Paws n' Hooves

03/22/2024

04/27/2023

04/23/2023

Dog Training Classes and private lessons. Serving the Niagara Region and beyond!

Obedience
Agi

12/22/2022

Our customized licence plate frames came in - and they turned out better than expected!! 💗

10/10/2022

Happy Canadian Thanksgiving!! What are you thankful for today?

08/27/2022

Happy National Dog Day!!!

08/25/2022

human

08/23/2022

07/28/2022

Thank you responsible breeders.

There sadly isn't much of a voice for responsible breeders. They often get grouped into the category of backyard breeders or puppy mills, but they are so much more than that. Thank you responsible breeders. Thank you for not being part of the problem, but actually being part of the solution. I can guarantee you that if every breeder followed the guidelines of responsible breeders, "overpopulation" would not be a concern.

It pains me to have clients who come in and are so stressed and concerned about their dogs having one hair out of place. They worry we will judge them because they show and breed dogs and in the past they have been harrassed by the public. I usually just laugh and ensure them that a little dirt means they are loved and having a good time outside. Trust me, I have an English Setter and keeping him show quality groomed everyday would be torture to me and him. They are expected to always be perfect in the eye of the public, because if not a snood comment is likely to be made about their purebred dog. I, and even the clinic I work at, have been harrassed twice this week for supporting responsible breeders. I can't imagine the harrassment some breeders face, I know a few that try to keep the fact that they breed hidden from the public because they are scared of what the public will think.

Don't get me wrong, I love a good mixed breed dog. I work with tons of them everyday and care for each and every one of them the same. Each day I come home and worry about every mixed breed dog I treated that day the same as every purebred dog. I support shelters everyday at work and there are many situations where a rescue dog may be the best fit for you family.

However, there is nothing quite like a dog from a responsible breeder. That dog comes to you from a loving breeder who invested so much time, emotion, funds and research into each puppy that it would shock you. They spend their lives conserving a breed and making it better. That breeder can tell you everything about their personalities, what their traits and quirks will be, and what they were purposefully bred to do. They care about the placement of each puppy, often placing them into the homes themselves based on purpose and personality of each puppy, rather than letting the new owners pick out which one looked cutest online. These puppies go into homes fully vaccinated, with all required health clearances needed. They go into homes already house trained and crate trained to ensure easy transition for the new homes. These responsible breeders keep track of the puppies until they grow old and pass. They want to know about each and every health concern that they have throughout life so that they may alter their breeding program to avoid health concerns in the future. These breeders even make you sign a contract saying that if you can't keep the dog, no matter the age, you will return it to them so that the dog does not end up in a shelter. The list goes on and on.

The next time you meet a RESPONSIBLE breeder, thank them, ask them about their breed, and buy them a drink (trust me they need it 😉).

07/01/2022

07/01/2022

Happy Canada Day 🇨🇦

02/15/2022

Are you a dog person or a cat person? Or do you love both equally?

🐶~ Michelle

11/11/2021

09/03/2021

ATTENTION! Due to unforeseen circumstances we will be closing the clinic for appointments today at 4pm. We will have the phones open until 6pm as normal for food and medication pickups only and a vet will be on call for large and small animal after 4pm if needed.

We will have a small animal vet available tonight until 2pm tomorrow but unfortunately there will not be one available from 2pm Saturday Sept 4th until 9am Sunday Sept 5th and you will need to contact your closest emergency vet clinic in the case of a small animal emergency. A large animal vet will be available all weekend if needed. 

Normal on call routine for small will resume from 9am Sunday Sept 4th until we reopen on Tuesday Sept 7th at 8am. Again large animal on call services are continuing as normal.
Please contact us if you have any questions or concerns during normal clinic hours and thank you for your understanding and patience.

09/02/2021

Letting Go

I've always believed that one of the greatest gifts we can give our pets is a dignified exit from this earth when it's their time. I can't imagine the pain one must endure, watching a loved one wither away, without quality of life or the choice of a dignified and peaceful end. With our pets, we have that choice. And we have the responsibility to ensure that they don't suffer. At the very least, we owe them that much.

When we make the decision to bring an animal into our lives, we take on a massive responsibility to care for the needs of a living, breathing creature who doesn't have the ability to tell us when or where it hurts. From day one until, hopefully, a ripe old age, we owe them a happy life, fulfilled mentally and physically. It really takes so little effort in exchange for the unconditional love we receive.

The thing about our animals is, that time always comes way too soon. It's so unfair that an animal who can bring so much uncompromising, unselfish, uncomplicated love and joy into our lives has to leave us too soon. 10 years, 20 years. It's just not enough. So when we make that commitment to them, we do so knowing that they will one day leave us with a huge, gaping void.

And the special ones, the really special ones make it so much harder. We've all had animals in our lives, but every so often, a heart dog or even more rare, a soul dog (or fill in soul partner species) comes along. And that connection is so special, it's impossible to explain to someone. It's a connection that doesn't need explanation. It just is. And our lives are so much better for it. And then so much harder.

How do we know when it's time? Over the years, what I've learned from personal experience and in my profession, it is better to have this discussion with yourself and your family well in advance. Because waiting too long is not good for anyone. Waiting too long means that we are not fulfilling our ultimate responsibility.

The decision about the 'right' time is a personal one. To a point. We need to always have, as a priority in our selfish human existence, the capacity to ensure the quality of life of this beautiful soul in our care.

We need to un-selfishly consider whether this important part of our family is still able to do the things that he or she is meant to do. Still eating, still drinking, still able to express the behaviours that make them unique, and still able to get up and go outside and run round without pain (discomfort and pain are different). When we can no longer manage pain, when we can no longer reduce it to discomfort, hard decisions need to be made. Have to be made. There are worse things in this life than a good death. Believe me, I have seen them.

The decision of "when is the right time" is not easy. Often illness and pain can be insidious. Creeping slowly, quietly in. This is the time to be brave and to depend on the guidance of a trusted and caring professional. Your veterinarian is able to help, by giving you a thorough and thoughtful assessment of your animal's health. It is done with kindness and an interest in always putting the patient's well-being above that of the owner/guardian's needs. It is sometimes hard to hear. But let's remember to put our selfish human instincts aside for the more important responsibility of not allowing our animals to suffer.

The voice of a caring professional can ease the questioning and the guilt you may feel about this difficult decision. They are able to help you come to a place of comfort. So when it's the time to let your beloved animal go, there is no bargaining, no second guessing, only the peace of knowing that we are doing the right thing, at the right time for our most special partner.

The path left behind by the departure of our loved ones should be a tribute to a life well lived with no regrets.

08/13/2021

🐾 Taurine + Cats

The amino acid Taurine is essential for cats because unlike dogs, their bodies are unable to synthesize it naturally from other building blocks. Taurine is vital for cats to maintain optimal eye and heart function. Without providing sufficient taurine in their diet, felines can suffer from taurine deficiency which can result in poor eye health and cardiovascular issues.

Cats can obtain a rich source of taurine by eating large quantities of animal muscle and organ tissues. Remember, cats are obligate carnivores! Taurine supplementation can always be added to diets that are not primarily animal based.

Tune in next week to learn about taurine and dogs!

🦴