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43 – The number of chihuahuas abandoned at a Victoria-area SPCA last week. [source]

1 – The number of suspects arrested and charged under BC law for tying up and dragging a dog behind a truck in June. [source]

40,000 – The minimum number of wild, domestic and farm animals the BC SPCA rescues each year.

1.3 – The percentage of the BC SPCA’s annual costs that are covered by the government.

98.7 – The percentage of the BC SPCA’s annual costs that rely on charitable donations from people like you.

2,000 – The dollar amount of my personal fundraising goal for the 2010 Paws For a Cause campaign.

400 – The dollar amount I’ve personally raised to date.

30 – The number of days left to raise funds.

20 – The minimum donation amount required to receive a tax receipt.

2 – The number of toonies needed to pay for your morning latte and muffin.

6 – The number of puppies your latte and muffin money could feed instead.

∞ – How much I’ll love you (or your company/business) for donating to the BC SPCA.

At the end of a brief doctor’s appointment yesterday, the conversation between my doctor and I turned to my epidermis. After a quick examination of my face, she commented that my skin was looking very healthy and asked if I use sunblock each day. “Yep, SPF 50 every day,” I answered. She laughed and I added that “I make a point of nagging my friends into using it too!”

Her smile disappeared and she said “well, you should probably share with them that they wouldn’t believe how many of my patients I’ve been seeing and diagnosing with skin cancer these days.”

In all seriousness, our skin’s wellness isn’t something we should be taking lightly. We eat right to stay healthy, exercise to stay fit and firm, take vitamins to ensure we’re getting out daily fill and wash our hands to avoid the flu at all costs. So why won’t we do the same for our skin?

I can’t deny that in my early 20s I would visit a tanning booth once in a while or ditch sunscreen for tanning oil. But that was then and this is now and I have come to the obvious conclusion that the health of my skin is important. Beyond the risk of skin cancer, damage to the skin is not reversible and once the sags and spots appear, there’s no turning back. And besides, what I look like in a bikini at age 50 is largely dependent on how I treat myself and my skin in a bikini today. I can be Helen Mirren or I can be Donatella Versace. It’s a no-brainer.

I get it. Sometimes a little bit of tone does look a bit better than the Casper the Ghost-like skin I’m usually rocking. Self tanning products have come a long, long way, my friends, and provide a deep and natural glow – often with a coconut kick. My personal favourite is Clinique’s Self Sun Body Daily Moisturizer for yummy colour. That said, you’re all out of excuses, so take care of yourself and your skin. Every day.

You’re worth it.

With the August long weekend only two sleeps away and temperatures maintaining skyrocketed levels, now is a better time than any to stay protected. While you’re at it, don’t forget to stay hydrated, stay cool and leave your pets at home. Temperatures inside your vehicle can reach 45+ degrees in only minutes and your canine companion can sustain permanent brain damage in as little as 20 minutes. For more tips on how to keep your fur baby cool during these hot, hot days, refer back to my summary from last year.

Don’t say I didn’t warn you.

Having a pet in one’s life is something that can be incredibly rewarding. The unconditional love they offer springs from trust, appreciation and fierce loyalty. One of the most difficult parts of being a “pet parent” is when your animal is unwell or injured. Unlike a child that can tell you their tummy hurts or that they’ve stubbed their baby toe, a dog or cat will just get lazy all the while staring up at you with fearful eyes and dilated pupils. What’s wrong is anyone’s guess.

Around the middle of last week, Jordy started to display a behavior known as “scooting”, where he’d plunk his butt on the ground, lift his hind legs and propel himself forward with his front paws. Add to this the fact that I’d take him outside and he’d sit on the concrete rather than pee when it was time to go to bed, I knew something was wrong. By Friday morning, I felt a lump on his rump that was accompanied by some seepage. It was time to call the vet.

I always trust the great people at Yaletown Pet Hospital to deliver the best possible care to Jordy, so I was disheartened to learn their next available appointment was a week away. I stressed the severity of the situation and the fact that I suspected an infection, so they managed to squeeze an appointment in that very afternoon.

