyme disease- Borrelia burgdorferi. Just because a tick has bitten your dog, doesn't mean that your dog will contract Lyme disease or any other tick-borne illness. However, if your dog is not on tick prevention that kills ticks before disease transmission can take place, then the risk of exposure is higher. There are more tick-borne illnesses than just Lyme disease that can put your dog at risk, these diseases are just less talked about and less common. It's no question that ticks are on the rise in Ontario. The real question is why?
National Crayon Day: Did you know Crayola's best colour is green?
It's the most colourful day in March! National Crayon Day! While your kids may be excited to scribble this day onto the calendar, I have something fun to share with all of the colour wonderful adults! Crayola has been adding colour to kids lives for as long as I can remember. When I was a kid I would get so excited when I opened a new box of Crayola crayons. They always looked so perfect with their sharp, pointed tips, just waiting to glide across the page and add some colour to my creation. Crayola has been encouraging kids artistic creativity for decades. Crayola LOVES colour! But did you know that Crayola's most impressive colour is green?
Forgotten on the front lines: Veterinary clinics fight- and win- to be considered an essential service
Social media has been flooded with inspiring community support during the COVID-19 pandemic. Citizens are showing love to the many essential services that have been on the front lines of the pandemic to better serve the community. Listed in the posts and on the memes are the amazing health care workers and first responders, who of course are on the front line of all of this. Posts are also thanking the incredible grocery store workers, transportation sector, truck drivers, senior services, social workers, military, animal shelters, journalists, factory workers, mail carriers, bank workers and food service workers. All of these amazing people are supporting the country and putting themselves at risk to do so. One service that seems to have been forgotten among all of this: veterinary clinics.
10 best things about puppies for National Puppy Day
COVID-19 and your pet: How to entertain your dog during self-isolation
People and dogs are social creatures, but the COVID-19 pandemic has drastically changed the way we are all living our lives- fur-family included. As of this morning, there are 21 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ottawa, Ontario. Between social distancing and self-isolation, making connections has never been more difficult and there are far fewer butts for our dogs to sniff. Our dogs are overjoyed by the fact that many of us are home more than usual, but like us, they can become restless. Less walks, less sniffing and less social interaction can lead to boredom- and this can sometimes lead to acting out and misbehaving. Before we go barking up the wrong tree, let's get our tails wagging in the right direction when it comes to self-isolation with our pet. Can I still walk my dog during self-isolation? Fur the most part, no. If you are confirmed positive for COVID-19 you should not be walking your dog or taking your dog outside unless absolutely necessary. This would be considered a quarantine situation, and you should be limiting contact with the outside world. Government of Canada also recommends, if you are positive for COVID-19, that you limit the amount of contact you have with your pet- especially if you live with other people. If you touch your pet, and another person touches your pet, there is a risk of exposure. Since there is still much we don't know about COVID-19 and our pets, if you are infected with COVID-19 you should reduce your contact with your pet and touch your pet with clean hands.
COVID-19 and your pet: Can my dog or cat get the coronavirus?
It's on the tip of our tongues: COVID-19. This past week health officials have warned us that this is just the beginning. The impact of the virus will play out over months to come. Many pet owners have questions about the virus and how it could impact their fur-family. I decided to sniff out the facts on coronavirus and your pet.
What is coronavirus? Let's start at the tip of the nose and work our way down to the tip of the tail. When you contract what is referred to as the 'common cold' you have likely contracted a type of coronavirus. Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses ranging in severity. The World Health Organization (WHO) explains coronaviruses: "Coronaviruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV). Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a new strain that was discovered in 2019 and has not been previously identified in humans."
World Wildlife Day: How can you make a difference?
When we think of wildlife, images of wolves, bears, and birds come to mind, but fur and feathers aren't the only wildlife that needs our support. Hidden underwater is an important ecosystem that helps maintain balance on our planet- and it's at risk. Today we are reminded of the importance of sustaining all life on Earth. Fur, feathers, flora, fauna- and fins!
Working our paws off for Naitional Cupcake Day!
Hazel and I have been hard at work, baking a difference for our local OSPCA for National Cupcake Day! Come visit me at Pembroke Animal Hospital to donate to a worthy cause and savour a few extra calories tomorrow, February 24 between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM.
PAWS FOR REACTION is celebrating 12 years! Ottawa-based pet care and nutrition, environmental, and lifestyle blog- always searching for the best in pet care, eco-friendly products and fun local events! Come explore with Hazel, the Saint Bernese, as she lives her best, food-driven, outdoor-loving, asymmetrical, #DogLife
ABOUT ME: I have nine years of experience working in veterinary medicine. I'm a Climate Reality Project Leader and have spent years volunteering with organizations including OSPCA, Farley Foundation, Ontario Nature, Future Ground Network, and Girl Guides of Canada.