Brought
to you by Dog Paddling Adventures |
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 Welcome
to our Spring/Summer 2004 Dog Paddling Post. This
issue is dedicated to providing you with the essentials
that you will need for you and your dog to get
the most out of your outdoor experience. We are
looking forward to another great hiking and summer
paddling season with you and your pup. |
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Outfitting
You & Your Dog
Have
you and your pup been thinking about going on
a fun outdoor adventure together? Maybe it is
to try out a dog paddling adventure, or perhaps
to a local campground or cottage… either
way you will need to know how to outfit yourself
and your k9 buddy to make sure you are both
safe and comfortable on your outdoor adventure.
Outfitting
yourselves is a fairly simple task but with
so many products on the market and so much to
choose from it’s sometimes hard to know
which product is most suitable for you both.
We have tested our many products over the past
few years and have a great array of doggy gear
(and human gear) that is comfy, affordable and
durable. Depending on what type of adventure
you are getting ready for you may need some
different gear. Here is a list of some of the
K9 and Human gear that is available for adventures
of all seasons!
GEAR
FOR DOGS
LIFEJACKETS
(CFD – Canine Flotation
Device)
Taking
your dog to the lake is the perfect
way to enjoy a wonderful summer day
together. Most dogs are natural swimmers,
but some pups can be nervous about swimming
at first, and a CFD can provide the
extra support needed to help your pup
gain some confidence. In addition to
this, there are many other reasons why
a CFD is a good idea for even the most
powerful canine swimmers. The handle
on the back helps to control them a
little better while they are in the
boat, as well as helping to get them
back in the boat when they decide to
go for that unplanned (yet refreshing!)
dip.  As
well, playing water fetch is a great
game, and spending hours in the water
is not uncommon on a summer day…
it is nice to have absolutely zero worries
about Fido becoming tired when he decides
to go for a marathon swim after the
loon across the bay (with a stick in
his mouth). Lastly, they help to keep
your pup’s fur nice and moist,
and actually help to keep her cool on
a hot summer day. You can spend between
$40 and $100 on a CFD, but we have found
that the lighter, simpler, and less
expensive models are actually easier
to take off and put on, and seem to
be just as comfortable for your pup.
K9
BACKPACK
If
you are heading out on a weekend or
longer adventure with your dog, you
will need to bring lots of “stuff”
for Fido… his food, water bottle
and treats can get heavy, so why not
put him to work! A doggy pack is the
perfect way to get Fido involved in
the carrying process, as well as putting
him to work on your adventure. When
Fido carries his own food and gear that's
at least five, maybe even ten, pounds
off your back. There are several types
of dog packs out there to choose from,
and again what’s most ideal is
something that is not to cumbersome.
It is ideal if you can find a doggie
pack that has a mesh backrest to help
keep your pup cool throughout the day.
A good tip is also not to put any valuables
in Fidos pack, such as your cell phone,
keys or wallet, just in case he sees
a great body of water that he just has
to jump in!!
BOOTIES
Your
dog’s paws are incredibly important
to them and it is important to protect
them when necessary. Booties are not required
for a dog to enjoy most adventures, but
for certain dog types they sure do make
them a whole lot more comfortable. There
are tons of different types of dog booties
on the market, here are a few ways that
booties may come in handy for your dog.
For hiking, simple and inexpensive booties
can protect your pup’s paws against
thorns, rocks, fishhooks and broken glass.
In the winter months, if your dogs paws
become clogged with painful ice chunks,
you will find your pup chewing them clean.
This in turn leads to more moisture, and
quickly becomes even more of an ice build
up. Nicer, more expensive “muttlucks”
have worked better in this type of extreme
circumstance. A pair of cheap booties
may also be a good idea to keep in your
first aid kit, in case your pup sustains
a paw injury out on the trail, far away
from your car. Dog Booties can also be
used for sporting dogs as they are designed
to stay on and be very durable. |
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DOGGLES
Does your dog ride with his head out the
car window, or perhaps is sensitive to
bright light or have an eye disorder such
as Pannus? If so there is a very interesting
product on the market called Doggles.
