Canada Corners Pets

11/15/2024

11/07/2024

Felt wrong going back to posting regular work things yesterday. I need my followers to understand that this is not about politics, this is about people. When marginalized people are scared for their lives, it’s more than a political race. Every one of my friends I’ve talked with has been in tears yesterday. Not because they’re just unhappy with a result, but because they or their loved ones they care about are directly in danger.

While I don’t want to bring politics into the work place, I want people to understand that if you have promoted a platform of hate, we have a pretty large boundary between us. For my sake and the sake of the people around me. It’s not “identity politics.” It’s people.

I’m still here as a queer-owned, woman-owned small business trying to provide for myself and make a difference in this world.

I had a draft post saved to promote new training services and an updated website but it turned into this post because sometimes life takes priority over advertising. If protecting my space means losing clients then I am happy to provide referrals for other pet service providers that can keep a professional facade. That’s not me though. Hate is not welcome in my home.

Be kind. 🖤

11/01/2024

Welllll we just couldn’t wait until January! We are now enrolling for our next round of Reactive Dog Classes for December!🤩

We are so excited to announce that we will be hosting at Your Pets Naturally! We will have the whole store to ourselves to practice our new skills in a safe, structured environment!

Have a pup with big feelings? Is your dog lunging and barking at other dogs, people, moving objects, and critters? Is it a challenge taking your pup outside the home?

Don't miss out on registering for our reactive class where you will learn the following:

1. Learn to avoid the rehearsal of unwanted behaviors (barking, lunging, protective behaviors).
2. Acquire new behaviors when faced with triggers in a controlled environment to build resiliency.
3. Build confidence through various enrichment outlets to apply in class and in home.
4. Understand your dog’s needs and grow your bond.

Fill out our form below: https://forms.gle/GDV2xgvRNEr5oKMZ8

10/31/2024

Happy Halloween from Oregon Trail the classic computer game! 💚🖤💚

Featuring Basil, Robin, Gilligan, Macey, Dorey, Calcifer, Jaina, Inara, Suki, and Jetpack!

10/28/2024

Weekend shenanigans

10/23/2024

Cute dogs from the vault of photos this month! 🧡🎃👻🍂🍁

10/14/2024

For those that might not know, I do an art calendar every year. Pre-orders are open on my online store! Will ship out after GR Comic Con - November 18th.

🐾 Dog Breeds of Astrology 2025 Fine Art Calendar ⭐️

First up (in regular calendar months) is Capricorn represented by an Ibex and a Beagle!

So very excited about this project, especially since it goes hand in hand with my tarot cards. Trying to replicate the style of each suit for each element- fire, earth, air, and water. Capricorn is an earth sign which correlates to the suit of pentacles.

Stay tuned for the rest of the illustrations - they’re already all done and sent to the printer but I gotta draw out the anticipation at least a little bit 🤣

Online pre orders are open and will ship out after GR Comic Con - November 18th.

10/10/2024

Basil says spooky season better come with loads of treats or he’s putting a spell on everyone…

10/07/2024

Jetpack looooooves being in ads!

📣 Model Call!! Looking for social and friendly dogs to star in future advertisements!!! ‼️
Some of you know that Apollo has done some ad work in the past- if you’ve ever wondered how to get your dog involved in ads/commericals, now is your chance! We have been helping Dream Dogs Training with professional pet handling on advertisement sets and we are looking to add some new faces to the roster. There are no breed restrictions! Mixes welcome! All ages encouraged!
Requirements are that your dog is up to date on vaccinations, social with new people, mostly confident in new environments, and has some basic cues mastered like sit and laydown. You also must live in Grand Rapids (or surrounding areas) or be willing to meet in the Grand Rapids area for pick up/drop off purposes.
It is ideal if your dog also has good food drive, a strong stay, and has had exposure to crowded environments. If you’re interested in learning more, please reach out!

09/23/2024

Herdy dog day! 🐑🐕

09/21/2024

Updated service list!

New client applications are open for dog grooming and can be found on my website, however I will be prioritizing dogs that really need me and referring others elsewhere.

You'll notice the SniffSpot is not on there anymore, however private sports lessons are definitely still on there so all the fun equipment can still be shared with the world.

Otherwise all my usual!

Dog grooming is always the main focus; salon based, house call, show trims, cooperative care, skin therapies, and private lessons.

Dog training is solely sports related.

Pet sitting through Rover is still going strong (SUPER limited numbers though so please start thinking about holidays). No new clients for pet sitting, this is only for my existing clients.

And of course portraits through Basil and Bobbin. Orders should be caught up this weekend!

(I always love it when people ask what I do for work because... I do dog stuff.)

09/20/2024

She is royalty and will be treated as such ✨💅👑💖

09/19/2024

This photo was immediately followed by zoomies. 🤎

09/18/2024

Shame these dogs don’t have any fun here 💖💖

09/18/2024

Basil got the ol’ “we don’t have any shows coming up” haircut.

Don’t let his face fool you, he’s thrilled about it.

And yes that means his mohawk will be back. 😎

09/17/2024

A proper gentleman Jeb. ❤️

09/14/2024

Happy anniversary to me - Canada Corners Pet Grooming LLC more specifically! 🎉

Three years ago today Rory was the first dog in my home salon! And two years ago today I started officially doing house call grooming.

I always want to write inspirational and positive blurbs about the story of how this accidental business grew; it’s muddled somewhere between a dream and a necessity. I could fill a book with all the reasons and the real, raw, honest, painful, healing, celebratory, angry truth… Maybe someday I’ll be a memoirist lol.

The tip of the iceberg was that it was started as my escape route from toxic job to toxic job… an escape from places where employees and animals alike were abused, where clients were shamed behind closed doors, where mold found its way into the dog shampoo, where the employee bathroom was always occupied by someone having a panic attack…

My business started first with the extensive knowledge of what NOT to do.

I wish I could separate my dream of owning my own business from the nightmare of running away from bad businesses. But they have been so inextricably linked. A proper Yin and Yang.

These days I am reveling in the freedom that comes with discovering all the RIGHT ways to do things.

My business is a place where dogs can be dogs, where they can make free choices and opt in and out of handling, where the dog’s needs come first, where the pet owners are respected because they know their dog best, and where dogs and people alike can enjoy peace and safety and kindness.

I’ve found so much joy in providing dogs with enriching experiences and showering them with nothing but the absolute best. If I’m overkill in my spoiling of dogs, it’s because it fills me up just as much as it makes them happy. Maybe it’s a trauma response but I think that’s ok.

When you prioritize the dog, you prioritize yourself.

My business is growing every day and my knowledge growing every day. I don’t know what the future looks like since I’ve already changed so much in these three years of running a business but right now I’m really happy and so incredibly proud of the work that I do. Thank you to everyone who has made this business possible! 💚

09/13/2024

It’s been puppy week!

Tug came in for his first puppy grooming! 🖤