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Paws for Reaction

Climate crisis: The history of Earth Day and how the leaders of today have let us down




Every year communities across the planet celebrate Earth Day, but not everyone knows the history of this environmental day of awareness. Almost 48 years ago on April 22, 1970, millions of people hit the streets to protest the negative impacts on the environment of 150 years of industrial development. Smog had become so bad that in some areas it was deadly and there was evidence that smog pollution was detrimental to human health. Smog pollution was shown to cause developmental delays in children. Pesticides and pollutants were negatively impacting the environment and biodiversity were in decline. It was the beginning of the climate crisis that we are still dealing with to this day.


The five R’s of plastic pollution: Why Reduce, Reuse and Recycle isn’t enough, and tips for living plastic free



Most of us grew up being taught the 3 R’s- Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. When it came to going green and protecting the environment, the 3 R’s was where it all began. Fast forward to 2018 and the progression of pollution and human-caused climate change is far more devastating than we could have predicted. We are in a climate crisis, and 3 R’s just isn’t enough.

Earth Day: Microplastic and why it's a huge problem 



Plastic pollution is a big problem, but the biggest problem when it comes to plastic pollution is the smallest plastic of all- microplastic. Microplastic may seem like a tiny issue that is easy to ignore, because they can be impossible to see unless under a microscope, but the truth is microplastic effects us in so many ways. Microplastic is a detriment to both the environment, climate change and our health and wellness.


End plastic pollution: Earth Day focus on people and their plastic



This year’s Earth Day theme encourages us to take a closer look at our use of consumer plastics and one-time use plastic like straws, bags and water bottles, and how it affects the planet. Every year, Earth Day Network launches campaigns to inspire people to take part in Acts of Green, to help heal the planet and educate about pollution. The goal for 2018 is to have people commit to End Plastic Pollution.
Climate Facts: Sharing science and hope

Many scientific organizations have public statements about climate change as a real and growing danger to our species. The American Association for the Advancement of Science has released the following statement-
 CLICK HERE to learn more!




Give your food a hug: Food Huggers help reduce waste and keep food fresh




I’m always looking for ways to reduce my waste. One thing I absolutely hate is plastic wrap and plastic baggies. Cling wrap is not recyclable and doesn’t keep food fresh. Since I go through a lot of produce it was important that I find an eco-friendly alternative to cling wrap and bags that was not one-time use, and would keep my fruit and vegetables their freshest.


Climate Facts: Sharing science and hope

"The way wolves respond to significant climate changes can have far-reaching consequences for the ecosystems in which they live," states an article published by Nature Magazine. CLICK HERE to read more about how wolves will respond to the rapidly changing climate!




Tonight is the night: 24 Hours of Reality starts soon

Al Gore will be hosting the annual 24 hour broadcast with the Climate Reality Project! Thinking about becoming a Climate Reality Project Leader? Tweet me @GonzoTheFacey with questions about how to make the process easier and affordable!

 STREAM 24 HOURS OF REALITY HERE!



Let's get real: 24 Hours of Reality coming soon!

Together, we will solve the climate crisis. We will be the voice of reality. Tune in to @ClimateReality’s #24HoursofReality on December 4–5: 24HoursofReality.org


Putting the best paw forward
Paws For Reaction Saint Bernese Photo by Stacey McIntyre-Gonzalez


Welcome back Paws peeps! Or I guess I should be welcoming myself back. I’m taking a rare moment to get a little personal, after taking a near six-month hiatus from Paws For Reaction. While I do see many of you still reading (thank you!) I haven’t been active and I even skipped Halloween on PFR- and Halloween is my jam! I don’t often get personal on my blog. PFR has always been a fun place for pet parents to learn, laugh and share- so getting personal is not something that makes its way into my editorial calendar. I really don’t feel comfortable with it, but I do believe that sometimes it’s necessary to push myself outside of my comfort zone.


Best dog harnesses on Amazon via Scout Knows



I found the best dog harnesses on Amazon for EVERY dog! Visit Scout Knows​ to find out which one is the best for your dog!

CLICK HERE to view article on Scout Knows!
Climate Facts: Sharing science and hope

"Most of the warming occurred in the past 35 years, with 16 of the 17 warmest years on record occurring since 2001. Not only was 2016 the warmest year on record, but eight of the 12 months that make up the year – from January through September, with the exception of June – were the warmest on record for those respective months. October, November, and December of 2016 were the second warmest of those months on record – in all three cases, behind records set in 2015." NASA

CLICK HERE to learn more!