Doggles  are
protective eyewear for dogs. They are
actually goggles for dogs, hence the name.
Unlike ordinary sunglasses for dogs, Doggles
actually protect dog’s eyes from
foreign objects, wind, and UV light. They
are modeled after sports goggles. There
are 2 types of Doggle Sunglasses which
fit dogs from 7 pounds and up. All models
have flexible, snug-fitting frames, which
have foam padding against the face; they
are shatterproof and have anti-fog lenses;
and adjustable elastic head and chin straps
to keep the Doggles securely on the dog.
These are definitely not a necessity for
taking your dog out on a trip but hey
if you can get your pup to wear them it
may just be easier on their eyes and they
do look pretty cute!
SKIJORING
GEAR
Skijoring is the perfect activity to get
you and your dog working together during
the winter months. Cross-country skiing
becomes Skijoring when you add a harness
to you and one to your dog(s), and complete
the sled team with a shock absorbing rope
to connect you and your pup. It is an
amazing way to bond with your pup while
working together to achieve a goal and
is tons of fun, but having the proper
gear helps make a good day become a great
one. If your dog has problems with snow
building up between his toes, then perhaps
consider putting booties on your pup when
spending a day out in the snow.
A skijoring set includes the
following:
Pup Harness – In
order for your dog to be able to pull
you and to be comfortable, a good harness
is imperative. We use a terrific product
made by a former sled dog racer, who  lives
locally and has developed a wonderful
line of dog sledding and skijoring gear.
The harness fits over their back and is
made of strong nylon webbing, with fleece
padding in the neck and chest area for
comfort. They actually fit so well, that
we have yet to meet a dog who doesn’t
forget they are even wearing a harness
at all! Our harnesses are sized according
to the weight of your pup, and are colour
coded as well. It is important to get
the right fit, to ensure a fun and safe
day on the trail for everybody.
Human
Belt - The human partners in
the skijoring team wear a skijoring belt,
which wraps around your waist and bum,
and has a tow rope that clips on either
side of your hips. It is lightweight,
fully adjustable and quite comfortable,
even when worn over puffy snowpants.
Skijoring
Line – This dynamic rope
is made of a braided polyethylene rope,
with two belt clips at your waist to better
distribute your weight, and one clip for
your dog’s harness. A neat added
feature is a quick-release buckle at your
waist, which instantly releases you from
your pooch. This is especially great for
those times when your dog sees a squirrel
running through the forest and you don’t
have the same desire to chase it as your
dog does. |
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LIFEJACKETS
(PFD
– Personal Flotation Device)
One comforting thing to
remember when buying a PFD, is that 95%
of all PFD’s on the market have
the necessary flotation to keep you safe.
With this in mind, you can focus your
energy on other factors, such as cost,
comfort, and extra bells and whistles
(pockets, knife attachment points, zippers,
etc). Lifejackets range in price from
a standard $40 canoeing vest, to a $200+
whitewater guides jacket with a tow-rope
and rescue knife attached to it. Generally
speaking, for most recreational users
a standard Bouy – o – Bouy
canoeing vest will be plenty comfortable,
and will be inexpensive enough that you
won’t mind using it as a seat for
dinner. A few extra bucks spent on a model
that has pockets for dog treats isn’t
a bad idea, either. Most importantly,
they only work if you’re wearing
them, so zip it up, clip the buckle, and
have fun!
PADDLES
Paddles
are like the hockey sticks of the outdoor
world… fun to look at, fun to
hold, fun to buy, and just plain functional.
They come in all different sizes, with
different grips and different blade
designs (the wide part that goes in
the water). Some paddle blades are short
and wide, which are often used for whitewater,
while lake paddles are often longer
and more slender (though not always).
Materials range from high tech carbon
fiber ($200+), to plastic and aluminum
($35+) and many different types of wood
(Ash, Cherry, Poplar). Cherry wood is
super sweet, but more costly than Ash,
while Poplar is a lighter, softer wood
and is less expensive (and less durable).
