Lynn Canyon - Lynn Loop Trail

We hiked Lynn Loop trail today and it was fantastic! The whole hike is off leash. Gus was in doggy heaven running through the forest, meeting other dogs and drinking from cold mountain streams. This is a great alternative to our Endowment lands walks. It didn't take long to get there from our place on Main street, about 30 minutes. I'm sure it would take MUCH longer if we attempted this on a weekday after work! 

The trail was fairly easy, there was about a 10 minute uphill climb at the beginning and then it evened out and the trail meandered through a forest filled with Cedar and Hemlock trees. It eventually ended up on the gravel service road that runs along Lynn Creek. All in all it was about a 1.5 - 2 hour hike and we were not going too fast, we even stopped to let the dogs have a few play sessions. 

The trail is very well maintained, and is fairly well traveled (so you're never far from other humans). I highly recommend this hike whether you have a doggy friend or not! 

Gus

Everett Crowley Park Review

We have been  looking for new places to take Gus for off leash fun. Dog parks are not the best for him, he is HIGH energy and tends to bowl over little dogs and run around like a maniac if we are just standing around. We usually take him to the UBC Endowment lands at least once a week, usually a couple times. Its perfect for him there, he can be off leash running around, jumping through the forest as fast as he wants with out bugging anyone. Plus he seems to do a lot better when we are on a "mission" rather than standing around. I like it a lot more too, standing around at the dog park gets boring after a few minutes. 

Off leash trail

I had read about Everett Crowley on the City of Vancouver dog park page and thought it sounded like something worth checking out and I'm so glad we did! It's 100 acres of off leash fun right in the city! Ok maybe it's not all off leash but the majority of trails are. It is located in the neighborhood of Killarney between South East Marine Drive and 63rd Avenue on Kerr Street. Everett Crowley used to be the Avalon dairy farm, in 1944 it was donated to the city and they turned it into a landfill. The residents were not happy and complained and it was eventually closed down . In the late 80's it was turned into the park it is today. There are some nice views of the North Arm of the Fraser River and of the Richmond cranberry farms. 

We will definitely go back. It's not anywhere near as beautiful as the Endowment lands but it's a great off leash area for dogs, lots of dogs to socialize with and we were able to walk around and get a bit of exercise as well. 

At one point Gus was sitting down holding his leg up, gave us a fright as we thought he'd blown a leg. When we got to him he was favoring it a bit and limping. I put him on leash so that he didn't make it worse. After about 10 minutes he seemed fine and we let him back off leash. He just goes for everything at 200% he's such a nut case when he's allowed to just go for it! This was yet another thing telling me I am supposed to do a doggy first aid course. I'm going to look for one now! Any suggestions?

Booo I forgot my camera, so all photo's are from Vancouver is Awesome

Well hello Buck!

Meet Buck

This cute little guy is in the Everett Animal Shelter in Everett, WA. Not really the place you want to end up, especially if you have 4 legs and a tail; about 22 percent of dogs and 40% of cats that come into the Everett shelter are euthanized. 


The Everett Animal Shelter holds strays for 72 hours. Once that time has passed, the animal may become available for adoption, be transferred to another agency or be euthanized.


72 hours is not very long, this is the reason you MUST have your dog or cat microchipped and have a collar with ID tags and a city license. Imagine finding out your pet was euthanized due to space in the shelter and you could have prevented it with a few simple steps. 


It scares me to think about Gus ever going missing, but I do have my bases covered - so to speak - he is microchipped, has multiple tags and a city of Vancouver license. 

I'm Gorgeous!

