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.
Storm safety prep for you and your pets: What do I do during a tornado?
Ottawa is facing another severe thunderstorm today, Thursday, June 16, 2022, and meteorologists report that the storm will have all the ingredients for a "likely tornado." I want to share some quick storm prep tips for folks in the area- and their pets. It's important to prepare for the thunderstorm and a possible power outage or worst-case scenario- a tornado
How to keep pets safe during the Ottawa Occupation: Pets are suffering from anxiety due to excessive noise pollution
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This post contains affiliate links to products I've recommended to help keep your pet calm,
and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. |
No rational person can call it anything else- the city of Ottawa is being held hostage by an illegal occupation. Since January 29th, non-stop noise pollution from honking horns, yelling, harassment, and fireworks has created an unbearable environment for residents. For dogs and cats in downtown Ottawa, this environment is terrifying.
Adorable dog and cat online dating profiles seeking the perfect 'mate' for a Valentine's date
Are you for some fluffy and flirty fun? What would your pet's dating profile say? Would it be sweet, funny, sassy? What photo would your pet choose to attract a mate? Paws For Reaction readers shared their pet's online dating profiles to be featured for Valentine's Day (better late than never). Swipe right on these adorable dogs and cute cats!
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.
Guest blog: How to design the perfect pet nook for your furry friend
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Guest blog by Rocio Espinoza. So excited to welcome her to the Paws For Reaction extended family!
This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. |
It’s no secret that pets are some of our most important family members. From a cat or dog to a beautiful bird, all pet parents want to give their best friends a comfortable space and lots of love. One way you can make your pet’s life better is by providing them with a cozy, convenient pet nook. This designated space will give your animal companion their own little part of the home where they can sleep, eat, and feel comfortable. Read on to discover how to design your very own special pet room to make your pet’s life at home the best it can be.
Your pet could be featured: What would your pet's online dating profile say?
Last chance to get in on the flirty fun! What would your pet's dating profile say? Would it be sweet, funny, sassy? What photo would your pet choose to attract a mate?
Your pet's online dating profile: What would your pet say to try to find a mate?
Hazel's been single for far too long. She's looking for someone (beside's me) to share her life with. Okay, I'm just kidding, but wouldn't it be funny if our pets were on a dating app? I helped Hazel design a profile to find her perfect mate- scroll down to read it. Would your dog be a match?
What would your pet's dating profile say? Would it be sweet, funny, sassy? What photo would your pet choose to attract a mate?
Email pawsforreaction@live.ca with your pet's dating profile pic and tell us what your pet's dating profile would say (see example below). Your pet will be featured in a post in August and we'll try to find the perfect match!
Guest blog: Black-owned pet businesses to support on Juneteenth and every day
We want to celebrate Juneteenth 2021 by highlighting some amazing black-owned pet businesses and their founders. These founders have created brands and products that support the health and wellbeing of pets and the lives of pet parents worldwide. Here is our list of black-owned pet businesses to support on Juneteenth and every day. Remember to actively seek black-owned businesses and small businesses to support throughout the year and not only when it is a topic of discussion.
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.
World Veterinary Day: I never believed I had what it takes to work in veterinary medicine
When I was studying print journalism and photography my life consisted of photographing and interviewing indie bands, hanging backstage at Bluesfest, and designing TV guides. If you told me then that I would go from interviewing Ron Jeremy, photographing the Never Ending White Lights, and drinking beers with Slightly Stoopid and Matty Mays, to working in media for the veterinary industry, I would have barked at you. I've loved animals my whole life, but working in a compassion-based industry was something I never wanted. I don't have what it takes.
Easter fact and fun: Hoppy Easter ideas from your favourite Saint Bernese, Hazel!
Hello, I'm Hazel! I saw three rabbits the other night, so I figured it must be Easter. I'm woofing all of you a very Happy Easter! We are spending our second Easter during the Covid-19 pandemic together again, just Hazel and mum. There will be lots of snuggles and Easter treats. I hope you enjoy the long weekend even though Ontario is in lockdown and remember: Lockdowns are tough on everyone but it keeps us safe. I don't mind lockdown because get more time with mum and lots of walks. Want to know what else you can do to have a safe and fun Easter?
