Bon Chien Good Dog

04/20/2025

Things Kyo did this time around:
- She went to sleep in my bed on her own. We've had about 5 practice/trial stays, building up from 1hr, to full day before starting overnights. This is her 3rd time staying overnight and the first time she went to my room. At one point, my door had slid closed and she stood outside of it just waiting. I got up, opened the door and she went in my room. This is huge because it's a sign that she's finally able to relax here.
- she slept in Boss's donut bed. Up until now, she hadn't used the dog beds much.
- she settled in different areas of the apartment. Before she wouldn't step in the kitchen. She would instead sit just outside the threshold, where the flooring changes. This time, she picked up a bone and went to chew it in the kitchen
- she chewed a bone. I have many bones from bone marrow, to horns, hoofs, etc and she never touched them until now.
- she came to me when I ate and wanted my food. Last time, I opened a can of tuna for her and she still wouldn't show interest or engage with me. This time, she wanted me to share my food, which I gladly did. Because sharing food is a bonding experience.

I hope she starts to play next time she comes to stay with me!

04/18/2025

Kyo is back!

She's improved so much since last month.
I never thought she would progress so much so quickly.
I had actually told her mom it would take months to get to this point.
She has gone from staying curled up by the door, to hanging out with me in the living room, unprompted.
She has gone from avoiding bones I gave her to going to get one on her own and laying down to chew it. (I keep the unfinished bones in the toy box)
She has gone from keeping her distance to asking for pets.
She's gone from disengaged to asking to go outside, to checking in during walks, etc.

So proud of team Kyo for their work and progress!

04/11/2025

Miss you forever

03/21/2025

Moshi trying so hard to get Callie to play. Callie being unimpressed. 😂

03/19/2025

With most of the snow gone, there's so much to sniff!
Theo was very busy

03/14/2025

She got on the couch!!!! I thought this would take MONTHS to happen, but it happened within 48hrs!
I could cry😭

03/14/2025

Kyo using her nose to find kibble hidden in the blanket.

03/13/2025

Working on check-ins with Kyo!
Check ins help immensely if you want to give your dog some off leash time, as they'll check in while off leash as well! This helps with recall and helps keep your dog from wandering off too far.

03/13/2025

03/13/2025

This pawrent posted in a local community group asking for help.
I don't know her, but I know her situation all too well.
I know what it's like to be injured in an accident and not be able to work. I know what it's like to end up on welfare and it not cover basic expenses.
I know what it's like when, after all you've been through, your best friend, the one who's been by your side through it all, needs an expensive surgery.
I know what it's like to have to ask people for help. The shame you feel.
I know what it's like to want people to donate just $5 and almost no one does.
$5 makes a huge ass difference if and when enough people give. And ANY amount is so fu***ng appreciated, not only for monetary reasons, but it just feels like someone cares about your dog too.

Please take a moment to donate $5 to this family so their dog can go on to live a long, happy life.

Bonjour tout le monde, je m'appelle Raya, je suis une Golde… marie eve raco gagnon needs your support for un don pour me sauvez possible pyometrite URGENT

03/12/2025

Kyo is a very timid dog.
We did 3 practice sessions before she came to stay overnight.
She hangs out mostly by the front door, something she does at home too apparently. So I put a dog bed out for her.
What makes getting her to relax difficult is that she has no interest in anything. Not toys, not food, not affection. Normally I would give her something to chew on, but she didn't want anything I had to offer, and I have good stuff!
So, I'm giving her space. So far she's come up to me twice asking for pets!
My hope is that she'll open up over time. It won't happen during this stay, probably months or a year from now, and that's ok.

03/07/2025

03/06/2025

Look at that face!!!!!

03/05/2025

WTF

03/02/2025

Zen Moshi

02/18/2025

After putting Boss down I scoured the internet for pet memorial ideas. I had some fur clippings and didn't know what to do with them.
Had I known all the things that can be done with fur clippings and ashes, I would have definitely thought more about getting his ashes and I would have asked for more fur.

I often go on Etsy for ideas. So I immediately went there and typed "pet memorials" and found a few things but this is what really struck a chord with me.

You're able to choose from a variety of breeds, the wood colour and the name or message you want.
Boss was a Jack Russell x Cocker Spaniel. The Jack Russell looked most like him, but before ordering I contacted the seller to ask if they could make the tail shorter seeing as Boss's tail had been cropped.
He said he could make that modification for me.
I got an email last week that it's been shipped and I'll be receiving it in March.

This is why I now encourage pet owners to start planning ahead for their pets eventual passing.
Had I known about this pet hair memorial box, I would have taken more fur.
Plan ahead so you know what you want, what to do, when the time comes.

If you've lost your pet, how did you memorialize them?

https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/1696867160/personalised-pet-hair-memorial-box?ref=share_v4_lx

02/14/2025

Playtime.