Climate Facts: Sharing science and hope Climate Change

Great Outdoors Month: Canada's protected areas

June is National Great Outdoors Month! Did you order your free passes to Canada's National Parks for Canada 150? June is a great month to plan some National and Provincial parks visits. Do you know how much of Canada's wilderness is legally protected? Find out- Canadian Geographic has a map that shows protected land and marine areas in Canada. You may be surprised at what you learn! Have fun playing outside this month! Happy Canada 150!


June is Great Outdoors Month: Canada's protected areas





Keira's Provincial Park dog tours: High Falls in Algonquin Park, Ontario, Canada



Keira's Provincial Park tours: High Falls, Algonquin Park, Ontario Canada
Keira and daddy were embarking on a 6km hike- there and back- to High Falls in Algonquin Park, Achary- one of the largest Provincial Parks in Ontario, Canada... 


Ditch the itch: Allergies and allergy medications for dogs

Allergies and allergy medication for dogs
Photo by Thomas Hawk








It’s time to ditch the itch! Allergy season is in full swing and many dogs are suffering. Pet’s allergy symptoms can present in many different ways. Most commonly dogs will become very itchy and scratch, chew and lick at different areas of their body- usually their paws- until they become red and raw. Allergies can also cause chronic ear and eye infections, rashes, hotspots and sometimes even vomiting and diarrhea. They can be hard to manage and treatment is the only way to provide your dog with some relief.

Climate Facts: Sharing science and hope




“The annual frequency of fire spread days is modelled to increase 35–400 % by 2050 with the greatest absolute increases occurring in the Boreal Plains of Alberta and Saskatchewan. The largest proportional increase in the number of spread days is modelled to occur in coastal and temperate forests.” CLICK HERE to read the study.

Climate Facts Forest Fires





Employers that offer pet insurance


Employers that offer pet insurance
Photo by U.S. Army flickr
More and more employers are adding pet insurance as part of employee benefits, and pet owners have Millennials to thank. According to Fortune the extra boost in coverage is partly because it appeals to the Millennial generation, but everyone will benefit from this way of thinking. With pets being treated more like family members, employers could have a lot to gain from offering pet insurance to employees.

According to the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association (APPA), pet owners spent approximately $9.8 billion on veterinary care in 2007. In 2015-2016 APPA’s biennial National Pet Owners Survey that recorded 79.7 million pet owning households, this is a 50 percent gain over the past two decades. They also reported an increase in new/younger pet owners. It’s no surprise that pet insurance is becoming more popular. Diagnosing and treating an illness can be expensive. Accidents are especially expensive, and situations like a hit by car or a blocked cat can cost well over $1000. As the cost of treatment increases, so does the demand for insurance coverage.

World Oceans Day: Fifteen ways to protect the oceans

June 8, 2017- There's no question that I'm jealous of those who get to read their book on the beach, breathing in the salty ocean spray as whales breach in distance. I don't live on a coastline, but I understand how important the oceans are to the balance of the Earth's ecosystem. Like the changing tides, changes in ocean temperatures have an impact on our climate. Not to mention all of the beautiful marine creatures facing extinction if ocean temperatures rise.

Those who know me that I LOVE whales! They are ancient creatures that can teach is so much. Whales are extremely smart and intuitive, and each pod has developed their on distinct language to communicate. Sadly, a large number of whales are featured on engendered species lists, like the whales on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species featured in the photo below. Protecting the whales is just one of the many reasons why I think the ocean's deserve their own day. That day is today: World Oceans Day!

World Oceans Day June 8 Endangered whales
World Oceans Day


Climate Facts: Sharing science and hope

***All Climate Facts graphics are free to share on social media, blogs and in publications, as long as they are not modified or altered***


Since the industrial revolution, temperatures in Canada have been rising at a faster rate than before. If warming trends continue with will put wildlife species at risk, affect yield of agriculture and cause extreme weather events with the potential to displace millions.



“Between 1948 and 2012, the annual average surface air temperature over Canada’s landmass warmed by about 1.7°C, approximately twice the global average. While warming trends are observed consistently across the country, stronger trends are found in the north and west, particularly during the winter and spring. Northern Canada (north of 60° latitude) has warmed at a rate approximately 2.5 times the global average since the late 1940s.”
CLICK HERE to learn more from Canada's Sixth National Report on Climate Change!