More about Buck


Buck is an 18 month old German Wirehaired Pointer looking for his forever home! Previous owner said that he is very smart. In a short time, they trained him to stay out of the kitchen and shake. He is extremely active. He is an escape artist though. He manages to dig and climb and work at latches to get out of his kennel. A safe and effective kennel or room while the family is away, is a must. Buck is an active, happy-go-lucky guy who will need daily vigorous exercise. Pointers are working dogs who need at least an hour of hard exercise daily, or they can become bored, vocal, and destructive. Playful and fun loving, Buck would make a great companion for an active family. Adopters should be prepared for a dog who needs to be kept busy, and would make a great dog for 4H, obedience, rally, or agility, and would also make a good biking, running, or hiking companion. Buck is a people oriented dog who needs a home where he will be made part of the family. Adopters should have previous dog experience. 


I think a lot of the time with "escape artists" the dogs have been cooped up and wouldn't be trying to escape if they had been properly tired out! Gus would drive us crazy if we didn't exercise him everyday, but as long as he's been out for his daily off leash exercise he's great. Way to often these poor guys are given up on too easily or bought/adopted without the adopter's doing their research. Just because this scruffy face aesthetically pleases you does NOT mean it is the right breed for your life style! 

High energy pointer boys happen to be my favorite and I can see this scruffy face fitting in with us perfectly! This boy will not be euthanized on my watch! Shhhh don't tell Josh I already emailed the shelter for more info.... :)

Thursdays Rescue Dog

I didn't do a Monday's rescue dog this week, so here's Thursdays!

Meet Nichole!

Nichole is gorgeous and loving and sweet. Her dad really hated to give her up and visited her every day in the shelter until her rescue woman came and took her out of the shelter. Nichole is in doggy daycare where she likes running around with her friends (She really, really likes running!) but she'd rather be in a home being loved. She rides beautifully in a car and is the best companion you'd ever want.

Happy Girl!

 Nichole sounds like a dream. She actually sounds like the perfect companion for Gus - Gus reallllyyyy likes running too. Gus isn't a dream in the car, he likes to try to help you drive...always interesting, so he needs to be strapped in or else if I'm in the passangers seat I let him sit on my lap with his nose out the window, this helps with his car sickness as well... we aren't ready for another dog just yet but I know this girl will make someone very happy...how about you?

Pointing Pointer

To find out more about Nichole contact Utah's Perfect Pointers!

Vancouver is Awesome...and so is Gus

Gussy was featured on the Vancouver is awesome blog yesterday. 

I am so handsome!

 and I am one proud Mamma!

check it out!

Another sweet pup looking for a foster home...

Well hello Marley!

                                       
This is Marley aka Henny Penny. We're not exactly sure what breed she is. She could be GWP X border collie or border collie X airdale- who knows. She is a big pup with big soft paws and longer hair.

She has a sweet disposition and isn't too hyper for her young age. She has had no accidents and she pees and poops each time she goes outside. She appears to be housebroken.

She is very good with other dogs and loves to play.

She's great with kids as well.

She does well in the car, she likes to chew and  she enjoys a peanut butter-filled kong!

Marley is a big, floppy pup and she will make an ideal, loyal pet and running, hiking, biking partner!

Cutie

She needs a foster home until she is adopted, puppies usually get adopted quickly so it may only be for a few days or it could be a couple of weeks.

Lets play!

If you would like more info about Marley/Henny Penny email Dogwood rescue at dogwoodRescue@shaw.ca

Foster home needed ASAP!

Dasher

It doesn't get much cuter than this guy!
Cross Our paws Rescue  is in dire need of a savvy foster home for this handsome 8 month old Bluetick Coonhound cross! Dasher is described as a wonderful boy with no issues other than he has been a tethered pup most of his short life. Dasher is currently in Terrace BC, awaiting rescue to take him in.

If you have room in your home and heart to foster this sweet hound please email crossourpaws@yahoo.ca and tell them a little about yourself….

Update: ADOPTED!!!