After a few minutes with Dr. Spooner, I soon learned that Jordy’s minor irriation was, in fact, a bacterial abscess on his rear end – likely caused by something he sat in or on. The sudden abscess was the size of a green grape under his skin and, left untreated, was likely to rupture outwards. My little guy was in obvious pain and discomfort which did nothing short of break my heart. After a quick expression (Google) to relieve some of the pressure, we were sent on our way with two weeks’ worth of antibiotics, painkillers and anti-inflammatory medication. I had instructions to hold a hot compress to Jordy’s behind four or five times a day to hopefully bring the swelling down and avoid a rupture. Should it reach that point, surgical lancing would be required.

It’s been four days and Jordy’s world has changed immensely. His rear end no longer looks like a battleground and instead has healed almost miraculously. The medications combined with rest and extra snuggle time has made all the difference for him. He’s back to playing, running, cuddling and generally acting like a little monkey.

Sometimes it’s really difficult to make decisions on my own regarding the health and welfare of my furry loved one. There’s no sounding board to hear me out, nor someone to tell me to chill if I’m overreacting. However, even a minute in pain and suffering is too much in my opinion, so it’s better to be safe than sorry. I want to thank the amazing staff at Yaletown Pet Hospital for not only taking my concerns seriously and finding a solution to Jordy’s ailment, but also for offering him the very best care he deserves. YPH is most certainly a prime example of how to treat your clients and customers – something I think we could all use a little bit more of.

I recently wrote about Jake, an American Staffordshire pitbull that two friends of mine adopted from the HugABull rescue society. It’s been several months now, and Jake has well adapted to his new home in the Comox Valley. I recently got the chance to spend some time with Jake (and take Jordy along on a doggie play date) and snapped a few photos of this handsome boy.

He’s ready to run…

…gaining speed…

… “Ohhhh! Look – grass! My favourite thing to eat!”

One of the most common topics in e-mails I receive from readers is with regard to pet adoption. Those who have been following my blog know that I adopted a three-year-old rescue dog from a foster home in April, 2009 and have been raising and training him since that time. Though I was initially hesitant about bringing home an older dog, a little bit of education on the topic soon made my choice clear.

Unfortunately, pet adoption is often plagued with misconceptions – particularly the idea that shelter pets have behavioral or health issues. I can assure you that this is simply not the case, as anyone who has met my dog, Jordy, can attest to. To help clarify a few basic questions about pet adoption and general pet ownership, I’ve asked the fantastic folks behind Adopt-A-Pet to answer some of the most common queries I receive.

Q: “Although there are millions of pets in shelters needing homes each year, many pet-owners-to-be don’t consider pet adoption when they’re looking for their new four-legged friend. Why do you think this is?”

A: Many people who want to get a pet are not aware of how many great pets are available at shelters. They might also have the misconception that pets in shelters might be there because there was a problem with the animal. In fact, most pets end up in shelters not because of any problem, but because an owner died, moved, or simply didn’t have the time or money to care for the animal. In some cases animals are lost and never found by their owners. These animals are healthy and very eager to please. Rescued pets are wonderful – just ask anyone who has one!

Q. “I’m looking for a particular breed, so is adoption an option for me?”

A: Some people are seeking purebred animals or puppies and think these animals are not available in shelters. In fact, nearly 25% of all animals in shelters are purebred. Often someone will buy an expensive purebred animal and then attempt to breed that animal to recoup their money. Often these animals are not placed in homes and end up in the shelter. Also, keep in mind that many rescue groups deal only with particular breeds, so a quick internet search can point you in the right direction.

Q: “I’m interested in getting a puppy [or kitten] rather than an older animal. How can I go about this without supporting pet stores or breeders?”

A: Puppies and kittens often end up in shelters as well, but it is important to note that younger animals require a lot of work and training as they can be quite destructive (peeing on the carpet or chewing shoes). Puppies and kittens are great, but often people are much happier getting a pet who is older, and whose size and temperament is a known quality.

Q: What are the 5 most important things a potential adopter should consider when choosing their new pet?

A: 1. You need to make a real commitment to care for your pet for its entire life. Consider the cost of food, health care, toys, treats, grooming and vaccinations. These expenses can really add up if you’re not ready for them!

