Did Someone Say Walkies?

Put your best paw forward and walk for a great cause on May 25!

Again this year, we’re hoping as many people as possible will take part in our Step Up for the Pups walk to raise funds for our dog rescue efforts!  All money raised will be put toward medical care, including surgeries, ultrasounds and other needed procedures.

We continue to receive owner surrender forms on a daily basis as people struggle with affordability issues, lack of time and commitment and regret acquiring a dog during COVID. Shelters contact us weekly because they are at capacity, which seems to be an “across the board” challenge as adoptions sink to all time lows.

As we continue with our mandate, it’s important to underscore the commitment we have to the cause. Last year we spent almost $250,000.00 on the dogs we took into the rescue. There have been significant increases in the cost of veterinary care, including basic procedures, surgeries, food and medications. We take in many seniors and most of them required dental cleaning and/or extraction surgeries. NONE of the puppy mill dogs were previously spayed or neutered and many of them had dental disease from poor diet, atrocious living conditions and giving birth every 6 months. Owner surrendered senior dogs came to us unvetted for years, so we had to play catch-up, only to find out they would need our Forever in Foster program because they were palliative.

Stepping up for the Pups is easy.  Just set up a fundraising page on the Canada Helps site by clicking on Create a Fundraiser and following the instructions. Then it’s simply a matter of sharing far and wide to help raise funds between now and May 25th! You can walk wherever you’d like, with or without a dog. Participants can compete and win gift cards for the most money raised and the farthest distance walked. Complete details can be found on our Step Up for the Pups web page.

If you cannot take part in the walk itself, you can pledge your support to one of our participants through our special Canada Helps page which will issue a tax receipt to you immediately.  Pledge your support for a Participant by clicking on Fundraisers (next to About Campaign) or by filling out the form at the bottom of that page and choosing a participant in the drop-down box to support.

You can also help us by ‘sharing’ our posts about the walk and about the dogs from our Facebook and Instagram pages.

For more information about Step Up for the Pups and how you can help, please visit the Speaking of Dogs website!

Meet Some of the Pups Our Rescue Has Helped!

By participating, you’ll be enabling us to help dogs like the 3 parvo-positive puppies who required immediate intervention to save their young lives, Flash who needed orthopedic surgery for a malformed patella, and Pippa and Juniper who each had a genetic heart condition needing PDA surgery to close the leaking blood vessels. We also helped Mollie who needed several surgeries to remove the mast cell tumours that plagued her skin, Story who came to us pregnant with 4 pups, and little Heidi who developed hemorrhagic gastroenteritis but pulled through thanks to our dedicated primary veterinarian.

In 2024, we took in 64 shelter dogs, 47 puppy mill dogs, 51 owner surrenders and 5 northern dogs. We also sponsored 13 dogs who originated either from other rescues or were owned dogs in situations that called for a hand up, not a hand out.  Our Forever in Foster (FIF) program helped over 30 dogs last year – a record number.

We hope you will join us in the annual Step Up for the Pups walk so can replenish our coffers again this year and continue to make life better for dogs, one dog at a time.

Please help us continue our dog rescue efforts by walking in or sponsoring our Step up for the Pups – our coffers need replenishing and many dogs need us.

Visit our Canada Helps page and Step Up for the Pups!

   Ask the Trainer

   “Spring Renewal: Preparing for Park and Cottage Season with your Dog”

Has it been a while since you’ve been out and about in a busy area with your dog?

Spring is getting ready to do its thing, and the use of dog parks and cottage time is about to increase exponentially for those valiant dog people who have toughed it out all winter. The same goes for the towns and cities where people and their dogs seem to just appear with no warning, come the first warm sunny day.

If you are one of those that instead spent more time doing short leash walks, park walks, were dependent on nice weather, and cottage is only a summer gig, you are in for frustration and potential issues. Like weekend warriors, suddenly getting more exercise and social time can increase the incidents of conflict between dogs or people, as well as injuries from lack of conditioning or park hazards.

Here are some tips for re-entry into summer and the great fields and lakes of play:

Prepare for the season by gradually increasing your walk times with your dog if you have been cutting them short. This is good for both you and your dog and gives you plenty of opportunity to gradually work on focus, attention, and distractions.

For coated dog types, make a grooming appointment to de-shed the dog well before you head to the lake or cottage and practice drying out their coat with a hair dryer to nip those lovely hot spots in the bud.

Ensure your dog has flea, tick, and heartworm disease meds on board, that they have their leptospirosis vaccines and that you have your first aid kit and extra poop bags wherever you go with your dog.