Disney dog products for your Princess: Everyone is barking about the new Disney Collection at Chewy
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This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. |
Enchantment awaits your canine companion! The Disney Collection at Chewy is giving off serious nostalgia vibes, and what is more nostalgic than Disney? I'm a huge fan of Disney and I like to think of Hazel as my honourary Disney Princess. She's lacking in some Disney royalty qualities; she can't sing, she doesn't have a critter companion, and she has yet to find her Prince Charming. She has, however, faced and overcome adversity and learned valuable life lessons along the way- the most important quality in a Disney Princess.
Guest blog: Regenerative medicine and 3D printing, the future of veterinary medicine
So, what is 3D printing and how is it the future of veterinary medicine? I get asked this question a lot. I'm a licensed veterinary technician (CVT) and research associate at the Louisiana School of Veterinary Medicine. I work for an orthopedic surgeon that created our laboratory of 3D printing and regenerative medicine. Our lab works with existing departments at the vet school and other main campus departments, specifically the engineering department, and we collaborate locally outside of the school. It's a lot of science, all in the name of saving animals!
Ask a Vet: What you need to know about toxin ingestion, inducing vomiting, and pet insurance coverage for pet poisonings
There is no other moment in a pet owner’s life that is more fear-inducing than when a pet ingests a toxin. It’s hard not to panic when you catch your cat licking a lily or come home to your dog surrounded by ripped-open candy wrappers, looking up at you with a chocolate-stained smile. Heart racing, you run to the phone to call your veterinarian or jump online to search if the item is toxic. We know we have to act fast when a pet is poisoned and veterinary treatment can be expensive. We also need to do things to prevent possible poisoning. But pet owners have other questions. What do I do if my dog or cat ate something toxic? What are common household toxins for pets? Are pet poisonings covered by pet insurance?
How you can help #NOMV: Veterinary community and animal lovers raise awareness after three vet med professionals die by suicide
If you follow animal or veterinary groups on social media or are friends with someone working in veterinary medicine, you may have seen profile pictures change to support #NOMV. This stands for Not One More Vet, and it's trending for the worst reason. In the past two weeks, three veterinarians (Josh Smith) and one veterinary technician died by suicide. I extend my most sincere sympathies to their family, friends, and colleagues. Sadly, it's a story we in the veterinary profession have heard before. According to the most recent data available in the United States, depending on gender, veterinarians are 1.6 to 2.4 times more likely to die by suicide than the general population and veterinary technicians are 2.3 to 5 times more likely. The veterinary profession has the highest rate of deaths by suicide of any profession.
Love is a four-legged word: Four ways you can show your pets the love they deserve
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This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. |
Love is a four-legged word! When I discovered February 20th is National Love Your Pet Day my first thought was "I don't need a day to remind me to love Hazel!" I show Hazel love every day! But it made me think about how I show Hazel love. The first thing that came to mind is the unlimited snuggles I give her. Affection is the obvious way we show love, however, there is a better way we show unconditional love for our fur-family.
Your funny Valentine: February pets featured in a Valentine from their pet parents
You know why you love your pet, but why not put it in writing? That's what some of my Paws peeps did for Valentine's Day! I asked my readers to submit a photo of their pet and one sentence explaining why they love their pet. Thank you for submitting your pet to be selected as one of my February Featured Pets. I created custom Valentine's for them from you- the person who loves them most! Just right-click or press and hold on the photo and save it! Then you can share it with your friends and family!
Looking for February featured pets: Submit your pet to be featured in a custom Valentine
My furry Valentine! That's Hazel! The reason's I love Hazel are endless, but one thing I love the most about her is that Hazel 'feels the sad' as I call it. When I'm feeling sad or stressed, even if I'm not in the same room as her, Hazel can sense it and gives me love. She comes over and snuggles me and I instantly feel a weight lifting. Hazel, like all of our pets, gives me the most precious and rare gift: unconditional love.
Do you have a story to tell? Share your story on Paws For Reaction
This year more than ever, I've been providing an outlet for people in the community to share their stories. I've teamed up with some wonderful and interesting guest bloggers, interviewed experts in their fields, and supported different organizations. I want to keep expanding upon that. That being said, Paws For Reaction is looking for new guest bloggers!
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