August is Pride Month in Ottawa and although controversy rained on the Pride Parade the celebration shined through the storm because that's how rainbows are made! In Ottawa, we get to celebrate Pride in June AND in August!! Why is Ottawa Pride Month in August? Here's a little bit of history! The first major Canadian LGBTQIA+ human rights march in Ottawa occurred on August 28, 1971. Approximately 100 people from Ontario- Ottawa, Montreal, Toronto and surrounding areas- protested at Parliament Hill.
It was Canada's first 'Gay Liberation Protest and March.' Protesters submitted a petition to the government that contained a list of ten demands for equal rights and protections for the queer population in Canada. A lot of queer folks in Canada who are out and proud owe their safety and rights to this group of brave human rights advocates.
As many of you know, Hazel loves everyone. She believes that love is love, diversity should be celebrated, and tolerance is the foundation of an equitable society. Sadly, Capital Pride is unjustly being criticized for releasing a statement standing in solidarity with Palestine. Capital Pride was slandered by pro-Israel groups, who falsely claimed the statement was antisemitic, making them feel excluded from the festivities.
LGBTQIA+ issues are human rights issues- and what is happening in Palestine is, at the very least, a huge violation of human rights. It should be no surprise that human rights groups would stand together in solidarity. Denouncing Israel’s violence and genocide against Palestinians is not antisemitic- it is a legitimate stance that is just and moral.
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| Hey Ottawa! Hazel wishes you a Happy Capital Pride, despite the controversy! |
As a result of the Capital Pride pro-Palestinian statement, numerous local institutions announced their decision to withdraw from participating in the Ottawa Capital Pride Parade, which took place on Sunday, August 25. This included hospitals, banks, universities and school boards. Many expressed concerns about safety at the event. The reaction to the statement has created a lot of unnecessary controversy around the event and Capital Pride.
Now Capital Pride is at risk of losing funding and support. Please sign this petition to support their statement of solidarity with Palestine. Hazel and I are proud of the folks at Capital Pride for advocating for the people in Palestine. We stand in solidarity with Capital Pride and with the people in Palestine. Sadly, our government does not appear to feel the same way that we do.
According to an Ottawa Citizen news report, "This year’s parade route was abruptly cut in half last week after the Ottawa Police Service reduced the number of available officers. Capital Pride organizers said police and the City of Ottawa informed them of the reduction in staff resources on Tuesday, just five days before the event." Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe also announced he would not participate in this year’s parade.
The City of Ottawa pulled out of the parade and the Liberal Party was noticeably missing, as most political parties have representation at the festivities and officials in attendance. Our government and institutions should be ashamed of their disgusting lack of empathy for the humanitarian crisis in Palestine and their prioritization of political gain over the human lives being lost in a genocide that our country is funding.
Despite all this, thousands of people went downtown to celebrate their pride and liberation on the streets of Ottawa. It is a reminder that communities do the work to make positive change, while the government abandons the people and the cause.
Hazel and I could not attend the parade this year (check out pics from our Capital Pride celebration last year), we were there in spirit, love, and solidarity. I was fortunate to attend the Pride festival in Salem, MA this year Happy Capital Pride! And liberate Palestine, with freedom and reparations!
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| Pride Month 2024 in Salem, MA |
I am working with three Palestinian families to fundraise in an attempt to get them out of Gaza safely. Please consider donating to their GoFundMe fundraisers or sharing their stories to raise awareness. CLICK HERE to see the fundraisers in my linktree.
Check out Hazel and I celebrating Capital Pride last year on TikTok! You can follow Capital Pride on Instagram and Facebook, and check out their website CapitalPride.ca for upcoming events.
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| Ottawa Capital Pride Month 2023 |
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Wishing Hazel a happy 8th birthday!
Hazel is sweet as the biggest piece of birthday cake! I was in Orlando, Florida attending the VMX 2023 Veterinary Conference and spent a week away from Hazel. It really makes you appreciate your pets more when you are separated from them. I missed her so much. I returned to Canada just in time to celebrate the most asymmetrical Saint Bernese's 8th birthday!
Hazel has defied all the odds and made it past age five. She is happy and healthy, and despite her injury and frequent health problems, she remains in fantastic shape. She is a genuine underdog. Hazel has taught me a valuable lesson: Folks may underestimate me, but as long as I never give up and keep a positive attitude, I'll beat the odds and surprise them all! It's one of the many lessons she has taught me in the past eight years that I've been blessed to call her MY dog.
Wishing you hopeful holidays: We may not all suffer the same this season, but we can heal together
This Christmas I feel something I haven't felt in the past few years; calm. The past few years have been transitional for me. Moving away and starting anew. Again. Sometimes my life feels like it's in a perpetual state of starting over. Losing Keira was devastating. Isolation from the pandemic was beginning to drag me down. The veterinary industry has been in a crisis and empathy is not always a renewable resource. Healing the fault lines on my surface was something I knew needed more attention. When you compare last Christmas, featuring another COVID catastrophe and a looming clown convoy, to this year, it's like going from a panic attack to finally taking a deep breath. Switching from heavy metal to folk music. Folk music is the sound I want to live with.