Practice your recall cue conditioning by saying the word you use as a cue, reward with high value treats, and do this several times a day, in the house and on walks. This is a classical conditioning concept that does not require you to have a lot of space to do it, it is just “word” and feed.

Work on your go-to-mat/place behaviour. This may sound silly as, obviously, your dog is not relaxing on a mat in the park, but the general increase in visitors when the weather gets nicer, both at your home and at the cottage may be a stressor for your pup. Let your visitors know that the mat is off limits to guests, especially kids, so that your dog feels safe. Your dog knowing how to chill out and relax with visitors and not be under foot can be less stressful for all involved.

If you have not got a solid “leave it” and “drop it”, do that now. Generalize it well and reward the heck out of it. This is especially important if you have one of those dogs that eat things they shouldn’t or steal other dog’s toys. This is a safety issue and also reduces the likelihood of conflict with other dog owners.

KEEP MOVING. Don’t stand around. Keep your dog in sight at all times and pay attention to what they and the other dogs are doing.

Follow the dog park rules. Pick up after your dog. Study up on dog body language and appropriate play.

Have fun!

Written by

Maggi Burtt, CPDT-KA

Owner of Tailspin Petworx

www.tailspinpetworx.com

   Dogs Looking for Homes

Open your heart and your home to a rescue dog. You’ll be glad you did.

For complete information about the adoption process, please visit

www.speakingofdogs.com/adoption-process

 Winnie is a sweet, calm, and lovable 8-year-old Havanese (approximately 11 pounds) whose previous guardian could no longer look after her.  She has blossomed in foster care, and after a few days to decompress and adapt to her new environment, she now follows her foster mom everywhere and is always eager to go on an adventure. To help her build trust, it will be important for her to be given space and time to decompress in her new home and observe routines from a distance.

She absolutely loves the car, settling in for a nap or watching the scenery from her elevated doggie seat.  Winnie is hesitant around new people but warms up quickly as she learns she is safe in her surroundings.  While a random bag blowing in the wind or a loud bang on a walk might startle her, she has quickly adapted to apartment living, elevators, and the sounds in her new home.  She will be a flight risk until she gets to know you, so double leashing is recommended on walks until she is comfortable.  She loves her food and is getting used to new people coming into the apartment and giving her a treat.  Although sometimes unsure of visitors, she will gladly take the treats that are offered and then enjoys some attention and pets.

Winnie does not enjoy being left alone but accepts it eventually.  She might bark a little bit and pace around, but then she settles.  She is used to being left alone for 3-4 hours at a time but will thrive best in a home where people are often home with her or are able to take her with them.  She will toilet in the yard but does use pee pads placed near the door of her apartment, as she does tend to toilet frequently.  For this reason, a house with a fenced yard would be ideal for Winnie so that she can go out whenever she needs to.  Winnie mostly avoids other dogs on walks but has also bonded with a few she regularly sees, hopping around in excitement to meet them.  She would make a great hiking, walking buddy and companion.  She may even thrive with another small doggy best friend. This special gem of a girl cannot wait to meet her forever family and accompany them on their many adventures!

If you think you are the right fit for Winnie, please fill out an application for our consideration.

Click here to visit our adoption application.

   Happy Tails

   a.k.a. Recent Adoptions

Buddy

Daisy

Diego

Ernie 

Finley

Flash

Maggie

Oliver

Romeo

Teddy

   Adoption Update

Dear Speaking of Dogs Rescue,

Genesis is the love of my life!  I can’t believe how perfectly matched we are – both very goofy and very loyal.  There is so much I can tell you but here is a brief update:

He is the clumsiest dog I have ever had and often knocks things over without the slightest realization – this morning it was my coffee – but when things are “real” he is there.

Genesis often comes shopping with me.  Recently since I slipped on black ice and my dearest dog lay on top of me while we waited for paramedics to come! My tenant is home most of the time and this is a blessing since he walked Genesis while I was in hospital and still continues to until I can walk again. The groomers love him too and have asked if I can leave him for the day because apparently, he calms other dogs down.

Genesis comes with me every Tuesday night to a seniors’ residence where I run a music program. I am not sure if the residents come to see him or play music!  A few weeks ago, a friend of mine who lived there was extra cuddly with Genesis and was whispering things to him, which I found odd.  A few days later she passed away and I think she was telling him what she couldn’t discuss with humans.

I am sooooo grateful that I have Genesis.  Nobody believes he is a rescue!  Actually, he rescued me!!!  I am sure you have heard that before.

Thank you from my heart!!

Want to help our dogs?

Consider making a donation from our Amazon wish list of priority dog supplies.