Wednesday, January 4th, 2016

Kouza is really enjoying her time here. The mild weather is great for her, as she can wander around the yard for ages without worrying about being cold. Today she was very fascinated with all the fresh, deep snow. This kept her very busy during her outdoor time. Kouza was constantly burying her face deep in the snow, trying to pick up on all the scents beneath the layers of heavy powder. She kept at this for a while until I distracted her by calling her name. She slowly made her way to my side where she happily accepted pets and cuddles. Some of her group mates came over to sneak in on all the pets and cuddles too, which Kouza didn’t mind at all. She then broke off to wander around with her older friends Jersey and Bear.

Bear had another great day. Today he was happy to participate in a group that was a mix of older dogs and smaller dogs. They all were lower energy, which was great for Bear. He was particularly fascinated by Bruno the Frenchie. These two danced around in slow motion for a brief period of time before Bear decided he was much more interested in sniffing and exploring. Bear continued to wander around the yard until he found a nice spot in the sun to dig. He did a little bit of digging before he decided to lie down and get comfy. Bear then relaxed in the middle of the yard, snacking on the cold snow, while basking in the sun. He continued this for a while until he was motivated to continue exploring when his two pals walked right by him with their noses to the ground. He finished off his outdoor time investigating the perimeter of the yard before he decided he was ready to come in and lie down on his bed.

Bruno is such an entertaining guy to have around. Whether I am spending one on one time with him for his extra attention, or playing with him in the yard, he is always making me laugh. The weather we had overnight brought us a good amount of snow. The weather we have today is sunny and mild, making the whole yard a nice snow paradise. Bruno was in love with all the fresh snow covering the small dog yard. He spent so much time rolling around on his back, flailing his limbs about, bathing himself in the wet packing snow. He kept at this for ages, only stopping when I said his name. He would come running to me and jump all over me, and jump high in the air for pets and cuddles, but would quickly return to rolling around as soon as I stopped paying attention to him. He kept himself very entertained for the entire duration of his mid day play time.

Finn is always keen to get going. He was begging to go into the staff room when he first arrived. To his disappointment, we had an empty kennel and he had to settle in on a cot. Once Finn finally lay down, it was time for his walk. This is always pure joy and excitement for him. He dashed through the deep snow, bounding like a deer, for his entire walk. He likes to stop and tug on trees that are coming out of the snow along the way, always thinking they’re sticks. Finn had another fabulous day with his friend Sam along with husky pals Justice and Kyah. These four sure are fast on their feet. The group of dogs motored around the yard for ages, with Finn right in on the race. He would occasionally break off to do a dive in the snow and catch his breath. He loves to gobble up the cold powder, as well as roll around in the wet snow. He was very entertained for his entire group, making him extra tired when he returned indoors.

Sam is so much fun! She is having such a great time with the small group of dogs we have introduced her to. She couldn’t have been more excited to meet up with Finnigan again today, who comes in for daycare Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. She had a fabulous morning walk with him, marching along the snowy trail with her nose deep in the tracks ahead of us and her tail wagging from excitement. In the yard Sam was just as excited to play as she has been every other day. She was all over the handsome Justice, begging him to give her attention. He was happy to give in to her request and the pair began dashing around. Soon enough Kyah and Finn were hot on their heels too. The foursome was so fast running around the yard, darting through the tunnel and over the picnic table. Justice really got Sam going by leaping over the picnic table left and right. Sam couldn’t figure out how to catch him. To top this off he sprinted across the yard and bolted into the tunnel, confusing her even more. The four dogs kept at these shenanigans forever until they were all out of breath. Sam finally took a breather, lying in the snow gobbling up some. She finished off her time outside by giving herself a snow bath, rolling around with her limbs flailing about. Once Sam settled down after all her fun outside I brought her upfront for her extra attention. She started off by exploring around the reception and office stopping by my side for a quick chin scratch. I grabbed a few treats and let her show off her tricks. She showed me how nicely she sits and gives a paw, with some encouragement she laid down as well. We did this a few times before I decided to see what she thought of a kong. I found one in the toy bin and as soon as she saw what I had in my hand her eyes lit up and she bounced by my side down the hall into the kitchen. I filled it with a few treats and some peanut butter. Sam took the kong from my hand and raced to the front mat to set it down and lick out all the yummy treats. 

Max and Sadie ran out the door shrieking and howling with pure joy and excitement today. The duo couldn’t have been more excited to be here after a day off. The pair had their nose to the ground for the majority of their outdoor time. Max was especially interested in a project I had going on in the yard; a snow man. The snowman was half built when he got outside and he instantly made his way towards it, knowing that it was something very new. Max did laps upon laps a around the half built snow man before of course, making his mark on it. This then got Sadie’s attention and she too began looping around Mr.Snowman. I finished making the snowman while the pair continued motoring around the yard sniffing and exploring. Right when I was finishing my masterpiece, the pair began wrestling around. Max started the games by pouncing on his sister. She was keen to give in to her brothers play request and set off on a run across the yard, looking for a chase. They raced around with looks of pure joy on their faces. This mild weather with deep snow is practically paradise for these two snow loving dogs.