At Dog Paddling, we have chosen an ash
paddle for durability, with a longer
blade for deeper paddling strokes. We
apply a coat of varnish each year because
of the amount of use our paddles get,
but generally they will last for many
years between coats with regular use.
The most important thing about a paddle
is that it feels comfortable in your
hands, and that it is the right length
for you. A general rule of thumb is
that a paddle should reach between your
chin and nose while you stand up. While
this seems to put you in the right ballpark,
when was the last time you paddled a
canoe standing up? Above all else, remember,
they all work, as long as you put the
big end in the water.
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FOOTWEAR
When deciding on footwear
for outdoor adventures, comfortable and
functional are what you want. While the
terrain on most canoe trips or hiking
days generally takes place on an established
trail, there will be times when we encounter
some rocky, muddy, or possibly slippery
conditions. You will want footwear that
can provide you with support and comfort.
When hiking, a decent pair of hiking boots/shoes
can be the difference between a great
day out on the trail and a painful drive
to the pharmacy afterwards to pick up
some blister sized band-aids. Running
shoes are comfortable, but are not the
best idea for a days hike as they often
don’t provide enough support, and
will likely not keep your feet all that
dry if things get mucky. Most importantly,
though, is to work any new shoe/boot in
before you spend a full day hiking in
them, as any new footwear will take time
to mold to your feet. Try walking around
the neighborhood in your new shoes for
a few blocks (at least) to get them broken
in. ( Good excuse to take your pup for
a walk!)
CLOTHING
Keep
in mind that you are living and traveling
in the out of doors. Weather and temperatures
change on a moment’s notice and
you want to adjust your clothing to the
demands of the environment. Dressing in
layers is the best plan. This may involve
wearing a light t shirt and shorts under
lightweight nylon pants, with a long sleeve
or sweater on top. This layering system
allows you to peel off a layer when it’s
hot and permits you to put that item back
on if the temperature changes. Maximizing
on the warmth and cooling abilities of
this layering system depends also on the
type of fabric that your clothes are made
from. Synthetic materials such as polyester,
nylon, fleece and polypropelene have quicker
drying abilities than cotton, and will
keep you warm when they are wet. Wool
and silk are great natural fibers that
also perform very well. Cotton is the
most widespread fabric out there, and
is appropriate for most mid summer outdoor
pursuits, but it takes forever to dry,
so you have to bring a few extra options.
Also, in any type of spring or fall situation,
be careful, because wet cotton not only
doesn’t keep you warm, it actually
deprives your body of it’s heat
very quickly. If you are getting anywhere
near the cold weather season, cotton can
be a dangerous choice of clothing. A full
first layer of synthetic underwear, long-johns,
socks and long sleeve t- shirt are a great
investment. A wool sweater or fleece,
wool socks, a pair of nylon pants and
a shell type jacket will see you warm
and toasty on those early spring mornings! |
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PET INDUSTRY IS PAWING ITS WAY TO THE
TOP!
North Americans will spend almost $36
billion on pet care in 2008, if the market
continues to grow at an average rate of
3.9 percent! Steady growth will be spurred
by changing demographics, new lifestyle
trends and a continuing shift in human
attitudes towards pets according to the
report, “The Pet Industry: Food,
Accessories, Health Products and Services.”
Pet foods will remain the largest segment,
representing approximately 46 percent
of the market. Veterinary services will
be the fastest-growing segment. Other
pet services will be the slowest-growing
segment.
Pet ownership continues to rise each year
which is great news. The BCC report estimates
that 61.5 percent of households owned
pets in 2002, compared with 58 percent
in 1990. This represents a huge market
of potential consumers looking for pet
products and services. Dogs are found
in 36.7 percent of households, making
them the most commonly owned pets in the
United States! The US is expecting by
the year 2008 that there will be 4 million
pets! It is a good time to be a doggy!
