connie's blog

For many of us, this stat holiday marks the beginning of summer. However you opt to spend it, I hope you have an awesome day! For me, it’s all about taking some downtime like an afternoon at the beach with my dog Penny (I’ll hopefully be able to coax her in for a swim) an evening barbeque, a glass (or two) of cold white wine and a game of bocce… nothing too exciting, just a quiet, relaxing time.

If you’ll be bringing your dog with you to some of the day’s festivities, please don’t forget that not all dogs like crowds or fireworks (my previous dog Kaya lived for 16 years and never did outgrow her fright of fireworks, she’d cower in the basement till it was over) and I’ve heard many accounts of dogs who have slipped a collar trying to escape from the perceived danger. It would be a nightmare to lose your dog in a crowd of people. 

Keep cool and have a fun and safe holiday!

Here's Penny keeping her cool!

Photo: Hans Sipma

A Modern Dog survey determined that 54% of our readers would take a job for lesser pay if they could bring their dogs with them to work. Here at Modern Dog’s headquarters we know firsthand the advantages of having our canine side kicks lying in their dog beds alongside our desks… both dog and human alike benefit from this arrangement. Let’s face it dogs are social beings and want to be part of the pack and would therefore rather be spending their day with us than being home alone. And apart from having our dogs here to remind us to get up and take a break from the computers we sit in front of for way too long (in that all too familiar necks-craned-forward position that contributes to bad posture and muscle strain), spending time with our dogs, stroking them or even just watching them has been proven to reduce blood pressure and lower heart rates.

So, it’s good for you and good for your dog and you really want to bring her to work, but just how do you go about convincing your boss that it’s a good idea? Try the one-day-at-a-time approach. Start, by telling your boss about joining forces with thousands of others who for one day, this coming Friday June 21st, will bring their dog to work with them. It’s Pet Sitters 15th annual Take Your Dog To Work Day created for the purpose of showing your dog-less co-workers what wonderful companions dogs make and encourage them to adopt a dog themselves from a shelter or rescue organization (how could your boss refuse when it's such a worthy cause!!). Thousands of businesses throughout the world will be participating in this event. You will, of course, need your employer's consent/cooperation and you'll want to make sure you've got your co-workers on board with the idea too. 

First and foremost you'll want to make sure Bandit is well-groomed, fresh smelling and good-mannered (a Canine Good Citizen certificate would earn you and your pooch brownie points). You'll also want to make sure that he gets some regular bathroom breaks so there won't be any embarrassing mishaps on the office floor. To be on the safe side we recommend having the appropriate cleaning supplies on hand "just in case". A baby gate to enclose your dog in an area beside you may also be helpful. Our friends at Pets+Us also have some helpful tips to be sure you and your dog have a successful day at work or visit Pet Sitter's official Take Your Dog To Work Day site. And then, with one successful dog-at-work day behind you, you can continue advocating for more dogs-on-the-job days, hopefully working up to a pet-friendly work place. Have fun and good luck!

Here's Rose on the job, peeking over to see what Mary's up to…

Festival season is upon us, but for those of us with dogs, this often means missing out on the fun. Rare is the outdoor event that has a dog friendly policy. Enter Woofstock: the outdoor festival that not only allows dogs, but is all about dogs, and we're there every year, we wouldn't miss it! Tens of thousands of dogs and their people convene for two days of shopping, mingling, showing off and just strolling the historic St. Lawrence market area of downtown Toronto. Bring your pooch, June 8th and 9th, and join fellow dog-lovers in the fun. Make sure you look for the Modern Dog booth- we'll have super subscription deals with Popware for Pets collapsible travel cups and klipscoops, tote bags and smiling faces. Come say hi! 

There’s a field of grass I walk through when taking Penny on her daily dog walks. It’s loaded with tiny little daisies and the warm Spring weather has brought them into bloom. The sight of those sparkling white flowers set against the carpet of green grass brings me back to summers before when I’d walk with Penny’s predecessor, my Kaya-girl, a spirited Weimaraner/Pointer cross, who’d romp and play and race with her canine pals on that same long, open stretch of grass. On one beautiful, warm and sunny day, Kaya, who was then approaching her sixteenth year with me, and slowing down considerably, stretched out on that field for a little snooze.  I captured an incredibly serene photograph of her resting amidst the daisies growing there.  Now, years later as I walk this same field with Penny, I remember that particular day as if it were yesterday and still feel a pang of longing for my dearly departed friend, a “heart” dog who taught me the meaning of love, friendship and not giving up.

People who don’t have dogs simply can’t understand the deep bond we develop with our dogs, nor the grief that descends upon us when we lose them. So often we hear “I don’t understand why she’s so sad, it’s just a dog!”.  My friend Corey Van’t Haaff wrote an article on this very subject and if you or anyone you know or love has lost a dog, this article may help them through the grieving process and provide some comfort. To read Good Grief, click here.

If you're like me, you always feel a little guilty when travel plans force you to leave your canine kid behind, so if you know you’re going to be travelling this summer and won’t be bringing your furry best friend along, then you should start planning now. Modern pup parents want their canine charges to be well cared for in their absence so whether you opt for an upscale dog hotel or a more budget-conscious facility there are a number of things you should consider before dropping Fido off in someone else's care.

Here are some of my recommendations:

- Think about your dogs needs before beginning your search for a boarding facility. If your dog isn't well socialized he likely won't enjoy his stay. If your dog is an activity freak, make sure the facility you choose has an adequate exercise regime in place as well as space to run off that excess energy. Some boarding facilities provide lengthy nature walks, but expect to pay extra for this feature.

- Don't rush, always visit the boarding facility well in advance of your trip, making sure you get a tour of the sleeping, exercise and feeding areas, as well as a chance to meet and chat with the staff. Doing this will give you ample time to choose an alternate facility should it look disorganized, unclean or otherwise poorly managed.

- Ask for references or customer testimonials.

- If you feel uncomfortable about any aspect of the boarding facility, trust your instincts and look elsewhere. 

- Once you're satisfied with the facility you've chosen, be prepared to complete paperwork outlining your dog's history, veterinarian, your contact info, emergency contact, as well as the policy to follow should your dog require immediate veterinary attention while in their care. You will also need to prove your dog has up-to-date vaccinations. Avoid last-minute frustrations and get this done well in advance of your trip.

- The best boarding facilities are always the first to fill up so book now for the summer and even Christmas. If you've left it too late and are not willing to settle, ask to go on the wait list and/or consider either bringing Rover with you or vacationing at home.

Kaya at the Rex Dog Hotel