Bruno is such a loving dog. For his extra attention today, we spent some time in the reception with Katie and Kinsey. When I went to get him from his kennel, Bruno barked with excitement! As he ran up the hall, his little bum was wiggling as fast as could be because he was so happy. As soon as we got to reception, Bruno ran right over to where the treat jar is and barked to ask me for a few treats, so I gave him a few in return for a sit, lie down and catch. After getting a few treats, Bruno and I cuddled on one of the big chairs while I looked through the toy bin to find him a toy. After finding his favourite toy, the purple one, Bruno and I had a tug of war until he decided to use the toy fox for a tug of war toy instead. While we played tug of war with the fox, I walked over to the treat jar to grab Bruno a few more treats. After I gave him the treats, Bruno ran over to the chair, jumped up and laid down for a bit until he decided he wanted to play again. After playing around for a few more minutes, Bruno and I cuddled again until it was time to go back to his kennel.

Kouza is such a beautiful girl. For her extra attention today, we spent some time in reception with Kinsey and Katie. On our way up, Kouza stopped at the kitchen and ventured in, but as soon as I called her she was right back at my side. When we got to reception, Kouza spent some time sniffing around, while I looked through the toy bin for a ball that she might be interested in. After finding her a tennis ball, I bounced it and she ran right over, sniffed for it and picked it up as soon as she found it. After throwing the ball around for a while, I gave Kouza a few butt rubs, which she loved, and we spent some time cuddling on one of the chairs. After spending some time cuddling, Kouza barked at me to throw the ball again for her, so I threw it a few more times for her. Before it was time to go back, Kouza gave me a few kisses as I threw the ball for her one more time.

Rumple and Harlow are so adorable. For their extra attention, I spent some time cuddling and playing with them. When I got in the cat room, Harlow was cuddled up on the cot with a nice toasty blanket, while Rumple was lounging in the basket of the cat tree. As soon as I got the laser pointer, Harlow ran straight over to me and meowed until I started moving it around. While I moved the laser around, I gave Rumple a few pets until he jumped down into the window to look outside. After feeling satisfied with the outside world, Rumple jumped down to the floor, and played with Harlow and I with the laser. After the pair played around, we all cuddled for a few minutes, before I had to leave. Needless to say, I quite enjoyed playing around with them.

It was a party out in the snow this morning with energetic pals Molly, Kane and Bella. This was probably the funniest group of the day, as you will see by the pictures and every pup out in that yard joined in on the epic group play! The morning started off with Kane leaping literally out the door and into the yard where he zoomed around endlessly; I swear he was moving so fast that his hind legs were always two seconds in front of his front! Well this just got the attention of Golden Charly and the two of them wrestled and played as they made their way across the yard. Bella thought to herself that that looked like fun and before I knew it she was joining in on the fun. Kane is fast however, poor Bella was nearly out of breath by the time she headed back in but boy did she enjoy herself. While Bella and Kane were speed racing, Molly found a friend in little redheaded Husky Vega and the two of them were inseparable from the moment they set paw out in the snow. In true Golden nature, Molly rolled around on her back in the fresh snow while Vega playfully attacked from above. It wasn’t until they noticed Bella flying by that they too decided to try and keep up with Kane but to no avail. Instead everyone gathered around the agility tunnel and barked at Vega who was taunting them from above. Both Molly and Bella tried a go at jumping up to catch her but it was quite icy and they slid right off; what entertainment!

Spencer was just as jolly bright and early this morning as he was when we saw him last; seriously is this pup ever in a bad mood! Never, he is such a loveable boy and his whole body vibrated with excitement when I saw him first thing this morning; he gives the best morning kisses, that’s for sure! Out he went for his trail-walk with friends and he was pleased with the warmer weather but even more excited about all that fluffy snow that fell over night. He happily galloped along the trail as the white snow glistened in his long shaggy fur and he carried the biggest smile across his face! The fun continued out in the yard a little while later where he met up with pals Dawson and Tonka. He was feeling a little bit frisky today and cut his exploring time short to have a play with the boys on this beautiful afternoon!

Next it was Duke’s turn for some fun out in the snow! He had a special one-on-one time with me out in the yard for his last day with us and he enjoyed every single minute of it! He just adores the extra attention and he was so excited; at one point he rolled around in the snow on his back with his limbs flying around in the air as I gave him a nice belly scratch. He spent the rest of his morning by my side as I took a seat beside him in the snow and we both enjoyed the warm sun that came out this afternoon. With only me in the yard, he really made the most of his time and made sure to get all of the love he could get but he truly was the best company. We are going to miss this loveable guy!