PAWSITIVELY
FUNNY DOG PRODUCT
Every think your dog is trying to tell
you something, more than just feed me
or walk me? Well now you  can
find out just what your dog is thinking
and trying to tell you! The Bow-Lingual
is a $120 electronic gadget that purports
to translate your dogs bark into standard
English!
It has been a huge hit in Japan since
it was launched last year. A small wireless
microphone on the dog’s collar beams
data from the bark to a handheld receiver,
which translates the sound using a 200
phrase dog vocabulary. It doesn’t
translate barks into words but emotions,
phrases like what’s’ that
or How exciting might pop up on the LCD.
This is definitely one of the most unique
dog products on the market that we have
ever seen!
PAWS
FOR A LAUGH
Rules
for non pet owners who visit and like
to complain about our pets.
| 1. |
The
dog lives here. You don't. |
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| 2. |
If
you don't want dog hair on your clothes,
stay off the furniture. |
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| 3. |
I
like my dog a lot better than I like
most people. |
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| 4. |
To
you, she's a dog. To me, she's an
adopted daughter who is short, hairy,
walks on all fours and doesn't speak
clearly. |
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The
same applies to cats, except they ignore
you until you are asleep.
Dogs
are our link to paradise. They don't
know evil or jealousy or discontent.
To sit with a dog on a hillside
on a glorious afternoon is to be
back in Eden, where doing nothing
was not boring -- it was peace.
-Milan
Kundera |
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DOGGY
TAILS – PAYING TRIBUTE TO HEROIC
DOGS IN THE NEWS!
Retriever
survives 11 days in snowbank
Based
on an article originally appearing in
the Toronto Star and written by Roberta
Avery.
 Guinness
the golden retriever from Hillsdale Ontario
is most definitely a “miracle”
dog! He survived 11 frigid days and nights
in a snowbank after being injured by a
vehicle, during one of Ontario’s
coldest winter weeks! His brave story
began at 10pm on January 14, 2004. It
was an extremely cold day and he never
came back in after going out for a short
while. Soon after his Mom and Dad ventured
out on a frantic search for him. The next
day they put up posters and called animal
shelters all to no avail. In the days
that followed with temperatures plummeting
to minus -25 C with blizzard conditions,
any hope of finding Guinness alive had
faded away. What the humans didn’t
know was that Guinness was unable to move
because of a broken pelvis, a broken foot
and a 25 centimeter gash to his belly,
was lying in a snowbank right across from
their home! IT was 11 days later when
a neighbor called to say his visitors
had spotted something moving in the snow
bank. The frozen dog was barely able to
move, so Coward carried Guinness to the
local vet. He was in severe shock and
barely alive said the vet! The wound on
Guinness's lower abdomen, which required
dozens of stitches, was so badly frostbitten
that the skin had come away from the muscles
but he was alive and is now safe and sound
at home! His survival defies any explanation
and was truly a miracle! Guinness is most
defiantly one heroic dog. Dog Paddling
Adventures sent this Hero a get well card
with a gift certificate for a free adventure
whenever he is up to it!
Miracle
Mutt Cheats Death
 Cain
a year old mixed breed whose owners could
no longer care for him, was sedated and
went into the gas chamber at the St.Lous
Animal Regulation Centre along with seven
other unwanted pooches on Aug 4, 2003.
Fifteen minutes later, Bill Dobbs, whose
unenviable job it’s to remove the
cadavers, unlocked the chamber. “I
saw this dog in the right corner on the
cage,” he says, “starring
at me and wagging its tail”. It’s
unclear how the 30lb dog escaped his fate,
but there are theories. We think the sedation
might have slowed his breathing,”
lessening his carbon monoxide intake,
says animal control manager Rich Stevson.
Once out, Cain who has acquired a reputation
for surliness in his weeklong stay at
the pound, “gave me a dirty look”
says centre supervisor Rosemary Ficken,
“like he had it out for me”.
After monitoring the dog for neurological
damage, Fricken turned him over to the
Stray rescue. There founder Randy Grim
renamed him Quentin, after San Quentin,
infamous for its gas chamber, and despite
more than 700 adoption offers, decided
to keep the dog himself. “He now
has his own bedroom and a queen size bed”.