Climate Facts about Climate change Global warming trends in Canada


I'm really inspired by Years of Living Dangerously and their hashtag #ClimateFacts to raise awareness about climate change. Paws For Reaction #ClimateFacts raise awareness about climate science, and also share solutions and renewable achievements. I'd love to hear your thoughts and questions about climate change or the Climate Reality Corps: email pawsforreaction@live.ca



World Environment Day: Connecting people to nature
How do you connect to nature? That's the inspiration for the theme of the 2017 World Environment Day: Connecting People to Nature. How often do you connect with nature? Spending time outdoors can help de-stress after a hard day. The sun's rays can help fight depression, and many plants offer natural remedies for our many ailments. But what does a connection to nature mean to you? And do you connect often enough? There are ways that I connect to nature, and I hope you will share some of your own ways with me, by tweeting @PawsForReaction



World Environment Day: Connecting people to nature June 5
#WorldEnvironmentDay

How I connect to nature

Trump Talk vs Truth: Fact checking Donald Trump's Paris Climate Agreement speech

June 4, 2017- This week was devastating to the environment when President Donald Trump announced that he is pulling the United States out of the Paris Climate Accord. In his speech he gave 'alternative facts' about climate science, economics and the details of the Agreement. If one good thing came out of this, it's that so many leaders, businesses and organizations have come together to support the Paris Agreement with more strength and determination that ever before. It's also inspired the first edition of Trump Talk vs Truth- a new Paws For Reaction series.

Trump Talk vs Truth: Fact checking Donald Trump's Paris Climate Agreement speech


National Trails Day: Favourite hiking trails in the Ottawa Valley

June 3, 2017- It's time to hit the trail because today is National Trails Day! I really enjoy hiking with my fur-family here in the Ottawa Valley because we are surrounded by some of the most beautiful parks in Ontario. The photo below shows favourite parks and hiking trails in the Ottawa Valley.

Algonquin Provincial Park is by far my favourite park to visit. The photo below shows my two favourite trails in Algonquin Achray: Barron Canyon trail and High Falls. Barron Canyon trail is a shorter hike, but the view is breathtaking. The trail overlooks the Baron Canyon. High Falls is a longer hike that leads to a beautiful water fall and a natural rock waterslide. It's a great swimming spot. My dog Keira loves swimming in the large pools of water speckled across the tops of the rocks.

Switching pet insurance providers and policies: What you need to know
Switching pet insurance providers and policies: What you need to know
Switching pet insurance providers and policies


Breaking up is hard to do. It would be ideal if a pet owner’s relationship with their pet insurance provider was always a positive one, but realistically you may not be satisfied. If you need a change, there are a few things you may want to consider before switching to a new pet insurance company- or policy.

Before you decide to make a big change, there are some things you may want to consider. First of all, why is it that you want to make the switch? Some of the reasons pet owners change pet insurance companies are cost, coverage and customer service.

Climate Facts: Sharing science and hope

Air pollution
kills 3.3 million people a year. In some parts of the world it's already so bad that people need pollution filters in their cars and homes.
 Pollution exposure in utero has been associated with increased risk of neuro-developmental delay. Thirty one studies published between 2006 and 2015, from the Americas, Asia and Europe were reviewed by the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) and the review came to this conclusion:



"The evidence to date is coherent in that exposure to a range of largely traffic-related pollutants has been associated with quantifiable impairment of brain development in the young and cognitive decline in the elderly. There is insufficient evidence at present to comment on consistency, in view of the different indices of pollution and end-points measured, the limited number of studies, and the probability at this stage of publication bias. However, plausible toxicological mechanisms have been demonstrated and the evidence as a whole suggests that vehicular pollution, at least, contributes to cognitive impairment, adding to pressure on governments and individuals to continue to reduce air pollution."

Climate Facts Air Pollution and EPA censorship


My original source for information on air pollution was the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). I wrote this in advance, and checked the link to the study today. It's been removed, allegedly the page is being "updated." CLICK HERE to see for yourself. I hope someone has archived the data. This is the type of censorship of science that we are seeing under the climate denying Trump administration.

I'm really inspired by Years of Living Dangerously and their hashtag #ClimateFacts to raise awareness about climate change. Paws For Reaction #ClimateFacts raise awareness about climate science, and also share solutions and renewable achievements. I'd love to hear your thoughts and questions about climate change or the Climate Reality Corps: email pawsforreaction@live.ca




No hot dogs: Vehicle temperature chart for National Heat Awareness Day

May 26 is National Heat Awareness Day, and it's a reminder to pet owners that there is no reason to leave a dog in a hot car. It gets hot fast in a car, and it doesn't take long for inside the car temperatures to reach critical highs. Dogs can die in hot cars. Leave your dog at home this summer, and if you do have to take your dog in the car, ensure that it is only for a brief moment, and there is air conditioning and cold water available.



Last week's birding photos: Ontario birds
on display in the Ottawa Valley

House Finch bird in Pembroke, Ontario Photo by Stacey McIntyre-Gonzalez
House Finch bird in Pembroke, Ontario



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PAWS FOR REACTION is celebrating 13 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.

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