Every Day Should Be Earth Day

May 6, 2008

This morning I read in the paper that air pollution is being blamed for plummeting bee populations. Apparently, smog is making it increasingly difficult for bees to follow the scent of flowers because ozone and other pollutants destroy the scent-bearing hydrocarbon molecules that flowers release (bees strongly rely on their sense of smell as they have poor eyesight). And if bees can't find their way to flowers, they won't have sufficient food, nor will our plants proliferate, directly affecting our own food supply. In light of all the recent headlines about food shortages and the doubling/tripling prices of such staples as rice, reading about our declining bee populations makes me feel like crying and realize that we grow ever closer to the so-called "tipping point" of environmental disaster we're so frequently warned of. So what can we do? On the individual level we can drive less, recycle more and make environmentally conscious choices when purchasing. For more ideas on how to go green, check out "7 easy things you can do to reduce your dog's ecological footprint" on page 18 of Modern Dog's spring issue. Here at Modern Dog we've made the switch to SFC (Stewardship Forest Council) paper with recycled content. Meaning our paper stock for the magazine is sourced from managed forests, not old-growth timber. We've also implemented many eco-friendly practices around our office. Modern Dog staffers also frequent public transit or ride bicycles to work. For more info on our environmental policies click here. I welcome any other ideas you may have... together we can make a difference!

Here's me and my pooch, Kaya riding to work. I don't need to worry about getting to exercise class on the days I tow Kaya behind my bike. Weighing in at 65 pounds, she certainly "ups" the workout factor. As we pass people along the way, they think I'm towing a child (human child that is) until she starts to bark at which time theyll exclaim, "Oh my God, there's a dog in there"!

Calling All Artists

May 3, 2008

If you've been waiting to unleash your creative talent on the dog world, here's your chance! The AKC and Eukanuba have once again launched their Commemorative Poster Contest. You've got until October 10, 2008 to hone your talent and submit an entry celebrating the theme "The Wonderful Word of Purebred Dogs."

Here's the good part: the grand prize winner will receive $1,000 and a four-day/three night trip for two to the eighth annual AKC/Eukanuba National Championship in Long Beach, California, December 13-14 (including airfare and hotel). The winning artwork will be used in a commemorative poster that will be sold at the event as well as on the AKC Web site. Proceeds will be donated to Take the Lead, a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization that provides direct services, support, and care for people in the sport of purebred dogs who suffer the devastation of a life-threatening or terminal illness. Below are the winning posters from the past two years. For further details, click here. Good luck!

In the Spirit

April 15, 2008

My favourite place to walk is Pacific Spirit Park. Bordering the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, it's a natural park that covers 760 hectares. Depending upon which trail you take, you'll see everything from old growth forest to ancient bogs, estuary marshes to natural beaches. It came by its name through a competition, the winning entry explaining the name thus: "The gateway to the Pacific and a spiritual ground to becoming one with nature." I've clocked countless hours there walking my dog, Kaya, and it's in that park that I conceived of the idea for Modern Dog magazine. It is a very special place to me, somewhere I go to find serenity or simply regroup with the side benefit of feeling rejuvenated from a hike in the fresh air. Walking along the earthen trails in the quiet of the early morning, you can hear the birds waken and call to each other as the sun warms the canopy of foliage in the tree tops high above. Here you see life in all stages, the new saplings striving for light amidst the moss and lichen covered trees towering above, the ancient giant crashed to the forest floor providing sustenance for birds, insects, animal, and plant life. The circle of life is easily witnessed here. As I walk along I see how the spring sun awakens dormant shrubs, plants and trees, although in the more heavily wooded areas the process takes a little longer. I took some photos. I hope you enjoy them. I'd love to hear about your favourite walking places. Namaste.

It won't be long before these huckleberry bushes with their new, pinkish growth are dotted with delicious orangey-pink berries:

Magenta Salmon Berry blossoms soon make way for delicious orange, yellow, and/or red berries. The riper the berries, the deeper the colour:

These beds of trillium will soon be covered with a mantle of creamy white, tri-petalled flowers:

New life grows out of the old:

A great place for dogs:

Click here to learn more about Pacific Spirit Park.

A Woof With a View

We all know how difficult it is for dog-inclusive families to find accommodation. Too often we hear of "no pets" policies or other limitations that restrict our enjoyment of life with our dogs. As the popularity of dogs increase, though, we're now seeing developers, especially those in urban areas, take our love for dogs into consideration when planning new developments. And it's about time. Living in population-dense urban cores can be isolating; our dogs play a vital role in creating an opportunity for social interaction, providing a way to get to know our neighbours and creating a sense of community. Though home theatres, swimming pools and volley ball courts are thoughtful added amenities included in many new condo towers, two big thumbs-up to developer Amacon for considering the needs of dog parents, too. One of their latest properties, The Beasley, located on the corner of Smithe and Homer Streets, is one of the last high-rise sites to be developed in Vancouver, BC's chic and trendy Yaletown. But what makes it notable to dog owners is the 2,000 square foot dog run located on its 8^th floor, which will include benches for owners, a waste receptacle, a dog wash, even a grooming station! Expected completion date of the project is 2011 (but units are expected to sell out within the month!). For more details and to see an artist's conception of the dog walk, click here

Olly Learns to Crawl

April 3, 2008

For some reason it seems way more fun and entertaining to teach your dog a trick rather than practical obedience skills. Plus, it's a sure-fire way to impress your friends! I'll never forget the day I taught Kaya to roll over. Kaya doesn't score high in the obedience or patience departments so it took some time, but I felt so proud when she did her first roll. Since then she'll perform them on command...with the promise of lots of treats, of course. A bunch of us at work somehow got onto the subject of dog tricks when Brielle, who heads up Modern Dog's advertising department, said that she had taught her dog Oliver, a Shepherd/Rottie cross, to crawl. To see a short clip of Oliver performing his trick, click on the video below. If your dog knows any great tricks, please share them with us-we'd love to see them.

Connie