5. Make any necessary modifications to your home, yard and fence to provide for your pet’s safety.

Q: What are 5 positive aspects of pet adoption, and why is it a good option?

A: 1. When you adopt an adult animal, you can see his or her size and temperament. This helps ensure that the pet is right for you and your family.

5. Choosing a mixed breed animal can help avoid many of the genetic health problems that have developed in purebred animals due over-breeding and inbreeding.

I want to offer a huge and sincere thanks to Adopt-A-Pet for taking the time to provide some insight into animal adoption. It’s a huge undertaking for anyone and takes some serious consideration. However, the benefits and joys of bringing a rescued animal into your life are most definitely worth the effort! Please visit Adopt-A-Pet’s website to start your search for animals in your area that are looking for a loving home.

There are few charity organizations that speak to my heart as much as the BC-SPCA. They are tirelessly dedicated to providing loving care to British Columbia’s abandoned, hurt and loneliest animals. Each year the Paws For A Cause campaign seeks to raise funds Province-wide to support their annual goal of $1 million dollars. Without you and me, they couldn’t do what they do.

Aside from simply providing health care, shelter space and fostering animal adoption, the BC-SPCA is also exhaustively involved in investigating and gathering evidence to assist Crown Counsel in prosecuting some of BC’s nastiest animal abusers. Most investigations require a minimum of $10,000 – no cheap feat!

On Sunday, September 12, 2010, Jordy, Charley and me will be joining other animal lovers in the Comox Valley (and across BC) in a Walk to raise funds for this entirely worthwhile cause. It’s my personal goal to raise $2,000. Please consider donating… any amount is worth something to an animal in need. Even the $5 you’d normally spend on your morning latte will feed a litter of newborn puppies that day instead.

Many, many thanks and much love in advance. xo

If you’d like to donate to my personal campaign and help contribute to my $2,000 goal, please visit my personal fundraising page. Donations can be made anonymously and contributions of $20 or more are tax deductible. Stay in the loop by following Paws For A Cause on Twitter or liking the event on Facebook.

To announce that I love dogs would be stating the obvious, so let me begin by saying that my love of dogs doesn’t discriminate. While I’m often wary of people, there isn’t a dog I won’t approach for cuddles and kisses. So when I heard that my friends Rebecca and Josh adopted a three-year-old pit bull from Hug A Bull rescue, I couldn’t wait to meet him. This past weekend I got my chance.

What surprised me most about Jake first was his size. He isn’t the beastly, muscular menace most come to expect with pit bulls. Jake is a 50-pound pure-bred American Staffordshire terrier that was built for play. He instantly took to me and was quick to show off. Rebecca and I took Jake for a walk in the woods where he displayed his expertly perfected stick-fetching skills, all the while being entirely cute. Yes, cute. His mannerisms and facial expressions were almost puppy-like and it was impossible not to fall for Jake’s charms and huge heart.

When the walk was done and Jake had expended all his energy in the woods, he climbed up on the couch beside me, flopped onto my lap and rested his head on my knee. The boy loves to cuddle when not showering his “mommy” with appreciative kisses.

The stigmas attached to this breed of dog have become unavoidable, but I can’t help but wonder if such stigmas would exist if not for the media. Fear sells headlines, so it’s not unusual for news outlets to resort to fear mongering. No doubt a pit bull’s bite would be stronger than that of, say, a golden retriever. However, if a golden retriever barked at and nipped someone at the local park, it’s highly unlikely that the story would make the 6 o’clock news.

My personal experiences with pit bulls have only ever been positive ones. One of my closest friends is a Special Constable with the BC-SPCA and, over her career, has only ever encountered a single aggressive pit bull. Breaking through stigmas surrounding animals is, in my opinion, equally important as breaking through the stigmas we have regarding people. That said, what have been your experiences with this breed? Do you love them? Fear them? Why or why not?

