Merry Christmas

From our house to yours.......we wish you good health, happiness and the love of family.

Fun trick

Our homework was to use the clicker to teach our puppy some trick and then demo it at the next class. It had to be something that they had never seen or done before. I have been trying to get Ebony to start using her paws more so I came up with a trick to get her to flip the laundry basket over twice, get on top and then jump off and hit the Staples 'easy' button.

Play date

Everest and Ebony
This past weekend Ebony met her big brother at the off-leash park for a play date. They had a ball. By the end of it she was so tired that I think she would have preferred if I carried her to the car. Everest is so much bigger, stronger and heavier than she is that she got a real workout.

We're back at Westmount Safeway

Westmount Safeway has once again picked Dogs with Wings as their charity for the next year. On Saturday we were there to help kick off the start of the fund raising and to welcome Santa. Here is Ebony and her Daddy Wally sitting in front of Santa's display.

Help keep our pets safe this Christmas

As we all know, Christmas is a time for family, joy and giving. But did you know that Christmas could be a dangerous time for your dog. Simple things like decorations, tinsel, chocolate and turkey bones are all potential hazards. Be sure to make this holiday season safe for the 4-legged members of your household by observing the following safety tips:

If you have a live Christmas tree, keep the water stand covered. Pinesap mixed with water makes a poisonous drink for your pet. Pick up any ornament hooks, tinsel, or ribbon that fall on the floor. Your pet could experience serious internal injuries if any of these items are ingested. Christmas tree lights and electrical cords can be fatal if chewed on. Remember to secure your tree to the wall or ceiling.

Ice-melting chemicals and salt placed across sidewalks and roads can cause severe burning to your dog's footpads. Whenever possible, avoid walking your dog through these substances, and wash off his pads when you return home.
Many indoor and outdoor plants are poisonous. Poinsettias, mistletoe berries, and other popular holiday flowers can cause serious stomach upset for pets. For a more detailed list of toxic trees and plants check out these links:

ASPCA Poison Plant List

About.Com - Poison Plant List

About.Com - Poison Flower List

Gulping down food and water, followed by running or vigorous activity and over-eating, combined with excitement or anxiety can cause bloat and torsion. Bloat and torsion are deadly gastric conditions that require immediate emergency medical treatment (Dog Owner's Guide to Bloat). Some foods that are perfectly safe for us can be poisonous to our dogs. Raisins, grapes and chocolate to name a few. Check out this link for more details: Deadly Treats for dogs
With a little care and planning, Christmas can be a wonderful time for all members of the family.

Dog or Cat???

When Ebony is tired she likes to take one of her stuff toys in her mouth, suck on it and knead like a cat. It is so sweet to watch. I have been trying to capture this on video since we got her in late September. Every time I get my camera she stops.