Utah's Perfect Pointers

Hank, German Wirehaired Pointer

This is a Rescue near and dear to my heart. 
Marylin from Utah's Perfect Pointers is the lovely lady who saved our Gus from the shelter, had him vetted, neutered and arranged a flight for him to Vancouver. Marylin works with Dogwood and Cross our Paws in Vancouver, if there is a dog on her Petfinder list that you would like to learn more about don't be shy to contact her for more info! 
Marylin started bringing dogs to Vancouver when she was contacted by a rescue group in Vancouver that wanted to take some of the German Shorthaired Pointers (GSP) that were in Utah shelters. Having lived here, she knew the group’s reputation so she was happy to help get Utah dogs to good homes.  After that she started doing rescue on her own as Utah’s Perfect Pointers. 


Marylin was recently featured in a 3 part article on http://www.examiner.com - The first part was the story of Morgan, I had read Morgans story before, I cried and cried as I read it.
Here it is: 

In loving memory of Morgan

I was a 5-year old boy who was part of a breeder/hoarder raid along with 72 other GSP's, some vizslas and weimaraners. People from all over the country stepped up to help us, but we couldn't go anywhere until the court case was settled (and you know how long that can take), so we were in limbo for over a year. My past took its toll on me. I had severe kennel stress and I was completely unsocialized to the outside world. I hitched a ride with a pilot who brought me to Denver where I caught a ride to Salt Lake. I met my rescue woman who thought I was just beautiful and I won her heart with my gentle nature. She recognized my old soul and my deep longing for love. I was very submissive with other dogs and because of my past life I didn't like to be alone - in a kennel or in the yard. It frightened me when there weren't other dogs around. Except for little dogs - I really didn't like them. Even though my rescue woman spent time with me, it wasn't enough. Being alone was torture. I was so unhappy. My last weekend was the best three days of my entire life. My rescue woman drove 5 dogs and me to rescue in Canada. I rode shotgun and she petted me and stroked my throat when I stretched out my neck for her. I even got to sleep with her in the hotel on our way back - my very first time in a bed. It also gave her a chance to realize that she couldn't make me well, even with the support of vets and the daycare/boarding facilities in town. She held me while I died and went home and cried like she'd never done for any other animal. She really loved me.

Stories like these are why puppy mills and hoarders make me so mad. Dogs are social creatures, they are not meant to be in a cage 24 hours a day without human contact. Pointers want to be apart of the family, they want to sit in the living room with you and watch TV (as long as they've had their exercise)! 


Meet Hank!
Available at Utah's Perfect Pointers

Hank

                                                 


Hank is a very sweet male German Wirehaired Pointer, he's about 1.5 years old and looking for love. 
Hank likes to be with his people. He has separation anxiety - his rescue woman is working with him on that. (Gus had TERRIBLE separation anxiety when we got him, consistency, routine, a trip to the homeopath, bach rescue remedy and some time has done wonders). Hank is great off leash and wonderful in the house - he just lays on his bed and likes to hear what his people are talking about (He knows it's about him!).

Beautiful boy!

Contact Marylin at Utah's Perfect Pointers to learn more about Hank or any of the other dogs (and cats) she has available!

Weekend Rescue Dogs

I had an email from Dogwood rescue today - adoptions are slow right now.  I am going to feature a few of their dogs. They have a bunch of REALLY beautiful dogs right now! Remember if you aren't ready to adopt you can always foster!

Meet Otto!

Otto is a Purebred German Shorthaired Pointer - he's a 2 yr old, liver coloured, neutered male. Otto is about 65 pounds, sensitive, loving and affectionate. Otto's owner has divorced and moved - so Otto needs a new home ...Otto is a sweetie ,and would make a great outdoor activity partner....plus he would love to accompany his family into the house. Otto's dad sent Otto for 4 months to a board and train hunting/ training program, as a pup -- but since then his dad's life changed ,and the result has been Otto getting left out. Otto loves to play fetch, chew on dog bones and playing with stuffed dog toys. He understands heel and kennel up.

Meet Bella!

