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Did you know that there’s no such dog breed as a pit bull? It’s a blanket term used to identify various breeds of dog in the molosser group. [source]

While you won’t find it in the dictionary, breedism is a relatively new term defined as the painting of an entire breed of animal with the same brush. Whether or not the context is positive or negative matters not.

News outlets know exactly which words to use to make headlines: murder, drugs, political scandal, pit bull attack. It’s all nothing more than blatant fear-mongering and manipulation of public opinion. It’s interesting that we never hear about a dog attack involving any other breed group.

The pit bull population in North America is booming, but if only a handful are acting out aggressively (which is primarily contributed to the improper care and raising of these animals) then what about the rest of them? Anyone that’s spent quality time with one of these beautiful beasts knows exactly how wonderful they can be.

Just like humans, each of these animals should be evaluated only on its individual merits. Pit bull types come in all shapes, sizes, colours and goofy smiles.

Photo: maplegirlie on Flickr

Photos: maplegirlie and rmnicholas on Flickr

Photo: Rob Swatski on Flickr

Photo: Rob Swatski on Flickr

Photo: Steph Skardal on Flickr

Photo: hherbzilla on Flickr

Photo: Eileen McFall on Flickr

Photo: Beverly & Pack on Flickr

Photo: Eileen McFall on Flickr

Photo: This Year’s Love on Flickr

Photo: maplegirlie on Flickr

Photo: catd_mitchell on Flickr

Photo: Carlos on Flickr

Photo: Eileen McFall on Flickr

Photo: Jamie Lantzy on Flickr

Photo: Katherine Hala on Flickr

If you’re interested in fostering or adopting a pit bull in British Columbia, Bully Buddies and Hug-A-Bull are two rescue groups worth checking out.

Concessions made for cyclists by the City of Vancouver has been hotly-contested over the past several years, and it seems that the debate is shifting to the Comox Valley. The 5th Street Bridge is one of only two crossings over the Puntledge River in downtown Courtenay and local cyclists are pushing for a connection that’s both pedestrian and bicycle-friendly.

Photo: Richard Eriksson on Flickr

As it stands today, the 5th Street Bridge is narrow, boasting only two lanes for vehicle traffic with awkward sidewalks on either side of the bridge. Recently the Comox Valley Cycling Coalition (CVCC) approached Courtenay City Council and presented the idea of a bridge from the foot of Sixth Street, across the river to Simms Millennium Park (as illustrated below).

© Google Maps

A survey conducted in 2009 by the CVCC concluded that 70% of those interviewed found cycling conditions in the Comox Valley to be dangerous and that almost all of them would cycle more often if conditions improved. [source]

A safe crossing for cyclists and pedestrians – both of which frequently use Simms Millennium Park and the adjacent Lewis Park – is crucial for the expansion of sustainable transport in the Comox Valley.

Ed Schum of the CVCC summed up the importance of it: “It doesn’t matter if we believe in the global problem of climate change or not, all one has to do is travel around our Valley and see the traffic congestion, hear the increased noise and smell the exhaust fumes to realize that this is not good for our health, our environment or our lifestyle.”

Courtenay City Council hasn’t commented on when a decision will be made.

What are your thoughts? Is a pedestrian and bicycle-friendly bridge crucial in the Comox Valley?

For the fourth time in a row, I have to say “thank you.” For the fourth time in a row I participated in the cause that is nearest to my heart.

As of this morning, I offer 500 thank-yous for the $500 donated to the Comox Valley BC SPCA by my friends, family and readers. What may not seem like a huge number will make a huge impact on the lives and well-being of animals in British Columbia. As I previously paraphrased the very wise Mahatma Ghandi:

This year, as the time drew near for the Paws For A Cause walk, I started to feel disheartened. By the time my friend, Erin, and I were making our way to Stanley Park for yesterday’s walk, I’d made up my mind that 2011 was to be my last year participating.

The evening before I was discussing my annual fundraising endeavour with J and what he said was simple: “people are fatigued from donating.” It’s true and it makes fundraising even more tough when you hit up the same people year after year for the same cause year after year.

Yesterday the sun was shining and thousands had converged on Stanley Park for the 2011 Paws For A Cause. In that instant, as in the years previous, my heart instantly soared and I said to myself: “I can’t not do this next year!” Erin agreed and we set a plan in motion.

Whatever it is that compels me to care so deeply about animal welfare in our Province, I don’t know. Perhaps it’s because, unlike humans, they have no voice and are entirely at the mercy and grace of humankind. Next year, instead of asking my friends, my family and my readers for donations, Erin and I are teaming up and tackling this from a new angle.