Now this is 1 dog who had a will to live!
If
you have a doggy story that you would
like to share with us please email it
along with a photo to: stories@dogpaddlingadventures.com
If we choose your story for a
future Dog Paddling Post you will receive
a free 1-day adventure for you and your
dog!
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| PAWSWORTHY
NEWS
2004
Take Your Dog To Work Day!
 It's
time to start planning for International 6th
annual Take Your Dog To Work Day scheduled for
June 25, 2004. This great doggie day was created
to celebrate the great companions dogs make
and to inspire dog-less co-workers to adopt
a pet of their own from local shelters, rescue
groups and humane organizations! And what a
better way to make a work day more fun then
to spend it with your puppy dog!
Fun
New website for Dog Lovers!
UrbanDog.info is a new website that caters to
Toronto area dog owners. Launched in early February
2004, UrbanDog.info bills itself as "the
complete resource of where to play, who to see
and what to read about Toronto dogs." Some
of the sites highlights are listings of the
dog-related bylaws for all of the Greater Toronto
Area, a dynamic map of Toronto's off-leash parks,
free dog classifieds, an online forum and an
event calender of canine events and activities.
Formed by a group of Toronto dog owners, UrbanDog
was created to contain the rapidly expanding
resources and information available for Toronto
dog owners. "It's been a lot of hard work
and fun creating the site", says Gil Quintal,
one of the site's founders. "We've made
an effort to include everything that we'd want
to know about dogs in the Toronto area - as
an owner or as a visitor with a dog. Some of
the things we've uncovered have been fascinating.
For instance, the city of Vaughan has a bylaw
that states that if your dog or cat is in heat,
you must keep it confined so that it will not
attract other animals. That's the kind of information
that we hope site visitors will find useful."
The
url for the site is www.UrbanDog.info.
It's free to join and members are encouraged
to submit Toronto area dog-related information
they want to share with the rest of the online
community.
WOOFSTOCK 2004
Join us for Woofstock this June 5 & 6 at
the Distillery in downtown Toronto. Last years
Woofstock was a huge success. Your dog is welcome
to join you and admission is free for you both,
so come along and visit our booth. There will
be great giveaways and some fabulous contests.
Hope to see you then! Visit the Woofstock
website for more information.
EXCITING PRESS
Dog Paddling Adventures was featured in an article
in the Travel section of the New York Times
on Friday April 2. 2004. There were some great
photos from several of our trips, so you and
your dog may have been in the press! We were
also featured in the National Post on Saturday
April 10! Read
all about it!
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Exciting
Dog Paddling Events
Dog
Lovers' Spring Hikes
Our
Spring
Season begins this
weekend and hikes are booking up
fast! We have a few  spots
left on our remaining hikes, so treat yourself
and your pup to a wonderful spring day! Click
here for more information on our dates and
locations.
Summer
Paddling Trips
We
are very excited for the upcoming Paddling Season,
which will begin in June with
three – 1 day paws and paddles. This 1
day, introduction to paddling with your dog
is the perfect way to start off your summer
and introduce you both to canoeing! Check out
our full schedule of canoe trips which will
run every weekend until labour day, including
our exciting 6 day adventure to Algonquin Park,
the perfect way to immerse yourself in the beauty
of a  multi
day canoe trip. We hope to see you on the lake
this summer with your pooch! Click
here for more information on our dates and
locations.
THINGS
WE CAN LEARN FROM OUR DOGS:
- Allow
the experience of fresh air and the wind in
your face to be pure ectasy
- Run,
romp and play daily
- Be
Loyal
- If
what you want lies buried, dig until you find
it.
- When
someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit
close by and nuzzle them gently
- Delight
in the simply joy of a long walk
- When
you're happy dance around and wag your entire
body
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"An
experience with so many pawsibilities"
We are now taking bookings for our
Spring & Summer 2004 Adventures.
Click here to find
our more info!
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