For Dog's Sake

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For Dog's Sake

Guide for the dog-human relationship. 1 to 1 human support. Positive training, enrichment & wellness. Force-free walking adventures near High Park, Toronto.

Since 2005.

29/09/2023

After almost two decades, today was my last day of dog walking. I’ve been truly blessed with the best dogs and people, and my heart is full of gratitude for all of you.

There’s an embeddedness that comes with dog walking for this long, an intimate connection with time and place. From the changing of the seasons and daily weather, seeing kids grow up and become adults, and loving so many dogs from puppyhood until they’ve passed on, there is a beauty in this slightly longer view of life. I have pictures of dogs sitting on a large tree trunk that is now the pile of compost you see in the background of this photo. (Trust me to take a selfie with a decomposed log for a goodbye message lol)

For Dog’s Sake! started when I adopted my dog Sky at the beginning of cancer treatment, determining I would need to find something new to do besides camerawork in the film business. I started positive dog training at a time when most were using more forceful methods, and later began walking due to some supportive walkers at the park. I never expected to still be here all these years later.

I’m proud of the advocacy work I’ve done to promote professionalism and dog friendly handling in our industry, sustainable work practices and for our local park. I’m so grateful to my fellow walkers who have always been a truly supportive community, working together and helping each other despite being supposedly ‘competing’ businesses. It has been that way since the beginning.

Mostly I’m grateful and proud to have long-term relationships with the most amazing people and dogs. I don’t know how I got so lucky with the people (human and canine) that surround me. Thank you, thank you!

There will be new projects and adventures to come (stay tuned!), but for now there is just so much gratitude and love for all of you who have been part of my life for so long.

xo,
Cindy and Spirit

01/01/2023

Spirit and I wish everyone much peace, inspiration and happiness for the New Year. We hope this year brings delight and an expanded sense of aliveness and connection that helps you flow with the unknown rhythms of this coming year.
We’ll be engaging with what nourishes aliveness in ourselves and connects us with the presence of aliveness in the world. In Spirit’s case that includes jumping into a freezing cold pond on a rainy day in the middle of winter. 🙂
Much love,
Cindy and Spirit

25/08/2022

Jackson’s special skills:

✅Charms you with his smile

✅ Has perfected his cute waggling tongue pose

✅ Looks good in every photo

✅ Inspires you to explore a meadow of flowers

✅ 💯 the sweetest

Here’s a bit of a Jackson photo dump for you.

17/08/2022

Heidi’s here to brighten up your day with her sweet smile.

30/07/2022

The best long weekend walk is the kind where your dog gives you stank eye from behind some wild grass seeds.

29/07/2022

One of the great things about dogs is that, in an environment where they are given the freedom, they are just themselves.

And we love them for it. 💚

We love them for their little quirks, the ways they communicate, their silly pastimes, and that especially cute spot on their body.

Every dog has a cute spot, right?

The colour on the back of their head, the shape of their forehead or the tip of their nose. The way the fur on their chest moves when they run.

Maybe they love us for the same reason? We are just ourselves.

Maybe they love our quirks or strange ways of expressing ourselves. Perhaps they find our silly habits or the little things we do that embarrass us endearing.

Maybe every human has a cute spot to a dog. The way a person brushes hair from their face or the shape of their eye, the bone of their foot or the hunch of their shoulders when they walk in the park.

It’s a funny, beautiful thought, isn’t it?

15/07/2022

Bon voyage, Coco! We’re sad to see you go, but know this next leg of your adventure by the ocean will be just the right thing for you to continue to blossom and express your love of life. Running around playing with sticks on the beach feels so right.

When you let a dog tell you exactly where they are at, gradually expand their zone of comfort, have an incredibly dedicated momma and a great team around you amazing things are possible.

It also helps if you’re just naturally super sweet and zesty, like this little girl.

I can’t wait to see what the future holds for you.

Thanks

14/07/2022

Every once in a while, usually on a day when the breeze is delicious and the park is quiet, we sit down for a couple minutes to enjoy some snuggles and maybe a few little snacks.

Being able to chill together is part of a cohesive group walk. It means everyone is comfortable, happy but not too aroused to relax together, and able to easily take in their surroundings.

It’s different for dogs to sit still in a place than to move through it. For some it can feel vulnerable, so it’s good to ease into it and make it a safe and positive experience. I think it is an essential skill, and one that’s easy to miss when we we are out for walks. A few moments once in a while, and the dogs still get to explore the world and experience the pleasure of moving their bodies.

04/07/2022

Happy human, happy dog.

That’s what it’s all about, isn’t it?

Fulfilling relationship and emotional well-being comes first, it’s the foundation of everything.

Behaviour is important. We need certain kinds of behaviours to support us and our dogs as we move through the world together.

But behaviour comes second. Those behaviours are so much easier to achieve when that ground floor of supportive relationship and emotional well-being is solid in whatever unique way is right your dog and you.

03/07/2022

‘That’s a happy dog!!!’

That’s what a man said as we walked past the bench he was sitting on today.

My favourite dog training compliment! It’s better than ‘He’s so well-behaved!’ or ‘The dogs all walk beautifully together!’ or even ‘They really listen to you!’, although all those comments are appreciated.

Happiness is the measure of everything.

If what I see at the end of the day isn’t a happy dog, no amount of ‘good’ behaviour matters. I’ll prioritize a happy dog over a ‘well-behaved’ dog, always. Happiness is the first step on the path.

12/08/2021

Hot but happy dogs today. Lots of breaks in the shade and the cool wet grass.

27/06/2021

Yesterday, the world said goodbye to this sweet girl.

Affectionately known as the Queen or the Princess (it depends!) Tofino was a always moving youth and a stop and smell the roses kind of gal in her older age (and the dandelions and the fire hydrant, and, and…😀)

Tofino retired from walks last year but I’ve been fortunate to see her on her daily walks in the neighbourhood.

Her humans truly feel like family and she has the record for the dog I’ve walked the longest - 14 years! She was just past puppyhood when we met and it was bittersweet to dig up some older photos of her - from the days before phones had cameras.

A million kisses, Tofino, we will all miss you dearly. Our hearts are with your most excellent people.

03/05/2021

It’s time we shared some spring! The leaves came out today and the grass was bright green for the first time this year.

20/02/2021

She is truly stunning.

20/02/2021

His name is Leo.

01/02/2021

So nice to see all these cute faces again on a beautiful winter day.

01/01/2021

Sometimes the best we can do is come from gratitude and look with eyes of wonder. Sending gratitude to all of you for being part of what makes my little corner of the world so beautiful. Here’s to the wild ride we called 2020. See you in 2021.
~ xo Cindy and Spirit

11/12/2020

Pals.

07/12/2020

Two puppers.

05/12/2020

A couple of shaggy doggies. 😍

02/12/2020

Wasn’t it pouring rain yesterday? 🤷‍♀️ The first real snow day is always fun!

01/12/2020

Ready for a snowy day?

30/11/2020

Chandler is back!

29/10/2020

Skye’s meditation skills are next level.
(📷from a few days ago.)

24/10/2020

Windy fall weather!

08/10/2020

Hello, fall!

24/09/2020

Gemma wants to PLAY!

31/08/2020

Extra handsome.

09/07/2020

Gemma wants a treat!

30/06/2020

These two have something to talk about!

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