I'm a friendly girl and tall for my breed. I was a stray; I am pretty amazing for a stray dog.I am extremely loving and well behaved indoors. I am very sociable with people. However, I get excited and sometimes am fearful of other dogs. I need a mom or dad to keep me calm. Bella is a character - lots of fun, affectionate, and very bright. She's watchful, but will calm down once you have acknowledged her warning and tell her to sit. Then, she'll contentedly lay about until there's a chance for a game or a walk. Contact with other dogs has been mixed and needs supervision - she is strong willed and has a tendency to dominate. When left alone at home she has shown amazing resourcefulness in checking counters, cupboards and containers for edibles (including mixed nuts), but she's not been destructive. With people, she is unfailingly affectionate and playful. She is in a foster home in the heart of the city and is not happy with the hectic pace of the neighbourhood, so we are looking for a home in a quieter area like the suburbs.

Meet McKinley!

                                                                                    
McKinley is a purebred spayed female "German Shorthaired Pointer". She is 2 yrs old and about 50 pounds.McKinley was purchased from a breeder by a young couple with a new baby and another on the way, they realized they had no time for her. She is a young GSP... sensitive, friendly, loving and affectionate. An adopter of a German Shorthaired Pointer MUST be prepared to have a dog that will require being with the family... be ready to provide lots of time for snuggling on the couch ,playing with dog toys, off-leash running in a safe secure area and mental stimulation for this sweet girl McKinley has wonderful house manners, is a calm sweetie in the home and outside the home she has energy to burn with tons of stamina. McKinleys foster home has done a wonderful job training her. . McKinley likes to snuggle under fleece blankets (her foster mom puts them on dog beds for McKinley around the house because being blanket is very important to her) She also likes to snuggle up on the couch, sit on her dog bed in front of the window and watch the squirrels outside, chew on dog bones, eats dog cookies, and loves apple slices, squeaky tennis balls and stuffed dog toys.
McKinley lives in her foster home with other dogs and does very well with these dogs McKinley seems to do best with a easy going dog, a dog that does not mind sharing -toys, bones and snuggling on dog beds with her.


Click here to find out more about any of these dogs or to see other dogs available for adoption at Dogwood Rescue!

Fostering

Fostering is one of the most important and needed volunteer jobs in rescue. Many rescues don't have a shelter to keep their animals in, they rely on volunteer households to take dogs in and have them live in a family atmosphere. Having the dog living in a family situation also gives better incite into the dogs personality, character, idiosyncrasies and exercise needs. This helps the rescue find the perfect match for the dogs forever home. 
Cross our paws Rescue and Dogwood rescue are both in Vancouver. They always need volunteer foster families. Fostering is also a great opportunity to find out if you are really ready to adopt a dog. Most rescues will cover food and vetting expenses while the animal is in your care and will give you first chance to adopt the dog if you think it is the perfect match for your family. 
Click here to find out more about fostering for Cross our paws and here for Dogwood sporting dog rescue. 
Every family that takes in a foster dog makes room for another dog to be pulled out of the shelter system! 

Flat faced breeds ( brachycephalic)...

English bulldogs, Frenchies, Pugs, Boxers, Bostons... Oh my!

I was feeling a little hesitant about writing this blog. I love these breeds - is there anything cuter then a little frenchie face? I've recently been feeling more and more like breeding these dogs is cruel and unfair. Especially the way they are bred now.


French and English bulldogs suffer from hip dysplasia, difficulty breathing, collapsed tracheas, extreme sensitivity to heat, hypothyroidism, dry eye,  skin infections and fungus. Other health problems that English Bulldogs are prone to include an underdeveloped trachea, Von Willebrand's disease, valve defects of the heart, Spina Bifida, cleft palate, elbow dysplasia, cataracts, and corneal ulcers. Then add to these problems a deformed intestinal system (a by-product of achondroplasia or dwarfism) which makes the dog constantly fart. 
Hmmmm that seems like a lot of genetic problems for one breed. 
They also can't really breed normally, usually they are either artificially inseminated (video - warning graphic) or a breeding table, otherwise known as a mating cradle or rape rack,  is used. After all of this over 90% require a C-Section . 