Paws For Reaction: The blog, the dog, and so much more!
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| Graphic by DeliveryRank |
It's always nice to be appreciated! It has been such an exciting year for Hazel and me. We are celebrating the 10th anniversary of Paws For Reaction. To make us feel extra special, the folks at DeliveryRank interviewed me about Paws For Reaction: the past, present and future of my Ottawa dog blog.
Keira's legacy: Remembering Keira on her home day
The day I brought Keira home was one of the happiest days of my life. This year marks the 10 year anniversary of Paws For Reaction. It breaks my heart that I made it to this milestone without her head resting on my knee and her droopy eyes looking up at me as I type this.
Seven years a senior: Happy 7th birthday to Hazel the Saint Bernese
There's nothing I love more than seeing joy spark across Hazel's overly expressive face. Today, Hazel's birthday is one of her most joyful days of the year, and therefore, one of her most expressive. This year I'm isolating, so we couldn't go on one of our birthday adventures. I still spoiled her with many gifts, which is her favourite part anyway. This year she has earned the title of being my 'old lady dog' like Keira did before her.
Merry Christmas: Ottawa veterinary practices are suffering during the holidays
Hazel and I wish everyone a very Furry Christmas! It's been a busy December for us and it will only get busier if we head into what looks like another inevitable lockdown. We hope we do go into lockdown because we want everyone to be safe. All we want for Christmas is for everyone to get fully vaccinated.
The bark is the best: Happy National Dog Day!
Today we have something to bark about! It's National Dog Day! Dogs make everything better! I can't imagine living in a home without a light dusting of Hazel fur. Who am I kidding? It's more like a heavy coating of Hazel fur, sprinkled with goobers.
Remembering an unforgettable dog: It's been a year since we said goodbye to Keira
I read a quote recently that resonated with me. It said, "Grief does not shrink, we expand to accommodate it." The hole that Keira left in my life (and in Hazel's life) is as large as it was a year ago, but Hazel and I have grown to accept that it will always be there. On July 13, 2020, I made the difficult decision to euthanize my sweet, beloved Keira. Even though it was the right thing to do because she was suffering from an unknown illness (possibly gastric cancer) I had a hard time letting her go. I remember being in total disbelief. It's hard to believe a year has gone by already.
She was a once in a lifetime dog: Remembering Keira on Pet Memorial Day
They say grief doesn't shrink, we just grow to accommodate it. I still haven't grown enough to make space for the immense grief I feel after losing my sweet Keira. I never expected to own a pet who would leave paw prints on so many hearts. Keira had a spirit that lingered; it lingers still. All the feelings are still raw and close to the surface, not enough layers of life and time to bury the pain. But as we approach a year since I lost my best friend, I've noticed like most things in my life, I'm slowly learning how to manage the emptiness. The hollow. I've found a few ways to fill it, even if only temporarily.
Pandemic Paddy's Day: Wishing you a safe and happy St. Patrick's Day!
Hazel and I wish you a safe and happy St. Patrick's Day! We urge you all to be mindful of Covid-19 restrictions. I know how much we all want to get out and dance a jig and drink green beer, but we are a community and we need to keep each other safe. This hasn't been a very lucky year, but we are hoping there is a pot of gold at the end of this pandemic rainbow. Happy St. Patrick's Day!
Happy 6th birthday to Hazel! Here are some highlights from Hazel's birthday celebration!
Bark the halls: Merry Christmas and happy holidays from Hazel
This holiday season we were gifted with further Covid-19 lockdowns in Ontario. I know for folks in assisted living facilities, small business owners, non-essential workers, and single people who live alone, this news is a tough turkey to swallow. For the next 28 days, some of us will be separated from the people we love the most. It will be difficult, but we will get through this together.
Canadian's give thanks: Wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving, especially those who are isolated this year
I hope you all had a safe and Happy Thanksgiving! The pandemic has made it difficult for families to get together this weekend. I know how isolating it can be living alone and not being able to visit family. Virtual visits and phone calls just aren't the same. I missed the hugs, the homecooked meal, and the playtime with my nephew. To all of you who are alone this holiday season, I want to send you my love. It's tough but we will get through this. Hold your pets and cherish the moments that you have with the people you love. Find ways to visit from afar. But most of all, stay safe.
Hazel says Happy Furrrriday!
I don't know about you, but Hazel and I have had a long week. We're excited to break for the weekend. Happy Furrrriday Paws peeps! Stay safe and stay paw-sitive!
National Photograph Month photo submissions: Check out these extraordinary pets!
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This is Jethro! Jethro's mom says he is "my world... my best friend... my everything."
I can definitely see why! He's such a handsome boy! |
For National Photograph Month I asked my readers to submit your favourite photo of your pet to be featured and you did not disappoint! Our pets provide us with so much joy, and we are able to capture those moments of joy from behind the lens. I'm so happy to share YOUR amazing pets!
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