Jordy – Also known as: J-Man, My Foxy Little Man, Love Muffin, J, Lil’ J, J-Fresh, Buddy, Sweetpea, Mister, Jords, Monster, Little Monkey

His ears were pasted back on his head, his fur dull and coarse and tremendous fear reflected in his eyes. The photo I saw of Jordy on his adoption profile was accompanied with the label “high anxiety” and he had enormous emotional issues, mainly because he’d been re-homed a half-dozen times in only three short years. There was something about him that I couldn’t get out of my head, and I found myself visiting his online profile numerous times each day until I finally decided to bite the bullet and submit an application form for adoption.

The response e-mail I received informed me that several other applications for Jordy were pending, but that it wasn’t a first-come, first-served basis. Jordy would go to the person best suited for him, so I applied anyway. As luck would have it, the other applications were never fully processed and after nearly six weeks of filling out forms, reference checks, phone interviews and a home visit, I was finally invited to meet Jordy at his foster home in Duncan.

He was nothing more than a dark silhouette on a landing who refused to come downstairs when I walked in the home. He was the typical sad orphan in the corner who wasn’t playing or interacting with the other foster dogs and it broke my heart. However, after more than an hour spent together and a walk in the woods, Jordy warmed up to me considerably – and more than any other prospective adopting “parent” that had previously met him. I decided that I wanted to go through with the adoption and, one week later, returned with my mom and Rebecca to bring him home.

That was one year ago today and I can’t begin to tell you the difference a year makes. Back then he truly was the high anxiety dog he’d been labeled as, was constantly panting and breathing rapidly – even in his sleep. Though he was house-trained, it took close to four months to find a routine that stopped him from marking inside. Taking him to the dog park or asking him to shake a paw would elicit nothing more than a blank stare.

Today he’s happy, bouncing, relaxed, sweet-mannered, loves to destroy his toys and his treats, interacts and plays with other dogs at the dog park, gets excited over having sleep-over vacations with my mom and aunt, knows more than his share of tricks and is as lazy as a teenager when it comes to sleeping. Seeing the progress this formerly neglected dog has made truly warms my heart a hundred times over every single day, even if just in the way he greets me with cuddles and kisses every time I walk through the front door.

Today we’re celebrating one year together, coinciding with his fourth birthday. I couldn’t imagine my days without him around.

If you’re considering bringing a dog into your home, please first consider the immense undertaking of time and potential expense involved. Second, I strongly encourage you to explore adoption options from either your area SPCA or a local adoption/rescue agency. Jordy was adopted from Furever After Small Dog Rescue in Qualicum Beach. Supporting pet stores and breeders will only contribute to a nation-wide pet population epidemic, while there are hundreds of dogs across BC that are amazing, wonderful and crave nothing more than a warm, loving home.

With me and Rebecca’s trip to New York City on the horizon, I thought it crucial to replace my sad little point-and-shoot Canon with a beefed up Nikon D3000. It will be the trip of my lifetime, so I want to take the very best shots with which to remember it by.

I picked up the new camera several days ago and haven’t yet had the chance to go through the manual to see what this camera is capable of. Instead, I grabbed Jordy and headed to the park to snap a few test shots to get a feel for the equipment.

Photo: BC-SPCA Biscuit Fund

In 2004, a scruffy but lovable dog named Biscuit was found wandering local streets. He’d been abused and repeatedly stabbed but somehow managed to drag himself into a garage. After being found by a family and rushed to an area veterinarian, Biscuit was nursed back to health through emergency care. The BC-SPCA created the Biscuit Fund in honour of this resilient little guy to raise funds for other sick and injured homeless animals.

March is ‘Sponsor A Cat Month’ with the Biscuit Fund. Donations are the primary funding source for all aspects of the BC-SPCA and the need for emergency animal care is steadily rising. In fact, the money spent in 2008 exceeded $2.4 million dollars. If you’d like to donate, please visit the BC-SPCA’s Biscuit Fund website. 100% of the donations are used to help the animals and are entirely tax-deductible. If you’d like to take a peek at some of the animals that have been helped by the Biscuit Fund, head on over to their Flickr site.

Pet overpopulation is a huge problem within British Columbia and around the world. When bringing a new cat, dog or other companion animal into your home, please give strong consideration to adopting from an animal shelter or rescue organization. There are countless animals waiting for your love and affection, and the more animals we bring into our homes, the less animals we’ll find fending for their lives on the street.