This all seems very unnatural to me. It also seems like us humans have really screwed things to have these dogs look a certain way. It seems for a large part of society, dogs have become fashion accessories. I wonder if the reason we still have these breeds around, despite the problems they have breeding and birthing, and why they've been allowed to get so extreme in the first place -is surgical intervention? If it wasn't possible people would have to breed physically capable dogs. As it happens, it is possible. Puppy buyers are perfectly willing to pay what it costs to make these dogs and I guess as long as there's a market there will be breeders to supply it.

Recently I was at the beach with Gus and my friend and her boxer. After about 30 seconds off leash, her dog laid down and didn't get back up. We ran over to him and he was totally unresponsive. His body was floppy and he was barely breathing. We managed to pick him up and started running to the car, at this point he had stopped breathing. A few feet from the car he took a couple of shallow breaths. He eventually started to wake up and after a few minutes was alert but lethargic. We were in Tofino at the time and found out that the closest veterinarian was 2 hours away! (business opportunity in Tofino for a Vet)!! 
He has a history of fainting - but he had never stopped breathing before. He has Boxer cardiomyopathy a genetic disorder common in boxers. 

Gus and bubba

Boxers are also prone to other serious heath problems including; breathing problems, digestive problems, pancreatitis (they're dog has this as well), brain tumors, deafness and blood clotting issues. Boxers have the highest rate of heart disease out of all pet animals! Now I loveeeee boxers, they are so friendly, loving and they are great companions but what have we done to these dogs???


All flat faced dogs overheat easily - so be careful out in the sun and when they are running around!

I would say most of these issues are due to show breed standards. Selective breeding has occurred in dogs for thousands of years, mostly without a problem. However in the last 100 years and particularly the last 50, the emergence of Kennel clubs as well as clubs devoted to specific breeds has led to a culture of in-breeding that has wreaked devastation in the pure-bred canine community. Dogs are bred to look a certain way instead of for function.
Add puppymills to that and you have an even bigger problem - more on that another time.

Fridays Rescue Dog

I was only going to feature one rescue dog a week, but this guy is so cute that I couldn't wait until Monday!

                                                                         Hi I'm Drake!

How cute is this guy! I have a huge soft spot for German Wirehaired Pointers, those whiskers make me melt!

Remember that just because they are cute doesn't mean they are the right pooch (or breed) for you. DO YOUR RESEARCH first! Lots of these dogs end up in shelters or rescues because their families say the "got to big", "need to much exercise" or "are to hyper". They do require daily exercise. If you are looking for a lazy companion dog this is probably not the breed for you.

Here's what the shelter had to say about Drake:

Drake is a beautiful German Wirehaired Pointer that was brought to the shelter because his owners had to move and sadly could not take him with. He has lived with another dog and cats as well as children as young as 10. Drake loves attention and will gladly roll over so that you can rub his belly. Breed research is suggested for this guy as he has some very common pointer personality traits. Drake has had little training and will need a home where he can learn and play. If you think you have the right home for this wonderful dog then come by the shelter and adopt him today! Drake's adoption fee of $85 includes his microchip ID, neuter, vaccines and a whole lot more!

To learn more about Drake check out the Humane Society of central Oregon. 

Monday's Rescue Dog!

Rocky

 This Guy breaks my heart..GSP's do not generally do well in shelters, GSPs are devoted, often to the point of dependency. The are often called velcro dogs - they want to be with their people! Those eye's remind me a lot of Gus, they seem top be pleading for help. 

Here's what the shelter had to say about Rocky:

Poor Rocky was rescued from his previous home where he was not being cared for properly. He was living in a pen outside & did not have a suitable dog house to keep him warm & dry. Also Rocky is underweight so we are working on helping him put on few pounds.

If you want to meet Rocky you can visit him at the Abbotsford SPCA or for more information call them at (604) 850-1584 

Update: Adopted!!