Instead of writing “please donate” blog posts and e-mails, we’ll be baking up “please donate” cupcakes and collecting “please donate” pop bottles and whatever else she and I can think of. The truth is that people can be more compelled to give when they get more than just a tax receipt out of the deal. There are 101 ideas by which we can raise funds, rather than just asking.

That said, if you have any ideas of things we can do to raise funds by getting our hands dirty, let’s hear ‘em…

If ever you’ve made the trip to the west coast by car, you’ve passed by Kennedy Lake. After all, it’s hard to miss the largest lake on Vancouver Island.

Photo: Shayne Kaye on Flickr

Located 16 kilometres east of the town of Ucluelet, Kennedy Lake hugs part of the Island’s mountain range in a distinct horseshoe shape. Fed by the Clayoquot River and the Kennedy River, it has become a popular stop for those trekking Highway 4.

Map © Google Maps

Photo: Unknown Photographer – Wikipedia

The area surrounding Kennedy Lake has been settled by the Nuu-chah-nulth First Nation for thousands of years and forms part of the ancestral lands of the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation. Following European settlement of Vancouver Island, the lake was named for a former governor of Vancouver Island, Sir Arthur Edward Kennedy. Despite popular misconception, Kennedy Lake does not form part of Pacific Rim National Park. Instead it is adjacent to it, being Kennedy Lake Provincial Park and falling under BC’s umbrella. [source]

Also adjacent to Kennedy Lake are Clayoquot Plateau Provincial Park, Clayoquot Arm Provincial Park and Kennedy River Bog Provincial Park.

Photo: Myles Green on Flickr

The Kennedy Lake area was largely settled and populated based on the very active logging opportunities presented by the surrounding forest. Today it’s a popular stop-off for tourists and recreational enthusiasts.

Photo: Scott Hadfield on Flickr

Photo: Chris Morisawa on Flickr

While Kennedy Lake doesn’t provide designated camping spots, it’s not uncommon to see tents dotted at various points around the lake. It’s also a haven for freshwater fishing, canoeing, picnicking and swimming. Budding photographers will find unending inspiration in the panoramas across the lake.

Photo: Matthew Parkes on Flickr

Photos: Magalie L’Abbé on Flickr

As with most parts of Vancouver Island, Kennedy Lake is also home to its fair share of wildlife. It’s not uncommon to spot eagles, deer, bears, wolves or cougars. Always exercise caution when in these animals’ backyard: leave pets at home and keep children close by.

Photo: Jo Salkey on Flickr

Kennedy Lake is as rustic as they come. Potable water is not available on site so bring your own and be sure to take any garbage with you when you leave.

Kennedy Lake and its respective provincial parks are located on Highway 4, about eight kilometres east of the Tofino/Ucluelet junction. Day-use areas include picnic facilities, pit toilets, a boat launch and wheelchair access. For more information about visiting Kennedy Lake, please visit BC Parks online.

Summer’s days may be fading fast but that doesn’t mean there’s any shortage of things to see at the water’s edge in Tofino and Ucluelet. From September 15th to the 25th, the Island’s west coast is home to the Carving On The Edge Festival.

Wood carving is an artistic tradition with deep roots on Vancouver Island. For 10 days, both traditional and contemporary wood carvers will be celebrated through a series of fine art wood carving shows, traditional canoe-building demonstrations and workshops, tool-making & design workshops, storytelling events and hands-on wood carving events.

Perhaps of particular interest is the 10-day-long workshop with acclaimed canoe builders Joe Martin and Carl Martin. The building of a traditional sea-faring dugout canoe will be the highlight of this workshop.

Photo: Sam Beebe on Flickr

All events during Carving On The Edge are free and open to the public at various locations throughout Ucluelet and Tofino. You can pick up a “Carving Map” at any number of local retailers. The festival is proudly presented by the Pacific Rim Arts Society and sponsored by a number of fantastic area businesses.

For more information and a full line-up of events, please visit Carving On The Edge Festival online. There you’ll also fine more information about the various artists participating in the festival.

In the first week of January this year, I vowed to try to complete a number of things. While some of those marks I’ve missed, one of those endeavours will come to fruition as of October 1st: I’m boxing my wares and leaving downtown Vancouver.

J and I recently started a search for a new home together – a search that ended faster than it began. We found a quiet spot on Vancouver’s Westside, complete with a fenced yard for Jordy.

Photo: Greg Wagoner on Flickr

While the change is all very exciting, my blogging has already suffered this past week. Consider this your warning that blog posts will probably be sporadic throughout the next month. My mind is instead swirling only with thoughts of duvet covers, paint colours and how I’ll organize my new kitchen.

Apart from our (potentially stressful) search for a basement tenant in our new home, things are coming together quickly and beautifully. I’m quite sure that the next month won’t pass by fast enough. That said, if you have any sage moving advice, I’m all ears!